Fiction Packet 1

In this fiction packet I found that the stories were extremely interesting to read. The stories were all full of details that really got you following the story because the details were what told the story. The stories weren't about what was being told, but more about the details that were telling the story. The stories were detailed in a way that you can see what you were reading just by the details. I think this made this type of writing so much more enjoyable to read because you were actually able to envision it and the best part is that what you were envisioning was a mixture of what the story was telling you and what you see from what you are reading. I have read many books before they come out as a movie and I find that most of the time the characters I picture in my head are completely different than the ones that end up in the movie, which is so cool! It lets you inside others head and imaginations that way too.

The one story that particularly stood out to me was the story "Misdemeanor" because it was not only detailed, but it was hilarious. The main characters in the story are known as "The Waitress" and "Old Man" and it gives his side of the story in the very beginning saying that he a tough ex-con, but as the story unfolds by the Waitress we see that he really isn't a tough ex-con, but a man who didn't know much about how to successfully commit a crime. The details of the story make you think of this silly old man trying to rob a bowling alley and as the story plays out in your head you have to giggle to yourself. The very ending is what made me really find the story hilarious, because the waitress says "Thank god he wasn't trying to steal horses." It just makes me picture how the attempt to steal horses would have gone for the man.

The other stories in the packet were also filled with details, the other story I looked at closely was Molibi. The story is basically a big description of her and how she isn't like the rest of the women where she is from. They describe her as all elbows and knees where the other girls are heavy on the hips. It says in the story that they are also heavy on the adjectives which was comical since the whole story was full of adjectives. It was different from the first story because of the content, but I liked that I could see the detailed writing in more than just one context. It will be something that can help me to be more detailed in my writing because I've been able to see it in different contexts.

Lamott

I absolutely love the idea that Lamott tell us in the beginning that writing drafts is much like watching polaroids develop. That is an analogy that fits very well, I know that now polaroids are not big any more and it is an analogy that is quickly fading with this generations youth not even knowing what a polaroid is, but it fits so incredibly well. I think she makes a good point when she states that it is very clear that you may begin with the idea that your story is about one thing and then it turns into something else that was unexpected because of the drafts that you had done between the first edition of the story to the final copy of it. It isn't what you expected it to be, but it may be even better than the original because it was unexpected. It shows the importance of writing drafts and the change that can happen when you do choose to not stick with your original version. I really enjoyed reading about how her article of the special olympics came along, it was a heart warming story and it showed her passion for people and writing.
She also believes in bringing out as much f the interior of the characters you are writing about, making them stand out. Putting in these little things that make the character the character also helps the reader relate to that character. It is interesting that she also states that you will also hate the characters for the reason that you see yourself in them, because if there are things that you don't like in yourself that when others possess the same quality makes you dislike them. I think basing characters on people you know is a good strategy as well because it takes having to try and describe and think of all their unique attributes out of the equation.
I think she makes a lot of really good valid points when she gives tips on how to be a good writer and ways to develop your stories. Its the little details that she makes sure to point out that can make or break your story. Its a nice thing to look at for people who are beginning writers or inexperienced writers. I would recommend this reading to anyone who is interested in starting to write stories because thats how much I think that this is an effective way to start.

Poems

My poem about Happiness

blessed, blest, blissful, blithe, can't complain, captivated, cheerful, chipper, chirpy, content, contented, convivial, delighted, ecstatic, elated, exultant, flying high, gay, glad, gleeful, gratified, intoxicated, jolly, joyful, joyous, jubilant, laughing, light, lively, looking good, merry, mirthful, on cloud nine, overjoyed, peaceful, peppy, perky, playful, pleasant, pleased, sparkling, sunny, thrilled, tickled, tickled pink, up, upbeat, walking on air 




Emanating,
beams of shining light,
Shadows,
of what lies beneath,
under the glowing skin,
Golden Aura,
all encompassing,
anyone who draws near,
warm to the very touch,
Love,
The source of radiance,
The warm comfort,
The only reason,
This sunshine flows through my eyes.

Goldberg

Goldberg is very correct when she writes that people tend to write about things they have an obsession about whether it be about things that haunt them or the stories they have within them. I like that she understands where people get their inspiration to write the things they have inside of themselves. I also liked that she brought up the point about avoiding topics during writings and that, that was also difficult to avoid writing about a topic that you are especially passionate about. She writes about using original details which can make or break a piece and make it become exactly what you want it to be. Goldberg writes about all of the things that make pieces of writing your own and exceptional.

The Poetry packet was something I absolutely love, I am not a big fan of poetry, but this is something that makes me actually interested in reading poetry. I also didn't know that there were so many different styles of writing when it came to poetry. This packet made it a lot easier for me to look into writing poetry and I liked what I wrote trying out the different styles presented in the packet. I think I will continue looking into poetry and trying out different styles because I am starting to like the way I write when I write poetry.

Introduction

Hey guys! My name is Christina, I have never blogged before so this will be an interesting experience! For starters I'll tell you a little bit about myself, I work two jobs. My main job is being a nanny which is the most amazing job ever, I works with a newborn, a 2 year old and a 3 year old. They make me laugh and are just such amazing little girls who teach me new things every day. My second job is in a restaurant, I work at different areas within the restaurant and am being promoted to train as a manager within the next year or so. I am currently a communications major and a double minor in criminal justice and management, I have yet to make a decision on what exactly I would like to do when I graduate from college, I just know that I would preferably like to go into something within law enforcement or business.
I look forward to this class and the new and improved writing techniques I will learn and hopefully I will become a much better writer and more creative with my writing and thought process about writing.