Nov. 30: Project Connecting

In today's reading Fred White talks about how a writer who has several projects can stimulate the creative juices and overcome writer's block by possibly linking two or more of the projects. The example he gave was a novel set in Washington DC and an essay on the history of the Pentagon. A writer might integrate some of the history of the Pentagon into the novel. According to White by regularly making connections between projects can add life to projects where you may be experiencing writer's block or the project which has lost its momentum.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:
Connecting projects can "replenish concentration" and may even lead to those serendipity moments in which ideas generated from one project can "shed unexpected light on the other one." Some writers integrate parts of one project into another just to see what happens to story dynamics.
Today's "TRY THIS" assignment:
Spend the next couple of weeks working on at least two writing projects at once just ot see how this emthod of project connecting affects your productivity. Does it make you more energetic? Does the work you do on one project shed light on the other?

Nov. 29: Metaphorical Thinking

In today's reading the author; Fred White talks about how metaphors help us transform abstract concepts into concrete representations that stick in our minds. He also states that poetry is largely metaphorical thinking. He also talks about how "we gain insight into the nature of things by comparing them with other things."
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:
In this segment White states that "A good poet will startle us with metaphors that are at once highly unusual and weirdly fitting." He goes on to give an example but the example that came to my mind was Blake's "Tiger, tiger burning bright like the fire in the night, whose mighty hands forge thee." In this poem the poet uses metaphorical terms connected with a blast furnace and a blacksmith's forging of an instrument, tool, or weapon.
The "TRY THIS" assignment:
Spend a few days getting into the habit of thinking in metaphors. Use your journal to describe objects metaphorically. What do the icicles lining your eaves remind you of? Dragon teeth? The interior of a cave? The entrance of a troll's den? Here a few objects that should lend themselve to metaphoric description:

• oil well pumps
• dozens of sunbathers on a beach
• church bells
• lightning
• vegetables, fruits, tubers (bell peppers, melons, squash, ginger root)

Oil well pumps - some strange form of dinosaurs

Sunbathers on a beach - beached whales

Those are the only ones I could come up with in short notice. However, I do remember some from my days of trying to write hiaku poetry.

• white ducks on a pond looking like marshmallows in a cup of cocoa
• cat with toy mouse reminding one of a cheetah pouncing on a gazelle
• pair of buzzards soaring together like a wedding couple in their first dance

Nov. 28: Conveying Nostalgia

Today's reading is on the use of nostalgia in our writing. White says that when we age we have even more opportunities to use nostalgia. Also because everyone can identify with nostalgia it is easy to move them through the use of nostalgia. When/if we write memoirs we need to include nostalgic experiences.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:
Nostalgia captures life's transitions and evoke some of our most emotional experiences. It creates both negative and positive feelings. "By capturing the feelings of nostalgia, we are, in fact, giving our readers a rewarding emotional experiences."
Today's "TRY THIS" assignment.
1. Take yourself on a nostalgic trip through your past: the homesickness you experienced when you went off to college; memories of your grandparent's home; the close friends you had when growing up; the happy sad moments you shared at weddings, confirmations, bar/bat mitzvah, and so on. Write a journal entry for each of these nostalgic memories.
2. Select one of the entries you wrote for number one and turn it into a short story or personal essay.
Although I don't really have time for this today I really need to work this up for Hub Pages and Examiner.com and then work one or more into a possible magazine submission. However, I will not be able to spend much time on this today because I am going to go to an AA meeting tonight and pick up my 27 year chip. Man, I never would have believed I would ever made it this far.

Nov. 27: Telling Stories About Telling Stories

The reading for today is how the writer can tell their story but having a storyteller tell the story. White gives to different examples; the first I don't really remember but the second is probably the best known example of the type of writing/storytelling: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. White says that the reason some writers use this storytelling method is the "magic of storytelling itself, the intrigue that is instantly generated when someone says, 'Let me tell you a story'". According to White this has an even greater effect if the storyteller seem to be very disturbed by the story or is a survivor of a harrowing experience that has left them "haunted or deranged" as a result of what has happened to them.
For Further Reflection:
Because storytelling is such a subject of wonder writers sometimes tell their story as a story. The readers then "are intrigued by the gradually unfolding connections that are made between what is going oninthe stories being told and the present circumstances."
Today's "Try This" assignment:
Create a story that has a storyteller as its narrator. You might wish to pattern her after Scheherazade or simply present the storyteller as a survivor of a harrowing incidnet who tells the story as a kind of flashback.
I don't have time to work on it but here are some ideas I jotted down in my composition book:
The narrator is:

• a survivor found washed up on a shore who tells of escaping his/her captors who are indians, or some other group of people (opposing army, kidnappers, etc.)
• an old woman sharing with a journalist or writer the true story of some incident such as an old murder, or other crime.
• an old woman sharing the story of her life with great, great grandchildren or a writer. She is over one hundred years old. To add a real twist make the narrator the daughter of the original writer. Opening line: This is the story my mother told me of her great, great grandmother who lived from 1880 to 1990.

