Anna Aden Writes

Photographing for Compositing in Photoshop by  Seán Duggan This is a linkedIn learning course, I've just completed with an instructor called Seán Duggan who is very popular and good. This is the second one of his courses I've taken, and I've found it's best just to keep on going until something sinks in. This is just my version of his exercise. In the first course, I was taking notes, but then I realised it was a matter of practice, which meant doing one course after another.   In the original exercise the model was standing on the rocks. I've just added a crypt, from a local part, then I've added more rocks to the picture.  This picture is from the same course but I decided to use a toy model which I took using my lighting cardboard studio, and then I just applied the techniques  in the class. As it can get boring just doing those exercises.  Eating Plan  My mother and I are on a meal plan, it's going to be a long term thing but so far she's lost...

Card box light Studio I finally made one with a panettone box, or Marks and Spencers veganettone box. It seemed straightforward on the youtube videos but as often the case was it wasn't. Unfortunately there is a problem with google blogger and my browser image upload so I can't show you my card board box studio but this is the box. And yes, I thought it tasted nice. I bought three of them, one for me, my mother and my sister. I sister wasn't impress, saying it was too sweet but I thought it was delicious. However there was a slight honey after taste, saying that it may be because I was judging it, rather than just eating. However its a winner for next year. Anyway, not to digress, after deciding to experiment using a smaller box. At first, I couldn't find my paper cutter and then after going to Ryanmans for essential items (as you do), they had sold out. Then I needed to get the lightening. I have one desk lamp but the bulb had gone, so since desk lamps bulbs  are essen...

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a good and safe time, and we move another year into the decade of 2020. I spent my evening with a close relative since we are in the same 'bubble' though I did do a bit of social distancing and took a few precautions to wear a mask etc. The whole thing is really confusing in the UK but I social distance, wear a mask and since last March 2020, I've not travelled by public transport or gone out of my immediate area. I went to work once because I needed to pack up some stuff but it's pretty much just staying around my area. This has had an effect on my family bonding because I still haven't spend time with another relative but I guess video calls will have to do.  I've also started a new hobby, photography compositions or composting , and I'm going to start to look at creating composite fantasy pictures. It started because I wanted to learn to make my own romance covers but price of the course was prohibitive. Not only that,...

Review of 2020 Goals So at the beginning of the year I set out some goals so let's see how far I've come! 1. Complete my novel-in-progress fit for publication This is carried over from 2019, and I'm committed to finishing it in May but it's something I want to complete this year. If you have been following my blog, you'll also know I've done a few workshops and courses. The last one was the Faber Edit Your Course where I got a reader's report with some comments.  Feedback - still writing however I've written about 63,000 words to date so that is progress so I will keep on writing.   2. Fitness and Weight loss This comes up every single year, and I seem to grow bigger however for the last few months, I've been in excruciating pain because of my knee. I went for physio or as Americans call it physical therapy but nothing really worked. I think it's more about my weight, even my calves are larger. So I probably need to eat less - mostly bakery produ...

Current novel-in-progress It's in progress and I'm pushing on filling in the large gaping holes from the first draft, making some cuts and generally getting on with it. It's hard to imagine this time last year, I was attending the Faber Edit Your Novel class and drinking tea and eating biscuits.  I wonder how everyone has got along? Generally when there is news, course mates tend to send an email round. From my Curtis Brown course (yes, I've been around the writing course block) I think three people have been traditionally published now. At this stage, I'm a self publishing writer so my motivation for going on these courses is generally to improve my writing and get new insight rather than getting an agent.    NaNoWriMo Prize Software  Generally, I find the best time to test new writing platforms or software is during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which takes place in November though they have camps and mini sessions all through the year.  Normally st...