I also missed the artwork. But when I'm not well and I'm tired, I don't create much. Sometimes I try, but I don't succeed in creating at all, so I give it up. So I just browse the net and look for material and inspiration for future artwork.
I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well and that you're tired. I'm not surprised that you haven't been feeling as creative. It's hard to be creative when you aren't feeling great. I think you're smart to look for material and inspiration when you aren't well. At least that way you know that you're doing something that will come in really useful when you are ready to create artwork again. :-)
What about you? How is your writing?
I've got a really bad case of cabin fever (and a desperate need for my own space), but I'm okay otherwise. My writing has been going surprisingly well. I'm about 14,000 words into the sixth and last story in the Sanctuary series, though the story is very rough. I think I can wrap it up after a few thousand more words.
I am glad you like the postcards. I downloaded freeware card maker so you can expect more postcards in the future.
That freeware card maker is a fantastic find! I'll look forward to seeing more postcards in the future! :-D
No need to feel guilty, 12 is one of my favourites too. :-)
I only feel guilty because I'm a Guy Groupie. I feel like 13 or 11 should have been my first choice. *g* BTW, I do love 9 and 10 as well. :-)
Thank you for your understanding, rusty_armour. It really isn't that I'm lazy and I don't want to create anything. Maybe I want too much and then it doesn't work. And after all, I need to find the right pictures for my work. I am on Pinterest now and there is a lot to be found there. A lot of writing tips too. Some helpful, sometimes I'm even confused.Writing is a pretty complicated thing for me. The more I admire you. 14.000 words, wow!So now I'm pretty excited and curious. (I know - it was curiosity that killed the cat :-D) Otherwise, I read the comments on Melisende - I'm sorry you had such a problems with the Thrall story. I enjoy slash stories and Robin and Guy are my favorite characters, as you know. But to be honest, I probably like such a preslash story more - how it happened that they are no longer enemies and such. And I don't mind at all Guy and Robin didn't have a sexual relationship in the stories that followed. I just wouldn't believe it after what Guy went through. Your story is believable. It's really hard to imagine them as a couple. But to imagine that under certain circumstances the two could become friends, yes, I can.
Thank you for your understanding, rusty_armour. It really isn't that I'm lazy and I don't want to create anything.
I never thought you were lazy, raven714! I know what it's like when you're not in the mood to be creative and/or it's a struggle to feel inspired. Unfortunately, creativity can't be turned on and off like a tap. I always speak about my muse being around when my writing is going well. And then there are times when she'll be absent for days...or for much longer. You can't always choose when creativity will hit you.
Maybe I want too much and then it doesn't work. And after all, I need to find the right pictures for my work.
It can be hard to limit your expectations. I'll sometimes be disappointed that I didn't get further with a scene, but I try to remember that any words on the page represent progress, even if I go back later and get rid of them. It's all part of the writing process. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to find the right pictures for your work. If you don't already have a vision in your head of what you want then you at least want good material to work with. :-)
I am on Pinterest now and there is a lot to be found there. A lot of writing tips too. Some helpful, sometimes I'm even onfused. Writing is a pretty complicated thing for me.
Pinterest is both a blessing and a curse. You can find some great things on Pinterest, but sometimes it can be overwhelming because there's just so much content. I hadn't realized that Pinterest had writing tips, but I shouldn't be surprised. I'm only speaking about my own experiences, but I don't think that all tips work for all people. I think you just have to experiment and see what works best for you. And you're not alone in thinking that writing is a complicated thing because it is. However, like anything, it's a skill that can be developed and improved with practice. If you find you're struggling with it then I would suggest you start with something simple. For example, you could use your ideas for your RoS/Harry Potter crossover and write something short about some of the characters. You could try describing them or maybe write a few paragraphs from their perspective as they experience an event (e.g. the first day of school or meeting another character for the first time). This might help you get to know the characters better and feel more comfortable with them. It might also give you some ideas for the story.
The more I admire you. 14.000 words, wow!
