tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70145726475295002102024-03-13T15:34:49.997-04:00A Clever WhateverThis blog is about my whatever which is completely different from your whatever. My whatever will be about writing, poetry, my dogs, what I find funny, food I hate, family, and basically any thing I want. Whatever.TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-4005411660942053872015-08-05T23:06:00.002-04:002015-08-05T23:06:57.194-04:00Logged myself out of my blogI know you are shocked but thanks to the google nightmare login that links things that should not be linked...I locked myself out of my blog.<br />
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And I just now figured out how to get back on.<br />
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:)TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-36209875540447221872013-08-04T17:27:00.001-04:002013-08-04T17:27:09.630-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uoZieswk5DFu4N-bqcxE-CY7b4ftDWWtaebM65GfTlHt7RGDfzL4mp1QF7JSvvSGelc4PVc8nNYyE4wLGmfg4PMavRbdu8HhO3fkpk3w602zhs4DL8hBxh3alZi6Xp0NQrxqNo-Ll9g/s1600/swanregency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uoZieswk5DFu4N-bqcxE-CY7b4ftDWWtaebM65GfTlHt7RGDfzL4mp1QF7JSvvSGelc4PVc8nNYyE4wLGmfg4PMavRbdu8HhO3fkpk3w602zhs4DL8hBxh3alZi6Xp0NQrxqNo-Ll9g/s320/swanregency.jpg" width="197" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hVhl08SX8haMuesYG6tnDUyJLlco_YiG2spUjwxTNdNIR-hspc5DrRHCkX7VyEv5WOWEj8h91v5fzfxY-0McB-_W3OJS3sc8GwWGmat4ClHDGKua0Muq0fCZRU_spHjAFGN9y5HBoaE/s1600/girswandress09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hVhl08SX8haMuesYG6tnDUyJLlco_YiG2spUjwxTNdNIR-hspc5DrRHCkX7VyEv5WOWEj8h91v5fzfxY-0McB-_W3OJS3sc8GwWGmat4ClHDGKua0Muq0fCZRU_spHjAFGN9y5HBoaE/s320/girswandress09.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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When editing a cover for a client (or yourself), don't toss the entire cover for minor changes such as hair color, eye color or background details.<br />
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As you can see from these two photos---I made the hair blond instead of dark. I made her eyes blue. I also replaced the 1 large swan with 3 smaller swans<br />
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How?<br />
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The hair, I found a picture with hair that suited the position of the girl. I cloned it over her dark hair. Sometimes with light hair, you can paint the hair darker rather than cloning the hair Make you match the hair line of the scalp. If you don't you could end up with skin tone issues if you have to paste over skin.<br />
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Eyes...you can blow up the picture and color the irises. Or if they eyes light, you can recolor them The cloning of color is brighter and more natural---but more time consuming.<br />
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The swans are easy---just make sure you have a similiar color in the background...or a white background you can fade out.<br />
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The majority of these changes can be done in www.ipiccy.com if you don't have PhotoShop.<br />
TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-10171260199201222882013-07-27T22:22:00.001-04:002013-07-27T22:22:32.535-04:00Life gets in the Way...Have you noticed?<br /><br />I've had a nephew in Children's Hospital and a dog in kidney failure. I've been 'consumed' with family.<br />
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But I have done some work.<br />
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This is LINDA ULLESEIT's new YA Book Cover (front and back). I love how it turned out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOZy1FKmQZG1G6zSuHt6fLf1ljLk7Z9eIsemLvg7msaBwsOw71lk4wCcrnfUIasgQk9D_yCRfOa-Fjq-xn6sax8cWIxo90Tq0DS1n9NRPbbOrqZn-FS7FLYuIfCNssrUuI4rjYYhyphenhyphenAnc/s1600/wingdare22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOZy1FKmQZG1G6zSuHt6fLf1ljLk7Z9eIsemLvg7msaBwsOw71lk4wCcrnfUIasgQk9D_yCRfOa-Fjq-xn6sax8cWIxo90Tq0DS1n9NRPbbOrqZn-FS7FLYuIfCNssrUuI4rjYYhyphenhyphenAnc/s320/wingdare22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And she me design book 2....:)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxX69qRE4N-beewgXEDB7Y-Bzcid72jxPWkmv06dkCkpDV254-ZdwkpwAPVV_vUXd1zVrA9CTV-NlXPIFOWrrgafVKZ2Xd_9oYz4CIX5H_LsbyETAlsCXlGY5e8clSF-9obx_LH9Fhgs/s1600/lindacover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxX69qRE4N-beewgXEDB7Y-Bzcid72jxPWkmv06dkCkpDV254-ZdwkpwAPVV_vUXd1zVrA9CTV-NlXPIFOWrrgafVKZ2Xd_9oYz4CIX5H_LsbyETAlsCXlGY5e8clSF-9obx_LH9Fhgs/s1600/lindacover2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've also been doing some promo poster and video work for a few animal rescues.<br />
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<br />TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-71136784232766480822013-03-05T23:44:00.000-05:002013-03-05T23:44:01.432-05:00I'm Back...Ah Google Plus is still mutating my blog experience. I apologize for ignoring my blog so long but the Google Plus changes are a nightmare and I don't find it easy or fun to use anymore.<br />
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I miss my old blogger behind the scenes layout.<br />
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:(<br />
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So here we go to walk through the doorway to a new and annoying world by Google.<br />
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This is one of the rejected covers for a project I finished a few weeks ago. Yes, I will be talking about making your own book covers again soon.<br />
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And for those waiting patiently, the annual book cover giveaway is coming up soon...so get those fingers ready as they always go quickly.<br />
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Are you ready for a free book cover?<br /><br />:)<br />
<br />Tirz<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_9uE-nu4ySOOE9IUp7lJld4odhfJPRMYbnsFgDVvy_Dadrwe-nTUCtW-5RO1p1aWgz12BefpGTvDxKv0yYi-vnnA2qDKz_5Qs9Np5Hl8P7FW4EJJPhd5s0ocCjzaVDoPrJrlY1yTHUY/s1600/girlgate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_9uE-nu4ySOOE9IUp7lJld4odhfJPRMYbnsFgDVvy_Dadrwe-nTUCtW-5RO1p1aWgz12BefpGTvDxKv0yYi-vnnA2qDKz_5Qs9Np5Hl8P7FW4EJJPhd5s0ocCjzaVDoPrJrlY1yTHUY/s320/girlgate.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
<br />TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-57637610491694792132012-06-30T21:02:00.009-04:002012-06-30T21:36:15.026-04:00Bookstore Flyers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaRWX5IHhOOOKT710Q1Ww16ugXrcRt8K5ZvZLOr1tWAJL9rkh-WY1Vi8heCKKCwbjn8vOu9L9NHHFlJd-IIxO4cwP_-oVMSOKs0jOB7DcgyLUCS_ws1IYWH5xRKulbCJmC_V7FUPGrac/s1600/susanflyer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaRWX5IHhOOOKT710Q1Ww16ugXrcRt8K5ZvZLOr1tWAJL9rkh-WY1Vi8heCKKCwbjn8vOu9L9NHHFlJd-IIxO4cwP_-oVMSOKs0jOB7DcgyLUCS_ws1IYWH5xRKulbCJmC_V7FUPGrac/s200/susanflyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760006326911191474" border="0" /></a><br />If you self publish, you'll have to pimp your book, and no that doesn't involve popping it into a mini-skirt and dropping it on the corner. That would be easy.<br /><br />And self-publishing is never easy.<br /><br />So you've published your book in ebook and print. You've done the holiday free giveaways on Goodreads and Amazon. You've Facebook'd it, gave it a Twitter come out and had every friend with an email post it on their page.<br /><br />You've even done a few blog interviews and a tour.<br /><br />But you don't have your book sitting on a physical shelf at a bookstore and you really want that. By the way, that's not a must have for success but if you want it, let me try to help.<br /><br />First, the chain stores are probably out unless you have a publisher or are already selling really well. Sorry!<br /><br />But independent and small bookstores are still in the running.<br /><br />I suggest having all your promo material ready before you call or email these stores. Having a book only won't be enough.<br /><br />You'll need a:<br /><br /><ol><li>A website or blog. Even if its a static page, have a page.</li><li>Book flyers. </li><li>A press kit including bookmarks, postcards, a bio or author promotion sheet & book info including reviews/testimonials.</li><li>A poster (optional). </li><li>Sample chapter (optional).</li><li>Business card.</li></ol><p>EXAMPLES of some PROMO MATERIALS I MADE:<br /></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR8-aSJH-k2xZhOqD5ZV-H8a55CkPml-Q_bEIRlcyTe05UeIqeO_8-jPwsoAUvvwwYykM9_uHKOLwzS9VMd4m2wbF5_h8qZPOqzoZjP3xyotGmSJQFzF8D7IWrI-qyDYdIZDu99NR5rA/s1600/susansflyer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR8-aSJH-k2xZhOqD5ZV-H8a55CkPml-Q_bEIRlcyTe05UeIqeO_8-jPwsoAUvvwwYykM9_uHKOLwzS9VMd4m2wbF5_h8qZPOqzoZjP3xyotGmSJQFzF8D7IWrI-qyDYdIZDu99NR5rA/s320/susansflyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760006660817960802" border="0" /></a>BOOKSTORE FLYER/POSTER<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAaHChCPX5aqI7QdIvXkLUVZNhMDfSZFy4azbQaqSvR7MwaBgxYJ7ADFeN5lRzR8xIf6thyphenhyphenwKDhb4uLZO7udI61mKijWi7dUJ-fkxbN9Me-fBW2NkAa11eihxnueVElLdEUdGW9hLw5U/s1600/jenisimplebluex.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAaHChCPX5aqI7QdIvXkLUVZNhMDfSZFy4azbQaqSvR7MwaBgxYJ7ADFeN5lRzR8xIf6thyphenhyphenwKDhb4uLZO7udI61mKijWi7dUJ-fkxbN9Me-fBW2NkAa11eihxnueVElLdEUdGW9hLw5U/s200/jenisimplebluex.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760005117886263218" border="0" /></a> Business Card<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxSFWpZflngpMCSecYveaVs-yo0Vjw_kv_Ap7uU4iozoDNTIhxKgcWFRuWCZIj9CVXjOM6mXosWBc_4lBd6sjRewu8x26xIN3657unsx2KCD9HzhzqBQ0NHLjz7mC7MM3mdq6OMos6XI/s1600/marks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxSFWpZflngpMCSecYveaVs-yo0Vjw_kv_Ap7uU4iozoDNTIhxKgcWFRuWCZIj9CVXjOM6mXosWBc_4lBd6sjRewu8x26xIN3657unsx2KCD9HzhzqBQ0NHLjz7mC7MM3mdq6OMos6XI/s200/marks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760005738058055122" border="0" /></a> BOOKMARKS<br /><br /><br />After you put your kit together, drop in these bookstores and the ones that fit your book vibe, see if the owner or manager will talk to you about doing a signing, carrying your book or having a book signing. <br /><br />You don't want to do the face to face? Try calling or emailing. Smaller bookstores like a professional but personal touch.<br /><br />Some are going to say flat out no.<br /><br />No luck locally? Try sending your kits to smaller bookstores within a two or three hour drive of your home town.<br /><br />But do not send the kit without speaking with someone at the store, have your business card and website ready. If you email them, include a link to your website or flyer (or both). When they say they'll consider it, send them a press kit.