#once more making use of my Canva account still.

[canisonicscrewyou]

Developing a weekly+bi-weekly+monthly chore chart for my exceptionally neurodiverse living partners and I. There are things that are obvious to us that need to go on there.

HOWEVER. I’m also here taking suggestions for tasks / upkeep that should go on it. Because while I might not use all of them, they help me think a lot.

[james-is-here]

EHEM I need to rant about this and you're my favourite kpop writer so-

Imagine member reader who just CAN NOT be serious about his social media. He has 3 accounts on every platform, 1 for that's literally just him being an idol and shit, and 1 where he stalkes stays edits/posts about him and comments as if he's a fan and occasionally posts memes. One time he fucked up and sent a post that was supposed to be on meme account on idol account and fans go absolutely insane like "wtf is this??".

But on the 3rd one he's sooo troll-y. He pretends to be a fan account of himself and or the group and just randomly takes videos of himself or the group to post, again, acting like a fan. So stays are like "OMG DUDE WHERE DID YOU GET THIS STUFF FROM" and "OMG SOURCE?!?!" but people get suspicious when he's just like 🤷‍♂️. And they keep asking where these videos/photos are coming from and he's just like "just trust me bro🙌" until he gets like scolded by one of the members.

(I'm so sorry I didn't mean to rant like this I just thought it was so funny and needed to tell SOMEONE)

Omg wait that is so adorable and hilarious. Also knowing I'm your favorite makes me so giddy.

So Mn has three pages, his page he posted with the others, a private account, and a fan account.

He had just posted a slideshow of photos from an event he went to then ended up in a scrolling spiral, just watching random videos and he comes across an edit of him and Felix being sassy together and he giggles softly as he opens the comments and he's reading the comments and one said "Sass Kings" and Mn couldn't help himself and commented his reply "We slay." and then he just goes on to the next video.

A few minutes later, his notifications are going off and people are replying to his comment and that's when he realized what account he used and without giving context he just...deleted the comment.

Then people started making memes about the "Mn Comment moment" like someone created a "I was there for the Mn comment" ticket meme.

I have an idea for the third one, he posts videos of him bugging the members or sneaky videos he took when the others were cuddling with him.

His most watched video with a butt-ton of comments asking for the source is a clip of a video he recorded of him sitting sideways on the couch and back hugging Chan who was on his laptop, a blanket over both of them on Chan's lap and Mn's face isn't visible since it was resting on Chan's shoulder not facing the phone. Fans could see Chan leaning back into Mn's body and in the clip Chan turns his head and whispers something that has Mn tightening his hold around Chan. His most liked photos is a candid shot of Hyunjin looking back over his shoulder while painting, brush still hovering over the canvas.

People were commenting how cute it was but also where it came from and how this unknown user kept getting these videos and photos.

His third page (I'm gonna name SKZ Archive) made its way to a few of the boys and at first the ones who found it were confused as hell and worried until they realized and payed more attention to the photo or video that they remembered where it came from.

Mn was responsible though! He didn't post invasive photos of the others, he posted a shirtless photo of himself every now and again but thats it.

He got scolded by his dad but he was told he could keep the account since it's not all the harmless.

I have a social media maker, I could actually make this. Would y'all want media posts?

--Can I insert an idea I had with Ateez?--

Mn posting a video on his third account in his room and it starts with him struggling to prop up his phone and once it's set, he steps back and Wooyoung is attached to him on his back. Mn takes his hands off his legs to show that he was no contribution to holding the male up, it's all Wooyoung. Then Mn looks off screen with a smile but then it falls when whoever he's looking at is suddenly in frame and Mn has to catch him. Now he has Wooyoung on his back while slowly loosing grip on Seonghwa and a second later, Seonghwa is going down with Mn and Wooyoung in tow, crashing to the floor and Wooyoung lets go of Mn but the way he landed when he let go had him kneeing both Mn and Seonghwa at the same time and when he realized and heard the both of them groan he started spewing apologies between his laughter.

Mn was semi curled up on top of Seonghwa and both couldn't stop laughing, Mn eventually slowly rolled off Seonghwa and now all three of them couldn't stop laughing at the events that happened.

Fans found the whole thing hilarious and a lot speculated something happened at Mn and Seonghwa's combined groans and Wooyoung's apologies, some were more focused on the laughter and others were trying to figure out where this video came from.

[reimeichan]

I've read many accounts from those who have fused or reached final fusion or achieved any amount of integration. Everyone describes their experiences differently, but each time it gave me a better understanding of what integration may look like. You could still feel your parts, you could flow between different states, you felt like one person, whatever the case may be, I thought I had an understanding of what everyone else was describing.

And yet, when it happened to me, I was still wholely unprepared and had no idea what to expect for myself. There's a difference between reading and hearing what someone else has experienced, and then experiencing that for yourself. And I'm finding that I'm sad that no matter how I try to describe what I was feeling and thinking and stuff in that moment, I'll never be able to fully communicate my experiences to everyone. I'm constantly frustrated by how limiting language is when it comes to expressing my thoughts and feelings.

Final fusion is wonderful, and confusing, and overwhelming, and amazing. I can feel all parts of me and I am all parts of me- but what does that even mean for someone who has never experienced that for themselves? How do I explain that in a way that you can get even a fraction of understanding how I'm feeling? I can use metaphors- it feels like a pointillism painting where even though there are individual pricks of paint on the canvas, you can step back and see the whole picture for what it is. I can try to be as literal as possible, where it feels like I can finally feel all of my emotions at once and experience each part's thoughts at the same time and even if I may be able to pick out aspects of the different alters that make up me it all still feels like I am experiencing all of it. Maybe I can add another metaphor, where it feels like we're all in a giant cuddle pile together and it's warm and safe and comfortable. And another literal experience, where even when connected I may still engage in dialogue with the various parts of myself as if we were different entities yet still be able to sense that the other me is still me. But I don't think any of this ever truly captures the whole picture, and all I can give you all is a shadow of my experiences.

So... I hope that even if I'm not satisfied detailing everything I'm going through right now, that you guys may at least have a bit more understanding of this new version of me I am.

[ofduskanddreams]

How I download fics and give them covers before sending them to my Kindle.

Hi all, I've been considering making a post about this for a while and now seems as good a time as any. I'm not an expert, and there is more than one way you can do this; I'm just going to show you my process using "Call It What You Want To" by @separatist-apologist as an example. [This will only work on computers FYI.]

Part One — Getting Started

Download Calibre (it's free.) Calibre for PC. Calibre for Mac. They also have it for Linux but idk if that's still relevant.

Follow the program's setup instructions, and then those for wirelessly connecting Calibre with your Kindle account. Alternatively, you can connect your Kindle/e-reader to your computer with a cable and transfer files manually or download the file to your hard drive and share it another way. I highly recommend taking a few extra minutes to set up the wireless sharing as I think it's far more convenient.

Create a folder in which to store fanfiction downloads so that you can be an organized human.

Part Two — The Fanfiction

Find the fic you want to download on ao3 and click it so that you're on the fic's first page.

Above the box of metadata (ratings, warning, tags, etc.) on the far right click the "download" option. When prompted to select a file type, choose "MOBI."

Note: Though ao3 has an "EPUB" option I've noticed a bug that removes the chapter navigation from the fic when downloading the EPUB directly from ao3. If you enjoy the "x minutes left in this chapter/book" feature on your e-reader, you will want to download "MOBI" and we will be converting it later in Calibre.

Save the file to the folder you created.

Launch Calibre if it isn't already running.

In Calibre, click "add books" on the toolbar at the top of the screen.

Navigate to the folder you saved the fic in, select the fic, then click "open." Calibre will import the MOBI file to your library.

