I had high hopes for this book. The title intrigued me and it sounded like it would be worth reading. Alas, those hopes were dashed.
The fangirl Ms. Smith is writing for/about is not me. I've never had a girl crush on a fictional character or an actress. I've never been devastated by the death of a fictional character. Disappointed -sure. But devastated - no.
I've written fanfic, and yes, I have paired non-canon characters. I love the pairing of Angelique Limoges and Randy, the Guardian of Wind, from the Japanese game/manga/drama CD/anime series. I did a series of thirty short stories about them many years ago for a community on Live Journal called 30 Kisses. I did write a couple of fanfic about my favorite anime canon couple, Free Knight Parn and High Elf Deedlit, from Record of Lodoss War. In the world of Doctor Who, I wrote a whole series of fanfic about the adventures of Nyssa after she left the Doctor in Terminus.
Ms. Smith, in spite of her claims of being a fangirl herself, does not seem to respect fangirls.
I regret the time I wasted reading this book - and even more the money my husband wasted buying this book for me.
Two thumbs way, way, WAY down on this book.
Friday, December 1, 2017
Monday, June 19, 2017
Comic Book/Manga
After much thought, I realized the story line for my original comic book/manga has taken a turn that I'm not entirely pleased with. My characters are teenagers who aren't acting like teenagers. So I see major re-writes in my future.
The one thing I'm relieved about is that the preliminary sketches I've done for the comic book/manga are from before the point that the rewriting will need to be done. Thank God for small favors!
So the only merchandise I know for sure I'll have are the kanji buttons and the concept art. Since the MCBA Comic Cons are held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds (during the Minnesota State Fair you can buy almost anything on a stick), if I'm able to have a half-table at one of their Comic Cons I'll be selling kanji on a stick.
Better to find out now that the story isn't going where it should be going than after it's gone into the production phase.
The one thing I'm relieved about is that the preliminary sketches I've done for the comic book/manga are from before the point that the rewriting will need to be done. Thank God for small favors!
So the only merchandise I know for sure I'll have are the kanji buttons and the concept art. Since the MCBA Comic Cons are held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds (during the Minnesota State Fair you can buy almost anything on a stick), if I'm able to have a half-table at one of their Comic Cons I'll be selling kanji on a stick.
Better to find out now that the story isn't going where it should be going than after it's gone into the production phase.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
A Con Worth Forgetting
The Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota has three anime conventions. As of May 27, 2017, I have attended all three.
The worst one I attended was AniMinneapolis, which was the most recent one.
The Consuite (for those who don't know what that is, it's a place at a convention where the attendees can have free food) - which they, perhaps in an attempt to be cute, called the ConSweet - was a joke. The only food that was there consistently was rice, instant ramen and soda. No nuts, chips, candy, etc. which is the usual fare at most cons. The room should have been twice as big - there was a line to get into the room on Saturday. Grade: D-
The dealer's room was adequate, although one dealer who was selling Japanese snacks was way overpriced. I'd rather support United Noodles when I want to buy Japanese snacks. I didn't spend a penny in the dealer's room. The artist's alley, which did not have a separate room, had a number of people who had merely drawn other people's characters in their own style. Grade: D+
There were some good costumes, although I didn't have my camera with me. Two women who didn't know each other showed up as Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus. They posed for pictures together. I didn't recognize the bulk of the costumes, as most of my favorite anime series come from the 90's. Whether or not I recognized them or not, the were quite good. Grade: A-
I can't comment on panels or programming as I didn't attend any events.
Note: I'm not going to spend any time commenting on the organizer of the con. Just do a search of the name Ryan Kopf. What I learned about him would have curled my hair if ir wasn't already naturally curly!
My first AniMinneapolis was also my last.
The worst one I attended was AniMinneapolis, which was the most recent one.
The Consuite (for those who don't know what that is, it's a place at a convention where the attendees can have free food) - which they, perhaps in an attempt to be cute, called the ConSweet - was a joke. The only food that was there consistently was rice, instant ramen and soda. No nuts, chips, candy, etc. which is the usual fare at most cons. The room should have been twice as big - there was a line to get into the room on Saturday. Grade: D-
The dealer's room was adequate, although one dealer who was selling Japanese snacks was way overpriced. I'd rather support United Noodles when I want to buy Japanese snacks. I didn't spend a penny in the dealer's room. The artist's alley, which did not have a separate room, had a number of people who had merely drawn other people's characters in their own style. Grade: D+
There were some good costumes, although I didn't have my camera with me. Two women who didn't know each other showed up as Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus. They posed for pictures together. I didn't recognize the bulk of the costumes, as most of my favorite anime series come from the 90's. Whether or not I recognized them or not, the were quite good. Grade: A-
I can't comment on panels or programming as I didn't attend any events.
