1. This was the first play that I have ever written. Though, I did enjoy it more than I though. However, this style of writing is much different from the myriad of essays and other forms of writing that I have grown tired of over the years. The biggest limitation to me was the implication of stage directions/designators and how/when to use them. Some pleasent surprises I found in writing a play that it goes very quickly---which was nice. There wasn't much dabbling with the inner emotions of the characters, but rather extracting those inner emotions through body language and tone(s) of voice.
2. One main thing in my life that I could write about, similar to Ms. Tan's essay, is the relationship that I have with grandfather. He's taught me a lot of things and I try to emulate the qualities that he practices in his everyday life. The quality I have the most admiration for is his how he isn't very fickle at all. He will tell you what he thinks, but in a manner that will guide you towards achievement. One way that I could represent his influence could be from selecting from a handfull of converstations that we've had and re-create the moment in an original way.
3. Advice that I would give to a young kid would be to respect everyone's differences no how unrelated you may be. This also correllates to being who you're meant to be---not how others see you. With an open mind you'll be much more inclined and open to meeting new people without an already altered sense of judgment only because everyone shares that stereotype. I would guess that this would be a hard thing to stay focused on, but in the long run, all of the respect and compassion that you've shown for others will be so beneficial to your well being as a person.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Assignment #11
1. Besides the characters, the theme is the most important element in literature. However, the characters and the theme directly correllate to one another becasue without well developed characters, you cannot further the theme. The theme in a story is what the writer is trying to convey to the reader. I would think that it is commonplace for great works of literature to have thorough elements within the theme.
2. I think good literature lasts because it can appeal to so many people. Nowadays, people can change so quickly and personalities are complex. When a writer can reach out to so many different groups, his/her work will last forever because there is always a new group with appeal to the work.
3. One thing that I would like to leave behind me is the impression that I lived my life without any regrets and did what I wanted to do. Striving to do things that make you happy will ultimatley make someone's life much more enjoyable. I think sometimes people hold onto an idea and pursue a dream that they know isn't for them because they think people will feel different about them---that's not what I want to do. Writing can have a big role in this because it is a creative outlet for what I think needs to be done.
2. I think good literature lasts because it can appeal to so many people. Nowadays, people can change so quickly and personalities are complex. When a writer can reach out to so many different groups, his/her work will last forever because there is always a new group with appeal to the work.
3. One thing that I would like to leave behind me is the impression that I lived my life without any regrets and did what I wanted to do. Striving to do things that make you happy will ultimatley make someone's life much more enjoyable. I think sometimes people hold onto an idea and pursue a dream that they know isn't for them because they think people will feel different about them---that's not what I want to do. Writing can have a big role in this because it is a creative outlet for what I think needs to be done.
Monday, December 3, 2007
I am a thinker, and I think thinks
1. An issue that concerns me today is the growing abuse that we continue to put on our planet. Whether you believe in global warming or not, there is a growing problem that needs to be fixed. Our society today is fixed on getting more and more and making things bigger and bigger. However, we're not thinking about having more for the future. We're not setting up our children to have a fullfilling life. Commercial farms have ruined family farmers and have also created a lesser product while maintaining less quality. Another example is the amount of expanding that we're doing in order to create more space for organizations that really have no purpose. As a result, amazing parts of the world are being destroyed. The biggest problem though, is not the issue itself, but that no one seems to have any urgency to fix it. We, as a whole, have the power to change this, but no one steps up to the plate.
2. Alberto Granado. This guy was, and still is ahead of his time. He didn't care whether or not the people were sick and/or poor. He just wanted to help them and do all that he could. I think today, we're missing people like that---peope who would sacrifice their own well being to help others out. Thats something admirable.
3. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. This book was pretty amazing. It was a satirical look at society and all the explanations that we need to give to everything because we are never satisfied with the true beauty of the world.