Now as you can see, "Call It What You Want To" already has a cover when we imported it to the library. That is because the cover image is embedded in the fic on the archive. Some fics will already have covers embedded such as this one.

Calibre is not a genius. If there are multiple images in the fic it will usually take the first one and default it to the cover. In the next section, I will go over how to add/change the cover of a fic in Calibre and how I like to create them.

Note: Even if the fic doesn't have embedded images, covers may have been made by readers and linked to the fic either in the notes or related works sections so it's worth checking if a cover already exists. If a fic is popular enough, a Google search of the fic's title + "cover" or "cover art" will show you if there have been covers already created for it.

Part Three — Making The Cover (I use Canva)

On the Canva homepage click "create a design" then select the "custom size" option. Canva does have a book cover template but I've found that it's awkwardly tall compared to the default size for Kindle books so I make my own.

I set the dimensions of the design to be 1024 pixels wide, and 1600 pixels tall, then click "create new design."

This is where you can get creative, make whatever you want. These basic steps are shown in a gif at the bottom of the section:

One: Choose a background image (you'll want to make sure it's a high enough quality that it won't be pixelated.) I used an image I had already uploaded into Canva, but you can use whatever you would like.

Two: On the sidebar, select "elements" and then "rectangle."

Three: Make sure the rectangle covers the whole design, then change the color. I like using the colors from the photo that Canva suggests and then making them a darker shade. Once you have the color that you want, reduce the transparency of the rectangle to anywhere between 40-50%. (This step ensures that the text we put on top of the image is easily legible, play around with it a bit.)

Four: On the sidebar, select "text" and then "add a text box." Then type in the author's username and change the font, the color, and the size until you like it. Repeat the same steps for the fic's title. I like to center the title on the page and put the author toward the bottom but that's just my preference.

Once your cover looks the way you want it to, click "share" at the top right and follow the steps to download the file as a PNG. I usually just save the image to my desktop so I can grab it easily once I'm in Calibre.

Part Four — Adding the Cover in Calibre

In your Calibre library, hover over the fic and right-click. Then hover over "edit metadata" and click "edit metadata individually."

On the "edit metadata" screen, find the section that says "change cover" and click "browse."

When the file upload dialog box appears, navigate to the PNG you just saved from Canva, select it, and click "open." This will add your cover to the fic. You can use these same steps to add any cover image that you've saved to your computer.

Make sure to click "ok" at the bottom of the screen to save your new cover and navigate back to the library page.

Part Five — Converting to EPUB

In your Calibre library, select the fic and then click "convert books" on the toolbar. At the top right of the converting screen, set the "output format" to "EPUB."

Now, the following steps are unnecessary little things I do to make my reading experience more seamless.

Click "Look & Feel" on the left sidebar. Under the "fonts" tab, I embed the "Georgia" font family. I do this because I prefer reading in Georgia which is not a default option on my PaperWhite*. I have my Calibre conversion settings in place to do this automatically. You can embed any font that you have on your computer.

*It might just be me, but when opening a downloaded fic (following the methods in this post) for the first time on my Kindle the font is always weird. The trick to fix it is to go and change the font from whatever is selected (Baskerville in my case) to "publisher's font" and then I've found that switching it back to "Baskerville" on the font selection screen activates the embedded Georgia... even though it will say that it's Baskerville? Idk why this is, I just wanted to let you know how I fix it.

Calibre defaults to a justified text alignment unless you change the default settings. This appears as "original" in the alignment options. The random too-large spaces between words of a justified alignment give me the ick so to make everything left aligned, I stay on the "look & feel" page but move to the "text" tab where I can change the alignment.

Staying on "look & feel," move to the "layout" tab. To ensure even paragraph spacing regardless of how it appeared on the archive, I select both the "remove spaces between paragraphs" and "insert blank line between paragraphs" options.

On this page, you can also change the indent size of the first line of every paragraph (highlighted pink,) and the size of the blank lines Calibre will insert between paragraphs upon conversion (highlighted green.) I set the indent to 0.0 and leave the line size 0.5 which is the default.

The last thing I do is go to "EPUB output" on the left sidebar and check the box labeled "insert inline table of contents." This just means that Calibre will add a table of contents to the beginning of the EPUB. (By default it puts the TOC at the end which I don't like.)

When everything is set as you'd like it, click "ok" on the bottom right and Calibre will convert the MOBI file you downloaded from ao3 to an EPUB containing the settings we just changed. Both file types will appear in your library when you click on the fic and scroll within the right-side window. I usually delete the MOBI format after I have the EPUB because I don't need it any longer.

And you've done it! Now all you have to do is either right-click and share it to your Kindle, or you can "save to disk" and download the EPUB file to transfer to your e-reader by a method of your choosing.

I hope someone finds this marginally helpful. In truth, I was just bored so I made this post but in light of the recent DDoS attacks against ao3, I think everyone should look into downloading their favorites so that you're never left out in the cold again.

Happy fanfic downloading <3

[a-d-nox]

web of wyrd: the flow

the number we are focusing on today is based on the SUM OF TERTIARY KARMIC LESSON NUMBER AND MONETARY BLOCKING NUMBER (ex: my flow number is 17: 9 + 8 = 17 (recall that numbers must be summed a second time if they total 23 (i.e. 2 + 3 = 5) and above)).

but what does this number mean?

this number represents how you can keep the flow open with the universe - if you want to receive things from the universe, you have to keep this number in balance. want love? want money? want opportunities? keep this number balanced.

so let's talk about some examples:

9 - the hermit

click here for the card description of the hermit found in a prior wyrd web post.

unbalanced 9s fear the world around them and often isolate, not wanting to risk what they have. they fear evaluating why they have issues gaining, why they fear risk, why are so desperately clinging to what they have, etc. spending too much time alone and apart from the world only stops them from having opportunities. they might be blocking out too many opinions of others - they should know aren't the only one with good ideas. they should listen to others perceptive on their situation. they should take a risk - they should break away from what they know.

balanced 9s spend time with themselves to have a better idea of what they want from the universe, so they know what they are looking to gain. they have deep knowledge of what they need and want - they can distinguish between the two as well. they take breaks from being out in the world to regroup and recenter, but they don't hide out from the outside world. they connect to their thoughts and ideas on how to gain while also taking into account the thoughts and opinions of others (but only with a grain of salt). they take risks without waiting for the permission of others because they know they are capable of taking on the world on their own.

13 - death

click here for the card description of death found in a prior wyrd web post.

unbalanced 13s cling to what they have and experience hoarding like tendencies. they have to realize they must give what they want in order for reciprocity to be experienced. they are often stuck in the past - they think about who they used to be with and what they used to have instead of thinking about what they could have and who they could be with. they have to let go in order to receive. they need to stop thinking about how their relationships once were and let them grow/change. they should quit their job when it no longer serves them and trust they can find something else.

balanced 13s remember that they and the world around them is constantly changing. they go with the flow, and the flow provides for them in turn. despite feeling somewhat uncomfortable through all the changes of life, they still appreciate the shifts in the world around them. they take comfort in knowing something more suitable to where they presently are is coming into their life. they are ready to move forward on the path of life no matter which way they are headed.

