Clancy Tucker's Blog, page 67
October 3, 2020
11 November 2020 - PICTURES OF KIDS STRUGGLING WITH DISTANCE LEARNING
PICTURES OF KIDS STRUGGLING
WITH DISTANCE LEARNING
G'day folks,
Technology is supposed to make distance learning easier during the pandemic, but sometimes it can be absolutely exhausting.
Parents are posting photos of their kids struggling to use Zoom during their virtual lessons. The expressions and their body language say it loud and clear—they’re over Zoom and just want everything to be over already.
Let's check out these poor kids ...
Clancy's comment: Poor kids!
I'm ...
October 1, 2020
14 November 2020 - MOMENTS WHEN YOU UNKNOWINGLY QUOTED SHAKESPEARE
MOMENTS WHEN YOU UNKNOWINGLY QUOTED SHAKESPEARE
G'day folks,
Saying that the great bard of Avon had a massive impact on the development of the English language is not an understatement. Apart from gracing the Earth with a great number of immortal plays and beautiful sonnets, the genius playwright also coined and popularized a number of new words in the English language and is certainly among the most quoted writers in history. But William Shakespeare’s contribution to modern English didn’t end there. As a matter of fact, you may have made several references to the world's greatest dramatist in your lifetime without even realizing it, as many of the phrases he invented have become so widespread that they entered the general vocabulary. Here are 10 such wildly common phrases for which we should all thank Shakespeare!
Clancy's comment: There ya go, folks. English is such an evolving language.
I'm ...
18 November 2020 - JAPANESE ARTIST CREATES ART WITH LEAVES
JAPANESE ARTIST CREATES
ART WITH LEAVES
G'day folks,
I've posted lots of talented people over the years, but this man's talent is quite extraordinary.
There is no right or wrong way of doing art. Anyone can create anything they like by using whatever form, medium, matter, or canvas that they want. And hence, picking these things is an art of its own. The hero of today's story sought inspiration from nature for his art.
A Japanese artist that goes by the name of "Lito Leaf Art" on Instagram has a very specific medium and style of making his art. "Unbe-leaf-able" is the word one finds when trying to describe them. These cutouts which are (obviously) made from leaves are pure quality art.
Check out his work ...
Clancy's comment: Wow. So clever, eh?
I'm ...
September 30, 2020
1 October 2020 - ALICIA JONES -"AJ" - GUEST BLOGGER, WRITER & DREAMER
ALICIA JONES -"AJ" - GUEST BLOGGER, WRITER & DREAMER -
G'day folks,
Today, I'm happy to introduce a blogger from Georgia, U.S.A.
Welcome, AJ ...
• TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BLOG’S JOURNEY.
I had a conversation with a great friend and told her I always wanted to write on a different level and share that with others. I started thinking of ways to make that happen and decided to start my blog site in 2018. It was important for my site to be genuine and reflect my true personality, from the colors of the pages, down to the way my website flows. It's been almost two years and my blog is finally finding her voice and I couldn't be happier with the progress and what's to come.
• WHAT IS THE AIM OF YOUR BLOG?
When you visit my page I hope that you receive a good vibe and feel my energy. What you see is what you get, and it's all me.
• WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
The ability to put my thoughts into a great story and share that with my readers. As a writer I find myself consumed at times with multiple ideas, but it's also what I love about the process. I love the late-night thoughts, the feeling that I am creating something great and the excitement each and every time I publish a new story.
• WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
I am very critical of myself. Over analyzing what I want to say and quieting the voices long enough to make it all come together.
• WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOUR BLOG?
Boring. I now feel that my true calling is being put to the test. I have enjoyed my life even before my blog, however, I now have a purpose, and the desire to fulfill that purpose drives me to keep pushing.
• WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I'm always working on my next blog post, but the real piece de resistance is my first book. I started my book at the beginning of the year and quite honestly the format changes about once a month. I hope to have it completed by the end of this year. Stay tuned and wish me luck!
• WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Anything under the sun, the moon, and the stars. I am inspired by a butterfly I see stopping by to sit on my roses for a few seconds. A stranger walking with her family who all seem so happy with not a care in the world. I'm greatly inspired by life's lessons, both happy and sad as they have helped to shape me into who I am today. My inspiration comes from so many different directions but most importantly it comes from all of the writers before me. I am in awe of what so many before me have created.
• ARE YOU A WRITER?
Yeah I am. The first time I said that I smiled the entire day. I'm smiling right now as I type this.
• DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
Just go for it. Don't allow others who can't see your vision stop you from making your dreams come true. Save every story you have ever written, and from time to time go back and read your very first story. You will see your growth in so many ways and it will put a smile on your face. Don't compare yourself to what someone else has done, you are unique, so own that.
• DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?
Most definitely. The best way to unblock myself is to take a moment, walk away and come back to it.
• DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
In my den. I created a wall of pictures, lots of happy moments, family and friends. The room is perfectly cozy and my serene space to create.
• WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
Maeve Binchy. Her writing took me to a special place. I have read several of her novels (Light A Penny Candle, Tara Road, Circle of Friends, etc.) and each time I felt the characters as if they were my friends and my life. When I reached the last page I felt a great sense of sadness as I did not want the story to end. Her writing was very touching and all around felt good.
• WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER OF YOUR BLOG?
That my writing is inspiring, profound and I am gifted and blessed.
• WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?
No comment. As a writer, I would be lying if I said I didn't want to know what my readers think. I write for the love of it, but comments to a writer is like the icing on a cake. It's great without it, but so much better when it's there.
• OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
I love to garden. I get the desire from my mother and sister who have an amazing green thumb and a stunning garden. Playing in the dirt is very relaxing and it is quite fun to see what you are able to grow with a little sun and water.
• IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
How much time do we have? I think we can all agree that the world is in so much turmoil and in dire need of an enormous dose of love, an everlasting hug, and constant prayer. Given the opportunity I would say we must find peace, our sanity and lives depend on it. Let go of preconceived notions of how things should be and give in to the hope of how things can be if we all come together as one.
• DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
It would start with an early morning writing session, followed by a nice breakfast of coffee, fruit, and perfectly fluffy pancakes. Give my mom a call before I take a morning walk by the small creek. Snap a few pictures of the flowers and anything else that catches my eye. Spend a little time looking over my garden, and then write my list for a few light errands. Once I'm done with shopping, it would be a perfect opportunity to call a few friends to meet for lunch and mimosas.
• WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSETS AS A WRITER?
Simply put, my authenticity.
• IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE? WHY?
My mother. We talk daily, if I didn't have that I would go completely mad. And she is very smart, we would have a tent built from tree bark by nightfall.
• WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Thief Of Always by Clive Barker
The Catcher In the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Tara Road by Maeve Binchy
• ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
I'm happiest when I write and I am in love with creating more and more. It allows me to be completely free and get even deeper into my crazy busy mind. Follow me and see what I'm up to next.
AJ's BLOG
Clancy's comment: Go, AJ! Keep writing and blogging. Hey, love your photography.
I'm ...
September 29, 2020
30 September 2020 - QUOTES FROM ANNE FRANK
QUOTES FROM ANNE FRANK
G'day folks,
Visiting Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam many years ago set me on an interesting path of reading. It also inspired me to visit four concentration camps in Europe.
Everybody knows about Anne Frank's heartbreaking plight, but did you know just how much wisdom and inspiration her famous diary contains? Written from behind her Secret Annex, while her family was hiding from the Nazis, this highly-relatable work discusses everything from family life and lovesickness to morality and religion.
Clancy's comment: Smart girl for her age.
I'm ...
September 28, 2020
9 November 2020 - ABANDONED PLACES IN HUNGARY
ABANDONED PLACES IN HUNGARY
G'day folks,
Two 22-year-old twin brothers from France, Anthony and Florent, are both Master’s students at a business school. Passionate about travel and atypical places, they discovered urban exploration.
This passion grew up after their first exploration in a former sanatorium. It was a real revelation.
The brothers have travelled all over France and other European countries to rediscover a once sparkling heritage. Their passion for photography came to them 3 years ago, starting with their smartphones. They then perfected their skills until they bought a DSLR camera. Today, they own a Canon 700D and a Sigma 10-20mm f4.5-5.6 ultra-wide-angle lens.
Last year the brothers spent 10 months in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, as part of an Erasmus program. Here is the result of their explorations - theatres, buildings, army barracks and power stations. Today, several places in this series have been renovated, destroyed or simply closed down.
Clancy's comment: Thank you, boys. I'm continually staggered by these abandoned places.
I'm ...
29 September 2020 - HUMOROUS STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
HUMOROUS STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
G'day folks,
There is something fascinating about the way people act when they don’t know they’re being watched.
This is exactly what caught the attention of Anthimos Ntagas, a Greek army man and photographer. Over time, his photographs developed a unique character, aiming to capture not only the identity of the subject but also juxtapositions that create interesting images.
