Illustrations in Epic Fantasy Novels

Photo by:

Janet Beasley

There's always a bright side to everything, 
Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to see it.

Hello everyone! So great to see you here.

Regular blog posts are still appearing on Mondays - but with a little bit of a twist. 

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, 

the paperback and ebooks are available on

Amazon, and are also featured in the Kindle Lending Library! 

Due to the enormous success we have had with Maycly - I need to get busy on the next 5 novels...you read right...5 more novels! For this reason, every Monday we're going to head to the archives and the postings will be some of the coolest and most helpful blog posts I made throughout 2011 and early 2012. This will allow me the much time needed to let my creativity run wild and write, and write, and write. ;-)

Not to worry, I'm not abandoning my fans - I'll still be at your fingertips through comments here on the blog, email, Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, and other social media. 

So, without any further ado - welcome to the past!

Original Post Date
03/21/2011

Welcome back all you trusty followers, and a very special "Welcome" to those of you who have just discovered JLB Creatives blog.

New weekly posts from me happen early on Mondays - or if you prefer to look at it this way...very late on Sunday nights at 12:01 midnight.

This week we're going to discuss illustrations in epic fantasy novels.

WEEK 4 VIDEO

WEEK 4 TOPIC POST:

When it comes to fantasy stories, illustrations are a huge part. Being that many of the characters, creatures, and places have never been seen before, illustrations help bring the story to life for the reader. 

Color illustrations are my favorite...for the most part. But when I look at black and white pictures they sometimes give me a sense of slipping back in time, and I kind of like that.

Being that my novel, "Maycly," will be published as an ebook first - there are probably going to be some E-readers that don't produce color pictures as of yet. I will be submitting the illustrations in color - but be aware, you may see them in black and white. The illustrations will be smaller for the ebook.

But good news! We have plans for publishing a hard copy book of the illustrations in a much larger size - complete with names, titles, and descriptions. It will also include musical scores and original family trees. 

~   ~   ~

     My sister, Dar Bagby, is my illustrator. We have a ton of fun working together on my novel "Maycly."

     It's amazing how much depth good illustrations can add to a story, and help me - the author - write a much better fantasy novel. 

     I'm certain you'll enjoy meeting Dar and discovering her exceptional talent as an artist.

     BONUS! 

     By viewing this week's bonus video - "Meet The Illustrator" - you'll be among the first to see the debut of some of the characters, dwellings, animals, and plant life on "Maycly" even before we publish the novel. 

  
     PLEASE feel free to share the link with your friends and family. (I just wanted my dedicated fans to have the honor of getting the first glimpse of some of Maycly's coolest characters, creatures, and more - all drawn by Dar - before the video is made available to the general public!) 

     

Meet Dar Bagby - Illustrator for MAYCLY

WEEK 4 

Pic n' Thought

by Janet

~Be patient and wait. For there is always a ray of hope 

that will eventually pierce the darkness.~

LINK OF THE WEEK:

     There are times when we wish we would have snapped a shot or a quick video of an event that we some how missed. Then there are times we snap the shot or quick video and wish we would have taken the time to get it right. Both are frustrating...believe me, as a scenic nature photographer, I feel your pain!

     One of things I do is carry my camera with me at all times - with a spare battery! I can't tell you the countless times we've been driving down the road and I blurt out, "STOP THE CAR!" or "PULL OVER - NOW! - please?" because there's a perfect photo op right then - and most likely it will be gone when we drive back past the area.

     With digital photography, depending on the size of your media card, you can take tons of the same photo, increasing your chances of getting that one really great shot out of hundreds. 

     Sunsets change quickly - so don't waste time trying to decide if it's worth the shot or not. If you've got a digital camera, you're out nothing but a few moments time. If the sunset photos end up being "yucky" in your opinion, there's always the delete feature. :) 

     Photographing wildlife is a different...animal (see what I did there?)...all together. To capture that "great" wildlife shot it takes patience, patience, and more patience. The truly awesome photos of wildlife are usually results of hours, days, weeks, or even months of waiting for the "critter" to appear. If you're lucky enough to see a "critter" while hiking, or on your drive, treat it like a sunset. Stop whatever you're doing and immediately begin to shoot because the photo is going to change quickly! Remember to keep quiet when photographing wildlife. It's really easy to shout out, "LOOK AT THAT!" or "NO WAY! IT'S A BEAR!" from being so excited. (I'm only speaking from personal experience.)

