Hmmm, so I was looking over the wikipedia article for the new "Robin Hood" film today... it looks like it's going to be better than I originally thought. The cast is really quite impressive.
Impressive, but two casting choices are making me laugh. #2, Oscar Isaacs (Joseph from the Nativity Story) as Prince John, and #1, Matthew McFayden (Mr. Darcy from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice) as the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Wow. That's just a little scary.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Weird Twilight Facts I pick up on:
Maybe not weird. But I sort of freaked out last week when I realized that my hunch about Twilight star Kellen Lutz was right - he seems to be a Christain, and grew up in the same church as fellow Cullen actor Jackson Rathbone. I thought that was pretty cool.
So second sorta cool thing? I was reading a VF article today and just about squealed when I got to the part where Jackson recommended C.S. Lewis's "Out of the Silent Planet" to Kellen as his next reading project.
Okay, maybe I AM weird. But I find stuff like this cooler than a lot of other Twi-News.
So second sorta cool thing? I was reading a VF article today and just about squealed when I got to the part where Jackson recommended C.S. Lewis's "Out of the Silent Planet" to Kellen as his next reading project.
Okay, maybe I AM weird. But I find stuff like this cooler than a lot of other Twi-News.
What am I writing for NaNoWriMo?
Here's a teaser -
You can read a more complete summery in the November issue of "Ink and Fairydust" which is coming out on Sunday!
You can read a more complete summery in the November issue of "Ink and Fairydust" which is coming out on Sunday!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
What do books and coffee have in common?
They both have expresso machines!
Check out the newest technology in the publishing world - the machine that can print whatever book you want right before your eyes...
http://www.ondemandbooks.com/video2.htm
I personally think this is pretty cool.
Check out the newest technology in the publishing world - the machine that can print whatever book you want right before your eyes...
http://www.ondemandbooks.com/video2.htm
I personally think this is pretty cool.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
An Editor's Life For Me
The end is in sight!
I formatted the final article into "Ink and Fairydust" today, making the official length 44 pages! I'm extremely pleased and a little stunned.
There is still fine-tuning to be done. I have to format things like page numbers, which aren't automatic in this software. Once those are in, I have to pull the table of contents together. However, timewise I am in a nice place, since it is still five days until we release the magazine.
I'm very excited about this issue. I think we have a great theme (Shakespeare and Writing) and some really good articles!
Editing "Ink and Fairydust" is much more rewarding in this new format, because the visual aspect is so much more pleasing than in the previous issues. I cannot emphesize the differance enough. And it will only get better as I refine my technique.
What can you look for in this issue?
"Much Ado About a Tempest" - a hypothetical story involving Shakespearean characters from across the board.
"Dear Fairy Godmother" - advice to "Not a Capulet" and "Aching Admirer"
"Regina's Corner" - An interview with Regina Doman on Shakespeare and Writing
"A Life of Shakespeare"
"Shakespearean Quotes"
"Decoding Shakespeare" - finding the hidden Catholicism in his works
"Lady Rafka's Review of Coriolanus"
"Writing by Music" - inspirational music to write by
"*~*Rose*~*'s Review of King Lear"
"The NaNoWriMo Pocket Handbook"
"NaNoWriMo Summeries" - see what we're going to be writing about!
"Anti-Writer's Block"
"Sonnet Contest Winners!"
"Photography Contest Winners!"
"Shakespeare at the Movies: As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing"
"A Chat with Elenatintil" (interview with yours truly)
"From a Kitchen Window" - creativity and recipes for dreary November
"Online Content Writing"
"If you Make Morgoth Mad" - Aunt Rose's explanation of the Forum Family's last adventure
"What Writers Wrote and Scribblers Said" - quotes by writers
"Past the Ends of the Earth" - a continuing story
"An Old Devotion" - Mary the Undoer of Knots
"How to Make a Quill Pen"
"How to Write Tolkien's Elvish"
"Of Words and Pictures" - learning to write by drawing
"A Look at Therese" - movie and soundtrack review
"Prayer Spotlight" - St. Cecilia
"Tree of Autumn, Tree of Winter," A work of fiction.
"Shea and Bergen" a comic
"Three Good Things" a devotion by Jo March
"Young Author Review" on Victoria Kasten.
Want to read one of these? Subscribe today! It's free! Send your e-mail to inkandfairydust@yahoo.com under the heading "Subscription to Ink and Fairydust"
I formatted the final article into "Ink and Fairydust" today, making the official length 44 pages! I'm extremely pleased and a little stunned.
