I read all of the exercises, but primarily focused on Opening Up Your Story, With Revision Comes Final Meaning and Ways to Begin a Story.
Because I personally get much enjoyment out of everyone's uniqueness, I think I probably infused sufficient details into my Maggee (special needs younger sister) character. However, I may not have done the same with Julie, which is why the Opening Up Your Story was helpful in this regard. I hope to have created a little more depth with her...we shall see.
I just simply enjoyed the With Revision Comes Final Meaning, and easily came up with my one sentence summary of the meaning of my story. "Knowledge comes from many sources, the most important one being your heart." I looked back over my draft to make certain this will be the take away, and hope that I accomplished this.
The last exercise I spent some time in was Ways to Begin a Story. I recognize that my draft had a weak opening, and have tinkered around with it a bit.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
A scene with Julie
"Congratulations Julie! I know I'm not supposed to say so, but I was rooting for YOU." Ms. Lewis was patting me on the back as she walked with me to Mr. Jackson's office. "I'm looking forward to hearing you Thursday night - I just know you'll do great."
"Julie, my Valedictorian, come on in and have a seat. How are you doing? I knew you would come through with that 4.0 in the end. You've never disappointed us Julie - which is why I know that you will deliver a speech that will make us all proud."
I sat in Mr. Jackson's office dutifully taking notes for the next hour on what he considers to be "appropriate content that will represent not only my guiding principals that lead me to success, but the school's as well". He makes his expectations clear and even gives me copies of some of the more traditional, as he called them, Valedictorian speeches from some of my predecessors. Speeches that he thought would most resemble my speaking style.
As I sit in the quiet of my bedroom, I begin to obediently review all the information Mr. Jackson gave me, atempting to push aside the anxiety beginnig to mount inside me. I fire up the computer and start to dig in to some research. I google 'inspirational speeches' and am provided quite an impressive arsenal of quotes. I make note a few from Thomas Edison, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Disney. I google 'great leaders of our time' and get quite a diverse list that includes Winston Churchhill, Martin Luther King, and Hitler....I do get some amusement in thinking about Mr. Jackson's reaction to weaving a Hitler quote or two into my speech. My outline is just beginning to form in my mind, my confidence taking the place of anxiety. " It's just a research paper" I'm telling myself as I am jolted out of my head and into the awful noise coming in through my window. I look out to see Maggee laying in the grass, spread eagle. "Mom! Please see what Maggee is doing - I'm kind of busy right now. Mommmmm?!" I watch Maggee for a few more minutes and ... no mom.
I impatiently find my way to the backyard to where Maggee lay and ask if she is okay. She stops her 'humming' long enough to answer. "Hey Julie. Want to sing with me? Lay down right here Julie." She pats the ground next to her, and I know that if I oblige I will likely be on my way quicker. I settle into the warm, dry itchy grass and impatiently ask her what we do next. "Start singing the song of your heart with me." I tell her I don't know that song, and have begun to wonder if I did in fact choose the quickest get away option. "Of course you do, silly. It's the sound your heart makes when love wants to come out. Ssshhh....just listen."
"Julie, my Valedictorian, come on in and have a seat. How are you doing? I knew you would come through with that 4.0 in the end. You've never disappointed us Julie - which is why I know that you will deliver a speech that will make us all proud."
I sat in Mr. Jackson's office dutifully taking notes for the next hour on what he considers to be "appropriate content that will represent not only my guiding principals that lead me to success, but the school's as well". He makes his expectations clear and even gives me copies of some of the more traditional, as he called them, Valedictorian speeches from some of my predecessors. Speeches that he thought would most resemble my speaking style.
As I sit in the quiet of my bedroom, I begin to obediently review all the information Mr. Jackson gave me, atempting to push aside the anxiety beginnig to mount inside me. I fire up the computer and start to dig in to some research. I google 'inspirational speeches' and am provided quite an impressive arsenal of quotes. I make note a few from Thomas Edison, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Disney. I google 'great leaders of our time' and get quite a diverse list that includes Winston Churchhill, Martin Luther King, and Hitler....I do get some amusement in thinking about Mr. Jackson's reaction to weaving a Hitler quote or two into my speech. My outline is just beginning to form in my mind, my confidence taking the place of anxiety. " It's just a research paper" I'm telling myself as I am jolted out of my head and into the awful noise coming in through my window. I look out to see Maggee laying in the grass, spread eagle. "Mom! Please see what Maggee is doing - I'm kind of busy right now. Mommmmm?!" I watch Maggee for a few more minutes and ... no mom.
