Sunday, June 30, 2013

Submission for the Female Superhero Challenge #CAFSC

Here is my entry for the Female Superhero Challenge. You can check it out here: http://imaginecreatewrite.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/creating-female-superhero-challenge.html

My Info: 
My name is Dani Duck. The word count is 1000 words.

Anthology:

 Yes

I don't mind which charity the money goes to. All of them are great charities, so whichever charity is chosen is alright with me.

Name of female superhero:

 Krista hasn't decided this yet.

Name of human alter ego, if different:

Krista Spokes


Superhero Appearance (hair, eyes, body type, etc.):

She glows with multicoloured energy. Threads of glowing energy surround her body when she is in this form.

Human alter ego appearance (if she has an alter ego):

Krista is an average looking Caucasian girl. Her hair and eyes are both dark brown. The most noticeable thing about her is that she's very thin and has sharp features.  She prefers to hide her body in clothing that's way too big for her.  She lives in her jeans and couldn't imagine wearing a skirt. She likes sweaters and t-shirts, but isn't picky about clothing. Usually she gets her clothing second hand.

Costume:

Krista doesn't have a costume yet. She has no sewing skills and wouldn't know how to put together an outfit. She generally fights crime in a t-shirt and shorts. 

Personality:
Krista is quiet and a bit shy.  She spent most of her youth reading (comics and playing video games). She never spent a lot of time hanging out with other girls. Most of her friends are boys. She is very warm and tries hard to fit in. She has a great love for the world around her.  When getting her powers she swore she would protect everyone - even those who constantly pick on her.

Brief description of how the superheroine gets her powers (i.e. born with them, radioactive accident, mad scientist experiments on her, etc.):

Krista was walking to school one day and saw a flash of blinding light. Something struck her and she was found hours later unconscious. She was in a coma for a week. When she woke up she seemed normal, but over the following weeks her powers slowly developed.

Powers:

Krista hasn't fully explored her powers yet. She has increased strength and speed. Her body is almost invulnerable. She can shoot energy bolts and has some control over different forms of energy. 

Anything else important:

Krista goes to high school. She's also not very self-confident in her looks.  

My Story:

“I wonder if she even showers.” the other girls with Illy laughed. They huddled by the door of the classroom. Krista sat a few feet away, her forehead placed firmly on her desk.

I had one just this morning! Krista thought indignantly. Krista's shoulder-length brown hair admittedly always looked terrible. Not that it would matter, Illy and her group of stuck-up snobs had already made up their minds up about Krista. Now it they lived to make her life miserable.

“Why is she always in baggy clothing?” One whispered.

Krista could eat anything and not put on weight. Everything was baggy on her. She could wear spandex and tights and it would still look enormous on her. There was another reason why she wore baggy clothes: Krista was wearing her gym clothing underneath lately just in case she had to Change.

Illy cooly walked over to Krista's desk. Krista looked up; her brown eyes glaring. Illy leaned over into Krista's face, “Why do you think you're such a loser?”

Krista stood up so fast that her chair fell backward. Illy gasped. Krista could feel her whole body prickling with energy. I should take them all down now. No one would blame me. She would Change soon if she didn't do anything about it and she didn't want to do anything about it. Krista just stood there glaring at Illy.

A loud crash came from another classroom. It was enough to brink Krista back to reality. Everyone in the classroom rushed out the door. Krista ran out into the hall where chaos had broken out. People were running towards the exit and screaming. Typical, she thought. Krista pushed through the crowd and slipped into the Janitor's closet. She removed her sweater and jeans and hid them behind the mop bucket.

The lights went out as they always did when the Change took hold. Every part of her body crackled and burned with energy. When it was over Krista felt a intense rush of immeasurable power. Her body glowed and multi-coloured threads of illuminated energy surrounded her body. After two months she still couldn't get over how beautiful the Change was and how it made her feel.

After the change Krista could hear nothing outside the closet. Slowly she entered the hallway. The lights flickered on and Krista could see a figure at the other end of the hall.

“I knew you went to school here!” The girl squealed in delight. Her hair was pulled back in a french braid. She was clad in black and red leather with fishnet tights. She wore a red mask. To top it off she was wearing thigh-high stiletto boots. Krista thought she looked ridiculous. “Want to join me in trashing the school?”