This last idea could very well be one I could use because I have already written, in my family history, some of my Grandma Abbott's life. She lived from 1890 to 1995. I could make the story teller my granddaughter Jennifer and have the person who told her the story either me or my daughtr. This has the possibilities for a real multiple layered story.

Nov. 26: Magic Realism

In today's reading White discusses what he calls magic realism. This is story telling in which the author combines elements of magic with reality. He gives some examples such as Homer's Iliad. The work that comes to my mind is Hocus Pokus. The story of modern day children bring back into being three witches and a boy (who takes the form of a cat) they had cast a spell on in colonial times. When it was made into a movie the humor of the story also became as much a part as the magic.
For Further Reflection
In this segment White states that the boundary between the natural and sueprnatural is not something that is clear cut. His examples for this are: "lovers suddenly discover thawt they can read each other's minds; an archaeologist discovers that he possesses the 'genetic memory' of a Babylonian King.
The "Try This" assignment:
Try you hand at magic realism by describing an incident that take place in a familiar setting--say, an inner-city playground--where, for some strange reason, some of the chldren begin to levitate, or everything begins to change color.
Although I enjoyed the movie mentioned about is this usually not the type of thing I enjoy reading, seeing, or writing about but again this will be an assignment that I will list in my growing list of topics. It might be interesting so write about a couple who steps through something that leaves them with magical powers of some kind. Will need to develop this later at some point in time.

Nov. 25: Urban Settings

In this reading Fred White talks about how cities can be interesting for writers because there is so much going on. There is a variety of sights, sounds, smells, cultures, ethnic groups, foods, arts and crafts, etc. in cities. For this reason cities offer a "cornucopia of story possibilities."
For Further Reflection:
In this segment White talks about how it is a paradox that the "noise and distraction of cities" provide the "stimuli for writers". Also in cities writers had an opportunity to really people watch and observe urban life.
The "Try This" Assignment:
Practice describing various urban settings in your journal, even if you have no immediate plans fo writing stories set in cities. People-watching sites would be ideal. Some suggestions:

• an art gallery during a reception
• a parade or protest march
• the lobby or cocktail lounge of a posh hotel
• a children's museum
• a street arts and crafts fair

My composition journal is a place to jot down ideas and inspiration from all sorts of people watching opportunities. People watching has long been a hobby with me. I find people amazing and interesting, even those that I am not really very fond of are interesting.

Nov. 24: On Speculation

Today's reading is about the benefit of speculation to a writer. White tells the reader that "To be adept at plotting, you should cultivate speculation as reglar habit or mind. Regularly build everyday events into predicaments." He states that it is through speculation that the writer brings about the suspense of the story.
For Further Reflection:
In this section White states that speculation is an important part of effective plotting. Once the writer uses their imagination to create a dire situation for their character(s) they have to speculate on possible solutions to get out of this situation. He also cautions the writer to not settle for the easy solution.
The "Try This" section:
Use your journal (composition book) to practice your speculations skills. Draw a line down the center of a page. The left side will be the "What If" side; the right will be the speculation that answers the question.

Nov. 23: On Existentialism

In today reading the author explains, in a very brief overview, existentialism. He shared Jean-Paul Sarte's interpretation in that people are solely responsible for what happens in their lives because there is no God. He also quoted the behavioral psychologist B. F. Skinner who believed that it was not the will to be free but just behavioral processes characteristic of human beings to avoid the averse features of the environment.
For Further Reflection:
Explains that existentialism is different from metaphyiscalism or transcendentalism because it proponents hold that by manipulating their environment and negotating their needs with others they control their destiny. If they failed then they were in the world of Sartre's play whose mantra was "Hell is other people".
The "Try This" assignment:
Read an introduction to existentialism. The suggested reading is The Philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. Then after absorbing this challenging material, write an essay in which you support or refute Sartre's views, or existentialism itself.
Although this sounds like and interesting subject to argue against I really do not have time right now to do the necessary research. However might be something I work on over the Thanksgiving Holiday in order to publish an essay. Really need to get my Alabama Virtual Library card renewed first.

Nov. 22: Writing and Using Synopses

In today's reading Fred White talks about what a synopsis is, how to write one, and how to use one to help you develop what you are writing. He states that the writers who use synopsis usually have less trial and error. However, using the synopsis after the first draft is written will lead to writing a new draft which will lead to a new synopsis, "one method helps to refine the other".
In "For Further Reflection" he says that a synopsis allows the editor or agent, to whom the writer is going to pitch his writing, to get the clearest, most concise idea of what the work as a whole would be like. With a synopsis the writer can present them with a "lay out (of) the story scene by scene, focusing sharply on key conflict situations."
The "Try This" assignment:
1. In your journal, write a one-page summary of a short story you've been planning in your head. The summary should include the basic conflict situation, the key characters, the climax, and the outcome.
2. Develop the summary you've prepare for number one into a five-page synopsis. This time, go into more detail about character background and motivation, setting, and the twists and tuns of the plot.

