Jen Christopherson's Blog, page 3
March 14, 2013
Rixcritter
Rixcritter
All rights and stuff are that of Wikipedia
I knew I had written about this creature as one of my previous pseudonames (blush - I was nervous about writing under my own name). I had to go to each of my psuedonames and search in all their writings, but I found it. You can find it here. There is an interesting story about the rixcritters on this other site.
A rixcritter was given to me by my now deceased brother. He had a dream about it one night and told me to use it in my stories. He was excited about helping me! It was the first time anyone had helped me with my writing without me having to ask them to do something specific! So I had to use it in my new book, Warrior Crone!
These creatures are bark colored creatures which resemble ticks in many ways, though there are many differences as well. Their front two claws are comparable to bird claws. The other six legs end in thin and narrow toes which end in long thin claws for climbing and holding onto tree bark, as a squirrel does. Rixcritters can get about three foot across and three or four foot long, standing about six inches high. They weigh approximately one to four pounds.
Their diet consists mainly of small fruits and berries. Though, they can, and often do, defend themselves and their territory. However, their territory is the bush they are eating from at the moment or their nesting area. In general, if you are larger than they are, they will leave you alone. The only time they take on a larger creature is when they are defending their nesting area or when food is scarce.Generally, they nest in the same areas as birds and often work with them to protect and feed all the young. It is not unusual to see a rixcritter feeding baby birds berries and small chunks of fruit.
All rights belong to Wikipedia
If you have any questions or comments, I would be very happy to communicate with you! Please, put them in the comments section and I will reply as soon as possible!
All rights and stuff are that of WikipediaI knew I had written about this creature as one of my previous pseudonames (blush - I was nervous about writing under my own name). I had to go to each of my psuedonames and search in all their writings, but I found it. You can find it here. There is an interesting story about the rixcritters on this other site.
A rixcritter was given to me by my now deceased brother. He had a dream about it one night and told me to use it in my stories. He was excited about helping me! It was the first time anyone had helped me with my writing without me having to ask them to do something specific! So I had to use it in my new book, Warrior Crone!
These creatures are bark colored creatures which resemble ticks in many ways, though there are many differences as well. Their front two claws are comparable to bird claws. The other six legs end in thin and narrow toes which end in long thin claws for climbing and holding onto tree bark, as a squirrel does. Rixcritters can get about three foot across and three or four foot long, standing about six inches high. They weigh approximately one to four pounds.
Their diet consists mainly of small fruits and berries. Though, they can, and often do, defend themselves and their territory. However, their territory is the bush they are eating from at the moment or their nesting area. In general, if you are larger than they are, they will leave you alone. The only time they take on a larger creature is when they are defending their nesting area or when food is scarce.Generally, they nest in the same areas as birds and often work with them to protect and feed all the young. It is not unusual to see a rixcritter feeding baby birds berries and small chunks of fruit.
All rights belong to WikipediaIf you have any questions or comments, I would be very happy to communicate with you! Please, put them in the comments section and I will reply as soon as possible!
March 12, 2013
Illness
This is me with my dog, Cheyanne, while I was sick. I have come down with a sinus infection that infected my ears and throat. Therefore, I have not been able to stay awake long enough to get my research properly done on my new post. Now you know why I missed posting last week. However, I am not getting much better. I am hoping that I will be able to post this week!!!
I have a creature that I want to introduce you to. It has a bit part in Warrior Crone, my new book.
I hope that you will forgive my lapse in posting and continue to support me in the future. I have used this time to do some planning (if only I can find those papers!), I look forward to sharing with you!
February 26, 2013
Chimera
Chimera
All rights reserved by missmonstermel
The chimera is a creature which is created by combining two or more separate creatures. You can find the Wikipedia definition here. For my use, Chimera are a dragons head, a goats head, a lions head with the body of a lion, wings and tail of a dragon, and the hooves of a goat. I have not used other kinds of dragons, as I prefer to leave the exact look of it up to the reader. (I have been told that this reader interaction is good in writing, but I just prefer to read books that use my imagination rather than force theirs onto me.)
