Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Crafting Fiction

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Victoria Grefer is the author of the Herezoth Trilogy as well as Writing For You, a novelists guide to the craft of fiction. With multiple published books she is experienced and knowledgeable in the literary field and knows first hand what it takes to create a novel from start to finish and get it out to the world. Recently we had a chance to talk with her about some common questions that new authors may have, as well as get some tips that might help experienced authors to perfect their craft.

Starving Artist: What are good tactics to draw in readers to your story and keep
your audience’s attention?

Victoria: As a reader, I love a sense of mystery. I love having questions and knowing the answers will be revealed bit by bit as I move through a novel. I love being able to form my theories and hypotheses and then see whether I was right. So the first thing that comes to mind when I ponder this question is that an author shouldn’t reveal everything about his world and his characters all at once.

Give teasers. Reveal part of something: hint that a character has had a traumatic background, but don’t reveal immediately what that trauma was. A great novel has a steady process of development and revelation.

Starving Artist:
What are some good sources for writers to draw inspiration from?

Victoria: I find that I draw inspiration largely from my own life, particularly the struggles and problems that are currently bugging me. Fiction can be a form of therapy where you work through problems by altering them a little and throwing them onto characters who have different backgrounds than you do.

I also draw inspiration from books that I’ve read. I often take a plot point that I like from somewhere else and put my unique twist on it. I change the idea that got me thinking, sometimes substantially, but the original inspiration came from what I read.

Starving Artist: How do you overcome writing from the perspective of someone with a
different gender or cultural background than yourself?

Victoria: This is always tough. I handle that by adding pieces of myself, both positive and negative things, to each of my characters. Culture and gender don’t touch the core things that make us truly human, after all. I also try to avoid stereotypes and make sure each character of the same culture or same gender is unique in his or her own way, not one person with many faces.

Starving Artist: Do you have any tips for creating believable dialogue between characters?

Victoria: Don’t worry about the “rules” when you write dialogue. The rules don’t apply. People don’t speak grammatically. Also, make sure you read dialogue aloud to see how it actually sounds when you speak it. Dialogue is speech and has to flow like speech, so make sure you submit it to “the speech test.”

Starving Artist: Do you have any suggestions for overcoming writers block?

Victoria: I tend to solve writer’s block by focusing on my characters. Generally, by either getting to know a character on a deeper level or changing a character’s identity in some substantial way, you can break through writer’s block. I tend to further develop rather than alter my characters, but altering characters can definitely help you advance in your story.

Starving Artist: How do you feel that E-readers, such as the Kindle, and internet
publishing have changed the way that authors reach their audience?

Victoria: The effect has been huge. E-readers and internet publishing have opened the world of publishing. It used to be a clique. You used to have to “do it their way” and pray you could hook an agent and then a publisher. Now you can write what you want the way you want it, and allow people to read it.

The big problem with internet publishing is that some people are releasing books before they’re ready to be released. They are not using beta readers or agents. Their work isn’t of quality, and that reflects on all indie authors. But when you do things the right way, you can find readers and make your mark without fighting to find agents and publishers.

Starving Artist: Do you have any other words of wisdom that you would like to give
to aspiring authors?

Victoria: Just keep writing. Seriously. Writing is a process, and you won’t be good at it when you first start out. Don’t get discouraged. Keep writing and get better. Keep writing and keep reading. Read tons, because reading will teach you how to write.

A huge thank you goes out to Victoria Grefer for sharing her time and wisdom with us for this interview. You can check out the Herezoth triolgy and Writing For You at her website http://www.crimsonleague.com/

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Cylent Pop

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Cylent Pop is a jewelry maker from Fairfield, California. Drawing inspiration from classic video games such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, as well as superheros such as Batman and Superman, she creates jewelry that speaks to the nerd inside of all of us.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CylentPop

Monday, July 29, 2013

Hoop-Conscious

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Hoop Conscious are Poi Hula Hoop makers from Atlanta, Georgia. Using top quality materials they make LED Hula Hoops for Poi and light shows. Their pre-made designs are inspired by iconic cultural figures, such as Rainbow Road and Mintberry Crunch, and they can also custom design hoops for your specific needs.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/hoopconscious

Sunday, July 28, 2013

1,000 Likes Dance Party


Starving Artist INC recently got over 1,000 likes on Facebook! To celebrate this milestone we threw another craaaazy dance party to say thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way. Thank you all for everything that you do!

