Melanie Anne Phillips

Recently, a writer asked me about how to best use StoryWeaver. Read my complete reply at : How to Use StoryWeaver Story Development Software

http://bigeyedeer.wordpress.com

"One should always have 'back-up dreams'" - from my novel in progress.

‎"Whether religious or political, imperialism is its own reward" - from my novel in progress. ‎"Imperialism is a tail chasing its own dog." - from my novel in progress. ‎ "Wag the dog slowly" - from my novel in progress. ‎ "A benefit of being a historian is not being confined to the momentary truth." - from my novel in progress.

From my collection: Humpty Dumpty, a toy from when I was a baby. Probably dates to around 1953-55. Having this thing hanging over my crib staring at me, you can imagine how I turned out like I did....

In this episode I describe how your story's thematic argument fits into the 28 Magic Scenes.

Now that we've moved into the new place and have all my boxes of memorabelia out of storage and into our new garage where I can get to it, I'm sorting through a warehouse full of sentimental and collectable items I've gathered or held on to over the years.  I'll be posting the more interesting ones (at least to me!) here as I start re-organizing them in new boxes with better categories. Here's the first - Issue number 1 of Ren and Stimpy comics.  I was collecting a lot of comics in those days and bought five copies of this in mint condition when they came out. The bag says to open it for a surprise message (hidden by artwork on the bag itself).  When you do, the message from Ren says, "You opened the bag!  Now this comic is worthless!!!"  Fortunately, I had the other four copies, still in the bag! ;)

In this second article in the Dynamic Model series, I’m going to explore really intriguing problem – how particles can be transmuted into waves and vice versa. Read the complete article here:  The Dynamic Model (2) – Transmutation of Particles and Waves

Ecology of the meadow below Lyell Glacier

Dusk reflections on the lake below Lyell Glacier.

Productive day today.  Refined the design for the new version of StoryWeaver and sent the details to my exceptional programmer.  Worked with my friend, Sheldon to expand some of the things he helps me with in business (can't get by without him!)  Did a few chores around the place for Teresa.  Hung a picture, and sorted through a number of boxes of personal items we had in storage before we moved.  Finished uploading the last of the videos I took on our recent hike on the John Muir Trail.  Stuck to  my diet (8 pounds lost already) and made a lot of plans...  bwahahaha...... evil plans.....  Watching Paul Ryan at the Republican Convention - I'm an election junkie.  Hoping to catch another recorded episode of Game of Thrones tonight.  Tomorrow should be cooler up here on my mountain.  About 87 today but 85 tomorrow and down to about 80 after that for the next ten days, so they say.  Not much else, but the day ain't over yet.....

Well, it's been a hell of a last ten years.  But things are better now.  In fact, as of today. Basically, all the crap I've had to deal with and knock down pieces of, one by one is now behind me.  The last scheduled commitment from since we moved from Oregon back to California for business about three months ago was completed today.  And so, I find myself full of energy with some money in the bank and ready to grab life by the something or other. So, while I went for months without posting things here, I'm back again (among other things). This blog was supposed to be my catch-all for every creative thing I did in any field and also for all the cool things I come across on the Internet, hence, "Life and Times" as it says on the masthead. But, I got blocked up because I wanted a real chronology and everything I ever created before was backlogged and unorganized.  So, I dumped a bunch of it here, but that wasn't very satisfying as there was no way to see ...

The lake in the lower alpine meadow below Lyell Glacier

Got back from ten days backpacking on the John Muir Trail about a week ago.  Spent a few days recovering, then a few days uploaded and sorting all the pictures to Facebook, Google+, etc.  Just started putting the best of the pictures up here. Meantime, having some really successful business meetings regarding Dramatica, writing some deep theory articles on a new dynamic side of the Dramatica model, and having a whole new suite of software products programmed for my own company, Storymind. No meetings for a few days and a few dollars in the bank - finally caught up on everything including moving in to our new place from about three months ago. SOOOO - time to get a wiggle on and push some projects forward. Melanie

Looking back toward Lyell Canyon across the lake in the lower alpine meadow below Lyell Glacier.

Here’s another clue for you all…. Though it wasn’t discovered through mathematics, Dramatica’s model of story psychology can, in fact, be described by mathematics – at least to an extent. Read the complete article on my Dramatica blog at  Trigonometry and Dramatica

The lake in the lower alpine meadow below Lyell Glacier, with Mount Lyell in the background.

This is the first in a series of articles I’ll be writing about a whole different way of looking at the Dramatica theory – in terms of dynamics, rather than structure. In fact, the dynamic model is a counterpart, not an alternative, to the existing structural model with which you may be familiar. Read the complete article on my other blog at  The Dynamic Model Melanie

Mount Lyell and Lyell Glacier as seen from the John Muir Trail on the way to Donahue Pass.

A view from the trail on the climb toward Donahue Pass.  (Shot in 3D)

Another view looking back at Lyell Canyon from the climb to Donahue Pass.  (Shot in 3D)

Nearing the very end of Lyell Canyon.

Teresa continues down Lyell Canyon toward Donahue Pass.  (Shot in 3D)

Our first view of Mount Lyell, the Lyell Glacier and our path ahead toward Donahue Pass at 11,200 feet.  (Shot in 3D)

The view back toward Lyell Canyon from the beginning of our two-day climb to the summit of Donahue Pass.

Near the end of Lyell Canyon the land rises and there is a bit of a climb.  Still, it is just a hint of the two-day climb to come up to the summit of Donahue Pass!

Our group of intrepid backpackers - Teresa, me, my daughter Mindi and my son-in-law Ed - continue deeper into Lyell Canyon on our ten day backpacking trip.

Teresa takes a picture by the Tuolumne River in Lyell Canyon near the beginning of our ten day backpacking trip along the John Muir Trail.