kitten update! (warning: even more cuteness!)

Hi, guys! Here’s the update on the little ones as promised!

First going to get the bad news out of the way, unfortunately on ginger kitten has passed on, something we should have expected as at least one of our cat’s kitten does tend to die in the first couple of days, even hours.

But now on to the good beds!  The other three are as healthy and lively as ever! They are over two weeks now so we’ve started to pick them up and hold them, slowly getting them used to human touch, which they seem to be getting used to fine – the only one really freaking out in the situation is my sister, who insists if we pick them up we will damage their legs as she thinks that’s why 1 kitten from the previous lot our cat gave birth to can’t use one of its legs properly)

Here are some pictures and a video I’ve captured so far

I’ve decided to call the black and white one tabby, as for some reason or I can think of when I look at him is tabby cat, but I have no idea why

We are going to call the ginger one Leo,  as in Leo the lion, as that’s what he reminds my mom off and he has a tendency to cry…. a lot (thanks to my sister showing him videos of cats constantly meowing) and it’s like his baby roar!

And the last one we are going to call Ace, I think, in honor of its look-alike which passed away. Though this might change later on.

😄

Important to note…

Hi, guys! I, unfortunately, will not be posting the two set blogs this week (the storyteller’s journey and tea time talks) for four reasons:

1) I want to enter a competition that may not necessarily get me a big prize, but will allow me to advertise/promote my youtube channel to 5000 or so people who are subscribed to the YouTuber who is hosting the competition, so I wish to get a head start on that this week in case I end up not liking what I produce the first time or I change my idea of what I wish to post ^_^ ( also in terms of videos, I do wish to do a giveaway for the support so far, and having reached a fair share of milestones, for which I need to spend time preparing the items I plan to make, which might lead to an extra video if all works well – which means two videos to work on this week)

2) I wish to change up tea time talks as I feel I can do something better with them – more than just mentioning the content I produce and stating some points about the process here or there – this is also something I’ve been thinking very closely on for my other blog posts as well, as I wish to find a way to structure things in a better, more entertaining way

3) I have been delaying editing my book (as well as getting a proper start on the query letter I am supposed to write) as I have not been giving them focus, so I do wish to spend some of the weekends catching up where I need to in that area of my life and work

4) I have recently discovered a website where, unlike wattpad,  I can monetize my content (my stories) and am currently working on researching and preparing possible posts there if I wish to continue with the plans (still got to get over some anxiety/anxiousness of starting on a new platform with something I love (my stories), not knowing what might happen to the product as the platform seems to be quite new in terms of space for writers and stories) I will do a sort of review on the platform once I am sure it is something that might be of interest to you ^_^

I do hope you understand and to those looking forward to the chapters/posts this week, I apologize – but do look forward to that kitten update blog soon, I just need my sister to hand over the photos I keep asking for!

Youtube Tales: Attempting oil painting (1st proper time – plus Beauty and the beast art)

This blog post is an addition to my video (here) which was supposed to contain real-time audio but unfortunately, does not as things did not turn out as how they needed to.

Hopefully, in the future, I can learn ways to get over the problems I face with audio, but as of now I hope this blog will provide you with a further insight of oil painting for the first time, so if you wish to try it out, you may avoid the mistakes I seem to have made

So for this weeks video, I had decided to try out some oil paints, given to me by my brother after he had picked it up at his Santa’s grotto. He had picked it up knowing it might be of use to me as well as the fact that everything else tastes. Upon seeing them I thought I would try them out and thought why not record it to let people see my epic fail.

Now, after getting a smell of these paints, I know for certain I have used these before, but at first, I did not know if I did. This is probably because, though I had bought oil paints (after saving money for a long time, determined to get myself a large 90 piece art set and not let my parents use the excuse of not having money on them) I had no idea how to use them. For me, back then, the difference with paints was simply what they were made of, not how they were used.

So the first thing I did, before actually recording this video, is research oil paints.

At first, I had simply researched the brand, in hopes of getting an idea of how these paints might work as they seemed to be a cheap set, so I didn’t want to go into this without knowing the quality.

But to my misfortune, it seems these paints barely exist! I had not found any trace of them on the internet, other than on eBay, where they had required no reviews what so ever. The majority of the paints which popped up for this brand are acrylic paints, which received many reviews (with many complaining that the company did not give the colors stated and lacked proper customer service, which leads me to doubt the quality of these oil paints slightly as the company did not seem top of the line)

Realizing that I was getting nowhere with these line of research, I turned to the next step in my plan, looking up videos on the basics of oil paints and how to use them. One of the main artists I had found on youtube is Lena Danya. Her videos were extremely helpful.