17 - the star

click here for the card description of the star found in a prior wyrd web post.

unbalanced 17s lack faith in the universe and often feel hopeless about their prospects in life. but there is no right or wrong path for them, only a blank canvas. they are prone to giving up before even trying. they need to trust that it takes time - the universe takes time. they need to be hopeful and trust that they can do anything. they might be unwilling to heal from past relationships and thus lack hope they they can find a more suitable connection. they don't tend to follow up on their ideas of how to make money either.

balanced 17s accept change and welcome the future. they have faith and hope that the universe will bring better into their lives. they let their creative ideas flow, so they can come up with new ways to make money and meet people. they use their talents to excel in the world. they take time to heal and get through previous romantic trauma, so they could do better in the next relationship they have. they trust that their romantic life is guided spiritually, and they are being lead to their best options/opportunities. they are open to inspired thoughts on how they can do better.

like what you read? leave a tip and state what post it is for! please use my "suggest a post topic." button if you want to see a specific pac/pile next! if you'd like my input on how i read a specific card or what i like to ask my deck, feel free to use the ask button for that as well.

click here for the masterlist

click here for more web of wyrd related posts

want a personal reading? click here to check out my reading options and prices!

© a-d-nox 2023 all rights reserved

[sweetest-honeybee]

I'm going to be starting my very first commissions soon! I am very excited but do you have any tips on what I should and shouldn't do?

Oh that’s very exciting! Hmm I have a post somewhere but I’ll just answer anyways 😂 This is gonna be insanely long

- Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get a huge amount of people asking at first. It’s all about drawing people in and growing an audience! If you don’t have an audience yet, it’s always worth it to market and advertise pretty well. Multiple social medias, using common tags, promoting in say, is discord server if you’re in one or something, all that jazz

- Pricing is very difficult and it’ll fluctuate and change over time. You’re not gonna get it down first try, and they’ll change with your workflow and what you realize you can and can’t do/handle! Personally, I took the amount of time I take on each canvas and estimated some average times (I.e. a rendered bust takes me 1.5-2 hours) and multiplied that by ah, $30 I think at first? And then doubled my prices later down the road

- Additionally however, pricing in such a way that you make good money for your time is important but, and I can’t stress this enough, PLEASE consider the people you’re advertising your work to and who follows you, what communities you’re in, etc. For myself, I’ve recently began to aim for higher quality clients who can pay more all at once and so I can get more money with less commissions stacked in my queue. Thus why my lowest price is still quite high. If you want more frequent clients, most often it’s best to keep your prices relatively low but still good value for you. Again, it’s all about finding that balance and figuring out your workflow

- Speaking of workflow, there’s no one right way to do commissions. Your process is your own and from my experience, I’ve gone through a bunch of different processes with different people! Haha, I’ve even signed a contract once to really seal the deal on the terms and conditions. Make it your own! Be as professional as you feel the need to or not. Do whatever makes you comfortable as long as it’s not at the expense of the client, of course

- You may or may not be contacted by spam bots and other accounts about your work. Believe me, it’ll happen once or twice that you might be scammed if you’re not careful (it’s happened to me twice) but if I could say, it’s usually accounts with names that don’t match their icons, using little/terrible punctuation and very automated repsonses, requesting work that’s not what you do usually, requesting work of family members/pets, offering very large sums of money, whatever else. Just be safe!

- Hmmm what else….

- Make sure you have plenty of examples of your work and the style of art/coloring that you’re advertising. If you’re offering something new, just get like 3-4 examples in and have a consistent process before having people pay money for it. I love my current rendering style but I had to wait til I had a few to know how I wanted to go about offering it as a new coloring style and how it’s different from what I would typically do

- Some clients are definitely rude and pester. It’s okay to put your foot down and say you’re not comfortable working with them. Personally, I offer up other artists if that’s the case (within reason, I don’t send rude people generally but sometimes clients get frustrated with you because you’re not the kind of artists they’ll end up wanting to work with) or if I’m just not able to do a commission because it’s, for example, out of my skill level or something. Always good to send people to artists who are open for work

- I’m actually learning this myself but if you’re working with someone who’s well known (I.e. I worked with good ol Xisumavoid), having T&Cs is useful for those larger clients. Xisuma actually gave me his terms and conditions to fill out in the invoices so if the client has that as well, it works that way too! And again, if you have questions or you’re uncomfortable by someone else’s T&Cs, say that! Believe me, they’ll work with you if they truly intend to use your work (bless that man, he was so kind and transparent about the whole process)

- Of courses you are just starting out but you never know!

That’s pretty much he main stuff. Just make sure it’s seen and clear, you’re valued and understand your value, and that everything you’ll be doing is all up to you. If you have artists friends (or myself) that you’d ever need input from, give them (or me) a holler! This is all just me, other artists have more or different ways they’d suggest going about things so if you don’t agreed with anything I’ve said, that’s alright 😌

[radioactiveshitstorm]

For the OC thingy:

Vasya: Canvas, Road, Alternate

and (obligatory bc when I saw his profile my polish levels went skyrocketing lol xD):

Wabik: Stillness, Roots, Change

(ps. sorry for the prompt spam but I thought you would like some more when one per character lol)

OH FUCK YEAH do not apologise, i get to talk about my tall quiet son and my short rowdy son! :D

Vasya

canvas: Does your OC have any scars, piercings, tattoos, or other markings? Do they display or cover them up at all?

No tattoos or piercings, and he'd probably never get them on account of being terrified of needles/sharp pointy things being stuck in him, but he does have scars. Mental illness is a hell of a thing, y'know? He's also got a scar across his right palm where he tried to de-stone an avocado like he'd seen on the internet. It turns out the knife was, in fact, sharper than he realised, and he did not know the right amount of force to put behind it! Whoops! This one he doesn't care about people seeing, but the SH scars are more of a sensitive topic - he pretty much always wears long sleeves unless the weather absolutely demands it.

road: What does your OC wear while traveling? Do they have high-quality equipment, or are they making do? What does their gear look like?

This man is not travelling. On the rare occasion when he's taking like a flight or something, it's cheap and cheerful comfort all the way. Joggers and a hoodie, headphones, that's about it. I am at something of a loss for this one bc his ass does not Go Anywhere

alternate: What would your OC's alternate universe look be? If they're a fantasy character, what's their modern look? If they're sci-fi, what's their fantasy look? What AU would you want to see your OC in, and how would they dress themself?

Oh. Oh I have infinite AUs for this man. Fantasy AU? He's a funky little forest-dwelling druid with four dog familiars, who sells homemade potions (and soups) to friendly travellers who pass through. Sci-fi? I had a story written out once which was just an excuse to throw all my characters onto a space-station, Vasya works as the on-station gardener and spends 99% of his time with his hands in the dirt and figuring out how to grow fruit in space. Another classic is the lighthouse-keeper AU; his upbringing is the same but he flees home and becomes a lighthouse keeper, adapting to life alone on a desolate rock and enjoying it more than he should. On the fandom side of things... There's his various Fallout-AUs, where he's Courier Six with a med-x dependency, or sometimes a nervous wandering ghoul trader. His Destiny 2 AU, where I turned him into a spacemagic robot and went full oc x canon with one of the loudest characters in the game. And my current favourite AU, the one confined to a friend's server, where he lives & works as a maintenance guy on a military base, and manages to befriend literally everybody he meets almost instantly. He's the most-protected beanpole ever in that one :) And I will stop describing his AUs there or we'll be here all night!

------------------------------------------------------

Wabik (aka Ludwik)

stillness: How does your OC act while still? Are they fidgety? Do they have any common gestures or tics? Does their clothing affect how they hold themselves while at rest?

Wabik cannot fucking stay still for the life of him. Man's a ball of barely-contained ADHD, even if he's not actively moving around he's still tapping his fingers or clicking his tongue or doing the ol' leg-jiggle. His current go-to fidget is tapping the fingers on his left hand with his thumb, in like a sequence (since it's a prosthetic, it makes a more satisfying noise). Clothing only really affects that if he happens to be wearing bracelets that day, in which case those are getting fiddled with. (He used to fiddle with his wedding ring, until he lost his arm and got the ring engraved onto his prosthetic instead.)

roots: Is your OC's look inspired by any specific style of clothing or fashion trend? What are the roots and/or inspiration for their look?

