Catching up again

Oct. 24: "Tell It Slant"
According to the author the title from this day's writing is a quote from an Emily Dickenson poem. It related to a writer needing to tell the truth or known paradigms in a different and even at times indirect way. According to Fred White they need to do this because if they told the blinding truth or philosphy in an obvious way the reader would consider it as being "preachy". The same is also true of using a set of story-telling conventions. The writer needs to take storytelling conventions and "stretch them to embody the new insights, the new variations on the themes they wish to convey".
In today's "For Further Reflection" White states that "searching for new ways of disclosing the truth of things is what the writer has in common with scientists and detectives". In order to do this he urges that the writer learn more about human nature and the natural world. This information will help us discover new ways to relaying the truth.
The "Try This" assignment for today is to outline a story in which your main character's true nature emerges indirectly through her "behind the scenes" thoughts and actions, which contradict the public ones.

Oct. 25: Autumn Leaves
In today's reading White talks about how Autumn speaks to writers. He gives his thinking on how it is a season of many things: learning, new season (TV shows), of fading rich in paradox, a celebration of summer's bounty, the beginnings of winter, of renewal with the sun of "Indian Summer".
For Further Reflection:
Here White states that this is an ideal time not only for study and comtemplation but also for writing. He claims that memories are brighter as the summer sun wanes. Also the intense colors of autumn are a good counterpoint for the "tamer greens and blues of summer months".
The "Try This" assignment:
1. Maintain a list of autumnal images and associations. Descriptions of colorful leaves might top you list, but also include changes in weather, in clothes, in light and shadows, in foods, in the rhytm of daily life; perhaps certain changes in mood or personality as well.
2. Compose a series of autumnal poems. Red Keats's ode, "To Autumn" for inspiration.

Recently I wrote the following article as I contempted something along the lines of #1.
The first frost of the season has signaled that Fall is here. Soon there will be the crisp sound of leaves underfoot when walking in the area parks. In more rural areas where there are no burning bans there will be the acid smoke as piles of these self-same leaves are burned. There are also the bright colors of Fall leaves, brilliant golds, yellows, oranges, and reds paint the local forests and mountain sides. Down quiet village streets there will be the gleeful sound of children playing in piles of the brightly colored bits of nature’s glory.
Along with the brilliant colorful Fall leaves other signs of Fall are the smells of harvested corn, pumpkins, and Fall apples, as well as the smell of Fall treats. Treats that not only come from the bountiful harvests but also the local county fairs, i.e., cotton candy, candied apples, funnel cakes, popcorn balls.
Then there are the sounds of Fall. The eerie honking of geese that fly across the face of a full moon in their traditional “v” formation, or the bulge of male elk in rut. There is the screams of happy children and adults going through local haunted houses. Giggling children dressed as spooks, ghosts, monsters, wizards, and witches as they scurry down village streets with bulging Trick-or-Treat bags. There is the crunch of ripe, tart Fall apples when you bite into one.
All of these are but some of my many memories of Fall. Fall was the time when things sort of slowed down. Not only nature but people as well. Fall is also the signal of coming Holiday seasons Halloween, Thanksgiving and of course the biggest of all Christmas. Fall is the season for festooning your home and yard with decorations of the season. Around the neighborhood people first arranged bales of straw, pumpkins and gourds, big pots of chrysanthemums, and scarecrows. They hang bats and ghosts from tree limbs and drape the front door with larger than life spider webs. These are then followed with colorful turkeys and pilgrims and later Santa, snowmen, and nativity scenes.
Fall was the time I woke up earlier than usual to join my father as he went hunting for pheasant, grouse, ducks, deer, antelope, and elk. I want not so much into the hunt as I was in spending time with my father. There was a bond there in the cold mornings sitting waiting for him to return with the game. Some mornings, particular for duck season, I got to set with him on a hillside overlooking some pond or small lake waiting for ducks to fly in.
Then there were the football games. What girl does not remember the very first time she went to a college football game with a date? The big mum with the school letter attached that he pinned to her jacket or sweater meant more than a simple corsage. It was a badge that she was with him and he was her guy, it symbolized that she was attractive enough to get a date, popular enough. Then there were those special homecoming games and dances. In so many areas Fall football season is a time of special memories for all stages of life.