I impatiently find my way to the backyard to where Maggee lay and ask if she is okay. She stops her 'humming' long enough to answer. "Hey Julie. Want to sing with me? Lay down right here Julie." She pats the ground next to her, and I know that if I oblige I will likely be on my way quicker. I settle into the warm, dry itchy grass and impatiently ask her what we do next. "Start singing the song of your heart with me." I tell her I don't know that song, and have begun to wonder if I did in fact choose the quickest get away option. "Of course you do, silly. It's the sound your heart makes when love wants to come out. Ssshhh....just listen."
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Story Idea - 2 (due 5/31)
My second character idea I have been thinking about longer than the one I have already posted, but I seem to be struggling a bit in feeling like I could give him enough substance. Like my first character (Julie) this story would be played out through his memory, as opposed to 'real time' experiences.
The character would be John... a husband and father of 3 adult children. Good man, good provider, good father with realistic 'human' flaws- especially in the parenting department. As I said, the story would be told from is memory, with John reliving his life's highs and lows. He will be doing this in a state of unconsciousness, as he lye in a hospital bed on the edge of death. He will have the proverbial 'door open' to him and will be deciding to step through it - or not.
Opinions are most welcomed....what difficulties am I not possibly seeing in telling either story in first person - past tense? Anything else jump out at anybody?
The character would be John... a husband and father of 3 adult children. Good man, good provider, good father with realistic 'human' flaws- especially in the parenting department. As I said, the story would be told from is memory, with John reliving his life's highs and lows. He will be doing this in a state of unconsciousness, as he lye in a hospital bed on the edge of death. He will have the proverbial 'door open' to him and will be deciding to step through it - or not.
Opinions are most welcomed....what difficulties am I not possibly seeing in telling either story in first person - past tense? Anything else jump out at anybody?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Character 1
I recall a day a couple of years ago, when I was in the seclusion of my bedroom doing some research for my English paper. I was all too aware that the living room television was loudly delivering the local evening news, when Maggee cam barreling trough my door, without knocking of course. There she stood in her favorite flowered dress that she had clearly outgrown from two summers ago exclaiming, "Julie - guess what I just heard about tomorrow?" As in typical Maggee fashion, I was not allotted enough time to respond. "The sun is going to shine! Aren't you excited?..God is going to give us sunshine tomorrow!!"
The following day was one filled with the typical amount of high school mundanity and academic annoyances, topped with an added dose of humiliation. My grade point average had dropped to a 3.90, my research partner for my 200 point science paper had the flu, and my boyfriend broke up with me announcing that he would be taking my 'best friend' to the dance. I had not even thought about what existed outside of the school walls, until the bell rang at 3:05. As I was riding home I was contemplating what it would take to pull off that much needed A in my AP History class, and how long I would have to be up tonight doing my partners part for my paper. I was also wishing for a highly contagious rash to overtake my former boyfriend's body, and a bad hair day that would go down in school history for my traitor of a best friend. As I pulled down my sun visor annoyed that I had to squint to see if the red light had changed yet, I was reminded of Maggee's words from the night before. "Aren't you excited...God is giving us sunshine tomorrow". I was anything but excited, didn't care if it was sunny, rainy or snowy, I just wanted this day to be done.
My character, Julie, is a high school graduate with a younger sister, Maggee, who has Down syndrome. She is an accomplished student with a typical 'me focused' teenage life. Through her sister she learns lessons that she didn't realize she needed.
My original thoughts were to have the story be the delivery of her Salutatorian's Address to her graduating class. It would be a 'typical speech' about an inspiring leader that represents perseverance, hope and strength. However the person she would be speaking on would be her less than typical sister Maggee. Threaded throughout her speech would be Maggee stories that at the time they occurred, Julie did not know she was learning from.
My challenges are many I am sure, but one that I am most aware of is the fact that I tend to not bring in a 'down side' or a protagonist when telling a story. I am having Julie be her own protagonist, and hoping that this brings some balance.
