*waves* Apologies for neglecting the blog lately! It's been a crazy-busy semester, teaching 7 classes. All I seem to do is grade, grade, grade.
But I wanted to pop by and post something totally non-writing related. It's just too cute not to share. And it made me smile (mostly because I have a Corgi, and I know how true this is):
40 Things That Make Corgis Happy
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Teaching the Teacher
Just because I'm a Creative Writing teacher certainly doesn't mean I know it all, that I've stopped learning, that I'm unteachable. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm learning new things--about the process, about myself as a writer, about the craft--all the time. As a teacher, I see my main roles as informing students of what I've been taught along the way, encouraging/inspiring them, and facilitating activities and exercises and assignments that will jump start their creativity. I think of myself more as a coach than teacher.
Well, tonight, while watching "On Story" (a PBS program in which various filmmakers/screenwriters discuss the art and craft of writing and filmmaking), I was TAUGHT. I listened to screenwriter Shane Black give some fascinating gems about the process, and I learned things I thought I knew, but in a totally new way. Very inspiring. Wanted to share...
Link to video here
Bio of Shane Black: Thriller master writer/director Shane Black (KISS KISS BANG BANG, LETHAL WEAPON) discusses the critical elements of a taut, suspense-filled movie – raising stakes, unexpected reversals, and satisfying payoffs – using examples from such classics as ROCKY, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, and LA FEMME NIKITA. Followed by the apocalyptic short film Blind Spot by writer/director Matthew Nayman.
Well, tonight, while watching "On Story" (a PBS program in which various filmmakers/screenwriters discuss the art and craft of writing and filmmaking), I was TAUGHT. I listened to screenwriter Shane Black give some fascinating gems about the process, and I learned things I thought I knew, but in a totally new way. Very inspiring. Wanted to share...
Link to video here
Bio of Shane Black: Thriller master writer/director Shane Black (KISS KISS BANG BANG, LETHAL WEAPON) discusses the critical elements of a taut, suspense-filled movie – raising stakes, unexpected reversals, and satisfying payoffs – using examples from such classics as ROCKY, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, and LA FEMME NIKITA. Followed by the apocalyptic short film Blind Spot by writer/director Matthew Nayman.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
So True....
“The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.” ~Anais Nin
Advent Calendars
I love finding good writing analogies from unexpected sources. Today, I was watching a Tavis Smiley interview with the actor, Jeremy Irons. He's promoting his new movie, "The Words" (which looks very interesting -- trailer here).
Tavis asked Mr. Irons about why he chooses characters who have secrets. And Mr. Irons says that, just as in real life while getting to know people, he enjoys the "process of discovery" of a character. He believes audiences should get to know a character little by little, not all at once. Characters should have secrets, he says.
Then he told about being fascinated with advent calendars as a child. Of the excitement of only being "allowed" to open one window per day, while the rest must remain closed. And he compared that excitement to acting, to developing a character. How characters need to have secrets that they only reveal a little at a time.
It reminded me of a Stephen King quote, that characters "shouldn't give up their secrets all at once."
Great advice!
Tavis asked Mr. Irons about why he chooses characters who have secrets. And Mr. Irons says that, just as in real life while getting to know people, he enjoys the "process of discovery" of a character. He believes audiences should get to know a character little by little, not all at once. Characters should have secrets, he says.
Then he told about being fascinated with advent calendars as a child. Of the excitement of only being "allowed" to open one window per day, while the rest must remain closed. And he compared that excitement to acting, to developing a character. How characters need to have secrets that they only reveal a little at a time.
It reminded me of a Stephen King quote, that characters "shouldn't give up their secrets all at once."
Great advice!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Life Gets in the Way
School started this week (actually, last week, if you count the massive number of faculty meetings I had to attend). I've essentially worked for 14 straight days without a break. And have dealt with a wonky Mac that I'm trying to get repaired. So, with all of that going on, I've had no time to write, or blog, or do anything mildly close to "fun."
But, isn't that a picture of real life, anyway? The struggle to squeeze our writing, our hobbies, into our busy daily lives? To try and work inside the small spaces that each day offers, in between family, jobs, real life?
Once things settle down a wee bit, I hope to return to it. To writing. To that which makes me happy. :-)
But, isn't that a picture of real life, anyway? The struggle to squeeze our writing, our hobbies, into our busy daily lives? To try and work inside the small spaces that each day offers, in between family, jobs, real life?
Once things settle down a wee bit, I hope to return to it. To writing. To that which makes me happy. :-)
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Oh, the Irony
We can't control The Muse. She has a mind of her own, flittering about, landing wherever she pleases, whenever she pleases, dropping ideas on us or leaving us dry.
Her timing always seems to be a bit "off." I've talked to other writers about this phenomenon too, how the creative process seems to hit at inopportune times -- in the middle of work, in the middle of a meeting, in the middle of driving, etc. Rarely does my Muse decide to visit when I'm begging her to-- when I've got all the time in the world (like a precious summer!) and I'm itching to write. Sure, I always have bits and bobs of ideas floating around. But I didn't have the flood of creativity this summer I was hoping for.
Technically, I'm at the end of my summer. In fact, I have one week left before the first big faculty meeting. Before the whirlwind of students and planning and papers and duties and obligations.
