I DID IT! Feb NaMoPaiMo horse finished!

 

I am happy to report I completed my February NaMoPaiMo horse within the timeline in February! I managed to finish it even after getting the flu (type B!) AND strep at the same time. It took me out for a week, but I made up for lost time - at the dissatisfaction of my daughter (and possibly husband).

I used pastels for the very first time and found I really liked working with that medium over straight acrylics. I learned I truly sucked at painting, but scraping pastel on a paper plate and applying to the model worked better for me. If I could do it over, I would have chosen a smaller model for my first time. The draft I chose was gigantic, but I've never been one to back away from a challenge!

I was able to test my customizing at my first model horse show of the year in Ashland, Ohio last weekend. His show name is: Prime Directive and he earned a 1st place in breed and a 3rd place in workmanship. I was over the moon!


NaMoPaiMo introduced me to an entirely new group of people with phenomenal talents. They were so willing to share their knowledge and cheer everyone on. Since the competition started I haven't stopped painting new horses.

Hopefully I will leave time for writing!

A name is a name is a name, right?

I am in the midst of selecting a pen name for my books to be published. There is nothing wrong with my name, except there is another author that writes under the same name in the romance genre. For the sake of less confusion, I've decided to say goodbye to Angela McPherson and hello to (DRUM ROLL please!)... Penny Pearson.

I have my husband to thank for Penny (his thought process being - we're coming up with a pen name - hence PENny. Ha ha, get it? We also tried to keep something from my last name. I also kicked around using initials, maiden names, 1st road of childhood (but that ended up sounding like a stripper -- which there is nothing wrong if I were going for that kind of name!)

So, Penny Pearson it is.

I am a bit apprehensive on how to go about with a pen name. It's strange to think if I get anyone that really likes my work they will know me as Penny. Not Angie. It's almost like I have a second identity. Ooh, now what kind of crazy stuff could I write with this alternate ego?! I will have to practice signing my new name for any book signings. I've found very little on the internet about surviving with a pen name. Authors decide to use pen names for many reasons, so it's not too out of the ordinary.

So, stay tuned and I will provide updates on life under a pen name!

Stay paranormally weird!
Penny Pearson

NaMoPaiMo - National Model Painting Month

So February kicks off NaMoPaiMo, or National Model Horse Painting Month, for model horse customizers. I paid my $2 entry fee, and started prepping my victim - traditional size Breyer Othello. I realize I should have signed up a Stablemate size, something small and manageable, but now I am officially committed. This is a giant of a horse.



Intended color:
Buttermilk Buckskin
 

Othello/ Wintersong - Identify Your Breyer


I planned on airbrushing him with my brand new Christmas present, but I realize airbrushing isn't user friendly inside a house. I don't have another area to use, especially in winter in Indiana. Plus, I've never used an airbrush before. So I chickened out.

I am going to do pastels - which I've never done before, so this will still be a new experience for me. I also have been reading that finishing touches can be done with pencils and hand painted acrylics.

I will keep everyone posted in February on the various stages. At this point, I'm expecting it to take around twenty layers of different colors.

Paddington 2 - perfect in my mind!

I took my 6-year old to see Paddington 2 for the second time, and it was just as wonderful the second time around. It was such a great, fantastical movie where kindness is the overlaying emotion. Just as Paddington's Aunt Lucy says, "Be kind and polite and the world will be right."



Bear in Trouble (Bing images)
 

The world of Paddington and his family seems so familiar, but so far away. Almost everyone eventually sees the good in Paddington, except one small minded fellow (who happened to play a Doctor in another show). It is a well-rounded story, including a villain. It isn't over the top silly, and it has just enough heart, avoiding the too sappy element. Paddington's expressions are a treat and all the supporting actors do a wonderful job.

I particularly enjoyed Joanna Lumley's (Patsy from Ab Fab) role and her "hot buns" comment. Classic! The lush scenery transports viewers to another world in which a bear that walks and talks isn't too extraordinary. Humor abounds within the film, making it thoroughly enjoyable.

I liked it so much I would definitely see Paddington 2 a third time if given the chance!


Doctor Who review - "Twice Upon a Time"

SPOILERS!!! (I just had to say that- I know, River Song isn't even in this special.)



