In Pretty Print - A Writing & Artist Life...Ongoing

The Thrill of the Chase...

2012-02-29T18:24:00.002-08:00

Remember the first time you had to stand up in class and recite something or read an essay you wrote or whatnot? You don't remember?
Well, good, because I remember my first time, and thinking about it traumatizes me now.

1982. Bronx, NY, Parkway Elementary School, Kindergarten.
We had to do that repulsive Show-N-Tell and I had a whole spiel ready. But when it came my turn, I froze. Absolutely and irrevocably frozen.
My teacher yelled at me. At 5, I couldn't understand WHY she was so angry with me. So I wouldn't dance like a puppet? Like the other kids?
I cried and stewed in a corner for the rest of class.

Fast forward to junior college, and I'm in the first course in Creative Writing.

I'm about 18-19 years old.

In the past, the only class coursework involving ANY of my stories has been relegated to that short span for which they devote a minute time to the ART OF FICTION (said like a bass-voice narrator speaking through a bullhorn).

Now we are in a circle, our desks to form a ring, and each session, the professor chooses who's to read the next story. She comes to me. It's my turn. My limbs are shaking. I am becoming frozen. My chin trembles so that I forget how to form words. Most every one's gaze is on me.
I can't feel the paper, and I clench it tightly. It's pastel yellow, printer paper that was once used on a dot matrix ('member those?) printer, and later, through an inkjet.
I begin to read.
I'm the only student that writes about gangster dogs in suits and fedoras.
I have a classmate who writes from the perspective of flowers in a meadow, but one can guess I am pretty much the oddball in the class.
My professor, the only one impressed by what she saw as natural talent and skill.
I continue to read.
I finished the scene when my protagonist chases a rival into a New York subway, the rival slips off the platform and into the tracks the same time a train arrives, killing him.
My protagonist looks at his watch and says, "Hm..Well what do ya know? It's right on time!"
I'm finished.
I look up. Everyone watches me and I mean EVERYONE.
I swallow as I turn to my professor. My mouth is dry but she nods, her confidence in me confirmed.
A classmate, "Whoa."
I hear, "That was the most incredible thing I've ever heard!"
"I was literally shaking."
"I'll never look at dogs the same way again."
More and more words of praise and admiration.

There's already a hater, who never liked my stuff and often criticized my work before I would even finish. She looked away. I don't care.

The words of encouragement are enough, and thank God, because this was my last stop, pun definitely intended, before I decided I may give up on writing.
From that class, from that experience and many afterwards, I decided to pursue writing, no matter how long it took me.

A classmate explained that as I read the piece, my speech became faster and faster, thereby intensifying the action but also making it difficult for some to understand me.
However, the class heard what they needed to hear to give me feedback, and I walked on air the rest of that day.

Kenneth L. Welsh (Feb. 12, 1923 - Feb. 23, 2007)

2012-02-22T20:44:00.011-08:00

Trickster. Joker. Storyteller. Historian.

I appreciate why I laugh. I appreciate a well-told punch line. I tell stories because I've been told stories. I learned to love History, not through class or in school, but by him.

Erudite. Outspoken. Well-spoken. Gentleman. Clotheshorse.

I enjoy speaking to the wise. I try my best to express well my opinion, and have the knowledge to back it up. I learned to be a lady, I try. I appreciate fine clothing and take pride in how I present myself.

My father was a man of many words and every word carried weight.
Friends and family gathered round when he spoke. Loved ones still miss his wisdom, domino buddies call out his name.

He was funny with a straight face. Even those closest to him weren't sure whether he joked or was serious.

He delivered wisdom as a seasoned professor. He could argue as a lawyer. He knew more politics than veteran politicians, yet he hated the games played by government.
In a single afternoon, a person could learn the progression of a nation, its culture, its language, its religions and legislative bodies. How the nation began, its ancient names if any, and what it leads the world in modern times.

My father read encyclopedias as novels. He filled our New York apartment and then Florida house with several encyclopedia sets.
He was just as comfortable reading "Beetle Bailey" as he was with "One-hundred Years of Solitude".
He could recite childhood and army anecdotes as he could with the entire poem, "The Sea-King's Burial".*

He was our Dad, and on this Anniversary, he has been gone five years. And we all still miss him.

Sergeant Welsh, we SALUTE you.

*NOTE: Google this poem. It's an epic poem and not 'epic' as we use the word today.

'Giovanni & Francesca' in Sepia

2012-02-20T14:48:00.002-08:00

Being an artist first and writer in close second, I am driven by images and sights. As a writer, I then tend to analyze those images in order to better understand the world and myself.

As in the earlier image of this post, the image is in Sepia. For the purists (for which I count myself), 'photograph' was taken in 1912.

Photographs are powerful, as anyone can see from the time of Ellis Island's ushering in many of the immigrants that helped to build the modern age in the late 18th to early 19th centuries.
In History class, my textbooks drew me in by the photos, social commentary, and political cartoons of the time.
The next images is inspired from photos and political cartoons from those times and places. I hope you will enjoy them!

'Giovanni & Francesca Castellano' & Social Reform Photography

2012-02-20T12:37:00.005-08:00

We, as writers, have to remember WHY we tell a story.

What held the 'gangster dog' WIP (Work-in-progess) back for an incalculable amount of time was by the fact I remained stuck in one character's head and POV (Point of View).

Since rewriting the story to show other characters' stories became my watershed moment. The floodgates literally and figuratively opened and I began to see the possibilities and connections being made and reinforced.

The above picture is supposed to be a family photo of my male protagonist with his eldest sister. They are only months apart and therefore, extremely close.

While researching this story, I came across many historical photographs with children and their families in Turn-of-the-century New York, as well as from photo albums.

Jacob Riis - please refer to my links at the bottom of this post! - was an important documentarian through the pictures he took in preserving history of Old New York.

I have tried, because this is a historical drama, to capture the feel of what it meant to grow up, live and die during those years.
What did Native New Yorkers want for their families, and what did New York immigrants want for their children? I hope as a writer, as well as storyteller, to capture such in the illustrations above. I hope as an artist to let readers be drawn into this story as I am.

NOTE: There was a documentary called "The Other Half", about the social reforms brought about because of Mr. Jacob Riis and Mr. Lewis Hine.
Here are two official links: Documenting "The Other Half": The Social Reform Photography of Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine
&
Jacob Riis: Shedding Light On NYC's 'Other Half' by Robert Siegel

(Personal endorsement) *Read NPR.org. Listen to NPR on the radio. Embrace it. Be informed. Be enlightened.*

Inspiration & a Despised Cult Classic

2012-02-18T23:42:00.000-08:00

Anyone remembers "Ren & Stimpy"?
If you do, G*d help you, and if you don't, I won't remind you further.
I considered "Ren & Stimpy" a tasteless, crass piece of junk.
The spastic animation, garish use of colors, the very potty humor, I found grating to the brain, ears and eyes..but I digress.