Groovy Green Glass

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Groovy Green Glass is a glass crafting shop from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Using repurposed glass alcohol bottles they create everything from jewelry to household decorations. The spirit of their shop encourages recycling and helping the environment in a fun and creative way.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/groovygreenglass

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Jussy Illustrations

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Jussy Illustrations is a visual artist from Sigma Sector 7 of the planet Mars. Using technicolor madness she blasts humanoids to shreds with her paint cannons.

https://www.facebook.com/JussyIllustrations

Friday, July 26, 2013

Werewolf With A Shotgun

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Werewolf With A Shotgun is a four piece Surf Punk band from Indianapolis, Indiana. With hypnotically melodic guitar riffs, addictive steady rhythms, and amazing lyrics and vocals they are guaranteed to rock your socks off. To catch them in action check them out at Indy's most awesome band showdown Battle of Birdy's on August 2nd.

http://werewolfwithashotgun.bandcamp.com/

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Funny Farm Toy Barn

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Funny Farm Toy Barn are toy makers from Ontonagon, Michigan. They are a large family, eleven in total, who use natural materials that are mostly found on their family farm to create handmade toys. By using ecologically friendly production methods they are helping the well being and health of the children their toys are intended for as well as the Earth that they love.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunnyFarmToyBarn

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Lindy Christopher Photography

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Lindy Christopher is a photographer from Fishers, Indiana. Driven by her passion for life and motherhood, her vision from behind the lens is painted on each photo as she seeks to exemplify the unique enchantment of her subjects.

http://www.lindychristopher.com/

Monday, July 22, 2013

Behind The Mask

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Behind The Mask is a mask making workshop from Somerville, Massachusetts. They create custom masks, full body and face casts, and also offer a variety of performances for their community as well as classes and workshops to educate people on the art of mask making.

http://www.behindthemask.org/

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sick N Sketchy

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Sick N Sketchy is a clothing designer from the United Kingdom. Inspired by Street Art and urban style she makes clever handmade t-shirts and tops by by using stencils and spray paint.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sick-N-Sketchy/509118969151030

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Section 9 Gear

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Section 9 Gear is a jewelry and accessory designer from Germany. Specializing in innovative handmade Cyberpunk and Industrial themed crafts they combine classic blacklight reactive touches with electronic eye candy.

http://www.section9gear.com/

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

The Home of Graffiti

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Bristol, United Kingdom has been lovingly referred to by Street Artists as "The home of Graffiti." With a wide variety of artists who visit and many who call it their home, including the world famous Banksy, it is a city with an eclectic atmosphere and an open minded attitude toward what would be considered elsewhere as vandalism. After speaking with a variety of Street Artists I have put together this short Q&A to help show what Bristol has to offer art lovers across the globe and how as a city it may help to shape the future of the arts. 

Starving  Artist: What is it like to live in or to visit Bristol? 

Stuc: Bristol is like the hub for street art in the UK, the heart that feeds the scene. I fell in love with the city instantly. The streets are like galleries with awesome work on nearly every street. It's the centre of the urban art scene, in my view. 
Mis Majik: I grew up in Barton Hill and there is a youth centre there that is an original centre for Graff. I remember watching the artists at about 8  years old and just being hypnotized.  Nowadays all of the pubs started getting painted, Upfest began, See No Evil arrived, and now there are beautiful pictures everywhere. 

Starving Artist: Are the laws more relaxed toward Graffiti in Bristol or is it just more common on private property? 

