promises kept - some Halloween treats

So we got our bowls back from the pottery place on Friday and I have pictures like I said I would this time! See? I'm getting better at this, haha. Before I get to that though, I just wanted to share my excitement for the scene I'm working on right now. My two main girls are arguing over whether or not to let a new character stay with them and while it's still rough I'm really loving the feel of the scene. Sometimes your characters take you by surprise and I was definitely not expecting the one on the "yes" side of the argument to elevate to yelling but it fits so well and her little explosion is by far my favorite part. She's not usually the dramatic one but it seems she has more invested in the argument than I originally thought. The honesty is a bit harsh but more wonderful for it. Anyway, yay!

In other procrastinating news, I'm about 2/3rds through the second book in the Wheel of Time series [which is apparently getting new cover art! people rejoice! because...seriously, they need it] and still loving it. One thing I've noticed is that the reviews on the books always have at least one that mentions how Robert Jordan did a great job exploring Tolkien's world and, oh, isn't it nice? Hold the phone. I don't think I've ever been so offended on behalf of an author before. Jordan and Tolkien both wrote fantasy but that is about the only thing their works have in common and casting Jordan in Tolkien's shadow is doing Jordan a major injustice. For one, Jordan's books don't happen in even close to the same setting as Tolkien's do. Yes, it's fantasy but saying that Tolkien has some sort of claim on creating the genre so everyone after him is just copying or expanding upon his work is wrong on top of being seriously egotistical. Also [prepares to be potentially assaulted by Tolkien fanatics], I think Jordan is a better writer than Tolkien. [Shouts from her fortress: I regret nothing!] I'm not saying Tolkien isn't a good writer, he is, a very good one. I just think that what Jordan did with the Wheel of Time is more impressive.

Le'me esplain...No. There is too much, le'me sum up. [remember, personal opinions here, though they may not be popular]

1. There are no elves or dwarves or hobbits or other typified fantastical races in WoT.
     I assure you, WoT is still fantasy despite lacking these stereotypical characters but I'm not hating on elves and such. My point here is that Jordan's characters, with one exception, are all human. The reason I think this series is more impressive because of that is because I think that elves, etc. can become kind of a crutch for fantasy writers due to the fact that the public already has a general idea of what those races are like, their customs and behavior. So when you write them, it can be hard not to follow the template that's already present in our culture which provides a lot of the character development for you in a big way. Jordan, in restricting his characters to almost entirely human, set up a different challenge for himself. He couldn't rely on groups that people already know and can fill in details about on their own. Instead, he created dozens of different cultures and political climates and religions - each unique to different locations. Guys, that takes a massive amount of work and skill to pull it off successfully and I am repeatedly blown away by how completely he does succeed.

2. Tolkien is generally raved about for having created a whole history for his world. But...
     Creating a history is a necessary part of world building but some people do it to different degrees depending on need and awesomeness/craziness. Tolkien has written a history for the LotR world which is pretty fantastic and I give major props where they are due. That being said. Jordan has also written a massive history for the WoT but his is integrated into the story whereas you have to read a separate book to get the context for LotR. Now, that could simply be a stylistic decision on the author's part but, my standpoint as a writer, it would take a lot more time and planning to completely integrate a history into the series than to write it separately and choosing to do so makes a more holistic reading experience from the reader's perspective. LotR is exciting and fun to read with great battles and drama and such. WoT is like reading the best history book ever written. It honestly feels like reading a history book, but not the awful kind they give you in school. This history book has been written and is being written as you read. The reader is pulled into the making of history which is an exhilarating feeling.

Anyway, I could obviously go on about this for at least a week so how about we put down the elvin-made swords now [okay, LotR fans?] and get on to the pictures that this post is about anyway!

Behold, or, as the Italians say it - Ecco:

 I [obviously] went with a birch tree design which served as a nod to both one of my favorite trees growing up and the aspens that I now enjoy out here in the west.

 I'm really super pleased with how the leaves turned out as I wasn't sure if I'd put enough green for it to really show up but I'm happy with the balance. And the black and white reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes which is an added happy bonus!

 If you're wondering: yes, I am showing a full 360 of the bowl, and yes, these pictures were taken upside-down. I don't have fantastic lighting for this kind of thing and, right-side-up, the sides of the bowl become really dark on camera.

 Okay, one upright that at first glance I thought was taken with drape-y fabric behind it even though I know full well that that's our front door, haha.

So, yes! A successful, awesome time well spent and well rewarded. Man, I love that place.

In parting, because this post is already obnoxiously long, I'll share my newest little friend. No, I am not a My Little Pony person. I was just wandering Wal*Mart with my sister in law and saw these little mystery MLP packages that are created with the intent of getting you to spend all your money in the attempt to collect all the figurines but in fact they've only actually manufactured like half of them. I am powerless against such small, adorable mysteriousness so of course I bought one. Apparently his name is Comet Tail.

Happy Halloween!