June 25, 2003
Interview
Today's oneword entry: creativity. Well, not really. But, it should be!
Hi, Brian! Thanks for being so kind and letting me pick your brain. Let me start off by saying I think oneword is a pretty nifty application of Moveable Type. You're quite creative!
Oh, "start!" Thank you.
How did you start blogging?
Enough about me. A friend had this online journal and I thought it was
a good idea.
The focus of your site is obviously creative writing and expression.
Have you always been interested in writing?
Yes, I have been writing poetry and lyrics since I was a kid. Most of my writing is geared toward music in one way or another.
When did you begin your first website?
1995. shallow sea music. (no longer exists.)
How did oneword evolve?
A few years ago, my girlfriend told me about this group she used to attend where everyone would get naked* and one person would call out a random word while the rest of the group would write as fast as they could whatever came to mind until that person said \x{201C}stop\x{201D}. I thought it would be a lovely idea to be able to do something similar electronically, but I couldn't figure it out\x{2014}so I put the idea on the back burner.
Then about a year ago, my online journal was becoming moderately popular and I decided to move it onto my own server using Movable Type. I realized that I could manipulate it to make this random word idea work online. Plus, I could share now.
So I did.
NAKED*? As in unclothed?
Ok. I'm not sure about that part\x{2014}but I thought it was a nice touch.
Just checking.
What were some of the problems you encountered setting up oneword?
It actually went very smoothly after Homes helped me with some java. It was up in a few days.
Are you surprised by the popularity of oneword?
No. It\x{2019}s simple. It\x{2019}s fun. It helps people to be creative. Those sorts of things should be popular.
Do you actually read all the entries on oneword or do you allow it
to have a life of its own?
I used to read them all and even publish a favorite at the top each day. But ever since it was on Yahoo and USA Today\x{2014}I can\x{2019}t keep up. Though it\x{2019}s trickled down to mostly serious writers now.
Do you ever follow the links to other people's sites from oneword?
That\x{2019}s how I found you.
Who else have you found through oneword? Do you read them regularly?
I follow links from time to time, but don't have any regular stops.
Have you ever felt the need to censor the entries there?
Other than the people that cut and paste \x{201C}f**k you\x{201D} over and over (as creative as that may be) and stupid stuff like that\x{2014}no.
What are some of the other projects you've worked on?
I have produced/co-written albums for Misty Murphy and cork. I have written scripts for a few tv and radio spots here and there. But writing has always been more of a sideline.
What are your goals as a writer?
To write a book. I\x{2019}m really good at starting it\x{2026}
Aren't we all?
How much time do you spend writing each day (or each session)?
Sixty seconds.
Really?
No. Some days a little more.
Except for answering these questions, right?
Yes. Then a lot more.
It'll take a long time to get that book written that way, won't it?
Yeah. Maybe I should start with short stories.
Do you have creative outlets beyond writing?
Yes. Music, video and graphic design.
Did you ever envision being a muse to so many people?
No. I\x{2019}m not really a muse. Words are.
Where do you find your inspiration?
In the contrast between what I feel and what I think.
How do you come up with the words each day?
Well, I always keep it simple so no writing time is wasted trying to figure out meanings. usually I'll look around the room for objects or ask a random passerby to give me a word.
But, people still post entries defining the words you have up.
Yes. "...couch... a place to sit..." Thanks for clearing that up! I'm playing the numbers here. Good with the bad.
Some have said that it seems your words for a given period of time
have a theme. Possibly with the aim of creating a story, if you will,
when linking all the entries for, say, a week. They're just imagining
that?
Why am I always the last to know? Brilliant idea! Thanks Some That Have Said\x{2122}!
Any links you recommend to those who enjoy oneword?
Well, I really like this girl.
Do you prefer to remain anonymous in your online writings?
Apparently not.
What else would you like people to know about Brian, the visionary?
I\x{2019}m a very lucky person.
Confession time \x{2014} are you published?
I vividly recall the staggering prose in my fourth-grade school book:
"first I saw Star Wars / Then Pete's Dragon / So when it comes to movies / You'll never see me braggin' "
I can relate. While I didn't see Star Wars when it first came out, I did read the book. And, yeah. I saw Pete's Dragon in the theater. Still, I didn't get published in fourth-grade like you did! Well, not for that. Only a a few puzzles I made up.
Anything else you'd like to share with me?
Only my gratitude for interviewing me.
No, no, no. Thank you!
I would say "No. Thank you!" here. But I'm afraid you'll make a Chip
'n' Dale reference.
Tell you what, we'll dispense with the Chip 'n' Dale routine. That's silly.
Damnit.
Any new developments you'd like people to know about?
I am involved with helping develop a website for a charity feeding the homeless of Los Angeles. But I'm still arranging things with other parties involved right now, but I will definitely have a link on oneword when it's up. (I don't know if this is even worth mentioning at this point.)
Yes, I think it is. I'll be watching for the link!
Many thanks to Brian, the creator of oneword for his time, patience, and for playing so nicely. Very few would take the time to answer the questions of some crazy online wannabe writer like myself.
Tell your mom. Tell your dad. Tell your friends about oneword....and then have a go at it yourself. (See? I'm so nice. I've included many links here so you don't have to search the Internet. Don't tell anyone I was nice, though.)
Posted by DaGoddess at June 25, 2003 09:49 PM