It's taken me by surprise too. I'm not sure if I'd have gotten even half this far if it hadn't been for COVID-19. As I've had extra time on my hands, I've tried to take advantage of it and do what writing I can. Saying that, I don't often write so quickly. I'm usually much slower, but this story has been a lot of fun to write, and there have been some scenes that I've loved writing. Parts of this story practically wrote themselves, though others have definitely been a struggle. *g*
My original comment was too long, so I'll continue this thread in a second comment. :-)
Thank you, rusty_armour. Of course, I also have days when I'm just lazy. But mostly it's either that I have no inspiration - there's nothing I can do about it - or I feel so bad that I'm not able to create something. Of course, you're right, when the muse is around, I'm doing well. Yes, sometimes I have too high expectations, a clear idea in my head what pictures I want to use, but I can't find them among all those pictures.
I joined Pinterest about a month ago, so I'm still discovering what it can offer to me. :-) Surely you are right that what works for one may not work for another. I definitely need to try what suits me. And thank you so much for your advice.
I'm glad you had a good time writing your story. I think I'll definitely have a good time reading it.
So now I'm pretty excited and curious. (I know - it was curiosity that killed the cat :-D)
I'm happy that you're excited and curious (and I don't think you should worry about curiosity killing the cat *g*). I'm really hoping that you'll enjoy the story and won't find it disappointing. I think I've thrown in one or two surprises and have certainly tried to keep things interesting. I would love to tell you about some of things that have happened in the story, but I don't want to ruin it for you. I'll just repeat that hint from before that a special guest will be playing a big role in this fic...Anyway, if I can get the rough draft done in July, I might be able to post the story in August. :-)
Otherwise, I read the comments on Melisende - I'm sorry you had such a problems with the Thrall story. I enjoy slash stories and Robin and Guy are my favorite characters, as you know. But to be honest, I probably like such a preslash story more - how it happened that they are no longer enemies and such. And I don't mind at all Guy and Robin didn't have a sexual relationship in the stories that followed. I just wouldn't believe it after what Guy went through. Your story is believable. It's really hard to imagine them as a couple. But to imagine that under certain circumstances the two could become friends, yes, I can.
I almost mentioned smilingcat's AO3 comment earlier (especially as I ended up reccing the "We Are All One" vid), but I thought it might seem like bragging. I'm glad you found the comment yourself as I think smilingcat had some really interesting things to say -- and I'm not referring to her very kind praise. In any case, I hope you weren't left with the impression that I didn't enjoy writing Thrall because I enjoyed it very much. It was a challenge for the reasons you read, but it was a good challenge. It really made me stretch my writing muscles to find a way to make the slash work in a way that I would find believable. And, again, I'd like to repeat that I have nothing against Loxley/Gisburne slash. I just found that I couldn't write it believably myself. That isn't to say that other writers can't write it or haven't succeeded in writing it. For some reason, I just couldn't wrap my head around it, but that was my fault, not yours. Maybe if I had chosen another scenario, I could have made it work.
I'm actually happy that I couldn't make the slash work because it led to the Sanctuary series. If I had been successful, I might have only written that first story and that would have been it. That's why I'm glad that you weren't disappointed not to see a sexual relationship occur between Loxley and Gisburne in the stories that followed. It's so nice to know that you've enjoyed seeing them go from enemies to frenemies. I've found it really interesting and satisfying to explore this change in their relationship. I'm glad that you think these stories have been believable and that you can accept them becoming friends. :-) One thing I will tell you about the story that I'm working on is that this friendship will be further explored and possibly even tested...
Guy and Robin of Loxley are a guarantee that I will not be disappointed. :-) And look - a surprise, a surprise! Hurray! And a special guest! Who is he? Renata can think of nobody. Renata is a bit slow on the uptake. :-D And friendship will be further explored and tested - Yippee!
I liked smilingcat´s comments. It was really interesting to read them. I definitely have to read again about thanes in my book on the history of England. And you deserve all the praise,rusty_armour.
