A litttle rough, but that's about it. I don't know exactly how it would sound, unless someone actually manufactured one. A little similar to the dulcimer, I guess.


It's played on the lap, as there's no neck. Like this...

http://www.richardandmimi.com/collaborators.html

Kailee meez

Heheh. Thanks to Kimber for introducing me to Meez.com. That was fun.

So here's a more light-hearted Kailee than in the picture I drew myself. Clearly she has no idea what lies ahead...

Edited to change from bow & arrow to sword.

Edited again to add - if you want to make you own meez at www.meez.com please quote _Kailee_ when asked who referred you. That way we earn five coinz each.

Digging Deeper - How Literary Criticism Helps

One of the many things I struggle with while crafting a tale is how to find the deeper themes, the message. The point.

So you want to write a story that really moves your readers, and not one that they'll put down, and think, 'so what?'

Well, help is at hand. Visit The Toasted Scimitar, where Ardyth (the Dreaded One) discusses how Literary Criticism can be an invaluable tool in the revision of your work; something that helps you to dig deeper, and unearth those hidden messages you never knew were there. This is a clever, well executed article with a wonderful illustration demonstrating how to find and draw out the deeper themes of your story.

Don't pass this one by. I've added it to my writing resources folder. :)

http://www.toasted-scimitar.blogspot.com/

Keys to Death

In memory of Claire & Jenny Stoddart, two wonderful girls from Lowestoft who died together with their best friend and two other people in a car crash on 1st July 2006.

http://www.myspace.com/keystodeath

Please do not leave your comments here - leave them on the Keys to Death blog where Claire and Jenny's family and friends can see.

So far so good...

My scanner doesn't want to play greyscale games, which is why my sketches have a sepia tone. Here's what I have so far. The outline around the fret board looks rather like the traditional lute, but I haven't found a design I'm happy with yet, despite a myriad of notes - all of which are in the bin. The problem is, while the real Dulcimer has a beautiful sound, I wanted a richer tonal quality, one that would carry further. That means I need to have a deeper and wider body. This lute shape would work for that, but I also have to consider ergonomics. If the instrument is to be played on the lap -- which I wanted -- a wider, guitar shape wouldn't work, and neither would the rounded back of the lute. It looks like I'm going to end up with something very close to the Dulcimer after all.

Still haven't found a name. Any tips on making up names, anyone?