VAcation! Texas to LA to Portland

Ooooof So much to do! I have to finish a book, start packing, then off to a road trip with the parents to LA where I will see my wonderful friends and family. Then off to a road trip to Portland. So I want to do all  this calmly so I will take a break from my blog. As soon as I'm settled in Portland you will all hear from me :).

I Write Like...

I came across this fun program that analyzes your writing and tells you who famous writer you write like. Let's see who do "I write like", by posting one of my blog post. The result was...

*Drum rolls*

CORY DOCTOROW

I never read any of his books, but if I write like him we must share good humor.

Then since this is getting really famous there's even a funny version known a "I actually write like".

Here was the result I got from it.

*Drum Rolls*

Like a drunk working through issues.

yohoohohohahahahaa

Try it and let me know your results!

I Write Like

I Actually Write Like

Green Rules: Article of the week.

I came across this article about how the children publishing affects the rainforests and what they are doing to change it. Another reason why e-books are "eco-friendly". Im all about magazines and newspaper going digital and to be more selective when it comes to book, you can read more on my position on this HERE.


Here is the article:


Are Children's Publishers Destroying Rainforests? by Karen Springen


Some of the links mentioned in the article:


Little Green Books


Rain Forest Safe Summer Reading List


I Love Books and Rainforests


Turning the Page on Rainforest Destruction


Also Remember how I mentioned in my post about my thoughts on the Ipad and why I plan to wait before investing in one? Well just came across an article that proved me right, because the Ipad has created another shift in the e-reader market. Meaning the e-readers will change to stay in the market and better soon because there's a rumor about how Apple will release smaller and more affordable Ipads just for e-reading purposes  
here is the article about it:


5.6 and 7-inch Ipads Coming by John Martellaro

Ecollustrator of the Week: Sasha Prood

I'm truly loving Sasha's Prood hand-drawn type and illustrations studies.

How does she do it? keep it soooo awesome, clean and crisp and beautiful and colorful and did I said awesome? This proves stronger why I love hand-drawn and painted type. It has a stronger presence of the human touch and these are exquisite. I can't stop staring at them, is quite inspiring it.

Check it out for yourself, here's a peek at some of my favorite work of hers:

I wish she had a blog, hopefully soon.

But here is her WEBSITE where you can see more

And her behance network PAGE where you can see even more.

Enjoy it!

I am an INFJ but write like an ESTP!

That's right so I took the Bryes-Miggs personality test and discovered that I'm a:

INFJ

The website where I took it describes me as:

"INFJs are warm and affirming people who are usually also deep and complex. They're likely to seek out and promote relationships that are intense and meaningful. They tend to be perfectionists, and are always striving for the Ultimate Relationship. For the most part, this is a positive feature, but sometimes works against theINFJ if they fall into the habit of moving from relationship to relationship, always in search of a more perfect partner. In general, the INFJ is a deeply warm and caring person who is highly invested in the health of their close relationships, and puts forth a lot of effort to make them positive. They are valued by those close to them for these special qualities. They seek long-term, lifelong relationships, although they don't always find them"

I read it and think yeah that sounds like me!, but then I took the blog analyzer and came out being an:

ESTP!

Here what wikipedia says about it:

"According to Myers-Briggs, ESTPs are hands-on learners who live in the moment, seeking the best in life, wanting to share it with their friends. The ESTP is open to situations, able to improvise to bring about desired results. They are active people who want to solve their problems rather than simply discuss them."

And the blog analyzer website says the following:

"The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time..."

I'll read it and think, ok some of it applies but the rest does not apply to me!. I'm not into physical out-door activities, I mean I SUCKED! at P.E. ( I tricked the teacher that yes I ran the 4 laps but actually ran 2, by hiding behind runners so he would never spot me) and yes sometimes I keep my problems to myself because I like to solve them on my own first, but if I realize that I can't I'm always open to discussing it with friends for a second opinion. And I have no problem in sitting still as long as I'm doing something like reading or painting.

So what does this mean?
I'm suffering from a split personality? 
I have a double soul? 
I'm possessed?
I don't know myself?
I don't write the way I act?




Or maaaaaybe ESPT + INFJ = Gemini? yes that must be it.
But has given me the curiosity to re-read all my blog post.


Share me your opinion, what personality you feel best describes me? I'm curious.
Also share me your personality trait :)


To find out what you are go HERE.
To have your blog analyzed go HERE.

