Wow! I made it!
My post titled On The Left Hand Side of Jacketflap is number three on jacketflap.com's, menu titled 'Most Commented Posts' In the past 7 days.
Besides the day my children were born, and the day they printed my name in the phone book, and the day I defeated Apollo Creed, this is the best day of my life!
I would like to thank all the little people, the streetlight people, the village people, and the confused people who don't realize that pizza is only pizza when you don't need a knife and fork to eat it, for helping make my dream come true (wipes tear from eye).
Ian Sands
http://www.ponywombat.com
Thursday, May 03, 2007
On the left hand side of jacketflap.com, I noticed that there is a menu titled 'Most Commented Posts' In the past 7 days. The blog entry with the fewest comments is 36 and the blog post with the most comments is 84.
I was thinking I could have a blog entry with at least 36 comments. That is, as long as I wished really hard for my comment dream to come true.
So here I go. Just like the pig farmer sang, Dont stop believin. Hold on to the feelin, streetlight people.
Ian Sands
http://www.ponywombat.com
I was thinking I could have a blog entry with at least 36 comments. That is, as long as I wished really hard for my comment dream to come true.
So here I go. Just like the pig farmer sang, Dont stop believin. Hold on to the feelin, streetlight people.
Ian Sands
http://www.ponywombat.com
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Hiding Place, Part 2
Here's the illustration I'm posting for this week's Picture-Bookies Showcase theme, Hiding Place.
click here to enlarge
It's a Bigfoot hiding from the fox from that famous children's book story, the Fox and the Yeti. I'm sure you are all familiar.
Here's the illustration I'm posting for this week's Picture-Bookies Showcase theme, Hiding Place.
click here to enlarge
It's a Bigfoot hiding from the fox from that famous children's book story, the Fox and the Yeti. I'm sure you are all familiar.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Hiding Place
This is an illustration I'm working on for this week's Picture-Bookies Showcase theme, Hiding Place.
It's another yeti, or maybe it's a Bigfoot. He is hiding from the fox. I'm not sure why he is hiding. Maybe he found out what the fox did to the gingerbread man and figured he was next.
I'm still working on it. I'm not sure I like how it's coming along. I'm always trying different ways to mix media. This paper was a little thin and ripped when I was applying the chalk pastel. Of course I was impatient and didn't wait for the watercolor paint to dry. Still, it would have worked out better on a slice of illustration board. That's what all the hip, young illustrators are using these days.
My other option is to go with an older illustration. I have one of a musk turtle hiding in the weeds.
Maybe I should have a vote. Should I go with the yeti or the musk? Commenter, you say what?
This is an illustration I'm working on for this week's Picture-Bookies Showcase theme, Hiding Place.
It's another yeti, or maybe it's a Bigfoot. He is hiding from the fox. I'm not sure why he is hiding. Maybe he found out what the fox did to the gingerbread man and figured he was next.
I'm still working on it. I'm not sure I like how it's coming along. I'm always trying different ways to mix media. This paper was a little thin and ripped when I was applying the chalk pastel. Of course I was impatient and didn't wait for the watercolor paint to dry. Still, it would have worked out better on a slice of illustration board. That's what all the hip, young illustrators are using these days.
My other option is to go with an older illustration. I have one of a musk turtle hiding in the weeds.
Maybe I should have a vote. Should I go with the yeti or the musk? Commenter, you say what?
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Only One
There is a game I like to play from time to time. I guess I could call it; I’m the only one. It works like this. You see something that other people can see; only you are the only one who sees it. You could tell people, even point it out. Instead, you keep it to yourself.
For example, say you are sitting on a bench in a park. From a tree branch above, a small leaf falls to earth. Other people are in the park. Other people could have seen it. But they didn’t. You’re the only one.
Remember the seen in Stand By Me when Gordie sees the deer?
“The freight woke up the other guys and it was on the tip of my tongue to tell them about the deer. But I didn't. That was the one thing I kept to myself. I've never spoken or written about it until just now.”
There is a game I like to play from time to time. I guess I could call it; I’m the only one. It works like this. You see something that other people can see; only you are the only one who sees it. You could tell people, even point it out. Instead, you keep it to yourself.
For example, say you are sitting on a bench in a park. From a tree branch above, a small leaf falls to earth. Other people are in the park. Other people could have seen it. But they didn’t. You’re the only one.
Remember the seen in Stand By Me when Gordie sees the deer?
“The freight woke up the other guys and it was on the tip of my tongue to tell them about the deer. But I didn't. That was the one thing I kept to myself. I've never spoken or written about it until just now.”
Good Things, Bad Things
After reading the lastest chapter of my current MS to my daughter, she turned to me and said, "You remind me of Louis Sachar." She paused, then added, "That's a good thing. He's my favoirte author."
What a roller coaster week it’s been.
My hockey team, the Jackals, won the FAHL C Division Championship: A Good Thing
I lost the Hot Men of Children's Literature according to Fuse #8: A Bad Thing
I helped a snapping turtle cross the road: Good Thing
One of my pond turtles died: Sad Thing
I received a letter of rejection on a manuscript I thought for sure was a winner: Sad Thing
It was a very positive and personal rejection letter: Good Thing
I have some wonderful, supportive people in my life: Priceless
After reading the lastest chapter of my current MS to my daughter, she turned to me and said, "You remind me of Louis Sachar." She paused, then added, "That's a good thing. He's my favoirte author."