Why do I mention a cartoon I didn't give a flying fig about then or now?

Let me explain, the animation studio that created "Ren & Stimpy" actually did produce a little gem about pet dogs.
Though this standalone picture had the same above pet-peeves, it actually did not turn my stomach so much as my head.

Let me see if my memory serves me:
A new dog arrives in the neighborhood. He is young, quite scrawny, and with bugged-out eyes. Immediately, he is approached and sized up by the local canine Casanova, who looks like a muscular white Husky type.
This new rival is better-looking than our pencil-thin hero. The rival lets it be known to the Scrawny Dog he is king-of-the-hill, the Top Dog.

But it does not end there.
A poodle, stereotypically of wealthy owners, arrives in town and becomes the target of the amorous top dog.

While Top Dog sets his sights on the Poodle, and in a sequence I believe also inspired by the spaghetti-eating scene from 'Lady & the Tramp' (read previous post), he wines and dines the Poodle.

The Poodle does not seem impressed and is a bit worldly, however, she is befriended by a heavy-set, Mama-type dog.
This same Mama-type constantly accuses, at the top of her lungs, that the Top Dog is the father to her own puppies.

When the Top Dog confronts her at her owner's fence to deny the accusation: "Those pups don't look anything like me!" he rages, the puppies all begin to jump up and down behind the fence.
Each and everyone of them LOOK EXACTLY like him! The top dog's mouth drops and he is rendered speechless.

The scene is both poignant but also side-splitting hilarious. Why poignant? Well, the Mama-type has put on weight since having the litter. She tells the Poodle that at one point, the Top Dog found her attractive (and throughout the film, she is still trying to get the Top Dog back while still beating him down to help take care of his kids).

The Mama-type warns the Poodle not to let the Top Dog trap her, that he will get her pregnant and leave.

In the meantime, I don't remember what the overall plot to the story, but I also remember the Poodle was not at all perfect, but had either an eating disorder/addiction (who comes up with this stuff?). Whenever she smelled and saw a certain food (forgot what it was), she would gorge herself to the point that she would be sick and immobile for days.

Yet when she divulges this to the scrawny dog, they find acceptance and understanding for their flaws.
(I know the Scrawny Dog had some self-confidence issues. Some adventure ensues but I'll be darned if I remember it.)

At the end of the film, Scrawny Dog proves himself to the bully/Top Dog.
Poodle had also rejected Top Dog.
Mama-type, for a time, has the Top Dog taking responsibility with the puppies.
Poodle and Scrawny Dog end up a couple. END.

Now, don't ask if this was part of the 'Ren & Stimpy' feature, or was a separate project from the animation company.
I don't remember the title, the characters' names, or even what the story was about, just certain scenes.

All I know is the cartoon made a huge impact when I first viewed it, even though I wasn't a fan of the animation studio's body of work.

Inspiration, Disney & the Tramp

2012-02-15T20:05:00.002-08:00

When you hear about 'gangster dogs', what is the first thing that comes to mind? Well, for me, it all began with a tidy, little movie called "Lady & the Tramp". I first watched this film, I think, in the New York Public Library, when they had movie time for the kiddies.

I watched a lot of Disney films via public library, but let me focus on this story: a young, pampered Cocker Spaniel, owned by a human couple, finds herself out in the cold, cruel world and a dashing terrier-mix stray finds her and takes her under his (paw?) wing.
Lady, as she is known, finds out her rescuer is known as the Tramp, and he has quite a seedy reputation.

I had no idea when first viewing this classic film how much I was soaking in!

Upon reviewing when older, I picked up the sheer genius and creativity of the story - that it took place at the turn-of-the-century U.S., in an affluent area, and that there was still undeveloped land (when Lady and her Tramp run about town, painting it red, and later, they nap together on a grassy hill overlooking the city...the scene is SO tender and picturesque!).

Also, the romance flows so smoothly. Character development does not feel rushed.

The scene when Lady, after spending her time in a dog pound, when she's brought safely home (she had a collar, after all), Tramp comes by to apologize, Lady literally goes off on him! In that moment, she's grown up, from girl to a woman, and basically tells the man she is falling for how much he hurt her and betrayed her! It's both funny, to see dogs act in so human a manner, especially Tramp's contrite face, and it is heartbreaking, because Lady has grown up!

Now as I work on my latest project (is it or isn't it a novel?), I've found how much I've gleaned from Disney's "Lady & the Tramp". Using a wide, divergent, even culturally different cast, such as the Scottish terrier and the American Southern bloodhound, etc. inspired the use of applying human history to canine-centered story.

Though one of many, I can credit "Lady & the Tramp" to a degree that, had I NOT watched the film, my current WIP would NOT have been possible, or even come to fruition.

Now, *plug* Disney has "Lady & the Tramp" out on Blue-ray! Watch it again! And if you have NEVER seen this wonderful film (where have you been?), then I implore you to get it, watch with the children, your spouse, your partner, or by yourself.

It is enjoyable at every level.

"Meeting Minny"

2012-02-14T21:16:00.001-08:00

In the above scene, Stacey makes the rounds with Slash, meeting and eating with the gang boss's 'subordinates'. Minerva aka 'Minny', is the alpha female among the lieutenants' wives and girlfriends, though her own husband is low-ranking in the organization.
Minerva is quite nervy and spunky, and, to prove she submits to no one, especially the gang leader whom she grew up with, she makes a point about how handsome he is by grabbing hold of his face, much to her satisfaction and the embarrassment of everyone else at the table!

'Slash in a pensive mood' & 'Love ya, Baby!' sketches

2012-02-14T16:43:00.003-08:00

The above images are titled 'Slash Castellano in a pensive mood' & 'Love ya, Baby!'.
I apologize for the light quality. The next pics after SHOULD be easier to view (especially since some will be inked).

On the left is my titular character, smoking and deep in thought. This is a gesture drawing as I tried to capture the light ash dripping from the cigarette.

On the right is my female protagonist with the same male character 'canoodling' (Their word, not mine!). Do some folks still use this term?

Let me know what you think. More to come this week!

