(C) 2020, JJ ShaunMy most recent crayon coloring and my box of crayons Today is National Crayon Day. What is a crayon? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “crayon” as “a stick of white or colored chalk or of colored wax used for writing or drawing.” Artists have used one form of crayon or another for millennia. … Continue reading It’s National Crayon Day
Creativity
Finding Normal
Creative words are hard these days. Practically every post or story I try to write morphs into a commentary on the world of today, along with the challenges we are all facing. So, I’ll start there. As I’ve said before, I live in a very rural area. The closest grocery is about 45 minutes away, … Continue reading Finding Normal
The Ides of March
I first heard the term, “beware the Ides of March” back in high school. But what does that mean, exactly? The Ides of March is a date from the Roman calendar that referred to the first full moon in March. It was also a deadline for settling their debts. Because the Romans used a lunar … Continue reading The Ides of March
Reading to Improve Writing
(C) 2020, JJ ShaunTo be read pile I’ve been trying to catch up on my reading. My TBR pile keeps growing, mostly with the magazines I subscribe to. Admittedly, the magazines focus on the American publishing industry, but they do sometimes have articles that discuss international publishing requirements. I have been reading Writer’s Digest for … Continue reading Reading to Improve Writing
Random Quote for March 2, 2020
“You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,to pick up a book and read to a child.”~Dr. Seuss Theodore Geisle, Dr. Seuss, was born on this day in 1904.
Stories Abound
(C) 2020, JJ Shaun For years, I listened to audiobooks on my commute to the office to help me catch up on my “reading.” And, honestly, I’ve been struggling to finish the last series I started listening to. It could be that the rip-roaring semi-fantasy story turned into more of a romance than I expected, … Continue reading Stories Abound
Staying Healthy
(C) 2020 JJ ShaunYoga Poses On Tuesdays, I spend an hour on my yoga mat with a dozen or so other hearty and aging souls on a mission to stay healthy. About eight to ten years ago, a lunchtime yoga class was offered at the job for a reasonable fee. I’d taken a yoga class … Continue reading Staying Healthy
Random Quote for February 24, 2020
“He who helped you when you were in trouble ought not afterwards be despised by you.”~Wilhelm Grimm Wilhelm Grimm, German folklorist and storyteller, was born on this day in 1786.
Late to the Party
I spent the last 25 or so years concentrating on my career as a Technical Writer and dabbling in fiction writing. Needless to say, I’ve missed a lot. I am just now discovering things like Critical Roll, Writing Excuses, and Trope Talk. Since I’ve found these treasures, I’ve been madly listening to and watching what … Continue reading Late to the Party
Building Adara
(C) 2000, JJ ShaunThe Adaran continent. I spent this week combing the Internet looking for information on how to build a better fantasy world. I created an account with the Dungeon Master’s Guild and went trolling for information. The DM’s Guild is a site on which a bunch of DM-created guides and play modules are … Continue reading Building Adara
J.J. Shaun 