Fight your way through that!

This is such good insight and advice for creative people.

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Mary's Baby Boy

This is beautiful. I love the look on Jesus' face as he heals.

Ancient Roman artists gave colour to their statues

I came across the following article and found it fascinating. From the perspective of an artist and a writer who deals with archaeology as a subject, this is exciting. It comes from Biblical Archaeology Society Staff. 

The Hellenistic world that surrounded first-century C.E. Judea abounded in Roman sculpture. Ancient Roman artists carved elegant marble images of gods, warriors and emperors that filled the halls and bathhouses from Alexandria to Damascus. Even some of Judea’s cities, like the extravagant port of Caesarea Maritima built by Herod the Great, included temples and monuments adorned with pagan Roman sculpture.

For Jews, such statues were an abomination, a direct affront to God’s commandment not to make graven images. But far from being the elegant white yet cold and lifeless works of art we see in museums today, these incredibly lifelike images were often painted by ancient Roman artists in bold, vibrant colors.

“It is interesting to think about what kind of charge [these statues] must have had for Jews of the time,” said Peter Schertz, the Jack and Mary Ann Frable Curator of Ancient Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), adding that the “Jewish prohibition against idolatrous images must have made the appearance of classical statues both very frightful and, for some, somewhat seductive.”

Schertz is part of a team of researchers attempting to digitally reconstruct how ancient Roman sculpture, such as this first-century C.E. marble statue of the Roman emperor Gaius Caligula (37–41 C.E.), actually appeared. The Gaius Caligula statue, housed at the VMFA since the 1970s, is one of only two complete statues of the reviled emperor known to exist and, therefore, according to Schertz in an interview with Biblical Archaeology Review, “historically the most important Roman statue in North America.”

Given its rarity, the Roman sculpture was an ideal candidate for digital reconstruction by the University of Virginia’s Virtual World Heritage Laboratory and Direct Dimensions, Inc., especially since significant traces of paint were found on its surface. After a detailed three-dimensional computer scan was made of the entire statue, researchers began studying the preserved color fragments as well as other color traces on painted busts and statues of Roman emperors to reconstruct how the Gaius Caligula statue might have looked 2,000 years ago.

Traces of purple found on Caligula’s torso indicate that his toga had either a purple stripe or that he wore a completely purple toga. The study also found that the edges of the toga are decorated with zigzag designs and may have once been painted gold to represent the imperial garment’s gold-embroidered fringes.

Even more arresting is the reconstruction of Gaius Caligula’s face and head—modeled after painted busts of the emperor—which shows him with dark brown hair, tanned, radiant skin and a soft, youthful gaze. Ancient Roman artists achieved such realism through sophisticated painting techniques that allowed subtle variations in color, tone and shadow to accentuate the carved features of the marble Roman sculpture.

The final, digital reconstruction of Caligula’s likeness will debut this December at the VMFA during a special public symposium exploring past portrayals of the Roman emperor alongside the new 3-D digital model. The model will then appear permanently on the VMFA Web site as well as that of the University of Virginia’s Digital Sculpture Project, making the Caligula statue available to all, whether for study or enjoyment.

“Before, if you really wanted to study a statue, you had to be there in person,” said Schertz. “With this technology, you’ll be able to experience the statue as if you were there.”

This Roman sculpture from the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts depicts the Roman emperor Gaius Caligula. New research suggests ancient Roman artists painted imperial statues with bold, vibrant colors. Photo by Katherine Wetzel.

This digital model of the Gaius Caligula statue shows how ancient Roman artists likely styled Roman sculpture 2,000 years ago. Reconstruction by Matthew Brennan, Virtual World Heritage Laboratory.

Summer is Over

Summer is my favourite season and I want it to last for at least ten months of the year. But where I live that never happens. (That must be a sign that it's time to move, right?)

This year we suffered through the longest, coldest, rainiest spring I can remember and ended up with only about six weeks of summer, maybe seven if you count random days between showers.

So here is my tribute to the summer too quickly gone by.

Flower Tour of my Town

I had to go downtown today (a five-minute walk from where I live), to buy an anniverary card for my daughter and son-in-law. I stopped in at my local library to pick up a book I had requested. 

On my way home I saw these and couldn't resist taking a picture. These are my favourite lilies.

Then I had the idea to notice and photograph some of the other flowers around my little town. Once I started looking for them, I saw that they are everywhere!

Come with me on my walk back to my house.

These petunias and osteospermums are in a flower box at the base of a directional sign.

The hanging baskets on the lightposts are immense. (How come mine don't look this good?)

I love old roses, don't you? They smell divine. I found this one tumbling over someone's back fence.

Down the lane a bit I came upon these fuzzy flowers. I don't know what they are called, do you? If you can identify them, please leave a comment below. I'm curious.

I love the contrast of colours in this tub of osteospermums and petunias.

That's all I have time to upload today. I have to grab some lunch then spend the afternoon with my novel-writing client putting the final touches on her manuscript and developing a publishing strategy.