Ntagas' goal, in his own words, is to create something completely different, and it seems to be working. The photos are funny, but they are also telling a story.
Clancy's comment: Yep, I've taken many similar shots all over the world.
I'm ...
September 27, 2020
8 November 2020 - DARRYL GREER - GUEST AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR
DARRYL GREER - GUEST AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR -
G'day folks,
Today, I interview an Australian author who has been busy writing.
Welcome, Darryl ...
1. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.
I began writing seriously in the early 1990s when I was living and working in London. Until then I had a hankering to write but kept telling myself I couldn’t. Eventually I convinced myself I should at least try. At first, I managed to get published – and paid – for about a dozen or so of my articles in British and International magazines. When it was time to try my hand at writing a novel, I sat at my computer, wrote a title, then a line, then another line until I eventually had what could loosely be termed a novel, though after hawking it around for a while and getting the inevitable comments from agents and publishers, I binned it. When I started on my next book, The Election, a political thriller, I’d learned a lot from my experience on the first. It ended up, I think, being a great story but I still couldn’t get published. Years later, I decided to self-publish that novel.
For my next novel, Calvus, a historical thriller, I secured a publisher, Morris Publishing Australia. They eventually went out of business so I republished a second edition as a self-published author. Following that, I secured a three-book publishing deal with Custom Book Publications, Hong Kong and they published Agnus Dei and Sleeping With Angels, both of which are legal thrillers, and A Dragon In The Snow, a general thriller. As I was not entirely satisfied with how my books were being promoted, I decided to return to self-publishing for my sixth novel, Bounty last year. This year I published a memoir, …Passing Through… and since then I have been focusing on online marketing of all my books. Just for fun, in the background I’m grappling with the script for an eight-episode television drama series.
2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
I love the research. I also love the way it takes you away from your day to day problems and disappointments and deposits you in another place.
3. WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
Marketing.
4. WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?
I was a solicitor. During most of the time I was in the U.K. I was a commercial litigation lawyer, in various City and Central London law firms, at partner level. In 2004, I semi-retired and returned home to the Gold Coast where, for the next ten years before I finally retired, I operated a consultancy litigation practice assisting other law firms.
5. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
Getting six novels and a memoir into print. I guess I am a little proud of my latest novel, Bounty. Because a lot of it is set in the Middle East, including Lebanon where I have never been, it did take years of research to put it together.
6. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Another novel which I am calling Zeno, a sequel to Calvus. It is set in first century Rome, Phoenicia, Galilee and Judea.
7. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Things I’m passionate about. For example, Calvus is partially set in the first century in Roman times and I’m fascinated by the ancient Romans. Bounty, as I have said, is set in the Middle East, another region in which I have a deep interest.
8. WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
I break the rules a little and don’t always limit myself to the one genre. Given the “write what you know” rule I should always write legal thrillers. As I have said before, I have written many books that do not fall into that genre.
9. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
If they’re passionate about writing, don’t ever give up, no matter what comments they get from agents and publishers.
10.DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?
No.
11.DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?
No, though when I was working as a lawyer, I had to work around that and, as you can imagine, that was a bit challenging.
12.DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
I’m somewhat limited—I have to write at my computer in my home office.
13.WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?
Getting positive reviews and readers’ comments.
14.WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
I find it difficult to restrict myself to just one, given the myriad of great authors out there but the author whose books I believe I have read the most is David Baldacci.
15.WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?
“It’s absolute brilliant. It gripped me from the very beginning.” I love readers to tell me my book is a page-turner. That’s what I set out to write.
16.WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?
“Well, I have to say I enjoyed the read...” That was as much as I could get out of her and she was my literary agent at the time!
17.WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
Yes.
18.OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
Reading, cinema, theatre, music, walking.
19.DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
I did have The Election professionally edited and, of course, the books produced by publishers were edited. Recently, I have tried to self-edit. I hope I haven’t let myself down.
20.DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
It would start with a phone call from a producer wanting to buy the rights to my television series; then around lunch time I’d get the call to tell me the foreign rights of my novels have been sold to various overseas publishers; around dinner time I’d get the call from Steven Spielberg!
21.IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?
Until her passing in 2018 it would have been my wife. She’s was my No. 1 fan.
22.WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?
Give peace a go.
23.WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
To keep working as long as I can and, of course, to continue writing.
24.WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?
As A Driven Leaf by Milton Steinberg.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.
Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson.
In The Company of Strangers by Awais Khan.
Preying In Iran by Eric Weitz.
(I deliberately omitted my own books for obvious reasons!)