Nov. 21: "Nothing New Under the Sun"

In today's reading White tells us that there are no truely new and unique stories. There are only old stories told from a new perspective, your's as the writer. Although there really are now new stories each of us has a different and unique perspectve and that is what we need to focus on instead of trying to invent a totally new story.
In "For Further Reflection" White also reminds us that despite the fact that we see the world and have a unique perspective, we are enough a like to be able to communicate with others our perspective. It is this ability that allows us to tell old stories in new ways. Also when we depart from our perspective by reading the works of others it is their different perspective that we find entertaining. White tells us to "Think of it as seeing difference embedded in similarity (or vice versa).
The "Try This" assignment for today is:
1. Write a love story that follows, almost faithfully, one of the tried-and-true formulas, such as boy wins girl's affection; boy loses girl's affection to rival lover; boy wins girl's affection back after performing some heroic deed. Change jsut one of the elements of the formula. For example, instead of losing girl's affection to rival lover, make the loss of affection the result of some indiscreationk, such as the boy having said or done something stupid.
2. Write a humorous version of a serious classical story, or a serious version of a humorous classical story. Here are a few possibilities:
The Phantom of the Opera Don Quixote
Gone with the Wind How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Did it again

Well once again am playing catch up after a hectic day yesterday.
Nov. 19: "Never Forget"
In the reading for this day Mr. White talks about not forgetting certain unsavory events in human history like the Cherokee trail of tears, the early injustices of the civil rights movement, slavery, or the Holocausts. However even though these events should never be forgotten they are not easy topics to write about. It is difficult to try to depict man's inhumanity toward men without becoming, as Mr. White describes it, "bathos and melodramatic".
In "For Further Reflection"
He writes that because it is so difficult to right about these atrocities that what we as writers need to do is to focus on only a minuscule portion of the whole. We should not according to White allow the subject matter to overwhelm any rational thesis we may be writing.
The "Try This" assignment is:
Write about a painful moment in history, say the persecution of Christians in the Roman arenas. Tell the story of the persecution from the point of view of a single person who is about to be thrown to the lions.

Nov. 20: Reading to Motivate Writing
In today's reading Fred White talks about how successful writers are avid readers. In fact he calls us "gluttons of reading" because of our facination with different ways of storytelling and using words to convey meaning. However, he urges us to hone this skill by reading outside of our normal genre because we can learn much about storytelling, writing styles, and "worldviews that are different from our own."
"For Further Reflection"
In this segment White talks about how reading can be a way of overcoming writer's block and "to rekindle the writing flame," because it is a way of indulging ourselves in the "pleasure that make us want to become writers in the first place."
Today's "Try This" Assignment is:
1. Pick up a book or magazine and, with pen and paper within easy reach, begin reading one of its stories or articles. Your aim here is to be on the alert for whatever it is in the piece of writing that triggers an idea, however vague. As soon as it comes, stop reading and jot it down.
2. Go over the notes you've taken for number one, and select one of them to work into a story or essay.
Actually I have done this in preparation for an article that I am working for my examiner.com page. I may also write it from a different perspective to Hub pages. In fact there are several that I am working on that I have sort of done this with.

Nov. 18: On Making Connections

The reading for today talks about making connections, connections between ideas, places, musings, etc. According to Mr. White these connections add texture and intrigue to the story that you are telling. He suggests taht in order to insure that your story has such imaginative connections then your story should have plenty of variables and/or loose ends to connect. One of the ways to do this according to Mr. White is to, "turn off (or at least lower the volumne of) the logic center of your brain, and allow for a certain degree of free-associating." In order to do this you need to allow your subconscious to make "connections among seemingly unconnectable ideas."
For Further Reflection:
In this section White uses as his example of a writer using "his soul" to connect things, a poem by Walt Whitman entitled "A Noiseless, Patient Spider".
For Today's "Try This" assignment:
Examine a recently completed essay, poem, or short story and pinpoint the connections you've established in it. Did you compare and contract one idea or individual with another. In my case if I were to take time to write about this it would be in regard to my major writing project right now which is writing a 50,000 word novel in one month. As a part of November Is National Novel Writing Month the website by the same name has an annual challenge which challenges writers and would-be writers to write 50,000 words of a potential novel in the month of November (30 days). Part of what I am writing has a number of different connections and comparisons beginning with the title "Knights of Rhodes" which actually refers to an off-shoot of the Knights Templar after the fall of Jeruselem in the 1400-1500. When a portion of the group relocated to the Aegan island of Rhodes (part of Greece). There is even a medival castle still found in Rhodes that was built by these knights who operated from there as mercenaries. The comparisons are many; between siblings of two different generations, problems with teenagers and aging parents, pre and post relapse recovery, and possibly even more that I really have not explored completely.