     Regardless, we all have photos we like to share. So, this week's link will take you to a site where you can easily store, share, and create fun things with your photos. The basic membership to use the site is FREE. I by no means endorse the site, and I don't get commissions for clicks, registrations, etc. I simply use the site for my photos and have become fond of its easy-to-use uploading feature, simple categorizing in folders, sharing with friends and family, and more.

PHOTO STORING AND SHARING

And since we're discussing photos, I would like to personally invite you to take a look at my Photo Gallery. You may do so by simply following the link below.

JLB CREATIVES PHOTO GALLERY

      

WEEK 4 SUMMARY:

     This week's Comment Game has to do with illustrations in fantasy novels. So here we go...if you like illustrations within your fantasy novel I need you to type the word "SHOUT," or "WOOHOO" if you'd rather, in the comment box at the bottom of this post. Then tell me why you like them there - where you like them to appear (top, bottom, middle of the page, etc.). By doing this, you'll be helping me when it comes publishing time as to where the majority of you prefer to see the illustrations. 

     To post a comment, look at the bottom of this post and you'll see a number with the word comments beside it. Click on the word comments - and type away! If you need more info on leaving comments, go back to WEEK 2's post and you'll find some there.

~     ~     ~


New Places to Find JLB Creatives Blog's Past Week Videos:
YouTube 


JLB Creatives FB Page
(Stay up with JLB Creatives on FB - if you visit this link,
be sure and click the "Like" button to stay informed)

I invite you to become a "Follower" of the blog so that you'll receive notice when the weekly posts appear. Remember to invite your friends and family.

Thanks again for being a part!

See you next week!

You're writin', picture takin' fool...

~Janet~

     

Princesses, Dragons, and Battles Oh My!

Photo by 

Janet Beasley

It's a brand new day - stand strong and face life's
obstacles head on with courage!

Hello everyone! So great to see you here.

Regular blog posts are still appearing on Mondays - but with a little bit of a twist. 

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, 

the paperback and ebooks are available on

Amazon, and are also featured in the Kindle Lending Library! 

Due to the enormous success we have had with Maycly - I need to get busy on the next 5 novels...you read right...5 more novels! For this reason, every Monday we're going to head to the archives and the postings will be some of the coolest and most helpful blog posts I made throughout 2011 and early 2012. This will allow me the much time needed to let my creativity run wild and write, and write, and write. ;-)

Not to worry, I'm not abandoning my fans - I'll still be at your fingertips through comments here on the blog, email, Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, and other social media. 

So, without any further ado - welcome to the past!

Original Post Date
3 / 14 / 12


WEEK 3 - Which One Do You Like Best?
Welcome back to those of you who have become a regular visitor, and welcome to those of you who are new this week. I encourage you to check out WEEKs 1 and 2 videos for a more in-depth look at the blog and its contents.

This week it's all about...
Dragons, and Princesses, and Battles...oh my!

WEEK 3 VIDEO

WEEK 3 TOPIC POST:

     There are so many interesting things to find in fantasy stories. My novel, "Maycly," is no different: There's a princess, a cameo appearance of dragons, and two epic battles which are (of course) between Good and Evil. But, there's also a lot more that escaped from my creative brain to fill the world of "Maycly."

     When it comes to writing fantasy, you have to be certain you include the basics to make it fantasy. Basics usually being magic, elves, creepy unearthly bad guys, seemingly impossible quests, and tons of conflict. 

     In my novel the reader will discover each of these, but may find them to be titled something different. For instance, you'll find that my elfish characters are known as: "chukkons." Chukkons resemble elf-like characters, but have been created with many different personalities, habits, and characteristics. 

     I also used Sprites in both minor and major roles who fill in as servants of Good. And impressive etherealians, (pronounced eth - reel`- ee - ans), who are much larger than Sprites and are immortal messengers and assistants to all on Maycly and Earth.  