There is still fine-tuning to be done. I have to format things like page numbers, which aren't automatic in this software. Once those are in, I have to pull the table of contents together. However, timewise I am in a nice place, since it is still five days until we release the magazine.
I'm very excited about this issue. I think we have a great theme (Shakespeare and Writing) and some really good articles!
Editing "Ink and Fairydust" is much more rewarding in this new format, because the visual aspect is so much more pleasing than in the previous issues. I cannot emphesize the differance enough. And it will only get better as I refine my technique.
What can you look for in this issue?
"Much Ado About a Tempest" - a hypothetical story involving Shakespearean characters from across the board.
"Dear Fairy Godmother" - advice to "Not a Capulet" and "Aching Admirer"
"Regina's Corner" - An interview with Regina Doman on Shakespeare and Writing
"A Life of Shakespeare"
"Shakespearean Quotes"
"Decoding Shakespeare" - finding the hidden Catholicism in his works
"Lady Rafka's Review of Coriolanus"
"Writing by Music" - inspirational music to write by
"*~*Rose*~*'s Review of King Lear"
"The NaNoWriMo Pocket Handbook"
"NaNoWriMo Summeries" - see what we're going to be writing about!
"Anti-Writer's Block"
"Sonnet Contest Winners!"
"Photography Contest Winners!"
"Shakespeare at the Movies: As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing"
"A Chat with Elenatintil" (interview with yours truly)
"From a Kitchen Window" - creativity and recipes for dreary November
"Online Content Writing"
"If you Make Morgoth Mad" - Aunt Rose's explanation of the Forum Family's last adventure
"What Writers Wrote and Scribblers Said" - quotes by writers
"Past the Ends of the Earth" - a continuing story
"An Old Devotion" - Mary the Undoer of Knots
"How to Make a Quill Pen"
"How to Write Tolkien's Elvish"
"Of Words and Pictures" - learning to write by drawing
"A Look at Therese" - movie and soundtrack review
"Prayer Spotlight" - St. Cecilia
"Tree of Autumn, Tree of Winter," A work of fiction.
"Shea and Bergen" a comic
"Three Good Things" a devotion by Jo March
"Young Author Review" on Victoria Kasten.
Want to read one of these? Subscribe today! It's free! Send your e-mail to inkandfairydust@yahoo.com under the heading "Subscription to Ink and Fairydust"
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
HP and the Cartoon Prince #8
I'd like to know if anyone is actually reading these, so if you are, would you please take 30 seconds to leave a reply in the comment box? Thanks!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I&F November COVER
As always, to subscribe to recieve this FREE magazine by PDF, simply send your e-mail address to inkandfairydust@yahoo.com under the subject heading "Subscription to Ink and Fairydust"
Sonnet!!!
I just found out that my sonnet got third place in the "Ink and Fairydust" sonnet contest! Funness!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
How Good is Your Novel Title?
NaNoWriMo posted this link that I just stumbled across today. It's a nifty tool where, after entering a bit of information, you can see the chance that your novel title has of becoming a bestselling title. Cool, no?
The working title of my NaNoWriMo novel is "Across Two Dreams" and according to this nifty gadget, it has a 79.6% chance of becoming a bestselling title.
So go ahead and check it out. What do you think? Could it be accurate?
The working title of my NaNoWriMo novel is "Across Two Dreams" and according to this nifty gadget, it has a 79.6% chance of becoming a bestselling title.
So go ahead and check it out. What do you think? Could it be accurate?
Monday, October 19, 2009
A Taste of What's Coming...
Did my earlier post spark your interest? What is this new, revamped magazine-style "Ink and Fairydust" going to look like?
Here's the header that is going to be sitting atop one of our most popular columns:
Here's the header that is going to be sitting atop one of our most popular columns:
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Ink and Fairydust Layout Adventures
So I'm hoping that this month's issue of "Ink and Fairydust" will have a new format. I've been toying around with the idea of switching from a newspaper format to the more visually appealing magazine format.
The problem with this, of course, is the work involved. Page layout is much more labor intensive than a simple text document. However I simply can't achieve the look and feel I want for this publication with a text document, so I decided to go searching for a better option.