Nov. 17: City Sounds

In today's reading the author talks about how "we are creatures with one foot rooted in the natural world and the other in the artifical world of our own devising." He further states that we may think it would be pleasant and serene to return to a more natural way of life but most of us would not enjoy truely returning to nature. According to Mr. White we are much to ingrained into our created world and the natural rhythms that occur there than we will ever be to our natural world. In other words we have lived in cities for so long they have become for many of us our natural world instead of the nature we think we might enjoy. He also discusses how our created world has a natural rhythmic quality which is more like jazz than the classical orchestral music of nature.
For Further Reflection:
Mr. White offers us some additional food for thought in this section when he tells us that we, as writers, need to tap into the "Kaleidoscope of sounds" that communicate much about our modern lief. He further states that as writer we can gain energy by becoming attuned to these "harmonies and dissonances" that are the rhythm of life in modern cities.
Today's "Try This" assignment:
Over the next several days become a student of city sounds. Pay close attention to the subtler urban sounds that may be obscured by the more obnoxious ones: sounds emanating from factories, airports, shopping malls; evening and nocturnal sounds; early morning sounds. Visit a city park and record what you hear there. How do those sounds differ from those encountered in wilderness areas? maintain a written record of the sounds you encounter in these various urban locations.

Nov. 16: Dictionary Play

In today's reading the author, Fred White, suggests that we turn to the dictionary to "play". He had several suggestions such as reading the adjacent words to a word you looked up. Which he believes will possibly help stimulate additional or different thoughts on something we are writing. He also believes that this can get us to rethink what we are working on and "send us back to the drawing boards to rethink our projects from scratch." He believes if you use the dictionary for fun you will retain the information you learn much longer than if you just try to study the dictionary.
For Further Reflection:
In this segment Mr. White recommends using the Oxford English Dictionary as a reference tool. He also suggests that we spend several hours now and then with this dictionary to enrich our knowledge of the English Language. By his discription this is a rather large collection as it contains 20 volumns. This means a trip to the library which unfortunately I really don't have time for right now but maybe at some point in time when I have more time I will be able to do that as it sounds like fun.
Today's Try This assignments:
1. Open your desk dictionary at random and jot down every word and meaning that is unfamiliar to you (in the unlikely event that you know every word on those two pages, turn to the next page). Next, write a paragraph or two in which you put each of your newly learned words into use.
2. Open your dictionary at random and choose a single word that strikes your fancy. Use that word to spark an idea for a poem, an essay, a short story, or a play.
Well here we go again. This is becoming my sad refrain; this is another assignment I am going to have to put in the good old composition book. However, I may have to revise it later this week if I have any spare time, as it really does sound like a fun assignment.

Nov. 15: Capturing the Inner Logic of Dreams

Mr. White starts today's reading by stating that "even in our sleep we are storytellers". The stories are of course our dreams. He again makes the suggestion that we keep dream journals so that we can better understand the content and sequencing of our dreams. Then we can use this to develop the inner compulsions and desires of our characters. For me my dreams have a certain repeative nature, particularly of settings and characters. Many of them are about my past. It is rare that I dream about the current happenings in my life or even future ones. I not certain what that says about myself. Maybe I just have a unconscious wish to never grow old or to relinquish a certain point in my life.
For Further Reflection:
Here Mr. White states that "keeping a dream journal is a kind of biofeedback phenomenon: The greater your effort to cature your dreams, the more vividly your dreams become," Now I don't know that my dreams are any more vivid than they were before I started keeping a dream journal but I know that they remain rather bizarre, as they always have been. There are times though when I know that some of them might make the basis of a good story and I do have a couple of story ideas that are a result of the rather repeatious scenarios of my dreams.
Today's Try This assignment:
1. Give yourself a full month to get into the knack of recording your dreams. First , you will need a dream journal that you'll keep on the nightstand within easy reach. Every morning (or in the middle of the night as the case may be) upon awakening, immediately jot down as much of your dream(s) as you can recall. Don't take time to edit. Even seemingly wrong or inappropriate usage can be revealing.
2. Over the next few weeks prepare lists of desires, fantasies, compulsions for some of the characters in your short story or novel in progress.
I keep my dream journal in the bathroom because that is the first place this old woman heads when she wakes up. It is here that I record as much of the dream that I can remember. I'm not certain about making these desires, fantasies, or compulsions apply to the characters in any of my works but I might some day.