“If you know who I am, then you know my answer.”

“Suit yourself. I do hope you know that I have to destroy you and all now. Nothing personal.” The girl glowered and thrust her hands forward. Shadows, like black snakes, flowed from her arms at Krista.

Krista easily dodged most of the shadows, and destroyed the rest with her energy bolts. She paused to smile when she was struck from behind. A wave of sickness and pain overtook her. Krista wasn't use to anyone being able to actually hurt her!

“Does that hurt? Good.” The girl walked towards Krista throwing more shadows. The shadow snakes lashed out at Krista faster than she could destroy them. The pain was almost blinding. “I'm going to start by destroying you, and then everyone else at this stupid school.”

Krista used her energy beams to lift and throw nearby lockers at the girl, but the girl was too fast. Krista closed her eyes and threw a small bolt of energy at the girl's chest. The girl flew backward across the hallway and fell limp onto the floor.

Krista waited for the girl to move, but there was nothing. Time seemed to stand still as streams of energy poured from the girls body into the air. Krista moved to the girl's side. I... I killed her. She had never thought her powers would lead her to this. Krista put her hand up and felt the energy flow around her hand. The energy gathered almost lovingly around her hand. Tears streamed down Krista's face. She whispered to the energy, “If only I could put you back.” She delicately put her hand on the girl's chest.

The energy obediently moved from her hand back into the girls body. The girl sat up as though shocked, and then fell back to the ground. Krista could hear her breathing, though she didn't move. Krista stood up and wondered what to do next. She looked towards the door. She would have to get changed before going outside. She turned towards the girl, but she was gone. “I guess there isn't anything left to do but get dressed.”

Krista went back to the janitor's closet and let the Change melt away. She retrieved her clothes from behind the mop bucket. Great, all wet! I wonder if other superheroes have this problem?

Krista walked outside in her wet clothes. Someone said, “What did you do, fall in the toilet?” Krista just ignored them.

“Here's an idea for you, just stop eating.” Illy and her friends had Janice cornered by the lamp post.

“Seriously, how can you stand being so fat?” Krista could see Janice face burning red.

Krista ran to Janice's side. “Leave her alone! Why don't you go find another group of souless skanks to make fun of?”

Illy glared and bumped into Krista as she passed her. “Whatever, loser.” Her friends followed suit.

“I didn't need your help,” said Janice. I can take care of myself. Janice stomped off muttering to herself. Krista was about to call after her when something caught her eye. A hand-shaped dent was left where Janice hand had been. Krista wondered what other strange things her future held.


Friday, June 28, 2013

Colouring Book in the Works

Lately I've been working on a colouring book that I will be selling on Etsy! I still have quite a ways to go to get my artwork colouring book ready. I haven't decided yet if I'm doing one colouring book or two, but I've gotten lots of images to go in the book so far. I do have the black and whites for many of my drawings scanned, but I felt that some of the lines should be thicker for colouring pages. While I'm not starting from scratch with these I'm still re-inking and in some cases re-drawing a few things.

I was in the middle of working on one of my drawings when I realized that it would probably not work for the purposes of a colouring book. Yes, I love this drawing, and yes it would look lovely as a page in my book. The biggest problem with this picture is that I no longer own the original! I did the drawing for Iron Realm Games, and the game I did it for was Lusternia http://www.lusternia.com/ (Warning, this is an ingrossing game and you may never leave once you visit. Loved it for years though). Rather than have any problems I'm just going to post the drawing here as a teaser for my colouring book!

Yes, this page can be printed out and coloured. I may post some snippets from my colouring book later, but unfortunately I wont be posting more pages on this blog until I have my book done. If you are in desperate need of more colouring pages, never fear my financial blog is here! I post a weekly colouring page on my financial blog so go, colour and enjoy! http://fortunebydesign.blogspot.ca/


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

What's Up Wednesday

With seconds left here is my What's Up Wednesday post!

What I'm Reading

Halfway through Clockwork Angel. I haven't been reading much lately! Enjoy it more than her other series.


