The Art of Mani C. Price

excerpt from the swedish history musuems text about the pictured 17th century icelandic book of magic

“Om du till exempel vill framkalla kräkning hos en ovän, ristar du trolltecken på ost eller fisk och ger till den du vill driva med “då skall han icke hava nytta av det som han äter den dagen”.

Om inte detta är straff nog kan du sedan använda dig av fjärt-runor. Skriv då trollstavar med ditt eget blod på ett vitt kalvskinn och säg: ”jag ristar dig åtta assrunor, nio naudrunor, tretton thursrunor vilka må plåga din buk med svår väderspänning och … våldsamt fjärtande … måtte aldrig ditt fjärtande upphöra varken dag eller natt…” “

English Translation (by me)

“Say that you want to curse your enemy to vomit, then you are adviced to carve magical symbols on cheese or fish. Then you shall give these food items to the one you want to mock. the result, according to the book is “that they will be unable to gain nourishment nor pleasure from any meals for a day”.

but, if this is not enough punishment for your enemy you can step up your game, and use farting - runes. write magical runes with your own blod on the white pelt of a calf and say: “I am carving you with eight a - runes, nine n - runes, thirteen th - runes. may they torture your stomach with a severe feeling of bloating and aggressive farting. may your farting last forever, yes day and night you shall fart, forevermore!” “

Source

a book of magical spells from either the 17th or 16th century, written in icelandic. bought 1682 in copenhagen by the swedish historian  J. G. Sparfvenfeldt, who aquired it for the swedish crowns collection. unknown who wrote the book, and for what porpuse, but because of the different handwritting in the book, it is believed it was written by at least two authors.

the book is kept at the swedish history musuem in stockholm, sweden.

http://historiska.se/sokresultat/?q=svartkonstbok&i=ksamsok

http://historiska.se/upptack-historien/object/117747-bok-svartkonstbok-av-papper/

-Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889)

Hello fellow writers and storytellers,

The journey of writing a story is an exhilarating adventure, but it's not without its share of obstacles. Many of us have embarked on a creative endeavor, only to find ourselves mired in the struggle to finish what we started. In this blog post, I'll unravel the common reasons why writers don't finish their stories and explore practical strategies to overcome these hurdles and reignite the flame of creativity.

The Perils of Unfinished Stories

As writers, we often find ourselves in the throes of unfinished tales, grappling with the intricate web of characters, plots, and themes. There are several reasons why the ink dries up and the story remains untold. Let's shine a light on the familiar adversaries that stand between us and the triumphant completion of our narratives:

1. Lack of Planning:

Some of us brazenly dive into our stories without a clear roadmap, resulting in uncertainty about the direction of the plot and the fate of our characters. The lack of a solid plan can lead us astray, leaving our stories wandering in the wilderness of aimlessness.

2. Self-Doubt and Perfectionism:

Ah, the relentless whispers of self-doubt and the siren call of perfectionism! These twin adversaries can cast a shadow over our creative vision, compelling us to endlessly revise and perfect the early chapters, trapping us in a whirlpool of perpetual edits.

3. Time Management:

Balancing the demands of daily life with the ardor of writing can be akin to walking a tightrope. The struggle to find consistent time for our craft often leaves our stories languishing in prolonged periods of inactivity, longing for the touch of our pen.

4. Writer's Block:

The mighty barrier that even the most intrepid writers encounter. Writer's block can be an insurmountable mountain, leaving us stranded in the valleys of creative drought, unable to breathe life into new ideas and narratives.

5. Lack of Motivation:

The flame that once burned brightly can flicker and wane over time, leaving us adrift in the murky waters of disillusionment. The initial excitement for our stories diminishes, making it arduous to stay committed to the crafting process.

6. Fear of Failure or Success:

The twin specters that haunt many writers' dreams. The apprehension of rejection and the unsettling prospect of life-altering success can tether us to the shores of hesitation, preventing us from reaching the shores of completion.

7. Criticism and Feedback Anxiety:

The looming dread of judgment casts a long shadow over our creative endeavors. The mere thought of receiving criticism or feedback, whether from peers or potential readers, can cast a cloud over our storytelling pursuits.

8. Plotting Challenges:

Crafting a cohesive and engaging plot is akin to navigating a labyrinth without a map. Faced with hurdles in connecting story elements, we may find ourselves lost in a maze of plot holes and unresolved threads.

