Blogging vs Workshopping

Throughout the semester we were tasked with using this blogging site thing, which I still have yet to get a hang of. Both in how to use it, and how to make myself use it. It's a struggle to get on here and type this because the site itself is somewhat confusing, and I do not really enjoy it so much. My heart's not in it you know?

Anyway, this final blog post is about how "useful," this blog was in furthering my writing. In a way it did further my writing. I wrote posts for it didn't I? Stupid jokes aside, I did not feel that there was a purpose to using this other than trying something new. Which is commendable. I just wouldn't do it again.

As far as workshopping goes, I find it extremely useful. It is something that every writer for the most part enjoys, because it is actually something that will help develop your writing. I wish that we had more time for workshopping during class, but at this point it doesn't really matter what I think.

Blog #4 Literary Website

As far as literary websites go, I never really took the time to check out any of them. Ever. So this was quite an interesting assignment to do. The one that I found first, and liked the most was Writer’s Café. From what I can gather, you can post any types of writing that you may have, whether it is a screenplay that you have been writing for ages, or a poem you slapped together in ten minutes, you can post it.

I feel that in posting here, if I ever chose to do so, would help to get my work out there. Obviously. But, it would also provide me with more opportunities to hear feedback and critique, which is one of the most important aspects I believe in writing and revising. Other than that, I don’t believe there is much to say. Just keep writing!

Here is the link to this site: Writer's Cafe

Blog #3 Furthur Reading

For this blog we were tasked with reading a story that was not assigned. This is what I have to share:

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For this blog assignment I chose to read David Means, “The Secret Goldfish.” The title alone was curious enough to grab my attention, and I just had to read it. The story as a whole was quite good, albeit a bit different than what I normally read. The story revolved around a family’s pet goldfish that through the years lived on to the surprise of its caretakers. As the story progressed, the narrator who I believe was the mother, reflects on her childhood memories of having her own goldfish that was thrown into a pond by her father. Her father was later killed in an accident. When not reflecting on memories of the past, the author cares for the fish, but fails to for a long period of time when her life got complicated. It is interesting to note that it seems the author at times attributes the condition of the fish tank with the condition of the human relationships. This is even summed up in the line: “Then she felt awe at the fact that life was sustainable even under the most abhorrent conditions.” (pg401)  

As a whole, I was quite pleased with this story, and am glad that I have read it. The beginning was gripping and caught my attention easily, due in part to the title. I would recommend this story to anyone interested.

Inspirational Post

Nothing says inspiration like having your grade on the line! That is why this is getting done now instead of never. Inspiration. Yes.

I guess on a more serious note, just keep envisioning that movie tie-in for your novel. Okay, maybe not a serious note, but a somewhat valid point if that is what you are into.

Blog #2 Story Beginning's

I know that this is quite late, and I am sorry. Better late than never.

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The beginning of a story is one of the most important aspects to a piece, if not the most important part. One would want to grab a reader’s attention as quickly and effectively as they can, so that the reader continues on and is engrossed in the entirety of a piece. Having now read Jhumpa Lahiri’s story, A Temporary Matter, I would say that she did an exemplary job at grabbing my attention, though this was not immediate. It wasn’t until I reached the part where the baby was born dead that I had to see what happened next.

I have a hard time defining anything as what I would prefer to read when it comes to the opening, because as long as something is gripping, and interesting enough, I would most likely read on. As an example of a story that I have read, in which I was quite pleased with the opening, would be Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s novel Good Omen’s. I used this book before in the previous blog, but I feel that the excerpt that I talked about before, which was the beginning, is quite strong and sets up the pace and general tone of the book as a whole, as well as introducing the plot and main characters. It is also quite funny, so there is that.

Blog #1

An excerpt from "Good Omen's"

It was a nice day.

All the days had been nice. There had been rather more than seven of them so far, and rain hadn't been invented yet. But clouds massing east of Eden suggested that the first thunderstorm was on its way, and it was going to be a big one.

The angel of the Eastern Gate put his wings over his head to shield himself from the first drops

"I'm sorry," he said politely. "What was it you were saying?"

"I said, that one went down like a lead balloon," said the serpent.
"Oh. Yes," said the angel, whose name was Aziraphale.

"I think it was a bit of an overreaction, to be honest," said the serpent. "I mean, first offense and everything. I can't see what's so bad about knowing the difference between good and evil, anyway."

"It must be bad," reasoned Aziraphale, in the slightly concerned tones of one who can't see it either, and is worrying about it, "otherwise you wouldn't have been involved."

“They just said, Get up there and make some trouble,” said the serpent, whose name was Crawly, although he was thinking of changing it now. Crawly, he decided, was not him.

“Yes, but you’re a demon. I’m not sure if it’s actually possible for you to do good, said Aziraphale. “It’s down to your basic, you know, nature. Nothing personal, you understand.”

“You’ve got to admit it’s a bit of a pantomime, though,” said Crawly. “I mean, pointing out the Tree and saying ‘Don’t Touch’ in big letters. Not very subtle, is it? I mean, why not put it on top of a high mountain or a long way off? Makes you wonder what He’s really planning.”

“Best not to speculate, really, said Aziraphale. “You can’t second-guess ineffability, I always say. There’s Right, and there’s Wrong. If you do Wrong when you’re told to do Right, you deserve to be punished. Er.”
            They sat in embarrassed silence, watching the raindrops bruise the first flowers.

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Neil Gaiman has quickly become one of my favorite author's to read. The above excerpt is from a book that he wrote alongside Terry Pratchett.  Gaiman's works have added to my love of reading and has somewhat influenced my will to write, though I would not say that his stories are the sole reason that I have an interest in writing.

Here are some links about Neil Gaiman. (I'm only including Neil Gaiman here because I have yet to read anything Terry Pratchett has written excluding "Good Omen's")
http://www.neilgaiman.com/
http://neil-gaiman.tumblr.com/