What I'm Writing/Drawing 

Lately I've been working on making my portfolio drawings into colouring pages so I can put them into a colouring book and sell it on Etsy! I think that I may need to come up with designs for two different colouring books so we'll see what happens! I've been writing a bit more for my financial blog (nothing yet this week). I will be posting a sample page tomorrow!

Every Day Possible
- Work on Colouring Pages 
- Tweet, blog, get out more in the Social Networking world.


Today 6/26
- Write my What's Up Wednesday post today - done

Thursday 6/27

- Create a new colouring page for my financial blog

Friday 6/28

- Start a few more paintings/spots for submission
- Edit some of my manuscripts for submission
- Come up with ideas for new blog posts
- Finish post for Tracey's Blog (sooner than this if possible)

Saturday 6/29

See Friday

Sunday 6/30

-Write blog/website review for my financial blog

Monday 7/1

- Swaddle myself in blankets so I don't get cold (never mind that it's summer). 
- Discover new ways of introducing caffeine into my diet.

Tuesday 7/2

- Complete at least 5 daily writing prompts by today
- Post at least 1 painting/drawing to this blog
- Write a blog review

Wednesday 6/26

- Write my What's Up Wednesday post 

What Inspires Me Right Now

Cookies... cookies inspire me.

What Else I've Been Up To

Baby Minding 

MY SON IS INSANE AND NEVER SLEEPS!

Working Out/Being Healthy 

I ate cookies and did some sit-ups

Ect.

Going to talk to a career coach tomorrow morning. It's my first time talking to a career coach, but it's a free session. I hope I learn a lot. I've also been pondering the meaning of life... my life really. Don't need to ponder the meaning of life in general, because I have that all figured out. 

*What's up Wednesday is part of Jamie Morrow's summer writing intensive: "Ready. Set. WRITE!" There are other host blogs including: Erin L. Funk, Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, and Elodie Nowodazkij.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Chieu Anh Urban

Normally I don't review blogs that are new but I'm making an exception for Chieu Anh Urban (there is an ^ above the e in her name that I just can't seem to show here. So just imagine it's there as you read). Though she is new to blogging Chieu Anh is not new to the world of publishing. She has two books: "Raindrops: A Shower of Colours" and her new book "Away We Go: A Shape and Seek Book." You can find her blog here: http://chieuurban.blogspot.ca/ and her website here: http://www.chieuurban.com

You can't help but know that Chieu Anh is an illustrator when visiting her website and blog. The colours are just amazing. She is also a graphic designer, photographer and a writer to boot! The animation on her main webpage is really cute, so roll your mouse over everything and enjoy these before you start clicking!

Chieu Anh is no stranger to to fun. Her books are full of fun as is her website. To celebrate her new book release Chieu Anh has put up several coloring and activity pages up on her website. Just click on "Fun Stuff" on her home page and you'll be able to download the fun for yourself. If you are planning a party there are display cards, shape signs, banners, cupcake flags and name tags!  If you just want to have some fun there are colouring pages, cut and paste, colour the shapes, counting and matching activities. There are also some fun activities below these printables (as if those activities weren't enough)! Cheiu Anh's blog isn't short of activities to do. She has lots of crafts kids can make play with and sometimes even eat!

A lot of Chieu Anh's blog posts are focused around the release of her book. As such there are lots of pictures of the launch party. I don't think I've seen another blog that has as many nice photos depicting... well any event. It's not all about the book release. There is also lots of pictures of the lovely mermaid party she had for her daughter. Not everything was made by Chieu Anh in either party, but she did choose things for her party from people who gave a high attention to detail. Chieu Anh has a high attention to detail in her photography as well!

 Please check out Chieu Anh's blog and webpage right away! The posts that Chieu Anh has so far are signs of great things to come for her blog. Her two books are wonderful and I'm sure she'll have more great books yet to come. Tune back next week and I'll give you a look at Brianna's blog. Don't go away for a week, though, because tomorrow I will be posting my "What's Up Wednesday" post!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Paintings for Sale or Rent

I'm working on some images to sell on Etsy right now. It's been slow going (think extra clingy toddler). It's not all bad because I have finished inking 3 reproductions of my artwork. One of them is bellow. Now to hack away at doing more! I will also be painting this one before I put it up.



Wednesday, June 19, 2013

What's Up Wednesday

Here is my What's up Wednesday* post for today. I hope you enjoy it!