Here are a list of the videos I checked out if you wish to see them too:

• Oil Painting Basics | Mediums Explained Simply For Beginners

• Oil Painting For Beginners | How To Blend Oil Paint

• Oil Painting Basics | How To Build Layers

In addition to this, I also check out speed art oil painting videos by the artist Baylee Jae (if you do search her up later, do be sure to type in the correct name, or you will be getting more than what you bargain for :P)

I only watch one which was her oil painting of succulents (do check it out if you are like me  – an observation leaner) Watching her I picked up a few things here and there, the main being the idea to us extra oil with my paints, which I will get on to later.

As you can see in the video, I opened the items on screen, which was where the main audio was, but as I said it would not be used due to the lack of quality but the main things I had talked about was the lack of information about the paints in term of what grade they are (artist or student – something I learnt about from Lena Danyas videos) and whether they are water mixable or not.

The points where a set of 8:

• titanium white

• lamp black

• crimson red

• lemon yellow

• ultramarine blue

• vermilion

• sap green

• burnt umber

Along with these paints, I had also received an oil painting pad, filled with 12 primed sheets

To start with, I used one picture to try a couple of things I had seen attempted in the videos I had watched which were:

• gradient

• blending

• layering

• mixing with oil

• mixing with water

I had also done some color swatched to see how they turned out and as you an see in the video, there had been no breakthrough till I had mixed the paints with extra oil (I had used extra virgin olive oil as it had been the first I had gotten my hands on) for which I had forgotten to turn the camera on for, my apologies.

But you can tell the drastic difference from the colors along and the blending and gradient when adding oil. I feel as if, as the paints have been resting in the draw, they had dried out somehow. Or maybe this is my lack of knowledge of oil paints and this is how they are actually supposed to work.

Though there are still some problems, like when I use oil it can seep through the page and on to the next if I use too much. But these problems can be fixed through the experience of how much will work best, as I use the oils.

Overall I think I enjoyed using these paints, and as you can see from my beauty and the beast themed piece in the video, I have a lot to learn about these paints. I do wish to continue to use them and possibly create more videos using these paints, so make sure to subscribe for more content like this, and better!

Note:

I will post a proper scan of the final product upon this website here after it had dried properly – something it couldn’t do as I fiddled with it more.

Tea time talks – Problems and Persistence!

Hello, everyone! Sorry for this being a little late, I’ve set it my goal next week to get everything up on time! (which is before 2 pm) so look out for that then

Phew! It’s been one trying week filled with problem after problem. They just seemed to come from left and right! Even though this week I had been early to start my work, something that felt odd at first, since the last couple of weeks my weekends were often Monday, Tuesday and half of Wednesday as videos would l take longer than expected to make, running my work off into the weekend.

But I had said no more! So this week I had gotten up on Monday and started my work properly, after a late night of finishing and finalizing a new intro for my youtube channel.

It had been something I was supposed to spilt into a two-day thing, having other tasks to complete, but once I had started, I had not wanted to stop, especially after realizing some flaws in my plan of actions. I had refused to back down from the problem and completed the intro, finally, in the morning of Monday after staying awake to complete it.

and I am glad I have! Check out my latest video to see it.

As for the other problems this week, like this one, I refused to back down from then!

When the first video idea had fallen through I had rushed top figure out a better one, completing the task to the best of my ability with the time restraint. I still wished to get the video up on time, which is supposed to be Friday (at the latest Saturday) but then another problem had arisen, which was that my internet refused to work properly! This made transferring clips and editing turn from a three-hour job to a twenty-four hour one.

But I persisted, and finally created something I am proud of (even if there are some obvious improvements) with all the problems I had to ensure!

Check it out here, if you like! It’s the first episode in my new series ‘songs of a tale’

Also, why not check out my red bubble store if you wish to purchase items here

Also to note if you watch my youtube videos, this series will be the last I add this year and I can’t wait to produce more episodes!

(and on a side note, whose enjoying Ed Sheeran’s new album on repeat? *raises hand* (>.<) it’s just so good!)

Also as this week has had its problems, it has drawn me away from completing more additional blogs as I had planned, though I had managed to get out one which is called

Editing tips from a professional writer

extract:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaghaghaghaghaghagh editing *sigh * something that comes with both good and bad things. Though it’s the time for development and fine tuning of your piece, its is completely time-consuming and sometimes my gut instinct can get in the way. But at the end of the day, what’s done must get done, especially when it’s a step up to the goal you want to reach.

