Sunday, July 30, 2017

Reimagining Robin Hood for the 21st Century

That is a tall order!

I have always wanted to write a Robin Hood inspired story. There are a few revisions I would like to make to the old, tried and true mythologies of our modern age. Robin Hood is just one of them. 

I want to do some reimaging to the likes of Dorian Gray, The Raven, Pride and Prejudice, and Taming The Shrew to keep me busy for the next decade. 

This year the muse descended on Robin Hood. I have to take modern themes and ideas to formulate a new and exciting version no one has ever seen before.

So what is out there?

I do love the Kevin Costner version from the early 1990's. Funny how I took a noncredit script writing course through a community college at the same time that the film was released. The Hollywood screenwriter helped my classmates and I breakdown the scenes, characters, and story lines. I learned so much about storytelling during those six weeks than in any creative writing class I have ever taken.

So do not pass on noncredit courses! You might be happily surprised the knowledge you receive. 

When I was sketching out some dialogue for my take on the classic tale, the main character pretty much told me his story. Scene after scene, I could tell that this type of Robin Hood was going to be a mesh-mash of elements from the original story and a few others from external sources. 

I cannot wait to get it all finished. 

I hope I can keep up the momentum and get this origin story edited for an autumn release. 

As long as the characters keep writing the story themselves, I do not see why not. Stranger things have happened.   

Have a great and wonderful day.



Friday, July 28, 2017

Updated Logo for Future Publication Projects

I was creating new images for use with articles and essays here on Undawnted. I noticed that images are used on Pinterest for readers to save their favorite things: art, poetry, and writing. I decided to oblige with some updated art.

Then I began playing with the Undawnted logo. I wanted a nice marketing tool to use with any publications that will be published from here like Family Genealogy, whereas novels and chapbooks are published through Sonoran Dawn Studios

So you will probably see this logo on this site and in use for other projects:

New Marketing Logo

Yeah, I know. It looks very Eye of Horus. Sorry, no secret society membership here.

Addendum... I am a student of Joseph Campbell. Mythology is one of my favorite subjects. This logo fulfills that mythical scratch! 

Have a great and wonderful day!



Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Plotting My Stargate

Every time I sit down to write, another project pops out of the woodwork.

I am busy with an external source's clothing line, book cover art events, as well as my own creative ideas. 

I didn't know summers could be this eventful!

Since I am disabled by illness, my time to be creative everyday is limited. So once I run out of juice, I am done until I can recharge my batteries again. I wish I had solar energy! 

Even with the handful of projects swirling around me, I am still outlining and mapping out a future for myself. You cannot move forward in a vacuum, even thought I try. The universe constantly reminds me that plot points have to be set into motion even in our own lives. The stargate of creativity works when you have all the coordinates.

I know my timeline has changed several times especially now that I am permanently disabled. I have to go with the flow. I am in uncharted territory and my stargate malfunctions all the time. 

So am I accustomed to having a map that goes in several directions at once. "Scotty, beam me up!" Does that work? Can I change scifi series in the middle of an essay? 

No matter your stargate, life does not have to be an endless series of stops and goes. You can decide for yourself where you will want to end up. Follow your stars to change your stars. 

You may feel worn or cursed, but I assure you there is light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to know how to program your stargate. Brainstorming, goal setting, and some patience goes a long way. 

I have always wanted to be a writer and artist. Disability now gives me that focus. I just wish had a lot more time to be creative. 

Life is a set of coordinators. If you are headed in the wrong direction, well, then set a new course.
I'll be waiting in the CafĂ© at the End of the Universe. 

Oh, I did it again!

Have a great and wonderful day. 
 
_____
 
A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. This year, DL Mullan has begun sharing her knowledge via A Novelist Idea Newsletter. If you too want to become a Fearless Phile, then subscribe to her newsletter at her Substack.

Learn. Grow. Master… with Undawnted.

