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January 2005 New Year Review

Writing Progress

The Christmas period has not seen me turn back to writing as I had hoped. It's almost as if I have become bored with it, like a hobby that has seen saturation point. Instead I have gone back to the drawing board. I will explain.

I have always been interested in 3D drawing and modelling as part of my engineering background. The Phd I am currently engaged with also features some modelling and finite element work. However, interesting as all this is, it isn't actually drawing for drawing sake. So I have purchased a few 3D drawing and modelling packages to use on my computer at home and I have been playing with my new toys like every child at Christmas. The two packages are Bryce 5 and DazStudio, both from a company called DAZ Productions, Inc. Bryce creates terrain and 3D models, while DazStudio (which is free) is a software package for manipulating figures. In other words you can pose, move and animate computer graphic people. It's all good fun, and if I can get the hang of it, anyone can. In fact I am so hooked on it all that I have also purchased another package called Poser 5 from Curious Labs. This is another software package for creating people. It hasn't arrived yet, but I can't wait.

One of the reasons I began thinking about all this was the upcoming publication of the first part of “The Friendly Ambassador,” and the cover in particular. I have hoped for something rather graphic and exciting that reflects the story and I looked at covers of various science fiction books. I made a note of the graphic artists that were credited and even suggested one to my publisher (still waiting to hear from them, no news so far, but I haven't given up yet). Anyway, after looking at all these interesting pictures and looking at more on the artist's websites, I started getting itchy fingers and wanted to have a go at drawing myself. Anyway, that's my excuse.

Despite my lack of output on the writing front, my drawing endeavours had to result in some kind of story, it's just the way I am. So “The Heroic Englishman: Part IV” will have to wait until next month. Again. In its place this month is a very short story based on my drawing output. Please let me know what you think.

As usual, last months Short Story, “The Dropped Bollock,” has moved to the List Page.

Happy New Year.

January's Very Short Story

This month's Short Story is a graphic story entitled “Rebecca and Mandy's Desert Away Day.”

	“Explain to me again, Rebecca. Just why did you bring me all the way out here in the hottest part of the day?” “Because I was told there might be something out here of interest.”

	“You call this interesting?” “It has its appeal: Good view, no nosy neighbours, all year round sun.”

	“Oh, well. I suppose we might as well have a look around while we're here.”

	“Hang on a minute, Mandy. I thought I saw movement through one of those windows. There's someone in there.”

	“Yep. I was right. Here he comes. And he looks extremely happy to see us.”

	“Yeah, I bet he is. And I also bet that it isn't just the skycar he's hoping for a ride on.”

	“You think so? Well, that does make the trip interesting. Flip you for him.”

The End

Copyright © D. G. Richards 2005

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