Bugs Bunny is the common day archetype of a trickster. He's a rebel, he plays by his own rules, and he doesn't care what people think of him. He's not afraid to put on a full woman's outfit and makeup for a good prank. He's an actor that can play any character, and a protagonist who thwarts evil. His playful, clever nature has long been a role model and symbol of hope for America.
The Cookie Monster. Big, furry, and voracious, with an insatiable appetite for cookies. In the past, he was a glutton, gorging himself on the crumbly sweets whenever he got the chance. He represented greed and endless consumption. However, he has always kept a kind heart. Thought he is inflicted with and obsession, it would never lead him to harm another being. Nowadays, in an attempt to curb childhood obesity, the cookie monster is making an effort to counteract any bad influence he had earlier by saying that "cookie is a sometime food" and supporting more healthy eating habits, like eating yummy fruits. He's a guy who knows how to enjoy the good things in life, and shows Americans how to do it.
Les Stroud, on the Discovery Channel's Survivorman, goes to remote locations around the earth and survives for a week. He educates viewers what they could do if they were in similar situations. Not only is it very entertaining, it's inspiring to see a man so brave and capable. Les is completely alone in the wilderness, filming himself as he makes it, and keeps his cool the whole time. He shows people that if something terrible happens and our culture is destroyed and we all have to go live in the wild, some will live. It won't be the end of humanity, for this beacon of hope will lead us to thrive once more.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
stories
1. Kids can learn important lessons, morals, and correct social behavior from stories, as well be entertained by them. Stories can also strengthen the relationship between the kid and the older person reading it to him/her. People might read to kids because it gives them a chance to return briefly to their childhood and enjoy their imaginations. The stories also build a foundation for an appreciation for fiction and literature for the child later in life.
2. For older, more mature older people, reading stories provides a means of leisure and entertainment. It allows for an escape from the real world to go on adventures or read about others' experiences. There are lessons that even sophisticated adults can learn from any sort of story.
3. Sometimes stories that people write are inspired by or reflect actual issues in the real world. The author may have insight that he wants to share. If a bunch of people read the book, then they can discuss this insight and maybe use it to create solutions to problems. Which are good. It can also lead to more national unity if people read things about lives that are different than theirs.
3. I remember at my cabin my dad would see how fast he could read Fox in Socks to me. It's a tongue twister of a book. That was fun. Earlier, at home, before bed, he once read Huck Finn to me and my brother. Maybe also Tom Sawyer. Earlier than that, my dad would lay in bed with me when i would try to fall asleep for a nap and he would come up with stories about "brave sir Devin." I think I had a friend monkey in those stories who would help me. There was an evil alligator too. I would fall asleep to those stories. I guess I associate my dad with stories because he was typically the one who read them to us instead of my mom.
4. A good story should have:
1. Vivid Imagery for many senses.
2. Characters, preferably a protagonist and antagonist, but they might be a little of both.
3. Careful syntax and word choice to make the story flow easily.
4. A point to the story; a theme or lesson to be learned.
5. Interesting organization that keeps it thrilling.
6. A setting well-described and offering opportunities for lots of action.
7. A well-paced timeline
8.The author should always try to keep the reader engaged and wanting to read more.
f
2. For older, more mature older people, reading stories provides a means of leisure and entertainment. It allows for an escape from the real world to go on adventures or read about others' experiences. There are lessons that even sophisticated adults can learn from any sort of story.
3. Sometimes stories that people write are inspired by or reflect actual issues in the real world. The author may have insight that he wants to share. If a bunch of people read the book, then they can discuss this insight and maybe use it to create solutions to problems. Which are good. It can also lead to more national unity if people read things about lives that are different than theirs.
3. I remember at my cabin my dad would see how fast he could read Fox in Socks to me. It's a tongue twister of a book. That was fun. Earlier, at home, before bed, he once read Huck Finn to me and my brother. Maybe also Tom Sawyer. Earlier than that, my dad would lay in bed with me when i would try to fall asleep for a nap and he would come up with stories about "brave sir Devin." I think I had a friend monkey in those stories who would help me. There was an evil alligator too. I would fall asleep to those stories. I guess I associate my dad with stories because he was typically the one who read them to us instead of my mom.