 



Friday, July 21, 2017

On Its Way Feels Pretty Good

We should always do something nice for ourselves. When I decided to create the print book version of In the Name of Blood, I knew that that was my gift to myself this summer. 

So it is official:












What have you done for yourself lately?

Have a great and wonderful day.



Thursday, July 20, 2017

Refreshing Hard Lemon Squeeze Drink, Nonalcoholic Released

For a special occasion, this drink is being released today!

Refreshing Hard Lemon Squeeze is a drink that accomplishes many tasks. First, the drink tastes like a drink with a bite at the end thanks to some apple cider vinegar. Second, the drink helps quench your thirst like a sports drink, but in this case you can pronounce the ingredients! Third, there is no guilt. 

Isn't that what we are all looking for?

We are in the first half of the summer season. Anything that refreshes is at the top of our lists! Enjoy!

Have a great and wonderful day!



Wednesday, July 19, 2017

First Print Mockup for In the Name of Blood is on the Way

As I have been creating new marketing materials, I decided to create the back page for my novel. 

I have had the item on my to-do list but I have always had some other task before it. Not that I crossed off the other tasks, I just made the move to finish what I started a year ago. Now the back page jacket looks pretty good. 

What do you think? 

In the Name of Blood Official Full Book Jacket
After it was done, I then added a table of contents to the book itself. That as they say was that! I had created the full version of the print edition to In the Name of Blood. I will also update the ebook to have a table of content as well.

I have put in an order for the mockup. When it arrives in the mail by next weekend, I will be able to correct any issues that may have arisen. Then I will begin to offer my ebook in print form. 

Hooray!

It is about time I hold my handiwork in my hands. I have a place on my bookshelf for my creative fiction and poetry, but being disabled makes my timetable a little longer than most. Plus the lack of funds does not help my timetable either. 

Now, more positive routes are in motion. It's not the destination, but the journey. Mine just happens to be in the slow lane.

Have a great and wonderful day! 


Monday, July 17, 2017

Name Calling

It was one of those days. You know those days. Days that the most rudimentary application flees your mind as if drinking and writing were habitual. 

Needless to say, I don't drink. 

Future Banner for Nocturnal Redemption
So what was the authorian infraction? Names. Names to my characters to be exact. I spent so much time working out plot lines, characterization, and dialogue that I forgot to give more than half my characters surnames. 

The travesty! 

Not really, but the situation did give me another prescription in my bid to edit and polish Nocturnal Redemption: In the Eye of the Beholder. 

So I went out on a discovery expedition. My antagonist, Chloe, needed a dark name. One that showed where she was in the story. I wanted to do: deWinter, but thought the name too closely resembled the Dumas character in The Three Musketeers. 

Since one of the scenes is and others will be in France, I decided to investigate the French word for winter, which happens to be le hiver. In my rounds on the internet I discovered place names like de l'hiver, and l'hiv. That gave me the idea to name her: Chloe de L'Hiv (of the Winter). 

Neat, right?

To name a character in one's story takes a little time and effort. Many new writers are overwhelmed by the task. There are an innumerable amount of baby name websites to choose from. The way to go about naming your characters is to know who your characters are and where they come from. 

Doing the brainstorming first before researching the name for a character cuts out the middle man so to speak. 

I went from panic mode to a quick afternoon's jaunt into France. The internet is a wonderful place. A writer can now venture any where in the world. 

So do not get stuck naming your characters, get proactive with fleshing out your characters and researching those ends online. 

Have a great and wonderful day!

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Pondering the Possibilities

With my book cover work for Delilah nominated this year, it got me thinking. Should I wait to publish my next novel until the start of 2018 so that I can enter into book cover events and competitions spring through autumn? 

Or is that tacky?

Could be smart. If no one knows you have written a book, then how are you supposed to get any readers? Events and promotions could be a sensible way on a no-string budget to get noticed. 

Readers will be better prepared to come to you.

