tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42919229662142956312024-03-12T22:57:39.750-04:00Dragon DreamsThe six-pack slog.Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-77306973556434289822010-11-28T03:12:00.000-05:002010-11-28T19:01:24.389-05:00More Choosy - 47,803 words<blockquote>Less than one thousand words past day, but good<br />And I should, so I say<br />Finish soon without delay<br />Final NaNo tale today</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-43273547944257417962010-11-26T23:24:00.001-05:002010-11-26T23:26:48.895-05:00Ride of the Valkyries - 47,088 words<blockquote>Another five K, the end is in sight<br />New story: Valkyries flying by night<br />Just one more short tale this month will complete<br />Onwards and upwards November replete.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-64227942573301936282010-11-25T22:11:00.001-05:002010-11-25T22:13:38.761-05:00Breathing Room - 42,059 words<blockquote>A good day today, and fin'lly caught up<br />Now I can relax and play with my pup.<br />Five days are still left and eight thousand words<br />But forty-two thou' now in realm of Urd.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-91745291769168018262010-11-23T23:34:00.001-05:002010-11-23T23:39:31.636-05:00Meta - 35,311 words<blockquote>The YA story still stews in my mind<br />Perfect approach for this concept to find<br />Meanwhile I write on, aware of the clock<br />New tale: a writer who has writer's block.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-17975538382974237152010-11-22T14:18:00.001-05:002010-11-23T14:19:53.975-05:00No Update, but an Excellent Con<blockquote>Away from computer, weekend at con<br />No access to laptop to write upon<br />Yet still I managed a few words to write<br />Long hand on foolscap on train ride at night.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-4264580371900894782010-11-18T19:24:00.001-05:002010-11-18T19:26:57.151-05:00Crossword Composer - 24,903 words<blockquote>A six-day distraction is put to bed<br />Fin'lly this crossword is out of my head<br />Over two thousand words the clues to write<br />With not a thought of short story in sight</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-24340034083482450482010-11-16T10:00:00.000-05:002010-11-18T19:22:18.052-05:00Getting Back to Business<blockquote>Finally well, I can run once again.<br />Wouldn't you know it, it's starting to rain.<br />Most days I'd risk it, no fair-weather frill,<br />But just this once thin I'll break out treadmill.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-80692046602736683172010-11-15T23:15:00.001-05:002010-11-15T23:15:41.350-05:00If Shakespeare did NaNo(a mid-November rallying cry in the style of Bill the Bard)<br /><br /><blockquote>Though in good grace with fortune and men's eyes<br />for Wrimos all are gathered in this fate,<br />We suffer the heavens to hear our frenzied cries,<br />"The time ticks on and we are running late!"<br /><br />Wishing we'd thought more strongly on this plot,<br />Pre-planned a conflict, character or theme,<br />For we know only what this story's not,<br />And have no clue of how to reach last scene.<br /><br />Yet in these thoughts our quest full on despising,<br />Haply we think on thee, December 1st,<br />When clouds shall part with victory surprising:<br />Fifty K words! We'll finally quench our thirst.<br /><br />NaNo success envisioned such joy brings,<br />"Now we are novelists!" we all shall sing.<br /></blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-74551736457159702762010-11-11T19:19:00.001-05:002010-11-18T19:20:58.316-05:00One Down - 22,785 words<blockquote>My first story's done; I must find it a home<br />But not during NaNo, it's no time to roam.<br />Just one sub this month, and so that I write next:<br />A YA adventure; no cussing, no sex.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-64994987334585733332010-11-10T23:58:00.000-05:002010-11-11T13:15:18.974-05:00Five Thousand Words - 20,468 words<blockquote>Five thousand words today revealed: great flock<br />hewn from rock; throat not healed<br />But this story is congealed<br />And the hero's fate is sealed.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-66950309065430274022010-11-09T12:15:00.002-05:002010-11-09T21:55:48.464-05:00Dark Night of the Soul - 15,445 words<blockquote>A fanfic this morning, just for some fun.<br />Now deep in story mode, real work begun.<br />My protag's in trouble, in quite a scrape;<br />Dark night of the soul, from which no escape.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-89837078177493558932010-11-08T21:57:00.001-05:002010-11-09T12:40:15.896-05:00Wayward Web Search - 11,900 words<blockquote>Was tied up in research most of today;<br />The Web is a master of time to slay.<br />Know I read something about this last week;<br />Now even Google will not to me speak.