I chose to do an X on Samarqand, an ancient city on the Silk Road. I kind of kept it in the vein of White Raven's Machu Pichu (locations), just because I wasn't that sure about venturing into 'non-person' X territory. But next I'm going to try one on an emotion, such as fear; which should be really hard.

SAMARQAND
Ancient {
 Ruins [
  crumbling (
   <the ancient ruins of the Incans>
   <a cookie held in the hands of a four year old>
   <a hillside during a torrential rain>
   <an army's line of defense about to give way>
  )
  rebuilding (
   <The Registan building ornate with turquoise tiles>
   <a steady, yet small creek>
   <a nine year old building with LEGO bricks>
   <a house being reconstructed after Hurricane Katrina>
  )
 ]
}

Glory {
 Past [
  fading (
   <a train that has run out of coal>
   <a man with dentures – at the end of his life>
   <the Qing empire>
   <the glory that was Greece, Rome>
  )
  Silk Road (
   <like a hypnotic moving chain>
   <slim line of traders and buyers scattered across a world>
   <a bubbling brook moving across continents and deserts>
  )
  precarious (
   <it's like a balloon at a porcupine party>
   <a rock at the very edge of a cliff>
   <a thin line of silk>
  )
 ]
}

Trade^Commerce {
 Free Market [
  government (
   <a person holding a cage over an animal>
   <”a never-ending dynasty”>
   <Adolf Hitler>
  )
 ]
 Bazaars [ #Bazaars are the open-air markets of Uzbekistan#
  bustling (
   <a crowd of army ants>
   <rumble of thunder>
   <hot pavement on a summer day>
  )
  large (
   <a spreading horde of insects>
   <millions of colors across your eyes>
   <the aroma of fruit wafting>
   <thousands of bags stockpiled in a warehouse>
  )
 ]
}

Religion {
 Islam [
  bondage (
   <belief in a God who does not care about them>
   #This is that illustration that Alex and Brett used in “Do Hard Things”#
   <elephant with string around it's knee>
   <an iron weight on your head>
   <like an explorer surrounded by wild beasts>
  )
  tradition (
   <like a rigid train on a track>
   <a soldier going into battle knowing he will lose>
   <a doctor performing a hopeless surgery>
   <a depressed man living alone>
  )
  “close-minded” (
   <shut like a door / |a locked and vaulted bank safe - a lost key|>
   <a sailor who won't let go of a slat of wood - rescue is at hand>
   <foolish man building his house upon the sand>
  )
 ]
}

Let me know what you think...I really enjoyed this essence, it felt like I was actually at the city.

eruheran

And so the pupil has surpassed the teacher Just kidding, I was never your teacher . But seriously: great job!!!! Good job handling the X++ features. And great elements!

I really liked it! I might have to try one of my cities soon



I thought this was rather funny

Seer: I can only look at your essence maps in wonder...seriously, they're amazing! And I've learned a lot just from reading yours, so yes, you have taught me. But I still think your images are just so powerful...I don't think I've surpassed you in any way.

Lady Terra: I really liked that metaphor too! I also decided that making essences on objects or places is almost easier than characters!

eruheran

Eruheran,
Tips on mapping the essence of emotions: longing depression was pretty easy to map (never actually typed it or posted it, but I made a map of it), so fear shouldn't be too hard. Though I will admit that it's easier to map an emotion that you're feeling at the moment. So next time your feeling scared, grab a pen and jot down an essence map
In Christ,
Jordan

That made me laugh, Jordan. Maybe I'll try something else.

eruheran

DO AN ESSENCE ON HUMOR!! QUICK!!!

But maybe a light-hearted essence would be fun. I'll try one this afternoon. Of course, once I'm done writing Chapter 3 in my book.

EDIT: Well, maybe not so light-hearted. But I posted a new one anyways. It's happy, if not light-hearted

eruheran