From my Library to Yours: 2010 Children's writer's & Illustrator's Market

If you are someone who plans to get into the business of children's illustration. This book is a MUST get.  Seriously is super packed with the most helpful resources you need to start that career path. I love all the articles, interviews,and listings of book publishers, magazines, agents and books/online resources. Plus if you buy it, you'll get a one year free subscription to writersmarket.com to tone your writing skill or get information about the children's market. This is my bible for children's illustration market, I know I will consult it pretty much everyday.


On another note, I follow this blog called Eye for Lies about a woman who is known as a wizard-- no not the kind with the wands, though that would have been really cool-- I f you have seen the show Lie to Me, then she's like the character Ria Torres. A wizard is someone who has the natural gift to tell when you are lying(check out her site for more information). I love how she describes peoples emotion and what she perceives from them. Not just that, she also listens very carefully to what one says because the way we said things, the way we choose to say it, is very interesting. I highly recommend for you to check it out. Now on her latest blog post she mentions how they way you blog tells a lot about about your personality and she tried and it was very close to the truth!, so I'm going to give it a try.


First I will take the Myers-Briggs personality test to find what personality I fall under and then compared it to the answer of the blog analyzer. I will share the findings with you :)

Nook?...Nah...Kindle?...Nah...Sonic Reader...Nah...Ipad?...Hahahah wait let me see that?

In short words that's how my reaction was to the e-readers and the Ipad.


As a book lover, when the e-readers started coming out it really did not capture my attention. Why would I trade the experience of connecting with a book with that of a gadget? When I love the feel of new and old book pages on my fingertips, to see beautiful and colorful illustrations that covers a page, a 2 page spread and on it's book jackets; the beautiful designed layouts specially on special editions books, removing the book jackets just to see the beautiful binding; And how with time the pages will yellow and the area near the spine will have lines because of the many times you have bend it to read it. Plus if you are reading a big fat book and you put in your purse and you find yourself being followed and pinched in the butt, just slam that purse into the perverts head  they'll run off bruised  to their mama for sure (bet you do that with a ereader and you'll break it!)

Then came the Ipad, which at first I couldn't help but make fun of it. First by stating it was just a bigger Itouch, then about how it was just like a laptop with no keyboard and people are getting lazier to carry their laptops, then the lack of originality in the name since one can't help but connect it with the pad under feminine care aisle 4 to your right. Then I stopped myself because the Ipad has something that the others e-readers don't have(To clarify, the Ipad is not a e-reader, it comes with an application that is an e-reader known as Ibook):


COLORS


That's right is not black and white, so if you want to read a children's book, the illustrations will be shown they way they deserve to be shown. And for an illustrator that is a big deal!
Another thing the Ipad has that other e-readers don't have:


APPEARANCE OF A BOOK


Yup, even though it acts like a reader, it conserved the appearance of the insides of a book. Meaning when you want to move to the next page, it will flip as if you actually flipped to the next page. And if you tilt it horizontally it will get the appearance of a 2 page spread.
Another thing they did that other e-readers didn't?:


INTERACTION


That's right, you can interact with some of the e-books you buy for the Ipad. Kind of a virtual Pop up book. Here's a video on the Alice in Wonderland e-book for the Ipad. Is fun to see the illustrations come alive.

Pretty sweet no?


Here is an article about a book lover and her encounter with the Ipad. 
She gives such great points about pros and cons I highly recommend you to read it.


The Ipad and I: Of Love and Meh by Elizabeth Bluemle


Another thing that I like about the Ipad? if you are an illustrator, before you start a painting you can do quick color comps to plan your painting! or quick ideas. Here Illustrator Dani Jones gives an example:

Wether we like it or not the e-reader market will continue to grow, and the best thing for us book lovers, readers and illustrators is to embrace it and be part of it. I'll quote Corny Collins form hairspray "Velma, isn't this where it's all heading anyway? Now you can fight it, or you can rock out to it!" 


I don't believe books will ever disappear, I just think maybe it will be more selective as to what will be printed and what would be digitized. We'll see where the future will take us.


This is not a review for the Ipad, since I do not even own one, but just a personal opinion. For the moment I'm leaning towards the Ipad but I'm thinking of waiting to see what e-readers will come out next before I take the plunge in investing in one, plus I need to save money if I do plan to get me an Ipad. So pricey!


See the Ipad application "Ibook" on its official page: 
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ibooks.html



Wow! If you stuck with me till the end (this was quite a long blog post) feel free to share with me your opinions//experiences//thoughts on the Ipad or any of the e-readers, it's quite fascinating how new changes ruffles people's feathers.

Hope Everyone had a Happy 4th of July Weekend.

Today I've come to realize that sometimes the people you love the most can also hurt you the most. To cheer me up I posted here some of the pictures from the trip I took yesterday with my parents to Galveston, Tx. I hope to feel more like myself tomorrow.