<br /><br />If they say yes, say thank you in writing.<br /><br />:)<br /><br />TTirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-15605465773292323172012-05-20T23:55:00.004-04:002012-05-21T00:09:14.608-04:00I detest Google PlusYes, I know that Blogger is part of Google plus. I use to love my blogger blog, I've had it for years. It's been easy to use and I've enjoyed it.<br /><br />But I made the horrendous mistake of trying Google Plus. Well, I didn't want to try it but after they killed www.picnik.com, I was strong armed into it. But the Creative Kit was very hard to find, hard to use and the picture quality poor.<br /><br />Then, it tried to post my pictures to the public. I had my pictures made private but it was keeping my pictures in folders anyway. I didn't want my pictures saved in a third party area in Google Plus. So after I tried the Creative Kit, I deleted those pictures.<br /><br />And I deleted ONLY those pictures. It was maybe 10 to 15 pictures.<br /><br />But when I went to my blog, all my pictures for SEVERAL YEARS were gone. No real help is available. I went to the forums, they kept talking about Picassa. I have no idea what that is or where it is. And no, I didn't delete anything from it.<br /><br />--Yes I did eventually track Picassa down..but I didn't know I even had a folder there. I did not touch said folder.<br /><br />Somehow blogger, Picassa and Google Plus are all mushed together in some sort of deformed mutant.<br /><br />All I know is I've lost YEARS of pictures and materials, most of which cannot be recovered. I am so mad I can spit.<br /><br />And basically the help forum was ...oh well you shouldn't have deleted anything from Picassa...I didn't know my blog was even connected to Picassa...so I didn't touch anything there. And the only pictures I deleted from Google plus were those few recent ones. And somehow that...killed ALL my work for years?<br /><br />Geez. Great.<br /><br />Now I find that blogger's dashboard and navigation tools are being changed to make it more like Google Plus. Blah. I'd rather paint my butt pink and date a baboon. Google Plus is just a mess to navigate. Why would I want my blog to work that way? I don't.<br /><br />Honestly, I detest Google Plus.<br /><br />If I'm tragically wrong and someone can tell me how to fix the mess that is now my blog, Google Plus and the new interface?<br /><br />Or if not, does anyone know how I can transfer my blog to somewhere else?TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-68421550104877463362012-05-20T23:12:00.002-04:002012-05-20T23:13:25.142-04:00Blood Totems COVER types<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9zEWg4g27hPaie_QmRhyphenhyphen1yluHLhyphenhyphenZIaYc1-1sReYyhCZkhYj3dHRriUg8PcrBoqoYE3l_9bpkw9L5z9Gn1qUUbsI07-wO9q9Vgo1RpRGYaUq6wUDetF2oBDOW9DOttEhnB03s1J0-jc/s1600/redblueblack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9zEWg4g27hPaie_QmRhyphenhyphen1yluHLhyphenhyphenZIaYc1-1sReYyhCZkhYj3dHRriUg8PcrBoqoYE3l_9bpkw9L5z9Gn1qUUbsI07-wO9q9Vgo1RpRGYaUq6wUDetF2oBDOW9DOttEhnB03s1J0-jc/s320/redblueblack.jpg" width="219" />Blue eyes, dark & white feathers, textured, author under title.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3jX8MIeypoWR_Cs7mxuDWNgSrLpjHgxtgI7pcLS_Uv8oFG5xXyiJM6a1ntosxQ9leS4pfgiy-wLz7KwWI17WExKlpj08iEV_6lV0m63gAamMKRuAEZsghMu_-9dK7l58CrU6OjboUWE/s1600/reddarkfeatherwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3jX8MIeypoWR_Cs7mxuDWNgSrLpjHgxtgI7pcLS_Uv8oFG5xXyiJM6a1ntosxQ9leS4pfgiy-wLz7KwWI17WExKlpj08iEV_6lV0m63gAamMKRuAEZsghMu_-9dK7l58CrU6OjboUWE/s320/reddarkfeatherwin.jpg" width="222" /><u><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: black;">Gold eyes, big title, name at bottom, textured.</b><i><b><br /></b></i></span></u></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcJsitsvICaKm8EahzxaIr8HxRBo6G_PF8CAKbD-YtbNvWOEXfdUMOnz80lfA4Pi1P-UZzf2Vj0PBlqltMMkAHhqrwA0twhYxTYsDsFuME-VqtF_YJ0oBvDpk1SmK1hysC0PIN3XjlLU/s1600/reddyblackgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcJsitsvICaKm8EahzxaIr8HxRBo6G_PF8CAKbD-YtbNvWOEXfdUMOnz80lfA4Pi1P-UZzf2Vj0PBlqltMMkAHhqrwA0twhYxTYsDsFuME-VqtF_YJ0oBvDpk1SmK1hysC0PIN3XjlLU/s320/reddyblackgreen.jpg" width="213" />Gold eye without lettering, textured, red tint to catcher.</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0VV0LN1tQg4PaBjR_BzWp1LZZHQnmDVkYYlyXTBg_AwFRAPn578uLJvUrQh86y4jiLq_N3Y4PaDlmvUr4yg20xqnaaqnXfScKtWDqeerk8brkfzs-0ij5NlbOwf8id7Y73XfJauiRZo/s1600/reddyblackbottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0VV0LN1tQg4PaBjR_BzWp1LZZHQnmDVkYYlyXTBg_AwFRAPn578uLJvUrQh86y4jiLq_N3Y4PaDlmvUr4yg20xqnaaqnXfScKtWDqeerk8brkfzs-0ij5NlbOwf8id7Y73XfJauiRZo/s320/reddyblackbottom.jpg" width="219" />Blue eyes, textured, name on bottom, dark & white feathers</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoL9wYY1lEnptF1_MaZFxA31nJFj1EavTS7tbfuUZFrcO_m3OCYmmPHSt4y80KJnZefaY5EEDrEoV_uW09ptLY6RjPma6ppLnddyszJaKiFza2f9IZQPVqBAuThWBRhn4CfwH58NnNPPk/s1600/reddyblackblueeyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoL9wYY1lEnptF1_MaZFxA31nJFj1EavTS7tbfuUZFrcO_m3OCYmmPHSt4y80KJnZefaY5EEDrEoV_uW09ptLY6RjPma6ppLnddyszJaKiFza2f9IZQPVqBAuThWBRhn4CfwH58NnNPPk/s320/reddyblackblueeyes.jpg" width="213" />Without lettering, blue eyes, textured, dark & white feathered</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ua4Ib_hH95OU5JDocxOr2P4dKbjk-WNAbFQxWMIeqMeCCbrRd3o9Z-XFxv3l0iTRMxtnD8TwJAcDy2BDjOtFARJG9ySC62bGDGvXlV9yBPsLxNsPKin8wDdrdjg-N4cmxDBjEBM3ens/s1600/reddarkfeather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ua4Ib_hH95OU5JDocxOr2P4dKbjk-WNAbFQxWMIeqMeCCbrRd3o9Z-XFxv3l0iTRMxtnD8TwJAcDy2BDjOtFARJG9ySC62bGDGvXlV9yBPsLxNsPKin8wDdrdjg-N4cmxDBjEBM3ens/s320/reddarkfeather.jpg" width="222" />Gold eyes, dark feathers ONLY, textured, no lettering.</span></a></div>
<br />TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-79264831821941275322012-04-21T00:57:00.002-04:002012-04-21T01:13:24.358-04:00How to make a Werewolf...If you've clicked on this link, I think this means you want to make a werewolf. :) Cool. Now there are more than one type of werewolf.<br />
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There are the scary types, the cartoon types and the ones that look more human.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKylCXxqoxk/T5I33_9lmEI/AAAAAAAAB6E/GOq9hj7Ekwc/s1600/benshapewolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKylCXxqoxk/T5I33_9lmEI/AAAAAAAAB6E/GOq9hj7Ekwc/s400/benshapewolf.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I'm making a human looking one. :) Less muscles, less tail. I want to keep the humanity of it since my werewolf is for a shapeshifter novel, not a werewolf horror film.
First find a man (or a woman). Wouldn't you know...my mother was right. I need to find a man.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoEPfENDmtk/T5FPyEimA-I/AAAAAAAAB4k/XQB_fU6rwfI/s1600/midthunderben.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733451522250245090" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoEPfENDmtk/T5FPyEimA-I/AAAAAAAAB4k/XQB_fU6rwfI/s400/midthunderben.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 256px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 259px;" /></a><br />
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HERE IS MY MAN.
<b>Why did I choose him?</b><br />
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Well he had black and white background, it's easier to not have to worry about the background. I can easily find a wolf's head on a black background. This way when you blend, you won't need to worry about the trees, grass or buildings. Don't worry, you can always add those in later.
Then I need a wolf's head.
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KmGmCeDJej4/T5FQrDLfMJI/AAAAAAAAB48/BMHJj9olRy0/s1600/wolfheadbigxxs"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733452501137436818" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KmGmCeDJej4/T5FQrDLfMJI/AAAAAAAAB48/BMHJj9olRy0/s400/wolfheadbigxxs" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 351px;" /></a><br />
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I don't recommend you try to make a full body werewolf he first time. The face/neck will do nicely for practice. I chose this wolf because it has a good black background. It'll blend with my man background easily.
<b>Can you just layer one over the other</b>? Sure but it'll look like crap.
It's easier to use the cloning tool in www.ipiccy.com to create a more designed werewolf. Instead, go to fotoflexer.com. Load the man picture. Then click LAYERS then click ADD IMAGES. Load the wolf.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVaJ1a13r9g/T5JAGIB2Z-I/AAAAAAAAB6o/PBhzNlRYbXk/s1600/fotoflexer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVaJ1a13r9g/T5JAGIB2Z-I/AAAAAAAAB6o/PBhzNlRYbXk/s400/fotoflexer.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0p9PGyxUI0/T5JAzolksVI/AAAAAAAAB60/AJlgz9J4XtM/s1600/ipiccy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Resize the wolf to be slightly smaller than the man's head. You'll not want to make the eyes to be too far apart and if you make the wolf head too large. The eyes won't line up if you do.
Then tilt the heads into the same direction of the photos.
Save the two pictures side by side.<br />
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Go to www.ipiccy.com.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0p9PGyxUI0/T5JAzolksVI/AAAAAAAAB60/AJlgz9J4XtM/s1600/ipiccy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0p9PGyxUI0/T5JAzolksVI/AAAAAAAAB60/AJlgz9J4XtM/s400/ipiccy.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Yeah life was easier before Picnik was taken away from the company who shall not be named. But BLAH on them.<br />
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Upload the double photo of man/wolf.<br />
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Scroll down to the clone tool. It's on the table on the left.<br />
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Click the green circle on what you want to copy. Put the white circle on where you want it to be copied to.
I really suggest you make the clone tool small. You want to do this in small pieces.<br />
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Second type, don't be afraid of the FADE functionality to adjust the hair opaqueness. Start on the chest. Best to start on the easiest places. Paint in the chest hair on the man from the ruff hair on the wolf.
You can layer the hair to make it thicker. You can Fade to make the human skin show more.
When you get it right on the neck/chest.
Save.
You will do the face in tiny pieces.<br />
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Next use the far outer hair on the sides of the wolf to layer hair on the cheeks of the man. Use the fade to get the layer between man and wolf.
When you get it right then SAVE.
Now for the hard parts.