     Being an animal lover, I included critters, both wild and domestic, we're all familiar with, plus I created several new ones; big and small - flyers, runners and swimmers - some good and some evil...all of which, none of us even knew existed before Maycly came along.

     Now I love an exciting, action packed, "on the edge of your seat," epic battle scene just as much as the next person - but let me tell you something I've discovered - the difference between reading a great battle scene and writing a great battle scene, is unbelievable! To say I've gained a whole new respect for successful battle scene authors is an understatement.

     Putting in, on the average, 60 hours per week on my novel "Maycly," I thought I was really getting somewhere. But when I got to the first battle on Maycly, I choked as I began to realize how involved this chapter would be.

     That first battle chapter took me approximately 4-5 months, at my steady average of 60 hours per week, just to get the initial battle down on paper. From there it was another 2-3 months, spending the same kind of hours, getting it nailed down and begin filling in everything I had missed. From there - I let it lay for a few weeks so I could come back and read it with a freshness and make even more adjustments.

     It wasn't until this past Christmas of 2010, when my sister and I were together, that I was able, with her help, to lay out the battle's sequence on post-it notes: paragraph by paragraph. This allowed me to rearrange the order of events so they would make sense. I cut, copied, and pasted until I was blue in the face then I left it lay another couple of weeks.

     January 2011 arrived on the calendar. I sucked it up and went back to the battle chapter - kicking and screaming all the way! But with much self-discipline, I made a few more adjustments - tweaking, adding, taking away, etc.

     And as of this post - I am still working on the battle chapter, honing and perfecting, and making the final corrections to be proofread for any last grammatical, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. It will be then, and only then, when those few final corrections are made, that I will have won my first epic battle...but remember there are two in the novel!

     All I can say is...I hope you like them! :)    

WEEK 3 

Pic n' Thought 

by Janet:

If you don't recognize it,

don't eat it!

LINK OF THE WEEK:

     On Maycly there are tones of places to go and enjoy the day. One of my most liked places is Gertie's Marsh; an area in the far northwestern region.

     Gertie's Marsh is a secluded everglade filled with small creeks, streams and rivers that are fed by by the flowing waters from the Creature Peaks mountain range. 

     Fishing the rivers and streams is a little different on Maycly; it's a combination of a game for the fish and a sport for the fisherman. It's similar to "catch and release," except for the fish jump (at will) onto a skidder at the end of the fish-line that's deep in the water and ride as the fisherman reels in his or her line. Once the fish is pulled from the water, the fisherman gives the fish a treat and returns it to the water. It's not uncommon for a fisherman to catch the same fish 4 or 5 times in an outing...especially if the fish takes a liking to a particular treat. 

     Here on earth, though, we love to fish and often times bring home some mighty tasty dinner! Whether you fish for sport, food, or just to relax, here's a cool link for you fishing fans! Learn how to fish, find boat ramps, zero in on fishing spots specific to certain fish, and more! You can check it out by clicking on the link below.

Take Me Fishing

Find JLB Creatives Around the Web:

www.HiddenEarthSeries.com
@JLBCreatives on Twitter
www.Facebook.com/JLBCreatives 


Buy Maycly on Amazon

Please, feel free to share these links.

Thanks!

WEEK 3 SUMMARY:

This week we talked about which one is your favorite: dragons, princesses, or battles? 

1) If you like dragons type the word "Whistle" and tell us about your favorite kind of dragon...and if you have a pet dragon, what is its name?

2) If princesses are your favorite, type the word "Clap" so we may all applaud your royal taste. Then, tell us what you think is the best quality a princess should have.

3) And finally - if you love to read stories of Good vs. Evil where the battles are of epic proportions, type the word "Stomp." Why the word "Stomp?" It's simple - because all good epic battles are made up of large, massive troops stomping across the battlefield, each side confident they will be the winning team!

4) Can't make up your mind? That's OK - just type all of the words "Whistle - Clap - Stomp" or fill us in with your very own favorite thing in a fantasy story.

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT:

     We love getting your comments! We can't tell you how much we truly appreciate the fun and feedback. Just to reiterate if you'd like to leave a comment here on the blog, simply go to the bottom of this week's post and you'll see a number next to the word comment. Just click on the word comment and a box will drop down below the previous comments for you to type away! If this doesn't work for you, go back to WEEK 2 and you'll find more detailed instructions.