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-15833714305405294182010-11-07T22:05:00.001-05:002010-11-09T12:40:15.897-05:00Disconnected<blockquote>No chance for status update yesterday<br />The Mad Scientist decided to play<br />With his router, left LAN in disarray<br />Then did the very same again today!</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-71293065703946018472010-11-05T23:03:00.000-04:002010-11-09T12:40:15.899-05:00Kamikaze Sprint - 9098 words<blockquote>Two thousand word sprint on "kamikaze"<br />Desperate ploy to induce writing spree<br />Doc Wicked, my hero in times o' distress<br />There's no other motive quite like duress.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-42820392431514415852010-11-05T22:10:00.000-04:002010-11-09T12:40:15.900-05:00Write or Die<blockquote>Still fighting this cold, I worked in the rain,<br />Which did not entreat my health to regain.<br />Late in the day, I cannot tell a lie:<br />Not one word yet. It's time for "Write or Die".</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-57533824155124977422010-11-04T21:25:00.004-04:002010-11-09T12:40:15.902-05:00Picking up speed - 7122 words<blockquote>Story one is picking up speed, and my words are starting to flow,<br />but deep within the NaNo world the server is still running slow.<br />Ninety minutes to write my words today was all that I needed.<br />It may well take longer before my word count update is heeded!</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-21276003022815173242010-11-03T21:57:00.001-04:002010-11-09T12:40:15.903-05:00Still sick - 5392 words<blockquote>Still sick full on for four days now<br />This infection's growing old.<br />I'm tired and achy and struggling for words<br />And always feel the cold.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-32628099740033365772010-11-02T23:20:00.001-04:002010-11-09T12:40:15.905-05:00An earlier start - 3429 words<blockquote>An earlier start today. I'm still sick<br />but more quick. Time to play.<br />My words done by one, I may<br />even get ahead to stay.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-24379523539967277072010-11-01T23:55:00.002-04:002010-11-09T12:40:15.906-05:00A fierce infection - 1739 words<blockquote>A fierce throat infection, most the day in bed<br />Is no ideal start to NaNoWriMo<br />But minutes 'fore midnight, with eyes seeing red<br />My word count was met and away we go!</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-16185037430646892682010-10-30T22:33:00.001-04:002010-11-09T12:40:15.908-05:00A quaternary quest for NaNo four<blockquote>A quaternary quest for NaNo four:<br />No more the single tome from days of yore<br />Nay, a tetrad of shorts (or maybe more)<br />Equal fifty K words I aim to score.</blockquote>Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-64391920460414892082010-06-04T22:26:00.002-04:002010-06-04T23:35:34.989-04:00The GardenAfter my experiences with container gardening last year, I decided to go for the real deal this summer. I've still a few babies inside, waiting to do a bit more growing before they're ready to face the big, bad world, but most things are in the ground now. If tonight's storm didn't totally rearrange everything, the main garden should look like this:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670703538/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1293/4670703538_f70a560c88.jpg" width="400" height="173" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden" /></a></center><br /><br />A. white currant<br /><br />B. red currant<br /><br />C. jostaberry<br /><br />D. gooseberry<br /><br />E. <br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670076765/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot E by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4670076765_6445f8b62e.jpg" width="344" height="315" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot E" /></a></center><br /><br />F. stevia<br /><br />G. tarragon, sage, rosemary & thyme<br /><br />H. spearmint, peppermint & chocolate mint<br /><br />I. chives & garlic chives<br /><br />J. raspberries<br /><br />K.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670703462/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot K by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4670703462_3bd2effc8c.jpg" width="400" height="167" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot K" /></a></center><br /><br />L.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670076829/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot L by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1300/4670076829_62583c4bdd.jpg" width="400" height="309" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot L" /></a></center><br /><br />M.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670076793/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot M by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4670076793_c253d93573.jpg" width="400" height="357" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot M" /></a></center><br /><br />N.