4. A good story should have:
1. Vivid Imagery for many senses.
2. Characters, preferably a protagonist and antagonist, but they might be a little of both.
3. Careful syntax and word choice to make the story flow easily.
4. A point to the story; a theme or lesson to be learned.
5. Interesting organization that keeps it thrilling.
6. A setting well-described and offering opportunities for lots of action.
7. A well-paced timeline
8.The author should always try to keep the reader engaged and wanting to read more.
f
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Some phone call I got. I think it was a wrong number.
My name? Oh, don't worry about that. But I know who you are and I've known for a very long time. I called you for a reason, Jane Margaret Berkshire. You'd best listen very carefully to everything I have to say. It'll go fast but you need to keep up. Your life depends on it.
I am an affiliate of a brotherhood. I could tell you our name but you wouldn't recognize it. We've had our eye on you and your sisters for some time now. We know that you are the great- granddaughter of the master sword-crafter Tetron Basaui. When he was young, he learned a secret of our brotherhood and he spread it around like wildfire. After many years of hunting and tracking, we've managed to destroy those who were told the secret so that soon it will belong only to the brotherhood again. You and your sisters know the secret. It was passed down in your family in the form of a lullaby sung before bed in order to burn it into your memory. Even your newborn child has heard it.
Now, my point. Jane. The brotherhood has captured your sisters. They won't survive the night. You are the brotherhood's next target. They are on their way to your house and should be there within the hour. You must escape with your child and leave your life behind. Leave your husband, leave the country, leave your name. You must be untraceable. The secret must live on through the Basaui line. The fate of the world may depend on it.
Who am I? A friend, for now. But hurry. You don't have much time.
*click*
I am an affiliate of a brotherhood. I could tell you our name but you wouldn't recognize it. We've had our eye on you and your sisters for some time now. We know that you are the great- granddaughter of the master sword-crafter Tetron Basaui. When he was young, he learned a secret of our brotherhood and he spread it around like wildfire. After many years of hunting and tracking, we've managed to destroy those who were told the secret so that soon it will belong only to the brotherhood again. You and your sisters know the secret. It was passed down in your family in the form of a lullaby sung before bed in order to burn it into your memory. Even your newborn child has heard it.
Now, my point. Jane. The brotherhood has captured your sisters. They won't survive the night. You are the brotherhood's next target. They are on their way to your house and should be there within the hour. You must escape with your child and leave your life behind. Leave your husband, leave the country, leave your name. You must be untraceable. The secret must live on through the Basaui line. The fate of the world may depend on it.
Who am I? A friend, for now. But hurry. You don't have much time.
*click*
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Hallucinations of eggs
Last Night I Dreamed of Chickens
by Jack Prelutsky
Last night I dreamed of chickens,
there were chickens everywhere,
they were standing on my stomach,
they were nesting in my hair,
they were pecking at my pillow,
they were hopping on my head,
they were ruffling up their feathers
as they raced about my bed.
They were on the chairs and tables,
they were on the chandeliers,
they were roosting in the corners,
they were clucking in my ears,
there were chickens, chickens, chickens
for as far as I could see...
when I woke today, I noticed
there were eggs on top of me.
2. This poem attracted me because of it playfulness. It's a happy poem, goofy, with interesting ideas. It begins frantic and startling with chickens and he doesn't know where they came from or why they were there. The chickens then seem to flood his mind, infecting his every thought until he's in a sea of poultry and he suddenly wakes up. The eggs that he finds question the reality of the chickens and suggest that the narrator might not be completely sane. Melding his dream world with his real world, the narrator's confusion and possible hallucinations illustrate a troubled man, lost in his obsessive delusions.
3. The title of this poem gives a preview of the main subject of the poem, dreaming of chickens. It also previews of the question of how much of the chickens is a dream, how much is reality, and how much is a hallucination.
