tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474671270404893192024-02-07T15:08:56.076-05:00Tiffany L. BerrymanWriting, Wonder, Word Witchery, Well-BeingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-4867693976101005252019-08-14T16:14:00.002-04:002019-08-14T16:17:42.838-04:00On Listening to the Heart<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">This weekend I had access to a live webinar – a manifesting workshop – by a highly respected spiritual warrior. You know, one of those deals where if you pre-order the book – you get to watch them teach a master class to thousands of people? Yeah, that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">What can I say? I’m a sucker for anyone who can package radical self-transformation into five easy steps. However, when it came time for the questions and answer portion of the event – I was struck by two things:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">1. People mostly wanted to tell their story, they needed to be heard and seen, and have their pain validated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">2. Most of the questions were a variation of this: “How do I know when to follow my heart and when to listen to my mind?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Undeniably, we are creatures of narrative (whether we are writers or not) and we need stories like air. Since we’ve been gathering around campfires, writing on the walls of caves, and living in community – narrative has been the song of our collective consciousness. And while we still love a good story, what makes a good story is certainly up for debate. Still, the most important stories are the ones we tell ourselves about ourselves - because our personal narrative becomes our individual potential or limit depending on how we process it. That’s where the heart comes in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">So how do you know when your ego is lying to you in order to prevent you from experiencing pain? How do you differentiate a heart-centered desired from a mental construct? Here are three things to consider when you are struggling with what to do: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">1. Listen to your body. Both the heart and the mind are housed inside your body and your body doesn’t lie. Follow gut instincts, pay attention to what feels good and what causes pain. For example: the other day I was having a conversation about a potential business opportunity and I literally broke out in hives. No need to be a guru detective there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">2. Meditate with a mantra. For those of you who have difficulty sitting still because you haven’t yet mastered the art of silencing the mind… give it something to do while you meditate! I prefer taking my mantra on a daily walk. In this way, my mind and body are fully engaged in activity and I can make a little room for my heart to whisper highest good to me. Some mantras to try are: I know the answer. I know what I want. I know highest good always. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">3. Write your way into a new story. Nothing is lost. And here is the best news of all: you are always where you’re meant to be. I know, I know, I know. It’s a paradox and probably one of the most difficult conundrums to master. But the deeper truth you need to ask yourself is “What’s the worst thing that could happen? What am I afraid of? Why?” Hold the vision, but detach from the outcome and get on with the business of moving towards love. Forgive yourself and align with the highest good for all involved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">It’s time to change the narrative you’ve been clinging to. Where do you want to start? You get to decide what comes next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-69994751749888126762019-08-05T14:20:00.001-04:002019-08-05T14:20:37.576-04:00The Muck of the Middle: A Writer's Query Quest<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">This week marks the one year anniversary of my MFA graduation. I’ve spent the last 12 months turning my thesis into a novel, crafting the perfect pitch, and mustering up the courage to hit the query trenches. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">While I’ve always been a “writer” – it took me a little longer than most to remove the quotations and truly embrace my creative path. Like countless others before me, I have worn many hats: publicist, media relations, teacher, professor, consultant, queen. We often dance around our destiny as if we can somehow distract or delay its ultimate arrival. I’m sure there’s a deeper psychological force at play here, but that’s a post for another day. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I entered my creative writing for young adults MFA program armed with my MA in theology. Ironic? Truth be told, the YA community <i>can</i> be a bit of a cult and it happens mostly out of necessity. Let's call it survival skills for navigating the writing universe as the “serious” poets and literarati often hold us at arm’s length.</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Despite the success of young adult literature, many people still harbor bias based on limited knowledge about YA’s possibilities, quality, and genre scope. I can’t tell you how many snide comments I’ve heard about Twilight (which happens to be a masterful depiction of our innate human desire to be seen but is NOT the only YA book in the world). I’ve listened to people belittle the speed and force of young adult literature while bragging about how “true” writers take decades to create their masterpieces as if struggling is a precursor to success. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Trust me, there’s enough struggle in the first ten pages of any YA book to last a lifetime. One of the reasons I love writing for young adults is because of the hyperbolic nature of the experiences we dive into. Everything is intense, passionate, or potentially life altering. I get to tap into my own pain, desire, and potentially destructive choices / memories from my teen years and “re-do” all of it for the sake of fiction. </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">In my stories, the girls carry their own swords and aren’t afraid to save themselves because those are the sort of protagonists I wish I’d had when I was dealing with confidence, body image, and the butterflies of something more. My motto: Forget waiting for someone to save you – get out there and save yourself! </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Like the teen years it details, YA Lit is a hotbed of activity often modeling the intended audience. There are twitter feuds fueled by the explosiveness of cancel culture and intense reactions bordering on something more. There is defensiveness and offensiveness in equal measure. </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">But the passionate YA Lit community is also fiercely loyal, notoriously collaborative, and transparent. I love how open my fellow YA writers are about process, pitfalls, and potential; however, despite the openness, I still struggle with mastering my day-to-day querying life. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Things they didn’t teach in my MFA: everything that comes after the MFA. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">I know the querying is an essential part of the process and a necessary step on the epic journey that is a writer’s life. Hey, let’s be honest – it’s really uncomfortable. Maybe there are reasons why more agented/published writers don’t talk about the sheer difficulty of it. Maybe they want to put forth a positive front, forget the trauma, or simply move forward. Or maybe this process isn’t meant to be understood in reverse. Either way, for those of us stuck in the muck and mud of the middle – we sure could use a lifeline. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">I can’t tell you how many times a day I check my email, refresh my twitter feeds to stalk agents who have my full, or make sacrificial offerings at my altar of good intentions. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">I know the middle isn’t as sexy as basking in the glow of “the call” or singing the song of signing the coveted book deal. Sure, writers are weird and secretive and superstitious… but we are also people, living, breathing, and working in the real world. We have to get on with the business of laughing and loving while we wait. So, we might as well talk about it with people who understand. Lord knows the non-writers in your life don’t get why it’s “taking so long” or understand the adrenaline rush of an answered email (even the rejections). </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">No matter the current stage of our writer’s journey, we’re all just chasing the high of validation, the joy of "yes" and the moment when the whole world confirms what your grandma knew all along: </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">“Honey, you’re special. Now, you’re a REAL writer!”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Yeah. The middle is a wasteland filled with delay, detour, and denial. The middle is fertile ground for second-guessing, doubt, and downright fits of frustration. It’s the dark night of the soul that lasts and lasts and lasts….sometimes for weeks, months, and/or years. And the worst part is you never know when your “yes” will come so you basically exist in expectation. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The middle is torturous. It’s when you need the most support and receive the least. Honestly, nothing in my MFA prepared me for what came after. I wasn’t prepared to slay this dragon alone. Where the hell is my sword? Where is the wise troll to guide me through this haunted forest? I simply refuse to believe the fancy hood and coveted diploma are false relics without magic.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">There’s alchemy in effort and power in facing the dreaded question: “So what have you been working on since graduation?”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Most of the time, I resist the urge to respond by declaring that I’m working on not breaking into tears. Giving up is not an option for creative souls and that is part of the pain. Not because we are owed anything, but because to be in community we must not be afraid to be at the bottom. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Everyone will tell you that you need to keep writing. Write while you wait, write while you query, write in your sleep. It’s the only way to fully walk this path. But it shouldn’t feel foreign or dirty or </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">taboo.</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We should be so excited, thrilled, over-the-moon for the next idea that we fix our eyes, minds, and hearts forward. Perhaps this is the reason agented/published authors often seem as if they are beyond the struggles of those of us on our query quest. It’s not that they don’t want to share the secrets to their success, it’s just that their success is a result of that forward motion. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">After all, you can never enter the same river twice. The river is always changing and if we are doing it right…so are we. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">So, for all my writing witches stuck in the querying trenches, here are 4 things to keep in mind when the muck of the middle is threatening your progress: </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">1. PARTY OF ONE: Look, let’s be honest: you’ve got to walk this journey on your own. But you don’t have to be lonely. When you are feeling up against it, remember to share your experience, talk about your challenges, and ask your mentors for some wisdom. Eating alone at the buffet of creativity means you get to choose how much, when, and where. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">2. TIME GOES BY: It may seem as if time passes differently in the query trenches, but that’s just an indication that you need to use it wisely. Or, consider this: time is moving whether or not you sign with an agent this week. You might as well use the time wisely instead of worrying and go ahead and write something new. After all, the very purpose of being in the middle is to keep going. </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">3. CREATIVE WELL: Yes, it’s important to keep writing while you query, but you also need to remember to replenish the creative well. It’ll be impossible to write something new if your creative well runs dry as you wait. Some great things to reignite your spark are to read something for sheer pleasure, take a road trip and snap some potential settings for visual research, add daily meditative walks to your writing routine, or just call an old (non-writing) friend to reminisce. The important thing here is that you mindfully balance your writing life with your non-writing life. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">4. “WHEN” IS A MYTH: There is only now. There is only this moment. “When” something wonderful happens you’ll want it to find you writing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-61968475931977180252019-07-29T12:06:00.003-04:002019-07-29T12:08:48.271-04:00What's Up Block? <div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">It’s no secret that creative blocks can be common for most writers. One of the greatest misconceptions about writer’s block is that it looks the same for everyone.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">It doesn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Sometimes I am flooded with so many new ideas and potential plotlines and infinite possibilities that I CAN NOT WRITE! How am I supposed to choose just one? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">My natural reaction to this is to <a href="https://twitter.com/tiffyinspired" target="_blank">spend three hours on Twitter,</a> reading about things that have nothing to do with my writing. Like, did you know that two popular <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1059722/tana-mongeau-and-jake-paul-get-married-in-glitzy-vegas-wedding" target="_blank">YouTube stars got married </a>and charged $50.00 for people to watch the live stream of their nuptials? Can you imagine? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Gosh, if only. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">But I digress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Creative blocks can manifest seemingly from nowhere. They can be painful or they can be disguised as productivity. Procrastination is a tricky little witch. For example, when avoiding writing I have been known to organize my closet, take up bullet journaling, read my tarot cards, play with my puppy, and even do six loads of laundry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">All that nervous, anxious energy needs an outlet. So why can’t I just channel it into my writing? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The answer may be quite simple: writing doesn’t always look like writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">We live in a culture that exposes everything, especially all our wins. For writers in the trenches, this is a dangerous place to base your perceptions. Sometimes writing is dreaming, or walking, or talking with a friend. Sometimes it’s spending hours perusing your old journals to reconnect with your young adult self. And, yes, sometimes it’s crying, wagging your fist at the Universe for cursing you with this life, and wishing for a miracle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The important thing is to keep moving forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Maybe you won’t write today. Maybe #MondayMotivation isn’t your thing. Maybe you are going to swim in the pool or walk along the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">It’s okay to move at your own pace as long as you keep moving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Often times, creative blocks are blocks to our highest self – after all, creativity is a spiritual path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Here are three things to do when you feel “stuck” – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">1. Am I tired? Stressed? Worried about money or a family member? If so, how can I spend twenty minutes today practicing self-care? What can I do to replenish my own creative well? Go for a walk, read, take a bath… simple, mindful, focused acts for yourself can go a long way to restoring your creative soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">2. Am I comparing my journey to someone else’s? If so, take 5 minutes for a “Quick Bitch” session and get your grievances out of your mind and down on paper. You don’t want to experience fatigue from over-thinking. Getting out of our head and into the heart requires a few minutes of honesty. The “Quick Bitch” tool has saved me from losing whole entire days to imaginary opponents. (How it works: set a timer for 5 minutes, make a list of everything causing you pain, don’t think, just write stream-of consciousness style. When the 5 minutes are up, stop.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">3. Why do I want to write? Knowing your “Why” is essential for every creative. Have you tried writing a “Why Statement” to make your mission concrete. This powerful activity can help you get clear about your writerly vision so you don’t feel the need to do everything all at once. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-16079794351259541502019-07-25T13:16:00.001-04:002019-07-25T13:16:14.474-04:00Returning to the Self<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Blogging had long been an exciting part of my creative process. I loved reaching out to like-minded creatives and sharing my journey. But like everything, life soon got in the way. I was embarking on a new path, leaving one profession, deep into my creative writing MFA, and struggling to sort it all out. So naturally, I put blogging on the back-burner while I tried to make sense of the changes in my life.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">One thing I have learned is that sometimes our journey is all about returning to the Self. This returning allows us to reassess our values, establish new goals, and work to develop a more authentic expression of who we have become. Paradoxically, in order to do that, we need to retreat. Retreating can be beneficial to heal old wounds, shield our sensitivities to the opinions of others, and ensure that we are acting from a place of highest good. But eventually we must reemerge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Imagine if the caterpillar refused to leave the cocoon? The world would be robbed of the beauty of butterflies. Growth can be painful, full of doubt, and definitely uncomfortable. It is this uncomfortableness that forces us to break out of the cocoon and learn to fly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">With that said, I have come full-circle and plan to use the blog to grow with my new creative community. I hope you’ll join me as I use writing, wonder, word witchery, and well-being to fuel the next phase of my creative journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Here are 3 tips for returning to yourself in order to move forward: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">1. Don’t be afraid of the cocoon: maybe you can’t totally retreat, but you can find the time to scale back your interaction, involvement, and investment in things that drain your energy. The cocoon for you may mean taking 20 minutes a day to meditate, exercise, or focus your attention to what you truly desire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">2. Ask for what you truly want: remove money, age, and societal expectations from the equation and ask yourself what it is that is causing the anxiety, pressure, and stress. Often times we confuse anxiety and opportunity. If there is lack, there is opportunity for abundance. Listen to what your heart is telling you and ask, “What do I want?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt;">3. Know the difference between your mind and your heart driven desires: remember, your mind is liar. Its whole purpose is to prevent you from experiencing pain so it will tell you terrible things to keep you from growing. However, your heart’s goal is growth and as we’ve discussed true growth is uncomfortable. Remember: if it feels like a gift, accept it…and if it feels like a burden, reject it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-19539018419755104052017-07-17T12:58:00.000-04:002017-08-29T12:59:48.010-04:00Relationships in The Takedown by Corrie Wang<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">WARNING: The following post discusses details contained in<i> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31423554-the-takedown" target="_blank">The Takedown </a></i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31423554-the-takedown" target="_blank">by Corrie Wang </a>w</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">hich</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> may spoil the book if you have not read it yet. You've been warned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> In her novel <i>The Takedown</i>, Corrie Wang utilizes an "unlikeable" narrator to expose
the flaws in relationships and highlight the human need to be seen. Like any
finely crafted work of fiction, <i>The
Takedown</i> layers several thematic concepts: the reach of karma, the thirst
for vindication, the hunger of jealousy and revenge, the fragility of human
connection, and the importance of truth in relationships. Certainly, I will not
endeavor to analyze all of these potential themes; however, it is worth noting
that Wang’s novel does not shy away from what many would consider to be the
underbelly of growing up. In today’s digitally connected world, teens are
coming-of-age on full display and this can often manifest in unforeseen
consequences (some deservedly and others no so much). This concept is of
particular interest for my own work as I seek to build a realistic contemporary
world for my characters to function in; however, in this post, I shall examine the following:
voice and the notion of likeability, implementing direct address as a narrative
tool, the complications of parent/child relationships, and developing realistic
friendships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> The novel and its summary both begin
with the notion of likeability. In fact, the inside jacket copy plainly states:
<i>“Kyla Cheng doesn’t expect you to like
her. For the record, she doesn’t need you to.”</i> Similarly, the very first
line of the novel offers the same disclaimer when the protagonist asserts
herself by declaring she’s “warn[ing] you in advance” that “you’re probably not
going to like [her]” (Wang 3). While this definitely establishes the strength
of the voice, it does raise some questions: Why all the need to tell the reader
how they’ll feel about the character? Why not let Kyla stand and deliver as she
does in later chapters? Honestly, this beginning feels less like a device and
more like manipulation. What about the reader who sees aspects of herself in
Kyla? Should she feel less than for being disliked by her peers or finding
herself in the middle of a controversy? I raise these questions because the
protagonist in my story is similar in many ways to Kyla and I am striving to
create an unlikeable character that readers will ultimately root for. This
requires a delate balance of push and pull; I <i>want </i>the readers to see her flaws and love her despite them, which
is why the narration is so essential to the progression of the plot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Undeniably, narration is a vital
component of fiction that can make or break a novel. There are many potential
pitfalls of utilizing first person narration, but for the young adult reader
the benefits typically far outweigh the possible redundancy, droning, and
authorial influence. Readers of young adult fiction have come to rely on the
first person narrator as a means to view coming-of-age challenges such as
navigating social scenes at school, developing solid friendships, maneuvering
into adulthood while maintaining solid connections with parents and peers
alike. Consider the following passage: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Question,
oh silent, unseen reader. How am I supposed to act? Because I don’t know
anymore. If I’m only sweet and endearing, you’ll never respect me. If I take
charge and am in control, you’ll think me aggressive. If I embrace my sexy, I’m
a skank. If I embrace my inner dork, I’m ostracized. If I’m wildly popular,
it’s the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Minus a
couple of hiccups, I thought I’d been acing this teenage stuff by me being me,
but then I got <i>this</i> for it – see
previous 209 pages – and everyone rejoiced.” (</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Wang 212).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have toyed with the all powerful
use of </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">you </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">to hint that my main
character is telling this story to someone for some reason; however, Wang’s
protagonist never makes it clear who the “you” is in her use of direct address.