For more on how I can help you get your book out of your head and into print, click here.

To be continued...

Diary of a Perfect Day

Summer has finally arrived here in the Pacific Northwest and we had a beautiful August long weekend (with rain on only one day!).

Monday dawned bright, clear and fresh. We had breakfast on the deck complete with Queen Anne cherries.

They look so beautiful in this blue bowl which I bought years ago while in Switzerland.

The snowball tree is almost in full bloom.

After a perfectly lazy morning, we had lunch the loaded the canoe on the car and headed up to the lake.

We drove around the campground at Hicks Lake looking for my husband's friend, but he must have checked out. We found Hicks a little too busy, after all, we're spoiled by living close by and are not used to holiday weekend traffic and crowds. So we went on up to Deer Lake where there were fewer people and put the canoe in the water.

There were a few boats on the lake, mostly people fishing. Motors are not allowed on the lake, so it was quiet and peaceful. As you can see, only a gentle breeze rippled the surface of the water so the intrepid paddlers did not have to fight the wind.

Here is another view. We're never sure what direction we're facing on the mountain lakes because the road driving up is winds through forest so we get totally mixed up.

The water is clear and shallow, particularly around the shores of the lake. Since I'm in the bow, I have to watch for underwater logs and branches, called snags, that stick up and could damage the canoe.

Here is Gord, the ship's captain - at least that's what I call him because it makes him feel good. And yes, his legs really are that white. We've had hardly any sun this year so we're all Vitamin D deprived.

Water lilies grow in the shallows and many were in bloom with waxy, bright yellow blossoms sticking out of the water.

Steps in the Right Direction

This spring has been one of change for me. Career directions into which I have poured my heart for several years are proving to no longer be the right things for me to pursue.

At the same time, other doors are opening.

I decided to go ahead and publish my novel, Picking up the Pieces, through my own company imprint, Summer Bay Press, and offer it for sale as an e-book. In the meantime, I am also working on getting a print version created. While I am definitely open to having the book picked up by a traditional publishing house, I have never been one to sit and wait for someone else to decide how my life will look.

Picking up the Pieces is a great, exciting read - a real page-turner. It has a message of faith woven throughout that readers have already told me has opened their eyes to deeper spiritual possibilities than they knew. The story itself is about a Mayan archaeological find that is in danger of falling into the wrong hands. A race around various parts of the world ensues and a spicy romance also happens along the way. Non-stop action and adventure.

I have also begun an exciting new service for writers of historical fiction and those interested in historical accuracy. Based on my collection of antiquarian books and magazines I have created The Brilliant Writer's Secret - The Serious Writer's Online Research Source. Here you will find loads of titles on Victorian manners and social customs, and Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Houses of England and Wales. There are more titles being added every week. Visit the website and stay tuned for Potions, Lotions, and Crazy Notions series coming soon, and also Medical Training from the Royal Army Corp of 1911. Fascinating stuff - really!

I'm beginning to work on my new novel, a continuation of where Picking up the Pieces left off. The possibilities for a great story are endless. I will keep you posted.

New Look

As you can see, I am in the process of updating my website and adding all sorts of new and exciting products and services. My team and I are working to provide you with some wonderful, innovative ideas to help you stand out in your marketplace, make your life easier, and solve problems.

Our new book cover design service with a host of product choices will allow you to choose and design a cover for your self-published book that will stand out from the crowd. With professional polish and at a price that won't make you go pale, we think you will find that the perfect cover for your book is within easy reach and will present your work in a manner that will make you proud to say, "Yes, I wrote this."

That leads me to another problem we can help solve for you. You want to have your own book, and you need to have your own book. But you can't actually write your own book for any number of reasons. Our co-authoring service will help you get the job done whether it involves taking the whole project off your hands, or simply providing a professional pair of eyes to help you with your re-writes, we can help. A detailed list of our ghostwriting and co-writing services will be up on the site soon.

An don't forget our new digital portrait service. Having your portrait "painted" couldn't be easier. Simply upload your photo and we'll take it from there, delivering to you a lovely likeness in digital format that you can use however you want to.

Please check back frequently to see all of the other changes coming along.

Aspiring writer?

There is no such thing as an "aspiring writer" unless such a person has never written a word. If you have written at all then you are a writer and no longer aspiring.

You may aspire to be published or aspire to make your living from your writing. That's different. "To aspire" means to desire a lofty object. Writing is not a lofty object. It is simply the act of putting word down so they can be read.

If you want to write, then write. But don't aspire to write. Aspire to something lofty.

"Do I Have Writing Talent?" It’s A Mistaken Question

Over the years, many people have asked me to look at their writing. "I need to know, do I have talent or not," they say. "Then I’ll know if I should pursue writing or stick to accounting."

Their request is seriously flawed, I'd reply. Anyone can become a better writer. Students who submitted hackneyed, half-dead writing to start with turned in lively, well-written essays by the end of the semester. Likewise, I’ve seen plenty of writers whose work seems plain and unimaginative get assignment upon assignment from magazines while others with dazzling wordcraft skills can’t get published anywhere.