PASTELS. ALL PASTELS. He's just a happy lil pastel guy, he took that style and ran with it! Pale pinks, lilacs, minty-green, baby blue, all that jazz - he loves it, loves to feel pretty. Doesn't restrict what he wears based on silly ideas of gender either; if he wants to rock a crop-top and a skirt, he's going to damn-well do it, and look damn cute in the process. No real inspiration for it, he just liked dressing like this pre-transition and didn't see any reason to change it up. Plus, this particular style goes great with his favourite heart-shaped sunglasses.

change: Has your OC ever drastically changed their appearance? Significant haircuts, big tattoos, complete wardrobe swap, etc? Why? How do they feel about the change?

Only once, and it was temporary, and for a not-particularly-pleasant reason. After the events of The Breaking of Ludwik Nowak, he desperately had to change something, partly out of a need to regain some control and bodily-autonomy, and partly because his usual style didn't feel safe any more. So he shelved all his cute pastel stuff, switching it for plain darker-coloured clothing, and shaved his hair off completely. Did he like it? No, he fucking hated it. Hated that it was a very visible and obvious tell that something was Not Right with him, felt almost ashamed of it. But he physically couldn't get through life any other way, at the time.

He's gone back to his usual look by this point, for the most part, although still has the occassional Bad Day where he'll pull out some less-vibrant clothes and tuck his hair under one of his husband's baseball caps. He's less ashamed of it now, too, although it's still not enjoyable.

[komishko]

Welcome!

-To sort the blog, I will tag things as:

"#Komishko's Arts and Crafts" - For creations like art and writing.

"#Komishko's Discord" - For ask replies, random thoughts, and reblog replies.

"#Komishko's Pinned Reblogs" - A hall of fame, clearly parodying the classic pinned comment.

-Art requests are currently open.

-More info below, this post will absolutely be edited with more relevant info in the future.

Once again, you bestow thy gaze upon another part of the internet.

-Good day! You can call me Komishko, or just Komi (within a clear context) (He/Him).

-If you see another "Komishko" on another site, it's best to ask me if that's me. I use this name everywhere and it's practically never taken, but it's best to be sure.

-If it's not reblogs and thoughts of mine, it's my own art. I just draw whatever I wanna draw, as overwise, this would be a mere collection of soulless illustrations.

-I am still learning things about art, so if you want to share constructive criticism, opinions, suggestions, fun ideas, or if you want to ask me a question, I would be glad to hear you out!

Can you use my work anywhere?

-If you use any of my works for personal use, (For example: using my art for desktop wallpapers, reaction images in DMs, PFPs for non important accounts), then just go ahead lol, there's zero problem in that and you don't need to do anything else.

-If you wish to use my works in a public scenario, or monetized projects, (for example: PFP of a popular account, youtube thumbnails or videos), then warn me, and please credit me! You can merely mention my name, or link this whole blog, whatever fits.

-If you choose publicly share my art on other websites (AKA Repost it) without telling me, that is not okay! Please inform me of reposts.

Do I take Requests?

-It is unlikely that I will follow every singular request that I could receive, but if I like an idea that you send me, I will be more than likely to place it upon a digital canvas for the world to see, so feel free to send me something in asks/DMs!

Do I take Commissions?

-Alas, nope! I would be completely okay with placing a price tag upon my works, but sanctions be damned, Russia's shaboingery makes it far too troublesome for me to bother. Perhaps I shall figure it out one day. Slightly elaborated on here.

Check your posture, open your window to let some fresh air in and get yourself a glass of water, if not some tea. If you aren't having a great time on the internet, you are not using it correctly!

[hopesallwegotleft]

Yo, what do you use to make your Gifs? Seems like everyone else has gifs that look amazing. Even on my highest "quality" setting. They still post looking like a bunch pixels that wants to know if it looks like it knows what a Jpeg is.

Hey! I'm not sure about the exact result just from the description lol but gifs can turn blurry or lower quality because of various reasons. On Tumblr, it might be caused by the dimensions of the gif. For one gif on a row, the max size used to be 500 pixels, now it's 540. (This post has a quick overview.) If it exceeds that width, the gif will appear more blurry. Tumblr also compresses gifs if the file sizes are between 5-10 MB, though I have no idea how/if that effects the quality tbh.

The size of the video/screenshots you work with is also important. Since I have a copy of HoA, I record my own gameplay of it with 2304 x 1440 dimensions. An 8 min video with those dimensions has a file size of like 1 GB, and 1 screenshot has a file size of 1-2 MB, but it helps being able to gif only a small part of a scene and with image quality in general. Tbh I'd love to freely share either video or screenshots with other folks for editing purposes, in a way where people can just nab them if they wanna, but the file sizes make it difficult.

Probably unnecessary to add, but anyway: within the game, you can also set various image quality options to a higher or lower quality, so if your computer can handle it I recommend putting those settings as HQ as they can go.

Another important factor is not to oversharpen or undersharpen the images. If I crop out a lot of the canvas I usually sharpen it once, and if I keep almost the full image in the gif I sometimes sharpen it twice (in steps, eg first reduce the image size from 1400 x 1400 to 950 x 950, sharpen, then reduce the image to 540 x 540 and sharpen again). But that really depends on how the final result looks. More advanced folks use more detailed ways of sharpening (such as Smart Sharpen... or Unsharp Mask... in Photoshop) but personally, I stick to regular sharpening since it looks nice enough too and it's 1 click, as opposed to sliding the bars around to find the exact result I want.

I don't think doing 1 of these points wrong will lead to a horrible quality, but combining all of the bad points may lead to very blurry or pixelated gifs.

For recording I use what Windows has (by hitting Windows + Alt + R), for screenshots I use VLC media player, and for editing PS.

And for anyone looking to get into editing or giffing without PS: Photopea is an online website that emulates a lot of PS functions. The gif and text functions are sadly still a bit limited compared to PS, but it's free, doesn't even require an account, and it does incredible work imo <3

Lemme know if anything's unclear or if you have any other questions. (Same goes for other folks, I love seeing people's HoA edits, and if I can help anyone looking to start with that process I'm happy to)

[fallout-lou-begas]

How's the script project like for IKROAH? Is it difficult or quite easy? Did you learn how to write comic book scripts because of IKROAH, or had you done it before? What kind of format do you use? Did you have any advice for people in the writing process of creating a comic book? Sorry if this is a lot of questions at once, but I love getting an idea of an artist's creative process.

Whew! No worries anon, I'm also someone who loves to pick the brains of other peoples' creative processes.

The writing for IKROAH can be divided into two halves: the outline and the script. The outline is a big spreadsheet and it's exactly what it sounds like, and it looks like this, but for all one hundred issues. The outline is complete and I use it tp reference all of my scripting.

The point of this outline was so that I could write the comic before I had to actually write the comic, if that makes sense. It would be extremely foolish for me to try to write all one hundred scripts up-front, especially since so many changes to the outline and overall plot of IKROAH have been made during the writing process (though it seems totally settled now). This lets me strike the perfect balance between planning ahead and knowing what I'm writing toward, and still having some freedom with the direction of each individual script. As the outline goes deeper and deeper and I get to scripts that I haven't written yet, the "synopsis" gets much more detailed as I work in very specific ideas or visions that I have for that issue. They're not set in stone, but it's just stuff I don't want to forget to try by the time I get there.

The scripts, meanwhile, are all just on one big Google Doc that looks like this.