Why tell the readers anything in this case? Why not just </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">show</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> them these elements through the progression of plot? Here is
where I must suggest that Wang’s use of direct address comes across as an aggressive
need for the main character to explain herself despite an entire narrative that
demands otherwise. As a result of this, I’d be in favor of less direct address
and more scenes showing Kyla navigating her world as only she can. Readers are
smart enough to know when they’re being led and it usually pulls them out
rather than emerging them in the world. The other option would be for Wang’s
story to rely on Kyla being heard – as I am trying to accomplish in my own
work. If the character is fulfilling a need, readers are more likely to buy the
direct address and accept it as a reality of the narration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> At risk of overload, I will quickly explore
the complexity of relationships in <i>The
Takedown. </i>The need for Wang to tie up the issues between Kyla and her mother
with a neat little bow undermines the struggles she endured throughout the
novel. Rarely, does a person experiences so much growth and understanding in
such a short period of time and I would caution writers and myself against
doing this. The reality is, sometimes parents don’t like their children for
many reasons – yet they love them in spite of these things. The love is
sometimes messy and complicated and layered (just like the people). And I think
Wang does a disservice to the sharp edges of life she seems to be depicting in
the first half of the novel. So for me, consistency is the key. Also, knowing
the ending doesn’t have to be perfect because ambiguity is often a harsh reality
of life that the young adult reader must adjust to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Additionally, Wang attempts to prove
the strength of friendships that are anything but solid. The relationships we
forge with others and the ones we develop with ourselves ultimately determine
the world we create. Certainly, many relationships change but readers need to feel
what mattered about these relationships to begin with in order to empathize
with the characters. For Kyla, most of these relationships are built on shaky
ground save for her love interest, Mac. And I am still puzzled by her need to
reject him over and over and over. Equally confusing is his need to be rejected
over and over and over – and still stick around. As a result, I want to make
sure the actions of my characters seem realistic and not create faux tension in
the process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> While I know the main character in <i>The Takedown</i> isn’t suffering from mental
illness as my character is – they do share some things in common: the sharpness
of their edges, the unapologetic singular vision, the brute force by which they
approach just about every area of their life, etc. Conclusively, I will aspire to create sufficient
relationships, downplay melodrama to increase believable tension, and recognize
that sometimes ambiguity makes for a more realistically fitting ending.
Overall, this novel was a fantastic glimpse into an imperfect world, featuring
imperfect people, and I hope to continue to explore these elements (and others)
as I develop my own work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-49268608049346047182017-06-19T12:39:00.000-04:002017-08-29T12:41:39.771-04:00Thematic Development in The Movie Version by Emma Wunsch<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">WARNING: The following post discusses details contained in<i> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26796210-the-movie-version" target="_blank">The Movie Version</a></i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26796210-the-movie-version" target="_blank"> by Emma Wunsc</a>h </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">which</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> may spoil the book if you have not read it yet. You've been warned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Novelists seek to create appropriate
pacing, cohesive plot development, and effective dialogue in order to engage
and ground readers in the world they have established. While not limited by the
parameters of the genre, young adult authors have the added responsibility of
appealing to the doubts, frustrations, and concerns of the modern teenager in a
way that seeks to bridge the gap from adolescence to adulthood in this
ever-changing climate. Undeniably, fiction often serves to prepare readers to
face the frequently harsh realities of life. For this reason, many young adult novels
attempt to create protagonists who both seek to understand and find their place
in the world at large. Likewise, in her novel <i>The Movie Version</i>, Emma Wunsch explores the main character’s desire
to recreate, control, and ultimately understand the human experience to suggest
that not all stories will provide a happy conclusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Initially, Wunsch’s world-building
suffers as a result of limited dialogue tags and excessive telling. Consequently,
the beginning of the novel requires a certain level of concentration that may
dissuade the typical young adult reader. Moreover, early in the novel the
author relies on establishing character via telling and not showing which distracts
rather than connects them to the main characters. It is worth mentioning that
most of this problematic telling happens before the reader can establish an
emotional connection to the characters and decide for himself or herself how to
feel about the relationships because the entirety of the plot demands an
understanding of the bond between a sister and her mentally ill older brother. Admittedly,
these issues do not hinder the author’s ability to hook and capture interest of
readers – which speaks to the strength of the overall narrative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> For example, early in the novel the
protagonist, Amelia, constantly reminds readers “this is what it’s like in
Toby’s world” (Wunsch 5) rather than the author showing and allowing readers to
formulate their own opinions. Being <i>told </i>by
the narrator how different she is from her brother is not the same as the
author showing readers the difference. Initially, it is difficult to bond with
or root for either of these characters because they incessantly need to speak to
each other via movie references and quotations. Young adult audiences will be
familiar with some of the newer titles, but unless they are cinematic
connoisseurs, some of the references might prove distracting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Furthermore, the author’s attempt at
fostering sympathy for and connection with the main characters via movie quotes
is not nearly as effective as the characters desire to filter their own existence
through the same lens. There is no denying that the main characters, Amelia and
Toby, have forged a bond by watching a copious amount of movies. Their love for
these movies allows them to communicate by having entire conversations composed
of nothing but movie quotations; however, most readers might find this to be
authorial posturing. It is only when Amelia reveals the significance of
precisely what <i>the movie version</i> is
that Wunsch is able to tap into the universal human desire to recreate,
control, and understand the most difficult aspects of life that the story
becomes inclusive. Consider the following passage: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s the movie version?” Epstein
asked.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> “It’s the better version,” I said, which I
immediately regretted. Except for Toby,
who kind of invented the idea, I don’t think I’ve ever really told anyone about the movie version.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Better?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Better like the audience is willing to
pay ten dollars to see it. Not better
like happy. There are plenty of sad movies, like <i>The Fault in Our Stars</i>,
which was amazing, or <i>If I Stay, </i>which
I didn’t like. But movie-sad is way
better than non-movie-sad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">
(Wunsch 23-24).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Here we get an understanding, for
the first time, about the protagonist’s deep desire to recreate and control her
own experience (at least in theory). This notion is extremely relatable to
readers both young and old because humans make mistakes and not all of them are
life altering or catastrophic. In fact, very often the little mishaps are the
ones we obsess over and replay in our minds a million times until the memory no
longer causes us embarrassment, pain, or exposure. Wunsch’s careful attention
to this idea makes the main character’s struggle to cope with and (at times)
deny the existence of her brother’s mental illness more relatable as she taps into
the universal folly of the human condition. Writing relatable characters
requires this connection and inclusivity no matter how strong the concept or
plot may appear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Throughout my own reading and
writing, I’ve been thinking about endings and why they are often so
disappointing in literature (and life). In a given novel – readers meet new
people, fall in love with them and their world, and forge a meaningful
connection to their struggle only to be cast out on the last page as if we have
not known them intimately. Most authors understand this and seek to provide the
most sufficient resolution possible. Readers have a deep desire to know the
characters are okay and we hunger for closure that tells us how these
characters have dealt with their problems. This desire for completeness is all
a part of human nature’s need to understand and something Wunsch’s story
touches on. But life is not like a movie. Often we never get a second chance,
rarely are we able to control the outcome, and most of the times things happen
we will never understand and that is the very purpose of <i>The Movie Version</i>. In this novel, the mental illness is ultimately
not a thing to control and the protagonist’s struggle to accept that reminds us
even the most unfulfilling endings present an opportunity to grow.
