dailydragonlair
Why a Carbon Basilisk?
Hello, friends! Welcome to this week's catch-up. Although my life is quiet at this time, with my main focus being trying to get my book written, I decided that I'd like to share a really neat video. In the course of writing Carbon Basilisk, with my work taking more of a sci-fi route, I've had to start researching areas where I don't have an existing affinity or working knowledge. One great source for chemistry is the YouTube channel Periodic Videos, which has videos dedicated to the elements on the Periodic Table, and some other cool demonstrations.
The video on carbon, the sixth element on the table, was particularly interesting to me. Although I learned the periodic table in school, I never really got into the properties and applications that much, since I wasn't taking the advanced track for sciences or math. Maybe it's just as well, since I'm very clumsy and it's not a great idea to leave me around hard chemicals. Safer to just let me dissect the frogs in a corner. Come to think of it, though, that's a creepy image. I'm imagining a classroom of people doing their nice little chemistry experiments, while I sit in a corner like bargain-bin Harley Quinn and dissect all the frogs. Kind of funny, but I think one frog is enough for a lifetime.
Anyway, this video about carbon is probably, to use an old expression, small potatoes to anyone who isn't a beginner in chemistry. I just thought it was interesting, because I hadn't realised how much in the world is carbon, and that the molecular structure is the reason that some carbon, like diamond, is so hard and difficult to break. I also thought it was cool how the strings of carbon can just go on and on, because of the linking pattern on that molecular level. I hadn't realised how it even has its own area of science: organic chemistry. Carbon's just everywhere, and I think that it really works well with the story I'm writing. It's a common element, it's everywhere, and it's strong. So I got to thinking; what if the world of my story had something in it, something bad, which was not only common and intrinsic to life on that planet, but which was too strong to be destroyed? And so we have a metaphor. It's not meant to be taken too literally, as far as the Basilisk is concerned. In fact, I won't even give away what the Basilisk is at this stage. It could be an actual, fantasy creature basilisk. It could be something different. It could just be a metaphor. I'm not telling yet. It's part of a later reveal.
Anyway, that said, I'll link the video here. I definitely love this channel, and I wish I could remember more at once when I watch these videos. I think that the host, who is very esteemed in his field, looks so perfectly like the textbook definition of a scientist that he's almost like the tulpa of chemistry. I love his chemistry/periodic table themed ties and clothes so much, and he explains everything very clearly, even for people like me. He also gets so excited about his passion for science, which I love to see.
I'm back! I know it's been a long, long time, but I finally feel able to come back and keep writing. After the last few years of uncertainty, and after facing down some considerable health issues, I am writing again. I can only thank all of you who have kept watching my profile for so long, even though I was absent. The support means so much to me, and I have noticed that there have also been interactions with my work and comments while I've been gone. It just means the world to me that people were holding on, and I suspect I may miss some things in the huge dump of notifications that have stacked up since I was last here.
I would like to mention that if I have forgotten anyone, it is because I have to go through the huge backlog of notifications, and I have to admit that my tech literacy has been suffering a little since 2020, so it's a bigger task than I'd thought it would be. So, if I've left you out of this list, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, because I truly want to thank EVERYONE who has helped me and my work over the years.
Without further ado, here are my thanks to each and every one of you watchers who have stayed, for both your support and your patience:
As I go through old notifications, there will no doubt be more thanks in order. And now, for the update:
Currenly, Rising Horror is on hiatus, but is going to be integrated into the lore of my other work. Homing Pigeons is on a more indefinite hiatus. Tonally, there has been a big shift in my stories, but I'm hoping that they will be enjoyable to those who love sci-fi and horror, with a nice dash of the fantasy genre mixed in as well. The current book is a five-act sci-fi horror with a strong mystery element, entitled Carbon Basilisk. I'm going to start putting up teasers as often as I can, so that if anyone is interested, they can grab a copy when I finally get to publishing it on Amazon. I can't guarantee when this will be, but I'm closer to the finish line than I was before I went on hiatus.
As always, I love constructive feedback, so feel free to leave it on anything in my gallery. If I take down something that you really liked, just send over a message and I'll decide if I should put it back up again. I'll also be diving in to other people's art and writing, so that I can see what's new and admire all the fantastic work here. If I have any constructive input myself, I will absolutely try my best to support my fellow creators.
Thanks again, from the bottom of my heart. Wishing everyone the best, safest and most fulfilling of days to come.
