Elysia Lumen Strife's Blog, page 16

Home Inspired: Lumberjack Mack

[image error]If you’ve ever had a live Christmas tree, or lived in a stick-built (wood-framed) house, built a deck, or steps, or anything with 2x4s, ‘Mack’ was your man.

This upcoming children’s book, Lumberjack Mack, is about the courage and love of a logger to do a dangerous job for the family he loves. It honors several who have passed, giving all to provide us with the homes that keep us warm and safe.

Inspired by the gorgeous mountains of the pacific northwest and the commitment and resilience of the few…

Coming soon.

It will be available on Amazon Kindle, and in paperback.

Nature always wins. [image error]

Pacific Northwest

Creative Mistakes and Discovery

[image error]I was working in Photoshop on a new cover design and made a mistake, easily fixed with ctrl+z. I’ve been distracted, worried about my first book. And when I refocused, I realized my mistake had just taught me a quick way to make simple planets! I love moments like that, where “oh no!” turns into, “hey that’s cool.” And then I just have to remember my steps. Ha.

Not every mistake means the end of the world, unless you’re a character in a scifi novel.

Science Fiction is all about dreaming up a realistic future. And it’s only fiction because it’s not real, yet. It makes me feel like there’s more out there, waiting for the right time to change the world. We all search for our own escape. Mine is the amazing world of Science Fiction.

Much ♥

Elysia

30+ Character Clothing Styles

While writing a new book, I realized I was describing what my character had on, without knowing what style it belonged to. It made me curious. But I haven’t found many straight forward lists available online, so if you’re searching for this, I hope it helps you. I would break it down into modest vs. not, but I think we all know anyone can be either in any category.

Only general descriptions provided to help sort the styles because so many overlap. If you find something missing, please leave a comment!

Western (cowboy) – boots, jeans, plaid, cowboy hat, spurs, chaps
Rocker (traditional motorcycle) – black leather, band shirts, spike studs, skulls
Punk – spiked colorful hair, black outfits

Anarco-punk – militaristic style
Steampunk – brass gears, buckles, latches, mechanical hardware, goggles
Cyberpunk – futuristic tech, pleather, goggles, colorful cable/dread hair
Celtic punk – kilts and leather jackets
Glamorous punk – sparkles and spikes
Ska-punk – suspenders, black and white stripes/checkers, skinny jeans
Rockabilly – retro hair curls/greaser, white T-shirt, jeans, short A-line dresses, polka dots


Gothic – black fishnet/lace, spikes, skulls, pale skin

Vampire – brocade, corsets, cape, black leather, blood, sheer fabrics
Voodoo/witch – long dresses, long hair, dark eyes, long necklaces, lots of rings


Post-apocalyptic – thick, often torn canvas clothing, hoods, gas masks, knee boots, buckles
Classy – simple suits, jackets, solid colors – neutral tone with a single color

Chic – classy mixed with a lace or floral pattern
Sophisticated – typically one color, a single form fit dress or suit, often with a single expensive accessory, a Coach/Prada purse


Bohemian (boho) – tassles, lace, natural colors, sheer fabrics

Gypsy – richer color, corsets, more adornments, hip scarf


Casual – jeans, hoodies, T-shirts, sneakers

Loungewear – sweats, hoodies, T-shirts, slippers, nighties


Hippie – long flowing fabrics, flowers, bell-bottoms, bright colors

Romantic – pastel colors, flowers, skirts


Tomboy (for girls) – dresses like a man
Effeminate (for guys) – dresses like a woman
National (ethnic) – dress based on cultural history and tradition
Preppy – sweaters and slacks or skirts
Sexy – torn/minimal clothing, showing a lot of skin
Metrosexual (men) – skinny jeans, form fitting tops, vests, manicured, long bangs
Lumbersexual (men) – boots, skinny jeans, red and black plaid flannel, beard, long bangs, pipe/cigar
Formal – suits for males and females

Glamorous – silk, fur, diamonds, floor-length form fit dress, expensive suits


Active – stretch fabrics, tennis shoes, armband/waistband for mp3 player and keys
Retro – 1980’s neon triangles/circles parachute clothing, and 70’s muted colors in t-shirts, high-waist jeans and swim suits, big hair/puffy-brushed out curls
Vintage

