End of Year, Writing Progress?

[davetheanalyzer]

I’ve started writing for my fanfic We Will Hold On Forever again. I was merely making up for missed days but it’s helping me get back into the routine and I’m editing pages at a fair click. I can’t guarantee the next chapters will be posted in January, since I want to write some additional chapters so I know where I’m going and if I need to go back and make some retroactive edits. I need to also see if I can keep up the writing pace because I got used to the extra two hours in the day to do other stuff. If I have to, I’ll cut the writing time to an hour a day if it’s too much. I do want to keep writing two hours a day if I can. I just need to fix my sleep schedule and hopefully that will leave me more time for my writing schedule. 

I had another library writer group meeting. It was on zoom again but fortunately it and the hybrid part both worked well, with the hybrid part being where some met up in the library but masked. As far as I could see, there was little delay in the library feed. There was two pieces to give feedback to and though one made me tense due to its subject matter, I believe I handled it alright. Apparently, someone different is in charge every meeting and I hope it doesn’t include newbies like me. I’m not comfortable running such groups and probably wouldn’t want to.

I saw Vivo on Netflix. It was on my watch-list and had decent reviews but I had no idea what it was about aside from Lin-Manuel Miranda doing the music and voicing a character. I was pleasantly surprised the film began in Cuba, since it’s a setting rarely seen without also referencing the political situation there. The music at the beginning with Andrés and the titular Vivo the kinkajou was good. I was interested in the love story with Marta and assumed the film would be about Vivo having to accept another person in Andrés life but I was shocked when Andrés passed away in his sleep. Vivo’s understandably crushed and alone. I noted he didn’t put a flower in front of the picture. With him wanting to deliver the song to Marta that Andrés had been not able to sent, Vivo could not only fulfill Andrés’ last wishes but has some part of Andrés that continues on.

I was a bit disappointed that the film shifted from Cuba to Floridia, where Vivo ends up after stowing away in Andrés’ grand-niece Gabi’s luggage. He rarely had to interact with other people for too long outside of the warm and kind Andrés, so he feels uncomfortable with the eccentric Gabi who often gets up in his personal space. Interestingly, Gabi also feels alone after her also eccentric father passed away and she doesn’t get along with the rules-obsessed Sand Dollars scouts she’s pushed to join by her well-meaning mother who’s stern but wants her to try things and doesn’t want her to be alone. This film does show well what happens when the parent who gets their child passes and the other parent who loves but doesn’t get the child as much suddenly has to be a single parent, leading to tension. Gabi’s all too ready to help Vivo give the note back, which he has some mixed feelings about.

The Everglades section felt like it slowed down the pace, though I understood its purpose to make the clashing Vivo and Gabi work together, to show that Gabi does mean well in protecting the song. I did wonder about the point of the Sand Dollar scouts pursuing Gabi as well as Vivo being matchmaker for literal lovebirds. For the former, I saw its use when Vivo saved Gabi and the Sand Dollars scouts from a snake, which led to the scouts being appreciative enough to boat the pair to Miami. For the latter, I’ll mention the theme later. Gabi struggles with singing at times, which is another thing that made it hard for Vivo to relate to her. After the song paper gets destroyed, she does remember the lyrics and he the notes, so I like that they slowly reconstruct the song which helps deepen their bond.

The climax where the pair rush to deliver the song is compounded by Marta learning Andrés is dead. It’s understandable that after not seeing a dear friend for a long time, she’s heartbroken learning of his death, to the point she considered canceling the concert. With how important it is, I like Gabi stays behind when it’s clear she can’t go on and will be caught so Vivo could go on to give the song to Marta, showing more she cared enough about the mission she’d even take herself out of it. I liked Vivo’s meeting with Marta, that she got some closure from the song and thanked Vivo for this. Gabi’s mother had drove all the way to the theater out of worry and drives her back home chiding Gabi.

Then one of the film’s themes shows up, where Gabi expresses regret she didn’t say to her late father she loved him. Andrés had wanted to express his love to Marta but didn’t want to hold her singing career back. The literal lovebird Dancarino didn’t want to confess to his crush Valentina in case he got rejected. I like the theme was not to hold back from saying or doing something with those you love or else you might regret it. Only when Gabi gets really honest do she and her mother mend their bond (and that includes Vivo staying with them and confirming Gabi’s adventure with him was true). They get to at least see Marta sing Andrés’ song for ultimate closure. Later Gabi and Vivo take up playing music for the public like Andrés did.

I did like this film but it didn’t click with me as much, though the music was great. I don’t know how accurate the depiction of Cuba was and during the 2d animated segments, I thought there might be some colorism with Andrés having a lighter skin tone. I’m not an expert on spotting those things though, so don’t quote me on that. Probably watch it yourself to see if you like it and enjoy more Lin-Manuel Miranda songs.

That’s all for now. Have a dentist appointment later today but got a scare from a call clarifying my insurance. Hopefully, it has been cleared up. Happy new year and see you at the end of January.