4. One strategy the poet uses is to repeat "they were" at the beginning of almost every line. This speeds up the reading and makes the experience of the poem frantic. He also links some of his words using alliteration: "standing-stomach," "pecking-pillow," "hopping-head" It helps the lines to flow more smoothly and bouncy. He uses an ABCBDEFE rhyme pattern that also brings it together nicely. His list of "chickens, chickens, chickens" demonstrates the craziness that he's experiencing. The eggs at the end imply that more chickens will come, probably by the next night. This symbolizes that the narrator's insanity will never end, and the chickens will haunt him forever.
5. The tone begins happily and it's excitedly informative. Soon though, when the chickens keep coming, it becomes more a tone of panic. "Chickens" is a hard word with the plosive "ck" sound, as well as "clucking," and these words, when they're repeated more, cause an uneasy feeling. Initially, the image of the chickens is playful and goofy, but then they get overwhelming and scary.
by Jack Prelutsky
Last night I dreamed of chickens,
there were chickens everywhere,
they were standing on my stomach,
they were nesting in my hair,
they were pecking at my pillow,
they were hopping on my head,
they were ruffling up their feathers
as they raced about my bed.
They were on the chairs and tables,
they were on the chandeliers,
they were roosting in the corners,
they were clucking in my ears,
there were chickens, chickens, chickens
for as far as I could see...
when I woke today, I noticed
there were eggs on top of me.
2. This poem attracted me because of it playfulness. It's a happy poem, goofy, with interesting ideas. It begins frantic and startling with chickens and he doesn't know where they came from or why they were there. The chickens then seem to flood his mind, infecting his every thought until he's in a sea of poultry and he suddenly wakes up. The eggs that he finds question the reality of the chickens and suggest that the narrator might not be completely sane. Melding his dream world with his real world, the narrator's confusion and possible hallucinations illustrate a troubled man, lost in his obsessive delusions.
3. The title of this poem gives a preview of the main subject of the poem, dreaming of chickens. It also previews of the question of how much of the chickens is a dream, how much is reality, and how much is a hallucination.
4. One strategy the poet uses is to repeat "they were" at the beginning of almost every line. This speeds up the reading and makes the experience of the poem frantic. He also links some of his words using alliteration: "standing-stomach," "pecking-pillow," "hopping-head" It helps the lines to flow more smoothly and bouncy. He uses an ABCBDEFE rhyme pattern that also brings it together nicely. His list of "chickens, chickens, chickens" demonstrates the craziness that he's experiencing. The eggs at the end imply that more chickens will come, probably by the next night. This symbolizes that the narrator's insanity will never end, and the chickens will haunt him forever.
5. The tone begins happily and it's excitedly informative. Soon though, when the chickens keep coming, it becomes more a tone of panic. "Chickens" is a hard word with the plosive "ck" sound, as well as "clucking," and these words, when they're repeated more, cause an uneasy feeling. Initially, the image of the chickens is playful and goofy, but then they get overwhelming and scary.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Fuzzy gray Koala sitting in a tree
Sitting so soft and happily
Eating all the yummy eucalyptus leaves
Just like a Koala ought to be.
"How many thumbs have you, Mr. K?"
"Two on each hand!" he replied my way.
"I can climb trees and I don't eat hay.
I would let you pet me but you'd have to pay."
I didn't have money so I turned to go
And he kept sitting like he was before,
munching all he wanted, leaves galore,
I left him in my truck with an engine's roar.
Sitting so soft and happily
Eating all the yummy eucalyptus leaves
Just like a Koala ought to be.
"How many thumbs have you, Mr. K?"
"Two on each hand!" he replied my way.
"I can climb trees and I don't eat hay.
I would let you pet me but you'd have to pay."
I didn't have money so I turned to go
And he kept sitting like he was before,
munching all he wanted, leaves galore,
I left him in my truck with an engine's roar.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Me as a Writer
I like to read all sorts of writing, but I don't do it often enough. Poems are fun, especially if I can relate an idea from it to my life, or if it makes me think deep. I also like poems that appreciate nature and beauty and happiness. Robert Frost is probably my favorite poet.