Frank Frazetta (Feb. 9, 1928 - May 10, 2010)

2012-02-13T20:27:00.001-08:00

(Above image is copyright. Artist's self-portrait. Originally from Wikipedia and many Frazetta art volumes)

Before I begin to upload new art content from my WIP (Work In Progress), I want to first take the time to thank an artist who I believe left us too soon..That man is Mr. Frank Frazetta.

Before you say, 'Frank Who?' (and, yes, I have met those people), let me explain how very important he was to me. The first time I saw Frazetta's work was in the room 2 of my big brothers shared, their beds side by side.

Thank God for siblings much older, or I wouldn't have spent many happy hours cooped up in their closet to read their endless (to me) boxes of comics!

The second-oldest, a brother who is an artist too (I have 3 brothers & a sister), had a desk with bureau. Now that I think about it, it resembled a postman's desk. Here in the upper shelves he kept the jumbo comics, those Holy Grails of illustrated adventures I tried with my 6-year-old hands, to handle with care.
One day, I sneaked in, there was no need, I wasn't barred from my siblings' rooms as other little sisters, and found a hardcover Black Book.

Now the only other books this important-looking was our Funk & Wagnalls' Dictionary, our World Book encyclopedia set, and an almost ledger-size, cream Holy Bible, with colorful, illustrated inserts and gilt-edge pages.
In my little kid's mind, this big black tome looked similar to one of those forbidden books of magic I saw in shows... and I decided, like those heroes and heroines, to open it.

It might as well have been magic. As soon as I opened to a page, I was assailed by images I did not know could exist: muscled, brutish men, curvy, gorgeous women, beasts, monsters, good and evil played on those pages, and my mind opened to what a 'drawer' could do.

Warriors fought gargantuan creatures and nightmares from myth with extraordinary swords no normal person could wield. The women were beautifully plump, seductive, and dazzled me more than the models I watched on TV.
In these images, stories were told in a single page, warrior women with horned helmets controlling wraiths, warrior men riding beasts that would not have been ridden in real life.

The artist brother came in and I quickly shut the book, believing I shouldn't view such things. But he only smiled, asked if I liked it and I was breathless in my reply. We spent the rest of the evening flipping through the pages.

I knew at age 5 that I could do something other kids couldn't. By 6-7, I heard the word 'artist' bandied about me by the adults in my life. But that day, leaning against my brother, flipping through that Frank Frazetta book, I knew what an artist could truly be, and I wanted to become that as well...Dreamer.

Proud to draw...Animals!

2012-02-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

Just yesterday, I made a statement to the fact that while I've been an artist all my life, I've enjoyed drawing animals and animal characters more than any other.

Once, I was accused of not wanting to draw humans!
Mind you, the person accusing me did not like the fact I was the only girl in the comic art circle, and could draw well-muscled heroes/heroines and curvaceous women while his anatomy was clumsy and ill-proportioned.
I took my cue from my early influence of Frank Frazetta (more on him in the next post!). Fortunately for me, my compatriots were pleased and impressed that a girl could draw the level of art standards our group set for ourselves.

I take pride that I have pushed myself to draw a variety of subjects so that I might be able to fully realize my worlds. It's just as one reads. The more books, the wider a mental toolbox to pull ideas from.
As I mentioned on Twitter, I have no shame in my art or in what I draw. It is part of me and makes my life worthwhile.

BEAMING (^_^) !!

2012-02-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

While on my lunch break and checking Twitter, found out some great news....*timpani drum roll, please*
....
I'm Featured Author of the Month on the Furry Writers' Guild!
Here's my link: Carmen K. Welsh Jr. - Furry Writers' Guild

HOORAY!

Illustrators I admire - NOT comprehensive

2012-01-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

As my previous list of favorite illustrators (Remember, neither that list or this one is comprehensive), these are the manga-ka (comic artists ) whose work I admire IMMENSELY as well.

Again, I will try to include official sites so you can view their available artwork. As I said before, these folks have long careers and diverse bodies of work. Beside the artist's name will be the work I'm most familiar with.
ENJOY!:)

*Japanese names are arranged culturally: 1st surname, 2nd given name*

Adachi Mitsuru - "Short Program", "Touch" & "Jinbei", etc. He does not have an official site but there are plenty of legitimate, well-made fan sites devoted to him. I included here the Anime News Network, which is a legit, ongoing site of related anime/manga news around the world. (Mitsuru ADACHI - Anime News Network)
His artwork appears as that classic 1950s Japanese art. Don't let this put you off. He is one of the foremost, living, modern masters. He is one of the kings of the comic short story, a difficult genre.

He has also influenced other artists I admire, such as Takahashi Rumiko! (More about her on another post!)

Katsura Maskazu - "Video Girl Ai", "Shadow Lady" (Studio K2R (Masakazu Katsura Official Website) (Japanese)) His girls are drawn so realistically adorable that you swear you knew someone like her in school!

Fujishima Kosuke - "Oh, My Goddess! (Ah, Megami-sama)", "You're Under Arrest!", etc. (Kousuke FUJISHIMA - Anime News Network)

Clamp! - "X/1999", "Knights of Rayearth", "XxxHolic", "Tsubasa Reservoir" *SITE GRAPHIC INTENSIVE* (CLAMP-NET (Japanese)) (CLAMP OFFICIAL WEBSITE (English)) 4 women who started as a doujinshi (fan-made comic) circle of about 13-20. The remaining 4 now help rule Japan and the world comic fandom! Read any of their plethora of titles, interlocking series & mountains of gallery art. Understand. Be amazed. Become a devotee.

Takada Yuzo - "3x3 Eyes" (Yuzo TAKADA - Anime News Network) Don't let the cutesy artwork fool you. He tells a mean tale. Don't read his stuff at night! There. You have been warned.

Takeuchi Naoko - "Sailor Moon" (Of course!!) (Takeuchi-Naoko.com (unofficial site of Taekuchi-sensei)) She is also married to fellow manga-ka, Togashi Yoshihiro of "Yuu Yuu Hakusho"!! Great anime/manga! Woot!

Asamiya Kia - "Inspector Gadget"(!), "Silent Mobius", "Steam Detectives" (Baka-Updates Manga - ASAMIYA Kia)

Shirow Masamune - "Dominion Tank Police", "Appleseed", "Ghost in the Shell", etc. (sTwo - Shirowledge!) (sTwo - (Japanese))

Ikegami Ryoichi - "Crying Freeman", "Mai, the Psychic Girl", "Strain" (Baka-Updates Manga - IKEGAMI Ryoichi) His comic art is so photorealistic, it's scary!

Happy Lunar New Year!!!!