Conclusively, this is a testament to the author who created the world and
reminded us of our definitive connectivity– otherwise, why would we care about
any of this at all? We wouldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-25351450265358435892017-05-15T12:30:00.000-04:002017-08-29T12:45:45.857-04:00The Unresolved Problem in We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">WARNING: The following post discusses details of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18392459-we-all-looked-up" target="_blank">Tommy Wallach's novel, </a><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18392459-we-all-looked-up" target="_blank">We All Looked Up</a> </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">which</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> may spoil the book if you have not read it yet. You've been warned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> In my previous post about <i>This is Where It Ends</i> by Marieke
Nijkamp, I discussed how the author utilized the point-of-view of multiple
characters and a compressed timeline to increase tension and drive the central
conflict of the novel. As I am currently contemplating a new idea where a
similar multi-character perspective could help drive the plot, I have been
reading works that create suspense much in the same way. In this aspect, author
Tommy Wallach’s novel <i>We All Looked Up </i>also
uses a shortened timeline and multiple perspectives in attempt to propel the
narrative to enhance conflict. However, the two-month timespan of Wallach’s
novel often feels unnecessarily stretched out and the obscurity of the ending
leaves readers feeling as if they’ve taken a journey to nowhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Primarily, Wallach’s novel is
plagued by having too many possible protagonists which forces him to work
really hard at developing a conflict suitable enough to drive the action of the
novel. Essentially, readers just passively observe the characters waiting for a
comet to either hit the earth or not. Since one of the main antagonists is the
approaching comet itself; therefore, not only do readers deserve to know what
happens to the characters, but a solid story structure demands it. The fact
that Wallach’s ending does not attempt to answer the question it spends two
hundred pages developing is frustrating to say the least. Suspense is a
wonderful device when utilized effectively, but here it feels like a tool to
merely keep the reader interested and hoping the payoff will be worth it in the
end. At times Wallach’s novel teeters between the author’s attempt at creating
suspense and the reader’s frustration at waiting for something (anything) to
happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Early in the novel, Peter (a
protagonist among many) has a conversation with one of his teachers which would
appear to set the pace of Wallach’s tale; but it is simply a tease. This
conversation explores the notion of what a good book should be able to do and
ironically exposes what Wallach himself is unable to achieve in his own work.
The teacher tells Peter: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> <i>“The
best books, they don’t talk about things you never thought about before. They
talk about things you’d </i>always<i> thought about, but that you didn’t think
anyone else had thought about. You
read them, and suddenly you’re a little bit less alone in the world. You’re part of this cosmic community
of people who’ve thought about this </i>thing, <i>whatever it happens to be” </i>(Wallach 11)<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Unfortunately, a closer examination
of this ideal is not explored to fruition in the story itself. The concept that
a novel should explore things in a new way is certainly not groundbreaking and
Wallach’s drawn out narrative explaining how the characters are dealing with
the notion that a comet MIGHT hit Earth seems thin in hindsight since the
ending (or lack thereof) is never fully revealed. While the young adult
audience will certainly be intrigued by the subject matter – the possibility of
civilization as we know it ending – they will likely be just as frustrated with
Wallach’s frequent attempt at over-analyzing, incessant philosophizing, and at
times downright preachy approach to the fragility of humanity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Young adults read for many of the
same reasons that adults do; however, they are only just beginning to ask the
big questions and authors have a certain responsibility to take this seriously
while giving them room to explore their own hypothesis. Wallach’s authorial
intent at first seems clear from the above passage: seeking to explore the big
questions. But since his attempt at suspense revolves around how the characters
change (or not) while waiting for the comment, it should also build to a
sufficient crescendo for the reader. Furthermore, the secondary and tertiary
characters are not sufficiently developed in a meaningful way and fail to add
to the plot progression but rather extend it almost annoyingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Later in the novel, Wallach
continues to weave a philosophical tone that saturates his attempt at
progressing the plot. He points out that “Socrates believed that in a perfect
world, every person would be doing the thing that they were born to do” (113). Now,
while some may view this as the incidental musings of authorial intent, it
becomes almost laughable when consideration is given to the fact that the
characters do not have any real purpose at all aside from their inability to
control what may or may not happen to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Even if the reader acknowledges that
in life, endings are not always expected or fair or even clear – the journey of
the characters still needs a sufficient payoff in fiction. While we may never
know why something happens, this novel fails to explore the event actually
happening at all which feels like a terrible waste of time. If Wallach intended
to make a statement about the pointlessness of life, he could have at least
given his novel the gift of that singular idea. Instead, he teeters – often
taking one step forward and another three back. Readers want to see something happen
or feel the ending has sufficiently satisfied the characters’ arc. Instead
Wallach’s own work drones on while also echoing the “mistaken belief that
anything [can] last forever” (330). By leaving the big questions unanswered he
actually illegitimatizes the characters and the journey altogether. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> It is also worth noting that the
story ends with the characters “praying for mercy” (370) – literally. This
creates more questions without answers and results in nothing but frustration.