Starting at mid-nose on the man and between the eyes on the wolf. Paint the beautiful forehead coloring on the man's forehead and between the eyes.<br />
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Save.<br />
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Then line up the ears where you want them, clone them in.
Blend the blackground using the CLONE tool.
Save.
Then the worst part...the nose.<br />
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Sigh.<br />
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Take the black nose and line it over the end of the man's nose, use the fade to find the right level of darkness. Expect to do it several times to get it the way you want it. That's why you do it last. You'll know when it' looks right.<br />
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Save.<br />
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Then go to Effects (looks like a magical star wand).
Use bloom to soften the picture and vibrancy to make it brighter. set it to where you like it.
SAVE again.<br />
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And now you have a werewolf.<br />
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Okay, it's not perfect. But it is clearly a werewolf man and will work for a book trailer.
Work for you?
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vyActUihgw/T5I9-R30N-I/AAAAAAAAB6c/I_HrA_mgepw/s1600/benshapewolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vyActUihgw/T5I9-R30N-I/AAAAAAAAB6c/I_HrA_mgepw/s400/benshapewolf.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-90547025997886420682012-03-21T00:07:00.007-04:002012-03-21T00:19:46.716-04:00Giveaway Covers againIt's that time of the year again...giveaway covers.<br /><br />These were all created for specific projects but were rejected for some reason or another.<br /><br />The rules work the same as always.<br /><br />Must be used within in six months.<br />Must contact me if you are using the cover so I can list it as inactive.<br />I'll add your title/author name only--No giant edits.<br /><br />Tirz<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuNMrTOhhqY/T2lWFbRn4rI/AAAAAAAAB2c/KxkZtdEJiow/s1600/motorcycle%2Bchickyclean.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuNMrTOhhqY/T2lWFbRn4rI/AAAAAAAAB2c/KxkZtdEJiow/s400/motorcycle%2Bchickyclean.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722199452771934898" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCTvstgoyUk/T2lVwLbdbcI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/dl4BX9uzgvA/s1600/horseinsky22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCTvstgoyUk/T2lVwLbdbcI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/dl4BX9uzgvA/s400/horseinsky22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722199087740972482" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKkqj74G4CU/T2lVryiH3LI/AAAAAAAAB2E/vHaIDbU0o24/s1600/horsegirl18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKkqj74G4CU/T2lVryiH3LI/AAAAAAAAB2E/vHaIDbU0o24/s400/horsegirl18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722199012338556082" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GL71c1haIjE/T2lUodxOHoI/AAAAAAAAB14/nwkmp9ynKMU/s1600/forestredgirl1paint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GL71c1haIjE/T2lUodxOHoI/AAAAAAAAB14/nwkmp9ynKMU/s400/forestredgirl1paint.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722197855713500802" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4qd2ye2esw/T2lUDxn-NNI/AAAAAAAAB1s/nOqyZbszXPg/s1600/beachjeansgirltwo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4qd2ye2esw/T2lUDxn-NNI/AAAAAAAAB1s/nOqyZbszXPg/s400/beachjeansgirltwo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722197225388258514" /></a>TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-87260504948080175352012-02-15T20:48:00.004-05:002012-02-16T13:50:08.253-05:00What A Cover Tells You...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Aj176Qo3GQ/TzxgkgXZhFI/AAAAAAAAB1M/6jqsCBgBGVE/s1600/sepresmokexy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Aj176Qo3GQ/TzxgkgXZhFI/AAAAAAAAB1M/6jqsCBgBGVE/s400/sepresmokexy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709544607878579282" /></a><br /><br />One of the biggest mistakes a self-published author can make in designing their own book cover is trying to tell the entire story in the book cover. The writer wants to take something that took them over 80,000 words and condense it into one image. <br /><br />It's almost impossible and it usually doesn't work anyway.<br /><br />First, you want a cover that let's the eye focus. A cluttered cover usually makes your cover confuse the reader's eye. One doesn't know what to look at which means most readers will just move on.<br /><br />Second, the cover should entice but still leave a surprise for the plot to reveal.<br /><br />Third, the cover should fit your genre and mood. No one buys a romance cover expecting to get a book on a car maintenance. Make it match. <br /><br />Fourth...don't forget to put your title/author name on. Yeah, I know this one doesn't have that. Font matters and should fit the look as well. I'm still working on this one.<br /><br />So look at the lovely cover above (and yes it's a work in progress), what can you tell me about the book from just the cover?<br /><br />Some questions to consider:<br /><br />Who is the main character?<br /><br />What genre is this novel? Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance, Action-Adventure, Humor<br />How can you tell?<br /><br />What is the mood of the book?<br /><br />What is the setting?<br /><br />What is your best guess on the plot?<br /><br />And just think, all that information from from a picture that is very simple.<br /><br />Does that help you plan your cover?TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-48581883534639093782012-01-16T23:01:00.002-05:002012-01-16T23:04:09.128-05:00The Creative Brain (Digital Art)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sutW950aqec/TxTywRXrs3I/AAAAAAAABzU/ddea_5PTqqs/s1600/braincreative.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 147px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sutW950aqec/TxTywRXrs3I/AAAAAAAABzU/ddea_5PTqqs/s400/braincreative.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698446339640898418" /></a><br /><br />I love the digital painter, as you know.<br /><br />This one is called 'The Creative Brain'. <br /><br />TirzTirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-39759203065392241052012-01-09T20:11:00.013-05:002012-01-10T16:20:09.497-05:00Awakening--Adding Wolves to a Picture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXp9exH9oWA/TwuQznarHRI/AAAAAAAAByY/9VQfV1Okqvs/s1600/girlinmist22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXp9exH9oWA/TwuQznarHRI/AAAAAAAAByY/9VQfV1Okqvs/s400/girlinmist22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695805370168712466" /></a><br /><br />Small changes can change the mood of a book cover. The original cover is above. The author wants to add a wolf or wolf eyes to the picture to give more of a hint at the book's plot. But how I add that wolf or wolf eyes without changing the reader's perception of the book?<br /><br />You can't.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />PICTURE DISCUSSIONS:</span><br /><br />In Version 2, I overlaid the full wolf head over picture. This implies the wolf influences the girl and the whole story. The wolf and the girl vie for the main character position. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">VERSION 2</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sM7FcEyz6_w/TwuRjdUkcgI/AAAAAAAABzI/ZDutzMQ5550/s1600/wolfgirlmist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sM7FcEyz6_w/TwuRjdUkcgI/AAAAAAAABzI/ZDutzMQ5550/s400/wolfgirlmist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695806192092475906" /></a><br /><br />However if I change the wolf to just the eyes in the background, it changes the mood and meaning.<br /><br />In the cover below, there are just wolf eyes. To me these eyes seem rather malevolent but that's my impression. It definitely implies supernatural and the wolf influence in the book could be seen as negative or a guardian. The wolf eyes look over on the girl and story. So the wolf sees all but is it looking out for the girl's best interest or looking out to keep the girl from hurting someone else's best interest? VERSION 3.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">VERSION 3</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QoOCYuCjn4g/TwuRRwDxbTI/AAAAAAAAByw/sraozZrIWGs/s1600/wolfmistx.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QoOCYuCjn4g/TwuRRwDxbTI/AAAAAAAAByw/sraozZrIWGs/s400/wolfmistx.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695805887884651826" /></a><br /><br /><br />In the version below (Version 4), the whole wolf head has been integrated. As stated above, the girl and wolf are both trying to be the main character. But is that what the author wants? The wolf is neither negative nor positive in this version. But the wolf overshadows the story in this version. The head is bigger than the girl and facing the reader. <br /><br />The wolf in this story is probably positive or neutral BUT the wolf effects everything. The wolf is the main part of the story.<br /><br />In <span style="font-weight:bold;">Version 4</span>, Large Wolf Head, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOFN94aTF00/TwuQ7ervv7I/AAAAAAAAByk/mywCaZt-jw4/s1600/wolfheadbigx.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOFN94aTF00/TwuQ7ervv7I/AAAAAAAAByk/mywCaZt-jw4/s400/wolfheadbigx.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695805505263353778" /></a><br /><br />In Version 5, the wolf head is small and located over the girl's head. The wolf is smaller than the girl. In this version, the wolf is more a totem or symbolic in the story. It implies, the idea of wolves is center to the story but the girl is the focus. With it being over her head, it implies it is hanging over her head. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">VERSION 5--Small Wolf Head</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-welaI88VdI4/TwuQkRj6ONI/AAAAAAAAByM/zt-4_KAMyoM/s1600/girlwolfmistz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-welaI88VdI4/TwuQkRj6ONI/AAAAAAAAByM/zt-4_KAMyoM/s400/girlwolfmistz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695805106603833554" /></a><br /><br />Ah the white wolf (VERSION 6), angelic, sweet--definitely positive. The wolf is nearly see through so it implies fantasy or supernatural elements. The color implies goodness or angelic. The wolf is looking at the reader but remains close the girl like a guardian. <br /><br />VERSION 6 White Wolf<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZT3vTaKI-A/TwuQcrz7IBI/AAAAAAAAByA/24w-euJJyWA/s1600/twowolveswhite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZT3vTaKI-A/TwuQcrz7IBI/AAAAAAAAByA/24w-euJJyWA/s400/twowolveswhite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695804976211370002" /></a><br /><br />In Version 7, the wolf is dark in color, the eyes are a demonic yellow and the wolf is moving toward the girl and reader. The wolf is aggressive and negative. The wolf is surrounding the girl but it's not good for her. The light ghosty feel to the wolf implies supernatural again...as does the yellow eyes that glow.<br /><br />VERSION 7 Black Wolf<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMEz4lEyO6E/TwuQYNpt53I/AAAAAAAABx0/9ruRSNqbSz4/s1600/twowolvesblack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMEz4lEyO6E/TwuQYNpt53I/AAAAAAAABx0/9ruRSNqbSz4/s400/twowolvesblack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695804899396020082" /></a><br /><br />So small changes such as size, opaqueness and coloring of an image can change the impression of the story. The main image of the story doesn't change, the girl in a red dress at a garden gate looking out at a misty view under the moon.<br /><br />The type of wolves and where they are located gives the reader different clues. So when you create your covers,think about what your images IMPLY to the reader. In this story, I have to ask the author, how does she want the wolves to be perceived in the story? That will tell me what is the right wolf.TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-46475879934689523922012-01-02T23:51:00.003-05:002012-01-02T23:52:52.430-05:00Digital Painting---Green in Evening<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4eXQbYYpMQ/TwKJZJkdCKI/AAAAAAAABxo/C7V_A6T_3PE/s1600/greens1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4eXQbYYpMQ/TwKJZJkdCKI/AAAAAAAABxo/C7V_A6T_3PE/s400/greens1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693263944108279970" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've been playing with the digital painter again.