The format of each individual script can vary: sometimes, like for IKROAH #23, I very carefully plan for myself the distinction between text and action. Other times, it's basically all just dialogue, and I let myself figure out the action more so during the composition stage. But basically every comic follows this process:

First draft of the script and dialogue

Thumbnailing of the script as I figure out page composition and paneling

Revisions of the script and dialogue to account for page composition

Digital mock-up of the comic (drawing the panel borders to scale in a digital canvas)

Lettering of the comic (to ensure there's enough room)

Revising the script again because some lines won't fit in speech balloons right or something

Drawing the comic, then inking and scanning and coloring

Further revisions of the script as I letter it and realize some lines just aren't as good and ought to be punched up

The script for each issue is surprisingly fluid and the even though it's usually minor changes, dialogue can go through revisions very well up to the eleventh hour before publishing.

The script master document also contains a complete timelined biography of Agnes Sands' life, and a complete timelined chronology of the events of IKROAH where every single issue is given a date and a "Days Passed Since Issue #1" number for my own private reference. This very rarely manifests in the text of the comic itself but it lets me accurately make references or foreshadowing when I need to.

I would say that the process of writing a comic like this is not as hard as it is time-consuming. This took a lot of work up-front, especially amassing a library of midcentury song lyrics to peruse for stingers on each issue, but now the rest of IKROAH's production is basically on autopilot. It lets me just draw it when I want to without having to worry about writing or direction as much, at least for a while -- the outline is complete, but IKROAH's scripts are only written in full up to issue #50. After that, the're mostly written with a few missing ones up to #78, and then the rest is essentially unwritten except for #98. And of course, like I said, the scripts tend to undergo a lot of revision in the production process of each issue, but this is for the best.

The closest I've come to writing like this in the past is when I hatched an idea for a superhero comic in high school and made a similar outline for all of the issues I had planned, which villains would get introduced when, and so on, but that never came to fruition. The organizational skill remained though, clearly, lol.

And as for advice, my best advice is this:

Don't wait until you're "good enough" to make a comic. You don't need to earn permission from yourself or anyone else to just do it with the skills you already have.

The best way to improve your art and comic-making skills is to just start making a comic. Your art, writing, and process will get better over time.

You only need to be good enough at art to convey your subject matter and express your vision, not to replicate anything photorealistically or perfectly. This is why strong composition and paneling can work much better for a comic than very technically good art itself. Tails Gets Trolled is unironically a good example of this point, as is the art of One (pseudonym of the manga artist behind One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100).

For any kind of long-form work, I highly recommend this short vignette structure. It's more rewarding than making only one page at a time because each issue is still a complete story beat, but it also stops you from basically drowning in the total size of a long-form project. It used to be basically any webcomic on the internet started with totally shit art and you watched the artist get better and better over time, now the Webtoon Industrial Complex has already professional artists putting out extremely polished art from square one. That's bullshit. Reject it. Embrace your amateurism but also your ambition.

Fuck around and find out. Don't be "comic-core," just be on your comic book bullshit.

Read a lot of comics. See how great visual-sequential storytellers accomplish things with pages and panels, and adopt those tricks into your own toolkit. See how they draw things or color things and try to emulate that. One of my favorite ever art teams is the one on the 1980s The Question series, of penciler Denys Cowan, inker Rick Magyar, and colorist Tatjana Wood.

[thepinkwriterr]

Capricorn Season Chapter Eighteen Part Three

This chapter is just more letters! These are between Lorelei and Juniper. This one is short and bittersweet. Enjoy. 

Table of Contents 

Word Count: 1k

Dear Juniper, 

How can I describe the last three days? I can’t really… They have been so amazing… Oh, okay, I’ll just tell you. After we split the other night I went to the club that Sable said Zeppelin would be at and I met Robert Plant. 

I get so lost in those beautiful eyes, wet and wild with azure fire. I would take anything from him, a plaster touch or a fleeting meeting of lips. I only wished to touch him, to have him for the night. I didn’t care what came after. 

“Won’t you join me upstairs?” He asked in his sonorous and deep voice. 

And that accent! It makes my knees wobble. Yes, oh yes, I would follow you into the pits of hell if it meant you would touch me! 

“Sure,” I played it cool. I was the cubes of ice in his glass, clinking against the crystal glass and watering down his whiskey. I was wet watercolor begging to be smudged. I wanted his artist hands to taint me in any way he saw fit. Any addition his mastermind made would add value to the canvas of my body. 

He extended his hand and allowed me to hold it in mine and lead me to the elevator. We left the drab hotel lobby behind and got into the tin tube. We waited for minutes on end, hearing the whir of gears in bated breath. He didn’t ravage me there like I thought he would. He was restrained, by all accounts a gentleman. 

I was over the moon, tickled pink, even! I was going to Join Robert Plant in his hotel room. I couldn’t believe it! 

When we finally got to his room (which felt like a million years) he again showed his chivalrous nature. He asked if I wanted anything to drink, anything to smoke. I said no to both. I just wanted him. I wanted to skip it all. 

So I made sure he knew it. I stepped up to the bed where he sat and put my hand on his thigh. “Is this okay?” I asked, locking eyes with him. Carnal. Sinful. He was starting to get hard already. 

“It’s more than okay, Darling,” he said, refusing to break contact. Eyes and hands were close now, closer yet as he pulled me into his lap. I yelped, shocked by his strength but of course, turned on. 

I put my lips on his at once, a muted moan pouring from my mouth into his like a flow of lusty liquid. 

“This is going to be a wonderful time,” he tittered, now putting me on my back. 

Oh, Juniper, it was amazing! He was so good. He’s such a good guy. He’s so charming. It might be too early… but I fear that I may be in love again. Don’t expect me back anytime soon. I agreed to join him on tour. 

I know I skipped on rent this month, and I’m sorry. Maybe you can talk to Lavender and get it sorted out. Please don’t be upset with me. I think that I have finally found the one, found my happiness. 

With love, 

Lorelei Scanton

-

Dear Lorelei, 

Wow! Robert Plant! I can’t believe it. Well, I can believe it. You were always our blonde bombshell. It’s no surprise that he picked you. 

It’s okay that you missed rent this month. And now the months after. Sable said that if you went to see Zeppelin that you wouldn’t come back. And I knew she was right. If not for Robert, for another. 

I am happy for you. I just don’t want you to get into something like what happened with David. Make sure he knows your heart is sensitive. That you’re sensitive. 

I’ll miss you bunches. I mean… you were such an integral part of the scene. I didn’t wanna tell you this, but Ritchie said he misses you. He told Regina and Thomas, who told Pearl, who told Lilac, who told me. I didn’t say anything while you were still here because I thought it would make you stay. Town is gonna suck without you, but you’ve got to find your happiness. 

Ritchie was an asshole, and David didn’t know what he had. Now you have Robert, who I’ve heard treats his women amazingly. Just don’t get too attached, okay? Please come back to us in one piece. Zeppelin can get crazy. 

Your friend, 

Juniper Lane 

Dear June,

I know it’s scary. I am scared. After what happened with David I thought I was never going to do this again. I promised myself I wouldn’t. I was going to lock my heart away in a cage. I looked myself in the face and promised myself that I wouldn’t ever go through what David put me through. 

I know I am so stupid. He probably has a girlfriend back home, or a wife, maybe even children. David had a girlfriend and kept me like a dirty secret. I know you know how that feels. I know Ginger broke your heart the same way. But with David… I really fell. I thought he loved me. He fooled me. He never meant a moment of it. 

But could you blame me? Who brings someone to Paris if they don’t mean it??? He was so perfect. He spoke French to me. He told me how beautiful I was in multiple languages. How could I not fall in love with that? 

