My 4 Idea Journals

Today’s blog post is about something very special to me! A lot of writers know or have been told that they should write down their ideas. I’ve been doing that ever since 2016, back when I was in high school. I’m so glad I did. Today, I’m talking about my four “Idea Journals.” I think every writer who is serious about writing should have one 😀 They definitely come in handy! I will talk a little bit about each of them in today’s post!

From left-to-right are my oldest to newest Idea Journals. The cross-striped “Idea and Intentions” journal is my VERY FIRST idea journal. The dirty and faded journal with “Notes” on it is my second journal. The other journal with black and white stripes (which has now super faded words) is my third idea journal. Lastly, the blue one that says “Full of Ideas” is my fourth idea journal, which is still being worked on. It is full of blank pages right now ❤

I wanna talk a little bit about each of these journals for fun. I will also show some journal entries that might be entertaining to read.

IDEA JOURNAL #1

This is my very first journal! Considering how journals #2 and #3 are so faded and covered in pencil lead, I’m surprised journal #1 is in such good shape after all these years! How many years, you ask? The first journal entry is from September 25, 2016. That’s nearly SEVEN YEARS OLD! Let’s take a look at some of these journal entries, shall we?

Concept Artwork From Thursday, February 9th, 2017

I absolutely LOVE that I sometimes would draw out ideas in my head!! I 100% FORGOT about this idea, until I went flipping through pages today for this blog post.

Inside Jokes While Writing Down Dates — Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

Whenever I write down ideas on a day that is meaningful to me in some way, sometimes I will make a little reference or drawing to go along with it! It makes writing down ideas even more fun! For example, this is based on a scene from the SpongeBob Squarepants Movie in which Plankton says something about March 14th on a calendar. I also totally forgot that I wrote in my Idea Journal to write down theories and thoughts during my first playthrough of the video game Life is Strange.

Last page of Idea Journal #1 – Thursday, April 12th, 2018

The very last page of my idea journal was pretty sentimental to me ❤ I even wrote down how long it took to complete the Idea Journal 😀 It took 1 year, 6 months, and 18 days.

IDEA JOURNAL #2

Ah man! I remember this Idea Journal being so shiny and nice when it was brand new. Whenever I put it in my backpack, I’d put it in with a very nice pencil sharpener. I believe the lead from that pencil sharpener would dirty up the journal, so sadly it doesn’t look as nice 😦 This journal took 1 year and 10 days to complete.

Brainstorming Names — Sunday, May 13th, 2018

I would often brainstorm what to name my characters in my Idea Journals. This is just one example. I’ve seen several pages like this while flipping through Idea Journal #2. Funny enough, sometimes I would forget what names I would choose for certain characters, and then write a new name for them in a separate journal entry LOL

Funny Acronym — Sunday, July 1st, 2018

HAHA! I thought this acronym was hilarious! Perfect for satire comedy! Oink! Oink!

Coming Up With Trax Zarpp’s Backstory — Monday, November 5th, 2018

This is a journal entry where I brainstormed the details regarding Trax’s relationship with his wife Rel. Particularly why the two are separated, but still married.

IDEA JOURNAL #3

I can barely see what the original words are, because it’s so faded! I believe it said “Thoughts and intentions” in pretty cursive.

Girls’ Night Out Idea — Sunday, June 2nd, 2019

It’s CRAZY to me that 4 years later, this idea would become a published comic story! You can check it out in this link here: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Grind-Takeover-Alexandra-Nelson/dp/B0C9SNG88D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=293K1RD66NPLA&keywords=space+grind+robot+takeover&qid=1690572468&sprefix=space+grind+robot+%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-1

Amazon SP00 Stickers! — Friday, September 27th, 2019

I actually talk about this particular idea for a character named SP00 on page 50 of my comic book Space Grind: Robot Takeover! It’s so cool to me that I have the original sticker that sparked this character idea ❤

Writing Down Dialogue — Friday, October 11th, 2019

Sometimes, I would write down specific dialogue between my characters in my Idea Journals. This is dialogue between Trax and Onion (whose name was “Twig” back then). I thought this in particular was pretty funny!

IDEA JOURNAL #4

I’m doing my best to have this particular Idea Journal maintain its nice and clean look! I’ve had this one for a bit now, and so far so good! I think I’ll only post one idea from this journal, because there aren’t as many ideas to choose to show.

Brainstorming the Space Grind Timeline — Thursday, March 17th, 2022

I remember wanting to keep track of how time works in Space Grind, so I wrote down some ideas on this page.