~   ~   ~

Thanks again for stopping by JLB Creatives blog. Remember to invite your friends and family if you think they'd like to join in the fun and follow along with me on my journeys of creativity, scenic nature photography and my epic fantasy novel, "Maycly."

Have a great week!

Your writin' fool - 

~Janet~

Blast from the Past: Is There Such A Thing As Too Old To Enjoy Fantasy Stories?

Hello everyone! So great to see you here...what an amazing week we had last week, huh?

There was tons of FREE stuff to get your hands on, and cool photos, links, and more...it really was a good week here at the blog. 

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, 

the paperback and ebooks are available on

Amazon, and are also featured in the Kindle Lending Library! 

Due to the enormous success we have had with Maycly - I need to get busy on the next 5 novels...you read right...5 more novels! For this reason, every Monday we're going to head to the archives and the postings will be some of the coolest and most helpful blog posts I made throughout 2011 and early 2012. This will allow me the much time needed to let my creativity run wild and write, and write, and write. ;-)

Not to worry, I'm not abandoning my fans - I'll still be at your fingertips through comments here on the blog, email, Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, and other social media. 

So, without any further ado - welcome to the past!

Original Post Date:

3 / 7 / 11

Glad to see you here!

Welcome back to those of you who joined us last week - and welcome to those of you who are new this week. Just to let you know, new posts will be happening on Mondays...or if you want to look at it this way...actually very late on Sunday nights at 12:01 midnight.

WEEK 2 VIDEO

WEEK 2 TOPIC POST:
Seven years ago, all I wanted to do wanted to was write an epic fantasy novel. As the years went by and I became more educated in the field of novel writing, I found I was being asked over and over again - who's your target audience? Who will read your book?


One of my toughest tasks has been trying to zero-in on a target audience for my epic fantasy novel, "Maycly." I thought perhaps it was going to be for kids, then I moved on to thinking, nah -  it's for middle grades. Then the next thing you know I was trying to make it a YA (young adult) novel, and finally I tried to make it more adult sounding. After thoroughly confusing myself, I decided to just write the novel in my "style," and stick with my original idea...target readers who love epic fantasy - no matter how young or old.


I believe that I have written "Maycly" in such a way it can be enjoyed by a wide range of age groups who like epic fantasy. There are characters of all ages ranging from infants to 317 years old! It may easily be read aloud to children who enjoy a fairytale story at bedtime. Middle grades will find it a good moral story while at the same time challenging them to improve their reading skills. It will also hold the attention of young adults with several conflicts to overcome and hints of romance between a couple in their 20's. And last but not least...adults who are "young at heart" will enjoy "escaping" to the far off world of "Maycly" after a hard day's work.

Week 2: Scenic nature photo and 

original thought from me, Janet

~Don't get too comfortable and complacent where you are. 

You never know when one of those "gust of winds"

 in life may blow you off your roost!~

LINK OF THE WEEK:

In the novel Maycly," I refer to certain characters as being part Yooper. Do you know what a Yooper is and where they're from? Check out this week's link to find out.

What's A Yooper?

WEEK 2 SUMMARY:

That's it for Week 2. So, let me know - Is there such a thing as too old to enjoy a good old fashioned fantasy story of good vs. evil? Type the word "SNAP" if you're 50 or over and still love epic fantasy novels. Or type the words "2 SNAPS UP" if you're under 50 and love epic fantasy novels. And if you prefer not to "SNAP" at all - that's fine too. Please feel free to elaborate on your answers. Remember, here at JLB Creatives, we keep it "kid safe." No profanity, nudity, pornography, etc.

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT:

Last week I got some great comments and feedback! A few of you asked how to post a comment. Here's how: 

1. Scroll down to the bottom of this post and you'll see a number next to the word comments: i.e. 4 comments  Simply click on the word comments and a comment box will appear below the last comment made for the week. 

2. Others of you on mobile service who couldn't post, I'm checking in to the settings to see if there's anything I can do to "make that happen." 

