What are you writing about now?

david_wendelken · Mar 7, 2025

I learned something new today. In MS Word, I can set the document, a paragraph, or a selection of words to a specific language or subset thereof AND the read-aloud function will change voices depending on the language setting. Sadly, the read-aloud function decides on the language based on the first language in the paragraph and ignores other language settings on individual words.

Also, of course, the various language and grammar checks act differently as well.

Also, sadly, Sindarin, Quenya and Dwarvish are not language options.

david_wendelken · Mar 7, 2025

I've been transfering an image onto cherry plywood. Once that's done I'll carve the image into the surface and make some prints from it.. Size of the drawing is 38" x 96".

I have the lower half drawn and I'm halfway through the top half. (It will go faster, it's just trees, not trees and a person. Attached is the lower half. Imagine the trees extending upwards the same amount.

Aside from having a lot of fun doing this, it's good practice for any book illustrations I do.

But I'm mentioning it because it's helped my writing. I instructed MS Word to read various chapters in Volume II while I was drawing. This Volume has more of my earlier writing than the other books. I've found an easy task to do that will really streamline the dialogue in this book. Because dialogue isn't speech, I can simplify it. By custom, people of lower station would refer to their social superior by whatever honorific was applicable, my lord, my lady, my liege, etc.
Instead of having them include that in every bit of dialogue, I'll streamline it by only having them say it once per conversation. I think it's going to be a good improvement.

david_wendelken · Mar 10, 2025

I start carving today!

The lady is a mix of my main book character and my wife.

Anyone note something Tolkien-related in the image? (Hint: It's easier to see in the photo in the post above.)

WatcherWraith · Mar 10, 2025

Is it the emblems on the lady's cloak or wings?

david_wendelken · Mar 10, 2025

WatcherWraith said:
Is it the emblems on the lady's cloak or wings?

Yes, it's Luthien's badge on her cloak.

david_wendelken · Mar 11, 2025

Another daily love poem from our heroine to her husband, in the form of an elven linnod, a two-line poem of seven syllables each:

Dawning sun sets sky afire,
Your bright eyes set me alight.

david_wendelken · Mar 11, 2025

Another daily love poem, yet annother linnod:

Embers struggle to light fire,
I burn with love at your touch.

david_wendelken · Mar 11, 2025

Today's linnod:

Long-miles journey hews at me,
The first smile from you heals all.

david_wendelken · Mar 12, 2025

Another daily love poem, a linnod, particularly apt for my both the bardic character and me to say to their beloved:

Lovers in my tales are mute,
One thought of you and words flow.

david_wendelken · Mar 13, 2025

What's new with all of you?

(I'm busy carving my woodblock for printing. I have a hard deadline in order to have access to a printing press that's large enough, so not a lot of writing for the rest of the month until it's done.)

WatcherWraith · Mar 13, 2025

Still working on my stories
Nearly done with translations of Quenya and currently playing Stardew Valley with much pleasure.

david_wendelken · Mar 16, 2025

11 of 15 trees carved on the upper pannel of my woodcut for printmaking. Once all 15 are carved, I can ink it up and print it to see how it will come out. Then I'll know whether I've finished carving or I need to make it lighter (by carving more).

Tyelkormo the Fair · Mar 17, 2025

Personally, I'd put the Sons of Fëanor somewhere between one and two.

WatcherWraith · Mar 17, 2025

Same here.

And that last one needs to be buried. Deep in the dark, hungry earth to feed the worms who will at least be glad of the sustenance, however sour it may taste.

Tyelkormo the Fair · Mar 17, 2025

I think Arhesto fits that one, though I'd never try to make people sympathize with him.

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë · Mar 17, 2025

I think Morgoth is the last one. 😂

(From his own POV, and according to some fans, anyway. The narrative doesn't describe him as anything other than pure evil.)

Tyelkormo the Fair · Mar 17, 2025

Morgoth: woe is me.
Me: yeah, just got one letter wrong.
*Replaces the W with an F*

david_wendelken · Mar 20, 2025

I've made some serious progress on carving my wood print block.

The lady's lines are roughly cut and need to be trimmed down to the drawn lines of the design. Though I'm thinking I might leave the lines the thickness they are and just smooth out the edges.

Overall size is about 38" by 96" split between two pieces of wood.

A scaled-down version of this will be an illustration in Volume I, representing our heroine dressed up as Luthien for a play recreating the scene in which Beren first saw her.

Vardarianna · Mar 21, 2025

david_wendelken said:
I've made some serious progress on carving my wood print block.

The lady's lines are roughly cut and need to be trimmed down to the drawn lines of the design. Though I'm thinking I might leave the lines the thickness they are and just smooth out the edges.

Overall size is about 38" by 96" split between two pieces of wood.

A scaled-down version of this will be an illustration in Volume I, representing our heroine dressed up as Luthien for a play recreating the scene in which Beren first saw her.

That is some nice looking woodwork!

I'm still working on some scenes for my 4th Age fanfic I mentioned here. It's when the angst really takes shape between Vardarianna and her brother Eldarion after he becomes king. I just finished the funeral scene where Aragorn was laid to rest.

I'm also doing final edits on the prologue and opening chapter and should have it ready to share soon. I have to make doubly sure it is right as I won't have a lot of editing time after I post it.

david_wendelken · Mar 30, 2025

My latest print (which is also a really oversized book illustration for Volume I) and its inspiration, my lovely wife in ancient Irish garb. It's also a wedding anniversary present for her.

Size is 38x96 inches for the printed area.

What are you writing about now?

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Fairë Hyamië(Phantom of Prayer).

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