<br /><br />I love that thing.<br /><br />:)<br /><br />This one is the green of leaves in late evening with fireflies mixed in...or perhaps fairy lights? :) So it's not Picasso..I like it anyway.<br /><br /><br /><br />TTirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-36307281483335694932011-12-31T17:10:00.003-05:002012-08-13T22:03:06.945-04:00Reenacting a Murder Cover<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8nq9N0nlm2SaNXNyilql6EKy5zudjcAjJdDQNjgW0GQN69RaneLwoYkG2jEaKkJVig39I6tZfGdf-tRQeLie5XbdeBTngeEEM-vEniI6pJRg5nkEQZCVw4A7Hk-upspza5-af8UY0KM/s1600/reanctzx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776343220744001186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8nq9N0nlm2SaNXNyilql6EKy5zudjcAjJdDQNjgW0GQN69RaneLwoYkG2jEaKkJVig39I6tZfGdf-tRQeLie5XbdeBTngeEEM-vEniI6pJRg5nkEQZCVw4A7Hk-upspza5-af8UY0KM/s320/reanctzx.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is three separate photos. This is a meadow, a man in re-enactment gear and a photo of soldiers working on a cannon. I blended them into one photo. Then I added extra fog to give it a smokey look.<br /><br />I do think the wording is a bit crowded though at the bottom.<br /><br />T<br />TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-58743749125320271062011-12-29T21:53:00.000-05:002011-12-29T21:54:18.745-05:00Final KNoxville Cover Front and back<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myIiseiHZ3A/Tv0nx88rkDI/AAAAAAAABxQ/uQWVgh1Vvj4/s1600/knoxfandbfull.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myIiseiHZ3A/Tv0nx88rkDI/AAAAAAAABxQ/uQWVgh1Vvj4/s320/knoxfandbfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691749243193888818" /></a>TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-54782378942046588872011-12-19T19:37:00.006-05:002011-12-19T19:41:43.939-05:00MURDER IN KNOXVILLE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FijiBks0_w/Tu_ZsNGa-dI/AAAAAAAABxE/5jVkxVp7vfg/s1600/knoxville2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FijiBks0_w/Tu_ZsNGa-dI/AAAAAAAABxE/5jVkxVp7vfg/s320/knoxville2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688004207846291922" /></a> ORIGINAL COVER<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Iap_qSpExI/Tu_Zb863sHI/AAAAAAAABw4/-lUv1ttph_0/s1600/knoxville.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Iap_qSpExI/Tu_Zb863sHI/AAAAAAAABw4/-lUv1ttph_0/s320/knoxville.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688003928624967794" /></a> ORIGNAL PHOTO<br /><br />PAINT ALTERNATES:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHKAoqF9tdE/Tu_ZVYKLFFI/AAAAAAAABws/CInpUto2cnY/s1600/knoxvilleblackout.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHKAoqF9tdE/Tu_ZVYKLFFI/AAAAAAAABws/CInpUto2cnY/s320/knoxvilleblackout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688003815677826130" /></a> BLACKOUT<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTuA1vfwcYc/Tu_ZOALlgoI/AAAAAAAABwg/CruTNP9mx2E/s1600/knoxvillebrush.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTuA1vfwcYc/Tu_ZOALlgoI/AAAAAAAABwg/CruTNP9mx2E/s320/knoxvillebrush.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688003688982217346" /></a> BRUSH<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFChplrURMc/Tu_ZHjPG6sI/AAAAAAAABwU/fhO2vpk4nVc/s1600/knoxvillecutout.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFChplrURMc/Tu_ZHjPG6sI/AAAAAAAABwU/fhO2vpk4nVc/s320/knoxvillecutout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688003578133146306" /></a> CUTOUT<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRu2TdPDfys/Tu_ZAD_2yUI/AAAAAAAABwI/5ck5DGOp1Lc/s1600/knoxvillefresco.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRu2TdPDfys/Tu_ZAD_2yUI/AAAAAAAABwI/5ck5DGOp1Lc/s320/knoxvillefresco.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688003449488591170" /></a> FRESCO<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dUEVQ9c8O8/Tu_Y4rVg0uI/AAAAAAAABv8/hB8HzbPq2dM/s1600/knoxvilleposter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dUEVQ9c8O8/Tu_Y4rVg0uI/AAAAAAAABv8/hB8HzbPq2dM/s320/knoxvilleposter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688003322609455842" /></a> POSTER<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ2EeHQqmu4/Tu_Yxy6wTUI/AAAAAAAABvw/SSQvttnmFg4/s1600/knoxvilleink.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ2EeHQqmu4/Tu_Yxy6wTUI/AAAAAAAABvw/SSQvttnmFg4/s320/knoxvilleink.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688003204385623362" /></a> INKTirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-26920025560638383252011-12-14T17:27:00.004-05:002011-12-14T17:36:13.316-05:00Thinking about Xmas---and not buying gifts<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcN4kIqTsAQ/TukkVXAotFI/AAAAAAAABvY/_E9aEI1IW6s/s1600/charliesheenhalloween.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcN4kIqTsAQ/TukkVXAotFI/AAAAAAAABvY/_E9aEI1IW6s/s400/charliesheenhalloween.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686115953904497746" /></a> Yeah I know it's Xmas. So?<br /><br /><br />It's almost the holiday season and no matter what secular or religious following you are a member of, you're probably going to have to Christmas shop (or Holiday shop depending on where you are).<br /><br />I think this year, we should call off the shopping. I think we should shop in our houses instead. <br /><br />I have lots of 'junk', I'd love to relocate. I have that brand new water purifyer I have never used and entire box of fruit scented soaps (they smell great but hey I'm allergic). Why can't we all agree to gift from our closets rather than our wallets?<br /><br />Anyone want my DVD of Music and Lyrics? I love that movie. Yeah I have a weakness for all things Drew Barrymore. Sigh.<br /><br />And think if your kids exchanged their toys for their cousins toys? Nirvana.<br /><br />And we'd all cut our Christmas costs in half.<br /><br />Hmm...I do admit I'm cheap but honestly how many of you actually get things you'd use for Christmas? I rarely do. I say let's cut out the middle man. I'll give you my junk I think you'll like and you give me your junk you think I'd like.<br /><br />And Edie, I know about your entire closet full of discarded throw pillows. Time to start wrapping the fluff. :) I want the pasha blue ones with the shiny gold stitches.TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-33146460454055761522011-12-04T12:42:00.028-05:002011-12-06T18:38:09.959-05:00Ms. U's Class Covers 14-31This is the second half of the Ms. U's 5th grade class book covers. They all completed NANO and now get a book cover.<br /><br />Tirz<br />_______________________<br /><br />To see the covers from 1 to 13, click the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://acleverwhatever.blogspot.com/2011/12/ms-us-class-covers-123.html">Covers 1 Though 13</a><br /><br /><br />COVER 14<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upzztUCUkJg/TtvSMIvlJPI/AAAAAAAABrQ/2VG2PF0hJKA/s1600/takenover6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upzztUCUkJg/TtvSMIvlJPI/AAAAAAAABrQ/2VG2PF0hJKA/s400/takenover6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682366460805326066" /></a> Blurb: She wants to live a normal life, but her grandparents get killed and she has to take revenge, with the help of a male friend, to get revenge.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJQLICpN62o/Ttu_PJuYXnI/AAAAAAAABqs/qjqgC8Y2vyE/s1600/dragonwars11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJQLICpN62o/Ttu_PJuYXnI/AAAAAAAABqs/qjqgC8Y2vyE/s400/dragonwars11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682345621887409778" /></a><br />Blurb: Austin finds a cave in his new town and wants to become a dragon. He enters and goes on a journey with a red and green dragon to defeat the Mighty Dragon and find an emerald<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gHFt6kyKUU/TtvJ3hxVo9I/AAAAAAAABrE/RVxBW5n7IBg/s1600/toondragon1x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gHFt6kyKUU/TtvJ3hxVo9I/AAAAAAAABrE/RVxBW5n7IBg/s400/toondragon1x.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682357310653309906" /></a><br />Blurb: A dragon asks Shiron to help get the Dragon Gem back from an evil man.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZSwhQdZ_9Q/TtvSbL4hA4I/AAAAAAAABrc/HCcTEa8UyvA/s1600/oceanredhead1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZSwhQdZ_9Q/TtvSbL4hA4I/AAAAAAAABrc/HCcTEa8UyvA/s400/oceanredhead1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682366719346148226" /></a> Blurb: Lizzie’s mother left her and her brother. She gets a letter saying she has to save the oceans and her dad.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0ZoBj_YkoQ/Ttvbdvhd-qI/AAAAAAAABro/AE2gPz0Giao/s1600/gem1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0ZoBj_YkoQ/Ttvbdvhd-qI/AAAAAAAABro/AE2gPz0Giao/s400/gem1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682376658877545122" /></a><br />Blurb: Two sorcerers guard a laptop that is a powerful gem. The MC, Trevor, goes on a quest to get it back but in the end it is destroyed and the sorcerers become mortal again<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg1yy8EMIuk/TtvizNJ87sI/AAAAAAAABr0/roPGyvQaCy4/s1600/trustbox11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg1yy8EMIuk/TtvizNJ87sI/AAAAAAAABr0/roPGyvQaCy4/s400/trustbox11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682384724190621378" /></a><br />Blurb: She trusts the wrong person and gets stuck in a different world (forest world) with her enemy a boy named Austin. They have to work together to escape.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKmVyWXNybg/TtvrrpJblRI/AAAAAAAABsA/HA4VOu0_k2k/s1600/runhorses2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKmVyWXNybg/TtvrrpJblRI/AAAAAAAABsA/HA4VOu0_k2k/s400/runhorses2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682394489870325010" /></a><br />Blurb: She is sent to a boarding school in England and gets involved with a mean girl who is out to make her year miserable. MC enters a horse race that the other girl is in, too.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0Eoo2rjVPE/Ttv4UZa199I/AAAAAAAABsM/MP3xoElLU2I/s1600/tipofwing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0Eoo2rjVPE/Ttv4UZa199I/AAAAAAAABsM/MP3xoElLU2I/s400/tipofwing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682408384162559954" /></a> Blurb: She finds out she is an angel, but she doesn’t want to be. She defeats an evil villain<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INVKkqTpJY0/TtwDVRv2-dI/AAAAAAAABsY/LSGxHv5OIeQ/s1600/cityapocalypse2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INVKkqTpJY0/TtwDVRv2-dI/AAAAAAAABsY/LSGxHv5OIeQ/s400/cityapocalypse2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682420493910997458" /></a> Blurb: Disease has swept the world, killing everyone 13 and older. Craig and his siblings need to get food and water to survive. Mean boy steals their food and destroys their house. In the end, Craig triumphs.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rQVmYOiE2s/TtwMNu2nMeI/AAAAAAAABsw/DB6iYVNngug/s1600/videogame22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rQVmYOiE2s/TtwMNu2nMeI/AAAAAAAABsw/DB6iYVNngug/s400/videogame22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682430259889648098" /></a><br />Blurb: Joe wants a new video game, but Mom won’t buy it because it’s expensive. He does chores to earn the money.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULYMFWG_yAo/TtwSuz7DY8I/AAAAAAAABs8/PKFSV2G8Gho/s1600/iceprencess3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULYMFWG_yAo/TtwSuz7DY8I/AAAAAAAABs8/PKFSV2G8Gho/s400/iceprencess3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682437425255900098" /></a> Blurb: She gets a message on her green emerald necklace that tells her to capture an evil lady who is trying to find a valuable treasure. MC discovers a power to freeze things that she uses to beat the enemy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IM6tnNVkqkM/TtwVsFvoACI/AAAAAAAABtI/QaKvftaIK5g/s1600/dangerpastdark1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IM6tnNVkqkM/TtwVsFvoACI/AAAAAAAABtI/QaKvftaIK5g/s400/dangerpastdark1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682440677035081762" /></a> Blurb: MC goes into a graveyard to find his ancestor’s name on a gravestone. A ghost (Civil War cavalry officer on horse) appears that ends up being his ancestor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aSQxCEc--Dw/TtwZd2NuK6I/AAAAAAAABtg/XGA10KIbUL8/s1600/dragonsword2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aSQxCEc--Dw/TtwZd2NuK6I/AAAAAAAABtg/XGA10KIbUL8/s400/dragonsword2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682444830394690466" /></a> Blurb: Prince goes on a journey to find a sword protected by a dragon and a wizard.