I have a childish habit

I've been writing forever. Or at least what my nineteen years feels like forever is (which, to some people like my mother, isn't so long to them). But, for as long as I've had the ability to put pencil to paper and form words, I've written. And so of course, as a kid, I didn't know proper terms like manuscript. I just wrote stories, that's what I called them, that's what everyone else called them.

Now, ten years later, and I still fight back to write or say "story" when I refer to my own work. But I'd rather say "my story" instead of "my book" or "my manuscript." I don't know what it is. I want to be grown-up and professional, out of my self-illustrated cover and table of contents smudged in pencil and into real shiny covers and formatting. But I can't let go of my stories. Maybe it's habit, and maybe it's something else. Maybe it's holding on to the excitement and thrill I got as a kid writing down the people and places in my head. It may also be that I've always focused on the actual story and not the writing (which, of course I learned a few years ago is actually important).

Now that this is out in the open I just might keep on referring to FORGET ME NOT as my story. Because despite everything I know now, it's really that child-like excitement that keeps me writing.

(And for kicks, here's a picture from my childhood)

Me and my brothers. First day of 3rd grade for me. 

Being a Kid Again: Toy Story 3

Last night I finished watching Toy Story 3 for the third time. And for the third time, I'm very impressed with Pixar. First, because usually animated sequels are poorly done technically and it's much lower quality than the original. Second, because usually story sequels stink. Anyone could expect them to keep Andy a kid forever and have the toys go on some adventure, but lacking any emotion. But the story was so well-done because it faced the fact that kids grow up and toys aren't played with. It had different emotions and challenges than the others.

And third, because they finished it. What annoys me is when movies (and books) go beyond the point that they ought to. The storyline is there, and once it's finished, it should be done. It might be too early to say, but I hope that Toy Story 3 remains the last in their saga. It ends perfectly and there's no need for more: Andy and the toys' story is complete (Land Before Time could take a page out of Pixar's book).

Another little, selfish thought of mine, though, is that Toy Story 3 wasn't really written for all of the five-year-olds out there. It was written for my generation, the first five-year-olds to see this new, amazing animation. The first ones to buy the Woody dolls and Buzz Lightyear action figures. We're grown up now. I saw Toy Story 3 right after I graduated high school, and I was a few weeks away from moving off to college myself. The passage there, to realize I had to let go of my childhood but still remember everything it left me hit me as I watched Andy drive away. Five-year-olds right now don't get it, although they will in about thirteen years. But still, I think it was a nice tip of Pixar to thank the original kids who got excited for it.