Suggestions please!!!!
The following day was one filled with the typical amount of high school mundanity and academic annoyances, topped with an added dose of humiliation. My grade point average had dropped to a 3.90, my research partner for my 200 point science paper had the flu, and my boyfriend broke up with me announcing that he would be taking my 'best friend' to the dance. I had not even thought about what existed outside of the school walls, until the bell rang at 3:05. As I was riding home I was contemplating what it would take to pull off that much needed A in my AP History class, and how long I would have to be up tonight doing my partners part for my paper. I was also wishing for a highly contagious rash to overtake my former boyfriend's body, and a bad hair day that would go down in school history for my traitor of a best friend. As I pulled down my sun visor annoyed that I had to squint to see if the red light had changed yet, I was reminded of Maggee's words from the night before. "Aren't you excited...God is giving us sunshine tomorrow". I was anything but excited, didn't care if it was sunny, rainy or snowy, I just wanted this day to be done.
My character, Julie, is a high school graduate with a younger sister, Maggee, who has Down syndrome. She is an accomplished student with a typical 'me focused' teenage life. Through her sister she learns lessons that she didn't realize she needed.
My original thoughts were to have the story be the delivery of her Salutatorian's Address to her graduating class. It would be a 'typical speech' about an inspiring leader that represents perseverance, hope and strength. However the person she would be speaking on would be her less than typical sister Maggee. Threaded throughout her speech would be Maggee stories that at the time they occurred, Julie did not know she was learning from.
My challenges are many I am sure, but one that I am most aware of is the fact that I tend to not bring in a 'down side' or a protagonist when telling a story. I am having Julie be her own protagonist, and hoping that this brings some balance.
Suggestions please!!!!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Story Idea - I hope!
I have come up with quite a list of character ideas for the story, but not feeling overly compelled to go with any of them. Some the characters I was tolling with are....a mother's conflict with the classic to work or stay home....a child's conflict with his 'safety blanket'....a couple feeling the pressures of choosing not to have children....a girl and her free spirit - how to keep it alive.....and a psychic's struggle in finding balance between using her abilities and fitting in to society.
A few of them are characters that I would enjoy writing about - the boy and his 'safety blanket', the free spirited young girl, and the psychic. So, at this point I feel that I would probably have most success in choosing the psychic, and have sketched a very loose outline. Some of the plot and character points could come from those of my older sister. She is very intuitive, and has struggled for most of her life in finding the balance with her God given abilities, how to use them to help those in need, and how to 'fit in' and weave her way through relationships.
The character's personality will be rather common, that is one that lives a normal, average life. But the obvious difference between her average, and the mass populations' average, is her ability to communicate with the dead. She receives visits from the dead, quite often with messages that they desire to pass on to those they love. She senses emotional conflicts and 'sees' things about people by simply being in the same room with them.
So, the conflict will be in what to do with her abilities, how to share what she knows without scaring people away, and how to function within relationships.
Seems pretty weak at this point, but am hoping that it evolves as I move forward, and that perhaps drawing off of my sisters' experiences will help me to give the story and character more substance. Let's hope.
A few of them are characters that I would enjoy writing about - the boy and his 'safety blanket', the free spirited young girl, and the psychic. So, at this point I feel that I would probably have most success in choosing the psychic, and have sketched a very loose outline. Some of the plot and character points could come from those of my older sister. She is very intuitive, and has struggled for most of her life in finding the balance with her God given abilities, how to use them to help those in need, and how to 'fit in' and weave her way through relationships.
The character's personality will be rather common, that is one that lives a normal, average life. But the obvious difference between her average, and the mass populations' average, is her ability to communicate with the dead. She receives visits from the dead, quite often with messages that they desire to pass on to those they love. She senses emotional conflicts and 'sees' things about people by simply being in the same room with them.
So, the conflict will be in what to do with her abilities, how to share what she knows without scaring people away, and how to function within relationships.
Seems pretty weak at this point, but am hoping that it evolves as I move forward, and that perhaps drawing off of my sisters' experiences will help me to give the story and character more substance. Let's hope.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Visitors
"I think today is the day! Can't you feel it? Today feels special....it's going to happen today, I just know it."