It appears that events, promotions, and competitions are the mainstays of online, independent authors.  I am in many different kinds of forums for independent authors, but nothing that says: Readers Apply Here

The question then comes down to: is the work you have written worth all the fuss?
 Have a great and wonderful day!

Friday, July 14, 2017

Updated Synopsis for Nocturnal Redemption

I have been creating promotional pieces for my various publications. Since I want to release Nocturnal Redemption as soon as the novel is ready, I revised the old synopsis in lieu of a more accurate teaser. 

If you would like to read about this paranormal adventure/romance, then please visit the dedicated page for Nocturnal Redemption

The promos will be added to the page once the novel has been published. 

Have a great and wonderful day! 



Thursday, July 13, 2017

Storytelling: Character Development

When I am in writer's forums and groups, I see concerns about how to write believable characters. 

One of the exercises I like to employ is writing in fanfiction. Every once and awhile, another person's universe intrigues me. I have written for Babylon 5, which is online. It needs a good polishing but I can still live with it. 

In that universe, I can play with characters. I can use the already made universe to stretch my writing muscles without having to do all the heavy lifting. I can see how close I can come to recreating the characters of someone else. 

I make note of my thought processes. What do I need? What am I missing? How close can I get? 

I then take what I learned trying to mimic and apply those lessons to my own creative world building. 

I implement the same brainstorming ideas to develop original characters in a universe I created from scratch.

Writers can use any character out of literature or film they wish to try their hand in character development. 

That is one exercise, but character development is a more involved process than one exercise. To make three-dimensional characters, a writer has to take the time. Write a description. Give your character some real life quirks. Don't make your characters perfect. 

And, have fun with your characters. Show their sense of humor, pet peeves, phobias. A character should reflect the time and place s/he is being written for. So take different aspects of people and a little of yourself, a character needs to be built for the task at hand... make your character worth the read.

Character development does not have to be a dirty job. Create exercises that appeal to you and brainstorm a new character. When a writer takes the time, characters can virtually write the novel themselves. 

I actually prefer a feisty and spirited protagonist... it makes writing less complicated. 

Have a great and wonderful day!



Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Works in Progress

So many projects... so little time!

Ever feel that way?  The summer seems to be the worst to pile on commitments but I rather be doing something else. School kids refer to such angst as: Spring Fever. Well, I guess I have Summer Fever. I just have caught the bug last season and now the disease has taken hold of me!

My works in progress are numerous. Mostly, my work has to do with getting promotional materials ready for each season and my websites. When my mind is focused, I like to work on what feels the best: art, poetry, or writing. 

Art has won out these many weeks. I am making sure what I have written has a nice, professional package to go with it. All writers should take a few courses on how to create a professional image. It is vital to our field.

I hope soon I will get back into writing. I want to have some more fiction and poetry publications done. I am way behind my intended goals. 

That is okay. Sometimes we need a break from the chores of life to see what truly matters to us. So go ahead and take your shoes off. As long as you know the to-do list still waiting for you at the end. 

It's summer for goodness sakes! 

Why not enjoy a little time in the sun?

Have a great and wonderful day.



Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Full Book Jacket Cover for Effloresce

I created a promo piece for the nature poetry book for Effloresce.


A creative start for the aspirations of print in the future.

Have a great and wonderful day! 
 
_____
 
This chapbook cover has been updated!  

The art reflects the desert, southwestern flavor to the poems. Read about how weather in all its forms is reflected in the words and rhymes. 

Be sure to purchase your copy of this exciting chapbook.

Visit Effloresce on Undawnted's dedicated page, or buy a Special Edition (PDF) through our store.

Ignite Your Imagination... with Undawnted. 
 
_____
 
A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. 
 

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

With her education and experience in writing, DL Mullan shares her knowledge via her newsletters. If you too want to become a Fearless Phile, then subscribe to one of her newsletters on Substack.

Her innovative style teaches writers how to reach their creative potential, and write more effectively.