Closing Thoughts

I want to end this fun blog post with a Bible verse: “And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2 ESV) I think this Bible verse is very fitting for today’s topic! It certainly has been useful, as well as a feel-good accomplishment! 😀

I hope everyone here has enjoyed reading this blog post, and will also enjoy their day today! 🙂

“Corona On Planet Zeyrion” FREE-TO-READ Sneak Peek

If you want to read the rest of the story, feel free to read the rest here: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Grind-House-Swearing-Version-ebook/dp/B09LG3G56K/ref=sr_1_4?crid=233PMGAM8UCIQ&keywords=space+grind+house+havoc&qid=1690217352&sprefix=%2Caps%2C438&sr=8-4

Note that this is NOT the original version. The original version (which has some swearing) is here: https://alexzendraw.wordpress.com/2023/07/24/corona-is-a-cabrona-first-few-pages-free-to-read/

Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments section of this blog post! 🙂 That will actually help me out a bunch! ❤

“Corona Is A Cabrona” First Few Pages FREE TO READ

Here are a few pages that are free to read. It’s the comic story “Corona is a Cabrona,” which is from the book Space Grind: House Havoc. You can get yourself a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Grind-House-Alexandra-Nelson-ebook/dp/B09L6M3JBC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=233PMGAM8UCIQ&keywords=space+grind+house+havoc&qid=1690216759&sprefix=%2Caps%2C438&sr=8-3

I hope you enjoy reading this sneak peek! Feel free to let me know in the comments of this blog post, if you are interested. That will help me a lot! 🙂

“I’m Angry” + “Punching Bag” Short Comics

I’m making these pages from the comic book Space Grind: House Havoc FREE to read! If you would like to read the whole thing, get yourself a copy in the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Grind-House-Alexandra-Nelson-ebook/dp/B09L6M3JBC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CKR0YFNOFU9W&keywords=space+grind+house+havoc&qid=1690216128&sprefix=space+grind+house%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1

You can also buy yourself a “No Swearing” version of the comic book, if swear words aren’t your thing: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Grind-House-Swearing-Version-ebook/dp/B09LG3G56K/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2CKR0YFNOFU9W&keywords=space+grind+house+havoc&qid=1690216267&sprefix=space+grind+house%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-4

Image comparison of the two different versions of my comic book Space Grind: House Havoc

E-Book Delayed (Edited for Update)

Something quite interesting (and upsetting) happened when I submitted the e-Book version of Space Grind: Robot Takeover! Despite the fact that the paperback copy is up for sale, KDP decided to BLOCK the e-Book version.

I’ve done what I can to reach out. I’ve already made a phone call and even sent an email. The KDP employee told me they should reach out in a few days. Hopefully, this issue gets resolved quickly. It’s really important to me that the digital version is available, too!

I will keep you guys updated on the situation.

Update (7-19-2023): Good news! The comic book’s e-Book version has finally passed the Kindle Content Inspection!! You can buy it now on Amazon 😀

The Second AZD Comic Is FINALLY HERE!

The paperback version of Space Grind: Robot Takeover! is finally available for purchase on the Amazon website. I will submit the e-book version sometime today.

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SNG88D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=F2U4WUP2AT3I&keywords=space+grind+robot+takeover%21&qid=1689264271&sprefix=space+grind+robot+takeover+%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1

Please feel free to post an Amazon review, after you have read the book. It would really help me out!

Even Biggie the Cat loves his copy of the newest comic book! 😀

June 2023 Progress Report

OMG!! SO MUCH GOT DONE THIS MONTH! Check it out:

  • June 2nd, 2023 — Finished page 23 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic (page 34 of the overall comic book)
  • June 6th, 2023 — Finished RSL’s “Art Gallery” page (Page 44 overall)
  • June 7th, 2023 — Finished page 24 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic (page 35 of the overall comic book)
  • June 11th, 2023 — Finished page 25 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic (page 36 of the overall comic book)
  • June 13th, 2023 — Finished RSW’s “Art Gallery” page (Page 45 overall)
  • June 18th, 2023 — Finished a Front Cover, Back Cover, and blank journal page for an Upcoming Journal (Radmu/Radioactive themed)
  • June 18th, 2023 — Set up a manuscript for the 100-page journal
  • June 19th, 2023 — Officially submitted a manuscript to Kindle Direct Publishing for the Radioactive Journal
  • June 19th, 2023 — Finished page 26 of “Girls’ Night Out” (page 37 overall)
  • June 20th, 2023 — The new Radioactive Journal showed up on Amazon’s website 😀
  • June 20th, 2023 — Finished page 27 of “Girls’ Night Out” (page 38 overall)
  • June 21st, 2023 — Finished page 28 of “Girls’ Night Out” (page 39 overall)
  • June 23rd, 2023 — Finished page 29 of “Girls’ Night Out” (page 40 overall)
  • June 24th, 2023 — Finished page 30 of “Girls’ Night Out” (THE FINAL PAGE + page 41 overall)
  • June 24th, 2023 — Finished a bonus page for the “Art Gallery” (page 53 overall)
  • June 24th, 2023 — Edited the Table of Contents (page 3), because page 42 accidentally became a blank page.  I’m going to utilize this blank page for FAN ART made by people who enjoy Space Grind 😀
  • June 24th, 2023 — Finished RSG’s “Art Gallery” page (Page 46 overall)
  • June 24th, 2023 — Got page 42 overall completed, which has 3 fan artwork on the page
  • June 25th, 2023 — The next comic book’s Back Cover got 100% completed!
  • June 25th, 2023 — Made two important changes to page 9 of the comic book
  • June 25th, 2023 — Outlined potential plans for a “Clean Version” of the next comic book (not planned to be released along with the original this time)
  • June 26th, 2023 — Finished RSM’s “Art Gallery” page (Page 47 overall)
  • June 26th, 2023 — Got started on rewriting a script for a future Space Grind comic called Space Grind: Hot and Heavy!  I plan on that comic having two different comic stories.  One of those two scripts already got completed last month.
  • June 27th, 2023 — Finished RPL’s “Art Gallery” page (Page 48 overall)

Phew!! My eyes got a workout, reading all that progress! In fact, THE ENTIRETY OF SPACE GRIND: ROBOT TAKEOVER!‘s “Girls’ Night Out” comic (30 pages) GOT COMPLETED! WOOHOO!

Unfortunately, on June 14th, 2023, the letter “T” came off my keyboard. It is still usable, and hopefully it will remain usable for as long as I need it to.

For this month’s “sneak peek,” here is a timelapse video of one of this month’s pages getting drawn.

Sneak peek for the month

May 2023 Progress Report

It’s that time again! Another progress report 😀

List of Accomplishments

  • May 1st, 2023 — Began planning the script for the next comic book (this time, about Rachel the Vampire).
  • May 4th, 2023 — Began writing the exposition script for Rachel the Vampire, called “Rachel Explains.”
  • May 9th, 2023 — Finished writing the first draft of “Rachel Explains.”
  • May 13th, 2023 — Finished page 19 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic (page 30 of the overall comic book)
  • May 13th, 2023 — Began recording myself drawing page 20 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic for a YouTube Timelapse video
  • May 15th, 2023 — Finished page 20 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic (page 31 of the overall comic book)
  • May 15th, 2023 — Uploaded a NEW Youtube video on the AlexZenDraw channel
  • May 16th, 2023 — Corrected something on page 24 of “Girls’ Night Out”
  • May 16th, 2023 — Backed up my Clip Studio Paint files for the comic book using Google Drive
  • May 16th, 2023 — Finished the Introductory page of the Robot Art Gallery (page 43 overall)
  • May 16th, 2023 — Finished page 21 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic (page 32 of the overall comic book)
  • May 17th, 2023 — Downloaded a new font for a certain scene in “Girls’ Night Out,” and added the font credit on Page 56
  • May 17th, 2023 — Got started on the first page of “Rachel Explains” (the introductory comic for Rachel the Vampire)
  • May 18th – 25th, 2023 — Completed a BRAND NEW script for Space Grind, while on vacation in Florida. (36 pages)
  • May 29th, 2023 — Finished page 22 of the “Girls’ Night Out” comic (page 33 of the overall comic book)

I feel like a lot got done! Even while I was on vacation in Florida 😀

For this progress report’s sneak peek, I’m actually going to share a snippet of the new script that I completed in Florida. This is somewhere in the beginning of the script, so it’s not really spoiler material 😉

Wanna See Me Draw An ENTIRE Comic Book Page?

I just uploaded a timelapse video of me making a whole page for the next comic book, which is called Space Grind: Robot Takeover!

This comic book page was made for an upcoming comic of mine called ‘Space Grind: Robot Takeover!’ This particular story is called “Girls’ Night Out.” The tall green alien named “Trax” suspects that his robot might be secretly plotting to take over his planet. He decides to build a remote-controlled robot to spy on her and her friends. His 3 bumbling human workers help him with his “secret mission.”