John's older brother rolled over without a response. John wondered why he wasn't excited. Sister Sarah had told them both to be sure and bath and tidy their rooms before going to bed last night. Special visitors were coming. John knew what that meant....people don't just stop in the orphanage unless they are looking for children to adopt.
With one last glance in the mirror, John concluded that he was ready. "Be sure and tuck your shirt in. Sister Sarah always says that a neat appearance makes a good..." "Ya, ya, ya. I know what Sister Sarah says" John's brother interrupted. "How many times do we hear that if we are good, do as we are as told and say our prayers, God will answer. Well I don't believe it anymore!"
John couldn't stand to see his brother so upset. "I'll show him. Today IS going to be magical." John had no idea just how much truth there were to his words.
John raced through his breakfast and climbed the stairs two at a time. He flung open his bedroom door and quickly retrieved his 'special box' that he secretly stores under the old quilts in the back of his closet. He sat down atop the quilts and peered inside, gently pulling the white feather out. He caressed the feather, holding it close to his heart as he pictured that day, not so long ago. He closed his eyes and remembered the walk that he and his mother took through the woods. They had decided to go on a nature hunt, looking for unfound treasures. That was the day that they found the feather, and he heard the story, as only his mother could recite. She told him how the Native American believe that a feather from a white snow owl will bring the one that possesses it their true heart's desire. John couldn't imagine desiring anything more than what he had on that day. He loved his family. He treasured their little house in the woods. He loved being loved. John remembered how when that day ended, and his mom was tucking him in to bed, that they had decided John's feather came from a special owl. They decided his name was Snowy.
"John, wake up, wake up!" His brother was shaking him asking him what he was doing in his closet asleep. "The visitors are waiting to meet us in the kitchen. Sister Sarah says we need to come down right away." John tucked the feather in his pocket as he thought of the dream he was just having. The dream of a white scruffy dog running through a beautiful tree lined yard. "What was his name?" he said aloud to himself.
As they rounded the corner to enter the kitchen and meet the adults awaiting their arrival, they were greeted by a dog. A white scruffy dog with a vigorously wagging tail. "Well, I can see someone wants to meet you" said the friendly visitor. "I would like to introduce you to Snowy."
I decided to go with story as I felt it the story line was more appealing to me as compared to the others. The Skeleton writing exercising spoke of the hears desire which I was able to run with a little more easily. Although the Situation to Plot exercise had a more fun appeal, I was not able to get the Policeman with ten cats to go where I wanted it to, I am hoping another student was able to have fun with it and I can enjoy reading theirs.
John's older brother rolled over without a response. John wondered why he wasn't excited. Sister Sarah had told them both to be sure and bath and tidy their rooms before going to bed last night. Special visitors were coming. John knew what that meant....people don't just stop in the orphanage unless they are looking for children to adopt.
With one last glance in the mirror, John concluded that he was ready. "Be sure and tuck your shirt in. Sister Sarah always says that a neat appearance makes a good..." "Ya, ya, ya. I know what Sister Sarah says" John's brother interrupted. "How many times do we hear that if we are good, do as we are as told and say our prayers, God will answer. Well I don't believe it anymore!"
John couldn't stand to see his brother so upset. "I'll show him. Today IS going to be magical." John had no idea just how much truth there were to his words.
John raced through his breakfast and climbed the stairs two at a time. He flung open his bedroom door and quickly retrieved his 'special box' that he secretly stores under the old quilts in the back of his closet. He sat down atop the quilts and peered inside, gently pulling the white feather out. He caressed the feather, holding it close to his heart as he pictured that day, not so long ago. He closed his eyes and remembered the walk that he and his mother took through the woods. They had decided to go on a nature hunt, looking for unfound treasures. That was the day that they found the feather, and he heard the story, as only his mother could recite. She told him how the Native American believe that a feather from a white snow owl will bring the one that possesses it their true heart's desire. John couldn't imagine desiring anything more than what he had on that day. He loved his family. He treasured their little house in the woods. He loved being loved. John remembered how when that day ended, and his mom was tucking him in to bed, that they had decided John's feather came from a special owl. They decided his name was Snowy.