Monstropedia is another place where you can find out about chimera. I have borrowed some of the information they have on their site, as it is a general representation of the chimera. Description/MorphologyDescriptions vary – some say it had the body of a goat, the tail of a snake or European dragon and the head of a lion, though others say it had heads of both the goat and lion, with a snake for a tail. It is generally considered to have been female, despite the mane adorning its lion's head. All descriptions, however, agree that it breathed fire from one or more of its heads.
Sighting the chimera was a sign of storms, shipwrecks, and natural disasters (particularly volcanos). In Medieval Christian art, the chimera appears as a symbol of Satanic forces.
Read more: http://monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Chimera#ixzz2LxixQe8k
I like chimera for writing because they travel alone or in groups, depending on your world. Seeing one is enough to get a reader to thinking something is going to happen because when a chimera is seen, it is hunting (and their favorite food is human meat!!!)
I was hoping to find more on chimera, maybe get some drawings, but very little came up in the search.
Perhaps, you can let me know where to find more information. Please, let me know where to find more information and pictures in comments. I would love to do another, more in depth, blog on chimera.
All rights reserved by missmonstermel The chimera is a creature which is created by combining two or more separate creatures. You can find the Wikipedia definition here. For my use, Chimera are a dragons head, a goats head, a lions head with the body of a lion, wings and tail of a dragon, and the hooves of a goat. I have not used other kinds of dragons, as I prefer to leave the exact look of it up to the reader. (I have been told that this reader interaction is good in writing, but I just prefer to read books that use my imagination rather than force theirs onto me.)
Monstropedia is another place where you can find out about chimera. I have borrowed some of the information they have on their site, as it is a general representation of the chimera. Description/MorphologyDescriptions vary – some say it had the body of a goat, the tail of a snake or European dragon and the head of a lion, though others say it had heads of both the goat and lion, with a snake for a tail. It is generally considered to have been female, despite the mane adorning its lion's head. All descriptions, however, agree that it breathed fire from one or more of its heads.
Sighting the chimera was a sign of storms, shipwrecks, and natural disasters (particularly volcanos). In Medieval Christian art, the chimera appears as a symbol of Satanic forces.
Read more: http://monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Chimera#ixzz2LxixQe8k
I like chimera for writing because they travel alone or in groups, depending on your world. Seeing one is enough to get a reader to thinking something is going to happen because when a chimera is seen, it is hunting (and their favorite food is human meat!!!)
I was hoping to find more on chimera, maybe get some drawings, but very little came up in the search.
Perhaps, you can let me know where to find more information. Please, let me know where to find more information and pictures in comments. I would love to do another, more in depth, blog on chimera.
February 21, 2013
Publishing Adventures with Warrior Crone
Publishing AdventuresWarrior CroneToday, I want to talk about publishing Warrior Crone. I know there are people out there who talk about publishing books and they tell you about cover design, publishing choices, and other business stuff. What I want to talk about is the personal side of publishing.
I have friends and family, just like everyone else. I have found these friends and family to be both a blessing and a curse, just like everyone else. Okay, maybe those are strong words...
I know they love me and I hope they know I love them. That does not mean we agree on everything, nor does it mean we agree on what is best for me or what makes me happy. Of course, the reverse is true, I don't always agree with them on what is best for them or what makes them happy...
I have a very close friend, we will call him Dennis. This is not his real name, I don't wish to cause anyone any difficulties. Anyway, Dennis just cannot understand that writing is not just something I do, it is a part of who I am as a person. It's in my blood, so to speak. His main concern, as is with most men, is how will I make money. After all, writing books is risky. This is an example of how our conversations go:
"I am writing a book." I tell someone."Really? What is it?" they ask."I write fantasy fiction, you know dragons and magic." I say."Cool." They say.When they leave, Dennis says, "You need to get your head back in reality.""What do you mean?" I ask."You need to think about supporting yourself, working." He says."Writing IS work." I tell him."Yeah, but you can't make no money writing." He says."I can if I can sell what I write." I say."Who you gonna sell it to?" He says."I don't know. That is why I am working on an author platform." I say."An author what?" he says."An author platform. It's what I do to get people interested in what I write." I say."How do you do that?" He asks."Online." I tell him. I would continue but he interrupts with:"Oh, hell! That ain't no way to make money." he says, "Unless your selling it on ebay, an I just don't see nobody buying your kind of books on ebay.""Ebay is too costly for selling books on." I tell him, "There are other outlets, such as Amazon dot com.""I don't see how people are gonna find this Amazon place." he says."Millions of people go to Amazon every year." I tell him."Whadda they go there for?""Books.""What kinna books?""All kinds a' books.""I still think you need to get some REAL work." he says, walking away.
