Timothy Stringer's Blog: Timothy Stringer's Blog
November 8, 2023
Chronicles of Ashtetton Re-Edit
I like to gripe about other authors taking so long to produce the next volume in a series. Based on my own performace I have no room to talk as the saying goes. What I have done is a complete re-edit of Volume One. Intitially I thought it would not take long. Ha! Hopefully all those spelling and grammer mistakes have been addressed.
It is done, and the manuscript has been updated and uploaded to Amazon. Those who bought the book and the giveaway winners should see the update available for download. Yay for me. Now to get my butt in gear and finish Volume Two. I'll give everyone a hint. The butler did not do it.
It is done, and the manuscript has been updated and uploaded to Amazon. Those who bought the book and the giveaway winners should see the update available for download. Yay for me. Now to get my butt in gear and finish Volume Two. I'll give everyone a hint. The butler did not do it.
June 10, 2022
Updating
The year is half over and I've discovered I'm not nearly so far along with the sequel as I hoped. Instead I'm re-editing the first volume. Yeah there were that many mistakes. Thanks to those that reviewed Chronicle and making me do better. If I understand Amazon updating, anyone who has purchased a digital version will get the update. So far that is where the sales have been.
I did manage to get another volume of mandalas finished and published and am about half way through creating the forth volume. I wish I was as prolific a writer as I am a creator of mandalas.
Writing in general is easy, writing something worth reading is a lot of work. I'm envious of Stephen King who just writes. From his book, he doesn't outline. The idea he predicates a novel on develops as he writes.
I have to plan and think out where the story is going, what the characters do and how they interact. I write little backstories about the characters and their primary motivations.
Even before finishing the first volume, I knew where the sequel was going and how it would end. I only need to fill in all the parts in between.
I did manage to get another volume of mandalas finished and published and am about half way through creating the forth volume. I wish I was as prolific a writer as I am a creator of mandalas.
Writing in general is easy, writing something worth reading is a lot of work. I'm envious of Stephen King who just writes. From his book, he doesn't outline. The idea he predicates a novel on develops as he writes.
I have to plan and think out where the story is going, what the characters do and how they interact. I write little backstories about the characters and their primary motivations.
Even before finishing the first volume, I knew where the sequel was going and how it would end. I only need to fill in all the parts in between.
December 9, 2021
Holidays
It somewhat boggles my mind looking back over the last year. I've accomplished quite a bit and honestly am a little proud of myself.
Finishing and publishing the first volume of The Chronicles of Ashtetton was a tremendous achievement. I had it on the back burner for so long that I honestly thought it would never be finished.
If that wasn't enough I finished and published an adult coloring book of mandalas, each of which I designed. The next collection is almost done and will probably be finished in January or February.
Travel which had been a big part of my life, returned although not like it had been before. We began taking car trips. Outer Banks, Acadia and the Smokey Mountains were our big trips this year. Well, except for the wacky trip to Vienna we took over Thanksgiving. Nothing like visiting Vienna and having the country go into lockdown two days after one arrives. We walked around quite a lot but most importantly spent time with family we had not seen for almost two years. So, lockdown or no, that trip was a success.
Looking ahead I expect 2022 to have its own set of achievements. Travel will be part of it, completion of the first draft of the Ashtetton volume two is a goal. Publishing at least two more volumes of mandalas is very doable, especially since the first of two is almost finished.
There has been much in my life to be grateful for and much more on the horizon. My hope is that everyone find time to celebrate their achievements and anticipate those achievements yet to come. Peace, Happiest of Holidays and Wishes for Wonderful year to come.
Finishing and publishing the first volume of The Chronicles of Ashtetton was a tremendous achievement. I had it on the back burner for so long that I honestly thought it would never be finished.
If that wasn't enough I finished and published an adult coloring book of mandalas, each of which I designed. The next collection is almost done and will probably be finished in January or February.