3. Also, some of you were able to post - but not leave your name. I believe to leave your name, rather than being "anonymous" - you need to become a Follower of the blog. At any rate, you can still leave comments - it will just have to be as anonymous as best I can tell if you don't wish to become a Follower (which is just fine too -  there's no pressure). 

4. And finally - if you can't figure it out and would still like to comment that's cool too - here's what you may do - simply email me the comment you'd like to post, giving me permission in your email to copy and paste it for you here on the blog. Send your emails to: JLBCreatives@gmail.com

Hope this helps! :) And thanks for sticking with me as we work through the "blog bugs" together. 

~   ~   ~

Don't forget, if you're liking this blog invite your friends and family to join in on the fun! I would like to encourage you to become a "Follower" so you'll know first hand when my posts and other comments hit the blog. You can become a follower by clicking the link at the top of the page titled "Follow." 

Thanks again for visiting JLB Creatives blog... 

See ya next time! 

~Janet~ 

Lucky Week!

Hello fans and followers. Here's hoping you had a really great weekend.

Welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog - I am your host, Janet Beasley.

On this blog you'll find an array of cool stuff that has to do with 

writing, authors, and photography.

Each week we do our best to have a video, weekly topic, weekly link, and a weekly photo. New posts hit on Mondays! 

There are times when we offer contests for book giveaways, interview authors within a wide 

selection of genres, and our top feature Author Splash where you get the chance to

meet authors on a more personal level. Rather than just seeing their book covers and

talking about their books, we take you on a journey of their lives: foods they love, 

hobbies they have, travels they've made, and more!

We just recently added a new page to the 

JLB Creatives Blog:

Multi-Tech Productions, Inc.

My husband Don and myself are the founders and owners of this audio visual business. MTP, established in 1998, offers consulting, design, training, and troubleshooting for churches, restaurants, schools, theaters, and other commercial establishments.

We  work with audio, lighting, projection, multi-media, and special effects just to name a few.

Together, we have 60+ years in the industry, and strive to bring you the best audio visual experience that suits your needs.

JLB Creatives is a subsidiary of Multi-Tech Productions, Inc. and serves as the ebook and  video creation division.

We'd like to personally invite you to find out more by visiting the page itself. 

(click the link above)

OK - so, why did we title this week 

the Lucky Week anyway?

Because you're all in luck!

The first bit of luck goes to Heidi

Congrats to Heidi who was the lucky winner in the St. Patty's Day Giveaway! She won an autographed copy of Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly Parts 1,2, and 3!

Way to go Heidi!


~   ~   ~

Weekly Video: 
"You're in Luck"

Topic Post: That's right...FREE!

First up, we are offering our non-fiction book:

Production P.A.R.T.Y. - Coordinating a Theatrical Production for FREE on Amazon through Monday, March 19, 2012! 

Below is a quote from a post we received regarding this ebook:

"I just read it cover to cover and can tell you that while it's a short book, it's small like a filet mignon! Very meaty and filling." This little book brings you some of our best tips on saving time and money...and is being offered just in time to help you through those rapidly approaching Easter productions!

FREE ~ 3 DAYS ONLY!

And waiting on deck...Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly Part 1 the ebook will be made available for FREE for three days this week to all on AMAZON from Tuesday March 20, 2012 through March 22, 2012. 

So be sure and download your copy during those dates for this amazing offer! Please give the "LIKE" button a click on the Maycly Part 1 page on Amazon - thanks! 

Also, be sure and share the news with your friends and family about these great deals! 

Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly - Parts 2 and 3 ebooks are sold separately ~ also available from the same link(s) ~ and through the Kindle Lending Library 

Be sure and fill up you Kindles and ereaders with these awesome offers - ready for the beach and spring break! The story of Maycly is the perfect escape for readers of all ages! Young and old have been giving it rave reviews. If you love epic fantasy, good old fashioned good vs. evil, but are looking for a unique twist, creative characters, fantastic flora, and brand new creatures never before seen - Maycly is for you!

Download Maycly Part 1 for FREE 

and/or purchase Parts 2 and 3 here

(FREE offer good March 20 - 22, 2012)

~   ~   ~

PIC OF THE WEEK

by Janet Beasley

Sing Like No One is Listening!