Nov. 14: History in Fiction

In today's reading Fred White discusses how writers can made history come alive. The writer can take a historical event and bring it alive by the reader by allowing the to be am imagery fly on the wall at significant events. Now the really is not really there but if the writer it skilled in his art he tells of the event in such a way to make the scene come alive for the reader. I know that for me this was one of the things that I first really enjoyed about reading. From the time I learned to read something beyond the basic readers I liked historically base first. In fact I still remember an early juvenile series that captured my imagination. It was called the "We Were There" series and told of historical events from the perspective of someone who would have actually taken part in the event. I still occassionally enjoy readings a good historically based fictional novel.
For Further Reflection:
In this segment Mr. White suggests that to make history more personal and papiable history teacher might ask their students to read novels set in the time they are studying. My most recent study of history was when I returned to college and had to attend three semesters of American History and our professor did something along those lines. She would show movies that were set in the time of history we were studying. Again movies are simply books brought to life by actors and scenery.
For today's Try This assignment White tells us to:
Invent a character who becomes an eyewitness to a historical even, such as the assassination of Julius Caesar or the attempt to those two obsure bicycle mechanics at Kitty Hawk to get a machine to fly, and write a page describing that event in as much minute detail as you can to give readers the impression taqt they have entered that world.
Again another assignment that gets consigned to the composition book. I need to write more on my NoNaNoWriMo novel, also need to get a couple of articles for examiner and hubpages. I also need to do two more chapters in my two book blogs. However, if I ever run out of things to write about I certain have a going list of choices to work on.

Had to combine again

Doing two days again. Work this week has really been crazy. Hopefully next week will be better.
November 12: Critiquing Objectively
In this reading Mr. White is talking about critiquing another writer's work. His instruction is to not let personal tastes enter into the evaluation but rather be objective and use as a criteria widely adopted standards regarding story and other mechanics of storytelling such as character development, use of dialogue, backstory, suspense-building, etc. In using these standards your critique will be more objective and less subjective (or about personal tastes).
For Further Reflection:
Here Mr. White tells us to see objectivity and subjectivity as lying at the ends of a spectrum. The goals is to make your critique fall as close to center as possible. This way you will (according to White) not let your personal tastes influence you and lean more towards the standards for good storytelling.
Try This Assignment:
Prepare a list of "objective" criteria for evaluating a short story or essay. (This becomes tougher with poetry.) Use this list as a springboard for evaluating a fellow writer's work; it will prevent you from become too subjective.

November 13: (Friday the 13th) Wine Conoisseurship
In today's reading Fred White talks about how being a wine conoisseur has a particular volaculary. He also discussed the growth in many countries of wine as a symbol of the good life and an increased interest in wine and wine tasting. He states that because of wine's symbolic value becoming familiar with all aspects of wine; where it is grown, how it is made, what happens at wine tastings, how you go about choosing wine are something that a writer should pay some attention toward these areas for story purposes.
For Further Reflection:
In this segment Mr. White gives additional areas where a writer would be interested in wine. He stated that in areas of fine dining and celebrations, ancient times, and modern festivals that honor wine; "wine and wine culture offer writers a wealth of material"
Try This Assignment:
1. Expand your knowledge of wine and wine lore, and plan a story--say, a romance in which teh couple's mutual love of wine extends to love for each other, or a fantasy about a winemaker who creates a wine that imparts supernatural abilities to its imbibers.
2. Write an essage on the art of selecting different wines for different kinds of meals or for different occasions.

These three assignments are again something that will have to get relegated to the rapidly expanding composition book. First because I do not really have time to explore other writer's abilities right now. Two I really don't have time for much more other than the several writing projects I am already working on. Although the second assignment for today is something that I may do soon just because one website where I post things is always looking for well written essays on various topics. However, before I do that I really need to brush up on my essay writing.

Nov. 11: Experience as Experiment

In today's reading the author discusses personal experience as experiments in living and the bases for writing essays. He further emphasises this in his discussion of the anthology by Philip Lopate The Art of the Personal Essay which features essays by various authors on such topics as death, laughter, starting in a writing career, and being in bed with a migraine. According to White no experience is so trivial that it can not be used to write an essay about the underlying lesson.
"For Further Reflection:
Per Fred White "the art of the essay is the art of prodding and poking at an idea or an experience until it yields the most meaning." White quotes Edward Hoagland's introduction to the Best American Essays, 1999 as saying essays "stimulate the mind's own processes in a murky and incongruous world". Therefore every good essay can be utilized to by the writer as another example in how an intelligent person struggles with the lack of clarity and inconsistencies in life.
"Try This" assignment:
1. Use your journal to list, and briefly describe, all kinds of experiences, large and small. Do not judge them according to "significance". The most seemingly insignificant experience can yield much wisdomo.
2. Each week for five weeks, develop one of the experiences you listed for number one into an essay.
List of experiences.
Being the oldest child
Being an Army wife
Living in a foreign country (Korea & Germany)
Being a recovery alcoholic
Changing careers in midlife
Going back to college after 40
Being an addiction's counselor
Being a grandmother
Being a great grandmother before 60
Death of a parent
Therapist working with adolescents versus adults
Being an empty nester
Having pets
Being married to an introvert when your and extrovert
But as usually don't have time to write on this right now.