2. Alberto Granado. This guy was, and still is ahead of his time. He didn't care whether or not the people were sick and/or poor. He just wanted to help them and do all that he could. I think today, we're missing people like that---peope who would sacrifice their own well being to help others out. Thats something admirable.
3. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. This book was pretty amazing. It was a satirical look at society and all the explanations that we need to give to everything because we are never satisfied with the true beauty of the world.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Assignment #9
1. To me, happiness would be being comfortable with yourself. Forget money, and material possesions, I'd be fine without any of that stuff. When a person is comfortable with who they are, then they can focus on what really matters (making themselves happy) and then really start living life.
2. In my life, happiness is doing things that make me happy and never second guessing my decisions. I believe that that is an important concept in life because if you have any regrets about what you have done, you can never fully move on and fulfill your dreams. My greatest source of happiness is knowing that I have tried to follow this belief since I can remember. Knowing that I'm doing what makes me happy is all that i need to know.
3. My dad's best friend is a good example. He's one cool cat and he always tries to explain things which he thinks will help me out. True Overholt is one cool cat too. His carefree spirit and exuberance for life inspire me to do great things.
4. I really don't know who I impact in terms of their happiness. I would like to think it is a lot of people, but I really have no way of knowing. Hopefully my creative writing group has become happier because of my presence.
5. The greatest need in my life is to be happy. I don't want to live life running around all sad and angry all the time because that is pathetic and I don't want to be pathetic because being pathetic is horrible. Nobody likes horrible things because people want to be happy. That's why I want to be happy, so then everyone else will be happy.
2. In my life, happiness is doing things that make me happy and never second guessing my decisions. I believe that that is an important concept in life because if you have any regrets about what you have done, you can never fully move on and fulfill your dreams. My greatest source of happiness is knowing that I have tried to follow this belief since I can remember. Knowing that I'm doing what makes me happy is all that i need to know.
3. My dad's best friend is a good example. He's one cool cat and he always tries to explain things which he thinks will help me out. True Overholt is one cool cat too. His carefree spirit and exuberance for life inspire me to do great things.
4. I really don't know who I impact in terms of their happiness. I would like to think it is a lot of people, but I really have no way of knowing. Hopefully my creative writing group has become happier because of my presence.
5. The greatest need in my life is to be happy. I don't want to live life running around all sad and angry all the time because that is pathetic and I don't want to be pathetic because being pathetic is horrible. Nobody likes horrible things because people want to be happy. That's why I want to be happy, so then everyone else will be happy.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Assignment #8
For my photostory, I really don't have any ideas. I think writing something that has to do with showing how time moves so fast, or the different chapters in our lives would be cool. I have ideas for music, and probably some photos too, but as for the writing, like I said before, that's up in the air.
Assignment #7
1. This quarter I enjoyed writing poetry the most. I like to write complex and abstract thoughts and the only way I can do that is through poetry. Although short stories are challenging to me, I think that they are a lot of fun. Part of the fun of writing is that it is a challenge to convey your thoughts into words. However, I feel like a lot of the daily prompts are childish. I don't really like writing them a whole lot because I feel that they have little or nothing to do at all with what we're writing about. For me, I think I like writing poetry the most because it is a simply style that doesn't require you to follow any strict rules. As the writer, you get to decide how the words flow, and what the meaning is. I like that.
2. I think my strongest piece of writing was the one that I wrote about the man and the creeping doubts that he has after his death. I feel like this is my strongest piece becasue I was able to finally use a strong metaphor (death) to explain my questions about life. I think I get a lot of my inspiration from this area of my thinking because I do have so many questions about things.
3. As a writer, I hate having direction and structure. However, I do feel that I need to be pushed to even start something because I am lazy. The writing is supposed to be an expression of your thoughts and ideas so to tell someone that you have to write about this, or you have to write about that, to me, is wrong. But it is neccessary to teach this class.
4. I don't really have any desire to pursue different areas of writing. I guess non-fiction would be cool, but it really doesn't matter. I would just like to write. A memoir would be cool too, but it'd be too early to write one at the age of 18.