"John, wake up, wake up!" His brother was shaking him asking him what he was doing in his closet asleep. "The visitors are waiting to meet us in the kitchen. Sister Sarah says we need to come down right away." John tucked the feather in his pocket as he thought of the dream he was just having. The dream of a white scruffy dog running through a beautiful tree lined yard. "What was his name?" he said aloud to himself.
As they rounded the corner to enter the kitchen and meet the adults awaiting their arrival, they were greeted by a dog. A white scruffy dog with a vigorously wagging tail. "Well, I can see someone wants to meet you" said the friendly visitor. "I would like to introduce you to Snowy."
I decided to go with story as I felt it the story line was more appealing to me as compared to the others. The Skeleton writing exercising spoke of the hears desire which I was able to run with a little more easily. Although the Situation to Plot exercise had a more fun appeal, I was not able to get the Policeman with ten cats to go where I wanted it to, I am hoping another student was able to have fun with it and I can enjoy reading theirs.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Assignment One
Perhaps the third time is a charm, as this would be my third attempt to successfully post this. Here we go.....
His name was Danny Maley and he was the force behind my quitting school at the ripe age of six years old. Danny and I were in kindergarten together and he falsely, and exuberantly claimed me to be his girlfriend to anyone that would listen. He was loud, abrasive, slicked back his hair and did not take the scholastics of kindergarten nearly as serious as I. He would call out my name and talk during nap time, clearly not following the quiet time rules. At recess he would spend the time chasing me around, and would exclaim his desires for me even louder yet. I felt that Danny's sole focus in school was to bug, watch, chase, worship and follow me around all day.
I awoke one morning with an announcement to my mother that I would no longer be attending school. After her motherly investigations, she uncovered the inentions behind my out of character rebellion. With my mother's plan of escorting me in to talk with my beloved teacher, Mrs Decker, and her promise that all would be fixed, I conceded to go.
And so, as promised, Mrs. Decker did fix my problem, as she had a gentle yet honest chat with Danny in explaining how my feelings toward him were not reciprocal. Ah....life in kindergarten was good again.
I do not know what became of Danny, as he moved away in first grade. I would anticipate, and hope, that he did graduate from high school and maybe went on to a trade school. I picture him in greasy overalls, a worn hat and black boots working at a small town mechanics shop.
I bet he found someone to love and probably has a large family of four or five kids, and appreciates the simplicity of life. He likely attends church every Sunday, coaches his sons' little league, has a warm dinner to come home to every night by his happy, homemaking wife and enjoys a beer at his Friday night barbeques spent with friends and family.
Thoughts regarding exercise 27...
My character did not really change following that exercise. I instead found myself sincerely wishing and intentioning that Danny does experience joy and contentment in his life.
His name was Danny Maley and he was the force behind my quitting school at the ripe age of six years old. Danny and I were in kindergarten together and he falsely, and exuberantly claimed me to be his girlfriend to anyone that would listen. He was loud, abrasive, slicked back his hair and did not take the scholastics of kindergarten nearly as serious as I. He would call out my name and talk during nap time, clearly not following the quiet time rules. At recess he would spend the time chasing me around, and would exclaim his desires for me even louder yet. I felt that Danny's sole focus in school was to bug, watch, chase, worship and follow me around all day.
I awoke one morning with an announcement to my mother that I would no longer be attending school. After her motherly investigations, she uncovered the inentions behind my out of character rebellion. With my mother's plan of escorting me in to talk with my beloved teacher, Mrs Decker, and her promise that all would be fixed, I conceded to go.
And so, as promised, Mrs. Decker did fix my problem, as she had a gentle yet honest chat with Danny in explaining how my feelings toward him were not reciprocal. Ah....life in kindergarten was good again.
I do not know what became of Danny, as he moved away in first grade. I would anticipate, and hope, that he did graduate from high school and maybe went on to a trade school. I picture him in greasy overalls, a worn hat and black boots working at a small town mechanics shop.
I bet he found someone to love and probably has a large family of four or five kids, and appreciates the simplicity of life. He likely attends church every Sunday, coaches his sons' little league, has a warm dinner to come home to every night by his happy, homemaking wife and enjoys a beer at his Friday night barbeques spent with friends and family.
Thoughts regarding exercise 27...
My character did not really change following that exercise. I instead found myself sincerely wishing and intentioning that Danny does experience joy and contentment in his life.
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