tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404Wed, 06 Nov 2024 03:09:32 +0000Urban Fantasywriter strategies33 Mistakes SeriesCREATIVE DETOURSEBookGenreInspirationLJ postPromotionTHE ORGANIC WRITERsocial media1st Post of Regular FeaturezombieCharged ImageFairy TalesNetworkingWebsite UpdateillustrationwritersBalletDeadwoodartistgoalspodcastFixlingsStheD BlogTales BlogTwitterUFChatWRITING ROUTES 101faefantasymini-articlepersonal artphotographypromptweb comic'Fae Dreaming'HalloweenNaNoWriMoPhotoshopProject Bite MeWWW Shortcutsbook coverbook releasebook reviewcharactersfictionfightinggraphic novelsguest postheroesmagicmain charactersmonstersmusicalmy writingscary writingshort storysteampunkthemeswriting resourcesHave words, must write.http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)Blogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-3282149760794512305Sat, 01 Jan 2011 23:05:00 +00002011-01-01T15:05:59.105-08:00magicUrban Fantasy Making magic is hard. It takes a lot of time, effort, persistence and preparation. It takes just the right mix of tools and ingredients. It also takes a ton of elbow grease, the appearance of no effort at all, and, in the end, timing is everything. I know. I made magic this Christmas/Yule season for my little boy. In the lack of available 'magic' to be had, I made my own. My son willhttp://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2011/01/making-magic-is-hard.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-6610814040846501463Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:47:00 +00002010-11-10T04:16:55.726-08:00NaNoWriMowriter strategiesLolly the Unsuspecting by Monica Langlois  If you know anything about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) you know it's an exciting and daunting marathon/undertaking for most people who get involved during the month of November. Despite having only a vague idea of the monster task they're taking on* (not the least of which is themselves),  these writers dip - no, fling! - their http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2010/11/nano-monster.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-5731795428908085475Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:46:00 +00002010-10-30T07:27:21.335-07:00HalloweenmonstersUFChatUrban Fantasy4 Monsters & Andrea the Hollywood Agentby Hector Casanova & Harold Sipe Ta da! If you read the last entry you saw I had an awesome guest post lined from the even more awesome Urban Fantasy author Emmett Spain (see HERE for my previous intro), only to get slammed with computer gremlins that 'guanoed' ALL over my system (gulp!) and cut off my access to the interwebz! (faint!) Turns out http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2010/10/monsters-with-human-faces-for-real.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-7585764294839388931Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:30:00 +00002010-10-25T03:31:14.029-07:00guest postheroesmain charactersUrban FantasyHarry Dresden by The Gryph(Found here)I had a guest post offered to me by urban fantasy writer Emmett Spain, author of Old Haunts! (cheers all round and excited hoots). Inspired by a #UFchat topic on Alpha males and dubious heroes of Urban Fantasy, we agreed on a topic - The Dark and Dirty Heroes of UF - (doesn't that sound just awesome?!), Emmett wrote at blinding speed and it was ready to post http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2010/10/dark-and-dirty-heroes-of-uf-almost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-6426291242187121754Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:13:00 +00002010-09-10T21:32:26.794-07:00fightingUrban Fantasywriting resourcesIf you follow me on Twitter you'll know I usually hang out with the ladies-who-love-and-write-monsters crowd there (also known as fantasy and urban fantasy writers) and in the last few months I've been seeing this question (and variants thereof) pop up - a lot:"How do you write fight scenes?"Worst of all, I keep having answers, or at least a bunch of resources to share, (don't ask) so I thought http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2010/09/writing-fight-scenes-other-unladylike.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-2676559477251390077Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:10:00 +00002010-08-01T22:58:45.680-07:00TwitterUFChatUrban FantasyDo you like UF? Monsters? Lots happening! New releases, writing contests, trends/tips.. come join #UFchatTon of resources to back-up tomorrow's #UFchat! We haz urban fantasy kickassitude right here!#UFchat! Bring your monsters & stomping boots. We'll dissect the ingredients in urban fantasy and much more...Countdown to #UFchat. All monsters, monster-spotters and monster-makers welcome. Bring http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2010/08/weekly-urban-fantasy-chat-begins-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-5819678013254982273Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:35:00 +00002009-08-01T04:37:59.649-07:00my writingpodcastshort storysteampunk[CROSS POSTED FROM ONCE UPON A BLOG...]There's a new special short series podcast dropping today - August 1st - at "Supernatural Fairy Tales" - and it's a Steampunk retelling of a Grimm's fairy tale - by me!Dorlana Vann was kind enough to invite me to write a short story for her site and it's turned into an exciting mini-production, being presented in five weekly parts during the month of August http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2009/08/steampunk-retelling-of-fairy-tale-short.