25.DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?
Yes. Good and bad.
26.DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?
Yes.
27.DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?
Yes.
28.WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?
Bounty because of the enormous amount of research required.
29.HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER?
Being able to live on one’s writing.
30.WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?
How much has gone into writing it. Hopefully, they’d feel elated.
31.HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?
A considerable amount of thought went into designing the covers of my novels, though I did not do the graphic artistry myself. I knew what I wanted and others brought my ideas to life.
32.WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
To be a very successful, full-time writer.
33. WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?
Marketing is the most difficult thing about writing. Getting your book onto Amazon’s site is one thing but making it stand out from millions of titles is another. I find that starting small, giving author talks at libraries and clubs is a good way to start and, since Covid-19 raised its ugly head, online marketing.
BLOG
AMAZON
Clancy's comment: Well done, Darryl. You have come a long way since book one, and certainly put in the hours.
I'm ...
28 September 2020 - NIMROD SCHIF - GUEST ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR
NIMROD SCHIF - GUEST ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR -
G'day folks,
Today, I interview my first guest from Israel.
Welcome, Nimrod ...
1. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY.
My name is Nimrod Schiff, I am an artist and illustrator from Israel. My artistic journey began in a very young age, of 6 years old.... Or maybe even earlier... It began with my need to express my vast imagination. And I expressed it through drawings.
2. WERE YOU GOOD AT DRAWING AS A KID?
It's hard for me to testify, but others thought so. From a very young age, my drawings were exhibited at various exhibitions throughout Tel Aviv.
3. WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ARTIST?
Despite all this, only at nineteen I began to see myself as an artist. But not in the traditional sense of the word. I see myself as a storyteller that uses drawings, words and photos to tell his stories.
4. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST?
I enjoy the escapism that my art provides me. My reality is full of worries and concerns. And the reality that I create in my drawings and stories allows me to disengage from everything. Examine things from another point, laugh at them, or fantasize about other possibilities.(some are surrealistic).
5. WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST?
There are many good artists around the world today and as a result the competition is greater than before. And because of this diversity it is difficult to stand out and easy to disappear within the sea of creators.
6. DO YOU WORK FOR YOURSELF, OTHERS OR BOTH?
I work for myself, occasionally I get paid jobs from others.
7. WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME AN ARTIST?
I do not believe in past life and know no other life except the life of a creator and artist.
8. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
I haven't reached it yet.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEDIUM?
My favourite mediums are ... Twitter and WordPress blogs.
11. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Lots of things just about everything. I will list the five main things: my wife, things I experience, TV series, books and comics.
12. WHAT DO YOU PREFER TO PAINT OR ILLUSTRATE?
Illustration. I feel much freer when I illustrate.
13. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR EMERGING ARTISTS?
Don't give up, keep creating.
14. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PLACE TO WORK?
Because of my lifestyle I have no preferences. I can write and draw anywhere and anytime in almost any situation.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE ILLUSTRATOR?
Charles M. Schultz the creator of peanuts, due to his way of expressing ideas and stories with very simple illustrations. And Charles Adams the creator of the Adams family, because of his original black humour.
15. WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
There was a time when I stopped posting my duck illustrations. Someone from England contacted me via Twitter. She told me how much she loved and missed my illustrations.
16. WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
In college, I had a teacher who made me his target. During a whole semester, he preached to me that I could not draw and I needed to find another job.
17. WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
Always.
18. OTHER THAN DRAWING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
Writing, I write Flash fiction.
19. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ALL WORLD LEADERS IF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY?
Stop thinking only about yourself or only about your own countries. Because of the new global threats. Our world leaders should think globally and not from their narrow point of view.
20. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I am planning to create a graphic novel; I am currently in preparation stages of this project.
BLOG 2
Clancy's comment: Well done, Nimrod. Keep going.
I'm ...
September 26, 2020
27 September 2020 - SOME ABANDONED PLACES IN PENNSYLVANIA
SOME ABANDONED PLACES IN PENNSYLVANIA
G'day folks,
As you have probably noticed, I'm curious about abandoned places around the world. I am, simply because they seem such a waste.
Anyway, Here are some shots taken by Janine Pendleton who describes herself as 'An outgoing English girl living in Manchester. I am a scientist, photographer, blogger and all-round geek. I am also a travel addict! I travel the world in search of abandoned relics and lost treasures.' So, let's see what she has captured.
Clancy's comment: Thanks, Janine. Appreciate your work. These are extraordinary places, waiting for someone to revive them.
I'm ...