Travel which had been a big part of my life, returned although not like it had been before. We began taking car trips. Outer Banks, Acadia and the Smokey Mountains were our big trips this year. Well, except for the wacky trip to Vienna we took over Thanksgiving. Nothing like visiting Vienna and having the country go into lockdown two days after one arrives. We walked around quite a lot but most importantly spent time with family we had not seen for almost two years. So, lockdown or no, that trip was a success.
Looking ahead I expect 2022 to have its own set of achievements. Travel will be part of it, completion of the first draft of the Ashtetton volume two is a goal. Publishing at least two more volumes of mandalas is very doable, especially since the first of two is almost finished.
There has been much in my life to be grateful for and much more on the horizon. My hope is that everyone find time to celebrate their achievements and anticipate those achievements yet to come. Peace, Happiest of Holidays and Wishes for Wonderful year to come.
November 1, 2021
Artistic Writer - Mandalas
I like to think that I'm a creative type person. I write, draw, paint, photograph the world and people around me. I'm also fond of digital tools like Photoshop and Illustrator.
In the past I created digital abstracts in Photoshop. Lately I've been using Photoshop strictly as an image editing tool for photographs. With a background in graphic design I've also created images or composites for commercial use.
Lately, Illustrator is getting a lot of use. I've published a volume of mandalas or mandala like images as an adult/children's coloring book. Traditional mandalas are an expression or interpretation of the universe. Mandalas can also be used as teaching objects or for meditative healing.
What I create though in the repetitive circular form, are not so much an interpretation but more unplanned design. One could argue that there is a element of meditation in creating mandalas since I rarely have no plan when I start. The design evolves as I'm creating it. Sometimes I can create one in minutes and sometimes I may work on one for days. Even when I've considered a design done, I may make changes days or weeks later.
Looking back at the over 100 mandalas that I've created, I've noticed that often there is an Art Deco vibe. I never intended that to happen, but it is there. No matter what, for me it is always about the visual appeal of the design. If someone finds meaning in one of my mandalas, then it is coming from them. Though I'd be flattered if someone did.
The mandalas I created are published in coloring books. So far I've created three volumes. The first is out of publication and I doubt it will be offered again. Many of the designs were good, but many were not. I look at Volume One as a learning experience. Volume Two is all original designs that I'm much happier with. Volume Three which I hope will be available prior to Christmas I think of as a continuation of Volume One, with all new designs.
In the past I created digital abstracts in Photoshop. Lately I've been using Photoshop strictly as an image editing tool for photographs. With a background in graphic design I've also created images or composites for commercial use.
Lately, Illustrator is getting a lot of use. I've published a volume of mandalas or mandala like images as an adult/children's coloring book. Traditional mandalas are an expression or interpretation of the universe. Mandalas can also be used as teaching objects or for meditative healing.
What I create though in the repetitive circular form, are not so much an interpretation but more unplanned design. One could argue that there is a element of meditation in creating mandalas since I rarely have no plan when I start. The design evolves as I'm creating it. Sometimes I can create one in minutes and sometimes I may work on one for days. Even when I've considered a design done, I may make changes days or weeks later.
Looking back at the over 100 mandalas that I've created, I've noticed that often there is an Art Deco vibe. I never intended that to happen, but it is there. No matter what, for me it is always about the visual appeal of the design. If someone finds meaning in one of my mandalas, then it is coming from them. Though I'd be flattered if someone did.
The mandalas I created are published in coloring books. So far I've created three volumes. The first is out of publication and I doubt it will be offered again. Many of the designs were good, but many were not. I look at Volume One as a learning experience. Volume Two is all original designs that I'm much happier with. Volume Three which I hope will be available prior to Christmas I think of as a continuation of Volume One, with all new designs.
October 13, 2021
Fixing The Plot
It happens, the plot is going smashingly. It is all working out until you realize that there is that one bit that makes no sense. There is no reason for a character to do what the writer is having them do. But I need that senseless action to make the rest of the plot work.
So, back to square one. Why would a character do something that I need them to do? First answer would be it is my character and they do what I want them to do. For the story to make sense there has to be a plausible reason for a character to do what I need them to do. In this case, it is as much when than what. Or that is the solution I came up with. Changing the when works.