Stuc:  Is it acceptable? I guess yes, to a point, but there are always some that just see it as defacing a building. 
Mis Majik: You will still get chased and jailed if you get caught somewhere you are not meant to be. I guess the artists get commissioned by private clients and businesses. And I love that. They are getting paid now, and quite a lot I hear. 

Starving Artist: What kind of attitude do the residents of Bristol have toward Street Art? 

Blinks: The city of Bristol is mad for Graffiti, it is so acceptable that most buildings in and around the city centre have paint on them legally. The majority of people living in Bristol love it, from what I've seen. They hold an annual event called Upfest where all of the Street Artists from all over the world go. 
Stuc: People in that city get it, that it's art and not just crime.  Shop fronts and buildings getting beautified by spray paint, it blew my mind. Bristol doesn't just have galleries, it is a gallery. 

Starving Artist: How would you describe Upfest? What is it like as an artist? 

Blinks: Upfest is an urban arts festival in Bristol with live Graff and Posca marker competitions with over 300 artists from around the world taking part, stalls selling art and merchandise, and also scribble boards for the youngsters to have a go. It's a very vibrant weekend. 
Stuc: Upfest is a two day event where street artists come together to paint buildings, boards, and walls. All structured and organized, but the artists have free reign of the images or work that they want to do. The event is all over Bristol, inside and out, with music and the works. I met Lemak, Silent Bill, Cherie Strong, and saw so much amazing work. I met so many awesome people and made friends for life. 
Mis Majik: Upfest is amazing, I walked down on Friday afternoon and you could smell the spray paint in the air. It just vibed from then on, everyone and anyone was there. It was awesome, like a festival in the streets. 

Starving Artist: What do you see for the future of Street Art? 

Blinks: I see Street Art being bigger than Van Gogh's work. I'm passionate towards it, as are many other urban artists around the world. 
Stuc: I see it becoming more accepted, more mainstream, but I also see street purists keeping it to walls rather than galleries and canvas. I see it evolving into the monster it should be. 
Mis Majik: It occurs to me that throughout time, since man first found something to write/draw with they have had painted walls. When it became time to protest or disagree we defaced peoples art or advertising , palaces and churches. That is vandalism but somehow the line has been blurred between graffiti and vandalism. Graffiti has evolved to something so expressive, colourful, unique and moving that it deserves to be celebrated. You can surely say without a doubt that people will always paint on walls and express how they feel about man, beast, and the universe whether it is legal or not.

A special thanks goes out to Stuc, Mis Majik, and Blinks for their assistance with this article. You can check out their art by following the links below.

Stuc: https://www.facebook.com/stuc.artwork1

Mis Majik: https://www.facebook.com/cat.majik

Blinks: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blinks-AKA-Cartoonhead-WORX/155028658016873

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Banshee Bones

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Banshee Bones is an experimental rock band from Hollywood, CA. With heavy guitar riffs and vocals, deeply rooted classic rock influences, and an amazing stage show they aim to reinvent the concept of modern rock. All of their music is free to download through their website, so it's truly accessible to anyone who likes good rock music.

http://www.bansheebones.com/

Monday, July 15, 2013

Istncl Art

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Istncl Art is a visual artist from Belen, New Mexico. Istncl has an incredible talent for putting razor to stencil, and a keen eye for color and blending that makes his paintings stand out from his peers. His work covers many styles, but I personally find his landscapes to be exceptionally incredible. By capturing the beauty of a landscape in a certain light he frames moments in time with beautiful ease.

https://www.facebook.com/istnclart/

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Enchanted Woods NC

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Enchanted Woods NC is a wood craftsmen from Leicester, North Carolina. Using top quality wood he hand crafts a variety of enchanted objects, including Vampire Stakes and Wands.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedWoodsNC

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Smarmy Clothes

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Smarmy Clothes is a clothing designer from Kalamazoo, Michigan. From rockin' party dresses to reconstructed band tees, Smarmy makes rad clothing for dudettes who want to stand out in a crowd. A one woman circus act, the founder of Smarmy juggles the designing, pattern making, sewing, photographing, web design, and everything else in between.