Where did God enter the picture? If not God, then to whom are they praying? And
most importantly – did the comet hit or miss them? This journey of
self-discovery hinges on the characters discovering something – anything! And
what began as a series of questions ends with even more. At least, one thing is
consistent and that’s Wallach’s abstract approach to tangible ideas: the
pressure of unfulfilled dreams, the end of the world, the human connection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Essentially, for a novel to leave
the reader with a sense of completion, there has to be a sense of completion in
the work. So, I fundamentally believe the best, most realistic novels are the
ones that force us to face a problem and deal with the aftermath the best way
we (and the characters) know how. In the end, if this is also left obscure,
suspense, character motivation, and the very progression of the plot seems to
be all in vain. And no matter the topic, no reader wants to feel as if their
time has been wasted.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-59815779804336699012017-04-10T12:22:00.000-04:002017-08-29T12:25:55.362-04:00Increasing Tension to Drive Conflict in This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">WARNING: The following post discusses details of <a href="http://www.mariekenijkamp.com/musings/books/" target="_blank">Marieke Nijkamp's novel <i>This Is Where It Ends</i></a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">which</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> may spoil the book if you have not read it yet. You've been warned!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZocV57v9k0PJaKu_NvfR350wytjkrLaTSQ3ORhSMtIEbwiIPHPFoMDo0pxWORnjTY2t2O9DKbWfDRhvZvSq2lFG3YS6RVzkhCq_Ed5pijso2oZadLLgcSFow6Ps56hDecfmzprJRdBym/s1600/TIWIE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZocV57v9k0PJaKu_NvfR350wytjkrLaTSQ3ORhSMtIEbwiIPHPFoMDo0pxWORnjTY2t2O9DKbWfDRhvZvSq2lFG3YS6RVzkhCq_Ed5pijso2oZadLLgcSFow6Ps56hDecfmzprJRdBym/s320/TIWIE.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Characterization is a tool that
helps develop plot. When done effectively, a well-developed character not only
enhances the storyline but helps to fuel the tension in a given work. By
placing the characters in a complicated setting, the author can build
believable suspense leading to a sufficient climax. In this way, the novel <i>This Is Where It Ends</i>, by Marieke
Nijkamp seeks to utilize the point-of-view of multiple characters to tackle the
extremely relevant topic of school violence. As a result, the novel’s character
development and utilization of setting contribute to a compressed timeline that
propels the conflict. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Writing from the perspective of
multiple characters can at times result in a confusing narrative, weakening the
central storyline for readers; however, Nijkamp purposefully leaves the
antagonist, Tyler, without a direct voice which builds suspense throughout the
book. Readers are forced to take the journey along with other characters, producing
a tension filled experience and the knowledge that “fear and survival are two
sides of the same coin” (57). Tyler’s
motives for the shooting may at times seem almost trivial, but the reactions of
those he is related to, claimed to love, was rejected by, and particularly the
ones he targets all give credence to the totality of the experience. Certainly,
the young adult reader will relate to the notion of senseless violence while
understanding sometimes society is not afforded an opportunity to make sense of
such tragedies. Thus, the characters’
voices unfold along with the action and serve to heighten a realistic building
of suspense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Furthermore, because an antagonist
(even one as vile as a school shooter) is still a human being, Nijkamp offers
the lens of four unique perspectives by using the characters closest to the
villain: his sister, his ex-girlfriend, the girlfriend of his sister and her
brother. Additionally, the secondary and tertiary characters are sufficiently
developed through action and dialogue and add a richness to the narrative that
a singular perspective might not be able to handle. When readers realize the
villain “is the only one who does not feel lost” during this experience, the
tension overflows with anticipation about how this issue might be resolved
(62). Nijkamp also does a sufficient job of creating the suspense as something
showed through the story not merely told to the reader. The novel’s subtitle
hints at this exact relevance as well indicating “everyone has a reason to fear
the boy with the gun” (1). Moreover, by weaving bits of narrative via snippets
of social media reaction throughout the novel’s main events, the author is also
able to expand upon that development through a compressed timeline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> The compressed timeline at once
narrows the focus so readers are forced to react to each ticking minute. In
fact, the entirety of the main narrative lasts for only 54 harrowing minutes
which allows the author to heighten emotion and draw upon the necessity for
resolution. While it is understandable that the author needs the compressed
timeline to make her story plausible, there are some flaws in the action as
well. For example, the entire school is said to be in the auditorium, providing
Tyler (the shooter) a perfect opportunity to corral his would-be victims and
maximize damage. However, as a high school teacher, I must acknowledge some
realities that Nijkamp asks readers to suspend in order for this to be
plausible. For one, no school would ever leave the office or front security
area empty and even if the shooter manages to kill the guard and janitor before
everyone arrives, there would still be secretaries, nurses, and guidance
counselors preparing for the day, answering phones, and tending to the business
of the school day. Typically, these professionals do not attend school
assemblies as they are needed to ensure other aspects of the day are dealt
with. Nijkamp needs the office to be empty in order to allow Tomas and Fareed
to save the day and develop the narrative beyond what is happening inside the
auditorium; however, this quickly becomes a plot problem for anyone in the
know. Perhaps, the narrative seeks to do too much in terms of maximizing the
peril students in the auditorium find themselves when simply being cornered by
a madman with a gun would suffice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Overall, however, the progression of
the plot is quite authentic. By highlighting the point-of-view of multiple
characters and compressing the timeline, suspense builds to a heartfelt
crescendo. Kudos must also be awarded to the author for avoiding the temptation
to tie this package up with a pretty little bow as she does not offer the
conclusion of a truly happy ending for all the characters. As in life, endings
do not always serve to justify actions. The bravery, sacrifice, and genuine
reactions of the main characters serve to “express how a heart can burst and
break at the same time” resulting in a “sun” that cuts “through the darkness
but ….[also] cast[s] shadows everywhere” at the same time (252). While we may
never know why something happens, this novel allows readers to understand how
it might happen at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Conclusively, the best, most
realistic, novels are the ones that force us to face dark realities about
humanity and deal with the aftermath of such events the best way we know how –
through art. In the end, whether we believe the main character’s motivation to
be sufficient or not, villains in real life are rarely justified either. We can
speculate, study, and seek to know why but often times come up empty in the
search for meaning. In <i>This Is Where It
Ends</i>, the author merely holds up a societal mirror allowing for the journey
to speak for itself through the crafting of various character perspectives and
a compressed timeline that fuels the tension in the work. The feelings and
experience of these characters are as real as anything seen on the news today,
and Nijkamp’s novel can certainly aid in understanding how to prevent such
actions in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-51025570168066733282017-03-06T12:13:00.000-05:002017-08-29T12:17:18.945-04:00 The Development of Inner Conflict in Intentions by Deborah Heiligman<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">WARNING: The following post discusses details of </span><a href="http://deborahheiligman.com/books/intentions/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Deborah Heiligman's novel, Intentions </a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">which</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> may spoil the book if you have not read it yet. You've been warned! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqfjczqwyi4sj375OM1ch5PNPi3lM6jM6S3Lva0dBNfSlRRKHzhm-W6XO6qr6gRX0LZ_D0Ka4wIzCcRq9YmgjJeQgnSLZLbcBN1YsIuGLax962kaiUBJ5_Udhov0v4s8QzPM11GExKY4b/s1600/intentions-with-seal-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqfjczqwyi4sj375OM1ch5PNPi3lM6jM6S3Lva0dBNfSlRRKHzhm-W6XO6qr6gRX0LZ_D0Ka4wIzCcRq9YmgjJeQgnSLZLbcBN1YsIuGLax962kaiUBJ5_Udhov0v4s8QzPM11GExKY4b/s320/intentions-with-seal-large.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Conflict is an essential literary
element in all works of fiction. The very connotation of the word indicates a
clash, an explosion of sorts, between two opposing forces. For writing to even
attempt to capture the essence of the human experience, protagonists must fully
engage in a complex push-and-pull so readers can believe and relate to the story.
Novels run the risk of being too predictable when the stakes are not
sufficiently developed, resulting in flat characters and a stock storyline.
However, when done effectively, the essential conflict might appear to have a
multitude of possible outcomes, effects, and consequences – not only for the
main character, but beyond his/her scope as well. Thus the strength of the
relationship between given characters, between characters and society, and
between characters and themselves becomes the lens by which readers can
determine the importance of a particular conflict. Qualities such as honesty,
loyalty, and truth very often determine a protagonist from an antagonist – with
each reacting in an expected manner to highlight the progression of a
character. These aforementioned qualities serve as a basis for the development
of inner conflict in the novel <i>Intentions,</i>
by Deborah Heiligman. Here, the author builds that inner conflict through the main
character’s struggle by creating a solid dilemma to highlight the importance of
truth in relationships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Initially, the main character,
Rachel seems blissfully unaware of the limitations of her world. Like all
teens, she is trying to make sense of her place in a world she thinks she already
understands. But little does she know, everything she once believed true will
come crashing down around her and that is where her story actually begins.