Early 1900s – full length corset dresses, casual suits, floral patterns, lace trim


Medieval/renaissance – tunics, under-bust trim, silk, gold thread, accentuated sleeve openings for women, puffy sleeves and pants for men
Skater – large flat-soled shoes, beanies, hoodies, torn baggy pants or skinny jeans
Nautical – navy and white colors, often stripes and solids
Vibrant/Flamboyant – boldly colorful, patterned, and shaped
Exotic – rich colors, trimmed with gold/silver, gems (Stylized with ethnic elements)
Seasonal – self-explanatory, depends on where you are.
Artistic (Arty) – this can go two ways:

The creator – casual with effects of work present, paint, wood dust, ink
The professional – clean jeans/slacks, suit jacket/sweater, camera bag/satchel, and a beret or other well-known symbol of art appreciation


Minimalist – simple clean lines with few to no adornments, no pockets, nothing in excess.
Eclectic – a mix of tastes, plaid and paint splatter, breaks fashion rules, what most of us normies are.
Street/Urban – a trendy casual, follows pop culture fads in everyday style
Functional – work-wear, jumpsuits, overalls, gloves, grounding straps, harnesses
Costume/Character inspired (Cosplay) – over 20 sub-categories.(Wikimedia Reference) here’s a few:

Fantasy armor
Superheroes
Cyborgs
Machines
Legend and creatures
Spies
Martial artists
Anime
Maids


Ancient

Egyptian – typically long white tunic adorned with gold and turquois, headdresses
Mayan/Aztec/Inca – loin cloth & tunics for men, skirts and scarves for women, body piercings
Viking – long canvas dresses, furs, cloaks
Nomad – thick pants and tops, full over dress, trimmed with geometric patterns
Barbarian – stud-trimmed leather, furs, skulls/teeth/round-stamped metal adornments
Greek – Chiton, men no sleeves, women had sleeves
Roman – Tunica and toga combination
Minoan/Cretan – layered skirt, jacket, brooches and daggers for women. loincloth and pants that folded into triangle shape at waist for men, no shirt
Israelite – animal skin apron with long shawl-like tunic
India – a single piece of fabric wrapped around the entire body, bright colors, trimmed with gold thread
Chinese – darker colors, loose and wide sleeves, Hanfu tunic, sash
African – bark cloth, animal skins, paint, scars, beadwork

Self-publishing Stress

When self-publishing, you do everything from write the story, find and work with an editor, select a way to publish, format and market your book. You research the hell out of the process only to find contradicting information. Stellar Fusion is ready, but I can’t hold my breath for something that might never happen.

I sit here drumming my fingers, waiting for the final piece to fall into place. Then it’s, hope I tagged it effectively, hope people look at it, hope they like it, hope I uploaded everything right, hope, hope, hope.

Stellar Fusion has been in the works since 2012. And now I have 17 other books lined up. [image error]And I’m wondering if it’s going to have been a futile endeavor.

Part of me says ‘no’ because there’s still that element of hope.

The perfectionist in me disagrees. But I’m not perfect. Never was, just strive for it.

It’s a crapshoot really. But I refuse to cross my fingers, because I want to believe if it does become something, that I worked for it, earned it, that I’m capable of being more than just a shadow of a former self.

I hold two Bachelor’s degrees. Took me nearly 8 years to complete, but I made it. When I set my mind on a goal, it’s hard to break me of it. I can push through a lot. But sometimes I let that goal blind me to the truth.

My self-doubting judgmental self clashes with my unending faith that there’s an ultimate plan for every life. Some days they fight hard, other days they sit and mope in separate corners.

For now, I’m resorting to ensuring things are in line and ready. And after, I’ll have to take it for what it’s worth. Even if that’s nothing at all.

Hoping hard-work will pay off… for all of us.

♥ Elysia

The Spark

[image error]There is nothing more liberating than taking your own path and knowing no one can tear you down or derail your plans unless you let them.

Because you’re the boss.

If you don’t allow them investment in your life, their words have no clout, and their scoffing remarks become a mere whisper of wind in your ears.

Take charge of your life.

Humans are creators. If you have a dream, go after it. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Plan
Prepare
Practice
Perform

And you will reach Perfection.

[image error]    Elysia