It has been an eventful first segment to this project. I've been challenged by friends and peers to write about certain topics, most of which I've postponed for the next segment, I've read a number of stories and poems, and I've increased my awareness as a writer.
A Day in December was a rather miserable attempt at a love story. I tried to connect it to the bittersweet nature of Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee," but something felt like it was lacking. When they say to beginning writers "Write about what you know," they don't mean "write about high school or living in Germany for a month or owning a dog;" they mean "write about heartbreak, write about loss, write about rage." In order to successfully write a story with the same nostalgic theme, I don't think it would be possible unless I had experienced something like that myself.
A Beautiful Day: J. D. Salinger, eat your heart out. This tale was inspired largely by the short story "A Perfect Day for a Bananafish," including the twist ending. It's about a boy who is full of information about inane things, including the presidents of the United States (much like me), but is empty of emotion and connection. He feels ostracized. He feels like he doesn't belong. If his own brother doesn't love him, then why should he expect anyone to love him in the future? This was my first intentional use of an ambiguous symbol: the orange leaf. And since it's ambiguous, I won't reveal the meaning I gave it when I wrote it.
In the Snow: This one was a breakthrough for me in terms of length. I was able to write and write and write. My ending, as with all the other stories posted, was abrupt, which is certainly an aspect I need to improve. I also employed the use of weather as a representative of the harshness and cruelty of life. I enjoyed experimenting with the narrator's diction. He's very much grounded in reality, as demonstrated by the way he uses swearing phrases like "bullshit." Yet at the same time, he exhibits a philosopher longing to be free. He has the potential to romanticize the glory of the world. In his discussion with the Professor, his mentor describes Salinger as someone much like Luke: "tormented by the world and its wonderful stupidity." I also tried a more subtle approach to the family problems addressed in A Beautiful Day: his mom ran over the dog, yes, but his family as a whole is strained. He initially gives the feeling that he's stuck in California, yet in reality he's in Wisconsin. He hates his parents, he longs to be free, but he feels trapped.
Altogether it seemed a very successful first segment. A few things to work on:
1)Drafting, revising, and editing: each of the stories on here are published "as is" after my first run through. I haven't gone through and adjusted or tweaked any passage significantly, with the exception of a word or two here and there.
2) Reading more - I've read a lot of Poe and Salinger, but I want to diversify my reading more to include a greater variety of authors. One of my favorite poems - "Do not go gentle into that good night" - offers a promising aspect in the works of Dylan Thomas.
3) Peer feedback: I really want to see what my friends and peers think of my writing. I want their opinions on technique, theme, clarity, and plot.
A Day in December was a rather miserable attempt at a love story. I tried to connect it to the bittersweet nature of Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee," but something felt like it was lacking. When they say to beginning writers "Write about what you know," they don't mean "write about high school or living in Germany for a month or owning a dog;" they mean "write about heartbreak, write about loss, write about rage." In order to successfully write a story with the same nostalgic theme, I don't think it would be possible unless I had experienced something like that myself.
A Beautiful Day: J. D. Salinger, eat your heart out. This tale was inspired largely by the short story "A Perfect Day for a Bananafish," including the twist ending. It's about a boy who is full of information about inane things, including the presidents of the United States (much like me), but is empty of emotion and connection. He feels ostracized. He feels like he doesn't belong. If his own brother doesn't love him, then why should he expect anyone to love him in the future? This was my first intentional use of an ambiguous symbol: the orange leaf. And since it's ambiguous, I won't reveal the meaning I gave it when I wrote it.
In the Snow: This one was a breakthrough for me in terms of length. I was able to write and write and write. My ending, as with all the other stories posted, was abrupt, which is certainly an aspect I need to improve. I also employed the use of weather as a representative of the harshness and cruelty of life. I enjoyed experimenting with the narrator's diction. He's very much grounded in reality, as demonstrated by the way he uses swearing phrases like "bullshit." Yet at the same time, he exhibits a philosopher longing to be free. He has the potential to romanticize the glory of the world. In his discussion with the Professor, his mentor describes Salinger as someone much like Luke: "tormented by the world and its wonderful stupidity." I also tried a more subtle approach to the family problems addressed in A Beautiful Day: his mom ran over the dog, yes, but his family as a whole is strained. He initially gives the feeling that he's stuck in California, yet in reality he's in Wisconsin. He hates his parents, he longs to be free, but he feels trapped.
Altogether it seemed a very successful first segment. A few things to work on:
1)Drafting, revising, and editing: each of the stories on here are published "as is" after my first run through. I haven't gone through and adjusted or tweaked any passage significantly, with the exception of a word or two here and there.
2) Reading more - I've read a lot of Poe and Salinger, but I want to diversify my reading more to include a greater variety of authors. One of my favorite poems - "Do not go gentle into that good night" - offers a promising aspect in the works of Dylan Thomas.
3) Peer feedback: I really want to see what my friends and peers think of my writing. I want their opinions on technique, theme, clarity, and plot.