Heiligman opens the novel with seemingly fully-developed relationships in play;
Rachel is active in Hebrew school, has a tenuously changing relationship with
her best friend, and is trying to navigate a volatile home life with her
parents constantly fighting. However, when she overhears the rabbi having
inappropriate sexual relations with a soon-to-be-married member of the congregation,
the order of priorities shifts and a particularly interesting inner-conflict
emerges. Forced to attend Hebrew school, Rachel wonders how she “can sit here
and listen to him” (12) knowing what she now knows to be true about the once
exalted rabbi: he is a flawed man, his word has lost its power, and perhaps
he’s even a despicable person to boot. This shift in focus, the added layers to
the problem, and Rachel’s own desire to right the wrong all heighten the impact
of the issues and possible consequences for all involved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Heiligman’s clear attempt to raise
the stakes – the influence of a higher power, the main character’s relationship
with her faith, and the possible ramifications for the entire congregation –
forces the reader to take note. The idea that truth can be something one might
need to hide in order to survive supplants additional pressure for the main
character. She does not run and tell her parents because that relationship is
in flux. She cannot confide in her best friend because that relationship is
strained. Instead, she harbors the information, letting it weigh down on her
until she almost destroys herself with the pressure of knowing. Every time she
enters the scene of the crime (the sanctuary) she swears she suffers from
“post-traumatic stress syndrome” (35). Understanding that she herself is not
being inauthentic, nearly eats her alive and the reader can simultaneously
sympathize and root for her to prevail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Conversely, Rachel’s struggle is a
realistic one given the wide web of people who stand to lose as a result of her
dilemma. Heiligman takes care to paint with a brush that exposes flaws, poses
questions, and leaves the reader wondering about the result long after the
conflict is resolved. Rachel does not act as she should, but as she must. It is
not so much a desire pushing her forward, it’s the stress of the situation she
finds herself in. The pain of not being able to tell this secret – whether
perceived or real – fuels her motivation for most of the novel and she very
often does the wrong thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As a result of this inner-conflict, Rachel
tries pot, cheats on her <i>good</i>
boyfriend with the resident bad boy (who also happens to be said rabbi’s messed
up son), and stumbles through a series of desperate attention-seeking interactions
with her former best friend. It is this relationship that is the most
frustrating one for the reader to accept. Rachel seems to teeter between
wanting Alexis to go away and pathetically begging for her to stay. The fact
that Rachel goes so far as to frame her for shoplifting seems to signify a deep
character flaw in Rachel’s own progression. Whether Heiligman is trying to make
a statement here or not, this action suggests that Rachel’s downward spiral is
complete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Finally, the inner conflict explodes and the
secret is exposed. If the novel has one main flaw, it is in the cheeky
resolution. Readers who are emotionally invested in Rachel, her family, and
even the rabbi might be disappointed with Heiligman’s attempt at smoothing over
the ending with a rose-colored paintbrush. The falling action seems rushed and
the tone too light-hearted for the heavy musings that preceded it. The
conversation between Rachel and the rabbi on page 245 simply does not hold the
same emotional weight or value: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> “‘<i>I know what you did…’<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> ‘Rachel,’ he says. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘I
hate you,’ I whisper. I look up. He’s looking at me, not away. ‘I hate you!’ I
say again. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> The rabbi sighs” </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">(245). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Additionally, the conversation
continues to unravel in a rather unbelievable series of back and forth
exchanges that also do not ring as true as they should. Rachel even goes so far
as to give the rabbi advice about his son. For me, this exchange not only weakens the
journey but threatens to unravel the very core of the conflict build throughout
the novel. I simply want more from Rachel, from the plot, from the people (which may or may not be fair). She's such a feisty character and her voice will pull you in, but the ending is a bit too glossy for me. Overall though – the inner conflict fuels the progression of the
plot while demanding that readers consider all possible consequences beyond the
obvious. Young adults will relate to and root for Rachel despite the fact that many of the relationships used to fuel this fire change or dissolve
altogether. But at last, Heiligman creates a flawed heroine on a quest for
deeper understanding and that makes all the difference in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-56108101055989566322016-07-18T12:12:00.000-04:002016-08-04T12:16:04.508-04:00Dealing with Fear<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
you’ve ever attempted jumping out of a plane (I have) or swimming with sharks
(I haven’t) or hiking K2 (I won’t) – you likely know something about fear. For
writers, fear can be our best friend or worst enemy depending on the day,
planetary alignments, or phase of the moon. I won’t belabor the idea because it’s
been the topic of many books: <a href="http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/" target="_blank">Big Magic </a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=the+war+of+art&tag=hydsma-20&index=aps&hvadid=42399786594&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6255811556622754617&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6bktc98tdj_e&gclid=CMu5rquTqM4CFYpkhgodObQHZw" target="_blank">The War of Art </a>being two that have
helped me greatly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
I will say this: fear has derailed more careers than lack of talent ever could.
We tend to get anxious about a big idea, new direction, or unknown journey –
and that’s normal. Fear can help us avoid
getting eaten by those sharks. But when it becomes the dominant driving force
in your life, you’re not going to get much done. So here are a few ways I’ve
found to help face the fear and keep moving forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1.
Find your TRIBE. If you can’t find a tribe, find one person who “gets it” and
start from there. You’d be surprised the impact one great CP or creative
sounding board can have on your work and overall confidence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2.
Remember NO ONE is on your journey and, therefore, NO ONE but you can bring
your vision to life. There is a place for everyone because everyone’s place is
different. Remembering this can help you deal when jealousy or envy shows
itself. Nothing is more ugly or debilitating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3.
WRITE ABOUT IT! What is more human than fear? Try to find a way to explore the
doubt, frustration, and anxiety through your characters. It will add dimension and
allow you to quiet the ego long enough to create something real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.
READ. Usually this is the answer for most things. Can’t write? Read. Feeling
lonely? Read. Want to get better at the craft of writing? Read. Need a break
from the expectations and doubts? Read. Bottom line is good readers make good
writers so grab something from your endless TBR pile and start turning some
pages. You’ll get your swagger back in no time and will likely pick up a few
new words, tricks, or plot ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.
Last but not least: give yourself a break. It’s normal to feel as if the walls
are closing in when the rejections start piling up. Look, if it was easy,
everyone would be doing it. It’s been said that all emotions can be boiled down
to either LOVE or FEAR. So if you’re feeling afraid, try to remember the
reasons why you love writing in the first place and tell that fear to back off!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’d
love to hear some of the ways you quiet the fear demons. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-69024552115681365602016-06-27T12:34:00.000-04:002016-08-04T12:34:41.827-04:00Book Bites: May/June<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Number
of Books Read in May /June: 6</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.
Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2) by Victoria Aveyard</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Thoughts:
Dragged in some places, but Team Cal forever. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Snack:
Chocolate, but the healthy kind.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. A
Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Thoughts:
Took a while to get me revved up but Maas is a brilliant writer and now I’m
hooked.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Snack:
Something citrusy. To stimulate the senses</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.
Even When You Lie to Me by Jessica Alcott</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Thoughts:
Expected more from the climax and ending. Overall, disappointed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Snack:
Wine.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.
Liars and Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Thoughts:
Thin and Predictable but a classic beach read. If you don’t expect too much,
you’ll be fine. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Snack:
Cake. Stale cake.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.
Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here by Anna Breslaw</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Thoughts:
Another teenager talking like a 30 year old. Nope. Also, NJ is awesome.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Snacks:
Pizza. From NJ. The very best pizza.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.