2012-01-27T10:28:00.000-08:00

I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

2012-01-25T10:49:00.001-08:00

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! ECARD COMING SOON!

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Characters determine your story. You have no say.

2012-01-20T23:58:00.000-08:00

Ay yi yi! The research for this novel is kicking my butt! While I tackle with this, I will also post current reference titles (Don't worry, they're doozies and humdingers!).

Lest one thinks this will interrupt my flow of new sketches, fear not, for I have more art to upload.
I noticed, however, that it was a good decision to edit my sketches (means removing the notes to myself - explaining character quirks, physical attributes, etc.) before uploading.

This has become a blessing in disguise as I realize names have changed, even which offspring will be whose in the making of this story. I thought I had a set amount of children born to the different characters. Now, just as in real life, we cannot determine how many kids will make a family. Even this story is changing that presumption. So, thankfully, when I upload more pics, you will notice there are no names or explanations, except, of course, what I place in the captions.
*Chortling* Anyone who tells you 'It's your story, you can do whatever you want with it' clearly isn't a writer!

I am in the "Where In the World is The Writer?" gallery!

2012-01-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

I'm on "Where in the World is The Writer?" slideshow!

A list of Illustrators I admire - Definitely NOT exhaustive

2012-01-14T16:44:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of my favorite illustrators.
My introduction to these artists were often by book & magazine covers.
They also have thriving fine art careers in other industries.
Besides each artist's name are the examples that introduced me to their work (Just a tip of the iceberg).

Have tried to include official sites. Sorry, I can't STAND Wikipedia.

Braldt Bralds - "Cat Fantastic" book covers, "Moontide & Magic Rise" & "Initiate Brother" duologies, assorted covers (Braldt Bralds Studio)
Thomas Canty - "The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror: Annual Collection", assorted covers (Thomas Canty)
Leo & Diane Dillon - "Why Do Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears", "Ashanti to Zulu", earlier editions of "Chronicles of Narnia" series, "The People Can Fly", "House of Spirits" book, assorted series, various (Leo Dillon - Summary Bibiliography) & (Diane Dillon - Summary Bibilography)- they do not have an official page but other organizations and publishers have official pages for the pair.
Michael Herring - Earlier editions of the 'Lord of the Rings' book covers, various (Paintings by Michael Herring)
Jody A. Lee - "Mage Storm" & "Kingdom of Valdemar" series, various (Jody Lee Official Webpage)
Keith Parkinson (Deceased) - "Death Gate" Cycle, assorted covers (Keith Parkinson Online)
Wendy Pini - "ElfQuest" series in comics, graphic novels, various (ElfQuest) - with her husband, Richard Pini, they are both talented writers.
Romas - "The Rowan" series & "Sholan Alliance" series, assorted covers (Romas Brandt Kukalis' Home Page)
Rowena - Two "Apprentice Adept" books, assorted covers, various (Welcome to the Official Website for Rowena Morill)
Laurence Schwinger - "The Belgariad" series, one "Apprentice Adept" cover, various (Laurence Schwinger : Wizard World Comic Cons : )
Darrell K. Sweet (Deceased) -"Xanth" series, "Shannara" series, "The Wheel of Time" series, "The Baker's Boy", assorted series, various (Darrell K. Sweet's official site)
Michael Whelan - "Dragonrides of Pern" & "Chanur" series, most of the "Foundation" series, assorted series, various (Michael Whelan | Science Fiction and Fantasy Artist)
Stephen Youll - "Death Gate" series, "Star of the Guardians" series, "Liveship Traders" series, various (THE ART OF STEPHEN YOULL)

This, of course, is not a complete list of my favorites and influences. That would take a lifetime to compile, however, I will be posting favorite writers as well.

Also, please explore the sites I provided.
Most of these artists have far-reaching careers and long bodies of work.
Exploring their sites is, pun definitely intended, especially for these speculative fiction artists, like exploring new worlds.

Walter Mosley - Writer Extraordinaire

2012-01-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Writer Walter Mosley, whose name, as in the words from 'Flower Drum Song', has 'rumbled in my ears like thunder for years', explained, during an interview in The Writer Magazine that, often, writers aren't truthful when asked about their influences.
He was unapologetic to say that movies and comic books have been the media that drove him to writing. In his interview, he explained writers will bring up classic works (they may not have read or feel this will bring more credibility to their writing) to say they were their biggest influences.

For more on this amazing author and the interview in his own words, refer to The Writer Magazine Nov. 2011 issue, Pg. 22 "Late bloomer, EARLY RISER".

2012-01-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

Over 1,800 handwritten pages. Over 100 pages typed. Heaven help me.

HAPPY 2012 NEW YEAR! Ecard made by me!

2011-12-31T21:15:00.001-08:00

HAPPY 2012 NEW YEAR! Ecard made by me!

2011-12-31T21:14:00.001-08:00

Darrell K. Sweet (1934 - 2011) When you lose your heroes...

2011-12-30T21:47:00.000-08:00

Just found out late that one of my favorite, modern-day artists had passed away earlier this month.
Mr. Darrell K. Sweet was one of many genre cover artists, fine artists and (surprises!) photographer, who gave an 'Old Master' touch to modern books. When I started reading Piers Anthony's Xanth series, it was a Darrell K. Sweet cover that drew me into that world.

Thank God I had also discovered Mr. Anthony's writings beforehand so it was a double-whammy!

I feel indebted to such figures who elevate fantasy and science fiction art to a level of museum and art gallery greatness, for genre media does not get nor receive the respect it deserves from popular culture, though pop culture does try to elevate the banal and mundane and mediocre..

Another 'hero artist' I also wish to honor was Mr. Keith Parkinson. More on him in a future post. Until then, I wish my followers both on this blog and on Twitter a Safe, Happy and Prosperous New Year.

2011-12-21T17:12:00.000-08:00

Here are my main protagonists: 'Slash' and Stacey.
My gangster is in typical Summer Chic fashion. All he needs - & he will get it in the final draft - is a porkpie hat! (That's the straw hat with black band men wore during the summer months & visiting South America in those days).
My girl-next-door is in the summer suits women often wore during the work-week. Notice her clutch bag and skull cap (typical of women's hats during the 1920s-1930s).

I enjoyed drawing Stacey's saddle shoes. I had a pink & white pair as a kid.

Stacey Hankin

2011-12-21T13:00:00.000-08:00

Here is my protagonist. Since her earlier incarnations (and there have been many, like 'Slash' Castellano!), I've tried to extensively research the hairstyles and headdresses from the 1930s.

A class that changes...