Nov. 10: Dreams Within Dreams

White's writing for today is basically a question. A questions that has been asked since the time of Edgar Allen Poe. The question "Is what we see as reality really real or is it a dream inside a dream?" Since our technological age's invention of virtual reality and film like Total Recall and The Matrix: can we be certain that what we think of as reality is real? What if what we think is reality is actually some sort of computer generated simulation? He stated that for the writer these questions can make for a good story line or plot.
"For Further Reflection" Continues this idea that since the dawning of the computer age has changed our understanding of reality some may question whether their waking world is real or a dream.
The "Try This" assignment for today:
1. Write a story in which your viewpoint character discovers that what he assumed was the real world was actually a dream world.
2. As a variation of number one, imagine that your viewpoint character is living inside what we readers can see is a cyber-universe, a simulation that, for your character's perspective, is the real world. Imagine that something disastrous happens in this cyber-universe. How will your protagonist escape, if at all?
Again this is an assignment that I will most likely not take on. I do not like sci-fi and in fact have not even seen the movies that White references in today's reading. There might come a time when I decide to try this genre but it will not be anytime soon if my movie or television viewing, or my reading are any indication.

Nov. 9: Multiple Drafting

For today Fred White has give directions that we try to work on multiple story drafts at the same time. He believes that this is a good way to cope with writer's block and also that working on one story might trigger ideas for the others or vice versa. He even suggests that you work on different stories in different rooms (not something I can do unfortunately). In "For Further Reflection" he discusses how working on multiple stories may be actually help creative individuals and "seen as a physical manifestation of one who gets bored easily by doing only one thing at a time."
Today's "Try This" assignment:
Start work on a story or essay; once you are well into it--and at a convenient stopping point--begin work on a second story or essay (it's okay to shift genres). Keep shifting from one project to the other until both are completed. In your journal, describe the experience of working on two projects at once.
Actually I am already doing this but with five stories not two. I have the four stories that I have started as a result of this book and then my 50,000+ word novel for NaNoWriMo. I work on the novel everyday (at least for the month of November) that is the idea behind that concept. Then the other four I work on either during the week or weekend or whenever the inspiration strickes me. I at least re-read the draft which triggers other points or a pickup point to continue the story. The idea of multiple project is something I have done most of my life. Right now in addition to the writings, I have this blog and four others, as well as my knitting/crocheting projects. And there are my articles that I submit weekly for examiner.com and hubpages.com. I'm not really sure what that says about me other than maybe I'm just scattered. It is because of all of this plus my job that makes my quiet time daily with God and His Word so important. I need that time to just quiet my mind down to relax.

Nov. 8: Describing with Precision

In this reading Fred White discusses the importance of detailed and precise descriptions to draw the reading into the story. It is through these descriptions that the reader is able to visualize the scene. White talked about the descriptions in The Ambassadors by Henry James. Whenever I think of detailed, precise descriptions I am reminded of the books written by Lois Lamour. His descriptions of the western territories in his books allows the reader to visualize the grandeur of the scene. In particular his descriptions of the Four Corners area where Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah come together are so precise and detailed as to be described as breath taking just as the actual scenes can take away a person's breath. It is this ability that White states in "For Further Reflection" when he says that "Precise description has a cinematic effect: It allows readers to visualize the story, to experience the sensuous delights of a setting.

"Try This" assignment for today:

1. Practice prescised description by describing a room in your home in meticulous detail. After finishing your description, test it ou by reviewing the details in the room and seeing if you missed anything.

2. Describe a character's appearance in two different ways; in formal dress at a special event such as a concert or wedding; then in casual dress in an informal setting, such as a beach.