The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Thoughts:
I laughed, I cried, I hurled it across the room at the end.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Snack:
Don’t eat, you might get an upset tummy. </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-67685019652571778072015-11-01T11:05:00.002-05:002015-11-01T11:07:05.072-05:00NaNo or Bust<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re anything like me, you attempt to do NaNo each year
with all the intentions of a zealot. Passionately plotting – declaring yourself
ready, willing, and able – determined beyond belief. But inevitably life gets
in the way. And while the mere attempt has merit in and of itself, there’s something
to be said for finishing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As writers, we so often start new projects. Ideas are never
in short supply for the creative mind. It’s the road to completion that’s paved
with stumbling blocks, distractions (hello, Internet), and the lure of moving on
to the next best thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure, there are times when an idea just doesn’t have the
legs to go the distance, (good, luck NYC Marathon runners) but most of the time
we surrender just before the magic is about to happen. This is my attempt to
get out of my own way, to get out of my head, and jump into the plot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey, a bad novel is still a novel. Plus, as the saying goes…you
can edit bad writing but you can’t edit what’s not there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I’ve decided to blog this journey, mostly to force myself
to face the page no matter what’s going on. This will be my mirror, my
chronical of NaNo, and in the midst of the chaos I hope to learn more about my
own writing habits. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all, the creative life is a process… and revisions are
part of the plan. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-34337277645246835462015-02-15T09:24:00.001-05:002015-02-15T09:24:56.545-05:00When the Wind Blows<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It took me two solid years to write
this book. This book is a part of me. I am still in love with the characters
and the world I’ve created and I know a series has been born. Yet, I can’t seem
to silence the nagging voices beckoning me to edit, restructure, and refocus
the whole darn thing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I try to work on new projects, I
outline, brainstorm and whatnot…but those nagging voices won’t let me move on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And so I postulate, procrastinate,
and pontificate. Could my story still need work and if so, does that mean the
first draft must be scrapped altogether? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Either way, it’s painfully clear
that something must be done in order for me to move forward and sitting here
wondering is surely not helping. The time for action is always now. It’s like
my father always says, “Do something, even if it’s wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> So I think maybe I will rework the
outline, call a friend for support, or make another cup of coffee before acknowledging
the daunting reality I’m facing. But the snow is blowing around like a frozen
desert sandstorm and the dog needs to go outside. So I bundle up and brave the
elements and the world just keeps on spinning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It’s cold in the northeast, but that’s
certainly not news. Merlin (my dog) is interested in frolicking a bit before
getting down to business and that gives me some time to admire the snow covered
trees in the woods behind my house as they creak with each powerful gust of
wind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sounding as if the bark is
screaming, the trees are painfully weathering the storm. But they don’t break,
not entirely. A dead branch falls here, a snapping twig there, and they seem to
be reaching even higher than before. A towering pine faces the wind as if to
say, “Let’s dance.” And then it hits me…the wind isn’t trying to destroy these
trees at all; it’s only doing the job of making them stronger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Likewise, needing to edit this draft
does not mean I’m going to destroy my story. It merely signifies that a stronger
one is ready to be carved from the marble before me. The wind edits the forest
by ripping dead branches from the trees so they can flourish in the spring. And
I realize that I must edit like the wind, pulling back the dead weight, so the
words can thrive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once again, life and writing seem
to be intermingling teaching me lessons. Not everything we lose is a loss and
sometimes it’s necessary for growth. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><i> How do you approach the editing
process? Do you take it as personally as I do or are you able to separate yourself
from the creation and cut away? </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-61734760650775911502015-01-10T12:37:00.001-05:002015-01-10T14:46:25.739-05:00Otherness: The Creative Force<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For the last few
days I’ve been meditating on Ernest Hemingway’s notion that we have to “write hard
and clear about what hurts.” Initially, this quote puzzled me because most sane
people go out of their way to avoid what hurts. But writers are different
because we try to use the pain as a catalyst to mirror back the beauty in
suffering. Or, at least that’s what I tell myself when I’m digging around in my
brain for a new story idea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After finishing
my first novel in 2014, I’ve spent the last few months trying to replenish my
creative well by hiding from what hurts. I started thinking that our old pal
Ernie might have been wrong. After all, why would anyone willingly submerge themselves
into a river of pain? It seems every nightly news broadcast is hell-bent on
highlighting the suffering and that has yet to inspire me. But, isn’t that the
whole deal? Isn’t that why we’ve elected to participate in this journey? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing is all
about exploring the one thing connecting us all: the shared human experience. For
me, writing is about digging a bit deeper into the spiritual nature of that experience
and trying to make sense of it all. As seekers we spend so much of our time,
money, and effort thinking about Otherness. One of the reasons writing is so important
is because it helps us to share in our Otherness by acknowledging the many ‘other’
things we can’t define, understand, or explain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t want to
be afraid of writing “hard and clear about what hurts” because I know that’s
the best way to creatively express something worthwhile. There’s responsibility
in attempting to share our madness and it’s this: if we <i>really</i> know, if we understand what it means to share this human experience, then we have to
forgive ourselves for the madness, we have to love our enemies, and most of all
…we have to stop charging, punishing, excluding, judging, and destroying each
other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And most would ask
who is capable of such Love? Certainly, religion, government, and media want
you to doubt, draw lines, and rely on payment for progression. I don’t yet love
my enemies, I still judge the wrong, and I have trouble understanding anyone
who doesn’t want the best for me, you, this world, or themselves but I’m
working on it and I hope you will too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because, in the
end, fear can only destroy…it won’t create anything. Legacies are built on Love
because Love is a creative force. It’s what Hemingway’s words mean to me, it’s
what we need to reach for and share in order for any of this to survive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br></div>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And that’s the