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670076783/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot N by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4670076783_588bb56083.jpg" width="400" height="361" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot N" /></a></center><br /><br />O.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670076805/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot O by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4670076805_962cab3090.jpg" width="400" height="280" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot O" /></a></center><br /><br />P.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4670703510/" title="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot P by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4670703510_a70305c6a5.jpg" width="400" height="351" alt="2010 Vegetable Garden - Plot P" /></a></center><br /><br />Q. swiss chard<br /><br />The beans are waiting for the sweet corn to get established before joining those beds, and the peppers plus some additional tomato plants will fill the empty spaces in plot L once they're a bit bigger. <br /><br />The blackcurrant, blackberry, flowering quince, bee balm, lemon balm, oregano, peas and arctic kiwi all had to find homes in amongst the various flower beds, where there is also additional garlic (gifted by the squirrels) and wild raspberries (gifted by the birds).<br /><br />Next on the agenda: improve our irrigation.Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-50959541194656515422009-12-02T17:28:00.002-05:002009-12-02T17:35:43.078-05:00I Made This!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4153359373/" title="I Made This by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/4153359373_37a7c1ee3f_o.jpg" width="400" height="549" alt="I Made This" /></a></center><br /><br />Finished NaNoWriMo in the wee hours of the morning November 29th. Then I spent Sunday and Monday finishing the wine rack (we purchased the wood pre-cut -- I only had to assemble, sand and varnish it) and bottling the rest of our wine. (There's approximately fifteen litres still in the basement, as it's bottled in short bottles which don't fit in this rack.)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4154119524/" title="On The Beach by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4154119524_b923851ab8_o.jpg" width="400" height="553" alt="On The Beach" /></a></center><br /><br />Here's our new wine rack with the store bought wine added. My father is now thinking he needs to host an "On the Beach" party to drink up some of this wine so there will be room for his plans for a 2010 vintage.Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-36209445928827291792009-11-06T01:02:00.002-05:002009-11-06T01:06:21.543-05:00Bubble Bath FYIFYI: If you're planning on having a bubble bath in a tub with whirlpool jets, use less product than you would use in a still-water bath tub.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4079902534/" title="Bubble Bath FYI by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/4079902534_4ca59ffbb3_o.jpg" width="400" height="284" alt="Bubble Bath FYI" /></a></center><br /><br />Way less product.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4079144227/" title="Bubble Bath FYI by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4079144227_b5ea73c3c4_o.jpg" width="400" height="212" alt="Bubble Bath FYI" /></a></center><br /><br />This from 1/12 the manufacturer's recommended quantity of product.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4079144259/" title="Help! by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/4079144259_e1ccf4abec_o.jpg" width="400" height="318" alt="Help!" /></a></center><br /><br />It seemed like a good idea at the time.Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-23311211652093083682009-10-31T18:53:00.003-04:002009-10-31T23:08:49.007-04:00Trick or TreatThis year for Hallowe'en I decided to dress up as a camper at Camp NaNoWriMo.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4062076972/" title="Camp T-Shirt by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/4062076972_6027ed4e6a_o.jpg" width="400" height="340" alt="Camp T-Shirt" /></a></center><br /><br />November is almost upon us, and that can only mean one thing: It's time for Camp <a href="http://nanowrimo.org">NaNoWriMo</a>! Come join <a href="http://princesskendal.blogspot.com">Princess Kendal</a> (wonder dog) and me on this idyllic writers' retreat, right in the middle of your life. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4061331559/" title="Camp NaNoWriMo by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4061331559_d4196d65d5_o.jpg" width="400" height="443" alt="Camp NaNoWriMo" /></a></center><br /><br />Make sure you come prepared with all of the supplies you will need for camp:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4062076858/" title="Camp Supplies by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/4062076858_60274fe968_o.jpg" width="400" height="423" alt="Camp Supplies" /></a></center> Note the emergency survival kit I am displaying with my right thumb. This handy tool serves as both security blanket and emergency communications device. No camper should be without one! (Click on the photograph above to be transported to Flickr where you can view the image with notes explaining other important camp gear.)