2. I think my strongest piece of writing was the one that I wrote about the man and the creeping doubts that he has after his death. I feel like this is my strongest piece becasue I was able to finally use a strong metaphor (death) to explain my questions about life. I think I get a lot of my inspiration from this area of my thinking because I do have so many questions about things.
3. As a writer, I hate having direction and structure. However, I do feel that I need to be pushed to even start something because I am lazy. The writing is supposed to be an expression of your thoughts and ideas so to tell someone that you have to write about this, or you have to write about that, to me, is wrong. But it is neccessary to teach this class.
4. I don't really have any desire to pursue different areas of writing. I guess non-fiction would be cool, but it really doesn't matter. I would just like to write. A memoir would be cool too, but it'd be too early to write one at the age of 18.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Assignment #6
1. I like to be scared. Being scared is funny to be because most of the time it is over nothing and then you realize that what you were scared about is really dumb. I'm okay with being frightened anytime really. Except mornings.
2. I'm afraid of getting lost. When I'm lost, I begin to panick and then I get really stressed out and very angry. However, some things in this world that I consider horrific don't neccessarily apply directly to me. I think war is terrifying and that I definetly wouldn't be able to go off to war. I think that my fears come from what I'm most uncomfortable with morally, except for being lost. That's just a scary situation to be in regardless. Blood and guts don't bother me at all, unless it is extremley excessive for no reason. However, the thought of something terrible happening is quite frightening because it is something that you think about, but are never too sure if and when it could ever happen.
3. For me, madness is losing your morals, thus, changing your perspective. In the story by Poe, the man lost all his morals and then killed everything he knew and it became his downfall.
4. I think today, what drives a lot of people to madness is the thought of death in general. People often obsses about what happens after you die. The fascination with life, I think, is that it will end. However, people sometimes tend to forget that it and it consumes their thoughts and it drives them to do things that they wouldn't normally do themselves. Their personalities almost transcend who they really are.
2. I'm afraid of getting lost. When I'm lost, I begin to panick and then I get really stressed out and very angry. However, some things in this world that I consider horrific don't neccessarily apply directly to me. I think war is terrifying and that I definetly wouldn't be able to go off to war. I think that my fears come from what I'm most uncomfortable with morally, except for being lost. That's just a scary situation to be in regardless. Blood and guts don't bother me at all, unless it is extremley excessive for no reason. However, the thought of something terrible happening is quite frightening because it is something that you think about, but are never too sure if and when it could ever happen.
3. For me, madness is losing your morals, thus, changing your perspective. In the story by Poe, the man lost all his morals and then killed everything he knew and it became his downfall.
4. I think today, what drives a lot of people to madness is the thought of death in general. People often obsses about what happens after you die. The fascination with life, I think, is that it will end. However, people sometimes tend to forget that it and it consumes their thoughts and it drives them to do things that they wouldn't normally do themselves. Their personalities almost transcend who they really are.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Final First Lines Assignment #5
Since I'm going to re-write my entire story because it is horribly pathetic, I'm going to write down 5 new first lines to my new story.
1) The smoke thickened as the fire from the car's engine began to burn brighter.
2) He slammed on the breaks trying his best to avoid the stalled car.
3) The sun was beginning to fade as the night sky slowly crept over the horizon.
4) He was always in a hurry. It seemed as though he always arrived late and it was impossible for him to make it anywhere on time.
5) It was awfully quiet for rush hour, however, the sky was dominated by the black of night creating such thoughts of uncertantity and bliss. It was ironic, although, to finally have an easy drive home was surley a nice change of pace.
1) The smoke thickened as the fire from the car's engine began to burn brighter.
2) He slammed on the breaks trying his best to avoid the stalled car.
3) The sun was beginning to fade as the night sky slowly crept over the horizon.
4) He was always in a hurry. It seemed as though he always arrived late and it was impossible for him to make it anywhere on time.