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-5362856693722171267Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:08:00 +00002009-07-04T08:54:19.251-07:00scary writingThere is plenty of scary at the blog I found the above poster in. Only click if you can handle lots of fright and moderate gore.I just saw these ads and thought they were an awesome example and resource for writers to consider - especially those who are writing suspense or having difficulty communicating a sense of 'scary' in their scenes.Often writers will go overboard adding elements to try andhttp://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2009/07/sometimes-smallest-twist-is-biggest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-8203117485459882367Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:18:00 +00002009-03-31T01:46:51.604-07:00WARNING: Mild gore ahead... consider yourself warned!In case you want to skip the gore and just get to the bones of it (he he), here's a summary for you:1. Writer - Beware!2. Writer, Be Aware3. Writer: Be-WereGot it?No?Read on...The writer is an unpredictable creature, this we know. The act of writing can transform the most normal and civilized person into a tortured soul.Typical symptoms are http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2009/03/be-were-writer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-886806965728236696Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:49:00 +00002009-03-12T07:21:42.082-07:00Fairy TalesgoalsStheD BlogTales BlogTHE ORGANIC WRITERWondering what many things I'm working on right now?Here's a brief list of posts to come and a peek at my other projects:For THE ORGANIC WRITER there's lots coming your way!I'm busy getting details on the writing processes some published organic writers use - fascinating stuff here! The results are likely to be in the next post or two.I'll be profiling one writer in particular who uses art as http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-heck-is-she-up-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-3437736942344182606Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-03-09T07:49:48.296-07:00GenreLJ postUrban FantasywritersNOTE: This is NOT the blog post I've been planning for days now but I couldn't resist...Writers of Urban Fantasy often come across the same dilemma.It goes like this:Conversation with average-off-the-street-and-fairly-well-educated-types eventually comes around to vocation. You say you're a novelist and then...They say:Oh you're a writer!We:*nod* (& add a reassuring smile)Then they say:What http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-is-uf-elevator-pitch-version.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-716910231837652928Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:55:00 +00002009-03-31T03:19:00.407-07:00'Fae Dreaming'artistCharged ImagefaeInspirationpersonal artI just found out about this today. It's just one of thousands of horrible stories coming out of the horrific bushfires still underway in Australia and while it doesn't compare to the loss of life, losing great art is worth mourning in its own way. The loss of this work in particular has affected me very deeply. I'll give you the awful news first then I'll explain why it's close to my http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2009/02/amazing-inspiration-tragically.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-7400791713136785605Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:38:00 +00002009-02-09T06:06:15.401-08:00book coverillustrationpersonal artPhotoshoppodcastQUESTION:Where has InkGypsy been for the last 6 months?!ANSWER:Desisting from participating in all non-essential tasks in an attempt to stay sane during some trying times.QUESTION:So what, if any, creative work have you done?ANSWER:I've had many false starts, including: not-finishing my novel (no chunks of time to concentrate = a wash), not-NaNoWriMo-ing (one idea & no time - that was a hard http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2009/02/shopping-expedition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-8319785342887937946Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:26:00 +00002008-08-10T12:26:16.827-07:00illustrationInspirationTHE ORGANIC WRITERwriter strategiesCo-creative writing.This is not a creative adventure for two as it might first sound.It's a solo gig.This is what it's called when writers create something else in addition to their writing - something that ultimately helps the writing, either directly or indirectly.I was reading a new author's blog and she* mentioned it was necessary for her to 'co-create' in order to write her best. This http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/08/co-creative-writers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-1153530973488976747Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:08:00 +00002008-08-08T04:25:41.011-07:00book releasefantasyNetworkingpodcastsocial mediawritersIt's 08-08-08.A very auspicious day, as far as the Chinese are concerned, but they're not the only ones with 'olympic' plans today.Two authors - Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris - are planning on making history and storming the Amazon charts.So why the big deal?Why so much trouble?Because they can!Both are being published by a small press*, both are releasing sequels to their award nominated http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/08/double-trouble-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-7952546228027624854Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:59:00 +00002008-08-04T04:31:32.596-07:00musicalpromptCross-posted from my Live Journal (but it looks cooler here, I promise!)Writing prompt:If you could make your own reality show, what would it be about and who would be on it?Interesting. I hate reality shows, but the fact that I'm answering this at all suggests that maybe I just haven't found the sort of reality show I could get into yet... disturbing thought! Most of life, ie. reality, is quite http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-life-my-show.