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4062076530/" title="Lost in Thought by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/4062076530_6b93f97bc8_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Lost in Thought" /></a></center> There is little time for quiet contemplation during Camp. That is why I am taking this moment around my Hallowe'en bonfire to consult my camp handbook while I slowly cook plot ideas over the fire. Note the camp beverages perched on the edge of the fire pit.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4062076748/" title="Camp Sports by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/4062076748_d5406fcb10_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Camp Sports" /></a></center><br />The favourite sport of Camp NaNoWriMo campers is, of course, writing!<br /><br />The other Camp sport:<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4061331055/" title="The Other Camp Sport by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4061331055_1aa5afa187_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="The Other Camp Sport" /></a></center>Drinking horrible, teeth-rotting syrup laced with copious quantities of taurine, ginseng and caffeine. <br /><br />Camp battle cry:<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4061330819/" title="Camp Battle Cry by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/4061330819_c138c6bfaa_o.jpg" width="400" height="330" alt="Camp Battle Cry" /></a></center> When the going gets tough, the tough drink two-fisted.<br /><br />For those less attuned to the great outdoors, there's always our luxury cabins:<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4062077032/" title="Luxury Cabins by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4062077032_a231f35999_o.jpg" width="400" height="290" alt="Luxury Cabins" /></a></center> Luxury cabins come equipped with heat and electricity.<br /><br />Here's to another great NaNo.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbowdragon/4061330693/" title="Cheers! by Laura Rainbow Dragon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/4061330693_646bd6ac41_o.jpg" width="400" height="321" alt="Cheers!" /></a></center> Best of luck to everyone!Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4291922966214295631.post-78160188684027942442009-10-04T19:13:00.005-04:002009-10-04T20:03:45.154-04:00NaNovelist Woes<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tT_AqEcX2Ok&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tT_AqEcX2Ok&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br />My first YouTube video. (Please click through to YouTube to rate it and let me know what you think.)<br /><br />The story of a girl, a dream, a challenge, a trauma, and light at the end of the tunnel. (A cautionary tale about a possible post-NaNo outcome.)<br /><br />This video is my entry into a contest to win a spot in <a href="http://hollylisle.net/">Holly Lisle</a>'s <a href="http://howtoreviseyournovel.com/">How to Revise Your Novel</a> course. I'll be working on revising three manuscripts in the new year, so any tips I can pick up from this course should be timely indeed.<br /><br />Video text written and performed by me. Fabulous graphics also by me (hand drawn with a mouse!) Music by <a href="http://torley.com/">Torley Wong</a> (a human repository of watermelony goodness who has generously released much music and other fine creations under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/">Creative Commons</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/choose/">licenses</a>.<br /><br />At two minutes and thirty-six seconds (actually, 2:35 when I created it -- YouTube added a second somehow) this video was pretty much at the limit of what my poor old computer could process. Even at that, I had to greatly simplify the graphics from my initial concept. The original storyboard was more complex, but involved far too many key frames, causing my animation software to hang every time I attempted to export the file. Simplify, simplify, simplify -- and a conceptual re-write of the visuals to replace a whole whack of raster images with vector transformations -- and my software and I managed to cobble together the video you see here. Sort of a mash-up of visuals à la "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291665/">Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings</a>" with narration at the speed of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200276/">The West Wing</a> dialogue.Laura Rainbow Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12302473439028432576noreply@blogger.com0