This photo was taken on the Silver River in Florida. I snapped this shot while kayaking the beautiful spring fed river. This particular bird is known as a double crested cormorant.

More great pics by Janet that are free to download and use 

on business cards, blogs, websites, and more are available on her Flickr site at:

JANET'S SCENIC NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

~   ~   ~ 

LINK OF THE WEEK:

Florida from a Kayak

This amazing place offers some of the coolest kayak tours

around Florida you can take. There are also kayak lessons,

instruction, and all from professionals who

have received their training from the 

American Canoe Association. 

Be sure to check out their fabulous

bioluminescent  tour to see the light-up algae!

I by know means get any kick backs, click through monies, or 

other such compensations. I strictly look for cool stuff

and share the links with you to enjoy.

~   ~   ~

WEEKLY SUMMARY:

This was quite the lucky week for anyone who stopped by!

We caught a glimpse of the Beasley's long time running company, Multi-Tech Productions, Inc. And to discover more, be sure and visit the company's page right here on the JLB Creatives Blog.

We've discovered the double crested cormorant, taken kayak tours, and have the opportunity for FREE stuff! (Who doesn't love free?)

The cormorant is a unique water bird. I just love their expressions, the way they swim, and the beauty they bring when they fly through the air. I can't lie, it's really fun living in Florida and having access to so many wonderful things of nature year round in the mild temperatures this great land has to offer.

Always pay close attention when kayaking. It's an awesome outdoor sport, and can be as calm or radical as you want it to be depending on the course you choose to travel. Never kayak alone, wear your life vest, and kids - kayak with adults...it's just so much safer and better that way!

Again, the dates for the FREE ebook downloads are as follows: 

Production P.A.R.T.Y. - Coordinating a Theatrical Production is available for FREE March 19, 2012 only!  

Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly - Part 1 is available for FREE March 20 - 22, 2012. (Parts 2 and 3 sold separately, or available through the Kindle Lending Library)

~   ~   ~ 

Until next week

Stay casual. . .live life to the fullest. . .and have a piece of chocolate for me.

Your Blog Host:

Epic Fantasy Author and Scenic Nature Photographer

Janet Beasley

Inspiring Things

NEWS FLASH!
Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly Part 1
has just released as an ebook!
Maycly Part 1 is available on Amazon, and is also in the Kindle Lending Library for Prime members.

Click the link below to check out the ebook:
MAYCLY Part 1


Part 2, and Part 3 are coming soon!

~   ~   ~ 


Hello fans! So great to see you here. And a very special welcome to those of you joining us for the first time. We hope you'll make JLB Creatives Blog a regular stop during your week. 99% of our posts are made on Monday, with a few exceptions for when those rare moments occur that there's something extra special we want to share with you. Most weeks consist of a video, a topic post, a pic of the week, and a link of the week.

Several times throughout the year we like to post an Author Splash.

These are fun posts that introduce you to authors from around the world.

You get to know the author on a more personal level, and not just by their books.

So go ahead and become a follower if you're not already, and you'll stay in-the-know

along with your friends and family.

The best thing you can do, is spread the news about the JLB Creatives Blog by:

Tweeting

Sharing on FB and other social sites

and Pinning us to your Pintrest Board

You may keep in contact with JLB Creatives and author Janet Beasley all around the web.

Twitter: Handle - @JLBCreatives / Profile - https://twitter.com/#!/JLBCreatives

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JLBCreatives

URL: http://www.HiddenEarthSeries.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/janetbeasley 

YouTube: http://youtu.be/6zyMZfbezLI

Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/jlbcreatives/

~   ~   ~

OK - time to treat you to this week's video:

Inspiring Things

~   ~   ~

TOPIC POST: Inspiring Things

     When I write, I imagine the many places I've been. I think about what meant the most to me, what stood out at a particular location, and even the sounds that I heard while I was there.

     My husband and I do a lot of traveling around the US. We love to hike, and kayak the slow flowing rivers and streams. I shoot a lot of photographs of nature as we glide down the silken liquid paths, or traipse through the forests, but I'm also listening to the sounds around me. Birds, insects, the wind having its way with the leaves. . .these are all things I take into account.