hard, clear truth I’m going to write about today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-82029648328352926622014-08-16T11:57:00.002-04:002014-08-16T11:57:28.769-04:00A New Chapter<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that I’ve finally finished writing my first novel (The Shadow
of the Turning), it’s time to recharge the blog. Throughout this process I have
met so many wonderful writers sharing their journey on social media. It has
been such a blessing to delve into the creative process with likeminded
individuals and I look forward to becoming a relevant part of the discussion
again. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-18571414762743873022013-07-12T23:04:00.003-04:002014-08-16T11:41:20.727-04:00Under ConstructionI am currently in the process of revamping the blog, and can't wait to have it rolling again. I look forward to getting back on track as soon as possible.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-2859211629746986072013-01-22T21:53:00.003-05:002013-01-22T21:53:37.454-05:00Day 22: Just a Dusting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1aKEahrigDflkSEbRyBmVLIDWigd3mq3G5IFLiHXc5fV6q7Nc2px_XPH4VUa_bWEN3SaNrqm5_7nC1JOiq56LCNmFuRxrZWt0TuZJl2c9GmT60Qi7ugo63lq7Jmoip7Q4VLzs0X-PxQ0/s1600/Day+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1aKEahrigDflkSEbRyBmVLIDWigd3mq3G5IFLiHXc5fV6q7Nc2px_XPH4VUa_bWEN3SaNrqm5_7nC1JOiq56LCNmFuRxrZWt0TuZJl2c9GmT60Qi7ugo63lq7Jmoip7Q4VLzs0X-PxQ0/s320/Day+22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just a dusting? Mother Nature is such a tease....</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-63623235192023389662013-01-21T23:01:00.001-05:002013-01-21T23:01:46.820-05:00Day 21: Say What You Mean.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PK_V4B0JyLaHnPV3urGzUN19TbL7aX_T2uZxVUajp0Dc20SCgt3NAvdWgU22wOxtW_q6oY07opuIr8Y3LGKO6Hwd9-LSCDNxqNalTqQ6m5-ZhnbPLjCTpxzgfQOE0oK6-KIvW-JCsOv-/s1600/Day+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PK_V4B0JyLaHnPV3urGzUN19TbL7aX_T2uZxVUajp0Dc20SCgt3NAvdWgU22wOxtW_q6oY07opuIr8Y3LGKO6Hwd9-LSCDNxqNalTqQ6m5-ZhnbPLjCTpxzgfQOE0oK6-KIvW-JCsOv-/s320/Day+21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Snapped this picture today at school. I think it speaks for itself. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-54938524252966128962013-01-20T23:11:00.001-05:002013-01-20T23:11:54.335-05:00Day 20: Baptismal Bliss <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj4zNowiQShHKPVutebciE_MNlOx-LBuFF8wqSvnh0ti9MaXUJ-PVhWtQX8ulCLrGf8lqS8QUgdzWDj7NdxsEAkSlD4v-fDykFWgct0zxR_oPg27uxLN50vu4QkqLau5U9CV3h741Lfyp/s1600/Day+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj4zNowiQShHKPVutebciE_MNlOx-LBuFF8wqSvnh0ti9MaXUJ-PVhWtQX8ulCLrGf8lqS8QUgdzWDj7NdxsEAkSlD4v-fDykFWgct0zxR_oPg27uxLN50vu4QkqLau5U9CV3h741Lfyp/s320/Day+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I became a godmother, and so I thought it was only
fitting that I snapped a picture of the Baptismal fountain. Regardless of your
chosen faith, we all need a symbolic spiritual cleansing every now and again. I
found it refreshing that this one resembles a beautiful stone waterslide,
because believing in anyone or anything means taking a plunge into depths
unknown. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-1193718932555627032013-01-19T20:04:00.001-05:002013-01-19T20:04:41.193-05:00Day 19: Dog Days Are Here Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCr5KvosEL9lfxs6O7RKuPWFpv21GdRSDMXZNfet0BZN4rPF1lrHjNv9d1OEZxFzz7y885gpj4NtmvGtR5VM2XMrgnDmQyhH7oQPIQaO8xfcyiUkZ0wCh8Vc_BqvYMYVBF49shBKJEbJ1/s1600/Day+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCr5KvosEL9lfxs6O7RKuPWFpv21GdRSDMXZNfet0BZN4rPF1lrHjNv9d1OEZxFzz7y885gpj4NtmvGtR5VM2XMrgnDmQyhH7oQPIQaO8xfcyiUkZ0wCh8Vc_BqvYMYVBF49shBKJEbJ1/s320/Day+19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today, Merlin felt the need to chew the rug to prove how much he missed me while I was gone. He really loves me, no?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-40948232551982950332013-01-18T19:47:00.000-05:002013-01-19T19:52:14.019-05:00Day 18: Winter Whispers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05Zm_SyaNsS648WewkhpfL6MFkqaOmgBjfXeQoMuqxKEuBSC17qHQNxpHPpO2cUczMLt5u5H3P-XriEJAH867qKE4aSmP9Ptks22WhnP_X-CASCwXhnlWZ9YMxAZ34OYPinZpVma3ZTci/s1600/Day+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05Zm_SyaNsS648WewkhpfL6MFkqaOmgBjfXeQoMuqxKEuBSC17qHQNxpHPpO2cUczMLt5u5H3P-XriEJAH867qKE4aSmP9Ptks22WhnP_X-CASCwXhnlWZ9YMxAZ34OYPinZpVma3ZTci/s320/Day+18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trees seem to whisper in winter, standing tall waiting for the warmth of spring. Certainly we can all learn from nature's patience. These trees made me think about the importance of taking the time to listen to what the Universe is whispering in my own life. Sometimes, the waiting really is the hardest part. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-13529035217913438382013-01-17T22:11:00.001-05:002013-01-17T22:13:42.925-05:00Day 17: Any Witch Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVaiKnE9YxLakL3RI4ro3Gv4-C9gs4Y6vOcftyd0uRn5gyTm84BPttAfe6bInx8zZw6ffcFU0xI_kdscuTkDSA-Xgfw1NmM5HJf7oW9hb4nSWxidUHvQ7V3AGkEHJe8qOYjz72VWJXOQz/s1600/Day+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVaiKnE9YxLakL3RI4ro3Gv4-C9gs4Y6vOcftyd0uRn5gyTm84BPttAfe6bInx8zZw6ffcFU0xI_kdscuTkDSA-Xgfw1NmM5HJf7oW9hb4nSWxidUHvQ7V3AGkEHJe8qOYjz72VWJXOQz/s320/Day+17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT7Lh0kyPSVMzo2-xU5oXTiSqan4VwmZx5fWdZV68d3HKeGxIj91dfjbTpWhmFL1MRGGB3xI38ecyXj1RISc1LxsvDIOPeRcQVazrOBsRRow83o9k-xesIm0IJ-JoZsRuL9Fk6yyITZq1/s1600/Day+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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I don't know if all roads really do lead to Rome or not, but I do know that some roads are way more fun to travel than others. The journey is the thing. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-81717605743392663172013-01-16T23:18:00.001-05:002013-01-16T23:18:59.873-05:00Day 16: A Rose is Still a Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBavJe3hNmg6ZxbztCkOE1_Gzp3jDynG1aM5APNZXTimdUwZQlVtYhyphenhyphenQ_ft1nL6jnib8mEH-hhqy9OkSBsyJlR6ZyPdfHkeSXeGRisWyQlcFgLXW3j3Zm9zs71sSgzGT16hEAgFGfBGsef/s1600/Day+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBavJe3hNmg6ZxbztCkOE1_Gzp3jDynG1aM5APNZXTimdUwZQlVtYhyphenhyphenQ_ft1nL6jnib8mEH-hhqy9OkSBsyJlR6ZyPdfHkeSXeGRisWyQlcFgLXW3j3Zm9zs71sSgzGT16hEAgFGfBGsef/s320/Day+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes a girl just has to buy her own flowers. And so I did. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-17460340668746343832013-01-15T22:26:00.002-05:002013-01-15T22:26:20.564-05:00Day 15: Like a Bird in Flight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYWabw2choJbE7hi41WP27gRcIISGUs3zMcUd-EX01klTxUNosni1X1t2e2YKoYB-rROU4_y4U7oESkiKJHoCXujJcvLjPtjdUYQK060mbsjqjzgjR9rLVO9cl15NV3bZsaJsHp2kvb__/s1600/Day+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYWabw2choJbE7hi41WP27gRcIISGUs3zMcUd-EX01klTxUNosni1X1t2e2YKoYB-rROU4_y4U7oESkiKJHoCXujJcvLjPtjdUYQK060mbsjqjzgjR9rLVO9cl15NV3bZsaJsHp2kvb__/s320/Day+15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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"The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly." - Friedrich Nietzsche<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147467127040489319.post-71619445950636882222013-01-14T22:12:00.001-05:002013-01-14T22:12:57.692-05:00Day 14: Walking the Path<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqwWsciucwWIWhgrCo9Q6C7-pkh_G3GdgiMSXrn8ouTAW0dvTOEwQ3ioLTTDaZQTMdhoOPyxNF5PsNnMrOUFF0mEWtP_7JwhY3v4hc1Cq7l9GdVivrGrW91xQP1u0DtSpltRdshcPdQ7c/s1600/Day+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqwWsciucwWIWhgrCo9Q6C7-pkh_G3GdgiMSXrn8ouTAW0dvTOEwQ3ioLTTDaZQTMdhoOPyxNF5PsNnMrOUFF0mEWtP_7JwhY3v4hc1Cq7l9GdVivrGrW91xQP1u0DtSpltRdshcPdQ7c/s320/Day+14.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hartshorne Woods Park</td></tr>
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"You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself." - Buddha</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0