I certainly didn't get the impression that you didn't enjoy making Thrall's story. It just wasn't easy for you. As you say, it was a challenge and I understand that. It was also a challenge for me to create cover art for your stories Robin Hood and the Sheriff's Mother and Boscage. And I definitely enjoyed it.
I really love your series Sanctuary and I'm glad it was created. And I can't imagine the sexual relationship between Robin and Guy, after what Guy went through in the Thrall story.
As you've enjoyed the other stories in the series, I'm sure I don't need to worry. I'm hoping that this last story will resolve everything and provide a satisfying ending to the series. :-)
Guy and Robin of Loxley are a guarantee that I will not be disappointed. :-)
This may come as a shock, but they're both in this story quite a lot. *g* Seriously, though, I think that some of my favourite moments so far have been moments between them. They share a lot of scenes.
And look - a surprise, a surprise! Hurray! And a special guest! Who is he? Renata can think of nobody. Renata is a bit slow on the uptake. :-D
Well, I won't comment on what surprises might crop up, but I can tell you that the special guest is someone you know already (it's an existing character from RoS). And I feel that I've already said too much, so that's as many hints as I'm willing to drop. *g*
And friendship will be further explored and tested - Yippee!
I think you get to see how much that friendship has developed, especially when it's witnessed by someone else. Certain events will reveal aspects of this friendship but also test the bond that has developed between them...And I should borrow some of this for the story summary! *g*
I liked smilingcat´s comments. It was really interesting to read them. I definitely have to read again about thanes in my book on the history of England.
Yes, it's obviously a subject that smilingcat is really passionate about. I need to do some reading myself when it comes to thanes and the Saxon period in general. It's sad but a lot of what I've learned about the middle ages has been for fic purposes... *g*
That's incredibly kind of you, raven714. Thank you very much for saying that. :-D
I certainly didn't get the impression that you didn't enjoy making Thrall's story. It just wasn't easy for you. As you say, it was a challenge and I understand that.
I'm glad that you never thought that I didn't enjoy working on Thrall and that you understand that it was simply a challenge. :-)
It was also a challenge for me to create cover art for your stories Robin Hood and the Sheriff's Mother and Boscage. And I definitely enjoyed it.
Yes, it must have been challenging to create cover art for those two stories, but I'm happy that it was a challenge you enjoyed. You obviously do understand what I went through with Thrall.
I really love your series Sanctuary and I'm glad it was created.
Thanks for saying that, raven714. You've been a strong and loyal supporter from the beginner, but it's still nice to hear. :-D
And I can't imagine the sexual relationship between Robin and Guy, after what Guy went through in the Thrall story.
I'm glad you feel that way. I think it would have been completely unrealistic for Robin and Guy to have a sexual relationship after Thrall. And I feel like I would have done a huge injustice to anyone who has had the misfortune to be sexually assaulted. It's a traumatic event that leaves deep scars. It isn't something that anyone can recover from overnight. I felt that this had to be reflected in Dissolution. I haven't really touched on it in the stories that come after it, but it will definitely be referred to in this last story that I'm working on.
So you are succeeded, rusty_armour. Now I'm excited and curious and eager, like when a new Harry Potter story was about to come out. :-D
I wouldn't even want your comment on the surprises you're planning. Then it wouldn't be a surprise. As for the special guest, I have my theories. I think I'm guessing wrong because I´d need more hints. :-D I'm really looking forward to reading your story.
I admit that I became interested in medieval England after seeing the Robin of Sherwood series. I was 17. Previously, I was more interested in the medieval Czech Kingdom or Victorian England (and Sherlock Holmes :-)).
Did you see the RoS cast gender swapped images on FB? Now I know how the sheriff's mother looked in her youth. :-D
I admit that I became interested in medieval England after seeing the Robin of Sherwood series. I was 17. Previously, I was more interested in the medieval Czech Kingdom or Victorian England (and Sherlock Holmes :-)).