Two Doctors! You know things are going to go strange when two Doctors are in the same time line. "Twice Upon a Time" is 2017's Christmas Episode for Doctor Who and I was lucky enough to see it in a movie theater a few days after it's BBC broadcast on Christmas day.

This episode was a little bittersweet due to the fact it is the last time we'll see Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. The same can be said for Bill and Nardole (two of my most favorite companions and helpers!), but, boy, they came at the right time. I was beginning to miss them!

The show was funny and heartfelt - perfect for this trying year. We meet The Captain (a World War One officer) moments before his death. It was exciting to see Mark Gatiss (Mycroft from Sherlock), especially when you see in the behind-the-scene moments how excited he was to be involved in Doctor Who. I want to give a big shout-out to all the moments when Bill gets to give "the look" (or sometimes more) when the Captain and the first Doctor speak about women and their place.

David Bradley portrayed the first Doctor and did a wonderful job. We meet a Dalek named Rusty who has a hate for other Daleks - courtesy of the Doctor. Clara Oswald makes a quick appearance and -finally!- the Doctor remembers her, which is great closure.

This episode is about time, its perception, and memories.
The regeneration of the 12th Doctor

The ending is when we say goodbye to the twelfth Doctor and welcome in the newest regeneration. And we are left with a literal cliff hanger! I can't wait to see Jodie Whittaker at work!

Christmas break is over! News from the Publisher!

Okay, now that Christmas is over, it's back to work! Things got busy with a kindergartner and the fabled Santa. Today I got my first edits from my publisher. I have been really worried about getting these back because this is my first novel with a traditional publisher! They don't have to like my work and it is their job to let me know if something isn't right.

So, with all my fears sitting in my throat, I clicked open on the email attachment and held my breath. Much to my delight, my manuscript overall didn't suck,  according to my publisher. I have quite a bit of work on phrasing and pacing. I will admit, I'm not sure about pacing so I will need to look into that in order to ensure my rewriting is on the right path. I have been known to rush certain scenes (especially ending conflicts) for some reason, so this request doesn't come as a surprise.

Also, it seems the major remarks on phrasing had to do with paragraphs I knew were trouble. All in all, I am happy and hopefully within the next few weeks I will have finished my reworking of the manuscript and kick it back for a second round.

I am looking forward to the publishing process after all the edits have been completed! The PR world is strange to me, as I usually finish a story, self-publish, and start the next story - with no thought as to the marketing aspect.

Stay tuned for more excitement!

I must be crazy to get ANOTHER hobby!

So, one of the reasons I haven't been blogging so much this summer is besides trying to complete my fifth fantasy novel, working full-time, getting our kindergartener to the bus and home again, taking care of horses (dogs & cats), I've decided to try my hand at a new hobby.

Model horse showing! What??!! Yes, I have my show string of around twenty horses. I went to my first show with no idea what to expect. I've had Breyer horses for more than 35 years. I picked the models in the best condition and took the opportunity to open the boxes of horses I was given when I got older. I thought for sure I had a good chance. Not quite. As soon as I arrived at River City Model show in Evansville, IN, it became apparent my horses were too retail. All the winners in the Original Finish Breyer were special runs, limited editions. I did manage 6 ribbons with my highest placing being 4th place with my Rural King Brabant draft.

Needless to say my attempt at customizing Breyers didn't do well. I'm not giving up, but will choose a smaller model (Stablemate) for my next victims. I had the hardest time at getting smooth brush strokes.

After the show, I brought 3 new models to update my collection to the 2000's.  At the second show (My Ol' Kentucky Live show in Elizabethtown, KY), I tried to think out of the box at breeds and avoid the big classes (mustang). Horrible decision. If I would have kept the horses as mustangs, they might have done better. So now I'm faced with the dilemma heading into show #3 in Nov. The judge from the first show is the judge at this show.

I also grabbed some of my daughter's Stablemates that we got at Breyerfest with the One Day Ticket. One of the horses actually got first place in Collectability and earned a NAN card to get into the Nationals next July!!  I was totally shocked! So now, my daughter has a few less toys to play with.

To add to my addiction, I just brought 2 customized Breyers from Ebay. There is a big possibility that I have spent all this money and none of them will place in their classes. Oh, and just a heads up - if you're wondering what you get when you win, not much.  I think it's just the bragging rights of having the most awesome horse.

Stay tuned for updates at my next show - Autumn Leaf Model show in Indiana.