Do check it out if you can

and make sure to come back this week for more on my kittens! I plan on doing a quick update next week so be sure not to miss that!

The StoryTellers journey – chapter 4 setting (part 2: Things to keep in mind)

Once I finished writing, more words appeared upon the page.

‘Would you like to hear some advice from other storytellers?’

‘Yes please!‘ I wrote in response.

The page filled in response, and more words appeared.

‘When writing/planning the setting, here are some suggestions and reminders by previous storytellers:

1. note down all (or at least as much as you can think of) of these senses, even if you do only end up using a few (it is recommended to us at least 2or 3 to help set the scene) this way if it comes to having to describe the scene again, you can use another sense to develop setting and not come across as repetitive.

2. Keep the type of character and point of view you are writing in in mind. For example, if you are writing in the first person you should write only what the character can see as it is in their point of view, and if that character is attentive and alert at all times, they will notice more than what others will. On the other hand if you were to write in the third person, you can describe the whole setting, with multiple, if not all senses, but if you character is not really focused on something as they are not paying attention to their surroundings, you can mention in the third person what it is that they are missing and that they are doing so.

3. The genre of the tale may affect the order or specifics of your description. For example, if your book genre is sci-fi, the first thing your character might notice, and you go into depth in terms of description might be the technology of the scene, or if the genre if one of fantasy, there will be more focus upon those imaginative, magic elements instead.

4. In terms of realism pay attention to the psychology of humans. Research upon memory input and such can aid a story. For example if you have an element of mystery in your genre, maybe a crime occurring and you are writing from victims or witnesses poi9nt of view, it is important to note that as humans, when we take in scene, we work more from what we think a room should look like according to what we experienced. So if the room was an office, we are less likely to notice out of place items and more likely to notice the usual such as a desk, pens, documents. It has been said the best work of fiction is often one that holds realism, so try and keep this in mind when creating and writing scenes.’

Hum… that is interesting, I thought as the page turned and more words appeared.

‘Do you wish to see more?’

‘No thank you’ I wrote back‘ I would like to jot down some notes though’

‘As you wish dear storyteller’ it replied and filled to a page where I had jotted some notes down in between other chapters.

---

Return next week for the next chapter  (^_^)

Tips for editing, from an unprofessional writer ^_^

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaghaghaghaghaghagh editing *sigh * something that comes with both good and bad things. Though it’s the time for development and fine tuning of your piece, its is completely time-consuming and sometimes my gut instinct can get in the way. But at the end of the day, what’s done must get done, especially when it’s a step up to the goal you want to reach.

Now, I’ve been editing my work for years now, but I will say, as mentioned in the title, I am no professional at it. But what I can do, is offer is some tips on how to stay focused and get ish done.

But before I start, just to be clear before we go further into the scene, know everyone’s editing styles and views on editing are different. Some people prefer to rewrite their drafts until perfect, while other prefer to simply reread and make changes as they go along. Different things work for different people. So it may be that all these tips may work for you, or maybe only some will.

So Let’s get on to the tips, shall we?

Number 1: Styles of riding

As I have mentioned before, some people may like to re-write their pieces when editing (as I do – it helps me personally get my creative flow going, we well as pick out mistakes better as I am focusing on each word as I type) while others may like to simply read through and pick out their mistake. Some people may choose to do both as it helps them. Everyone’s style is different and it’s important to find your own system and no one, but you can do that. Other styles can be to listen to your work (I used to us google translator to do this, but only for final touch ups) whether out loud by themselves or from a close friend. Another way is setting friends or family to read through your work and help you pick out mistakes you may not see.

A smaller tip I can give you here is to not start editing straight after having written the piece. You are more likely to pick up mistakes your missing a few days after you have written the work, then immediately (I suggest at least wait a minimum of three days)

Number 2: Don’t focus on speed

I know one of the things I struggle with is the speed of editing. My pace is slow as this process is where I add all the characterisation, fix problems in the structure of the tale, pulling out wasteful chapter and much more.

While doing this one of my fave YouTubers (ii superwoman ii) started writing and editing her book, and as I watched her work with speed and efficiency, finishing editing in a matter of days, I felt bad about the way I work. I felt I was too slow and simply wasting time. After this, I had tried to speed up my process, but I came to a problem I hadn’t expected.Whilst trying to speed up my process, I ultimately made a sacrifice of something which my gut kept pointing out to me, on a subconscious level, but I kept ignoring. It was the quality of my pieces. I would speed through them and the end result would feel off like they are not quite finished and I simply just wasn’t happy with it.