I remember one night we were in the hotel and he told me “if I could eat anything I would eat you out” in French. That would make anyone swoon! I still can’t believe I don’t have him. I think there will always be a part of me that misses him. It’s pathetic and moronic, but it’s true. 

He wasn’t my first love, but he captured me in a vulnerable time. He hooked me for such a short time, but it’ll always be crystalized as an important time in my mind. After the devastation of Steven, I didn’t think I’d ever love again. And then again after David. I guess this is just what happens. You get hurt and you move on. You have to dust yourself off and get over it. 

So now I get to spend a few months with Robert Plant. And who knows what will happen? Maybe he’ll take me back home and this time… it’ll work. Maybe this time it’ll be real. Probably not, but doesn’t that sound so nice? 

How are you? How’s the house? I look forward to you telling me. I know this letter will take forever to get back home. Well, maybe a few days. But not as quick as a phone call. But I don’t want to take the phone from any of the guys calling home. 

This scene is crazy. Everyone… and I mean everyone, is always partying. Even the roadies are getting head in the clubs! Jimmy is really broken up about this girl he has back home. I guess they were pretty serious before he came out here. Robert said he hasn’t slept with anyone else this tour. I’m shocked! This Gwen girl must be pretty serious. Must be pretty special. She’s so lucky. 

Tell Lavender she can keep whatever she borrowed from me. I know she has my black platforms. I won’t be home and she’ll take them with her anyway. I must kiss them goodbye! 

Love, 

Lorelei Scanton

-

Dear Lor, 

I’m happy that you’re opening yourself up again. But this does seem really scary. You know he has a wife. You know he’s not going to take you home. You know he’s no good. He’s a rockstar. No matter what you think about him, he’s only going to hurt you. You know where this road leads. 

I know that you were really fucked up after Steven. I mean, fuck, who wouldn’t be? Especially since this whole war isn’t over. They’re really dragging it on. 

I don’t think you’re stupid, I think you’re lonely and lost. We all are. All of the girls are lost. Lavender, Lilly, Vickie, Lexi, Diamond, me, you… we’re all just looking for something. But these men are not it. They’re just filling the void. I don’t know what your void is. Maybe it’s Steven. Maybe it’s your dad. But you need to fill it with something good if you want to stop being hurt. 

I’m sorry if that’s harsh, but it’s the truth. 

I’m good. The house is shitty, as always. Lavender and Sarah moved in. Lavender took your room and Sarah took Trixie’s old room in the basement. I think Vickie wanted your room and now she’s bitter. But she pissed me off last week so I don’t care. 

She keeps leaving her fucking dishes in the sink! We all know the policy. And she’s just disregarding it. It’s not fair. 

It’s okay that the letters take a while to get here. I like the letters. It reminds me of sending postcards to my nana when I was a kid. Gives me something to look forward to. 

I love you and I hope you stay safe. 

Sincerely, 

Juniper Lane 

-

“Are you okay, Darling?” Robert asked. 

She pursed her lips, looking away from his kind gaze. He put his hand on her back and started to rub up and down her spine, trying his best to coax information out of her. 

“I’m fine. My friend just sent me a letter. And now I’m pissed off.” 

“What did she say?” 

“She thinks I’m an idiot. She thinks I’m wasting my time with you. She thinks you’re just going to hurt me. She doesn’t understand anything and she thinks she does.” 

Robert sighed. 

“That sounds quite complicated, love. Maybe she’s just worried.” 

“I know she is. I just-”

“Is this about the David situation?” 

Now she sighed. He deflated her. 

“Yes.” 

“See, she just cares. Why don’t you give it a few days and write her back?” 

“I should. You’re right,” she buried her face in his neck. Her resolve was broken and she needed to sleep now. 

--------

Taglist:

@anothercanyonlady , @jonesyjonesyjonesy , @paginate54 , @seventieswhore , @jimmypages , @jimmys-zeppelin​ , @jimmysdragonsuit13​

[from-dre]

Beata Beatrix

Letting Myself Go There

I used to walk by a small bridal shop on my way to weekly therapist visits. With skateboard in hand, I’d stare through the window at the custom pieces. A sight of renewed purity flowed down in off-white silks and satins. Beads of ivory instead of sweat. Lines of embroidered passion instead of permanent slits.

I’d imagine the clientele; ecstatic at the feelings they’d get on their final fitting day—an image of redemptive beauty reflecting back from all angles. She'd close her eyes and see the imperfect Prince Charming riding toward his bride, steel armor replaced by scarred arms, sword and shield by pen and paper.

Then; trust-falls back into a recoiled reality as she draws back the eyelid curtains and reaccepts objective truth. He is nowhere, she is non-existent; the shorelines dissolve back into the ash that rises up through the atmosphere like burned pieces of grey confetti. The best men all gather around the groom—anxious to see the ball and chain locked up from their front row seats. I’ve pretended to get down on one knee too many times throughout my life—nobody’s ever taken me seriously, not even myself.

Storybook Sadness

I got up one morning as I sat on the edge of my bed, nearly shivering with nervous sweat. I began thinking about the dream I’d just woken up from of an image that’s haunted me ever since;

A beautiful wedding in a broken-down chapel; rays of sunlight still shining through its cracks in the rooftop, impaling the dense air with translucent touches of promised hope that pierce the fog in permanent halves. Beacons from high above all beaming prisms of rich colour through the stained glass windows and onto walls half-sprawled with the bright vines of deep green emeralds.

She stands center-stage; framed perfection. A magnum opus wrapped in white threads of pure redemption. Untouched skin; restored to life and ever-pampered by real Seraphim who flew down from His side and saved the star-crossed lovers from their eventual suburban fate of celestial disappointment. I’d found true happiness at last through her eternal smile.

“Does anyone have any reason...,” the preacher utters the words I’d been dreading to hear as she peers through her peripheral in my general direction. My entire body freezes shut—disabled by well-deserved humility and a forced life of self-imposed silence. Through the veil’s intricate lace; a microscopic image of our entire universe and its timeline starts taking shape as it simultaneously begins unravelling at both ends, gaining exponential purpose within the glistening liquid of reflective teardrops being formed real time inside the bride’s outlined-eyes.

Then I wake up.

Dreamy Frequencies

The haze brings about bits and pieces of memories that don’t make sense. Chopped up frames of film I don’t remember shooting. Anger works in ways that’s hard to take into account. It threads itself into my daily existence with such a delicate touch that by the time its coursing through my body, I’m already breathing fire. I used to try meditation until I realized that it required active focusing upon nothingness. I used to be able to pray with so much more ease a long time ago too, but lately I feel like I’ve been picking apart my end of the line. The emotions used to drip out through my fingertips and onto the canvas below, smearing technicolor truths through optic brushes—a filmed masterpiece from beginning to end to new beginning.

Constant turmoil and persistent guilt comes barreling toward me at light-speed. A ball of havoc in attempting to purge so many of the things that’ve haunted my life follows suit. The off-color marks still on my wrists, the emptied fifths still stashed away in closets, the pictures of a once-romanticized era realized through saddened expressions and regretful moments. The hospitals, the medicines, exile, disease—it all interweaves itself into a mess of misery in an attempt to find and rid myself of all the darkness that’s held such a permanent hold on my heart.

Beatrice Portinari, 1977

After the storm, a period of personal restoration is required. In order to beautify a place that’s been held under such a previous oppression, one must first create their own space of individualized-peace. Symbols of hope eventually come through the images of potential happiness countering my puke stains and pill bottles. Everything surrounded by a brilliant swirl of sleeplessness cast upon the outside world with zero concern and even less caution.