After quite awhile of searching, I managed to find an free opensource software called Scribus that I think will meet my need. Scribus is not the most efficent software out there, but it's one of the few free one's that will fit the bill for "Ink and Fairydust."
So I spent much of this evening playing around with and getting familiar with Scribus. I think I've got the hang of the features I'll need to use for the newspaper, and hopefully I'll be able to manage laying it out in a timely manner. We'll see. October 20th is the deadline for "Ink and Fairydust" articles, although I've given several authors extended deadlines (school seems to be creeping up on everyone).
I'm excited about this issue of "Ink and Fairydust." This month's theme is "Shakespeare and Writing" which are two things our members are pretty passionate about. We have some fun articles planned that I think our readers will greatly enjoy.
Here's to hoping that the layout will go smoothly and I'll be able to achieve the look I want.
As always, if you're not on our subscription list, you can sign up to recieve the e-newspaper by sending your e-mail address to inkandfairydust@yahoo.com under the subject heading "Ink and Fairydust Subscription."
The problem with this, of course, is the work involved. Page layout is much more labor intensive than a simple text document. However I simply can't achieve the look and feel I want for this publication with a text document, so I decided to go searching for a better option.
After quite awhile of searching, I managed to find an free opensource software called Scribus that I think will meet my need. Scribus is not the most efficent software out there, but it's one of the few free one's that will fit the bill for "Ink and Fairydust."
So I spent much of this evening playing around with and getting familiar with Scribus. I think I've got the hang of the features I'll need to use for the newspaper, and hopefully I'll be able to manage laying it out in a timely manner. We'll see. October 20th is the deadline for "Ink and Fairydust" articles, although I've given several authors extended deadlines (school seems to be creeping up on everyone).
I'm excited about this issue of "Ink and Fairydust." This month's theme is "Shakespeare and Writing" which are two things our members are pretty passionate about. We have some fun articles planned that I think our readers will greatly enjoy.
Here's to hoping that the layout will go smoothly and I'll be able to achieve the look I want.
As always, if you're not on our subscription list, you can sign up to recieve the e-newspaper by sending your e-mail address to inkandfairydust@yahoo.com under the subject heading "Ink and Fairydust Subscription."
Saturday, October 17, 2009
X-Men Drawing Tips
Like X-Men? Like to draw? Just the other day I found the personal website of one of the X-Men: Evolution directors and artists with a whole section devoted to drawing tips and tutorials based on Evolutions. I found the tips extremely helpful and worth passing on.
(Note - the blog contains some more adult content so I wouldn't advise going there, but the X-Men drawing section is fine)
(Note - the blog contains some more adult content so I wouldn't advise going there, but the X-Men drawing section is fine)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Here's some Body Science for you...
It's week #4 of being sick and stuck in bed! I'm also loaded with more lovely food restrictions. I'm doing some stuff to clean out my gallbladder, and I have to pretty much live on no fat for eight weeks.
Did you know that the gallbladder's function is to create bile to break down fat? So if you have a problem with your gallbladder, and you go to a naturalpathic chiropractor they will tell you that you have to eat one gram of fat per every 100 calories? Seriously, even most "lowfat" brands like "Lean Crusine" are at least 2 grams of fat per every 100 calories. It's sad.
Today I get to go to the next phase and drink OLIVE OIL and STRAIGHT LEMON JUICE. Yum! Actually, after having almost no fat for a week, I'm sorta looking forwards to the olive oil. Weird, huh? But I have several family members and friends who have done this whole thing successfully and it really works, so I have strong confidence in it.
Last night I read 3 volumes of the X-Men/Marvel Universe ONSLAUGHT storyline, watched the musical "The Fantasticks" and read some Karen Kingsbury. I'm surprised my dreams were fairly normal. I expected all sorts of craziness...
Did you know that the gallbladder's function is to create bile to break down fat? So if you have a problem with your gallbladder, and you go to a naturalpathic chiropractor they will tell you that you have to eat one gram of fat per every 100 calories? Seriously, even most "lowfat" brands like "Lean Crusine" are at least 2 grams of fat per every 100 calories. It's sad.
Today I get to go to the next phase and drink OLIVE OIL and STRAIGHT LEMON JUICE. Yum! Actually, after having almost no fat for a week, I'm sorta looking forwards to the olive oil. Weird, huh? But I have several family members and friends who have done this whole thing successfully and it really works, so I have strong confidence in it.