2011-12-21T12:38:00.000-08:00

Professor Tixier would prove a force of nature. She was a dynamo. An intellectual to be reckoned with. I was privileged by the English Department to take this dynamic teacher's class because of my high marks (Goodness, too many British dramas)/scores.

The day, I walked in, I knew this, to coin and milk a cliche' to the bone, I had found a kindred spirit.
Prof. Tixier taught a course - name escapes me now- about the importance of storytelling and its role in modern psychology and society.
I first heard the 'Monomyth' from her. I also learned about Mr. Joseph Campbell, and his famed 'Hero with a Thousand Faces'.
She also reintroduced a writer I dearly took for granted, Ursula K. le Guin.
With myth, storytelling, and epic fantasy being taught all in one course, you would think it would be a picnic... No it wasn't.
Did most of my classmates, who happened to be freshmen and sophomores to my junior, understand the treasure trove that was this class? NO, they did not.
Yet, I absorbed, and through osmosis, took in what she explained was the importance of storytelling to any culture. In coming to grips with WHY we tell stories, this topic also became the salve to much underpinnings within the Psychology industry, another field for which I am a fan.

I gave her a story I had recently finished, and she commented, not in the passionate way of my earlier English and Creative Writing instructors, but in an academic, didactic manner that forced me to view my tales, not ONLY as a source of entertainment to possible readers, but to how I viewed my world, my personal psychology.

Professor Tixier is dead and gone for over 6 years, and I doubt she knew the impact she had on me as a person, and as important, as a writer. My junior college is now a four-year, and there is a grant named after this wonderful woman, as it should be. But the true testament to her legacy is what we, her students, and others' lives she touched, may do with the knowledge she gave freely and sincerely.

Today doesn't feel like a Saturday...

2011-12-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, but this week was the end of the semester and so I will have my Christmas season to do the things I WANNA DO.

I'm reading the 125th volume, Issue 1 of the Writer Magazine (please search my Twitter account for how much I adore this mag!), and I came to a realization:
Writers are influenced by so many, wide, broad strokes of humanity and conditions.
I remember being told that my book reports and stories for English/Reading were entertaining. Yet, those same strengths of what made my stories shine were my Achilles' heel when it came to writing research papers.

Finally, in community college, not only did I write an essay that glowed with my professor's comments, 'til I was even encouraged to take a Creative Writing course (They had these?! Who knew!), and later, in that same class, I ended up scoring the highest - with another person - out of the entire English classes in the college, that this propelled me to being able to register for an honor's class afterward. More about that in a minute..
Eventually, before all that, after completing this course and the second required course (with a grade I was NOT happy with), I took my prof.'s advice and enrolled in CRW2001 with a professor Austin.
She has since retired, but not before she lit my imagination on fire for her practical yet illuminating advice into the writing business. From her, I learned to specify genre, write synopses, and how and where to market my writing. She was also one of the few teachers who didn't mock my wanting to write about talking animals and applying Scifi tropes into my story. She was more interested in how I structured a tale, how convincing my characters' dialogues, setting, exposition, etc.

I was never so proud as when my short story, 'Su Ling', was published in a now out-of-print fanzine and I handed a copy to her.
She made me blush when she handed the issue back and told me to autograph it first before she accepted it!
I want to thank my Reading/English teachers in middle school, my AP English teacher, my first English professor, Professor Austin and later the honors English on Myth, Professor Tixier. More about this wonderful woman in my next post.
A writer's work is never done, true. We constantly are bombarded by ideas, advice, and our own internal dialogue, but a writer's mentors' list doesn't end either, and for that, I AM GRATEFUL.

1st part is winding down

2011-12-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

Finally. Work is hopefully winding down. I don't just mean the J-O-B either.
The story (1st part) seems to be finished. Wow. That sounds magnanimous..but it's true! After reaching the 12th journal, what I'm writing seems to be filler, or added details.
Characters have been born, been killed, married, and in a few cases, divorced or separated. Now comes the hard part...
While typing, I will do more edits and categorize the references. The Dreaded Second Draft...Oy.

2011-11-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

This needs more explanation. Sorry that the sketch turned out so light.
I had found the perfect dress that my female protagonist should wear for her first time at a 'Havana' club (Historical Note: Cuban culture, style and music was very much in vogue during the '30s). On her tail are 'bracelets' to match those on her wrists.
My male protagonist is in typical 'Cuban-club' style: cream suit jacket, black slacks, spats and slicked back hair.

2011-11-24T23:13:00.000-08:00

Here is my female protagonist's mother and aunts. This is a first draft and I've since gotten reference material to show exactly how Black women wore their hair in the 20s - 30s.
Oh, and I should explain the breed: my heroine's family are mostly Black and Tan Hounds.

2011-11-24T20:40:00.000-08:00

Here is my Russian Wolfhound character. Being Eastern-European, she anglicized her name in order to fit in. She's now quite rich and having the time of her life. Whenever I'm writing this character, I feel a bounce in my step after. She's a lot of fun.

"I'm marryin' him, Mama!"

2011-11-24T20:11:00.000-08:00

In this scene, which I later refined thanks to a Sear & Roebuck's catalog, my protagonist, Stacey Hankin, is really getting it from the confrontational, no-nonsense, Mrs. Beatrice Hankin. Stacey's just given the news she's engaged. Her mother does not like one bit the man the daughter is intent on marrying.

In another sketchbook, I've refined this scene: changes to both mother and daughter to reflect the 1930's look. I'm also studying the hairstyles among Black American women of this time.
I will post the refined sketch to this soon.

Some recaps...

2011-11-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

First, wishing AND hoping that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Also, I'm still reeling because I am suffering from Post-Miami-Book-Fair-Syndrome (IT WAS GREAT).

I also learned that one of my favorite authors (I have many), has died and I will soon post a few of my fondest memories about how this brilliant lady's books changed my life.

Furthermore, NaNoWriMo is almost done and so I'm wishing fellow writers good fortune and Godspeed on what comes from this endurance test! Best of Luck!

Last but certainly NOT LEAST, the next post after will be a continuance of my dog gangster story art series...Stay tuned...

Don't worry...Art series will continue

2011-11-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

I know I promised my dog historical fiction illustrations. Have no fear - I have some folders saved and dated. I just need to do some digital touch-ups before I post. This is what happens when a person both writes and draws. Procrastination becomes almost chronic.

The Art of Plugging Away - Part 3

2011-11-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

I came to the realization that my published story 'Firefly Crown' - which begins a series of adventures and misadventures - cannot go under the guise of simply one title.