My favorite things to write are short stories. It's nice to sometimes just sit down and start writing and I like to not worry about metaphors and morals and just let the imagination crank out an entertaining story. I wrote one about a vampire that was published in last year's images. I'm pretty proud of that. I've also written some poetry (one of which is also in the book) about things like nature and outer space. Most of it I did last year. Hopefully I'll be writing some more pretty soon. I enjoyed writing the play, it'd be fun to do more of that.
I used to write a lot more than I do now, which is hardly at all.
One thing I like writing about is violence. It's a good way to get rid of aggression. It's like playing violent video games but you invent what happens. I haven't written much about it, though. Otherwise, I like writing about nature, and snow, and love and stuff.
My favorite things to write are short stories. It's nice to sometimes just sit down and start writing and I like to not worry about metaphors and morals and just let the imagination crank out an entertaining story. I wrote one about a vampire that was published in last year's images. I'm pretty proud of that. I've also written some poetry (one of which is also in the book) about things like nature and outer space. Most of it I did last year. Hopefully I'll be writing some more pretty soon. I enjoyed writing the play, it'd be fun to do more of that.
I used to write a lot more than I do now, which is hardly at all.
One thing I like writing about is violence. It's a good way to get rid of aggression. It's like playing violent video games but you invent what happens. I haven't written much about it, though. Otherwise, I like writing about nature, and snow, and love and stuff.
Monday, February 25, 2008
3. literary longevity
I feel like in the case of old Greeks like Euripides, one of the major factors for their work's success is the fact that there just weren't many publications back then, so each new one became well known relatively quickly. When they survived the dark ages, the fact that they were so old and survived for so long kept them as popular as ever. In the case of Jane Austen, one of the reasons her books have lasted is probably because she was a woman writer in a world of men writers, and her language was very clever and artful (though her stories were pretty lame). Other classics I think were very original in their style or content and with the help of some luck, got onto the classics train.
I think these days it would be very hard to create a classic. There's something like 3000 new publications every day, and the chance that one of those would be read and stick out from the rest is very small. Not to mention reading has become a much less popular pastime in this hectic world of television, movies, and video games. It seems the really popular books are like the Da Vinci Code that keeps people on the edge of their seats. Popular books these days need to be noticed and talked about until the media covers it and a movie is made about it and then it will survive, for a couple years anyway.
While it would be fun to be a household name as a famous author, with more books and less readers it just seems to me like it would be nearly impossible.
I think these days it would be very hard to create a classic. There's something like 3000 new publications every day, and the chance that one of those would be read and stick out from the rest is very small. Not to mention reading has become a much less popular pastime in this hectic world of television, movies, and video games. It seems the really popular books are like the Da Vinci Code that keeps people on the edge of their seats. Popular books these days need to be noticed and talked about until the media covers it and a movie is made about it and then it will survive, for a couple years anyway.
While it would be fun to be a household name as a famous author, with more books and less readers it just seems to me like it would be nearly impossible.
2. Advice
If I gave advice to a ten-year-old, first I would try to put myself in his shoes. I would ask if he had any problems that he was concerned about, whether in his social life or at school or in his family. Then I would try to look for solutions to those problems to help him get through it. Then I would explain to him my general philosophy that I try to follow. In general I find that life is easier and more enjoyable when I don't worry too much. A little worrying is necessary to get by, but minimizing would be the best option. It's good to try to take it easy and be relaxed, especially in moments high stress, because then they can be handled calmly. I also like to solve problems using logic and being reasonable to come up with a solution that hurts the least amount of people possible. If someone is upset, while you should keep in mind that they're just having a bad day and don't want to be bothered, you should generally look for the source of displeasure so that it might be removed. Using these guidelines should help get you on the right track for a good life.