My husband notices it all the time in movies and shows. Those plot holes that all but scream that there is something wonky. Yes it get characters from A to B, but even the slightest application of logic points to a problem.
Hollywood likes to gloss over those holes with special effects. Wow the audience and they'll forget that what the character is doing is random and pointless. There is no earthly reason for a character to go down that path but there they happily go heading straight into trouble.
Not so easy to gloss over the hole in writing. And yet writers do it too. The helpful stranger out of nowhere is a pretty common one. He or she just happens to be where our hero needs them and has just the solution our hero needs to resolve their current conundrum. It isn't a perfect solution but it works.
I cannot promise that I will never create plot holes. I can promise that I'll do my best to close them.
So, back to square one. Why would a character do something that I need them to do? First answer would be it is my character and they do what I want them to do. For the story to make sense there has to be a plausible reason for a character to do what I need them to do. In this case, it is as much when than what. Or that is the solution I came up with. Changing the when works.
My husband notices it all the time in movies and shows. Those plot holes that all but scream that there is something wonky. Yes it get characters from A to B, but even the slightest application of logic points to a problem.
Hollywood likes to gloss over those holes with special effects. Wow the audience and they'll forget that what the character is doing is random and pointless. There is no earthly reason for a character to go down that path but there they happily go heading straight into trouble.
Not so easy to gloss over the hole in writing. And yet writers do it too. The helpful stranger out of nowhere is a pretty common one. He or she just happens to be where our hero needs them and has just the solution our hero needs to resolve their current conundrum. It isn't a perfect solution but it works.
I cannot promise that I will never create plot holes. I can promise that I'll do my best to close them.
October 7, 2021
Going Kilted
This has absolutely nothing to do with writing, but possibly may in the future. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with a character that is into kilts. Or perhaps this might someday be a chapter in my best selling autobiography. Hmmmm, I like that thought.
On the paternal side, I'm not a Scot. My younger brother who has researched more of the maternal branches of the family tree tells me there are. On the paternal line there is no connection. There is an Irish connection through my maternal grandfather. There is also a Spanish connection through him.
A few weekends ago I went to the Celtic Festival in Bensalem, PA. When told of the event by a friend he jokingly said we had to wear kilts. I did not own one and the only place I could locally source one were not open in time for me to procure one. And I thought why buy something that I would only wear once a year at most. And then I looked at a few during the festival. There was only one vendor selling kilts and they were busy, really busy. Since I was with a group I didn't wait around to learn more.
I am now the proud owner of 5 kilts. One of which I made. The one I produced is wrong in so many ways but I was expecting that. The fabric is wrong, but I was experimenting and will never, well hardly never, wear that kilt. It is more like a proof of concept and the fabric was chosen for price more than function.
I've also watched hours and hours of videos on kilt making. Very few of them were all that helpful, but the amalgam of all of them gave me some direction. I finally gave in and bought a couple, well actually four kilts. One I went to the previously mentioned shop and picked one up. A few days later I sourced one in another shop not too far away in New Jersey. The other two I ordered online.
Once I had a kilt I was able to make a few more guesses as to how to actually construct a kilt. Digging out my trusty old Singer, I stitched it up and voila, my poorly made custom kilt. Wrong fabric, wrong colors, straps not placed correctly, but it is a kilt and I made it.
I'm not done. I ordered proper fabric with a proper tartan and that will become my second custom kilt. While I'm waiting, I'm looking at utility kilts which are not constructed the same way as traditional kilts.
Last weekend I wore one of my kilts to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival. This weekend is Celtic weekend. I'm going back, properly kilted of course. Is my obsession showing?
On the paternal side, I'm not a Scot. My younger brother who has researched more of the maternal branches of the family tree tells me there are. On the paternal line there is no connection. There is an Irish connection through my maternal grandfather. There is also a Spanish connection through him.