Once, while I was working with him, I mentioned that I wanted to get back to my REAL job. He told me that it hurt him when I talked that way and he was disapointed in me.
I felt as if our friendship was over. I felt as if for the last two years, he was trying to change me into into a drone that works and doesn't have any hopes or dreams. I finished helping him and went home. I cried over it most of the night, because Dennis has become like a father to me and his words were the most painful thing I had experienced in a long time.
That happened early this week. I have talked to my boyfriend about it and he told me to do what makes me happy and if Dennis does not approve that is his problem.
I have friends and family, just like everyone else. I have found these friends and family to be both a blessing and a curse, just like everyone else. Okay, maybe those are strong words...
I know they love me and I hope they know I love them. That does not mean we agree on everything, nor does it mean we agree on what is best for me or what makes me happy. Of course, the reverse is true, I don't always agree with them on what is best for them or what makes them happy...
I have a very close friend, we will call him Dennis. This is not his real name, I don't wish to cause anyone any difficulties. Anyway, Dennis just cannot understand that writing is not just something I do, it is a part of who I am as a person. It's in my blood, so to speak. His main concern, as is with most men, is how will I make money. After all, writing books is risky. This is an example of how our conversations go:
"I am writing a book." I tell someone."Really? What is it?" they ask."I write fantasy fiction, you know dragons and magic." I say."Cool." They say.When they leave, Dennis says, "You need to get your head back in reality.""What do you mean?" I ask."You need to think about supporting yourself, working." He says."Writing IS work." I tell him."Yeah, but you can't make no money writing." He says."I can if I can sell what I write." I say."Who you gonna sell it to?" He says."I don't know. That is why I am working on an author platform." I say."An author what?" he says."An author platform. It's what I do to get people interested in what I write." I say."How do you do that?" He asks."Online." I tell him. I would continue but he interrupts with:"Oh, hell! That ain't no way to make money." he says, "Unless your selling it on ebay, an I just don't see nobody buying your kind of books on ebay.""Ebay is too costly for selling books on." I tell him, "There are other outlets, such as Amazon dot com.""I don't see how people are gonna find this Amazon place." he says."Millions of people go to Amazon every year." I tell him."Whadda they go there for?""Books.""What kinna books?""All kinds a' books.""I still think you need to get some REAL work." he says, walking away.
Once, while I was working with him, I mentioned that I wanted to get back to my REAL job. He told me that it hurt him when I talked that way and he was disapointed in me.
I felt as if our friendship was over. I felt as if for the last two years, he was trying to change me into into a drone that works and doesn't have any hopes or dreams. I finished helping him and went home. I cried over it most of the night, because Dennis has become like a father to me and his words were the most painful thing I had experienced in a long time.
That happened early this week. I have talked to my boyfriend about it and he told me to do what makes me happy and if Dennis does not approve that is his problem.
Publishing AdventuresWarrior CroneToday, I want to talk a...
Publishing AdventuresWarrior CroneToday, I want to talk about publishing Warrior Crone. I know there are people out there who talk about publishing books and they tell you about cover design, publishing choices, and other business stuff. What I want to talk about is the personal side of publishing.
I have friends and family, just like everyone else. I have found these friends and family to be both a blessing and a curse, just like everyone else. Okay, maybe those are strong words...
I know they love me and I hope they know I love them. That does not mean we agree on everything, nor does it mean we agree on what is best for me or what makes me happy. Of course, the reverse is true, I don't always agree with them on what is best for them or what makes them happy...