Learn. Grow. Master… with Undawnted. 



Monday, July 10, 2017

Delilah is a Winner!

The book cover art I did for the novel. Delilah by Kaye Lynne Booth did not make it into the Final Round of the Summer Loving Book Cover Event, however...


...that does not mean, the book cover art I created was a bust. Delilah still walked away with the most votes in the Western category. 

What a feat! 

I am very proud of this cover. It's art. It encompasses the theme of the novel. The cover art does not rely on cheap marketing tricks to be a winner. 

THANK YOU to the person who nominated my cover for this event, the author Kaye Lynne Booth for the support, and ALL the Voters! 

You made the book cover art a success!

If you would like to peruse my other digital creations, please stop by the Art, Cover, & Prints page on Sonoran Dawn Studios for examples. 

Thank you! I cannot wait for more opportunities like this one in the future.

Have a great and wonderful summer!


Sunday, July 9, 2017

Seasonal Reads Upgrade

On the right hand menu, Undawnted has created a reading list for each season. So I revised the Summer Reads page to have a revolving page of seasonal entertainment. Let Undawnted help you set the mood for your new adventures.

First up, of course, is my Summer Time Reads


Hand-picked reading material for your reading and relaxing pleasure. Each season will be updated throughout the year to make sure my readership has the mood they are looking for at the tip of their fingers. Don't miss out on what inspires you the most.

Enjoy your summer. 

Have a great and wonderful day!



Saturday, July 8, 2017

Transferable Skills

You may have heard this terminology while working on your resume. Skills that you have learned in one job or position are transferable into the next stage of your career. So learning in any capacity is helpful in the climb upward.

In the last few weeks, I have been assisting fellow author, Kaye Lynn Booth with the Book Cover Art Event being held on Facebook. Sunday we will find out if we have made it to the 3rd Round. So be sure to vote for Delilah in the coming days! 

As I was looking around the internet and on Facebook writer's groups for some advice and help, I was confronted by the question: why is it YOUR responsibility to do this Book Cover Event? 

I was struck by the negative tone. My responsibility? I hadn't thought of it exactly in those terms. I had been having fun with the project. 

That seemed to be the crux of what I have been discussing here on my site about the corporatization of the writing craft. For decades writers have clamored to get their books published through the big publishing houses. The stepping on each other for a chance at publication has damaged the community as well as our camaraderie.   
 
How can the phrase: "transferable skills" bring sanity back into the writing community? The Independent Writers of the world can remember that self-publishing loosens the chains once tugged on by corporate entities. Corporations are only in our community for profits, not to move culture forward. 

I see this corporate philosophy in writers' groups. I have had to recently excuse myself from one because the political climate became offensive to me. I said my peace and moved on. There was backlash of people unfriending and unliking my pages because writers have been embolden by the politics of ego.  For people who write about the human condition, some writers are oblivious to it.

No, it is not all right to make fun of other people, push your political ideology, or sexual/gender issues onto other writers because the administrator deemed it a "Safe Space." Safe for whom? If I had run an experiment to see how the same group would have responded to political statements and bullying from the opposite side of the spectrum. . . yeah, the reaction would have be epic. 

The corporate philosophy of fight amongst yourselves for this one spot on our list is over. Writers need to reevaluate what the writing craft means to them. Is it push come to shove, or learning what being in a community actually means? 

Back to the question: why is it my responsibility? Isn't it everyone's? We have allowed ourselves to believe we have no responsibility to the bigger, wider world because corporations want to keep our thoughts, dreams, and aspirations small: a publishing contract. When in reality, the writing craft is about transferable skills. 

My book cover art for: Delilah, written by Kaye Lynne Booth is a stepping stone into that wider world. I have gained as much as I have put into the project. I may not get anything of monetary value through this exploit, but I have received other rewards of learning new skills, obtaining a nomination, and understanding the fundamentals of online book events. 