A few weekends ago I went to the Celtic Festival in Bensalem, PA. When told of the event by a friend he jokingly said we had to wear kilts. I did not own one and the only place I could locally source one were not open in time for me to procure one. And I thought why buy something that I would only wear once a year at most. And then I looked at a few during the festival. There was only one vendor selling kilts and they were busy, really busy. Since I was with a group I didn't wait around to learn more.
I am now the proud owner of 5 kilts. One of which I made. The one I produced is wrong in so many ways but I was expecting that. The fabric is wrong, but I was experimenting and will never, well hardly never, wear that kilt. It is more like a proof of concept and the fabric was chosen for price more than function.
I've also watched hours and hours of videos on kilt making. Very few of them were all that helpful, but the amalgam of all of them gave me some direction. I finally gave in and bought a couple, well actually four kilts. One I went to the previously mentioned shop and picked one up. A few days later I sourced one in another shop not too far away in New Jersey. The other two I ordered online.
Once I had a kilt I was able to make a few more guesses as to how to actually construct a kilt. Digging out my trusty old Singer, I stitched it up and voila, my poorly made custom kilt. Wrong fabric, wrong colors, straps not placed correctly, but it is a kilt and I made it.
I'm not done. I ordered proper fabric with a proper tartan and that will become my second custom kilt. While I'm waiting, I'm looking at utility kilts which are not constructed the same way as traditional kilts.
Last weekend I wore one of my kilts to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival. This weekend is Celtic weekend. I'm going back, properly kilted of course. Is my obsession showing?
September 27, 2021
Reviews
The giveaway is over, the lucky 100 have been given their copies. Now I wait and hope for reviews, or at least I think I want reviews.
I think everyone who creates, whether visual art, prose, poetry, or whatever, dreads and at the same time wants reviews. A good review can lead to sales, a bad review can hurt, both sales and egos.
Every time I release something creative there is that dreaded anticipation. I've just put something out there that I may have worked on for months, or perhaps days or hours, It represents me, and with it goes a piece of my soul.
I want people to enjoy my novel, or painting, or photographs. I'd very much like to make some sales. For the creative type, sales are a form of validation. Sales means people enjoy our efforts. It doesn't mean that what we've created is necessarily good or bad. The starving artist is very much a real thing. I've always modified the adage to, for every successful artist, there are thousand more equally or more talented.
So hopefully the reviews will be good, at a minimum I hope they are instructive. I think creativity can alway be improved.
I think everyone who creates, whether visual art, prose, poetry, or whatever, dreads and at the same time wants reviews. A good review can lead to sales, a bad review can hurt, both sales and egos.
Every time I release something creative there is that dreaded anticipation. I've just put something out there that I may have worked on for months, or perhaps days or hours, It represents me, and with it goes a piece of my soul.
I want people to enjoy my novel, or painting, or photographs. I'd very much like to make some sales. For the creative type, sales are a form of validation. Sales means people enjoy our efforts. It doesn't mean that what we've created is necessarily good or bad. The starving artist is very much a real thing. I've always modified the adage to, for every successful artist, there are thousand more equally or more talented.
So hopefully the reviews will be good, at a minimum I hope they are instructive. I think creativity can alway be improved.
September 25, 2021
Giveaway
Today is the last day of the giveaway. I'm so stoked and hope everyone that gets a copy really enjoys The Chronicles of Ashtetton. Thank you everyone that entered!
September 21, 2021
September 21, 2021
Just a few days ago I published my second book of mandalas. Timothy Stringer Mandalas Adult Coloring Book Volume II is labeled as an adult coloring book but many of the designs would also be suitable for older children. Another facet of my creative side.
Meanwhile I'm still working on the second and final installment of Ashtetton's story. I had originally conceived the story as a trilogy. Once I started fleshing out the outline I began to doubt I had enough material for three books. As I work out the plot I am becoming convinced that a trilogy is not feasible.
Meanwhile I'm still working on the second and final installment of Ashtetton's story. I had originally conceived the story as a trilogy. Once I started fleshing out the outline I began to doubt I had enough material for three books. As I work out the plot I am becoming convinced that a trilogy is not feasible.
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