Dragons: Mythical Creatures Spotlight: Breathe

Hello, Friends.

Today, we are starting a new series. In these Spotlights, I will ask you questions about a mythical creature, the different ways that specific creature can be used in writing, and dynamics of that specific creature. I will not go as in-depth as I did with dragons, however. At the end of this (or, after we have a healthy arsenal of mythical creatures) we can put these into practice in writing or imagining. We can make these creatures 3D, and avoid cutting corners like some authors do. At least, this will get you thinking.

But before we start looking at specific mythical creatures, I just want you to open your mind and breathe. Think about aspects of mythical creatures. I've outlined a lot of dragon aspects, and this is kind of what I'm going to do in condensed version in the Spotlights. Think about creature relations. The ecosystem. Advantages of different creatures. Disadvantages. Whatever else.

Most importantly, though, remember this is for fun. The goal of the spotlights is to expand your mind, to get you thinking in new, different, and creative ways. The goal is never to overwhelm you, to make you focus on detail so much that you start to dislike writing, or make you perfectionistic.


Let your mind imagine things. :) Have fun with this!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/city-float-floating-city-airship-563171/

Dragons: Who is your Favorite Dragon?

Hello, Dragon Riders.

Sorry, this is more a Creative Complex than a dragon post, but it's still fun. :)

Who is your favorite dragon?

a) Smaug (from The Hobbit)
b) Sapphira (from Eragon)
c) Toothless (from the How to Train Your Dragon movie)
d) Samaranth (from Here There Be Dragons)

Spruce Nogard

Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/dragon-no-background-the-head-of-the-2471984/

Dragons: Dragons Through Cultures: Asian

Hello, Friends!

Today, we are continuing our Dragons Through Cultures series. Last month, we talked about European dragons, which were generally seen as evil. They blew fire, had wings, and had a reputation for killing knights.

However, Asian dragons were completely different. Asian dragons are wise, benevolent creatures. They brought rain to water crops and manipulated the seasons, and were a symbol of spring. Asian dragons are also seen as religious figures sometimes, and once upon a time in Japan during droughts, Buddhist monks would practice religious rites to try to convince the dragon to bring rain. Also, the new year in China is celebrated with a festival, in which dragons take part.

Asian dragons can fly, but do not have wings, and look very different than European dragons. Like European dragons, however, they are still being used in literature today.

What do like about Asian dragons? Was there anything you found unexpected? Post in the comments!

Spruce Nogard

Source: http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons-creatures-of-power/asian-dragons/

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/dragon-lantern-chinese-decoration-1631064/

Creative Complex: Guest Post: The Dragon and the King

Hello, Friends!

How are you on this marvelous day? Today, we have an exciting surprise! A guest post by a new guest!

Madeleine is a good friend of mine, and her favorite color is glitter. Because she is unable to write in glitter on the blog, she's using purple instead. Her favorite animal is a unicorn, and she loves to run.

Well, here we go!

Hi, I'm Madeleine Nrocinu. In this post you will have to finish the story. You can finish it in your head, write it down or post in the comments.

In a land far, far, away there was and still is a holiday called the Dragon and the King. Back in 929 there was a king who, when he cried on things, the things turned to stone. The reason this holiday exists is because one day a dragon attacked the king. . . 

Madeleine Nrocinu

Spruce Nogard

Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/dragon-wings-flying-fantasy-1949993/

*Post actually written on June 26th. See here for details.

Dragons: Dragons Through Cultures: European*

Good Day, Riders!

Today, we're going to start a new series: Dragons Through Cultures. This series will explore how dragons are depicted in different cultures. Let's start with European Dragons.

European dragons have a fearsome reputation. These are probably what you've seen before. They're the dragons with giant wings and who breathe fire, and kill knights. This opinion of them was probably influenced by the view people used to have of dragons, Greeks and Romans viewed dragons as a symbol of evil, and Christians viewed dragons as symbols of the devil. For example, St. George liberated a town for the tyranny of a dragon, and St. Margaret resolutely resisted evil, even when she had dealings with a dragon.

