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.

Oct. 31: Getting Rid of Bad Writing Habits

Today's reading is about getting rid of bad writing habits and a little bit about what some of those are. One that I can think of one right off the bat is writing carelessly, hastily without taking time to truely develop my subject material. This is particularly true if I am trying to write on an assignment. Unfortunately I tend to do that with my examiner.com material. Need to spend more time researching and interviewing like I did when I first started this. In the "For Further Reflection" today the author gives some useful suggestions for getting rid of these habits but creating new habits. I particularly like the idea of setting aside time to develop character profiles.
Today's "Try This" assignment is:
Draw up a list of all the bad writing habits you've succumbed to over the years. If you can't think of any, you'd better reassess your writing habits soon. Better yet, have a friend--someone on whom you can rely for objective criticism--read a few of your drafts with a close critical eye. Over the next several weeks, make a conscious effort to get rid of those bad habits that your friend points out.
Well I guess I need to print off a few of the stories I am working on and have Vicki read them with a critical eye to suggest/or point out bad writing habits.