5) It was awfully quiet for rush hour, however, the sky was dominated by the black of night creating such thoughts of uncertantity and bliss. It was ironic, although, to finally have an easy drive home was surley a nice change of pace.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?
Task 1
I would have to say that the setting in the second half of the story is important because definetly creates a feeling of darkness and presents an ominous shade over the remainder of the story. In a way, this foreshadows the ending of the story because we're left wondering what happened to the girl, which if often times what happens in the dark; wondering where your next step will take you.
The description of Connie's character draws the reader in because she is someone that we all talk about and how we have no desires to become that, but secretly, and deep down, most of us want the beauty and simple advantages she has in life. What bugs me so much is her innocence and how she manipulates her mother for the early parts of the story with it. I think that she is a perfect metaphor for how disgusting most celebrities are in real life. They are so used to having everything done for them and it gives them the mind set that they're more important than the rest of us.
I think the author addresses the main conflict we all have with ourselves at one point or another in our lives. Every single on of use desires an affluent lifestyle without ever realizing what we have and how easily we're willing to sacrifice it all just have to wealth.
I think that this story appeals to so many different people is because it is different from anything else. Espicially the ending because it is a giant cliff hanger.
I believe that in the end, her innocence got the better of her and she was raped, and then murdered, much like what everyone else thinks.
I think that the male character in this story represents what becomes of us after we go through a sort of 'change' in lifestyles from a regular person to a celebrity figure. If you see, Connie is very hesitant at first, but she slowly begins to accept her fate, and in the end it is ultimatley her demise.
Task 2
1. Quick
2. Great theme
3. Metaphorical
4. Mysteries
5. Few characters
6. Vivid setting
7. Structured plot
8. A couple conflicts (inner and outer)
9. Narrator style
10. Smashing ending
I would have to say that the setting in the second half of the story is important because definetly creates a feeling of darkness and presents an ominous shade over the remainder of the story. In a way, this foreshadows the ending of the story because we're left wondering what happened to the girl, which if often times what happens in the dark; wondering where your next step will take you.
The description of Connie's character draws the reader in because she is someone that we all talk about and how we have no desires to become that, but secretly, and deep down, most of us want the beauty and simple advantages she has in life. What bugs me so much is her innocence and how she manipulates her mother for the early parts of the story with it. I think that she is a perfect metaphor for how disgusting most celebrities are in real life. They are so used to having everything done for them and it gives them the mind set that they're more important than the rest of us.
I think the author addresses the main conflict we all have with ourselves at one point or another in our lives. Every single on of use desires an affluent lifestyle without ever realizing what we have and how easily we're willing to sacrifice it all just have to wealth.
I think that this story appeals to so many different people is because it is different from anything else. Espicially the ending because it is a giant cliff hanger.
I believe that in the end, her innocence got the better of her and she was raped, and then murdered, much like what everyone else thinks.
I think that the male character in this story represents what becomes of us after we go through a sort of 'change' in lifestyles from a regular person to a celebrity figure. If you see, Connie is very hesitant at first, but she slowly begins to accept her fate, and in the end it is ultimatley her demise.
Task 2
1. Quick
2. Great theme
3. Metaphorical
4. Mysteries
5. Few characters
6. Vivid setting
7. Structured plot
8. A couple conflicts (inner and outer)
9. Narrator style
10. Smashing ending
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Two Poems: Assingment #3
I have two poems here. One of them I already posted, but I like it so much that I'll use it again.
