Red Tash's Blog, page 270
September 19, 2011
Fan art. Read the crossword.
And make sure you read the tags on...
Fan art. Read the crossword.
And make sure you read the tags on this post, for full disclosure.
Autumn has finally reached Indiana, and I am loving it. We went...
Autumn has finally reached Indiana, and I am loving it. We went from the 90s straight down to the 50s overnight. Everyone's holing up inside today, and it's just as well.
Footsteps on the Stairs by Jolea M. Harrison
Read this awhile back. I'm a huge fan of anything Harry...
Read this awhile back. I'm a huge fan of anything Harry & the Potters do, but I don't know if I agree with them on this:
An addendum to my previous post about Pottermore and product placement.
Well, I spent all day yesterday goofing off, playing Pottermore, and I don't really see the DeGeorge boys' point, here.
I mean, I understand what they're saying, and I suppose it's possible—anything's possible—but it just seems so cynical. I just don't really think it's true. What do *you* think? Did Dudley Dursley have a Playstation because JK Rowling took a product placement check?
Hey! If you're one of the lucky Beta-testers on Pottermore (who, like me, got up at the weirdest times of night for a week in order to gain entry and therefore DESERVE to be living it up at Hogwarts right now), add me! My username is WildElm176. And you want to hear something funny? Although I chose that username weeks ago, when I got my wand yesterday, I was assigned an Elm.
ElmThe unfounded belief that only pure-bloods can produce magic from elm wands was undoubtedly started by some elm wand owner seeking to prove his own blood credentials, for I have known perfect matches of elm wands who are Muggle-borns. The truth is that elm wands prefer owners with presence, magical dexterity and a certain native dignity. Of all wand woods, elm, in my experience, produces the fewest accidents, the least foolish errors, and the most elegant charms and spells; these are sophisticated wands, capable of highly advanced magic in the right hands (which, again, makes it highly desirable to those who espouse the pure-blood philosophy).
In case you're wondering, my wand core is Phoenix Feather, and yes, I am a Ravenclaw. For those of you who aren't in yet, don't despair! October is coming! (Imagine me saying that in a Game of Thrones' "Eddard Stark" voice.)
And in the meantime, for another tease…
PhoenixThis is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.
Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.
September 18, 2011
For Richard Welletter, my darling, broken quantum physicist.
I...
For Richard Welletter, my darling, broken quantum physicist.
I can't tell you how many articles on black holes and string theory and alternate universes I read about, researching this guy. It's hard to write about an award-winning scientist without sounding stupid. I hope I managed it, but I'm sure I'll find out, if not.
Another thing about Richard, completely unrelated to his research on time travel—he's one of those people from noble lineage who doesn't believe in titles of nobility, so he eschews any mention of it.
WHY did I have to make that a part of his character? It was the only thing that made sense, to me. Was it even a decision? Maybe this makes me sound completely mad, but when I start writing characters, they seem to tell me how they are, not the other way around. I couldn't have written him any differently if I'd tried.
But, oh, what a joy it was researching the peerage. As we used to say in the 90s—NOT!
The time travel, outer space, *What is the Universe?* stuff was much more fun. Much, much, much.
(I suppose I don't blame Richard for his choices, after all.) ;)
Space: You Are Here poster series by Mike Gottschalk
What *is* this blog about, anyway?
September 17, 2011
Sample Sunday: What's your "sign"?
What do you think of my new costume?
I would love to say...
David Stoupakis
David Stoupakis
David Stoupakis
David Stoupakis
What do you think of my new costume?
I would love to say I'm dressing as something this creepy for Halloween, but as much as I love to *look* at it, I could never pull it off.
Nope, it'll be River Song for me. How about you? Does this beautiful, amazing artwork inspire your inner ghoulie?
Disney's Monster Mash
Been a couple of posts since I...
Disney's Monster Mash
Been a couple of posts since I mentioned my MASSIVE attack on the internet, Red Tash's Trick or Treat Bash.
You could win a free Kindle, over three dozen fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, or Halloween-related books to read on it, Amazon gift cards, and free copies of my new book This Brilliant Darkness.
There are easy ways to enter (tweet about it, like the FB page), and bigger ways you can play along for even MORE entries (review the book online, make some cute fan art). Visit the Bash to learn all the details.
Somebody's gotta win! Might as well be you!
September 16, 2011
katherine-victoria:
I have been one acquainted with the night. ...
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain - and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
-Robert Frost