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIBOuTLFq58/TtwfU1ndoAI/AAAAAAAABts/tp4wr8M9ER8/s1600/mouseescape1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIBOuTLFq58/TtwfU1ndoAI/AAAAAAAABts/tp4wr8M9ER8/s400/mouseescape1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682451272685166594" /></a><br />Blurb: The mouse and her sister want to escape from the girl who kidnapped them. The girl and her cat prevent them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxc-mlSWraQ/TtwigjOhgiI/AAAAAAAABt4/28lFflWUnl8/s1600/motorcross2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxc-mlSWraQ/TtwigjOhgiI/AAAAAAAABt4/28lFflWUnl8/s400/motorcross2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682454772442038818" /></a> Blurb: MC and his brother and a friend race moto cross motorcycles. A series of accidents tests their friendship.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRq-DLXI3mA/Ttwx8la-zNI/AAAAAAAABuE/wXAV7oL-lOA/s1600/likefather1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRq-DLXI3mA/Ttwx8la-zNI/AAAAAAAABuE/wXAV7oL-lOA/s400/likefather1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682471746741914834" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVYGUhUc8eg/Tt6nQZy53SI/AAAAAAAABvM/ZwEmocXHsjk/s1600/hoverboard1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVYGUhUc8eg/Tt6nQZy53SI/AAAAAAAABvM/ZwEmocXHsjk/s400/hoverboard1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683163680032283938" /></a><br /><br /><br />Blurb: He goes to spy on a rival gang leader in a secret warehouse. He has a hoverboard and a laser gun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TI4m-SYP1y0/Ttw4F2BnrvI/AAAAAAAABuQ/m2YxH85kL0s/s1600/nerdjungle13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TI4m-SYP1y0/Ttw4F2BnrvI/AAAAAAAABuQ/m2YxH85kL0s/s400/nerdjungle13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682478502887534322" /></a> Blurb: The love of his life dies of a mysterious illness and he goes on a quest to find out what it is. Leaves the city to go to a jungle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfqhb2XKyNg/TtxDEw07VdI/AAAAAAAABuo/TTRKTsOlysM/s1600/scourage11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfqhb2XKyNg/TtxDEw07VdI/AAAAAAAABuo/TTRKTsOlysM/s400/scourage11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682490578940155346" /></a><br />Blurb: MC is caught in Gamis Fief during an attempted takeover. He is pursued by a group of soldiers led by a Vampire Hunter.TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-23096066459903490122011-12-04T00:55:00.027-05:002011-12-06T01:13:24.583-05:00Ms. U's Class Covers 1-13Ms. U's class completed NANO this year. I'm creating a book cover for each student. I'm including the book cover and the blurb of the book.<br /><br />To see the second half of the covers, click the link below:<br /><br /><a href="http://acleverwhatever.blogspot.com/2011/12/ms-us-class-covers-14-31.html">Covers 14 Through 31</a><br /><br />Tirz<br />_______________<br />COVERS 1 through 14<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-YPdODXH0Y/TtsLbbEl-_I/AAAAAAAABng/ufoMH68stqE/s1600/beyondthewall12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-YPdODXH0Y/TtsLbbEl-_I/AAAAAAAABng/ufoMH68stqE/s400/beyondthewall12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682147920609410034" /></a><br />Book Blurb: Tahoma lives with her mother and younger sister in a jungle/forest/savannah about 100 years in the future. Her sister becomes ill and must go to the city for a cure. Mother doesn’t allow it, so Tahoma sneaks off with the help of her cousin and a man she learns is her father, gets the medicine and comes home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ--oJScQao/TtsrZjsDrsI/AAAAAAAABoc/aovNAzsZpEA/s1600/badluckbraclet55.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ--oJScQao/TtsrZjsDrsI/AAAAAAAABoc/aovNAzsZpEA/s400/badluckbraclet55.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682183072934768322" /></a><br />BOOK BLURB: Skye, her cousin, and her friend want to find a magical bracelet that was stolen from the friend. Then they try to steal it back. The thief gives it back and later the friends find out why.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0FLIsuXLME/TtsYvAY0n2I/AAAAAAAABn4/ddfgATHfsYs/s1600/memoryquest12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0FLIsuXLME/TtsYvAY0n2I/AAAAAAAABn4/ddfgATHfsYs/s400/memoryquest12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682162550695042914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otOjwzaG99E/Tt2yXKG-y4I/AAAAAAAABvA/BbqoeDobyTc/s1600/mouthfixed2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otOjwzaG99E/Tt2yXKG-y4I/AAAAAAAABvA/BbqoeDobyTc/s400/mouthfixed2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682894415731805058" /></a><br />Book Blurb: Yumi wants to find her long lost brother who has been hypnotized to follow Akuma’s orders.<br />---------<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQs26OVbM-Q/TtspZrBYudI/AAAAAAAABoQ/GdsIu0jmAvs/s1600/dragong13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQs26OVbM-Q/TtspZrBYudI/AAAAAAAABoQ/GdsIu0jmAvs/s400/dragong13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682180875880020434" /></a><br />Book Blurb: The boy's family is killed, and all the people in L.A. he and a friend search for the murderer. In the process, they acquire dragons to help them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fr6ziQc83Fo/Tts0ILRIEMI/AAAAAAAABoo/tYvw2mIRUC8/s1600/Questoflife.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fr6ziQc83Fo/Tts0ILRIEMI/AAAAAAAABoo/tYvw2mIRUC8/s400/Questoflife.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682192669926232258" /></a><br />Book Blurb: Danny wants to collect forest ingredients to give his mother life, but the evil overlord shows up with his son. Can he save her?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCXNDRTo9yQ/TttLx9P7nYI/AAAAAAAABo0/69Up7WgvGdc/s1600/blackstone1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCXNDRTo9yQ/TttLx9P7nYI/AAAAAAAABo0/69Up7WgvGdc/s400/blackstone1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682218676485070210" /></a> Book Blurb: Nico has to retrieve the black stone of eternity or else...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA2WWDVRSlY/TttZBlylIWI/AAAAAAAABpA/Vlycjxk9E2E/s1600/reddragon12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA2WWDVRSlY/TttZBlylIWI/AAAAAAAABpA/Vlycjxk9E2E/s400/reddragon12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682233238717014370" /></a> Book Blurb: Dominic wants to save his grandpa’s life by getting the Emerald of Life. Dragons guard it, but he and his friend defeat them and make grandpa healthy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2gsFoLtUveQ/TttfvYT11jI/AAAAAAAABpM/ct8yn9owBc8/s1600/ninjaimage12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2gsFoLtUveQ/TttfvYT11jI/AAAAAAAABpM/ct8yn9owBc8/s400/ninjaimage12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682240622442174002" /></a><br />Book Blurb: Toshiro wants to gain great honor but he doesn’t want his friends to die in Chin Ling’s trap.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZTQWIJUNJc/TttnqMZVhlI/AAAAAAAABpY/YKJTfbPfGFw/s1600/girlwithsword12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZTQWIJUNJc/TttnqMZVhlI/AAAAAAAABpY/YKJTfbPfGFw/s400/girlwithsword12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682249329437673042" /></a><br />Book blurb: Rei moves from Japan to San Francisco and meets Lani, a beautiful girl trapped in a curse, and Saeko, a boy who can change into a cat. They go on a quest to free Lani.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tlt2pZU-Wo/Ttt2uso81yI/AAAAAAAABpk/QkAn18dnId8/s1600/brothermagic22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tlt2pZU-Wo/Ttt2uso81yI/AAAAAAAABpk/QkAn18dnId8/s400/brothermagic22.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682265899486992162" /></a> Blurb: Nick wanted to be the best wizard ever, but kept getting attacked by another boy during training. Later he discovers that boy is his brother and they are reunited.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BErA94ubAMw/TtubpBJeKNI/AAAAAAAABqI/QfXuBp1hmVo/s1600/pepper125.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BErA94ubAMw/TtubpBJeKNI/AAAAAAAABqI/QfXuBp1hmVo/s400/pepper125.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682306483843115218" /></a><br /> Blurb: Macy’s father dies and she moves to her grandparent’s and a new school. Another girl sabotages Macy’s part in a play by putting pepper in her water so she can’t sing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vnYVYLWqGY/TtuN09XuZaI/AAAAAAAABp8/vCUsxiXplg8/s1600/letterinattic134.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vnYVYLWqGY/TtuN09XuZaI/AAAAAAAABp8/vCUsxiXplg8/s400/letterinattic134.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682291295824799138" /></a><br />Book Blurb: Eliza finds a letter in her grandmother’s attic that sends her on a quest to save her town from an evil overlord who has cursed it. She discovers the overlord is her long lost father.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-kxmG9FdpE/TtuqAnJGGpI/AAAAAAAABqU/EVrGmt2YsrU/s1600/redwind14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-kxmG9FdpE/TtuqAnJGGpI/AAAAAAAABqU/EVrGmt2YsrU/s400/redwind14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682322282341866130" /></a><br />Blurb: She wants to save her brother, but Frankie was in her way. A wind spirit helps her make the right choices.TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-87922991225721792852011-11-23T21:10:00.007-05:002011-11-23T21:16:31.132-05:00Santa's Off Season (POEM)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH9quV1PR_w/Ts2oJbddK9I/AAAAAAAABnU/sfsmABETdvQ/s1600/santaball.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH9quV1PR_w/Ts2oJbddK9I/AAAAAAAABnU/sfsmABETdvQ/s320/santaball.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678379585127656402" /></a><br />I post this poem I wrote every Christmas Season because it makes me laugh. I wrote it and yes I still laugh at it. I wrote it for a contest years ago.<br /><br />:) I hope you laugh too.<br /><br />Tirzah<br />__________________<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Santa’s Off Season</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">No, I ain’t gonna sit in your lap.<br />Don’t want no presents, no gifts,<br />don’t need no old man to give my skirt a lift.<br />You got a belly like jelly,<br />and crumbs in your beard.<br />And what's that smell? Wet reindeer?<br /><br />And it’s none of your business <br />if I’ve been naughty or nice...<br />Sober up, fool, and go home to you wife.<br />Your cheeks are all rosy, your eyes have a shine,<br />I know that look...too much wine.<br />And breaking into houses,<br />that, moron, is a crime.<br /><br />I just came over to say...<br />that you, old man, you're in my way,<br />so move that god-forsaken sleigh.</span>TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-18302887294755456482011-11-20T10:19:00.013-05:002011-11-20T10:47:31.045-05:00The Vampire Cover--for NadiaThis vampire cover is not romantic. The book is about and angry, ill vampire.<br /><br />Nadia needs for her friends and family to be able to see the possible changes side by side so I've listed them below.<br /><br />So far the author wants the teeth bared, face close up and prefers blond hair. So concentrate on the close ups.<br /><br />I prefer this one:<br />VERSION: DARK SHADOW, Blond Hair, Teeth Bared 6<br /><br />Tirz<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZWIkit3t0Q/TskcAzwcW8I/AAAAAAAABnI/1-byFTyAgW0/s1600/hairvampposter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZWIkit3t0Q/TskcAzwcW8I/AAAAAAAABnI/1-byFTyAgW0/s400/hairvampposter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677099605496191938" /></a>VERSION: RED POSTER 9<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZ2cjt0l_d4/Tskb69RZKzI/AAAAAAAABm8/tjzmb-Sq9vw/s1600/hairvampcartoonred.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZ2cjt0l_d4/Tskb69RZKzI/AAAAAAAABm8/tjzmb-Sq9vw/s400/hairvampcartoonred.