What I'm Reading

I'm still reading "Clockwork Angel" by Cassandra Clare. I actually haven't done any reading this week, so I should say that I'm not reading "Clockwork Angel". :P


What I'm Writing/Drawing 

Last week I had a lot of things that I attempted to do, but most of them I didn't get done. Things I finished were my colouring page for my financial blog, I started a few paintings, sent out critiques for my PB group, wrote a blog review. I didn't finish my rhyming picture book story, but I still sent it out to my critique partners! I hope that next week I will have more finished than I did this week. Next week I hope I can do more brainstorming and get more done in general. Much of what I did last week is the same as this week so here's what I have planned:

Today 6/19

- Write my What's Up Wednesday post today - done

Thursday 6/20

- Create a new colouring page for my financial blog

Friday 6/21

- Work on the Dummy and Paintings for my picturebook
- Start a few more paintings/spots for submission
- Edit some of my manuscripts for submission
- Come up with ideas for new blog posts
- Brainstorm ideas for comics

Saturday 6/22

See Friday
-See the new Superman movie with my husband!

Sunday 6/23

-Write blog/website review for my financial blog

Monday 6/24

- Walk around in blankets all day morning the weekend.
- Drink extra coffee

Tuesday 6/25

- Complete at least 5 daily writing prompts by today
- Post at least 1 painting/drawing to this blog
- Finish writing my rhyming picturebook story 
- Write a blog review

Wednesday 6/26

- Write my What's Up Wednesday post 

What Inspires Me Right Now

This beautiful summer weather we're having here right now. 

What Else I've Been Up To

Baby Minding 

Always, always this! My son stuck something into my Wii... I believe it's an expired transit ticket. So right now I can't play any of the Wii games that I don't have time to play. They are getting less and less expensive now, so maybe we'll buy a new one if we can't get this repaired. 

Working Out/Being Healthy 

I've been working out more, but still need to do a bit more each day. Need to cut back in some areas as well.

That's it for this week. 


*What's up Wednesday is part of Jamie Morrow's summer writing intensive: "Ready. Set. WRITE!" There are other host blogs including: Erin L. Funk, Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, and Elodie Nowodazkij.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Becky Shillington

I found Becky Shillington on my quest for new blogs to follow. Previously, I asked who wanted their blog reviewed. Now I'm searching through my circles and finding new people's sights to review. I'm happy to have found Becky's website. Even at first glance you can tell that her blog is vibrant and fun (as is Becky herself). You can follow all the fun here: http://www.beckyshillington.blogspot.ca/

Every Friday Becky finds new poetry to talk about. I'm not sure how she does it, but she always finds the perfect poem to talk about in her Friday posts. The poem she chose to celebrate the last day of school was wonderful. Of course Shel Silverstein has such wonderful poetry to chose from! I read a lot and I personally find it difficult to find quotes and poetry to fit the mood of my writing. It takes a lot of work to match a subject with a quote/poetry so kudos to Becky for doing this so well!

It is absolutely adorable when Becky gets a young reader to review a book. It reminds me of Reading Rainbow. They use to have kids review books there too, but it's nowhere near as cute or honest as it is here.   She has only done a few of these, but I hope this continues because it's so much fun to read how kids enjoy different stories.

Reading about a writer's journey to being published is very interesting to me. Maybe it's because I'd love to be published myself someday. I'd like to think it's a bit more than that. In most of my favorite fantasy books it's the journey that I adore. Sharing in the struggle and hardship that someone goes through to accomplish their real life goals is as fun for me as reading a novel. Is it for you?

One great thing (though her whole blog is great) that Becky's blog should be celebrated for is the amount of resources she has for writers! She has a list of resources that are directly for writers, a general list of resources, and a list of blogs she follows. These lists add up to a wonderful portfolio of collected resources. I  liked her resources so much that I thought she deserved an award for this!

Unfortunately, my whole idea for an award became a whole lot less funny two minutes into making this award. I'm not making fun of Becky in this award but my lazy self in the inability to take the time to create a real award. I spent minutes creating this so I thought I'd share it in any case. Feel free to use and abuse this, but give some kind of credit to me. Also do check out Becky's blog, you'll be glad you did!