I also became interested in medieval England after watching RoS. I was already a bit of an Anglophile before that because I have English roots, but RoS really piqued my interest in medieval history. :-) My interest in Victorian England happened around the same time. I think I got into Sherlock Holmes shortly before RoS aired on PBS.
Did you see the RoS cast gender swapped images on FB? Now I know how the sheriff's mother looked in her youth. :-D
LOL! I hadn't thought of that! Yes, I certainly did see the gender-swapped images on FB and YouTube. The Sheriff was surprisingly beautiful. Maybe the young Eleanor de Rainault did look something like that, though I prefer your interpretation of Eleanor de Rainault as Maggie Smith. :-)
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2020-06-28 03:57 pm (UTC)I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well and that you're tired. I'm not surprised that you haven't been feeling as creative. It's hard to be creative when you aren't feeling great. I think you're smart to look for material and inspiration when you aren't well. At least that way you know that you're doing something that will come in really useful when you are ready to create artwork again. :-)
What about you? How is your writing?
I've got a really bad case of cabin fever (and a desperate need for my own space), but I'm okay otherwise. My writing has been going surprisingly well. I'm about 14,000 words into the sixth and last story in the Sanctuary series, though the story is very rough. I think I can wrap it up after a few thousand more words.
I am glad you like the postcards. I downloaded freeware card maker so you can expect more postcards in the future.
That freeware card maker is a fantastic find! I'll look forward to seeing more postcards in the future! :-D
No need to feel guilty, 12 is one of my favourites too. :-)
I only feel guilty because I'm a Guy Groupie. I feel like 13 or 11 should have been my first choice. *g* BTW, I do love 9 and 10 as well. :-)
no subject
Date: 2020-06-28 06:29 pm (UTC)Otherwise, I read the comments on Melisende - I'm sorry you had such a problems with the Thrall story. I enjoy slash stories and Robin and Guy are my favorite characters, as you know. But to be honest, I probably like such a preslash story more - how it happened that they are no longer enemies and such. And I don't mind at all Guy and Robin didn't have a sexual relationship in the stories that followed. I just wouldn't believe it after what Guy went through. Your story is believable. It's really hard to imagine them as a couple. But to imagine that under certain circumstances the two could become friends, yes, I can.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-28 08:21 pm (UTC)I never thought you were lazy,
Maybe I want too much and then it doesn't work. And after all, I need to find the right pictures for my work.
It can be hard to limit your expectations. I'll sometimes be disappointed that I didn't get further with a scene, but I try to remember that any words on the page represent progress, even if I go back later and get rid of them. It's all part of the writing process. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to find the right pictures for your work. If you don't already have a vision in your head of what you want then you at least want good material to work with. :-)
I am on Pinterest now and there is a lot to be found there. A lot of writing tips too. Some helpful, sometimes I'm even onfused. Writing is a pretty complicated thing for me.
Pinterest is both a blessing and a curse. You can find some great things on Pinterest, but sometimes it can be overwhelming because there's just so much content. I hadn't realized that Pinterest had writing tips, but I shouldn't be surprised. I'm only speaking about my own experiences, but I don't think that all tips work for all people. I think you just have to experiment and see what works best for you. And you're not alone in thinking that writing is a complicated thing because it is. However, like anything, it's a skill that can be developed and improved with practice. If you find you're struggling with it then I would suggest you start with something simple. For example, you could use your ideas for your RoS/Harry Potter crossover and write something short about some of the characters. You could try describing them or maybe write a few paragraphs from their perspective as they experience an event (e.g. the first day of school or meeting another character for the first time). This might help you get to know the characters better and feel more comfortable with them. It might also give you some ideas for the story.
The more I admire you. 14.000 words, wow!
It's taken me by surprise too. I'm not sure if I'd have gotten even half this far if it hadn't been for COVID-19. As I've had extra time on my hands, I've tried to take advantage of it and do what writing I can. Saying that, I don't often write so quickly. I'm usually much slower, but this story has been a lot of fun to write, and there have been some scenes that I've loved writing. Parts of this story practically wrote themselves, though others have definitely been a struggle. *g*
My original comment was too long, so I'll continue this thread in a second comment. :-)
no subject
Date: 2020-06-29 01:16 pm (UTC)Of course, I also have days when I'm just lazy. But mostly it's either that I have no inspiration - there's nothing I can do about it - or I feel so bad that I'm not able to create something.