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677099504971098930" /></a>VERSION: CARTOON RED 8<br />___________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1HudUVLE54/Tskb2B7LHEI/AAAAAAAABmw/YTyA8ImEEEE/s1600/hairvampdemonred.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1HudUVLE54/Tskb2B7LHEI/AAAAAAAABmw/YTyA8ImEEEE/s400/hairvampdemonred.jpg" border="0" <br />alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677099420320734274" /></a> VERSION: DEMON RED TINT 7<br /><br />_____________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRFLRmmYJ_E/TskbxbRVWiI/AAAAAAAABmk/ZePpiLMY4ng/s1600/hairvampdark.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRFLRmmYJ_E/TskbxbRVWiI/AAAAAAAABmk/ZePpiLMY4ng/s400/hairvampdark.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677099341225220642" /></a>VERSION: DARK SHADOW, Blond Hair, Teeth Bared 6<br />___________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDOTZImLsLM/TskbtKp65QI/AAAAAAAABmY/XRdWcgzNcHM/s1600/hairvamp33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDOTZImLsLM/TskbtKp65QI/AAAAAAAABmY/XRdWcgzNcHM/s400/hairvamp33.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677099268045464834" /></a><br />VERSION: Plain Blond 5<br />__________<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4Wq0ZfGq40/TskbZPYKVQI/AAAAAAAABmM/4-TUldr6Pcc/s1600/vampireguy55.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4Wq0ZfGq40/TskbZPYKVQI/AAAAAAAABmM/4-TUldr6Pcc/s400/vampireguy55.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677098925715772674" /></a>VERSION: REJECTED ORIGINAL WINTER TINT, Shadow Trim, Full Body 4<br /><br />__________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQgYnhoDeHc/TskbLUvpDTI/AAAAAAAABmA/lyq7bUYvVCQ/s1600/teethvampire12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQgYnhoDeHc/TskbLUvpDTI/AAAAAAAABmA/lyq7bUYvVCQ/s400/teethvampire12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677098686638263602" /></a> VERSION: DARK HAIR, TEETH Bared<br />3<br /><br />_____________________<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skPFxHYlPVs/Tska99mDAkI/AAAAAAAABl0/-eJ35o09lwc/s1600/vampireguyvamp1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skPFxHYlPVs/Tska99mDAkI/AAAAAAAABl0/-eJ35o09lwc/s400/vampireguyvamp1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677098457085706818" /></a> VERSION: REJECTED FULL BODY YELLOW Cemetary<br />2<br />__________<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIvIeR_LWec/Tska2FoGPsI/AAAAAAAABlo/ycIIsen1Leg/s1600/vampireguysadclean.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIvIeR_LWec/Tska2FoGPsI/AAAAAAAABlo/ycIIsen1Leg/s400/vampireguysadclean.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677098321802837698" /></a>VERSION: REJECTED Rainbow Vampire <br />1TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-55333302136065417922011-11-14T17:44:00.003-05:002011-11-14T17:52:26.214-05:00Odd Quotes that amuse me...Those who can't think well, often speak the loudest.<br /><br />To find monsters, look inside yourself first.<br /><br />If your greatest fear is dying, then you've never really been afraid.<br /><br />My zombie can eat your vampire.<br /><br />If God had wanted you to be happy, you would have been born someone else.<br /><br />Jesus loves you;I'm not Jesus.<br /><br />Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one but you probably don't to see it up close and personal.<br /><br /><strong>What are some odd quotes you like?</strong>TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-68047302738343523352011-11-10T20:22:00.022-05:002011-11-10T23:13:33.076-05:00Discussing Books From Authors I Know<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJRmuQDrjsw/TrycN9FNnHI/AAAAAAAABlc/mBRYeGQgEKI/s1600/atreepurple.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJRmuQDrjsw/TrycN9FNnHI/AAAAAAAABlc/mBRYeGQgEKI/s200/atreepurple.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673581394128641138" /></a><br />Hey Bunnies,<br /><br />Have you missed me? The computer is up and working again. I've been thinking about all the great writers I know through my website and my workshop and I realized that I know a lot of published writers. <br /><br />So today I'm going to talk about the books published by people I know. I hope you'll look at these books and consider adding them to your read list.<br /><br />After compiling the list, I realize I know a LOT of authors, both traditionally published and independently published. Due to the sheer number of books, I'm splitting this post up. The second half will be posted over the weekend. <br /><br />The books talked about on this post are: <strong>The Celibate Mouse, I Wish I Were Engulfed by Flames, Girl in The Box, This Time You Lose, The Bum Magnet, Far From Happy, The Grateful Undead: They're So Vein, The Love Thing</strong>Tirzah <br /><br />Books from AUTHORS I KNOW:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay7KQyrDY5k/Trx92tNoE4I/AAAAAAAABlQ/8ZxZ7uX5u2s/s1600/celibatemouse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay7KQyrDY5k/Trx92tNoE4I/AAAAAAAABlQ/8ZxZ7uX5u2s/s200/celibatemouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673548009383138178" /></a><br /><strong>The Celibate Mouse</strong>--Diana Hockley<br />Book Description: Shell-shocked from a tragedy at work and an acrimonious domestic upheaval, Detective Senior Sergeant Susan Prescott flees town to recuperate, but fate has other ideas. Her plan to house-sit for relatives in a rural community is shattered when Susan witnesses a very public murder within an hour of her arrival.<br /><a href="http://animoto.com/play/RoCsnwfqKjgVR4Njst4lrA">Click Here For Book Trailer</a><br /><br /><strong>My Thoughts On the Cover</strong>: I love Diana's book cover...although I probably would have made the red coat a little brighter...lol. But I think it's a great cover and really builds suspense. And I'm a little sad I didn't create it. :) This book was one of the first ones I made a book trailer for so I'm fond of it.<br /><br />Thoughts on the Book: Oh I love a good murder mystery, don't you? The plot is beautifully detailed. I really think it'd make a nice weekend mystery for television--someone tell a producer. The characters are flawed enough to be human and interesting enough to deserve a book be told about them. <br /><br />Overall, I find this to be a great little rainy day murder mystery, perfect for curling up to in a warm bed. Hey, I have no boyfriend so if I chose to curl a book, don't judge me. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceQMJZY_oAg/Trx9ic6EGzI/AAAAAAAABlE/K9SpvOTUkds/s1600/invisible%2Bcover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceQMJZY_oAg/Trx9ic6EGzI/AAAAAAAABlE/K9SpvOTUkds/s200/invisible%2Bcover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673547661408738098" /></a><br /><strong>Invisible</strong>-Jeanne Bannon<br /><br /><strong>Description:</strong> Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that... For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose. Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish.<br /><br /><a href="http://animoto.com/play/RY543CrsPuGNqlxQq2kspg">Click Here for BOOK TRAILER</a><br /><strong>My Thoughts on the Cover</strong>--This designer went for less is more. The eyes grab you in the middle of all that whiteness. The feel of aloneness feeds into the plot. This cover shows restraint sometimes is best. <br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on the Book</strong>: Jeanne can thank The Hunger Games for gettting me excited about YA again. After years of reading bad teen porn (what else can I call those adolescent make out books with some sort of magic in them?), that book made me excited for YA again. So I was willing to give her LOLA a chance. I related heavily with her main character. Haven't we all felt like the ugly duckling and haven't we all wished to disappear? This book is one that should be read in high schools. I think it has what so few YA books have--it has heart. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hn06wEiLwEU/Trx9KZKCwQI/AAAAAAAABk4/-YLsrr0EpOM/s1600/apocalysecover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hn06wEiLwEU/Trx9KZKCwQI/AAAAAAAABk4/-YLsrr0EpOM/s200/apocalysecover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673547248085156098" /></a><br /><strong>The Apocalypse Gene--<br />Description</strong>: Global pandemic is raging.<br /><br />Olivya Wright-Ono's once loving home has been converted to a hospice for the dying. Her ability to see auras forces her to witness, with agonizing detail, the vibrant colors of life consumed by malignancy. When Olivya sees evidence of disease creeping into her mother's aura, she has no one to turn to but Mikah. Can he unearth the Kindred secrets and find a cure? Can she trust this boy whose power allows him to manipulate her very emotions? With her mother's life, and that of the world, in the balance, Olivya and Mikah embark on a quest to stop the Pandemic, only to discover it is far, far more than a mere disease . . . <br /><br />Click Here for the <a href="http://www.theapocalypsegene.com/">BOOK WEBSITE</a><br /><strong>My Thoughts On The Cover</strong>--Ah love the lightening blended with the DNA strands. It's science and fantasy blended. I wasn't sure I liked the brigher color strands at first but I've warmed up to it. <br /><br /><strong>Book Thoughts</strong>--Another YA that should thank The Hunger Games I've warmed up to YA again. I'm so glad I didn't miss this book. The book is dark but never hopeless. It's a wonderful blend of dysopia, love story, a touch of sci-fi and a bit of fantasy. Boys and girls, it's Christmas already and I'm happy with my gift. :) What I was struck by in the book is how effortlessly the world building is done. I believe in this futuristic dark Chicago. I hope for Mikah and Olivya. And the authors slowly lead the reader forward until the whole premise seems like truth. Hard to do but---so wonderful to read. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDqufBaoMOs/Trx88W7cGLI/AAAAAAAABks/H4cVOCCw4C0/s1600/hardware.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDqufBaoMOs/Trx88W7cGLI/AAAAAAAABks/H4cVOCCw4C0/s200/hardware.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673547006968862898" /></a><br />Hardware--J.L. Campbell<br /><br /><strong>Descrption</strong>: Camille Moyston has managed to put the nightmare of a violent attack behind her. Having forged a safe, predictable life, the last thing she needs is a cliché, oversexed Jamaican male expressing interest.For Quinn Mayhew, life is too good to waste time chasing a haughty, irritable woman who is too cautious to accept him for the man he is, but somehow she symbolizes everything he desires in his future.<br /><br />When Camille's inner fortress finally starts to crumble, Quinn is arrested for murder and everything changes... <br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on the Cover</strong>--Lovely blue water tones, sexy kiss...it tells me what I'm getting. A tension filled love story set near the water. <br /><br />Check out Joy's website: <a href="http://thecharacterdepot.blogspot.com/">The Character Depot</a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on the Book</strong>--I haven't read this one. BUT I have read Joy's award winning short stories and I love the taste of Jamaica in her books so I can't imagine this isn't a good book. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbPMXw2p2oM/Trx8tciAApI/AAAAAAAABkg/YdHvoh5m_eE/s1600/ungratefuldead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbPMXw2p2oM/Trx8tciAApI/AAAAAAAABkg/YdHvoh5m_eE/s200/ungratefuldead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673546750774739602" /></a><br /><strong>The Grateful Undead</strong> <br /><strong>Descripton</strong>:--Be careful what you pray for. I merely asked to live a long healthy life and hinted that I wouldn't mind starting over while keeping the knowledge I had accumulated in my 58 years. And if a more youthful body and less wrinkles were involved, I certainly wouldn't complain. Well, I'm here to tell you, God does listen… to everything… and he's got quite a frigging sense of humor. I'm the undead proof. And so are the rest of my family, the whole dysfunctional lot, who wasted no time in baring their necks for a chance to share in my new found fountain of vampire youth.