It was then I realized, though it does take me longer to do my work, it shouldn’t feel like such a problem as it is with that time I can produce something I am proud of and that’s just the person I am. Though this doesn’t mean that there aren’t improvements needed with my process, it helped me relax and focus on getting something done rather than worrying so much about how fast I get it done.

Number 3: set timings and target

I think the most useful advice someone has given me when it comes to editing to set timings. Now, this advice isn’t like the one many writer repeats and that is to always take time, or find it where ever when ever to write. No, this advice is to simply set yourself a limited time to work, a time for which you can’t pass over and seems a little constricting. Why? Well, for me it’s because when I know I only have, say, two hours to get something done, I focus and get it done, while if I know I have all day to get something done, I am bound to let myself get distracted as I feel like there’s so much hours for which the work will get done, getting it done now is not needed. This of course is a problem. I found when I set that timing of two hours, the urgency to get it done with gets the creative flow going and the determination to get it done in that time will make me ignore all else and get the work done. It is also helpful when I set an activity that has to be done after it, such as a show to watch or dinner to ear, as it helps focus more as there is something to do after, not sparing time.

Now I know some of you, as I did when I first heard this, are going to reject this idea, not feeling like it will help, but give it a try sometime. You never know, it might. Don’t reject it straight away.

Number 4: Targets.

I feel it is also important to set target the work you do. When I work, I try to always complete at least one chapter every day. Why? Because I know when I focus, it is the minimum I can do in a day, anything less is me being lazy or procrastinating. It is also only one chapter as, as mentioned before, I can spend the time focusing and ensuring the quality is good. That doesn’t mean I will only spend one day on some chapter, sometimes chapters do take longer, simply because they require more thought to them

Number 5: Distraction s (hunger/cravings, thirst, people, and phones)

Another important one. One thing I always think about when procrastinating, is food. Or sometimes I will get random cravings while I’m work, or feel the need to bit into something, so I always try to keep a snack with me. It will stop me from getting up when I am on a roll and also, as someone who needs to multitask to work, eating and writing/editing is a god combination for me.

Make sure when writing you keep hydrated. Once you get into your pace of work, if you are like me, you can never predict how long or short they are and may often start to feel thirsty. Having water with you will keep you in your chair focused and avoid distraction.

Also, when editing, make sure to have your phone turned off and, if you can, mention to your family to not disturb you, whether it’s to call you, or even to enter the room to get something. Anything as such of causes a disturbance and lead to you forgetting your line of thought.

Number 6: Change of environment

Sometimes this can be helpful. I know when I am stuck in the same place for a month, since editing does take long, I start to loose the flow as my brain gets too comfortable and needs a change to get it jump started. This can be as simple as turning the lights on and off or changing your workplace. Other things I suggest doing, maybe moving things around on your desk (or at least cleaning it, if you like me), changing the chair you sit on or changing the position of your desk and much more.

Number 7: Music/background noise.

Music if often something people use as back ground noise to help them write or edit, which is a good thing, but here are some suggestion to help make sure it does help

• Make sure the piece you are listening to is from one artist, such as an album – this will help as a change in rhythm and such can cause a distraction You want the background noise to help but not completely draw your focus with the constant changes.

• Make sure it goes on for a while – having it suddenly stop and needing to change it is an obvious disruption to your focus – maybe try things on playlists, or, as before, an album on repeat (I often go for Disney parade music but on a low volume – they are often 15 to 20 minutes long and if I put them on loop then I don’t get distracted.

• Don’t listen to anything you haven’t heard before, or a song that you art used to the lyrics of or your focus will be drawn to them.

Tea Time talks – Look at me, 4 blogs in one week! (^_^)

Hello!

*cue imaginary intro music *

And welcome to this week’s tea time talks with me, your host, Rosalina!

Look at me! 4 blogs in one week! Though I guess it evens out if you take into account me missing last week

My apologies for that, there were many mix ups in order and planning that are all smoothed out now!

I had just gotten some things mistaken in a moment of rush.

And if you missed those blogs check them out below:

• Kittens (I know its last weeks but I thought I would still include it for that who haven’t seen it as their cuteness must be experienced by all!)

• Two months in (my first official extra, random blog, as I said I would start doing *Smiles proudly – comes off looking insane* yeah… I don’t really have that good of a smile………..*shrugs* but I do it anyway! *smiles brightly*)

• I know its a little late but… (my sort of late post for world book day that kind of came across like a little poem of sorts with my need to make it flow )

• and last, but not least, the storyteller’s journey – chapter 4 setting  – part 1: setting the scene (this was one of the things I had got a planning and order mix up with – I had mistaken what I was supposed to talk about in this chapter and ended up planning the wrong thing. By the time it came to post something, It was slightly too late and I was overcome by sleepiness)

and of course, we have this one, like the cherry on top of the cake ^_^

Now on to the youtube content!