Of course, you're right, when the muse is around, I'm doing well.
Yes, sometimes I have too high expectations, a clear idea in my head what pictures I want to use, but I can't find them among all those pictures.
I joined Pinterest about a month ago, so I'm still discovering what it can offer to me. :-)
Surely you are right that what works for one may not work for another. I definitely need to try what suits me. And thank you so much for your advice.
I'm glad you had a good time writing your story. I think I'll definitely have a good time reading it.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-28 08:22 pm (UTC)I'm happy that you're excited and curious (and I don't think you should worry about curiosity killing the cat *g*). I'm really hoping that you'll enjoy the story and won't find it disappointing. I think I've thrown in one or two surprises and have certainly tried to keep things interesting. I would love to tell you about some of things that have happened in the story, but I don't want to ruin it for you. I'll just repeat that hint from before that a special guest will be playing a big role in this fic...Anyway, if I can get the rough draft done in July, I might be able to post the story in August. :-)
Otherwise, I read the comments on Melisende - I'm sorry you had such a problems with the Thrall story. I enjoy slash stories and Robin and Guy are my favorite characters, as you know. But to be honest, I probably like such a preslash story more - how it happened that they are no longer enemies and such. And I don't mind at all Guy and Robin didn't have a sexual relationship in the stories that followed. I just wouldn't believe it after what Guy went through. Your story is believable. It's really hard to imagine them as a couple. But to imagine that under certain circumstances the two could become friends, yes, I can.
I almost mentioned smilingcat's AO3 comment earlier (especially as I ended up reccing the "We Are All One" vid), but I thought it might seem like bragging. I'm glad you found the comment yourself as I think smilingcat had some really interesting things to say -- and I'm not referring to her very kind praise. In any case, I hope you weren't left with the impression that I didn't enjoy writing Thrall because I enjoyed it very much. It was a challenge for the reasons you read, but it was a good challenge. It really made me stretch my writing muscles to find a way to make the slash work in a way that I would find believable. And, again, I'd like to repeat that I have nothing against Loxley/Gisburne slash. I just found that I couldn't write it believably myself. That isn't to say that other writers can't write it or haven't succeeded in writing it. For some reason, I just couldn't wrap my head around it, but that was my fault, not yours. Maybe if I had chosen another scenario, I could have made it work.
I'm actually happy that I couldn't make the slash work because it led to the Sanctuary series. If I had been successful, I might have only written that first story and that would have been it. That's why I'm glad that you weren't disappointed not to see a sexual relationship occur between Loxley and Gisburne in the stories that followed. It's so nice to know that you've enjoyed seeing them go from enemies to frenemies. I've found it really interesting and satisfying to explore this change in their relationship. I'm glad that you think these stories have been believable and that you can accept them becoming friends. :-) One thing I will tell you about the story that I'm working on is that this friendship will be further explored and possibly even tested...
no subject
Date: 2020-06-29 03:52 pm (UTC)Guy and Robin of Loxley are a guarantee that I will not be disappointed. :-)
And look - a surprise, a surprise! Hurray!
And a special guest! Who is he? Renata can think of nobody. Renata is a bit slow on the uptake. :-D
And friendship will be further explored and tested - Yippee!
I liked smilingcat´s comments. It was really interesting to read them. I definitely have to read again about thanes in my book on the history of England. And you deserve all the praise,
I certainly didn't get the impression that you didn't enjoy making Thrall's story. It just wasn't easy for you. As you say, it was a challenge and I understand that. It was also a challenge for me to create cover art for your stories Robin Hood and the Sheriff's Mother and Boscage. And I definitely enjoyed it.