Note: I'm not going to spend any time commenting on the organizer of the con. Just do a search of the name Ryan Kopf. What I learned about him would have curled my hair if ir wasn't already naturally curly!
My first AniMinneapolis was also my last.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Cosplay Progress Report
The cosplay I am currently working on is the new version of Angelique Limoges.
(My current blog photo is of my attempt to make the original Angelique Limoges outfit. I no longer have that costume. Re-creating that one will come after I finish my current cosplay.)
I have managed to style the wig, but the costume part is taking substantially more time.
Not having access to a sewing machine is what makes the process more time consuming, but my goal at this time is to have it ready by the Anime Twin Cities Cosplay Picnic on July 15th. Hey, that gives me a month and a half to get it done!
The plan is to do the white parts first. Right now I'm working on the skirt. My dream would be to have that done by end of day on May 30th. That may be an ambitious goal, but I do believe it is doable.
I have ordered the boots I will need via eBay, but those have not arrived yet.
More news will be posted at a later time.
I have managed to style the wig, but the costume part is taking substantially more time.
Not having access to a sewing machine is what makes the process more time consuming, but my goal at this time is to have it ready by the Anime Twin Cities Cosplay Picnic on July 15th. Hey, that gives me a month and a half to get it done!
The plan is to do the white parts first. Right now I'm working on the skirt. My dream would be to have that done by end of day on May 30th. That may be an ambitious goal, but I do believe it is doable.
I have ordered the boots I will need via eBay, but those have not arrived yet.
More news will be posted at a later time.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
MSP Comicon 2017
The MSP Comicon is one of the highlights of my year. It's held every year in May at the Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Living in Texas for a year and a half caused me to miss the 2015 and 2016 cons.
I'd hoped to have a creator table, but there are always more creators who want tables than there are tables available. However, the MCBA (Midwest Comic Book Association) always needs volunteers so I went as a volunteer instead.
I've never been to a bad MCBA convention in all the years I've been going. I didn't make it to any panels this time around, but there are always a variety to choose from.
Sunday I spent a little over two hours as "dessert lady" during the lunch rush. (The con provides food for volunteers, creators, guests and dealers.) I just needed to be sure there were desserts available for anybody (which was just about everybody!) who wanted one.
Some of the creators would offer special deals to volunteers. When I'm able to have a creator's table, I've decided volunteers will automatically get 50% off everything I'm selling.
Cosplay is always a big part of MCBA cons. One family did a Disney's Beauty and the Beast theme. (The original animated movie, not the live action version.) Hagrid from the Harry Potter series always makes an appearance, as do a wide variety of comic book characters.
Eagerly looking forward to the MSP Comicon 2018, as well as the one-day con on October 7, 2017!
Link to the MCBA website: https://www.mcbacomicons.com/
MCBA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidwestComicBook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MCBA1
I'd hoped to have a creator table, but there are always more creators who want tables than there are tables available. However, the MCBA (Midwest Comic Book Association) always needs volunteers so I went as a volunteer instead.
I've never been to a bad MCBA convention in all the years I've been going. I didn't make it to any panels this time around, but there are always a variety to choose from.
Sunday I spent a little over two hours as "dessert lady" during the lunch rush. (The con provides food for volunteers, creators, guests and dealers.) I just needed to be sure there were desserts available for anybody (which was just about everybody!) who wanted one.
Some of the creators would offer special deals to volunteers. When I'm able to have a creator's table, I've decided volunteers will automatically get 50% off everything I'm selling.
Cosplay is always a big part of MCBA cons. One family did a Disney's Beauty and the Beast theme. (The original animated movie, not the live action version.) Hagrid from the Harry Potter series always makes an appearance, as do a wide variety of comic book characters.
Eagerly looking forward to the MSP Comicon 2018, as well as the one-day con on October 7, 2017!
Link to the MCBA website: https://www.mcbacomicons.com/
MCBA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidwestComicBook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MCBA1
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