I am currently at 9 subscribers! Help be the lucky 10 and I plan on doing some original art giveaways! Though a small number, I am grateful to all the members of my youtube family

🙂

In terms of videos, I have officially posted all three parts of the first episode in the reader’s video series!

Check them out here

Now that the storm and silence series is done, any stories you would recommend I check out this month to prep for the next episode? I have some ideas but I would love to take people’s suggestions into mind!

As for the next video I have planned, I have thought of a third series (and the last for a while) that I wish to add to my channel, so look out for that next week    (hint = the first episode will be Ed Sheeran related)

In terms of my books –

I have currently posted one extra chapter as well as the regular chapters, in returns for achieving the goals I have set on my wattpad profile

I have also thought about posting my book up on here for people to read here, but I’m, undecided on whether I should or should not. Comment down below and tell me what you think!

I did not post the final extra chapter this week, also due to the mix-up. I had gotten so used to the long chapter streak I seemed to have been on when writing/editing, that suddenly coming across a short one sent me into a freak out as I assumed that I had lost a piece of what was supposed to be. But it turns out I had been mistaken, though I chose to roll it over to the next week rather than posting then as I could not get the time to do the last minute edits – so do look out for that tomorrow!

And for now, that is all!

Do be sure to follow me on my social medias to be updated during the week on what I do and all my nonsense to do with books, art, storytelling, music and much more!

*cue outro music *

Until next blog post then!

The StoryTellers Journey – Chapter 4 (Part 1: Setting the Scene)

Once finished plotting some ideas for the main character, I turned back to the content page.

‘What do you wish to look upon next?’ the book wrote.

Humm…. I thought as I tapped the pen against my lip, how about setting…

Clicking upon the words, the pages shuffled before settling upon the wanted chapter.

‘When talking about settings, whether in terms of worlds, places or rooms, there are five things that you should always note before writing. These are your sense. Depending on what you are talking about, the amount may vary. For example, if you are describing whole worlds that you have built, in comparison to a small room, there will be many more points to each sense.

For each sense, here are some things storytellers feel should be noted:

See:

• think of color, shape, size and dimensions

• Comparisons are always helpful in situation to help readers visualize what is being talked about if it is something you have directly pulled out of your imaginations → think of it like trying to explain things to a blind person

• For example, when trying to explain color you may not necessarily wish to talk about what it looks like, but go down the path of what it feels like. Such as the color red, like the feeling of anger. Or the color yellow, like the heat on a sunny day.

Hear:

• every sound, small or little can aid your story

• sounds can be experienced in many ways → they can be experienced through the beat, as well as actual notes → they can also have an effect on memories, evoking memories and feeling that come along with them

Taste:

• this is often one many pass over but it can be important

• For example, there some smells are actually tasted → similarly, a smell of a place can evoke a taste upon your tongue, or at least a faint memory of it.

• An example of description of taste can be: ‘the blood singed the air, leaving me with a copper taste on my tongue with each breath I take, a constant reminder of the use of this room’ or ‘the smell of lemon brought a sour taste to my tongue, as did her masking tight smile that hides the truth of her personality along with the white fenced innocent looking house she stood before; something her eyes failed to do’

Smell:

• when thinking of smell you also want to think of how it can affect the situation

  Smells can evoke memories and feelings withing a character, and therefore are important in setting the scene

• The smell of a setting is also important because it can aid in describing how the setting affects the readers → for example, if the setting smells like a bakery, which your character loves, then this can make them feel safe in the setting.

• This can also indicate if a setting is good or bad

Touch:

• think of things like roughness or smoothness of surface or skin

• Can be in terms of people or the room

• describing the textures that a character can feel can aid the reader’s imagination’

---

come back next week for more ^_^

I know it’s a little late but…

…For this world book day,

I just wanted to say,

thank you.
Thank you to all the books,

thank you to all the authors,

who helped me grow,

Thank you to Julia Goulding, 

For without her books,

I would have never known, 

the joy of reading,

the magic of tales,

And the path upon which your books sent me,

for which without I would have failed.
Thank you to the stories for in life gave me a home away from home,

thank you to the libraries and librarians,

For the safty I felt,

in a Kingdom of their own.
Thank you to the writers, 

for the power I found in words,

thank you to the readers,

who soared with me like birds.
Thank you to the coming stories,

For adventures I’ve never heard, 

thank you for the glory,

For which I feel when  I play with words.