1. Reflection
I enjoyed writing my play. I'd never done anything like it before. I'd only read the plays or seen them on stage. Earlier in the year, when I was in AP World Lit, we read Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. It was one of the few things we read that I enjoyed. It had existentialist and absurdist themes and ideas. I tried to incorporate some mood and feelings from it into my play. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is another absurdist play that I read in the past. I liked the kind of humor that both of the plays use, and I decided to go that route. It ended up being pretty unique and I think solid too. I enjoyed attempting to fit the story onto the stage and include the audience in some of the action. I definitely think that I'll write more plays in the future.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
3. Conflict ideas
I will now proceed to use my imagination to come up with some potential conflicts.
In the Old West, two gold miners give up on their search for wealth and decide to band together and steal gold from others. They get rich but then one betrays the other and takes everything from him. Conflict!
A businessman gets fed up at work and decides to murder his boss. Then he has to deal with the grief and stress and hiding the crime. Suspense!
A family gets in a car crash and suddenly they're in a strange land, trying to survive and find out what the heck is going on. Confusion?
Two guys in school realize they're living in a world that repeats itself. They do the same things everyday and whatever they do, they can't escape it. They freak out. (possible ending- one dies?) Repetition!
A boy has an imaginary friend. His parents play along until it gets too serious for them. When they try to tell him to forget his friend, the friend becomes more and more real until the boy can't get rid of him. His parents think he's insane. He tries to escape, but the imaginary person begins to take control of his life and soon becomes him. The boy is gone and the imaginary person is happy to have a body to live in. Schizophrenia!
There's some solid ideas!
In the Old West, two gold miners give up on their search for wealth and decide to band together and steal gold from others. They get rich but then one betrays the other and takes everything from him. Conflict!
A businessman gets fed up at work and decides to murder his boss. Then he has to deal with the grief and stress and hiding the crime. Suspense!
A family gets in a car crash and suddenly they're in a strange land, trying to survive and find out what the heck is going on. Confusion?
Two guys in school realize they're living in a world that repeats itself. They do the same things everyday and whatever they do, they can't escape it. They freak out. (possible ending- one dies?) Repetition!
A boy has an imaginary friend. His parents play along until it gets too serious for them. When they try to tell him to forget his friend, the friend becomes more and more real until the boy can't get rid of him. His parents think he's insane. He tries to escape, but the imaginary person begins to take control of his life and soon becomes him. The boy is gone and the imaginary person is happy to have a body to live in. Schizophrenia!
There's some solid ideas!
2. My Theme
I haven't had much of an opportunity to consider what I'm going to write about in my play, but I'll write a couple theme ideas here.
If I put my play in a school setting, I see a couple of possibilities. I could go the "life is cyclical" route and show the endless routines that kids go through in a day. I could make it sort of absurd, with kids thinking "what's the point? We work all day, go to bed to late, wake up too early, work all day." And if I wanted to end it on a dark note, I could suggest that the only thing that ends the cycle is death. Another possible theme could be to look at human nature, maybe how someone tries to change in a way to please others, but in the long run she can't change her nature.
I don't mean that those themes are always true, but I've experienced them before (not the death part) and I feel that they could provide nice play substance.
Another idea that I could talk about is that death isn't the end. Maybe it's just the beginning and crazy stuff starts happening when we die.
I'm not obsessed with death or anything, but it's always intrigued me.
So there's some original brainstorm material from Devin Stone, I hope you enjoyed it.
If I put my play in a school setting, I see a couple of possibilities. I could go the "life is cyclical" route and show the endless routines that kids go through in a day. I could make it sort of absurd, with kids thinking "what's the point? We work all day, go to bed to late, wake up too early, work all day." And if I wanted to end it on a dark note, I could suggest that the only thing that ends the cycle is death. Another possible theme could be to look at human nature, maybe how someone tries to change in a way to please others, but in the long run she can't change her nature.
I don't mean that those themes are always true, but I've experienced them before (not the death part) and I feel that they could provide nice play substance.
Another idea that I could talk about is that death isn't the end. Maybe it's just the beginning and crazy stuff starts happening when we die.
I'm not obsessed with death or anything, but it's always intrigued me.
So there's some original brainstorm material from Devin Stone, I hope you enjoyed it.