Lately in literature, however, European dragons have started to play positive roles as well as negative roles.

In what ways are dragons used in the book you're reading?

Spruce Nogard

*Post actually written on June 26th. See here for details.

Sources: 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Margaret-of-Antioch 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/dragon-mythological-creature 

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/dragon-slayer-st-george-george-1229921/

Fairy Tales: What Type do You Like?*

Hello, Friends!

This is kind of like a Creative Complex, but it's still fun. :)

What type of fairy tale do you like? Do you like happy or sad? Long or short? Gory or not gory?

Post in the comments!

Spruce Nogard

*Post actually written on June 23rd. See here for details.

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/fairy-tales-dragon-castle-princess-482143/

Dragons: How to Train Your Dragon*

Hello, Friends!

Let's take a little break from our dragon features series and talk about How to Train Your Dragon. This is one of my favorite movies. Why? The awesome music, flying, wonderful message, and, of course, dragons.

First, the awesome music. The How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack is one of my absolute favorite soundtracks, because it sounds like dragons. It sounds like dragons fighting and dragons flying, but still keeps Berk and the vikings in mind. The music perfectly fits the whole setting, scenery, and characters of How to Train Your Dragon. But why are you listening to me talk about it? Go listen to it! (Here's the link.)

Secondly, flying. I have always dreamt of flying, and the music along with the awe-inspiring scenery takes my breath away.

The message. Maybe it's just because I saw the movie first, but I like the movie better than the book. The movie's message is a stronger, needed message, and the characters have more personality, and their personalities are varied. Anyways, let's talk about the message of the movie. The movie is about a young boy who keeps trying to be someone else, someone he's not. He finally finds a friend, in the most unlikely of places, and is determined to keep that friend, despite what everyone else wants him to do, and despite that by refusing to give up his friend, he suffers. He turns the vikings' enemies into their friends.

Finally, the dragons. I mean, there is a whole section of my blog dedicated to dragons. Honestly, what would you expect? Also, the dragons are just so amazing that you're going to have to go watch the movie. (Again.) The vikings have an entire book of dragon species, and they also have some of the coolest dragon species imaginable.

So that's why I love How to Train Your Dragon so much.

(Sorry, no pictures. How to Train Your Dragon is copyrighted.)

Spruce Nogard

*Actually posted on May 31st. See here for details.

Dragons: Features: Personality

Hello, Riders.

We've kind of already talked about this, but not as a specified topic and not completely.


There are many components to a dragon's personality:

• Intelligence-Are your dragons just animals? Are they a whole separate race of superior beings?
• Do they depend upon humans in any way? Are they the same as humans, just with different bodies and abilities? Are they above humans in any way?
• How do they like to live? Are they solitary? Do they live in groups? 
• How can you best describe their personality?

Spruce Nogard

Dragons: Features: Scales

Hello, Friends.

First of all, sorry this post is up late.

Second of all, I know I already talked about dragon skin, but now I'm talking specifically about dragon scales. Each substance has a picture attached to it. :)

Types of scales:

Precious Stones:

• Ruby

• Emerald

•  Amethyst

• Sapphire

Other Stones:

•  Micah

•  Granite 

• Obsidian

• Quartz

Precious Metals:

•  Gold

• Silver

•  Bronze

• Copper 

Are dragon scales a material unknown to earth? What other types of scales can you think of?

Spruce Nogard 

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/stones-ruby-emerald-garnet-topaz-36744/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/obsidian-stone-volcanic-rocks-glass-505332/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/brooch-metal-aged-gold-texture-2130764/

Dragons: Features: Teeth

Hello, Dragons.

Today's topic is teeth. Dragon teeth are really almost the same as dragon claws, so if you want to know more about what dragon claws are like, here's a link to my post on it.

However, dragon teeth can have many properties.

Are they poisonous?

Do they burn?

Are they ice cold?

What else can you think of?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:
https://pixabay.com/en/book-magic-book-mystical-1949491/ 
https://pixabay.com/en/winter-ice-fence-frozen-snow-1943616/ 
https://pixabay.com/en/gas-flames-stove-burner-fire-blue-1938298/

Books: Favorites: Here, There Be Dragons

Good Day, Friends!