What a roller coaster week it’s been.
My hockey team, the Jackals, won the FAHL C Division Championship: A Good Thing
I lost the Hot Men of Children's Literature according to Fuse #8: A Bad Thing
I helped a snapping turtle cross the road: Good Thing
One of my pond turtles died: Sad Thing
I received a letter of rejection on a manuscript I thought for sure was a winner: Sad Thing
It was a very positive and personal rejection letter: Good Thing
I have some wonderful, supportive people in my life: Priceless
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Writing For Your Turtle Carrying Protagonist
Driving home from work yesterday I noticed a lady standing in the middle of the road. I slowed. At her feet rested a larger snapper.
“Nice turtle.” I said.
“Can you help me get it across the street?”
So I pulled off the road.
photo showing proper way to handle a snapping turtle
As I hopped out of the jeep, I noticed a student from my school who had arrived just prior me. He was reaching down to lift the turtle... by its shell (insert gasp).
“Grab it by its tail. Its tail! I shouted.”
The snapper reached back with fire in its eye and hatred in its belly (Wow, isn’t that the worse thing you have ever read? I should write romance novels!)
I never saw hands retract so quickly as the boy stood at attention.
“Uhm, you want to do it?”
I was glad too. I live for this stuff. I lifted the snapper firmly by the base of the tail and carried it safely across the road (with no gratitude from the ticked-off turtle I might add).
The lesson learned:
Snapping turtles have powerful jaws and long necks that can reach way back. The only safe way to carry a snapper is by the tail.
If you are writing a story and your protagonist has to carry a snapping turtle, make sure your hero carries the turtle by the tail not the shell (or have your hero get bit).
Driving home from work yesterday I noticed a lady standing in the middle of the road. I slowed. At her feet rested a larger snapper.
“Nice turtle.” I said.
“Can you help me get it across the street?”
So I pulled off the road.
photo showing proper way to handle a snapping turtle
As I hopped out of the jeep, I noticed a student from my school who had arrived just prior me. He was reaching down to lift the turtle... by its shell (insert gasp).
“Grab it by its tail. Its tail! I shouted.”
The snapper reached back with fire in its eye and hatred in its belly (Wow, isn’t that the worse thing you have ever read? I should write romance novels!)
I never saw hands retract so quickly as the boy stood at attention.
“Uhm, you want to do it?”
I was glad too. I live for this stuff. I lifted the snapper firmly by the base of the tail and carried it safely across the road (with no gratitude from the ticked-off turtle I might add).
The lesson learned:
Snapping turtles have powerful jaws and long necks that can reach way back. The only safe way to carry a snapper is by the tail.
If you are writing a story and your protagonist has to carry a snapping turtle, make sure your hero carries the turtle by the tail not the shell (or have your hero get bit).
Friday, April 27, 2007
OK, I lost!
So when Fuse # 8 announced the winner of the Hot Men of Children's Literature was I surprised I hadn’t won? Well, maybe not, considering I didn’t even make the list.
It’s ok. We can’t blame her. For one, I wasn’t even on the list. For two, she doesn’t know I exist. The only question is, is there still time? I mean, I’m not getting any younger or hotter.
They say it takes two years to get a book published and that’s after a publisher has accepted you. I might need to face the hard fact reality that I might be 50 before I am ever even eligible for the list. And who will want me then?? Who I ask!
Gym, here I come. We have a long road ahead.
Sincerely,
Sour Grapes
PS on the bright side, I am a championship goalie! See you on the ice Magoon! :P
So when Fuse # 8 announced the winner of the Hot Men of Children's Literature was I surprised I hadn’t won? Well, maybe not, considering I didn’t even make the list.
It’s ok. We can’t blame her. For one, I wasn’t even on the list. For two, she doesn’t know I exist. The only question is, is there still time? I mean, I’m not getting any younger or hotter.
They say it takes two years to get a book published and that’s after a publisher has accepted you. I might need to face the hard fact reality that I might be 50 before I am ever even eligible for the list. And who will want me then?? Who I ask!
Gym, here I come. We have a long road ahead.
Sincerely,
Sour Grapes
PS on the bright side, I am a championship goalie! See you on the ice Magoon! :P
Remember?
Remember?
No, not really. It was the summer of 1971 according to my mom’s handwriting. I was 6. Funny how mom’s save all this stuff. She has an apple tree that I painted when I was 4.
The other funny thing is, my art hasn’t changed much in the last 35 years. Only I didn’t stress over it so much then. Didn’t worry about style or composition. I just painted. Someday, I’ll get that back. Check back in another 35 years. :P
Remember?
No, not really. It was the summer of 1971 according to my mom’s handwriting. I was 6. Funny how mom’s save all this stuff. She has an apple tree that I painted when I was 4.
The other funny thing is, my art hasn’t changed much in the last 35 years. Only I didn’t stress over it so much then. Didn’t worry about style or composition. I just painted. Someday, I’ll get that back. Check back in another 35 years. :P
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