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-7157932667844518256Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:50:00 +00002008-08-02T03:20:32.906-07:00So here's the InkGypsy & 'Og' minutiae from the last week or so - 'cause everyone likes to peek behind-the-scenes...I have made an effort to report more 'Og' news to keep Daddy in the loop with all he's busy with these days so there's a whole lot to read! (A reminder - the most recent is at the top.)FRIDAY/TODAY: August 1st Fail whale has a girlfriend... http://tinyurl.com/http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/08/tweet-week-goodbye-july.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-5098941475023934464Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:16:00 +00002009-04-03T02:22:20.641-07:00fictionpromptzombieThe question: Are you prepared for a zombie outbreak, or are you just going to wing it?My answer:I look prepared. I have the Zombie Survival Guide, I have blunt objects stashed near every window, I have my titanium helmet with padlocked chin-strap and a freezer stocked with brains that have the cunningly deceptive label of 'GENUS: HOMOSAPIEN' but it's not what you think. When the horde finally http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/in-event-of-zombie-emergency.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-6450302041818376207Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:27:00 +00002008-07-23T02:39:58.860-07:00Networkingsocial mediaTwitterHere are my tweets for the week, with the most recent first. You're also getting my half of tweet-exchanges with a brief explanation to clue you in. I've included the links mentioned too, in case you feel like checking them out:TODAY/TUESDAY: July 22Interview with 'fail whale' artist http://drawn.ca/2008/07/21/... If only she got a cent for every whale sighting! [SEE BOTTOM OF POST FOR A PIC]http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/week-of-tweets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-1630952553410100344Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:58:00 +00002008-07-22T03:24:33.202-07:00Charged ImageInspirationweb comicwriter strategieszombieIt should be no surprise that the zombification both continues and appears to have eaten at my brain, not that this has to be a bad thing...The last time my brain was eaten I ended up creating a whole human being. (Yes, it's true. Babies eat your brains! Pregnant woman actually lose brain mass while they're gestating. No wonder I couldn't finish a sentence back then! What they forget to tell you http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/06/scraping-bottom-of-barrel-for-creative.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-7106031613288499333Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:59:00 +00002008-07-19T04:06:40.402-07:00charactersLJ postphotographyLive Journal had a writer's prompt a couple of days ago that I finally got around to writing on. The question was:Who is your favorite fictional character? Why do you love them? What fictional character bugs you?Thinking about your personal reaction to a character in a book you're reading or a show you're watching can be very revealing - both those you love and those you can't stand.As with all http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/when-nice-characters-give-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-7296958859234958353Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:49:00 +00002008-07-18T10:35:06.320-07:00It seems JossWhedon (creator and director of the TV series' Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Firefly) had a lot of fun during the recent writer's strike. Forced to halt work on his upcoming series 'Dollhouse' he got his family together and, with a few friends, wrote a 'Supervillain Musical'. The idea was to do something on the fly, for cheap but 'professionalish' (Joss' word, not mine) and make it http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/creative-detour-dr-horribles-sing-along.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-140019058565432345Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:13:00 +00002008-07-17T02:22:17.637-07:00Networkingwriter strategiesI've seen a number of bloggers who also use Twitter during the day (a real-time community micro-blogging tool) put their days 'tweets' into a little blog entry every so often and thought I'd do the same - but in case you haven't heard about Twitter yet I thought I'd do a little 'splaining for this first set of 'Tweets'.The idea is to answer a single question with a single sentence (ie. 140 http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/why-twitter-todays-tweets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-3691876976453197020Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:08:00 +00002008-07-15T04:37:58.695-07:00artistCREATIVE DETOURSillustrationInspirationLJ post(Cross posted from Live Journal with additional pics and links)I'm busy clicking through this website - http://totoroforestproject.org/ - right now. I have been for two - no, three - days now. Not because I'm a little on the slow side due to sleep deprivation but because I'm going through all the pictures again (again, again!). The ones I'm including here a just a tiny random sampling of the http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/creative-detour-inspiration-totoro.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785669270129570404.post-3708704896574945323Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:43:00 +00002008-07-15T03:53:38.361-07:00LJ postsocial mediawriter strategiesI've been remiss in putting an announcement here so I apologize...The Ink Gypsy is now posting on Live Journal!http://inkgypsy.livejournal.com/(THIS IS A SCREENSHOT - CLICK ON THE PIC TO GO DIRECTLY TO MY JOURNAL)After reluctantly joining Live Journal to keep contact with an old friend a little while ago I've recently come to appreciate its usefulness and have been adding posts there regularly http://theinkgypsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/writing-when-i-cant-write-introducing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Thornton)0