Again won't have time to do #1 justice but here is a quick attempt to describe my office/craft room/television room. The room is actual a spare bedroom. It contains two computer desks. One is white and natural wood with main desk and a shelf unit that sets on top of it with four compartments under the top shelf. The second is all wood finish and the shelfing unit does not go all the way across the desk top but only 2/3 of the way. It has three compartments under the top shelf. I also has a shelving unit on the side with two shelves to hold books. Both desks have drawer and drop down to hold computer keyboard below the desk deck. On the wood finish and white desk sit a fan, a laptop, and printer. On the all wood finish desk, sits a computer, printer, computer tower, telephone, and small plastic bin with drawers that holds pens and pencils along with bottles of nail polish.
Beside the one desk is a wood finish two drawer file cabinet. Besid the other is two stacks of white plastic cubes that hold books. There are two black desk chairs in front of the two desks and a foot stool sets in front of one. In front of the other is a TV tray. In front of the two stacks of white bins is a Cassio keyboard and beside that a cart with two drawers full of yarn. Below the keyboard is a large basket that contains books and yarn. In front of the desk on the wall with the bedroom closet is the table that holds the television, cable box, and dvd/vcr players. A black coat hangs on the closet door. Inside the closet are several bins stack one on top of the other that holds left over yarn, and other craft supplies.
Assignment #2 is being included in the novel I am working on for November is National Novel Writers Month. One of the key characters is preparing to attend a homecoming dance and I will describe in detail her clothes. I have already described in some detail her day attire for school.

Nov. 7: "Flat" vs. "Round" Characters

In this writing Fred White discusses what he credits E. M. Foster (Aspects of the Novel) with calling "flat" and "round" charters. According to White flat characters are those that can be described in one simple sentence and he gives as an example the character, Mrs. Micawber, in David Copperfield. While, his description of a round character as someone who is much more complex such as Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair who White saw as both traditional heroine and traditional villain.
"For Further Reflection": Here White states that just like real life, authors create characters who are "more allegoical embodiments of certain virtues or vices"; as well as those characters that are much more complex and at times inconsistent or unpredictable.
The "Try This" assignment:
In your journal, set aside four---pages two of them labeled "flat characters" and the other two "round characters". Now compose two character profiles for each type. Remember that the flats will embody a certain type: the con artist, the fanatic. Rounds will not fit into a mold.
I have added these four page labels to my composition book and when time permits will work on the assignment, or when such an assignment will fit into the story I am working on.

Nov. 6: Idea Mapping

Sorry but once again a day late in getting this published. Supervisor was around most of yesterday for annual evaluations and then last night I really wanted to finish a sweater I was re-working.
So this day's reading was on the brainstorming technique that Fred White calls "Idea Mapping".
He shows a diagram of how it looks and it makes developing a idea in such a way that it has a visual deminsion and it demonstrates connecting between the main idea and its offshoots.
"For Further Reflection" carries this idea of bring abstractions (the main idea) into more a more sensory experience. It isn't White's idea that abstracts should be avoided but that making them visual makes them easier to work with.
The "Try This" assignment:
1. Create an idea map for your next writing project. Begin by placing the topic in te center of the page, and free-associate to generate subordinate ideas. Use differently colored pencils to draw connections between primary, secondary, and tertiary relationships.
2. Transform the idea map you prepared for number one into a first draft, inventing new connections as you go along.
I think I will try this idea later today when I work on an examiner.com article related to Thanksgiving. I really have two rather abstract ideas that I want to pursue so think I'll do both this way.

Nov. 5: Building a Writer's Library.

Today's reading was about the necessity of building a library of books. The author believes that there are two categories of books that every writer regardless of genre should have. The first is books that demonstrate superbe writing--masterpieces of both fiction and nonfiction. Second books on the craft of writing along with a good set of reference books.
In "For Further Reflection" he gives a list of necessary reference books, some of which are common sense like a style manual and a very good dictionary plus a guide to writing and publishing, an up-to-date market guide, and how-to books on your particular genre. Then he states you also need to build up some basic reference books such as world history, regional histories (for the story locations you most write about), and specialized dictionaries such as biology, geology, psychology, mythology, quotations.
Today's "Try This" assignment is :
Set up a row of books on your desk (or within arm's reach) that you refer to most frequently when working on a given project. The aim here is to have books you can refer to quickly without disrupting the momentum of your writing. Over the next several weeks, use your journal to keep tabs on how you made use of those books.
I have some of the reference books he recommends along with books in the genres I most like to write. I also can access information regarding world history and regional history on-line. The same goes for specialized dictionaries. I am beginning to build a small library (mostly contained in one three-ringed binder and ultimately probably two) of things like market guides, how-to books etc. that I have been able to purchase on-line and download.

