Gallery Spotlight Entry: A Writer's Dream of the Perfect Day

[Stephanie (swordlilly)]

I was staring at my Neopian Times memorabilia wondering what to do with them... and ended up dreaming up this gallery!

The more predictable route would have been to collect every single item that is related to the Neopian Times, but there is no way I have the funds (both Neocash and Neopoint) to do that. Also, something like that has probably already been done?

So I thought I'd try making a picture-narrative.

www.neopets.com/gallery/index.phtml?gu=swordlilly

Let me know what you guys think? :3 Obviously I know what each image is supposed to represent, but I'm not sure if everybody else can follow my stream of thought. Are there any images that stick out to you or that don't seem to fit? Are there any glaring omissions? Does the dream as a whole make sense / can you follow the narrative arc?

Thanks for any feedback <3

[TJ Wagner]

First off, I absolutely love the idea. It's very creative and unlike anything I've ever seen. A few items took a minute or two longer to catch on to the meaning. For example, I know at the top you mentioned painting, but I had forgotten about that when I got to the middle part so the painting items confused me momentarily. Perhaps breaking it into categories might help in remembering the narrative? Honestly, I think it's amazing as it is now.

[Deleted]

What an awesome idea! I'm not sure I've ever seen this concept explored in gallery form (then again, I don't keep tabs on the Gallery Spotlight, but it sure looks original).

I think the narrative overall is very easy to follow, so awesome job with that. I like how using actual items makes everything so vivid, like a series of snapshots, or items of focus that create sort of a stream-of-consciousness effect.

There was really just one point that felt a little muddled to me, possibly because I forgot the sequence of events you listed at the top of the page: Wooden Blocking Shield to Shell Mirror. I'm not entirely sure how the Wooden Blocking Shield and Empty Healing Potion fit in to the "reminiscing" scene (maybe if you chose items more indicative of being a newbie, like something from the newbie pack, or very old classic items with outdated art like the Green Apple, Toy Car, etc. The Tranquil Stream is a little too abstract for me because even though it does evoke tranquil reflection, in every other instance you use foregrounds/backgrounds to denote an actual change of scenery, so I was like "wait, we're outside now, but there's a mirror, and food?" and that's the point where I had to scroll back up top. This section might work better if you made the Thought Bubble the first item of the scene, signifying to the reader that the following items have to do with the theme of daydreaming/reflection on the past/etc.

Anyway, it was a super fun gallery to go through and I'm impressed by the amount of work and thought you put into it! I think it's a contender for Spotlight, for sure!

[Stephanie (swordlilly)]

Mar 12, 2014 13:21:35 GMT -5 TJ Wagner said:

First off, I absolutely love the idea. It's very creative and unlike anything I've ever seen. A few items took a minute or two longer to catch on to the meaning. For example, I know at the top you mentioned painting, but I had forgotten about that when I got to the middle part so the painting items confused me momentarily. Perhaps breaking it into categories might help in remembering the narrative? Honestly, I think it's amazing as it is now.

Hmm you're right, the transition to the painting does seem a little abrupt. I'll see if I can work in a smoother transition~

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement ^-^

Mar 12, 2014 13:21:56 GMT -5 @surfersquid said:

I think the narrative overall is very easy to follow, so awesome job with that. I like how using actual items makes everything so vivid, like a series of snapshots, or items of focus that create sort of a stream-of-consciousness effect.

There was really just one point that felt a little muddled to me, possibly because I forgot the sequence of events you listed at the top of the page: Wooden Blocking Shield to Shell Mirror. I'm not entirely sure how the Wooden Blocking Shield and Empty Healing Potion fit in to the "reminiscing" scene (maybe if you chose items more indicative of being a newbie, like something from the newbie pack, or very old classic items with outdated art like the Green Apple, Toy Car, etc. The Tranquil Stream is a little too abstract for me because even though it does evoke tranquil reflection, in every other instance you use foregrounds/backgrounds to denote an actual change of scenery, so I was like "wait, we're outside now, but there's a mirror, and food?" and that's the point where I had to scroll back up top. This section might work better if you made the Thought Bubble the first item of the scene, signifying to the reader that the following items have to do with the theme of daydreaming/reflection on the past/etc.

Anyway, it was a super fun gallery to go through and I'm impressed by the amount of work and thought you put into it! I think it's a contender for Spotlight, for sure!

Thanks for your feedback.

The Wooden Blocking Shield is supposed to symbolize writer's block. The writer is having a hard time working through it, so s/he decides to have lunch and go take a walk. I'll see if I can find some less abstract way to convey that idea. And, you're right-- the tranquil stream definitely is confusing. I knew something was off about that section but wasn't sure exactly what.

Woo, stuff to fix!


In terms of the history of the Gallery Spotlight, there seem to be two categories in general that tend to win: the "extreme hoarder" category with a jaw-dropping amount of items (such as every single bakery item, or every single item related to a certain pet-species); and the creative category.

I'm hoping to get in based on the creativity. :3 Here are a few of my favorites, from recent spotlights:

Gallery of things that move in a hypnotic way XD
www.neopets.com/gallery.phtml?place=546

Playing with Food
www.neopets.com/gallery.phtml?place=537

What Makes the Perfect Gentleman? --- I especially liked that he included "Speak Tyrannian." XDDD
www.neopets.com/gallery.phtml?place=526

The Traveling Scholar
www.neopets.com/gallery.phtml?place=522

[Mostly Harmless (flufflepuff)]

First of all, I'm very surprised that I was not the only one with the picture-story idea: I'd planned to create a poetry guide with just items.

That said, your execution is phenomenal, especially with the receding snow leading right into spring and garden items. That's probably my favorite bit of all.

[Deleted]

Whoa, those are some awesome galleries! Thanks for sharing! May yours join the ranks of those elite. On the odd times I do pop in to the Gallery Spotlight, I always enjoy the creative ones most.