http://www.free-articles-zone.com Morenos en 10/12/2009 Summertime is the time for getting outside and having some fun. And there are lots of traditional ways to do this but this article looks at some unusual and different ways to enjoy the summer. The focus here is on projects that adults and children or teens can do together and with an eye toward learning and or making things. And although the title of this article says for fathers and sons all the projects and ideas would be great for fathers and daughters too! http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=271707 2009-06-30 When we think of Medieval castles we seldom think about Japan. But Japan went through a very long period of feudal warfare and as a result hundreds of fortress like castles were built. They look significantly different than their European counterparts but functionally they are much they same. They were meant to protect the people inside from all sorts of dangers. This article reviews some of the medieval castles in Japan and talks about their tricks and techniques for fortification. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=257974 2009-05-15 This is an epic fantasy novel that doesn’t follow the now very over used formula that so many books in the genre follow yet it still stays comfortably within the genre. This makes a refreshing change. Add to this a heap of imagination and a talent for clear writing and you have a great book. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=236082 2009-03-14 If you are writing an epic fantasy novel you are no doubt thinking in big broad strokes. This is of course the point of fantasy that is epic. And one of the key components of this kind of novel is the big battle where forces of good and evil typically meet, often at the climax of the story. This article will give you tips on how to write these scenes well and will give you some pointers on the pitfalls to avoid. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=225534 2009-02-11 The Tombs of Atuan is the second book in LeGuin’s Earthsea series of books. At less than 150 pages in length it is a small yet magical book that is suitable for children and adults. This is a perfect book for bedtime stories or if you want something light that won’t take a year to finish. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=182767 2008-09-30 If you write fantasy or are thinking about writing fantasy you probably are going to have medieval weapons in your created world. Today’s reader of fantasy is very savvy when it comes to weapons and armor and you want your writing to be accurate and to make sense when it comes to weapons. They are often a big part of the story. In this article I explain some important things about medieval weapons, how to get them right, and I look at some of the more popular types of weapons. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=181479 2008-09-25 Wizard’s First Rule is the first Terry Goodkind book in the Sword of Truth series which is also the basis for the ABC television series Legend of the Seeker. This is a review of this remarkable book. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=179681 2008-09-21 Shoebox Dioramas are a part of every school year and in just about every grade they serve as a wonderful learning tool. They are used to learn the arts and crafts of making things and they are used to also learn about subjects. This article shows you some creative ideas from both the arts and crafts aspect and the learning aspect. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=179326 2008-09-19 A terrarium is a great way to teach some lessons about the importance of nature, its interconnectedness, and our role as stewards in helping with the care. With something as simple as a small terrarium you can raise a child’s awareness of the Earth and of the interconnectedness of everything. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=178117 2008-09-16 Christiaan Huygens was born in Holland in 1629 and he was a mathematical genius who invented several important mechanical devices including the pendulum clock. He had a deep understanding of astronomy, optics, mathematics, and mechanical devices. And he built some of the largest telescopes of the 17th century. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=178376 2008-09-16 Fernando Sor was a classical guitarist and composer who was born in Spain and he lived from 1778 to 1839. He was a contemporary of Beethoven and is often referred to as the “Beethoven of the Guitar”. He wrote many different works for the guitar including his famous Sor Method for the Guitar and his 20 Studies for the Classical Guitar. Both of these works are still in use today. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=178098 2008-09-15 Sir Isaac Newton didn't use his telescope to find any new things in the universe but he did use it to radically transform how we view the world we live in and the universe as a whole. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=177817 2008-09-14 The Gregorian Telescope is an interesting design of reflector and it was the first practical design for a telescope that used a mirror. It is still used in modern times but only in very limited circumstances. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=177520 2008-09-12 Fantasy art is different than any other kind of art because it is often composed of things that don’t exist. These things come from your imagination and while you can’t grab a unicorn and ask it to sit still so you can draw it there are some techniques you can use that will improve your fantasy art. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=177233 2008-09-11 Maybe you have thought up a really neat and unique idea for a video game and you are thinking "If I can just get in touch with the right people I can sell it and make a lot of money. And I get to see my idea turned into a game that people will play". So what should you do to make your idea a reality? http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=175751 2008-09-07 You don’t need a telescope to take beautiful and even dramatic photos of the stars and the night sky. You just need a camera and film. In this article I give you tips and techniques for taking great night sky pictures. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=173738 2008-08-30 In the world of Epic Fantasy there are two series of books that stand above all the rest as masterpieces. Lord of the Rings is one of those series. The Earthsea Series by Ursula K. LeGuin is the other. This is a review of the first book in the Earthsea series A Wizard of Earthsea. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=173360 2008-08-28 This book is the second book in Feist’s Riftwar Saga (the first book is Magician: Apprentice) and in this book we see not only the transformation of our main character from apprentice to master but we also see this same transformation in Feist’s writing. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=170956 2008-08-19 Medieval castles were mysterious places and often times they had a maze or a labyrinth. This article looks at the uses of these structures and takes a look at some of the more famous ones. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=170588 2008-08-18 Maps are a wonderful addition to any fantasy novel. They give the reader an added level of information that helps them visualize and experience the world you have created. A good map can also help you in the writing of your novel. Here are some resources and tips to help you make good maps as a supplement for your writing. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=170106 2008-08-15 You don’t need a telescope to see a lot of wonderful things in the night sky. For example five of the planets are often readily visible with the naked eye. There are lots of amazing things you can see and this guide will help you find them. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=169985 2008-08-14 If you want to draw some stop motion animation but don’t know what to do this article will help. Often times people think you have to spend endless hours drawing the same figures over and over with just a slight change between each drawing. And while this is true there are lots of creative techniques you can use to draw fun and interesting animations without the endless repetition. This article shows you nine techniques. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=169471 2008-08-03 Terrariums are a great project for kids because they encompass a lot of different things yet are not too hard of a project to make. This article gives you great ideas for terrarium making for kids of all ages and includes learning materials, container selection, plant selection, care, and more. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=168353 2008-07-29 This summer brings us a lot of great epic fantasy novels both from established authors continuing their series and from new authors with fresh new stories and worlds for you to discover. This article gives you recommendations from among the best and most promising. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=163800 2008-07-18 Mead is wine fermented from honey rather than the traditional way of fermenting with grapes. Nobody really knows for sure how old the art of making mead is. This information has been lost to history. But it may very well be the oldest form of brewing known to man. And it is an art that is not part of the main stream of brewing. Here are some tips and secrets revealed. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=164229 2008-07-18 Have you ever wondered what kinds of games people played during the Renaissance? The Compleat Gamester is a guide to just that. It was written in 1674 as a handbook for people of the time to learn how to play games that were currently popular. And it is still widely available today. It is a great way to learn about what kinds of games people played during the Middle Ages. And it is also lends insight into understanding how that period of time still has a tremendous influence on today’s world. Many of the games in the book are still played today. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=161481 2008-07-11 William Herschel was possibly the greatest astronomer of the 18th Century. He made many discoveries including the finding of Uranus. But his biggest claim to fame was his ability to build telescopes. Over his lifetime he hand-built over 400 telescopes including a giant that was over 40 feet long with a mirror that was almost 50 inches wide. He paved the way for many astronomers and telescope makers for centuries to come. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=160668 2008-07-10 Julian Bream is one of the most famous classical guitarists of the twentieth century and he has achieved worldwide fame not only for the guitar but also for his work with the Renaissance Lute. He is considered to be one of the most important ambassadors of the classical guitar and has formed a solid bridge between the music of the past with the technology of today. He helped usher the classical guitar into the modern age. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=160633 2008-07-09 The Container of a terrarium doesn’t have to be a glass jug. It can be any one of a thousand creative ideas. Using a unique container will transform your average terrarium into something unique and a conversation piece for friends to look at and enjoy. Here are some ideas for creative containers you can use. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=155974 2008-06-24 Resolving power is not as well understood as the magnification of telescopes. Yet it is more important. This article explains resolution, what it is, and how to calculate it. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=151912 2008-06-11 Summer time is a time to get outside. But being outside doesn’t have to just be swimming and barbecues. Here are some great outdoor project ideas that dads and kids will really enjoy. They involve things that move, learning about the world, or building things. There is something suitable for every kind of dad. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=151919 2008-06-11 This is a summer reading list for young adults who want to explore fantasy and imaginative fiction without resorting to the current small handful of blockbusters. This list has some classics that might otherwise be overlooked, and some contemporary books that are just terrific. If you are looking for some really good fiction for the kids to read this summer this list can help. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=151576 2008-06-10 Nintendo has made some interesting moves in the world of video games and they have a rather interesting new development coming in the world of making games. It will soon be possible for a small developer or team of developers, on a tight budget, to make real games for the Nintendo Wii. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=150988 2008-06-08 This article won’t give you the complete steps to making your own telescope but it will help you help you figure out what kind of telescope making would be right for you and give you some tips on how to make one. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=150681 2008-06-06 A large diorama can be a spectacular achievement that you can be proud of. I have built a few different large dioramas that are at least three feet wide and here is a collection of valuable tips, hints, and tricks that I have learned in the process. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=150703 2008-06-06 Making a Volcano is a great project because you get to do crafts, learn about the science of volcanoes, and get to see one in action. Choosing the volcano project that is right for you can be a bit of a challenge though. I have laid out three different projects that you can choose from depending on your skill level, the age of the child, and what kind of performance you want. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=144589 2008-05-15 Fantasy novels can be worlds filled with amazing and wonderful journeys and adventures but does the world really need another novel with all the typical things like fire breathing dragons, magical all-powerful swords, and the story of a farm boy turned hero? Don’t fall into the trap of writing a typical fantasy novel. Here are some tips that will help you write a fantasy novel that is different, new, and maybe even better. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=143056 2008-05-12 Video game making has come a long way since the days of programmers spending hundreds of hours writing long lines of code. And while it is not possible to accurately predict how any technology will look in the future there are some interesting trends developing in the world of video game design. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=143073 2008-05-12 The first realm is everything within your website. You know you have to build quality content and you have to optimize it well. But you also have to focus on building quality content off your webpage. Working this off site content is often called off-page optimization. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=143087 2008-05-12 Painting miniatures is a great hobby that overlaps both the gaming realm and the collecting realm. It is also a fundamental part of diorama making. This is a guide that shows you how to paint your fantasy miniatures. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=140731 2008-05-04 By a successful website I mean you get search engine traffic to your site and earn money in the process. To make a website or blog successful you need to be attractive to both the search engines and to people. This article shows you exactly how to do it in 11 easy steps. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=139605 2008-04-29 Just as in every new technology or field of endeavor it is always a bit muddled as to who actually was first. Technology, in particular, is a field where small incremental changes come about and the field evolves. As to who make the first video game we will take a look at different stages of video games from the first game played on a cathode ray tube to the first mass produced arcade game and finally the first console game system that was sold to consumers. All three of these steps were important developments that brought video games to where they are now. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=139212 2008-04-28 Matteo Carcassi was a 19th Century performer and composer for the classical guitar. His haunting and romantic music still remains with us today and is part of any guitarist’s repertoire. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=138673 2008-04-25 This is a list and description of the top five epic fantasy series of all time. I have left Lord of the Rings off the list because it stands alone above even these. The main criteria I used are popularity, longevity and length of series. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=137652 2008-04-22 These commands aren’t really a secret but they are little known. Yet they are commands that every webmaster should use on a regular basis to help identify good search terms to use when creating and building a website. These commands will help you build traffic faster and easier. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=136519 2008-04-17 Mead is one of the easiest wines to make and you can almost never go wrong but there are some good rules of thumb you should follow. Here are some practical tips from a mead maker. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=136242 2008-04-16 Being a new webmaster can be a challenge. There are a thousand different ways you can go and a thousand different things you can do. Here are three powerful tips to help you gain a good understanding of what you really need to do to make your website a success. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=136231 2008-04-16 In a world wide web stuffed full with billions of web pages you, as a small webmaster, have some distinct challenges to overcome. But you can overcome these challenges in two steps that I call the sizzle and the steak of internet marketing. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=133533 2008-04-07 Making a good video game requires more than just creating a dungeon with lots of creatures. They used to be simple enough that a single goal of making it through the game alive was enough to keep a player engaged and happy. Today’s video game players require much more challenge and complexity. This article explains some of the basic concepts that will help you make games that are much more fun to play. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=133173 2008-04-05 A video game design summer camp is an extraordinary way to introduce a teen to the highly creative, and teamwork oriented world of game design. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=120004 2008-02-26 Mead is a wonderful and delicious wine brewed from honey rather than grapes and it is real easy to make. But typically you have to buy some specialized items like an airlock and a glass carboy. I will show you how with one trip to the supermarket you can have a batch of Mead brewing today. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=116211 2008-02-18 When we think of a haunted castle we immediately go to visions of a castle somewhere in Eastern Europe. But North America has its share of castles and consequently it’s share of spooky, unexplainable stories. Here is a look at some of these castles and their stories. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=116251 2008-02-18 Right hand technique is often the most overlooked part of a classical guitarist’s skill yet it is the most important. Improving your right hand will transform your playing from mechanical to brilliant and expressive. Here are some tips and techniques that will help you improve. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=114551 2008-02-12 So you play video games and maybe you are pretty good at them. Maybe you have thought about making video games but the task seems a bit daunting. If you have some ability to write and keep a lot of information organized you might want to try writing your own game guide. Here are some tips to help you write terrific video game guides. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=113552 2008-02-07 Stop Motion Animation is a very creative hobby. It is also very inexpensive to start out in; and you can probably do it for no cost at all. All you need is a typical digital camera, some basic software, and a few ideas. Here are some thoughts and tips to get your creativity flowing in this hobby. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=111889 2008-01-31 Making model rockets is an inexpensive and fun hobby that has two very different components. You get to make rockets, which is a great hands on craft, and you also get to launch them which makes for a great outdoor event for family and friends. Here is an overview of what it is all about and how to do it. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=109727 2008-01-22 One of the great things about Mead making is the whole tradition of it. Mead has been made for centuries and quite possibly millennium. You can easily find and follow these recipes with just a little variation for modern times and tools. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=102904 2007-12-27 Before Galileo turned his telescope toward the night sky the act of astronomy was pretty much an astrological pursuit where objects and motions of object in the sky were explained using ancient and archaic understandings of the universe and how it works. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=102591 2007-12-26 Todays classical guitars are reasonably durable and easy to care for but they are musical instruments that are carefully assembled from exotic woods; and there are some basic rules of care you should follow to insure your guitar gives you many decades of outstanding sound and performance. Here are some simple guidelines. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=102213 2007-12-24 In the early days of epic fantasy women were often characterized as damsels in distress and nothing more than window dressing for heroes to rescue. This didn’t last long as a host of writers created memorable female characters that were skilled swordswomen, capable world conquerers, and adventurers in their own right – yet still alluring. This article introduces you to some of the best heroines that have appeared in epic fantasy over the past several decades. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=101673 2007-12-21 A Sparkling wine is a wonderful variation of your typical wines and, in particular, is a great treat for the holidays. Mead, being a wine, can also be made in the sparkling variety with very little extra effort. Here is a tutorial on how to make sparkling mead the easy way. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=99779 2007-12-15 Often times you will see telescopes for sale that claim big magnifications such as up to 1000X power or 500X power. And while this isn't a false claim because the instrument in reference will actually go to that magnification it is a worthless number because telescopes have definite limits to their useful magnification. This article explains the rule of thumb for how high a power you can get from typical telescopes. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=98883 2007-12-13 Buying a first telescope for you or for someone else as a gift can be a bit tricky if you don’t know a lot about telescopes. This article will guide you through making the right choice based on price, performance, and what your astronomical goals are. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=88707 2007-11-06 Epic Fantasy is a very wide genre and it encompasses a lot of work that has been defined in a lot of different ways from fantasy to childrens fantasy to high fantasy. Women writers have been breaking new ground and exploring new ideas and concepts in this genre since its inception. Here are some of the pioneering women writers of the genre of epic fantasy. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=56310 2007-06-13 The Classical Guitar has the reputation of being a soft, sweet, and gentle instrument. While it deserves this reputation because it is all these things, it is also an instrument capable of tremendous fire and passion. Here is a selection of some fiery and passionate classical guitar pieces that will add power and raw emotion to your repertoire. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=56060 2007-06-12 Have you been considering adding a forum to your website? There are some distinct advantages and some real disadvantages. Here is an overview of some of the pros and cons of having a forum associated with your site. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=56087 2007-06-12 Twenty-five years ago the movie Conan spotlighted the Atlantean sword. They designed and created a unique sword just for the movie and this started a new trend in fantasy movie making, and today, just about every fantasy movie is released with a collectible sword. Here is a look at some of these great movies and the swords in them. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=49136 2007-05-02 Here are some simple yet amazingly effective steps that will insure you start and finish your epic fantasy novel. You just need to understand what epic fantasy really is and why you want to write it. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=49151 2007-05-02 There was a rumor circulating many years ago that the Venus Fly trap could only be found around meteor craters. While this has turned out to be an urban legend the fact that Venus fly traps are quite unusual plants still remains. You can make a beautiful terrarium out of these plants and other carnivorous plants. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=48281 2007-04-25 If you have a website you really need to have a robots.txt file. It gives search engine spiders specific commands and it is easy to use and easy to maintain. Here is an easy guide to a robots.txt file in five minutes. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=47897 2007-04-23 There are lots of instructional books that show you how to play classical guitar. So which one should you use? That depends on your goals with the guitar and your style of learning. Here is a guide to some of the more popular instructional books. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=47907 2007-04-23 Chateau Gaillard was built by Richard the Lionhearted and it was sieged and taken by the French in 1204 AD. The story of this castle, and its siege is one of the most interesting stories in medieval history. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=46954 2007-04-16 You can get free artwork from talented artists, for your website, without spending any money. You do however, have to put in some time and effort. Here is how to do it. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=45543 2007-04-05 Finding your unique writing style and voice is much like chasing a wild unicorn. You can’t do it! The harder you look, the further away it gets. You have to let it come to you. Here is some advice on how to let it come to you. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=45342 2007-04-03 A 3d Model is a three-dimensional object you put into a video game. The most common model is that of the player in the game. But it can also be almost anything else you can imagine. Here is an overview of how you make 3D models for video games. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=45185 2007-04-02 Fulfill the dream of owning a hand-made classical guitar by making one yourself. You don’t have to be a master woodworker to make your own classical guitar. There are some really good books and kits that will help you make a guitar that you can proudly use for many years. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=45204 2007-04-02 A terrarium is an easy and beautiful project that you can successfully create in one hour. That includes the travel time to the local Nursery or Home Improvement store. Here are the steps to follow. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=44342 2007-03-27 This book is a great read for fans of medieval combat and a great resource for people interested in the middle ages and in the art of war during the Middle and Dark Ages. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=44443 2007-03-27 Amazon.com is currently running a new program in Beta called Context Links. This looks like it is going to be an excellent tool to help webmasters increase revenue from their websites. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=43897 2007-03-24 Amazon just released a new program (in Beta) called Context Links and it is very much like The Google Adsense/Adwords program. Is Amazon going after some of Google’s Billion-dollar context ad market? Is a billion-dollar war heating up in cyberspace? http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=43902 2007-03-24 There are thousands of things to think about when making a website, but making your website successful just comes down to these three basic things. It is really quite simple but I wouldn’t go as far as calling it easy because there is work involved. But it is work you are going to love. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=41693 2007-03-09 Andres Segovia has had a profound impact on every aspect of the modern classical guitar from technique, to repertoire, venue, and even the construction of the guitar. And while you can’t take lessons from him you can learn much from the wonderful legacy he has left behind. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=40809 2007-03-02 There has been a long-standing debate about Medieval Knights. Were they chivalrous and gallant caretakers of their peasants? Or were they vicious and cruel thugs who ruled their people with an iron hand? http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=39905 2007-02-24 Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be a knight, a wizard, or maybe a king or a queen? The days of knights are long gone but there are organizations, groups and events that still celebrate the beauty and wonder of the Middle Ages. You might not be able to live a medieval life full time but there are some great ways you can try it out on the weekends! http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=39657 2007-02-22 Writing is a wonderful, yet sometimes, very hard thing to do. Often it is very easy to not “make the time” to write and nobody is going to motivate you. You have to motivate yourself. Here are three techniques that will get you writing. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=39746 2007-02-22 Creativity has a "Mysterious Force" connotation. It is often thought of as something that only genius artists possess. And while it is true there is a bit of mysterious force about creativity it is something that everyone possesses. Understanding the 5 rules of creativity will help you to develop and grow your creative potential. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=39411 2007-02-19 After the Dark Ages the world was thrust into a two hundred year period of incredible creativity and growth called “The Renaissance”. This creative force of time brought about some wonderful masterpieces. It also brought us some really quirky and odd ideas. One of these ideas was the lantern shield. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=38811 2007-02-14 Blasting out lightning fast scales on the classical guitar is a very impressive feat. It sounds so good and really raises the emotional level of your playing. You really can increase your playing speed if you understand a few basic principles. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=38828 2007-02-14 We typically think of a catapult as something that was used in the Middle Ages to destroy the walls of a castle. But catapults have a very long history dating long before the time of castles and they were developed and designed in many different ways by many different cultures over the centuries. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=38662 2007-02-13 The Dark Ages were a period of great upheaval, constant war, horrendous plague, and stagnant cultural growth. But through these difficult centuries new ideas and a new culture was born. And in today’s world we still feel the effects of these changes that were brought about during these Dark Ages. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=38560 2007-02-12 Life in the Middle Ages could be very challenging and difficult. But there were many stretches of time when warfare was at a minimum, crops were plentiful, and castles were the homes of Lords, Ladies and large staffs of administrators and servants. Here is look at a typical day in the life of a Medieval Castle during these times of prosperity. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=38232 2007-02-09 Movies are a creative world of imagination and wonder. And does anything evoke this feeling of wonder more than castles? They represent power, wealth, mystery and many other things so they make a perfect setting for movies not just about knights but movies about many other things. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=38054 2007-02-07 A secret diorama is a diorama built in an unexpected place. This gives the diorama a level of not only visual delight but of discovery. And the theme of the diorama can be closely linked to the location which makes it really special. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=37802 2007-02-05 Video game design software has taken a lot of the hard work out of making games and it has left the creative part up to you. There are software applications that will help you make a game quickly, easily, and in only one hour. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=37632 2007-02-03 Warcraft is a game of Player versus Player (PvP) action. It is all about war and real military tactics translate well into the game. Here are some real tactics that you can use to improve your pvp in the game. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=37635 2007-02-03 The debate over long or short nails has raged since the dawn of the classical guitar and the right answer to this question is “It doesn’t matter”. But there are differences between the two styles and some things you should know before you decide which is right for you. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=37543 2007-02-02 Becoming a knight was much more than a tap on the shoulder with the flat edge of a sword. It was often an involved process that spanned several days. Here is an overview of a typical knighting ceremony in the middle ages. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=37158 2007-01-30 Player versus player action in World of Warcraft is very exciting and one of the best ways to obtain some of the best equipment and armor in the game. There are some simple things you can do to dramatically increase your skill in this aspect of the game. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=37127 2007-01-29 When writing fantasy it is very easy to let your imagination soar and to create amazing worlds and incredible creatures; and while you may give your reader something to enjoy you won’t really make a connection with him or her. The thing that will make the connection with your reader is the internal conflict your protagonist has to go through. This is what makes him or her human and this is where you have a memorable impact on your reader. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=37153 2007-01-29 A shoebox diorama can be much more than just a miniature scene. It can be a creative display that people are really amazed by. Here are some creative tips and hints on how to make your shoebox diorama really special. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=36544 2007-01-23 Here is a list and some tips on choosing plants to make a successful and beautiful terrarium. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=36553 2007-01-23 Just because you play classical guitar doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to hundred year old music! There are many modern pop songs that translate very well to the classical guitar. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=35965 2007-01-17 A ring is just a tiny piece of metal yet it is one of the most powerful, and successful, symbols used in fantasy writing. Why is a ring so often used as a symbol and what does it really stand for? http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=34884 2007-01-06 Getting traffic from the search engines for a popular search term is very difficult. There is a lot of competition. Keyword laddering is a way to make it happen. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=34888 2007-01-06 Prehistoric fantasy is the genre of stories written in prehistoric times. But they aren’t just “caveman” stories. They are wonderfully written dramas that also take a good look at real anthropological and archaeological subjects. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=34657 2007-01-04 Medieval Castles were structures that changed dramatically over the centuries of the Middle Ages. These changes were brought about by many factors like changes in warfare and the influences of different cultures. Here is a brief history of how the Medieval Castle developed over the five hundred years of the Middle Ages. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=34513 2007-01-02 For almost seven hundred years between the ninth and sixteenth centuries knights were the lords of the battlefield, admired and respected for their abilities and their chivalry and courage. So how did a boy in these centuries become a knight? http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=34209 2006-12-27 There is plenty of free software and resources out there that will enable you to quickly make your own video game. All you need is a plan and some persistence. Here is the plan. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=33825 2006-12-21 If you always wanted to own a medieval sword to hang on the wall, show to your friends, or bring with you to a Renaissance Faire this guide will help you to make a good first purchase. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=33824 2006-12-20 The answer depends on a couple of questions you have to ask yourself? What skill level do you have with the computer and programming and what are your goals for making video games? I answer these questions and help you find the right software for achieving what you want. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=32642 2006-12-08 There is no disputing that Segovia was one of the greatest classical guitarists that ever lived but his impact on the world of the classical guitar extended far beyond just his ability to play. He had a profound impact on every aspect of the modern classical guitar. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=32629 2006-12-07 You have been working hard on your self-published novel and soon your dream will come true -It will be printed. Or maybe you have already published a novel and are working on your next one. Don’t skip this very important step. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=32319 2006-12-05 Drawing fantasy creatures like unicorns, mermaids, and dragons can at first be a difficult thing to do and it takes some practice but there are some basic rules you can follow to create terrific creatures and make them look great. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=30517 2006-11-09 Today’s online video games (MMORPG’s) are extraordinarily complex worlds that take a lot of time to master. Whether you play a couple of hours a week or a couple of hours every day there are some fundamental rules you should follow to maximize what you achieve within these online worlds. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=30258 2006-11-08 Writing a video game script offers a challenge that goes well beyond the normal realm of writing. But it is also something that can be tremendously rewarding in the scope of its creativity. Here are some guidelines and tips for writing a video game script. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=27396 2006-10-14 One of the difficult things about learning to draw is understanding the process an artist uses to go from a blank piece of paper to a completed drawing. The “Five-S” method is an easy way to understand how an artist does it and how you can do it too. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=27123 2006-10-12 Making a video game means working with a software program that guides you toward building worlds in very specific ways. Do not fall into the trap of letting the software determine your game. Keep creative control in your hands. Here are some suggestions on how to keep the creativity flowing. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=26188 2006-10-03 The classical guitar is a difficult instrument to learn how to play. It takes perseverance and a lot of practice but with some practical tips you can make the transition from beginner to intermediate very quickly. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=26199 2006-10-03 Purchasing a classical guitar can be a difficult task particularly if you are not yet an accomplished player. Here are some tips and hints on finding a good quality classical guitar whether it is in the hundred dollar range or the thousand dollar range. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=25851 2006-09-29 Tired of enormous epic fantasy series with thousand page novels that cover an incredibly complex world full of factions, kingdoms and social structures? These works are at the end of the fourth cycle of epic fantasy and the fifth cycle is coming soon. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=25429 2006-09-25 Epic fantasy is not escapist literature just to be read for fun. It is a serious form of literature that tackles the big questions in a characters life (hence the epic). And in this way it helps us understand ourselves and helps us look at the big questions in our own lives. But epic fantasy uses one particular tool to help the hero find his way through the darkness of his challenges; and this tool doesn’t exist for us and this is where epic fantasy fails. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=25273 2006-09-24 Tolkien was a Philologist which made him an expert at linguists and the history of languages so it easy to see why his writing is filled with wonderful names of characters, creatures, and places. You don’t have to be a philologist to also find words that fit into your fantasy writing and accentuate the feel of your created world. Here are some tips and hints on how to do it. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=25075 2006-09-21 Starting a career in the video game industry used to a difficult thing; there were very few options and very few schools that could teach the required cutting edge skills. If you wanted to choose this path you had to be self taught. Today this dilemma has been turned upside down. You now have a plethora of schools to choose from and lots of programs and specialties to decide amongst. Here is some advice on what the industry has to offer and what you can do to prepare yourself. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=24335 2006-09-14 Reading sheet music can be very intimidating for a beginning guitarist. It is, after all, a brand new language composed of a lot of symbols that are new and alien. But Reading sheet music is a must for anyone who wants to be a serious guitarist and it will take your guitar playing well beyond anything that TAB will show you. Tablature is a crutch. It will only teach you how to play songs and compositions by rote. It is true that with Tab you will learn how to play a piece of music but in the process you are missing some of the real things that music, and being a musician are all about. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=23087 2006-08-29 If you are keeping a journal on a regular or even semi-regular basis, you have made a great step toward developing your skills as a writer. But, you are probably only using a small part of what a journal can be. You need to take the next step in journal writing and make your journal work for you. Here are some practical tips on how to do that. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=22581 2006-08-24 Magic is a wonderful aspect of Fantasy. It can add whole new dimensions to the world you are creating by bringing new dilemmas and new problems and challenges. It can also bring a fair amount of spicy and interesting conflicts. But magic is not a panacea. It should not be used to easily solve plot problems and difficulties that your protagonists face. It has to follow rules and you have to establish these rules. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=21746 2006-08-15 The number one reason why writers don't write is the fear of poor grammar. The red pencil marks of an editor pointing out dangling participles and passive sentences strikes enough fear into a person that it can prevent him from writing. Writing grammatically well is desirable, and necessary, but it is something you don't have to worry about. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=21502 2006-08-12 With only a few seconds to catch the attention of a potential buyer the cover is the most important tool you have when trying to sell your book. You have spent hundreds of hours working on your manuscript. You should also put a fair amount of energy into the cover. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=20796 2006-08-03 Video Game making has evolved dramatically over the past decade. It used to be a world filled with tedious hours of programming in a language like C. But today there are readily available tools that do all this programming work for you and allow you to focus on the creative task of building a fantasy world game. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=14266 2006-05-22 You browse the web looking for real advice on how to make money with a website but you always run into these websites that sound great yet deliver nothing. They pitch you a big hype and then you get to the bottom of the page to find out you can learn it all by buying their "Fantastic Amazing e-book that tells you all the secrets of how to get rich on the internet". Here is the real scoop - Real advice on how to do it the honest way from an average guy who is doing it. (No e-book for sale here) http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=13295 2006-05-13 You dream about writing a novel or maybe you have already started one yet for some reason the manuscript is collecting dust in a desk drawer. There is no complex psychological barrier that prevents you from writing. You can write out a complete novel from start to finish in no time and with no anxiety. I guarantee it. Here are the three easy steps. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=12965 2006-05-10 Good Video Game design is not just about fast action and challenging beasts and creatures. One of the most important, yet most overlooked aspect of video game design is the believability of the world the game takes place in. When designing a video game you don’t have to be a great artist but you do have to think and see like one. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=12581 2006-05-05 The process of making a sword is more than what you see in the movies. For many people being a blacksmith is a fantasy where you pound steel against an anvil, dip it in water and voila! You have a completed sword ready to mow down the evil hordes of creatures that lurk in the forest. But swordmaking is much more than this. Swordmaking is both an art and a craft and it takes hard work, a lot of practice and a significant amount of specialized tools to create a sword. It also takes many years of practice to become proficient at this skill. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=12593 2006-05-05 There are a million books out there and there are thousands of fantasy novels to choose from. How do you find one that you will like? http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=11917 2006-04-28 One of the most appealing things about fantasy is that it usually takes place in a fantastic and imaginative world. The mention of the Names Middle Earth, Midkemia, or Narnia brings up vivid images in a reader’s mind. But building a rich and vivid world takes a level of visual creativity that can be daunting to a writer. How do you get your reader to feel the stones of your New World? How do you get him or her to feel the landscape and the world as if it were a real thing? How do you show your reader the world when all you have is words to explain it with? http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=11432 2006-04-24 Epic fantasy has long been considered escapist literature and something that adolescent’s read to pass the time. It brings to mind muscle-bound heroes who fight dragons and rescue princesses. But Epic fantasy is really much more than that. It is about the search to find meaning in our lives. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=11005 2006-04-20 Epic fantasy is a genre about heroes taking on challenges of epic proportions and overcoming obstacles that are seemingly impossible to overcome yet the genre puts out (safe) multi-volume cookie cutter novels that follow a specific formula laid out by Tolkien and Campbell. Break this trend in your own writing. http://www.free-articles-zone.com/article.php?id=11011 2006-04-20