9. Character Development Struggles:

Breathing life into multi-dimensional, relatable characters is a complex art. The intricate process of character development can become a quagmire, ensnaring us in the challenge of creating personas that drive the story forward. (Part one of Character Development Series)

10. Life Events and Distractions:

Unexpected events in our personal lives can cast ripples on our writing routines, interrupting the flow of our creativity and causing a loss of momentum.

Rallying Against the Odds: Strategies for Success

Now that we've confronted the adversaries that threaten to stall our storytelling odysseys, let's arm ourselves with strategies to conquer these barriers and reignite the flames of our creativity.

Embrace the Power of Planning:

A clear roadmap illuminates the path ahead. Arm yourself with outlines, character sketches, and plot maps to pave the way for your story's journey.

Vanquish Self-Doubt with Action:

Silence the voices of doubt with the power of progress. Embrace the imperfect beauty of your early drafts, knowing that every word brings you closer to the finish line.

Mastering the Art of Time:

Carve out sacred writing time in your schedule. Whether it’s ten minutes or two hours, every moment dedicated to your craft is a step forward.

Conquering Writer's Block:

Embrace the freedom of imperfection. Write, even if the words feel like scattered puzzle pieces. The act of writing can unravel the most stubborn knots of writer's block.

Reigniting the Flame of Motivation:

Seek inspiration in the wonders of the world. Reconnect with the heart of your story, rediscovering the passion that set your creative spirit ablaze.

Reshaping Fear into Fuel:

Embrace the uncertainty as an integral part of the creative journey. Embrace the lessons within rejection and prepare for the winds of change that success may bring.

Navigating the Realm of Criticism:

Embrace feedback as a catalyst for growth. Constructive criticism is a powerful ally, shaping your story into a work of art that resonates with readers.

Weaving the Threads of Plot:

Connect the dots with fresh eyes. Step back and survey the tapestry of your plot, seeking innovative solutions to bridge the gaps and untangle the knots.

Breathing Life into Characters:

Engage with your characters as if they were old friends. Dive into their depths, unraveling their quirks, fears, and dreams, and watch as they breathe life into your story.

Navigating Life's Tempests:

Embrace the ebb and flow of life. Every pause in your writing journey is a chance to gather new experiences and perspectives, enriching your storytelling tapestry.

The Ever-Resting Pen: Harnessing the Power Within

Fellow writers, the journey of completing a story is filled with peaks and valleys, each offering us the opportunity to sharpen our resolve and unleash our creative potential. As we stand at the crossroads, staring at the canvas of unfinished tales, let's rally against the odds, armed with the power of purpose, passion, and perseverance.

Let the ink flow once more, breathing life into tales left untold, and watch as your stories triumphantly reach their long-awaited conclusion. You possess the power to conquer the adversaries that stand in your way, and within you lies the essence of untold narratives waiting to unfurl onto the page.

Here's to the journey that lies ahead, the stories waiting to be written, and the unyielding spirit of creativity that thrives within each of us.

1. Tone Words: Use tone words to convey the emotional quality of a voice. For example, you can describe a voice as "melodic," "soothing," "sharp," "gentle," or "commanding" to give readers a sense of the tone.

2. Pitch and Range: Mention the pitch and range of the voice. Is it "deep," "high-pitched," "raspy," or "full-bodied"? This can provide insight into the character's age, gender, or emotional state.

3. Accent and Diction: Describe the character's accent or diction briefly to give a sense of their background or cultural influences. For instance, "British-accented," "Southern drawl," or "formal."

4. Volume: Mention the volume of the voice, whether it's "whispering," "booming," "murmuring," or "hushed."

5. Quality: Use terms like "velvet," "silken," "gravelly," "honeyed," or "crisp" to convey the texture or quality of the voice.

6. Rate of Speech: Describe how fast or slow the character speaks, using words like "rapid," "slurred," "measured," or "rambling."

7. Mood or Emotion: Indicate the mood or emotion carried by the voice. For example, a "quivering" voice may convey fear or anxiety, while a "warm" voice may express comfort and reassurance.

8. Resonance: Describe the resonance of the voice, such as "echoing," "nasal," "booming," or "tinny."

9. Timbre: Mention the timbre of the voice, using words like "rich," "thin," "clear," or "smoky."

10. Cadence: Highlight the rhythm or cadence of speech with descriptors like "staccato," "lilting," "rhythmic," or "halting."