According to Stanford psychology professor Carol Dweck, I was right to question the query about talent. Dweck's book, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, reports research showing that in education, the arts and business, people who believe talent is fixed and inborn do not fully develop their potential and do not recover easily from setbacks.

Those who believe talent can be developed, regardless of apparent starting point, not only achieve more but also prompt greater achievement in their children and staff.

Her best news: You can change your mind-set about talent or intelligence. In only two months, kids who were taught that the brain, like a muscle, improves with exercise saw
their math scores rocket from F's to B's.

Toss out the belief that you either have writing talent or you don’t. Instead, approach getting published as requiring a set of skills that you can deliberately learn. These skills include:

1. Being sensitive to the differences between words. A good dictionary can help with this, if you consult it to learn, for example, whether a "cauldron" is the same as a "kettle" or when a gang member would be said to have "bravery" and when "bravado."

2. Recognizing that getting your message across has less to do with what you meant and more to do with how readers understand the words you put together. If no one "gets it," you must write it differently. Often this lesson is harder for those who feel desperately called to write than for those with a more matter-of-fact attitude toward writing.

3. Being willing to put a piece of writing aside, look at again in the cold light of the morning and rearrange, replace and revise the elements of the piece to tell the story more clearly and more artfully.

4. Having the discipline to learn and apply the rules of spelling, grammar and usage. Yes, when your work is accepted for publication you’ll usually have an editor who’ll save you from major mistakes. But editors prefer working with those who know and follow the standards of professional writing.

5. Being able to bounce back from disappointment. In the writing business, the possibility of rejection never goes away. Successful writers learn not to take it personally for more than an hour or so, then they simply go on to the next publication outlet or the next writing project.

These five skills and attitudes matter much more for success as a writer than anything we’d generally label as talent. Resolve to develop yourself along those lines and you’re certain to get somewhere as a writer. Really!

Writing an Autobiography

Writing one's autobiography is perhaps one of the most challenging writing projects one can ever hope to accomplish. After all, it is hard to put into words one's own life - the ups and downs, highs and lows, triumphs and losses. While we might find our lives a little bit interesting, others may not have the same opinion unless we write about it in a most fascinating way.

There are several steps on How to Write an Autobiography that we need to understand first before we can write an autobiography worthy of readers' attention. These steps are actually quite simple. The hard part is making the words come to life, but we can learn about this as well from experts' guides on How to Write an Autobiography.

STARTING AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

When learning How to Write an Autobiography, one of the things that we must do is to look at our lives and where we are at the moment. A deep introspection is necessary to truly understand our goals and dreams and how far we have come in accomplishing them.

Looking at the things, people and events that have so far thus made us happy or unhappy will help us get a better perspective of how we have lived our lives through all these years.

Self-examination is the first key step in learning How to Write an Autobiography. As we delve into the deepest recesses of our beings, we should write down every thought, feeling and reaction that were a result of our introspection. It is likewise of vital importance that we write down both the good and the bad, the ugly and the beautiful that have happened in our lives because these will be the interesting parts of our autobiography.

OTHER PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVE

To give us a different view about our lives, we need to talk to people who know us, especially those who have walked the journey with us so we will understand how the people closest to us see the way we have lived our lives so far.

This could be a little tricky as it could open old wounds or start new ones so being objective about what we hear is likewise very important.
This is another key step on How to Write an Autobiography. Listening to people talk about the experiences they have shared with us and what kind of impact these have made to our relationships will give us a better understanding of our reactions, feelings and even logical reasoning.

WRITE AND RE-WRITE

Finally, when we have gathered all information, let's start writing! Remember that it doesn't have to be perfect the first time around. This is only our rough draft and we can revise as necessary.

The last two steps on How to Write an Autobiography are writing and re-writing until we are satisfied with the results.

Once we have written our first draft, let's just forget about it for awhile. After a few weeks, we can take a look at it again and start re-writing. After which, show it to someone whose opinion we trust and rewrite again as necessary.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Jones_Jr.

Writing is hard?

I'm a little tired of hearing how hard it is to write, to get published, to find an agent. For years I believed it and allowed all this discouragement within the industry to keep me from writing.

But even if it is hard, so what? What isn't? Going to work at a job you hate year after year is hard. Having children and going without sleep night after night as you nurse a sick baby is hard. Making a marriage work through difficult times is hard. Losing a job and wondering where the next meal is coming from is hard. Living with illness, family problems, financial difficulty is hard.

Writing? It's a piece of cake. It's more fun than any of those other things that make up ordinary life. It's easy!

And publishing? So what if it takes a while to see your work in print. Try harder. Quit moaning and get to work.

Can't find an agent on the first try? Try again. Keep on until it works. Improve the book. Whatever it takes.

But for goodness sake, let's stop complaining about how hard it all is. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.