Author: ElvenAssassin

So I’m back to working on that dragon…

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It’s been a busy time over here in the Land of the Elves, as it were. The Littles have been keeping us very busy with recitals, and school picnics and such. Next week is The Last of It All and then my weekends are free to garden… in theory. I had hoped to spend time there this evening, but the rain had other plans.

Actually, that is not entirely true; I had also hoped to attend a local SCA event today, but rain and over tired children conspired against me. I have been wondering about returning to archery, but that may not be in the cards, just yet. Travel and rentals fees add up very quickly… we’ll see. I miss it, a lot. Actually I owe a post about that; I had a lot of fun returning to our local chapter and losing arrows in the field ::laughs::

Anyway, about that artwork. I finally have been able to get back to it, to some degree. I really need to set a regimen down for myself. So many hours writing, and so many hours drawing. With Dragonet, my eldest about to be home from school for the summer… there is going to be extra challenge to do so AND keep both children occupied. I’m really not sure how we’ll manage yet, but somehow we must.

There has also been the challenge of working in and improving my garden. The dirt here is called “Manitoba Gumbo” due to the incredibly high clay content. I was amazed to realize just how much of it still plagues the garden. In addition, there is the general slow shaping and management of the garden. The delivery truck dumped half my soil on the driveway last year, and it’s time to finish moving that, for example…

And key is not to get carried away with too many plants, as I’m wont to do. ::laughs::

But you came here for the drawing!

hummingbird_dragon_06

I guess it really does look off with the wings unfinished… but I have been working on it, slowly. I changed the joints around a little bit.

I’m not sold on the changes (all the orange over top of the green), but it’s good practice.

My desktop computer kicked the bucket and I haven’t properly sat down to test the components. That has been a setback to writing and drawing, although I am beginning to get used to my tablet as a main drawing system. (22″ down to 13″ is… an adjustment.)

Anyway, it goes around here. :)

One Very *Small* Step Closer…

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::laughs::
I have a lot of learning to do!
~~~~~

Oh dear.

So, I went to this event, and it wasn’t quite as it sounds. It’s not a chance to sell your book idea exactly, it is a chance to get some feedback from publishers before submitting!

I wasn’t told I had a bad idea. In fact, I was told I probably have a lot of options by way of publishers’ interests when choosing a publisher (in Canada).

But. It was also said – in the kindest way – to polish my manuscript via peer review before submitting, only because I am admittedly wet behind the ears at this.  Meaning, go to some workshops. Check out the local mentor program via the sponsoring group of the event. He said that as a publisher, he just didn’t have the time to tell me what was wrong with my manuscript, and reminded me there are only two ways to succeed… repeated failure, and finally success!

::smiles:: I left encouraged.

I talked with a writer friend of mine this morning who is in a similar boat (the ‘we really should get published’ club). He shared with me the advice he was just given as well: do not chase publishers until you have a finished manuscript. To be fair, the thought of getting accepted NOW was rather frightening, as I know it’s set and ready to barrel down the course I’ve laid… but the beginning I have is nonsensical and improper for a book. I’m not entirely sure how to write the correct set-up.

A problem for another day, as life and bills, and the label of starving artist get in the way. (As in, writing does not pay the bills, although it needs to be done if I am to get somewhere in this… ) Today it is raining and… the province has switched to a five-year licence subscription model. If it sounds confusing, I agree with you. I’m debating on painting in the rain rather than going for an hour’s walk to get that sorted (silly me did not understand why I was in arrears). However, it is less time and more fun to be out painting. ^_^ I also want to pick up flour to bake bread (which is on the way to/from the insurance company), yet… again, not during a walk in the rain.

But. Next art/writing goal is to create a regime.  I think I am going to just HAVE to do that. Set up blocks of time where the internet is shut off, which perhaps precludes buying a new dictionary/thesaurus (where did my high school one go?), because Merriam-Webster’s website and handy(!) phone app is just a gateway to Facebook and time-wasting. Eesh.

I suppose it’s time to learn a skill I’ve always lacked; self-discipline… but hey, I’ve got this too. ::smiles::

One Step Closer to Publishing A Book!

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Bring out the confetti, I’m going to Vegas?
~~~

I am SOOO excited! I don’t have a book deal in hand… but I’ve made it past the preliminary screening! Saturday I turn my life upside down in order to squeeze in a chance to pitch my book idea to a panel of publishers. Tickled pink is… well, it doesn’t cover the half of it! A first and real chance to publish a book!

Continue reading “One Step Closer to Publishing A Book!” →

The Cintiq Companion Is A Pretty Little Thing

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The Cintiq Companion Is A Pretty Little Thing

“When she was good, she was very, very good,
And when she was bad she was horrid.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~~~~~

Any veteran that has set up a Windows machine will probably tell you that computers can be a love-hate relationship, and the Cintiq Companion by Wacom, is no exception. I say this, and yet she is beauty, right out of the box.  Continue reading “The Cintiq Companion Is A Pretty Little Thing” →

Dragons Come In Colour

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This WAS supposed to celebrate the long awaited Cintiq Companion that I bought, but that is a so-far disastrous tale, waiting to be told. (Trouble ordering, trouble getting it delivered… trouble nearly right out of the box. Clearly there were signs…)

Instead, I will share what I’ve been up to otherwise.

This past weekend was Victoria Day for all our Canadian Folks. I unexpectedly found myself scoping out the art dealer’s room at KeyCon, and enjoying friends I hadn’t seen for ages. All my work was put on hold for most of the week, as we also purchased a trampoline for the kids. No set up is complete without making a few mistakes… ::laughs:: That took much longer than anticipated. To make up for the lack work, I decided to switch direction… nothing feels like progress like adding a bit of colour :)

Current Work In Progress
Current Work In Progress

I’m fairly happy, although I’ll be the first to point out the line art is still far from done. But… I like the direction I’m progressing in, now. (I was working hard but stuck on the neck for an embarrassingly long time.)

So, that’s that for now. I am currently fighting with my Cintiq Companion, wondering if it needs to be sent back for repair or refund… nothing is worse than a monitor you can’t adjust.