Last night I read 3 volumes of the X-Men/Marvel Universe ONSLAUGHT storyline, watched the musical "The Fantasticks" and read some Karen Kingsbury. I'm surprised my dreams were fairly normal. I expected all sorts of craziness...
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Talk like a Pirate
So a bucko 'o mine posted th' link to 'tis on her facebook...'n I thought it was downright hilarious! No, I don't have a hidden desire to be off around shoutin' like a scurvy pirate all day, or even to make it a general habit on me blog. But I must shout, it be a fascinatin' thin' to watch me generally proper English turn into scurvy pirate swaggerin' words.
Not to mention that after addin' Gambit 'n his Cajun accent to our forum adventures, bin become fascinated by written accents. So, without further ado, if ye want to change ye words into scurvy pirate lin'o, check out 'tis site. At th' extra least, it'll make ye smile!
Not to mention that after addin' Gambit 'n his Cajun accent to our forum adventures, bin become fascinated by written accents. So, without further ado, if ye want to change ye words into scurvy pirate lin'o, check out 'tis site. At th' extra least, it'll make ye smile!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Harry Potter and the Cartoon Prince
I started doodling this for fun this summer, and then when I figured out how to make brushes on GIMP yesterday, I decided to convert some of these into digital form.
Purely for fun. If you like HP, check it out. HP6 Book spoilers.
(click for full sized image)
Purely for fun. If you like HP, check it out. HP6 Book spoilers.
(click for full sized image)
Team Jacob?
I've been rereading the Twilight books in preparation for November 20th...and because being sick, I don't want to read anything too heavy.
What I was able to concretely realize this time was that part of my inability to fall in love with Edward Cullen comes from the fact that I have never been able to really emotionally connect with the love story between Edward and Bella. Instead, all of my 'tears' (so to speak) come out when Jacob is pleading with Bella to love him - to give him a chance. I've never been either Team Jacob or Team Edward, but it's worth noting that if I were in Bella's position, I think there is a good chance I would have gone with Jacob.
Not that this really matters a whole lot to the world at large, just wanted to share what was passing through my brain last night. I'm still sick so I really don't have much of a chance to get out and do things.
What I was able to concretely realize this time was that part of my inability to fall in love with Edward Cullen comes from the fact that I have never been able to really emotionally connect with the love story between Edward and Bella. Instead, all of my 'tears' (so to speak) come out when Jacob is pleading with Bella to love him - to give him a chance. I've never been either Team Jacob or Team Edward, but it's worth noting that if I were in Bella's position, I think there is a good chance I would have gone with Jacob.
Not that this really matters a whole lot to the world at large, just wanted to share what was passing through my brain last night. I'm still sick so I really don't have much of a chance to get out and do things.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Got NaNoWriMo?
Next month is...*drumroll*...National Novel Writing Month!
(It's national because people really do it...nationally...not because congress passed a law.)
Every November aspiring novelists pull out their laptops, put pens to paper, and throw their brains into a tormented delight as they churn out 50,000 words in one month.
Sounds scary?
It's a great way to get a jump start on a project. It forces you to actually sit down and write, no matter how blocked you may feel. And it's possible. I did about 40,000 words last April when I was writing the second half of my last novel (the one that's being edited right now).
I'm planning to do it, although I've already started the particular novel I hope to work on. I wasn't going to kill the idea by waiting a month to start. But I'm still going to write 50,000 words in November - if my health co-operates. (I've had so much weird health stuff going on that I have to throw that clause in.)
Want to join me? Head over to www.nanowrimo.org to sign up!
(It's national because people really do it...nationally...not because congress passed a law.)
Every November aspiring novelists pull out their laptops, put pens to paper, and throw their brains into a tormented delight as they churn out 50,000 words in one month.
Sounds scary?
It's a great way to get a jump start on a project. It forces you to actually sit down and write, no matter how blocked you may feel. And it's possible. I did about 40,000 words last April when I was writing the second half of my last novel (the one that's being edited right now).
I'm planning to do it, although I've already started the particular novel I hope to work on. I wasn't going to kill the idea by waiting a month to start. But I'm still going to write 50,000 words in November - if my health co-operates. (I've had so much weird health stuff going on that I have to throw that clause in.)
Want to join me? Head over to www.nanowrimo.org to sign up!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Ink and Fairydust - October 1st 2009
Didn't get on the subscription list? Never fear, we have the newspaper online!
It can be accessed here.
It can be accessed here.
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