I will have to treat this short story series as I do the overall milieu of its world, 'Tabber the Red', different standalone short stories with their own distinct titles.

The next story has a new title, and will involve a character from the previously published story, and who takes center stage.

How writing morphs

2011-11-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

The ideas are coming... Have some new ones for the fantasy-cyperpunk 2-part, the science-fantasy, and a new beginning and set-up for the marine-biology/oceanography.

I'm sorry I sound like a demented publisher, talking in Genre-speak, but I realized I compressed and created limits to these alternating views. Why do I say this?
Well, one story deals with guardian angels being a part of regular life. Another deals with goblins at war, while the third with several species trying to fix climatic catastrophes to their world - and the different/opposing solutions implemented.

Each of these ideas may need a style change tune-up. Even their length and how I format them cannot be the same.

2011-11-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

The novel.. Still plugging away.
Updates soon.

Those participating in NaNoWriMo, good luck and Godspeed.
One day. One day soon, I may take part... But until then, HAPPY WRITING EVERYONE.

Stay tuned for the rest of the illustrated series of sketches I'm doing for my novel.

New short story on its way...

2011-11-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

Finally working on a new short story!
Had the notes for it since last year this same time. I've been working on the novel for so long, I almost forget how many days it takes to write a short story.
Ah well.

'Slash' Castellano

2011-10-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Main protagonist. Neighborhood tough. Enforcer. Soldier. Bodyguard.

2011-10-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

Here is my burlesque dancer. She's a Springer Spaniel. Her inspiration was the actress Ms. Joan Bennet.

"Don't cry, honey."

2011-10-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the first in an illustrated series I promised some weeks before.
These drafts aren't final. They are from my sketchbook devoted entirely to my Dog Prohibition-era crime novel.

Here are my two protagonists.

The Art of Plugging Away - Part 2

2011-10-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a few insights since I officially began writing the first draft to my dog crime saga: I've found additions to previous hobbies and broadened my scope.
First, let me give you a brief history on this novel.

My first ideas and sketches were in 6th grade. I drew a lot of my own books in those days. It took place in the 1980s (Why not? That's all I knew!). I called it 'Stacey's Story'. It was a direct rip-off of 'Lady and the Tramp'. As I grew older and became further entrenched in history, I kept going backwards (the 70s, 60s, until I decided that the War Years and its movies were my favorite time period, the 40s). Afterwards, I kept said title until it became 'Stacey:1943'. I still had humans, but could not negotiate dog years within human history. I even did research on World War II, and this messed me up.

Finally, well, eventually, I gave up. Typing the story became a treatment when I suffered from Writer's Block (thank God, I don't suffer often). I discarded everything. I just stowed it away, taking it out every now and again, looking at all my work in a forlorn manner. I didn't want to discard all that research. I felt, 'My G*d, all that time wasted!' What would this story come to, I wondered? Would I even make it happen? To reuse a cliche' - What a difference a few years make!

In March 2010, I used a neglected notebook. It appeared to be a business legal pad, navy blue, almost puffy cover.
Inklings about the dog story began to crop up again. Ideas would jump into my head, drop from the sky, anything new, I quickly jotted down. It's as if the story was fighting back, fighting to survive. It removed the ideas that bogged it down, held it from full potential.

Prohibition had been peaking my interest. I was so long a fan of 40s, 50s movies, but now the Silent Era was calling to me. I began watching comedians I wasn't familiar with: Charley Chase, Buster Keaton, the history of movie studios and films. I bought used books as references: about the different ethnic group emigrations to the U.S., about speakeasies.
Pre-Hayes Code films, 1930-1932, Hollywood at its most irreverent, its most scandalous take in movies. These black-and-white reels made jokes about sex and poked fun at subject matters I thought only came into being in the 60s!
I couldn't believe one early 1930s movie made a point about the heroine thinking and preparing for the fact that the hero would want to sleep with her! And when the hero told her good night and took to the couch, her reaction is timeless! Could these old-time movies really talk about such stuff that make up our regular, modern films?

I removed the human beings. I gave the dogs center-stage. They owned the book.
I took them from Disney half-clothed and made them stand upright, fully-attired, even wearing lingerie and undergarments! What was good for my epic fantasy cats should be good enough for my gangster dogs!

Finally, I set it in the early 30s, when the Great, Noble Experiment is losing its grip on the rest of the nation.
By doing so, I released the floodgates of possibilities: stories of immigration, the political, cultural and ethical ramifications of liquor and how banning it changed our socio-cultural landscape...

This is/are the novel(s) I write now.

2011-10-26T18:53:00.001-07:00

This 1st draft is taking longer than I imagined. I had NO IDEA my characters would have so much to say!

Note to self

2011-10-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Organized my documents solely for this novel and realized that all three needed to be renamed.
I also began to highlight the side notes and footnotes within each document.
This is the second draft.
I'm doing first draft and second draft at the same time.
When I counted, the grand total came to 74 typed pages from over 1,600 (Yes, you read right) handwritten pages.
I'm about to shed tears.

Work in Progress - Part 1

2011-10-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

I finally completed an edit on half a chapter (the 1st draft handwritten in 1 of the 11 journals for this story!). When I read the typed draft to my mom, I was shaking.
She told me what I read to her was plausible.. she enjoyed my word choices.. and that my details of the doctor's preparation before an exam was true to life..

2011-09-19T18:19:00.001-07:00

That's a mere drop in the bucket. I've got 10 journals and counting. Yikes

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2011-09-19T17:54:00.001-07:00

Yikes. I just counted what I've typed of the novel so far and it comes to 59 pages.

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When art serves and helps itself

2011-09-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

While writing and publishing my short stories, I thought I knew myself as a writer. I was wrong. Writing this novel - I have many unfinished, unworthy drafts not fit for literary consumption - I learn more and more about my thoughts, my beliefs and ethics. What my true motives are as well as my desires.
Writing the short story seems now to be a short visit to my house, but then the visitor leaves, whether in a pleasant mood or foul.
With a novel, that guest has moved in. To stay for good... and for the time being, will see all my dirty laundry.
This is difficult for many people to take. Whatever personality type we are, most of us do not want to be an expose'. We many do not want others to know those secret parts of us. And yet, writing this novel has been and continues to be exciting because I have stretched writing muscles I didn't think I had, and the short story writing has given me tools to build this novel.
But know that writing is not a selfless art. It is a selfish, self-serving creative act that, when you get back to brass tacks, helps itself.
I'm not complaining. Short stories have helped me to write this novel. But this novel will help me to write better short stories. And that's what it basically boils down to, don't you think?