     There's a couple of things you can do to enhance your outdoor experience, and find much more than you ever dreamed of when it comes to sights and sounds to inspire you. One of the first things I like to do is stop, yup, bring the kayak to a dead stop to sit and listen. I've taught myself to listen beyond the "surface" sounds, and listen deeper into nature. By doing this my ears have been blessed with sounds I didn't even knew existed in nature. 

     You can do the same with looking. A dear friend's father once taught me, as a kid, look into the forest but look for what doesn't belong. I had to think about that for a while, but as I got older I began to understand exactly what he meant. 

     Mother Nature is the master at camouflage. Take a look at the photos of a great blue heron I recently snapped while on a kayak trip. As I was looking for things that didn't belong, a slight movement caught my eye. It was this particular heron blending in with the cypress trees behind. 

Living in Florida we have plenty of opportunities to capture the ever elusive alligator on camera, on nearly every kayak trip we take. Their best camouflage is the "floating log" deception. I keep an eye out for these prehistoric beasts, but even then we accidentally kayaked over one as he lay just beneath the dark colored water. It was quite a scare as his tail flipped up, hit the front of the kayak as he took a dive, and soaked me. My husband was startled to say the least. Another time we watched as one swam. . .or shall we say slithered. . .through the water coming from the side of us. When he got to within about 15 feet of the front of the kayak he slowly sank into the merky water of the lake. As you can't stop suddenly in a kayak, we pulled up our paddles and glided over his "path" peacefully and quietly. If you take a look at the next two photos you'll see the "floating log" effect in one, and a moss covered turtle's shell on the log in the background, and gator snoozing in the lily pads.

It's moments like these I'm thankful for my zoom lens.

     We are by no means encouraging you to kayak with alligators unless you are an experienced kayaker and nature professional. You should never feed the wildlife when you are in nature, and never try to catch, pet, or chase wildlife. They are called "wild"life for a reason. . .because they live in, and have wild tenancies. 

     We do encourage you to take pride in the outdoors, educate yourself, then teach others. Nature is an amazing thing, and it is what inspires me the most to write my stories.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Taken by Janet Beasley

Days End is the Lovely Sign from Mother Nature that Morning Shall Return

Find more of Janet's nature photos at:

Flickr.com: Photostream of Janet Beasley

All of her photos are FREE to download and use on

blogs, business cards, church bulletins, in the classroom,

and much more!

It's her way of giving back to her fans.

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LINK OF THE WEEK:

I've recently been introduced to Pintrest. . .and love it! 

I've found so many cool photos, posters, fashion, food, 

nature, weirdness, funny, creative, stuff it's amazing!

It's free to join - then start creating your Pin Boards.

You'll see what I mean if you visit the site.

For me, it's like scrap-booking bulletin boards online! 

I by no means endorse this site, receive any monetary funds 

for promotion, or any of that junk. I just think it's a cool site 

and wanted to share it with you as the LINK OF THE WEEK. 

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WEEKLY SUMMARY:
     I've had fun putting this week's post together. I hope you have had as much, if not more, fun checking it out! 

     We were introduced to JLB Creatives and myself, Janet Beasley, and discovered all kinds of places to find us on the web. Remember to be kind and share us with your friends and family so they can join in the fun. 

     We learned what inspires me the most when it comes to my writing, and I'd love to hear from you regarding your inspirations for your works of art, be it writing, photography, painting, musician, what ever...just let us know by leaving a comment below. 

     Our photo delivered an amazing sunset from the Gulf of Mexico, and our link of the week took us to Pintrest - the latest craze in social media.

     I certainly hope you'll take the time to check out Maycly on Amazon - paperback collector's edition. Ebooks should be releasing sometime this week if all goes as planned. Part 1 will be featured in Kindle Prime as well as available for purchase/download. Parts 2 and 3 will be available for purchase/download.All parts listed at the great rate of only $4.99 each! Ebooks will contain full color illustrations!

     So, until we meet again, you know the routine. . .stay casual - live life to the fullest - and have a piece of chocolate for me. ;-)

Your Blog Host

Janet Beasley

Author of the

Hidden Earth Series

Volume 1 Maycly Parts 1, 2, and 3

(Volumes 2-6 are in the works!)