I have a very close friend, we will call him Dennis. This is not his real name, I don't wish to cause anyone any difficulties. Anyway, Dennis just cannot understand that writing is not just something I do, it is a part of who I am as a person. It's in my blood, so to speak. His main concern, as is with most men, is how will I make money. After all, writing books is risky. This is an example of how our conversations go:
"I am writing a book." I tell someone."Really? What is it?" they ask."I write fantasy fiction, you know dragons and magic." I say."Cool." They say.When they leave, Dennis says, "You need to get your head back in reality.""What do you mean?" I ask."You need to think about supporting yourself, working." He says."Writing IS work." I tell him."Yeah, but you can't make no money writing." He says."I can if I can sell what I write." I say."Who you gonna sell it to?" He says."I don't know. That is why I am working on an author platform." I say."An author what?" he says."An author platform. It's what I do to get people interested in what I write." I say."How do you do that?" He asks."Online." I tell him. I would continue but he interrupts with:"Oh, hell! That ain't no way to make money." he says, "Unless your selling it on ebay, an I just don't see nobody buying your kind of books on ebay.""Ebay is too costly for selling books on." I tell him, "There are other outlets, such as Amazon dot com.""I don't see how people are gonna find this Amazon place." he says."Millions of people go to Amazon every year." I tell him."Whadda they go there for?""Books.""What kinna books?""All kinds a' books.""I still think you need to get some REAL work." he says, walking away.
Once, while I was working with him, I mentioned that I wanted to get back to my REAL job. He told me that it hurt him when I talked that way and he was disapointed in me.
I felt as if our friendship was over. I felt as if for the last two years, he was trying to change me into into a drone that works and doesn't have any hopes or dreams. I finished helping him and went home. I cried over it most of the night, because Dennis has become like a father to me and his words were the most painful thing I had experienced in a long time.
That happened early this week. I have talked to my boyfriend about it and he told me to do what makes me happy and if Dennis does not approve that is his problem.
I have friends and family, just like everyone else. I have found these friends and family to be both a blessing and a curse, just like everyone else. Okay, maybe those are strong words...
I know they love me and I hope they know I love them. That does not mean we agree on everything, nor does it mean we agree on what is best for me or what makes me happy. Of course, the reverse is true, I don't always agree with them on what is best for them or what makes them happy...
I have a very close friend, we will call him Dennis. This is not his real name, I don't wish to cause anyone any difficulties. Anyway, Dennis just cannot understand that writing is not just something I do, it is a part of who I am as a person. It's in my blood, so to speak. His main concern, as is with most men, is how will I make money. After all, writing books is risky. This is an example of how our conversations go:
"I am writing a book." I tell someone."Really? What is it?" they ask."I write fantasy fiction, you know dragons and magic." I say."Cool." They say.When they leave, Dennis says, "You need to get your head back in reality.""What do you mean?" I ask."You need to think about supporting yourself, working." He says."Writing IS work." I tell him."Yeah, but you can't make no money writing." He says."I can if I can sell what I write." I say."Who you gonna sell it to?" He says."I don't know. That is why I am working on an author platform." I say."An author what?" he says."An author platform. It's what I do to get people interested in what I write." I say."How do you do that?" He asks."Online." I tell him. I would continue but he interrupts with:"Oh, hell! That ain't no way to make money." he says, "Unless your selling it on ebay, an I just don't see nobody buying your kind of books on ebay.""Ebay is too costly for selling books on." I tell him, "There are other outlets, such as Amazon dot com.""I don't see how people are gonna find this Amazon place." he says."Millions of people go to Amazon every year." I tell him."Whadda they go there for?""Books.""What kinna books?""All kinds a' books.""I still think you need to get some REAL work." he says, walking away.
Once, while I was working with him, I mentioned that I wanted to get back to my REAL job. He told me that it hurt him when I talked that way and he was disapointed in me.
I felt as if our friendship was over. I felt as if for the last two years, he was trying to change me into into a drone that works and doesn't have any hopes or dreams. I finished helping him and went home. I cried over it most of the night, because Dennis has become like a father to me and his words were the most painful thing I had experienced in a long time.