This is my song...

2011-09-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

I understand what other writers mean that a novel is a different animal from a short story.
No, I do not mean that I don't understand the difference...It's simply goes to the fact that every writer starts out a reader.
And as a reader, you expect storytelling to give you certain things.
However, when you become a writer, now the expectations change, and you approach from a different angle. You are coming with different questions, and not the yearnings of a reader. You are now in the uncomfortable position of audience AND performer, and this is, while not always a happy place, it is an exhilarating place to be.

Made a goof

2011-09-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

Just realized that concentrating on a writing contest may have cost me a story elsewhere. Now I have to remember and redeem myself by making concerted efforts in all the right places.

The art of plugging away

2011-08-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

My dog crime drama has been an on-again-off-again relationship since 6th grade.
Some years back, I gave it up. Just got sick and tired of plugging at something that wasn't growing.
The plot, the characters, didn't seem to want to attain fruition.
So I gave up on it.

And you want to know something? That's when the story grew.

Like a seed you plant, and water, sprinkle plant food, till it, and nothing.
But as you ignore the pot/garden/field..that's when it happens.
Magic.

How my character became a case of mistaken identity

2011-08-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

I was probably in 11th or 10th grade, when a schoolmate from junior high approached me during lunch period to ask me 'How's Sonny?'
My best friend (still is), got mad at me afterwards and demanded to know why I never told her about this boyfriend named Sonny.
I laughed and it took me a while to calm her down. I explained to her that Sonny was a comic character I invented while stuck in summer school math class (I would be imprisoned in Summer School almost every year since 5th grade to 11th, with maybe a year or 2 that I did well enough to move on to the next grade).
Later, my friend expressed her disbelief at how could an invented character seem so real to a person that they would remember years after?
I reminded my best friend about this anecdote years ago and she laughed at how jealous she had felt towards this classmate knowing something about me that she didn't (my best friend and I did not attend the same middle school).
Bored out of my skull, and stuck in a class whose subject proved my greatest enemy for most of my life (Math), drawing a comic book was the only release. I was puny, classic loner and nerdy. I wore glasses, had braces near the end of junior high into high school, where the wretched railway system was blessedly removed (Thank Heavens!), and I was bullied for one less thing, which was a blessing in and of itself. Drawing was always an escape, like reading, and so I concocted a group of high school friends (Kids always want their heroes older) and they were: bears, cats and dogs.
I used notebook paper, drew the panels, inked, colored and put in the word balloons. The story took most of Math period and through endless viewing of the school movie "Summer School" (how appropriate!).
Soon, classmates were actually waiting for me to finish it. I then made a copy in our library, kept the original, and watched like fire as the copy changed hands and I received praise and criticism alike : "I like his hairstyle!" "I didn't like the ending!" There were cries for a sequel. I didn't have the marketing sense then: Had I sold each page for a dollar, my classmates may have paid it, and I would've made a tidy little sum of money to spend at the end of summer. This episode on the power of my words escaped me many times. I would finally GET IT when I ended up in one of the few honors classes I'd take in my early school career.

Writer's note to self

2011-08-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

When trying to figure out how to fit the Harlem Renaissance into my story, a thought came to me: most of those men and women DID NOT know they would become famous, that they would grow to be legends. Inspiration to future generations? No!
They simply wanted to elevate their art, and in so doing, elevate the Black race.
Once I figured THAT out, I am able to write and thread what became the stirrings of the Harlem Renaissance.

Books as keystones

2011-08-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Years ago, before I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism "Grave's Disease", I had to undergo a series of tests.
At the medical center that had the proper equipment to scan me for goiter, my nervous mother beside me in the waiting room, I currently read "See Jane Win", ground-breaking book by Dr. Sylvia Rimm.
In this brilliantly-written study over a course of 1,000 successful women, Dr. Rimm, who co-wrote the book with her two daughters, also 'Dr.s' in their own right, posed several scenarios that a young girl raised under such conditions becomes successful in life regardless of socio-economic, ethnicity, or even by family education status.
The more I read, the more I agreed with the cases of 1,000 women. From all walks of life, women who grew to prominence in their chosen path, or a career that became theirs, began as curious girls, often thirsty for knowledge, versed in certain math- or science-related fields, had taken music lessons, had several interests, hobbies, etc.
Finally, I was called to the reception area, where sat a young woman who shared my ethnicity.
We greeted one another, and after I answered her questions related to my impending examination, she asked me what I was reading.
I explained, quite enthusiastically, what the book was about in a nutshell.
She looked at me and quite dismissively shrugged and said, "Well, I only read books written by Black people."
That stopped me cold. That made me upset. And then infuriated me.
Was she not a woman? Did she not care, as a woman, what MADE a successful woman, and what evidence there was to support the reasons these 1,000 Women became successful?
No, she must've believed that such subject matter or topic could only come from someone Non-Black, and therefore, refuse its wisdom or knowledge.
Now I love many of the Black writers of the past, I love my Black writers now, and I am a future Black writer myself. However, how could she say such a thing? How could she, in her race-loyal ways, belittle the sum of human knowledge to only reading topics EXCLUSIVE to one race? And if she only reads Black writings, would that be only Black-American, Black-Caribbean, or Blacks from Africa or other overseas places? And if this is the case, does she read writings from Black professionals, regular Joes, or only those that work in a medical office? If she is Christian, then she cannot read the Bible, since many of its writers were not 'Nubian'. And she probably does not know that the famous movie about race and the all-consuming fight among Blacks of 'Light vs. Dark' "Imitation of Life", was actually written by Fannie Hurst, a young, Jewish woman?
We learn to be writers by having something to say. But first, we must read widely to have something in our head in order to write. I hate to think of how little this medical office employee knows, or how limited and narrow is her experience. Most frightening to think still: she's college educated, or, at least received certification in her field. How did she bypass this prejudiced view when digesting her own textbooks? We owe it to ourselves as human beings to read widely, to take in as much of human wisdom as is available to us. It's been seven years since this conversation and it still burns me. I only hope this young woman has grown a little from having such childish views.

Writing Books that still inspire me...

2011-08-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

"Characters Make Your Story" by Maren Elwood
"Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within" by Natalie Goldberg

These two books are important in the fact that one I discovered at my college library, and the other a used copy at my university bookstore.

"Characters-" revolutionized how I came to the craft.
Before, I thought I was a lesser writer to those who wrote Plot-driven stories rather than Character-driven (which is where I was).
Then, in packing my arms with books to take home - I was taking a Creative Writing course - I read Maren Elwood's classic reference. It broke the book into sections as a textbook, with questions to ask yourself but had a very conversational tone.

