Those Lovely Adverbs

While I was discovering my inner-writer this summer, I learned a few things. Like how addicting youtube can be when you're suffering writers block. Do yourself a favor, unplug the internet when trying to create your next literary masterpiece.
The perils of youtube aside, the most important thing I learned involved adverbs. Yes, adverbs. Now some of you geniuses might know this interesting tidbit I'm about to reveal, but most beginning writers don't. I didn't.
Adverbs can be dangerous tools when writing. They are tempting to use. I can think of about five places I've wanted to put them in the last five minutes. But you must restrain yourself. You will thank me later. Your writing will be stronger without them.
Now that doesn't mean adverbs are completely off limits. They have their use. Just make sure you use them in moderation. Also check to make sure it is the right adverb. They can be used to set the tone and therefore must be looked at with the utmost care.
One last thing, beware of the exclamation point. They can be overused and tacky. Allow yourself one out of every 50,000 word. Okay, that might be an exaggeration. But nonetheless, use them sparingly.

Jude

The Anti-Hero

In the current writing trends many bestsellers, particularly YA fiction, tout a very enviable protagonist. And while it may be a joy to read a flawless character that you may want to be like, the anti-hero can be so much more fun.

To quote a favorite author/vlogger of mine:

"I am happy to acknowledge that [the anti-hero] is not the guy you wanna be or the guy you wanna be with, he's not Edward Cullen. But he is the guy you secretly know yourself to be. Which I would argue is, in the end, much more interesting."

~John Green, 7/22/08

Now I agree with him wholeheartedly that while Edward is someone you can most definately like, but it is a long-distance relationship. The reader is more like a peeping tom, leaning on a far-end branch of the neighbor's dying cheery tree.

On the other hand, the Holden Caulfields and "Nadsat" Alexs of the literary world dwell in the minds of their audiences, giving the unshakable prickly feeling of familiarity. And it is this kind of emotion that makes great fiction, not a sexy vampire.

So try creating a character that you hate, one that comprises of all of your faults.

Besides, you can kill him off in the end.

~Kingsley

90s Music and GarageBand

So Today I discovered the magic of a computer application I had previously ignored: Garage Band.
Now, for those of you who don't have macs, Garage Band is an application that mixes together instrument sounds or that of previously created music.
And it rocks.
I must've spent an hour with my friend chopping up bits of music and smashing it all together. The result, my friends, is four minutes of 90s classic pop shoved into one spectacular symphony or ecstasy.
I know what your thinking: how can 90s crap music possibly sound good? Well, I'll fill you in on a secret. It doesn't. In fact, it reeks of bubbly beats and computerized singing. I'm pretty sure a robot can make the same sounds as Daphne and Celeste in their hit song U.G.L.Y (which I highly recommend for your next party).
But that's the point. It supposed to suck so bad that you find yourself longing to tap your foot to the infectious melodies that is 90s pop.

The whole point of my tirade today? Try something new--whether it be a crappy 90s band or an application you previously thought too confusing and pointless to waste your time on. Who know? It might just give you the inspiration you need to write a fabulous story.

Jude

Surreal Landscape #2

This one is a tutorial from the same website as the previous picture. It was very difficult getting everything to look natural and surreral at the same time. Once again the blogger's English is a real problem.

~Kingsley

Surreal Landscape

I made this "landscape" word for word off of a tutorial by http://www.psdtop.com/, which had nice visuals and was great because it provided the stock photos, but somewhat confusing because the tutorial isn't exactly "step by step", he takes big leaps. His English is also fair at best, so its sometimes hard. I learned a LOT though.

The picture is a composite of three separate images, spread over about 8 layers. Took about 2 hours to complete.

~Kingsley

Who are we?

Hey Guys,

So now that Kingsley has gone mental with special effects and photoshop, I thought it was time to introduce you all to the staff before you think you're in the wrong place.
First, let me make it clear. Everyone on the staff is a student. Second, the staff is subject to grow and change, just as the underground grows and changes.
Members of the staff will post news, updates, logos, or whatever, whenever they feel like it. Today, it's me, tomorrow it'll be kingsley boring everyone with some new tutorial about how to make the color change every two seconds--I bet there is actually something like that out there, but that's beside the point.
Anyway, back to the staff. Our staff (right now) is composed of a bunch of students, tired of having no true place to express themselves without the instruction of teachers, and ready to voice their opinions on any subject in the world. Don't be surprised to one day find a piece about alarm clocks and the next day a piece about trees. Its a diverse staff and a diverse world.
Like I said before, we also want students from every corner of the universe to subject whatever they feel like, and chances are we'll post it up here. So help us create this create a world of literary masterpieces.
Okay, I'm officially done with all my ranting and raving. So the staff:
Kingsley (as you have met before). Kingsley is a brilliant photo-shopper and writer. He is also the most technology advanced, so if there are any problems with the blog or email, feel free to blame (and yell at) him.
Alby--the insanely amazing artist who will no doubt guide us into this new phase with dazzling design ideas. And her astounding wit.
Arden--another fabulous artist and design extraordinare. She was the master mind behind this whole operation and will continue to be absolutely amazing as we move forward.

I hope you enjoyed meeting the staff. You'll continue to get to know them as they figure out technology and post new and even more exciting blogs.
Until next time,
Jude

Background Effects

Background I made with a tutorial on Tutcast (http://www.tutcast.com/), which has some great tutorials.

Hopefully after learning more about photoshop, we can branch out to original work.

~Kingsley (who spelled the logo wrong before)