I really love your series Sanctuary and I'm glad it was created. And I can't imagine the sexual relationship between Robin and Guy, after what Guy went through in the Thrall story.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-29 09:26 pm (UTC)As you've enjoyed the other stories in the series, I'm sure I don't need to worry. I'm hoping that this last story will resolve everything and provide a satisfying ending to the series. :-)
Guy and Robin of Loxley are a guarantee that I will not be disappointed. :-)
This may come as a shock, but they're both in this story quite a lot. *g* Seriously, though, I think that some of my favourite moments so far have been moments between them. They share a lot of scenes.
And look - a surprise, a surprise! Hurray!
And a special guest! Who is he? Renata can think of nobody. Renata is a bit slow on the uptake. :-D
Well, I won't comment on what surprises might crop up, but I can tell you that the special guest is someone you know already (it's an existing character from RoS). And I feel that I've already said too much, so that's as many hints as I'm willing to drop. *g*
And friendship will be further explored and tested - Yippee!
I think you get to see how much that friendship has developed, especially when it's witnessed by someone else. Certain events will reveal aspects of this friendship but also test the bond that has developed between them...And I should borrow some of this for the story summary! *g*
I liked smilingcat´s comments. It was really interesting to read them. I definitely have to read again about thanes in my book on the history of England.
Yes, it's obviously a subject that smilingcat is really passionate about. I need to do some reading myself when it comes to thanes and the Saxon period in general. It's sad but a lot of what I've learned about the middle ages has been for fic purposes... *g*
And you deserve all the praise,
That's incredibly kind of you,
I certainly didn't get the impression that you didn't enjoy making Thrall's story. It just wasn't easy for you. As you say, it was a challenge and I understand that.
I'm glad that you never thought that I didn't enjoy working on Thrall and that you understand that it was simply a challenge. :-)
It was also a challenge for me to create cover art for your stories Robin Hood and the Sheriff's Mother and Boscage. And I definitely enjoyed it.
Yes, it must have been challenging to create cover art for those two stories, but I'm happy that it was a challenge you enjoyed. You obviously do understand what I went through with Thrall.
I really love your series Sanctuary and I'm glad it was created.
Thanks for saying that,
And I can't imagine the sexual relationship between Robin and Guy, after what Guy went through in the Thrall story.
I'm glad you feel that way. I think it would have been completely unrealistic for Robin and Guy to have a sexual relationship after Thrall. And I feel like I would have done a huge injustice to anyone who has had the misfortune to be sexually assaulted. It's a traumatic event that leaves deep scars. It isn't something that anyone can recover from overnight. I felt that this had to be reflected in Dissolution. I haven't really touched on it in the stories that come after it, but it will definitely be referred to in this last story that I'm working on.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-30 11:01 am (UTC)I wouldn't even want your comment on the surprises you're planning. Then it wouldn't be a surprise. As for the special guest, I have my theories. I think I'm guessing wrong because I´d need more hints. :-D
I'm really looking forward to reading your story.
I admit that I became interested in medieval England after seeing the Robin of Sherwood series. I was 17. Previously, I was more interested in the medieval Czech Kingdom or Victorian England (and Sherlock Holmes :-)).
Did you see the RoS cast gender swapped images on FB? Now I know how the sheriff's mother looked in her youth. :-D
https://youtu.be/abg_eIJ-iU8
no subject
Date: 2020-06-30 03:28 pm (UTC)I also became interested in medieval England after watching RoS. I was already a bit of an Anglophile before that because I have English roots, but RoS really piqued my interest in medieval history. :-) My interest in Victorian England happened around the same time. I think I got into Sherlock Holmes shortly before RoS aired on PBS.
Did you see the RoS cast gender swapped images on FB? Now I know how the sheriff's mother looked in her youth. :-D
https://youtu.be/abg_eIJ-iU8
LOL! I hadn't thought of that! Yes, I certainly did see the gender-swapped images on FB and YouTube. The Sheriff was surprisingly beautiful. Maybe the young Eleanor de Rainault did look something like that, though I prefer your interpretation of Eleanor de Rainault as Maggie Smith. :-)