Though old-fashion in terms of advice: "Don't write about interracial relationships" (guilty!) "Don't discuss religion" (also guilty) as well as don't use any one other than an All-American guy or girl as your protagonist (Aka White American - I'm Black and have used numerous ethnic groups in my stories...so I've also failed that), the book hasn't failed to teach me how important it is to take your characters seriously, so that they can color the way you tell a story.

"Writing Down-" is such a scaled down, thinly veiled trove of treasure, that I am guilty, not of judging it by cover, but by how THIN it was (Almost like the chockful of goodness that is E.B. White's 'Elements of Style')!
Yet, this is the entire point of this reference. You do not need copious amounts of expository. Goldberg is a student and practitioner of Zen Buddhism, yet , you do not have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the parable-type wit and wisdom she packs in this slim book. It literally changed how I viewed life as a writer and to accept what comes in order to continue your destiny along this path.
In this book, writers can be born, but they can be MADE as well.. and both kinds will know this is WHO they are.

Dog novel & research has slowed to a crawl

2011-08-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

I've reached journal #10 for the dog gangster story, writing time (which usually ran 3-5 pages a day) has slowed.
Also, researching has changed. I did commando-style skimming, flipping through certain chapters, trying to finish other chapters on a given topic.

Now, I do a more in-depth research, where I find time to read each reference as a novel.

New Member of Furry Writer's Guild

2011-08-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

As of July 30, 2011 - I officially became the newest member of the Furry Writer's Guild!

April 1 - Daily Poetry Blast! A celebration of National Poetry Month from the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College

2011-04-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

April 1 - Daily Poetry Blast! A celebration of National Poetry Month from the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College

2011-03-28T15:10:00.001-07:00

Reached the anniversary for my novel's first draft - 3/24/11. Book log# 7 almost complete. My dog gangster epic is going full steam ahead!
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2011-02-14T10:20:00.001-08:00

Will have to shift my writing schedule. The new project started from last year March and it hasn't abated. Stay tune.

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'Invitation to World Literature' continued...Part 2

2010-12-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

"1000 and 1 Nights", though many of the stories seem disjointed or meander to other characters and places, is held together by the frame of a single, intelligent and wise young woman who changes a tyrant to become a loving husband, father and ruler.

This brought to mine my own collection of short stories.
When 'Tabber the Red' was originally a novel, it couldn't work. I had many stylistic problems with it. Once I began to break it down into short stories is when the work soared and magazines began to publish them.

In a nutshell, 'Tabber the Red' is my tabby warrior who manages, through cunning, stealth, and an unusual intelligence not perceived among his particular clan group, to fix the world as he sees fit, to end the rival squabbles, the genocides, as well as bring peace to the tabby tribes that rule the Grassland Region.

Sometimes, the short stories revolve around him, or go beyond his timeline, touch the past and even into the future, so that Tabber, in just a few stories, his parents are the focus, or, his childhood is in focus. Later, the meeting of his wife, and soon, what events are affected by his children and grandchildren.

The stories even will mention people in history on this world, other times, other breeds and other cultures. This is why I'm glad that I named my official website after him instead of after me.

TabbertheRed.com

'Invitation to World Literature' continued...

2010-12-27T15:13:00.000-08:00

Or, as one expert put it, in Arabic, it is "Alf layla wa-layla" - roughly, "The Thousand Nights and One night".
It is explained that not only has this story:
a) Polarized our mainstream and pop culture
b) In the West, this work is seen as Children's literature
c) In many part of the Middle East, it is censored or banned for its sexuality, depravity, debauchery, and other negative things

'Invitation to World Literature' on channel 79 @830p on Sundays

2010-12-27T15:09:00.000-08:00

I just love this program. Today, I'm trying to clean out my DVR for the New Year's programming. The focus was on "The Arabian Nights" or, what I prefer, "The 1000 and 1 Nights".

Reflections Magazine: Art by Ms. Carmen Welsh

2010-12-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

Reflections Magazine: Art by Ms. Carmen Welsh

Book logs are a dream

2010-11-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

At the same, I AM working on a novel, and that's in longhand stage. It's filled up almost five journals, so I guess the story is going full speed ahead!

MY OFFICIAL 1ST POST

2010-11-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

I know this is still NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), so good luck and happy plugging away at those novels! I would love to participate but time constraints prevent me.

In Pretty Print - A Writing & Artist Life...Ongoing

The Thrill of the Chase...

Kenneth L. Welsh (Feb. 12, 1923 - Feb. 23, 2007)

'Giovanni & Francesca' in Sepia

'Giovanni & Francesca Castellano' & Social Reform Photography

Inspiration & a Despised Cult Classic

Inspiration, Disney & the Tramp

"Meeting Minny"

'Slash in a pensive mood' & 'Love ya, Baby!' sketches

Frank Frazetta (Feb. 9, 1928 - May 10, 2010)

Proud to draw...Animals!

*BEAMING* (^_^) !!

Illustrators I admire - NOT comprehensive

Happy Lunar New Year!!!!

Characters determine your story. You have no say.

I am in the "Where In the World is The Writer?" gallery!

A list of Illustrators I admire - Definitely NOT exhaustive

Walter Mosley - Writer Extraordinaire

HAPPY 2012 NEW YEAR! Ecard made by me!

HAPPY 2012 NEW YEAR! Ecard made by me!

Darrell K. Sweet (1934 - 2011) When you lose your heroes...

Stacey Hankin

A class that changes...

Today doesn't feel like a Saturday...

1st part is winding down

"I'm marryin' him, Mama!"

Some recaps...

Don't worry...Art series will continue

The Art of Plugging Away - Part 3

How writing morphs

New short story on its way...

'Slash' Castellano

"Don't cry, honey."

The Art of Plugging Away - Part 2

Note to self

Work in Progress - Part 1

When art serves and helps itself

This is my song...

Made a goof

The art of plugging away

How my character became a case of mistaken identity

Writer's note to self

Books as keystones

Writing Books that still inspire me...

Dog novel & research has slowed to a crawl

New Member of Furry Writer's Guild

April 1 - Daily Poetry Blast! A celebration of National Poetry Month from the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College

'Invitation to World Literature' continued...Part 2

'Invitation to World Literature' continued...

'Invitation to World Literature' on channel 79 @830p on Sundays

Reflections Magazine: Art by Ms. Carmen Welsh

Book logs are a dream

MY OFFICIAL 1ST POST

BEAMING (^_^) !!