11. Intonation: Convey the character's intonation by saying their voice is "sarcastic," "apologetic," "confident," or "questioning."

Best of Original Cartoons: Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake

FredFilms Postcard Series 3.7

• How a casual web comic became a MAX series.

Don’t think that Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake isn’t for you.    

Starting as a tossed off web comic by Natasha Allegri –then a storyboard revisionist, now creator/showrunner of Netflix’s Bee and PuppyCat– in the summer of 2010, Fionna and Cake starred in some massively popular episodes included in the the original Adventure Time series and then spawned merch, costumes, cosplay and comics.    

Mathematical! A woman had the chance to be the hero of her favorite show.    

It wasn’t uncommon to find gender reversed fan fiction in aughts. But of course, Natasha did her fan fic with art that was perfectly on point. Eric Homan,  AT creative executive, put it on our Tumblr and the fandom went nuts.    

Soon enough, Cartoon Network would greenlight an 11-minute one-off and lo and behold, an already hit series had it’s most popular episode yet. More followed over the next several seasons and if you happened to be at a comic con women who had been cosplaying other series characters all of a sudden were all over the place as Finn-now-Fionna.   

KaBOOM! comics knew how popular their Adventure Time was, but they couldn’t have anticipated the success of the Natasha written/drawn F&C books. 

What we have here is a gen-u-ine phenomenon.    

Adam Muto, the showrunner and executive producer of Fionna and Cake, has been with the original Adventure Time series longer than even creator Pendleton Ward. He was Pen’s sole Los Angeles co-worker on the original short we produced for Nickelodeon in 2006, went with the show to Cartoon Network in 2009, eventually becoming the creative director. When Pen moved to a consultancy role, Adam became the stellar showrunner, bringing the characters to new and continuing intriguing places. He ran the movie mini-series starring Finn and Jake, Distant Lands, and then took on the leadership of Sam Register’s Cartoon Network Studios putting together a full blown F&C series.    

Today, MAX drops the first two episodes of a complete Fionna and Cake cartoon series, cementing Adventure Time’s status as a bona fide franchise, the coin of the realm in our streaming world.    

A web comic-to-series success!    

Rhombus!   

…..

From the postcard back:

Congratulations! You are one of 125 people to receive this limited edition FredFilms postcard!

www.fredfilms.com

Adventure Time Fionna and Cake Created by Pendleton Ward Original characters by Natasha Allegri

Executive Producers Adam Muto Sam Register, Fred Seibert

Some may know that one of the issues SAG is fighting is that studios want to take virtual scans of background actors and use them in perpetuity (meaning forever) without any additional compensation to those background actors. So you would just see a bunch of AI generated humans in future movies based off of a background actor that worked one day.

This is already shitty because working as an extra for 3 days on a union set (if you receive a union voucher each day) is one of the main ways to qualify for SAG eligibility. This means that a lot of actors working background do not yet have union protection and likely do not have an agent or manager to protect them. Disney has already allegedly told background actors to do this on the set of Wanda Vision: https://www.avclub.com/wandavision-background-actors-say-disney-scanned-them-1850709900

Here’s where it's worse.

There is one main company that supplies background actors for major union and non union productions. Central Casting. They love to brag about their very long influence in the industry - in old movies dating back to the 40s you can hear jokes about hiring extras from Central Casting.

Central Casting has been including an electronic document for all actors in their database to sign as part of onboarding. Signing it gives Central Casting the right to use your images, your videos, and YOUR LIKENESS in perpetuity, forever. They would OWN your likeness. Instead of it being a studio supplying the AI background actors, it would be Central Casting instead.

Receiving any work from Central Casting in the future is conditional upon signing it. No signature = no extra work = no extra income for union actors trying to make health insurance minimums, no union extra work for pre-SAG members.

SAG already reached out to Central Casting to tell them to stop. Central Casting refused.

Edit to say: this is not new. It’s part of actors onboarding and is called the Photo, Image, and Video Release. It’s phrased to sound like you are just giving them permission to use your image and video for CC’s website and promotional purposes. But the actual language is much broader. It's only recently being brought up as a point for discussion because some casting directors (who are generally supportive of the strike) started pointing it out.

Hey Good Omens fandom..

- Unknown

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