Hi everyone! Firstly, I'm so sorry to those who were wondering where I'd gone. The short version is that life is just a mess a lot of the time, with health problems and other issues. I simply haven't even had the energy to log in for months. The community here remains one of the shapers of my work, and I have gotten so much out of it, which makes me feel doubly guilty about not saying anything. I guess that I should mention that, due to my health concerns, I am considering closing my DA account, as I simply am not producing content or maintaining the account. I'm also not participating in the community here, which makes me sad, as it has been an important part of the DA experience. So, while I'm in limbo, deciding what to do, here are some things I'd like you all to know:
The support on DA has been amazing. Special thanks to those who have always gone out of their way to give honest critiques on my work. Thanks to you, I've improved so much!
The interest in my work has helped me gauge what is likely to succeed and what is not, and this has also been invaluable.
I have met some amazing, inspiring and talented people on here. If I ever commented or favourited your work, then know that I still think it is very special. There are so many things I will always remember, even if I do make the decision to leave.
I would like to remain, but realistically, with no output or engagement, I do feel it's quite selfish for me to just stay on here, and I want to be upfront with you lovely, supportive people.
I have renewed faith in the current and upcoming generations of authors and artists after spending time here. Sure, not everything is perfect, but so many of you are very gifted, and even if you haven't been given your chance yet, I want you all to succeed in what you set out to do.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I guess that's it, although I'm sure I'll think of a whole lot of things I should've said later, when my tired old brain decides to work properly again. Probably in the middle of the night, when I'm just slipping off to sleep! LOL. But if you have any thoughts on the matter, feel free to share them, but no offense will be taken if there are no replies at all. I really just wanted you guys to know. Perhaps you'll see more in the future, or I'll manage to get published, or perhaps not. Nobody can see all ends, to paraphrase Gandalf the Grey.
Whatever is going on with you, I wish you all the very best, and the very safest, for 2021.
Features: Self Care
Well, then, how to start? Everything is a mess right now, isn't it? So, I thought that for the features I wanted to do, a good theme would be 'Self Care'. So, without further ado, let's delve into art that represents the concept of self care, created by a variety of talented artists on this site.
I think the subject of this first piece is very clear, even before you see the very pertinent title. The vibrancy, colors and tenderness of it have stuck with me ever since I first saw it. For an added plus, see the description for a little lift and some self care inspiration. Thank you to the very talented DestinyBlue !
Sometimes, I get a little meta, so I will do that now: Self care isn't always about what is represented on the paper. Sometimes, self care is about the act of creating itself. Here is one such work of art: A portrait of the artist's cat, Rosie, in stunning detail. I have no doubt that the creative process was a wonderful experience for the artist, even with the inherent challenges and, yes, frustrations, of rendering life onto the page. Thank you, CherokeeGal1975 , for sharing your beautiful work!
Self care is about comfort. Comfort can be many things: Christmas memories, a warm, cuddly sweater, video games, and much more besides. While I can't necessarily present work that rolls every comforting item into one, how about a mix of the previous three: a traditionally styled, 'ugly' Christmas sweater pattern about gaming. Thank you, InfinityWave , for this fabulous design!
Sometimes, the road to self care is difficult, and perhaps nearly impossible. Friends and community support are very important, and if you can't find humans to help, dogs can often do it instead. Here is a heartwarming work which shows the bond between a girl in need and her glorious great dane, Cement. For additional backstory, read the description in the gallery entry, which details more about the girl and her dog, and how family support helped her, as well as beautiful Cement:
Thank you to the artist, @Fukari !
This next picture has a story attached to it in the description, which is, in fact, the tale of the artist's own life. It's well worth the read, and has a lot to say about perseverance and hope. Thank you, @Keyade !
The observation of cuteness is a proven form of self care, so, without further ado, I present to you, the exceedingly cute 'Summer Cloud' cat by @Chiakiro !
Laughter, like cuteness, is an act of self care. Here's one to make you smile, courtesy of the magnificent @TravisJHanson :
Part of self love is developing your skills and valuing who you are, even when the world tells you the complete opposite. Oh, and exercise, I guess. Enter this wonderful picture. The description holds a lovely little story on the characters, if you can spare the time. Thanks, @Lopoddity . This is a good one!
And sometimes, sharing is caring, for others, and for yourself. Thank you @DianePhotos !
Well, that's it for now, folks. Hopefully I'll get to more features soon. They're fun to do, and I love sharing awesome artwork with you guys!
Thank You (From the Lockdown Zone)
Hello my friends! Well, what a time, eh? Between COVID-19, the switch to Eclipse, and other sundry life concerns, I have gotten waaaay behind on my correspondences here. They are no less important to me, but I am nonetheless late. So, without further ado, I want to send a massive thanks to all of you who have taken the time and had the interest to favourite my work, add me to your WATCH, or simply sent me a lovely llama!
In no particular order, thank you to:
I'm so flattered, seeing this wall of names, that you all took the time to show you like my work. Whatever your circumstances, I hope the lockdowns are being kind to you. Take care, friends!