I can't believe it's taken me this long to talk about Here, There Be Dragons. By the way, I'm sorry for the nearly week-late post (I'm writing this on February 10th, despite what the date says.).

Anyways, Here, There Be Dragons is about three young adults, as in just entering college to partially through college, who meet one night almost on accident. You see, they were brought together by a murder. Soon, they meet a mysterious man, with a mysterious book, and embark on a journey both old and new, familiar and fresh.

I can't tell you too much about this book without giving it away, so you'll just have to read it. :)

I loved the characters, and if you've read the book, you'll know why I like them so much. I wish I could say more, but it's really for your own good, you know. I know some of you would just read the spoilers anyways. One thing I can tell you is it was really fun and different to have young adults be the main characters.

Also, the author, James A. Owen, is the illustrator as well, and his illustrations are beautiful. There are illustrations throughout the book, even though it is a YA novel. (Similar to the cover illustration.)

Have you read Here, There Be Dragons? Post about it in the comments!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-there-be-dragons-james-a-owen/1100037891?ean=9781416912279

Dragons: Dragon Wings

Hello, Riders.

When I was young(er), I used to draw diagrams of dragon wings. I kept a journal of all my dragon ideas, including starts of stories, descriptions of dragon species, diagrams of dragon parts. I made my own language, made a map, and even made charts of different eclipses. I still have the journal, and here are some copies of my drawings for dragon wings:

In each picture, the dragon's back is represented by the strip of blue.

Sorry, but the dragon's back for this one would be at a tilted line, but I couldn't format it correctly.

For this picture, the head would be toward the top.

For this picture, the dragon's head would be to the left.

Of course, there are variations on each of the wings, but these are the main ones.


Which way do you imagine dragon wings? Are there types of wings you haven't thought of before?

Spruce Nogard

 Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/amazing-beautiful-beauty-blue-736882/

Dragons: Dragon Claws

Hello and happy belated Monday! As I explained last post, I may be behind for the next two weeks on posts.

Today, we are talking about dragon claws. I suppose you could apply this to dragon teeth, too.

Are the claws white, regular, like human nails?

Are they made of metal, sharp as swords?

Are they made of a material specific to that dragon, like precious stones, obsidian, ice, etc.?

Have fun with this!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/cat-paw-claw-talon-fur-1136361/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/sword-longsword-weapon-arms-sharp-41036/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/obsidian-stone-volcanic-rocks-glass-505332/

Dragons: Eyes

Hello, Dragon Lovers.

On this lovely day, we are looking at dragon eyes. Are they like cat eyes?

Are they all the same color, like in A Tale Dark and Grimm?

*For both these pictures, please ignore the fact that the animals are not dragons. Also, think how much weirder it would be if eyes, all the same color, were on a dragon.

Do the colors mean anything? When I was young, I always had my dragon eyes match their scales. Also, their eyes matched their species. For example, an emerald dragon had emerald-green eyes.

Another aspect of dragon eyes is magic. Do they have magical powers?

Post in the comments!

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/hamster-brown-cute-animal-pet-1149177/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/cat-animal-cat-s-eyes-eyes-pet-1285634/

Creative Complex: Dragon Rider

Hello again, Dragon Riders.

You are a Dragon Rider. Obviously. Go write.

Do not freak out. A Dragon Rider is someone who rides dragons. You are that person. Go write down all your life experiences.

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: https://pixabay.com/en/badlands-at-sunset-south-dakota-wall-181979/

Books: Favorites: Dealing With Dragons

Hello, Dragon Riders!

Before we get started, I just want to say that this is a very exciting post for me. It is the 100th post on On the Breath of a Dragon's Wing!!!

I talked about the dragons in The Enchanted Forest Chronicles a while ago, but now I'm going to talk about the actual books. (If you want to read the post about the dragons in The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, click here.) More specifically, I am going to talk about the first book, because it is my favorite.