1. The Theme
I think whether or not there is an intentional theme in a work depends on the writer's purpose for writing. If the writer starts out with a good idea, then they might say, "Hey, that's a good idea for a theme. I should write a book/poem/play/whatever about it." On the other hand, he might have a cool idea for a plot, and then he might start expanding that plot and as he creates characters and motivations, a theme might grow from them. A theme is always nice for a work to focus on, but it's not necessarily required.
However, I feel like it would be very difficult to make a piece of creative writing without a theme or central idea. Every piece of writing began for a reason, either to convey an idea or even just to write random things. Depending on the mindset and personal feelings of the reader, a theme could be there even if it's unintentional. If the writer tries to make the piece meaningless, he indirectly creates a possible theme right there. Maybe it's that life is meaningless and absurd.
However, I feel like it would be very difficult to make a piece of creative writing without a theme or central idea. Every piece of writing began for a reason, either to convey an idea or even just to write random things. Depending on the mindset and personal feelings of the reader, a theme could be there even if it's unintentional. If the writer tries to make the piece meaningless, he indirectly creates a possible theme right there. Maybe it's that life is meaningless and absurd.
Friday, February 1, 2008
3. My Inspiration
One example of a piece of art that has inspired me is The Princess Bride by William Goldman. It's a popular movie, but I read the book before I saw the movie and I liked the book much better. There are so many things I like about the book: the characters, the plot, the themes, and especially the writing style. The characters are all unique and thrilling in their own ways. Inigo Montoya, the best swordsman in the world, obsessed with tracking down the six-fingered man that killed his father; Westley and Buttercup and their love that never dies (I've always been a sucker for true love); The guy whose name I forget that loves killing and torture. It's not only a great plot that includes romance, adventure, revenge, fighting, and poison, but the way Goldman weaves the story is unlike anything I've ever seen. He fills it with side comments and personal stories as if he abridged an old classic novel that his father introduced him to. He creates both the story plot and a plot about how he adapted the story plot from another author (who, I found out to my surprise after reading it- that's how convincing it was- doesn't exist). I'll always remember this novel as a great work written creatively and filled with important life themes.
2. My Beef with the Political System
Politics. When some hear the word, adrenaline starts flowing and they get excited. It's a broad topic, and I have some issues with it. I understand the importance of democracy and how we should all have a say in who leads the country and makes decisions. I just don't like the separation that the party system creates. Most of my friends are Democrats, but my dad is a Republican. I therefore get exposure to many sides of the political spectrum. The thing I don't like is the hate that people get inside of them. I see Democrats regularly mock Republicans in general, saying things like "they're so stupid" or "I hate them all" and they don't understand that that sort of attitude doesn't help progress in this country at all. Then I hear my dad telling me all the things the liberals are doing and how they aren't fair.
Well, this response is getting kind of long so I'll wrap it up. Basically, everyone needs to realize that everyone believes in different things so we should all listen to others' justifications and rationalizations before we judge them according to what group they belong to. I consider myself a moderate, by the way, and I have no idea who I want to be president.
Well, this response is getting kind of long so I'll wrap it up. Basically, everyone needs to realize that everyone believes in different things so we should all listen to others' justifications and rationalizations before we judge them according to what group they belong to. I consider myself a moderate, by the way, and I have no idea who I want to be president.
1. Reading and it's Importance to a Writer.
I agree that it's important for writers to read. They can pull all sorts of ideas and inspiration from others' works. Reading a variety of styles contributes to a writer's understanding of their options for style. Characters and their actions can spawn new ideas in the reader's mind. Events in the plot can spark memories of exciting events in the reader's life. The reader can then synthesize all these ideas for style, characters, and plot and use them to write something epic. Sometimes a writer's mind gets worn out and they just don't know what to write about, and that's when they need inspiration that they can get from reading. Any sort of reading can inspire new things, from children's books to collections of poetries to classic novels, to nonfiction articles. Even just reading the newspaper could do it. Reading is important to make progress in one's writing.
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