That happened early this week. I have talked to my boyfriend about it and he told me to do what makes me happy and if Dennis does not approve that is his problem.
February 11, 2013
Book Cover Art and more
Marion Sipe I found Marion while searching for blogs of interest to follow. I began looking at her blog, located here: http://marionsipe.blogspot.com/
"Marion Sipe is a graphic artist, writer and poet. She’s been on both sides of the cover, and knows what it’s like to be putting out a book. She loves composition and color, alliteration and syntax, and is also somewhat obsessively in love with worldbuilding. She works with a various publishing companies and private clients, creating cover art and promotional artwork for some of the best books around. She lives in New Orleans with her handsome prince and pack of vicious guard cats. Okay… sleepy guard cats."
What first caught my eye was her art. I was looking for a cover for my book, Warrior Crone. Her artwork is wonderful, and when I found her she was selling some she had already done at a set price.
All through February, my premade covers are all $35. Come see the pretties! And tell your friends!
I searched her work and found none for my book, however I did find her email address and began communicating with her about the cover I wanted. That is all I will say about that!
However, what caught my eye next was that she writes. A Sign in Blood, and
All Souls: Stories from Life's Fringe are just a couple of her releases.
She has a wonderful sense of humor and I look forward to reading more of her blog, as well as more of her artwork!!
Just so you know, I did not get any kind of permission to use any of these things. All the links go to links found on her blog, I get nothing from any sales! I am just passing along some great information in the hopes that you will see if her work is what you have been looking for.
Now I will publish this and learn whatever lessons are to be taught to me!!! lol Please, be kind!
"Marion Sipe is a graphic artist, writer and poet. She’s been on both sides of the cover, and knows what it’s like to be putting out a book. She loves composition and color, alliteration and syntax, and is also somewhat obsessively in love with worldbuilding. She works with a various publishing companies and private clients, creating cover art and promotional artwork for some of the best books around. She lives in New Orleans with her handsome prince and pack of vicious guard cats. Okay… sleepy guard cats."
What first caught my eye was her art. I was looking for a cover for my book, Warrior Crone. Her artwork is wonderful, and when I found her she was selling some she had already done at a set price.
All through February, my premade covers are all $35. Come see the pretties! And tell your friends!
I searched her work and found none for my book, however I did find her email address and began communicating with her about the cover I wanted. That is all I will say about that!However, what caught my eye next was that she writes. A Sign in Blood, and
All Souls: Stories from Life's Fringe are just a couple of her releases.
She has a wonderful sense of humor and I look forward to reading more of her blog, as well as more of her artwork!!
Just so you know, I did not get any kind of permission to use any of these things. All the links go to links found on her blog, I get nothing from any sales! I am just passing along some great information in the hopes that you will see if her work is what you have been looking for.
Now I will publish this and learn whatever lessons are to be taught to me!!! lol Please, be kind!
February 6, 2013
Introduction
IntroducingCreatures of Myth and FantasyAfter searching for hours on the internet, in my head, through books and movies, these pages are the cream of the crop! Wow! That was some introduction, wasn't it? Well, mostly I was playing with the heading thing, though it is true.
This is where I am going to write about what I think is the best in the world of Myth and Fantasy! I am excited to be writing about it.
Other than my books (blush), this is my favorite topic! I love looking at and reading about creatures from the minds of creative people. Most creatures are based, albeit loosely, on real creatures.
I will, from time to time, write about sites that I think are great sources for this topic as well. I hope to include works from artists and writers from all across the globe. Please, feel free to leave your comments, as I have not mastered mind reading, yet!
This is where I am going to write about what I think is the best in the world of Myth and Fantasy! I am excited to be writing about it.
Other than my books (blush), this is my favorite topic! I love looking at and reading about creatures from the minds of creative people. Most creatures are based, albeit loosely, on real creatures.
I will, from time to time, write about sites that I think are great sources for this topic as well. I hope to include works from artists and writers from all across the globe. Please, feel free to leave your comments, as I have not mastered mind reading, yet!