Dealing With Dragons, by Patricia C. Wrede, is about a princess, Princess Cimorene, who runs away to live with a dragon. The back of the book gives us a wonderful description of Cimorene: "Meet Princess Cimorene--a princess who refuses to be proper. She is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart. . . .
And bored."

This series is such a brilliant twist on most stereotypical fairy tales. Cimorene runs away to be a dragon's princess, and many knights come to try to rescue her. The only way to get the "chivalrous" knights to go away is to be rude to them. Stepmothers help their daughters make up dramatic and horrible stories, told in almost Shakespearean language to wealthy knights and princes, hoping their daughters will marry rich. A series of boys named "Jack" steal from a nice giant couple, and the list goes on.

What's more, there's something odd going on in the realm of dragons. . .

I remember my mom read this book to me when I was tiny. I loved it, forgot about it, and read it again a few years later. I rediscovered how much I loved it, and have read it periodically ever since.

Fairy tales are the best, aren't they?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/enchanted-forest-chronicles-patricia-c-wrede/1102213128?ean=9780152050528

Dragons: Skin

Hello, Dragon Riders.

First of all, sorry this post is up late. :(

Second of all, we are talking about dragon "scales" today. Which version of "scales" do you like the best?

Dragons can have many different types of skin. Which will you use in your story?

Do they have hard, glittery, stone-like scales?

Do they have leathery skin?

Do they have soft, snakelike scales?













Do they have fur?

What else could dragons have for skin?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/leather-textures-background-fabric-1251772/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/dragon-head-reptile-scaly-animal-1571287/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/leather-snake-bag-materials-stuff-506757/ 

https://pixabay.com/en/gray-fur-grey-texture-fabric-791625/

On My Mind: Origami

Hello, Paper-Folders!

I love to do origami. I only have one thing memorized, and I'm not incredible at it, but I enjoy doing it. My goodness, ever since I did the banned words post, I've noticed how many banned words I use. The second half of my second sentence was originally: . . . and I'm not very good at it, but I really like it. Sigh.

By the way, sometimes I feel like a very bad blogger. The last post didn't have pictures, and neither does this one, which is a fairly big offense in blogging. I mean, who's going to care about a post without pictures? I can only transfer pictures I take to my blog at specific times, due to issues I am having with not having a phone/camera to take pictures. I should put a camera on my Christmas list. . . I will try to be better in the future, but I can't guarantee anything, what with homework and school and all. Sorry!You can now ignore this paragraph! I added pictures to this post!

As I was saying, I really don't know why I like origami so much, because although I appreciate my work, I just put it in a bag when I'm done. In any case, origami is the art of folding paper into shapes/animals. I like making animals. Here are some animals that I've made:

1) Owl












2) Crane












3) Bird












4) Dove












5) Bat







6) Cat








7) Puppy











8) Jumping frogs








9) Turtle








10) Dragon









Here is a picture from the web:

Do you like origami? What is your favorite animal to make?

Spruce Nogard

Attributions:

https://pixabay.com/en/origami-art-of-paper-folding-fold-212760/ 

Dragons: Dragon Eggs

Hello, Dragon-Lovers.

The second part of this "series" is dragon eggs. You might be wondering how versatile eggs can be. I mean, yes, they can be different colors and sizes, but that's pretty much it. Right?

Nope. Dragon eggs can be very different from each other. Like dragons themselves, different authors have a variety of different portrayals of dragon eggs.

What are some types of dragons eggs?

Would they be smooth, and stone-like, like this one? This is Christopher Paolini's description of dragon eggs in The Inheritance Cycle.

Are they leathery, and get harder the closer they are to hatching? One of the main ways to tell how close a dragon egg is to hatching on Pern (Anne McCaffrey) is by their hardness.

Are they plain white, like this one?

Are they textured with designs snaking all over them?

Do they have scales like the dragons themselves?

These dragon eggs my aunt made for me. She lined up 250 (each) thumb tacks in styrofoam strips and painted them with nail polish. Then, she started at the bottom of a styrofoam egg, and spiraled the thumb tacks all the way to the top. She is 100% amazing. :)

What are other types of dragon eggs?

Spruce Nogard