Poem #1 (Meatphore poem)
Lying here
Buried under this weight
I turn to question
What faith had led me to believe
Go on
Be free
Your sins are forgiven now
You've done alright
Telling others how to live
Just have faith
It will all float away
I feel as thoughIt's more noticeable than ever
This growing shadow of doubt
Crawling on my wall
Blocking out the light
Only doubts
I wish I had hope
What I fear most
Is redemption itself
Funny to forgive those
Who never forgave
Anything in their days
Poem #2 (Image poem about the most beautiful place)
The quiet speaks
Sometimes more
When everything is so subtle
So inspired
I can still smell the smoke
And the fire
To think the world forgets
About what matters most
Dwelling on more
Disconnected from it all
You learn the most about everything
When you dream
Poem #1 (Meatphore poem)
Lying here
Buried under this weight
I turn to question
What faith had led me to believe
Go on
Be free
Your sins are forgiven now
You've done alright
Telling others how to live
Just have faith
It will all float away
I feel as thoughIt's more noticeable than ever
This growing shadow of doubt
Crawling on my wall
Blocking out the light
Only doubts
I wish I had hope
What I fear most
Is redemption itself
Funny to forgive those
Who never forgave
Anything in their days
Poem #2 (Image poem about the most beautiful place)
The quiet speaks
Sometimes more
When everything is so subtle
So inspired
I can still smell the smoke
And the fire
To think the world forgets
About what matters most
Dwelling on more
Disconnected from it all
You learn the most about everything
When you dream
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
One Piece of Writing: Assignment #2
A few years ago, when I was on the way up to my cabin, a friend of mine put in the cd Under The Table and Dreaming by the Dave Matthews Band. I wasn't really into them, and didn't really know too much about their music, but as soon as the first song came on, my opinon completley changed. The song was "The Best Of What's Around" and since hearing the first note, I think it is safe to say that I'm addictted. The first verse and chorus really stuck out to me the most:
"Hey my friend
It seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off your mind
See you and me
Have a better time than most can dream
Have it better than the best
So we can pull on through
Whatever tears at us
Whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around"
The song makes me think about all the problems in my life and how they seem so insificant to the problems in the world. No matter what you're going through in life, someone always has it worse. This song made me realize that. There really is no sense in worrying about it because life will go on and you really just need to make the best of it.
Prompt:
1. Think of a time when you were really stressing out over something and it turned out to be nothing. How did you feel after you realized it was all over nothing?
"Hey my friend
It seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off your mind
See you and me
Have a better time than most can dream
Have it better than the best
So we can pull on through
Whatever tears at us
Whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around"
The song makes me think about all the problems in my life and how they seem so insificant to the problems in the world. No matter what you're going through in life, someone always has it worse. This song made me realize that. There really is no sense in worrying about it because life will go on and you really just need to make the best of it.
Prompt:
1. Think of a time when you were really stressing out over something and it turned out to be nothing. How did you feel after you realized it was all over nothing?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Blogs are great!
My name is David. I love blogs. I also love writing. I like to write about everything. I like to write when I'm feeling stressed out because it takes my thoughts off of the stressful things. Over the next four months, I hope to expand my creativity as a writer. My favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut becasue I really like the satirical writing style and he does this really well.
We had an assignment of writing a poem based around a metaphor and I wrote about a preacher looking back on life deciding if he truly died a happy person.
Lying here
Buried under this weight
I turn to question
What faith had led me to believe
Go on
Be free
Your sins are forgiven now
You've done alright
Telling others how to live
Just have faith
It will all float away
I feel as though
It's more noticeable than ever
This growing shadow of doubt
Crawling on my wall
Blocking out the light
Only doubts
I wish I had hope
What I fear most
Is redemption itself
Funny to forgive those
Who never forgave
Anything in their days
We had an assignment of writing a poem based around a metaphor and I wrote about a preacher looking back on life deciding if he truly died a happy person.
Lying here
Buried under this weight
I turn to question
What faith had led me to believe
Go on
Be free
Your sins are forgiven now
You've done alright
Telling others how to live
Just have faith
It will all float away
I feel as though
It's more noticeable than ever
This growing shadow of doubt
Crawling on my wall
Blocking out the light
Only doubts
I wish I had hope
What I fear most
Is redemption itself
Funny to forgive those
Who never forgave
Anything in their days
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