An immediate shift within the earth’s core; flipping the switch on polar opposite poles when she appears in my dreams as someone I have yet to meet, taking center-stage; both brims ink-filled while adorned in Vivianne Westwood accessories with added revolver clip as liquified rose petals drip down halls of scarlet throughout a timelessly-armored heart. Her attitude; priceless—the posture; prayer, as her poet approaches his muse from beyond the background’s shadows.

[danniswrites]

Advice to someone wanting to publish poetry

I wrote this advice out, but couldn't post it on Reddit r/selfpublish because it was too long. So I made a blog post LOL.

I would use LibreOffice to format your poetry. It's free and works like Word.

For Kindle Direct Publishing, there is a lot of help about what all the choices mean.

You will need a bank account to get paid and that info handy. You will also need an EIN if you are in the USA but if you don't use your Social Security Number for tax purposes, you can use it.

Do read through all the help info before starting your book. You can save it as a draft and solve all the problems before actually publishing, so if you want to just do it, that won't hurt anything. It just makes it faster once you make certain decisions, but you can do it later.

Don't hit publish until you're absolutely sure everything's correct because you wait 2 or 3 days for Amazon to review your work [by this I mean, your cover's okay, you don't have blatant spelling or formatting errors, etc. They don't review it as to literary merit, just to see it meets their minimum standards, no feedback]. It's really not hard, just a LOT of choices, like 3 pages of choices.

Do think about keywords. What kind of poetry is it? You get 7 keywords. Those keywords need to be the ones that best describe your poetry. Do use them all! Think of words your possible reader will put into that search box. Make sure they truly represent what you've written. Read some articles on Amazon keywords so you know what to put and give it some thought. Your keywords will make all the difference in your possible reader finding your book.

In KDP you have the choice to also create print versions of your book. I strongly suggest you do this. There is no disadvantage! Putting your poetry book up on Amazon costs nothing. Royalties are 35% or 70% depending on if you choose to do Kindle Unlimited, where people can get your book free if you agree not to publish it anyplace but there. I used to put all my books on KU. Now I publish on other platforms and like the freedom. I do let Amazon publish to all its countries. But there are other platforms such as Draft2Digital, and if you let Amazon do international, you can't do Draft2Digital or other platforms unless you undo it. I'm still researching. For print, formatting is more complex. However, Kindle Create makes this pretty easy. If you just want a standard format, it will work nicely. Things get a little more complicated if you want a picture for each poem, but it's still not too hard from the looks of it. That said, I've never published a book with graphics. There are a few more steps involved and the help pages on KDP are detailed enough to be very useful for you.

I also publish on Wattpad and my poetry book is getting a lot more reads than my science fiction, which shocked me! I'm not popular by any means, but I feel good to see the views and comments on my stuff. Right now I'm doing the free stuff, but I usually check the boxes for willingness if Wattpad Publishing might be interested. Hey, I can dream, right?

I've never used a paid service, and I'm not making but a few dollars on Amazon anyway, so I can't justify paying for it when I can't cover it from profits.

I do my own book covers and use Canva, among other software. The one exception is my poetry book on Wattpad, and I did use AI to produce it because I didn't like the one I came up with. But, you can't copyright your cover if you use AI, so I strongly suggest you create your own.

For book covers, a good free site for public domain photographs is Pexels.com. Don't use photographs unless you are sure they are public domain, because the last thing you need is legal troubles. Read up on copyright.gov and avoid problems. Everything on Pexels.com, Pixabay.com and a few others are a pretty good bet. Photographers that upload are releasing their work into the public domain on these two sites, and they have an info page that states this. Beware of photo sites that have no site into on whether it's public domain or not, that's a red flag. I have little trouble finding what I need on Pexels.com and it includes Pixabay and some smaller sites and individual photographers, so I usually go there.

I also use a free software called DAZ Studio, from daz3d.com for character models and it also has buildings, props, clothing for their models, etc and weekly freebies on Wed. It's easy to use, of all 3D software, and tons of tutorials to get up to speed fast. I use this for a lot of characters, especially if I can't find the picture I want on Pexels. I'll use their AI for blog posts but not for book covers, I make those myself. Using DAZ, you can do a realistic scene with characters first, then transform those into line drawing or painting styles with a click. There are comic artists who use DAZ for their graphics. This is not considered AI generated because you set up your scene first, then use a style, so it's still your composition and placement. Human models are included in the free software, with clothing, props, hair, and a few settings, with the option to buy more. There are also websites with free and paid models like Renderosity.com that has good quality models in DAZ format. For realistic models, Genesis 9 is the most recent, but Genesis 8 is mostly what I use. The older models are often free but not as detailed or realistic. However, they take less RAM on your computer so if you're not going for realism [watercolor painting or abstract modes] they are still very useful.

Last, but not least, I have an old version of VUE [2016] from before they went to the subscription model, that I use for landscapes and have experimented with animation. You can also do animation in DAZ. I mainly use my old VUE 2016 for alien landscapes, but it was expensive to buy. Many movie studios use VUE, but the commercial version.

Once I have my artwork or photographs ready, then I go to Canva.com to make a book cover or blog graphic. I don't bring it to Canva until it is ready. If I need any photo special effects like blurring or color correction, or need to put several photos together, I do that in GIMP, a free software that's like Photoshop but free. Some people who use GIMP and Photoshop say some functions are actually better in GIMP. Canva is easy to use and has a great selection of fonts. I wouldn't use it for publishing, but it's great for book covers. There are templates with nice designs or you can start with a blank slate. Templates may be created by artists who have studied color pallets, which fonts for which genre, etc so I usually use them. But I might make different choices for fonts. There are a lot of tutorials out there if you want to do something fancy, but generally, I have what I need with a good template. Personally, I think if you start with good artwork, Canva is a good way to go.

You can also use Amazon's built in Art Painter to do your cover. There is a limited selection of photographs there, but I usually go to Pexels rather than hope one of those photos in Art Painter will do. Canva also has photos available, but a better selection. Most of their photo editing options require a subscription. I use the free version and if I have my graphics ready beforehand, I'm usually pleased with the result. This post is too long, but I hope it helps you. Good luck! Pair your poetry book with frequent, regular posts on all your social media. If no one knows your book is there, you won't get sales.

[k00299935]

BRIEF THREE- MOVEMENT

Week two- Painting

Canvas painting

I still felt too sick to go into the city, so instead I decided to start a painting on an upcycled canvas I had been meaning to use. If I add up all the hours I spent on this painting, it took about three days give or take.

For this peice I felt inspired by a poem I read, titled "Remember" by Joy

"Remember that you are this univere and this universe is you". What a beautiful quote. Many people believe that we are all indeed a paet of the universe scattered around, and once we die we are connected again amongst the stars. The idea that a peice of the univere is inside if us all is what inspired the painting.

I knew I wanted it to be a self portrait however I didnt want it to be a realistic one. Why? Because last year I did a plc in design/animation, and we had to draw ourselves a LOT. Not just draw, we painted, collaged, and digitally produced realistic images of ourselves. I must have about 20 self portraits in varying size and medium shoved in a folder somewhere in my room. I am absolutley sick to death my face. So I decided to stylize it for this portrait to make the process more enjoyable.

This is the reference picture I used~

I first started by sketching out a loose drawing of my reference picture, and then added a wash of purple, pink and yellow. I wanted this peice to feel ethereal and pretty.

Once this layer was dry (it was very watery so it took a few hours to dry completley) I mixed up my paints. I decided on a lilac colour scheme, and took what I learnt from Slyvias life painting class into account when prepairing my colours.

Like Slyvia instructed us in the life painting class, I mixed up 3 shades of lilac. A dark, a light and an medium shade. I then looked back at my reference picture and mentally marked out each area that each shade would apply.