http://www.smarmyclothes.com/

Friday, July 12, 2013

Dragon Armoury

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Dragon Armoury are Fantasy armor and weapon creators from the United Kingdom. Using the latest and most advanced materials available, including highly durable resins and foams, they create imaginative and realistic LARP gear. From a Sabre Tooth Tiger skull that serves as a full face helmet to incredibly detailed Warhammers and Swords, they have all the battle gear a Fantasy Roleplay fan could ever need.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonArmoury

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Squirrel Creek Creations

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Squirrel Creek Creations is an art collective from New London, Wisconsin. Specializing in a wide variety of art forms, including Mask Making, Photography, Painting, and Specialized Crafts they are as diverse as they are creative.

http://www.squirrelcrkcreations.etsy.com/

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Black Orchid Jewelry

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Black Orchid Jewelry is an alternative jewelry maker from Toldeo, Ohio. From Spooky to rockabilly, they create top quality rocker girl jewelry. Black Orchid has a large selection of pre-made pieces and also take custom orders to help make your dream necklace, pendant, or earrings a reality.

http://www.BlackOrchidJewelry.etsy.com/

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Kreatworks

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Kreatworks is a metal art shop from Bangkok, Thailand. Drawing inspiration from SciFi and Horror movie legends (such as Predator, Aliens, and The Terminator) they create extremely high quality and realistic metal masterpieces. Their skill and dedication to their art can be seen in the life size Terminator T-800 replica featured here.

http://www.kreatworks.com/

Monday, July 8, 2013

Sharp Mountain Leather

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Sharp Mountain Leather is a custom armor creator from Pennsylvania. With 14 years of experience and an entire armory of pieces made, they have the quality and skill to craft anything from a single piece to a full suit of customized armor. Their unique made to order designs ensure that not only will your Dragon Scale armor fit perfectly, it will also be unique.

http://www.sharpmountainleather.com/

Sunday, July 7, 2013

SP Zero76

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SP Zero76 is a Freelance Illustrator and Street Artist from Bristol, United Kingdom. Using vivid colors and extremely focused detail he creates adorable and spooky monsters.

https://www.facebook.com/SPZero76Art

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Discombobulous Workshop

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Discombobulous Workshop are creators of fine items and oddities, from Steampunk gear to a complete Vampire hunting kit. Whether you need a present for that special Cyborg in your life, or if you just need to gear up before a full on airship assault, Discombobulous has you covered!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Discombobulous

Friday, July 5, 2013

Sautee Wood Works

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Sautee Wood Works are wood craftsmen from Cleveland, Georgia. Specializing in 19th Century wood furniture and accessories, they apply creative stains and finishes to re-claimed Pine, Black Walnut, Maple, Hickory, Oak, Sweetgum, and Cherry wood.

www.etsy.com/shop/SauteeWoodWorks

Thursday, July 4, 2013

S.J. Heeney

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S.J. Heeney is a Welder and Metal Fabricator from Georgia. His creativity and attention to detail can be seen in each one of his pieces. From Robot Giraffes to Zombie Slayer Axes, he puts his all into everything that he creates.

http://www.etsy.com/people/SjHeeney?ref=pr_profile

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Silent Bill

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Silent Bill is a Street/Tech artist from the United Kingdom. Using British humor to convey his sociopolitical messages and making his art accessible to all, he aims to help people question the state of the world they live in. Focusing on multiple mediums, including Augmented Reality, QR barcodes, Scratch Cards, and Spray Paintings he uses technology as a tool in his artistic arsenal.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Fake

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Fake is a street artist from Amsterdam, Netherlands. His stencil pieces are incredibly popular amongst art lovers and fellow artists alike. His attention to detail and cleverness for subject matter give him the ability to make street masterpieces.

http://www.fakestencils.com/

Monday, July 1, 2013

Cherie Strong

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Cherie is a visual artist from Queensland, Australia. With paint and charcoals as her weapons she creates a full on cerebral assault on many inventive canvasses, including skateboard decks and musical composition prints.

https://www.facebook.com/CherieStrongart