Nov. 4: Slanting Your Work

In today's reading the author, Fred White, is talking about writing for magazines. He gives some good suggestions for determining the "slant" of the magazine. He also reminds writers that magazine editors tell prospective authors to study the magazine before submitting something to better insure that it will be material the magazine will want to publish. Rememeber magazines are gear towards a particular audience. Also if you belong to professional associations that publish magazines or journals checkout their guidelines for submission throughly before submitting. White suggests that you throughly examine two editions of the magazine(s) you want to submit article(s) too. Then re-read/rewrite your material in line with what you have determined is the material and style the magazine is looking for.
In "For Further Reflection" White states that in writing for magazine(s) "Success depends on whether the periodical in question succeeds in offering subscribers what they look forward to reading from one issue to the next." In other words remember our ultimate audience is not the editor(s) of the magazine but the individuals who read that magazine. If you can not provide that type of material then don't waste your time or the editors time submitting something that they can not use (my advice not his).
Today's "Try This" assignment:
Before sending a story or article to a magazine you hope to publish your work, study at least two issues of that magazine throughly. First, read every selection, even it that selection represents a genre you don't write in. The reason is that fiction and articles overlap in terms of the subject matter and tone. The, write or revise the manuscript and submit it.
I have the submission guidelines for several professional journals/magazine and plan on submitting a professional paper soon. I also have guidelines for devotionals to a couple of on-line devotional websites that I enjoy readings and have in fact submitted devotionals to them.

Nov. 3: Unpopular or unsavory views

In today's reading the author approachs the fact that writers, because they express unpopular viewpoints, are criticized. But he encourages us to write those things that others may not agree with. He uses as an example the excellent photographs of Aanie Leibovitz in her collection Women because they challenge the sterotypical notions of femininity and feminine beauty.
In the Section "For Further Reflection" he encourages writers to be willing wo weather ridicule by approaching innovative or controversial ideas and unconventional manners of new expression. He also advises us to be confident in our convictions but at the same time be willing to consider the some of our views or the manner in which we express them might need revision.
The "Try This" assignment for today (again won't have time to get too) is:
1. In a journal entry, describe in detail someone whose appearance or behavior unsettled you.
2. What do you instinctively turn away from? Homelss persons? People whose physical appearance or manner of dress you find distasteful? List everything you can think of that you ignore or avoid. Now, write a story in which you make a hitherto unsavory character the hero.

Nov. 2: Henry Fuseli: "Oedipus Cursing His Son, Polynices"

In today's reading Fred White talks about the tragedy of Oedipus and his family as seen in the painting by Henry Fuseli. White states "Fuseli's painting is both haunting and moving: a family torn apart by wrongdoing, one tragic even leading to another." In the section "For Further Reflection" White goes on to state that "from ancient Greek drama to contemporary drama and novels, the most poignant misfortunes that befall human beings are tied to moral blindess." He also adds that physical blindness is often symbolic of moral blindness. He equates Oedipus to the Biblical story of Samson.
I have noticed that quite often in modern literature the writer has just given a modern spin to an ancient story from anciety mythology or the Bible. A good case in point was the concept behind the recent television series "Kings" which was just a modern rendering of the story of Saul and David again from the Bible.
Today's "Try This" assignment is:
Plan a story in which a character's moral blindness eventually leads to his literal blindness. You might want to retell the story of Oedipus or Samson in a modern context--e.g., your Oedipus counterpart is made the CEO of a giant corporation after marrying the daughter of the companys' founder--who had been an intimate friend of your main character's mother...
Again will not be able to work on this assignment any time soon but will add it to the good old composition book for future referrence. Then if struck by writer's block will have one more story to begin on to over come the block.

Nov. 1: Concerning Rituals

In today's reading Mr. White talks about how authors can use rituals in their writing. Rituals help keep alive cultural practices and traditions. Some of our rituals today are connected to long standing religious practices, while other rituals are considered barbaric. Mr. White, however, believes that the barbaric rituals make for compelling fiction particularly in the occult/horror genre. As usual he gives some examples. Todays examples are The Omen and The Exorcist.
In "For Further Reflection" the author talks about how rituals can deepen one's experience of a religion or cultural tradition. He also gives a couple of sources for learning about ancient and primitive religious rituals: The Golden Bough and Coming of Age in Samoa. Me personally I have learned a great deal by watching things like The History Channel International, The Travel Channel, and The Discovery Channel. All regularly feature cultural anthropoligists views of cultures current and ancient. Even the Travel and Science channel can sometime expand one's knowledge of these area. One series that appeared on the Animal Planet recently was Wild Pacific which include segments on Polyonesian culture.
Today's "Try This" assignment:
1. Outline a horror story that includes one or more rituals. Research the practice of these rituals so that you can convey them realistically.
2. Study the religious or coming-og-age rituals practiced by a non-Western culture, such as Samoa or Tibet; then, outline a story that is set in this culture.
Again I do not do horro but this first assignment reminds me of a recent special on Discovery Channel about Indiana Jones and whether these movies bore any truth about archeologists and archeology. In particular one of the rituals in "Temple of Doom" I think where Indy and his two companions were trapped by a cult and made to participate in a ritual. According to the archeologists who were being interviewed these scenes were based in reality and some ancient cults.
For assignment number two I don't have time at this time but have through reading and watching the above mentioned shows already have done part of the research. Not only of non-Western culture but also native american culture which had some unusual coming of age rituals.