The actual painting process took many hours, and to be honest Im still not completley satisfied with the finished painting. As I said, I dont think it looks like me at all and Im not haply with how the body came out. I do like the moon however, I think that came out nice.

"A fragment of the universe"

If I had more time I would have liked to dedicate a few weeks to this painting rather than a few days.

[incomegenius]

Unleashing the Power of ClickBank Affiliate Marketing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

If you’re still struggling to make money with ClickBank affiliate marketing, you’re in the right place. This blog post will walk you through a proven strategy that guarantees to boost your earnings. The best part? It’s free to start, and you won’t need to show your face on camera.

Step 1: Sign Up for ClickBank

Step 2: Choose High-Converting Products

Identify high-gravity products, indicating strong conversion rates. Look for products with a gravity score above 30, and consider those with recurring commissions for ongoing revenue.

Step 3: Generate Your Affiliate Link

Step 4: Create Engaging Instagram Posts

Utilize Canva to design captivating Instagram posts. Search for weight loss-related images and combine them with engaging text and a call to action. Use ChatGPT to generate compelling captions and hashtags.

Step 5: Duplicate and Modify Posts

Duplicate successful posts on Canva, making slight modifications to create a variety of engaging content quickly. Ensure each post includes a call-to-action and mentions the link in your bio.

Step 6: Utilize Fiverr for Images

If you need professional before-and-after images, consider hiring freelancers on Fiverr. Search for “Instagram weight loss” to find affordable image packs to enhance your posts.

Step 7: Optimize Your Instagram Bio

Craft a concise and compelling Instagram bio that introduces your affiliate product. Include a call-to-action and specify that the link to the product is in your bio.

Step 8: Regular Posting Schedule

Consistency is key on Instagram. Observe successful accounts and their posting frequency. Aim to regularly share engaging content to maximize your reach and engagement.

Step 9: Engage with Your Audience

Respond to comments, and messages, and engage with your audience. Building a community around your content can enhance trust and increase conversions.

Step 10: Promotion and Giveaways

Consider running promotions or giveaways to boost engagement. Encourage followers to share your posts, increasing your reach and potentially attracting new customers.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you can kickstart your journey into ClickBank affiliate marketing without spending a dime. Leverage the power of Instagram to showcase your chosen products, and watch your earnings grow. Don’t forget to grab my ultimate affiliate marketing guide for additional strategies, and leave a comment for a chance to win my YouTube course — mentorship included. It’s time to turn those ClickBank commissions into a steady stream of income.

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Introducing our FREE ebook: “The 7 Steps to Becoming a Super Affiliate” — your go-to guide for mastering the art of affiliate marketing and maximizing your earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ClickBank affiliate marketing? ClickBank affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing model where individuals (affiliates) promote products available on the ClickBank platform and earn commissions for every sale or action generated through their unique affiliate links.

How do I sign up for ClickBank? Signing up for ClickBank is simple. Visit the ClickBank website, click on the “Sign Up” button, fill in the required information, and follow the registration process. Once completed, you’ll have access to the ClickBank Marketplace and affiliate tools.

What is a gravity score on ClickBank? The gravity score on ClickBank is a metric indicating the popularity and performance of a product. Higher gravity scores suggest that the product has more affiliates successfully promoting it, making it a potentially lucrative option.

Is it free to start ClickBank affiliate marketing? Yes, it’s free to start ClickBank affiliate marketing. You can sign up for a ClickBank account at no cost, choose products to promote and earn commissions without any upfront investment.

How do I generate my ClickBank affiliate link? After selecting a product on ClickBank, click the “Promote” button and select “Generate Hoplink.” Copy the provided affiliate link. To make it more user-friendly, you can use a URL-shortening service.

Can I promote ClickBank products without showing my face on camera? Absolutely! Many successful ClickBank affiliates use various promotion methods, including content creation without appearing on camera. Strategies like Instagram marketing, as outlined in our guide, allow you to promote products without showing your face.

Where can I find engaging images for my Instagram posts? You can find engaging images on Canva, a graphic design platform. Additionally, platforms like Fiverr offer image packs for purchase, making it easy to get professional before-and-after images for your affiliate marketing posts.

How often should I post on Instagram for effective affiliate marketing? Consistency is key. Aim to post regularly on Instagram to keep your audience engaged. Successful accounts often post several times a week, sharing valuable content and promoting affiliate products strategically.

What if I need more guidance on affiliate marketing strategies? For additional guidance, grab our free ebook, “Affiliate Mastery Unleashed.” It has valuable insights, tips, and strategies to elevate your affiliate marketing journey. Download your copy and unlock the secrets to success!

How can I win a free copy of the YouTube course mentioned? Leave a comment on this blog post, sharing your thoughts or questions. We’ll choose a lucky winner from the comments to receive a free copy of our YouTube course, inclusive of mentoring and coaching. Good luck!

🚀 Ready to supercharge your affiliate marketing game and unlock the secrets to making consistent money online? Look no further! 🌟

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📖 In this exclusive ebook, you’ll discover:

✨ Proven strategies to skyrocket your ClickBank affiliate income. ✨ Insider tips on creating engaging content for Instagram success. ✨ A step-by-step roadmap to building a profitable online presence.

💡 Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your affiliate marketing journey. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to level up your game, this ebook is your key to success.

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🌐 Elevate your affiliate marketing journey with knowledge that empowers! Act now, and let’s embark on this exciting adventure together. 💪💰

[accountingacademic]

Day of Determination

Daily Reflection Wednesday, 25 October 2023

"You only fail when you stop trying."

Things I'm Grateful For:

My cats for curling up with me and grounding me when I start getting caught up in how much I have on my to-do list each day.

Highlights:

Finished the PowerPoint unit in my Computer Apps course ahead of schedule. The unit before that isn't even due until the end of next week, so I have a solid head start. One unit left, five weeks allotted on the syllabus for it, and seven weeks to do it. I expect it will actually take me only three or four weeks, giving me a solid three weeks at the end of the semester where I don't have to worry about anything.

Did a practice run of my presentation for next week at the public speaking club at lunch.

Challenges:

My grandmother is the type to misconstrue everything she's told, which does make her difficult to deal with. She called me last week asking me to help her with something on Wednesday when I was done with school. I replied, "Sure, I'll be over after class," and then she was surprised when I showed up after class, thinking I wasn't going to be there. Because somehow "Sure, I'll be over after class," turned into "no." I'm just waiting for the time I have to say no, and then she gets upset when I "no-show" after saying I'd do something.

My next assignment on the go for Communications is on a marketing podcast. I am mentally exhausted with marketing, so this assignment is making me miserable. On the bright side, it's only two pages long, so I shouldn't have any issues getting it done for Sunday night.

Emotions:

Leading up to lunch, I was a little apprehensive because I hadn't done any public speaking in a while. Once I was done I was very relieved to have it over with, and I also now feel much more confident about how next week is going to go.

Frustrated with my grandmother for sure.

I'm still anxious about that group project, and know I will be until the results come back. Hopefully, it's not too late for me to be able to do something to boost my course mark above 80.

Lessons Learned:

I'm not as out-of-practice with public speaking as I thought I was, which is always a relief and makes me feel a lot better about that presentation I have to do.

Tomorrow's To-Do List:

Get a chunk of the Excel unit for Computer Apps out of the way at lunch; I want to see how quickly I can finish the work for this course.

Finish practice exercises for chapter 3 in Accounting.

Cancel Canva subscription. I'd used the trial for presentation slides, and my use for it is so sporadic that I'm not spending the money.

Read chapters 8 and 9 for Personal Finances.