<br /><br /><strong>Cover</strong>--It's irreverant and so is the book. I still think it needs more color. But I always love more...that's why I no longer own a bedazzler. :) <br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on the Book</strong>--HAHAHAHAHAHA--does that sum it up? The only thing worse than a house full of pissy menopausal women is a house full of pissy women with 20 year old bodies and bad attitudes. It's a darkly funny.If any of you have ever had family problems or 'female' problems and love the vampire life---please, please go buy this one. Volume 2 comes out soon--Gator Baitin'. <br /><br />Check out her website: <a href="http://thegratefulundead.blogspot.com/">The Grateful Undead: They're So Vein</a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9vP3rI-olmM/Trx77FXhoFI/AAAAAAAABkU/rGh7rhbyUYk/s1600/farfromhappy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9vP3rI-olmM/Trx77FXhoFI/AAAAAAAABkU/rGh7rhbyUYk/s200/farfromhappy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673545885563330642" /></a><br />Far From Happy-- Jeni Decker/Not Yet Published<br /><br /><strong>Description</strong>: Jackson Fouchet steps off a bus at the Port Authority in June of 1987—directly onto Times Square—an 18 year old kid with the word naiveté plastered across his forehead.Immediately spotted by a young hustler, he begins his journey from peep shows to the last bathhouses, getting involved with Mr. B, the mob-connected owner of multiple clubs, all under fire from a new mayor embarking on an anti-sleaze campaign directed squarely at The Deuce. <br /><br />He spends the next 20 years on the streets trying to swim against the mob who controls the gay sex trade, the politicians trying to eliminate it, and the misfits addicted to it—until a call in 2008 forces him return to his native New Orleans and a dying sister. Coming home proves harder than coming out in this story about love, family and acceptance.<br /> <br /><strong>PUBLISHER WEEKLY Review: <em>"[Far From Happy] does a fine job navigating inner turmoil, family dynamics and political realities, grabbing you by the heart even when you’d rather turn away. Its no-holds-barred sexual content is challenging, but far from gratuitous; rather, it sharpens an already edgy story of indifference, shame, and, finally, acceptance</em>."</strong><br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on The Book:</strong> I read this book in my online workshop before it was picked up by a publisher. If you've never read LGBT literature, this book may be the one to start with. It's gritty and the sex scenes may be overly graphic for some BUT this book is more about emotional growth of Jackson. Yes, he was a hustler but Jackson is also a person who is broken emotionally. I bawled reading this book, just bawled. I was at turns repulsed by Jackson and heartbroken by him. In the end, I just really wanted to save him. It's a wonderful book but it is NOT for every reader. Be prepared for a gritty, dark climb into the light.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87KmX2i3uxQ/Trx7d91iBdI/AAAAAAAABkI/iCR3WZEfewk/s1600/engulfed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87KmX2i3uxQ/Trx7d91iBdI/AAAAAAAABkI/iCR3WZEfewk/s200/engulfed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673545385325495762" /></a><br /><strong> I Wish I Were Engulfed In Flames</strong>-Jeni Decker<br /><br /><strong>Description</strong>: This is Jeni's brutally honesty and darkly funny memoir on raising two boys with autism. <br /><a href="http://animoto.com/play/ZbBGVhrKesmzrc9oWtkvbw">CLICK HERE FOR BOOK TRAILER</a><br /><br /><strong>Book Cover</strong>--It's kitchy. The cover was debated, disected and discussed to death at my workshop. Although I don't think it would have been the author's first choice, I think it does grab the eye off the book shelf. What I worry about is that the cover is a bit cutesy. As the book's title tells you, this is a funny memoir with an edge. The edge is missing in the cover.<br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on Novel</strong>: This is non-fiction. If you are looking for a book where we all hold hands sing 'Oh Happy Day', this isn't that book. Engulfed is an honest book full of frustration, pain, love, anger and laughter. Probably the most commerical of Jeni's books, it's still a book unafraid to look you in the eye and tell the truth. A rare commodity. <br /><br /><a href="http://closetspacemusings.blogspot.com/p/far-from-happy.html">VISIT JENI DECKER's WEBSITE</a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAcp2qY5Ka0/Trx61Rp2DeI/AAAAAAAABj8/KR2XGGfn-3Q/s1600/timeyoulose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAcp2qY5Ka0/Trx61Rp2DeI/AAAAAAAABj8/KR2XGGfn-3Q/s200/timeyoulose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673544686270549474" /></a><br /><strong>This Time You Lose</strong>--Chris Strayln <br /><br /><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong>: What would you do if street thugs invaded your home? What if you’re a daycare provider, caring for a dozen children at the time? Lisa Kaamp, a most unlikely heroine, faces just such a nightmare in This Time You Lose, the suspense driven story of one woman’s struggle to survive when she and the children she cares for become victims of a home invasion gone terribly wrong. Lisa Kaamp operates a small childcare business out of her home in Nogeksum, Michigan. Highly respected and known for going the extra mile for her daycare kids, she thinks she’s handled every daycare emergency possible. But nothing prepares her for the horror she now faces. Lisa finds herself bound and gagged, four strange men in her home, and the daycare children held hostage in the next room.<br /><br /><strong>Book Cover</strong>--One of the very first covers I ever designed so, of course, I LOVE it. Hah.<br /><br /><strong>Book Thoughts</strong>: A home invasion story where being a hero is more than just words. It's a tense book, a real nail biter. It reads quickly but you'll be reading it sitting on the edge of your chair. Not a book if you have high blood pressure, the excitement may hurt you. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thistimeyoulose.com/">CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE</a> for This Time You Lose<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFLid7R_vnA/Trx6Zc4Oa6I/AAAAAAAABjw/QCLhp4phWeg/s1600/girlinbox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 151px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFLid7R_vnA/Trx6Zc4Oa6I/AAAAAAAABjw/QCLhp4phWeg/s200/girlinbox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673544208247319458" /></a><br /><strong>Girl In The Box</strong>--Sheila Dalton<br /><br /><strong>Official Reviews</strong><br /><strong>ABNA Publisher Weekly Review</strong> <br /><em>In a series of deftly handled flashes ... this novel successfully juggles themes involving relationships, commitment, professional jealousy and helplessness in the face of international issues</em>. <br /> <br />--<strong>Publishers' Weekly</strong><br /><em>One to Watch: The protagonist's dark past, not to mention the book's focus on international issues, professional jealousy and journalistic crusading, is akin to [Stieg] Larsson's Lizbet Salander</em>. --Quill and Quire, Jan./Feb. 2011 <br /><br /><strong>Description:</strong> Caitlin Shaughnessy, a Canadian journalist, discovers that Inez, a traumatized young Mayan woman originally from Guatemala, has killed Caitlin's psychoanalyst partner, Dr. Jerry Simpson. Simpson brought the girl, who may be autistic, back to Canada as an act of mercy and to attempt to treat her obvious trauma. Cailin desperately needs to find out why this terrible incident occurred so she can find the strength to forgive and move on with her life.<br /><br /><a href="http://animoto.com/play/2JwL90O5Gxofj7pqUaefUA">CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOK TRAILER</a><br /><strong>Book Cover</strong>: I like the subtle colors of the cover. I also like that the girl is faceless. The cover echoes the title, she's boxed and removed from color. It's sad cover but very self-contained, just like Inez. I also really liked what they did with the font. Font is so important.<br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on the Book</strong>: The book builds slowly. Unlike so much of the in your face suspense, this book warms to a acid burn of psychological suspense. Oh what a film this would make, somebody get ten million together and help Shelia bring it to the screen. I think the opening scene where the image of Christ is bleeding sets the theme for Inez. Both she and Jerry are both sacrificed for the sins of others. Am I reading too much into it? Dunno. <br /><br />Beautifully paced, emotionally suspenseful--The Girl in The Box is what psychological suspense use to be when it was still good. You won't get Die Hard action so if you want car chases and jiggling boobs, it's not the book for you. But if you like a thinking suspense book that grows organically? Then buys this!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5INgWyntQ9c/Trx48-Cr31I/AAAAAAAABjA/7iHVpW7ljqs/s1600/bummagnet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5INgWyntQ9c/Trx48-Cr31I/AAAAAAAABjA/7iHVpW7ljqs/s200/bummagnet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673542619421728594" /></a><br /><strong>The Bum Magnet</strong>--K.L. Brady<br /><br /><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong>: Charisse Tyson’s got it all going on . . .<br />She’s a savvy, successful real-estate agent with a quick wit, a low tolerance for BS, a gorgeous size-14 body, and a thirst for top shelf vodka. Despite her dream house, luxury car, and appetite for life’s best—like fine dining and hot men—she seems to have her own special talent for attracting players. Why do all of her ex-lovers belong in the Losers Hall of Fame? <br /><br />There was Lamar, the hazel-eyed Adonis who sowed more wild oats than Quaker. . . Sean, an expert at juggling relationships . . . Marcus, whose lips wandered as often as his eyes . . . and others, too. But just as Rissey swears off sex and vows to dump her emotional baggage, she meets house-hunting client Dwayne Gibson. There’s no way she can resist his seductive smile and rock-hard body. . . . Will Dwayne turn out to be the biggest bum of them all? Or will this time be different?<br /><br /><strong>Book Cover</strong>: There are so few great racially diverse stock photos, that's why I was so excited to see the cover for 'The Bum Magnet'. The African American model is beautiful, plus-size and gorgeous. Pefect for the character. The only thing I might have added was a bit more sex but can you have too much sex? <br /><br /><strong>Thoughts on the Book</strong>: I read the early draft of this book on my online workshop. Karla shopped it for a bit but couldn't quite find a place for it. Then she self-published the book...it sold well and attracted the attention of a mainstream traditional publisher. This book is the pubilishing Cinderella tale. Her second book publishes within months. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-os1d8pDDy58/Trx5qVrwHeI/AAAAAAAABjM/Uh4udqq_2oU/s1600/lovething.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-os1d8pDDy58/Trx5qVrwHeI/AAAAAAAABjM/Uh4udqq_2oU/s200/lovething.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673543398862101986" /></a><br /><strong>The Love Thing</strong>--Chris Delyani<br /><br /><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong>: Twenty-two-year old Greg DeAngelis moves to San Francisco from New York to escape his overbearing father, who's pressuring him to go to law school, and his ex-boyfriend Matthew, who dumps him for an older, richer man. To make desperately needed money Greg temps at a law firm, where he blunders into the role of the firm’s official birthday cake maker—despite his utter lack of culinary skill. A lot of guys vie for the hero’s attention as he navigates the rough waters of office politics and single life in San Francisco, but only one of them can give him "the love thing." Can he figure out which one, before it's too late? This comic novel is about the importance of love and friendship, and of knowing who your true friends really are.<br /><br /><strong>Book Cover</strong>--Actually, it's not one of my favorite covers. I think this cover could use a little romance. :) BUt it's not a bad cover, just not as engaging as I'd like.<br /><br /><strong>Book Thoughts</strong>: This was my first male-male romance. It opened my eyes to a whole world of LGBT books that are at heart--romantic. The main charcter is a bit lost. Greg's dad wants him to be a lawyer and he'd be good at it but his heart's not in it. When the guy he loves leaves him for another man, Greg re-locates, finds a temp job and searches for himself. He makes a few wrong turns in life, love and cake recipes but I loved this young man. I wanted him happy. It's a sweet book. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Thing-Chris-Delyani/dp/1439244421/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320982786&sr=1-1">AMAZON PAGE</a><br /><br />Check in next week for more books by authors I know.TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-6846759392645201732011-11-08T09:51:00.000-05:002011-11-08T09:52:22.034-05:00Computer Problems-_Delay in Tuesday POstLost my keyboard. May have a delay in posting this week.<br /><br />Sorry!<br /><br />TirzTirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014572647529500210.post-46346264279102317412011-11-05T11:13:00.003-04:002011-11-05T11:20:52.712-04:00GLAZED (Short Story)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLq0Y53_SSw/TrVT9gtVMcI/AAAAAAAABi0/2Np15esqMMM/s1600/donutes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLq0Y53_SSw/TrVT9gtVMcI/AAAAAAAABi0/2Np15esqMMM/s320/donutes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671531621960200642" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Glazed was written years ago. It's all about a guy that is so focused on his own pleasures, he missed the important stuff. It's so old and I'd do it differently now. Honestly I don't think I'd write it this way at all now. I do love that I got to play with taste and scent. The food descriptions were so much fun.<br /><br />But I think it's a bit rushed and it's not as well developed as it could be. <br /><br />Still it's amusing so I'm sharing. Here is one of my early short stories</span>---<span style="font-weight:bold;">Glazed</span>.<br /><br />Tirzah<br />__________<br /><br />Glass rained down in a sparkling cloudburst. Slivers of light, like live things speared into the passersby. I could barely hear the people screaming from inside my bakery but I could see it in dazzling techno-color.<br /><br />People, smeared with bright streaks of blood, were scattered over the street. Some still, some running, and the worst, just hugging the ground, crying. The large glass windows in the county clerk's office were shattered all over the road. I shook my head at the noise and mess. <br /><br />I took one last bite of the chocolate éclair, deliciously sweet, licked the dark streaks from my fingers, and went about straightening the shelves and wiping down the counters. The police weren't long in coming, followed closely by the ambulances. I counted the personnel gathering at the scene and started mixing another batch of batter. <br /><br />Both coffee pots were brewing, I put out the fresh glazed donuts and popped another batch of snicker doodles in the oven. Some song was playing over and over in my head; I hummed a little piece of the melody, trying to catch the title. I liked things to be orderly. What was the name of that song? I nibbled on a cinnamon roll, pinching off little bites, savoring the glaze. I hummed a few more notes.<br /><br />The bell jingled over the door and two uniformed police officers came in. One sported a paunch over his belt and wore tinted sunglasses. The other was shorter, thin, and dark.<br /><br />"Morning Officers, would you like to try some of the glazed? They're still warm. Mmmm...all gooey." I washed my hands at the back sink and turned back to the officers, "So, what will it be?"<br /><br />The heavy one took off his sunglasses and tucked them in his front pocket, "I'm Officer Mulroy and this is Deets, we wanted to ask you a few questions about the trouble this morning."<br /><br />"What trouble?" I opened up the back of the display and took out two crème horns.<br /><br />"Sir, surely you heard the explosion this morning?" Mulroy stepped closer, the plastic buttons of his shirt scraping against the counter.<br /><br />"Oh that. I saw the window blow out. Is that what happened? An explosion? Well, isn't that interesting. How about a crème horn, fresh baked this morning?"<br /><br />"No thank you. Are you the Derry on the sign outside?"<br /><br />"Yes, that's me. Derry Dean of Derry's Delights. How about some of my lemon cookies? I mix lemon zest into the batter and it really makes the taste pop." I held out a small display tray, I had developed the recipe myself. They looked good, crisp and not to sweet. I tossed one into my mouth, mmm...good.<br /><br />"Sorry, I have a weakness for sweets. Are you sure you don't want any? They are terribly good, if I do say so myself." I helped myself to another. Heavenly.<br /><br />The dark one cleared his throat, "Sir, about this morning, what exactly did you see?" He pulled out a small black notebook and cheap ballpoint pen. <br /><br />"Hmm...this morning. Yes, I was just trying one of my new éclairs, the dark chocolate, when the windows blew out. Would you like one? Coffee?"<br /><br />"No. The windows?"<br /><br />"Oh yes, the windows." I checked the batch of snicker doodles in the oven, not quite ready yet, "Mmm, the windows. Well, about nine-fifteen the windows shattered and hit all those people on the street. The coffee's a special blend, hazelnut and vanilla. Are you sure you don't want any?"<br /><br />"No coffee. Mr. Derry, we're trying to run an investigation here, do you think you could just give us the specifics? The explosion was at 9:15am?"<br /><br />"Well...there was an explosion, the windows blew out. Oh, I was so fortunate that I wasn't baking cakes this morning. Yes, where was I, yes, the glass went everywhere and all the people started running and yelling. I don't suppose you want to try a piece of peanut butter fudge?" I slid a smooth, sinful portion into my mouth. I closed my eyes on the rich, delicious taste. I opened my eyes to Mulroy's red, irritated face.<br /><br />"Was it 9:15 or not?" Deets spoke this time, his words bitten off and spit out like a mouth full of unsweetened baker's chocolate.<br /><br />"Isn't that what I just said?" I poured a small cup of coffee, sipped. Ugh, the taste was off.<br /><br />I poured out what was in my cup and poured another cup. Oh my, the taste was overpowering, almost bitter. Tsking to myself, I carried the pot over to the sink and drained the remainder of the pot down the sink. Thank goodness they had not wanted coffee, I would have been ashamed to serve this tainted concoction. It was the last time Andree would sell me...I heard a slapping sound. The heavy police office was slapping his notebook against his hand, his face flushed red.<br /><br />"Oh, I'm terribly sorry if you wanted coffee but that sludge wasn't fit to serve to pigeons. If you have the time to wait, I'm going to put on a new pot. perhaps Sweet Georgia Brown...nice robust flavor..." Already, I had turned to get the beans from the sealed canister when I heard a muffled question.<br /><br />"What?"<br /><br />Speaking slowly through clenched teeth, the gypsy cop, darker than ever, leaned over the counter, "Did you see anyone strange around the area earlier this morning?"<br /><br />"Stranger? No...no one strange. Nobody but the regulars but I was pretty busy. I guess business will be pretty bad until they fix up the street. I hope the repairs won't take long. Are you sure you don't want something? A piece of coffee cake?...danish?" At the sharp shake of their heads, I sighed. No one really appreciated the art of dessert anymore. I picked up a lemon tart and bit into it's perfect sugared brown crust, God on earth.<br /><br />"Well, I guess that's it, Mr. Derry. We're going to be leaving now. If you remember anything else, you can contact us at this number." Aggravated, Mulroy tossed his card on the counter. The two men then turned and headed back out to the carnage outside.<br /><br />I shook my head. They hadn't even had a cup of coffee. I took another succulent bite of tart. A riot of taste assaulted my taste buds.<br /><br />Glorious. Hearing the bell, I glanced up to see Mr. Pearly ease his way through the door. Wizened with age, hair whitened by the years, Mr. Pearly was my favorite customer. Often, he would come in and sit at the counter, trying my newest confections, sipping coffee and looking out the window. Poor fellow, retirement had been hard for him. I knew money was tight so often I would let him critique my experiments and not charge him for his order.<br /><br />"Morning Dee, quite a bit of excitement you had this morning," his voice was warm and heavy like molasses.<br /><br />"Yes, but I'm afraid that no one seems hungry. Do you want to try my new chocolate strawberry crème?" At his nod, I pulled open the display door, and extracted a perfect dark chocolate cup filled with strawberry crème and placed it in front of the elderly gentleman.<br /><br />Distracted, I looked around my spotless kitchen. I checked the fridge for the second time. Sigh. Something felt out of place but I couldn't quite place what it was. I turned my attention back to my customer.<br /><br />Mr Pearly raised his fork and broke the surface, slicing deeply into the soft center. He lifted the sweet morsel of pink and chocolate mixture to his mouth and tasted. He held the bite for a moment, chewed, and swallowed delicately.<br /><br />"Nice presentation but the filling is just a bit tart, don't you think?" he held a second forkful up to my mouth. I scooped it up in my mouth, held it, absorbing the flavor. True, I had noticed it before; the strawberries were a bit overbearing to the chocolate. Perhaps, the strawberries weren't ripe enough...maybe milk chocolate.<br /><br />I nodded to him, smiling with relief. That's was it. The filling was off. Mr. Pearly had helped me perfect quite a few of my recipes in the last year. I retrieved three of the white chocolate truffles from the back case, his favorites, and set them beside his plate. He smiled and finished the strawberry crème.<br /><br />"I thought you'd be in earlier, Mr. Pearly."<br /><br />"I would have been but I had a little retirement business to take care of. Some goodbyes that needed to be said," his brown eyes were momentarily sad.<br /><br />"Yes, I saw you go into work this morning. It must be hard to be denied doing the thing you love. Mandatory retirement is a terrible thing. Thank goodness, I own my own shop." I blushed, realizing what I had just said to poor Mr. Pearly. Losing his job last year had been hard but I didn't need to rub his nose in his misfortune. "Forgive me if I said anything..."<br /><br />He waved off my apology, "What they did to me was a terrible blow but I finally feel I made a little peace with myself."<br /><br />His dark nut brown eyes looked out my front window and stared at the glass covered street, sheet covered bodies, and crying victims huddled in front of the gutted building. Mr. Pearly pointed to a middle aged woman in a blood stained pink suit, "That was my supervisor."<br /><br />Blood still streamed from her head and left leg, her eyes open but unseeing. Poor, poor woman. Those that had survived would be out on the street, living hand to mouth just like my friend, Mr. Pearly. I vowed to send each family a gift basket, it was the least I could do. Something niggled at the back of my mind, I was forgetting something.<br /><br />I started to mentally check of the supplies I would need to finish the baskets.<br /><br />"Do you want me to send your regrets with the care baskets that I'm sending?" What was bothering me? Nutmeg? I'm sure I had nutmeg.<br /><br />"No, that's all right. I'm sure they all know how I feel."<br /><br />Digging through the cabinets, I found the nutmeg. Placing it on the counter, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. I nibbled on a butter cookie. Anxiety made me so hungry. What was it?<br /><br />I mentally ran through my morning, Mr. Pearly had enter the building across the street about nine this morning just as I put the second batch of cookies in. The bombing just had me all rattled. Oh, I was missing something so important. What was it?<br /><br />"Oh well, as long as you're sure." Aggravated, I refreshed our half-full cups. Business was going to be so slow today. Sigh. No use letting good food go to waste, I selected a perfect glazed donut from the covered glass platter and bit into it's sugar flaked outside...delicious.<br /><br />Then, I smelled the acrid smell of burning cookies. Darn it, I forgot the snicker doodles. I always miss the important things. I found myself humming...what was that song?TirzahLaughshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06505559474373463632noreply@blogger.com0