I could not have gotten any new and viable experiences hiding behind my keyboard and screen.

Now I have transferable skills to assist me in my own solitary endeavors on Undawnted, and the expansion on Sonoran Dawn Studios

When will the writing community at large step out of the shadows and back into the light? 

I don't know about you. . . but I sure do like to win. 

Have a great and wonderful day.



Friday, July 7, 2017

Memoirs of a Psychotic Painting Elephant


If you have not read a long poem with a mix of alcohol and delusion, then you have not read Memoirs

This poem began as a short descriptive write with a touch of the strange and the humorous. A lot has changed from then to the present. Now, Memoirs of a Psychotic Painting Elephant is stranger than ever.

Support this Indie Author.



She has many selections to choose from. She writes across the spectrum.

Have a great and wonderful day!



Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Happy Fourth of July!

Star Spangled Store
Happy Birthday, 
United States of America!

 214 years old... what a ride!

Have a great and wonderful Independence Day to all the patriots out there.






I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!






Monday, July 3, 2017

Interview with Writer, Poet, and Cover Designer, Dawn Leslie Mullan is a Big Hit!

Ever wondered about what makes DL Mullan tick? Here's your chance to see the artist and author behind the blog in this revealing interview:


And take a few minutes to vote for her cover art piece that was Nominated for a Book Cover Event at Summer Loving Book Cover EVENT 2017 on Facebook.

The Author, Kaye Lynne Booth, who is also the interviewer above could use your VOTE. 

This amazing opportunity would help promote Delilah if the author receives enough votes to make it to the 3rd Round. 

  • So click the link: Summer Loving Book Cover EVENT 2017
  • Follow the Rules
  • Become a Fan of 2 authors at once! 
   
What a deal!  

We would both really appreciate your support.

Thank you.
 

_____

Undawnted's A Novelist Idea Newsletter gives our members popup/release parties, contests/prizes, early access, projects, certificate programs, plus Subscribers receive discounts at our Special Editions Store. Be sure you are a Subscriber for these Member's Only benefits!





Our writing program has monthly projects with a certificate for participants at year's end. Projects like: the Hint of the Divine, in which participants learn the archetypes found in human culture, and storytelling. 
 
Bring depth to your writing.  

Learn. Grow. Master... with Undawnted.


Sunday, July 2, 2017

Corporate Philosophy has Tainted the Writing Community

Nominated for a 2017 Book Cover Award
I write here on Undawnted as well as manage, create, and direct over at Sonoran Dawn Studios, my design slash publishing house. Well, the book cover art I created for another author's book was nominated for a Book Event held by another promotional company.

The winning author gets one of three prizes. The book cover artist just gets the street cred. Hey, I could live with that. 

So I went on my Facebook writer's groups only to be turned away. No self promotion. No this rule. No that rule. How can anyone get anything done? 

I found one group that appeared to be okay with me asking some questions like: what do I do to help out my author? where do I begin? what is this event thing anyway?

I never got a response. Actually, I believe the desperate plea was deleted by the Admin. Nice.

So my thought was: has the corporate philosophy of me, Me, ME! gotten in the way of doing the right thing for another person? 

You do realize that this Western Category cover is not in competition with your vampire, romance, religious, or whatever book you have written, right? 

In today's world, piety and grace are left for preacher politicians to tell us how to live according to their interpretation of a dusty tome, but anyone else of that sect or another have forgotten their empathy.

Is this the legacy independent writers would like to leave about themselves and their craft? 

Has the corporate dog-eat-dog world been so pervasive in our culture that we as human beings cannot interact with each other except to step all over everyone else?

That is a sad state of affairs indeed. 

I choose not to be so callous or antipathic. I will do what I must, learn what I need, and help where I can. Although I am disappointed with the lack of basic human decency, the corporate dystopic behavior has bled over into our crafts, creativity, and camaraderie. 

What does that say about us? 

Have a great and wonderful day! 

...if it's in your bylaws!


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