And so, naturally, what happens today of all days?? The Muse decides to hit. Ideas are flowing, wheels are churning. Yes, I'm grateful. But I'm also frustrated. Because I've been struggling with a new novel for several weeks now, but nothing's really gelled. Sure, I've had some good brainstorming sessions. And I have worked. But it's been mostly hit-and-miss....until today. Ugh. I finally, FINALLY feel "in the groove" with this story. I can see the characters more vividly, and I know what I want them to do.
But now? Time is running out. It's not that I can't or don't write during school semesters. But it's harder to do that. It takes more commitment, more energy, to squeeze in those creative moments between essay-grading and faculty meetings.
Oh, well. Guess I should be grateful the Muse showed up at all. But man, she has a wicked sense of irony. ;-)
Her timing always seems to be a bit "off." I've talked to other writers about this phenomenon too, how the creative process seems to hit at inopportune times -- in the middle of work, in the middle of a meeting, in the middle of driving, etc. Rarely does my Muse decide to visit when I'm begging her to-- when I've got all the time in the world (like a precious summer!) and I'm itching to write. Sure, I always have bits and bobs of ideas floating around. But I didn't have the flood of creativity this summer I was hoping for.
Technically, I'm at the end of my summer. In fact, I have one week left before the first big faculty meeting. Before the whirlwind of students and planning and papers and duties and obligations.
And so, naturally, what happens today of all days?? The Muse decides to hit. Ideas are flowing, wheels are churning. Yes, I'm grateful. But I'm also frustrated. Because I've been struggling with a new novel for several weeks now, but nothing's really gelled. Sure, I've had some good brainstorming sessions. And I have worked. But it's been mostly hit-and-miss....until today. Ugh. I finally, FINALLY feel "in the groove" with this story. I can see the characters more vividly, and I know what I want them to do.
But now? Time is running out. It's not that I can't or don't write during school semesters. But it's harder to do that. It takes more commitment, more energy, to squeeze in those creative moments between essay-grading and faculty meetings.
Oh, well. Guess I should be grateful the Muse showed up at all. But man, she has a wicked sense of irony. ;-)
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Love this...
Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve. ~Carol Shields
And this!
Books say: She did this because. Life says: She did this. Books are where things are explained to you; life is where things aren’t. I’m not surprised some people prefer books. Books make sense of life. The only problem is that the lives they make sense of are other people’s lives, never your own. ~Julian Barnes
source
And this!
Books say: She did this because. Life says: She did this. Books are where things are explained to you; life is where things aren’t. I’m not surprised some people prefer books. Books make sense of life. The only problem is that the lives they make sense of are other people’s lives, never your own. ~Julian Barnes
source
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
EPIC ideas
I've been watching the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (DVD, director's cut) over the past few days. I've seen them before, but had forgotten how intense they are. And how wonderful.
Confession: I've never read the books. I know I should, and I might someday, but I really enjoy the movies. And, I feel that movies are a form of writing. Someone had to write that screenplay. And in this case, from what I understand, the screenplay was quite true to the books.
But what I wanted to highlight in this particular post are the ideas of LOTR, the nuts-and-bolts. The themes, the elements, the symbolism. They're so rich and meaningful. (I won't get too detailed, for those who haven't read the books or watched the movies).
First, the epic nature of the trilogy: I love the immense scope of it -- all the different terrains and settings (forests, mountains, caves, swamps), the characters/races (dwarves, elves, kings, trolls, orcs, wizards, hobbits), the individual storylines (dozens of them!) that actually all meld together in the end. It's a BIG, sweeping movie, and it feels....epic. In fact, you feel rather exhausted after finishing it. But in the best possible way. You've escaped into another world, an epic world, and immersed yourself in it.
Then, there are the themes. Friendship, loyalty, jealousy, sin, forgiveness, family relationships, war, honor, love (<----friendship, romantic, familial), sacrifice, good vs. evil. Those are just a few I rattled off in seconds. I'm sure there are many more. Again, epic.
And the symbolism -- though there are many symbols, the ring is, of course, the primary one. A tiny piece of metal. It looks so harmless. Beautiful, even. But it symbolizes all that's evil and wrong with this world, and with humans. When the bearer of the ring is affected by it, such a clever picture is painted, of what sin does, and how human nature is drawn to it. I especially loved (and cringed over) the "evolution" of Gollum/Smeagol that begins the third movie.
Even though this is a "big" movie/trilogy, probably the most meaningful moments are the small moments within the epic. The nuances of friendships, decisions made that seem insignificant at the time, but produce enormous outcomes with consequences.
Bravo, Tolkien. And bravo Peter Jackson, and his entire team. Both works - the books and the movies - are masterpieces. Epic masterpieces.
Confession: I've never read the books. I know I should, and I might someday, but I really enjoy the movies. And, I feel that movies are a form of writing. Someone had to write that screenplay. And in this case, from what I understand, the screenplay was quite true to the books.
But what I wanted to highlight in this particular post are the ideas of LOTR, the nuts-and-bolts. The themes, the elements, the symbolism. They're so rich and meaningful. (I won't get too detailed, for those who haven't read the books or watched the movies).
First, the epic nature of the trilogy: I love the immense scope of it -- all the different terrains and settings (forests, mountains, caves, swamps), the characters/races (dwarves, elves, kings, trolls, orcs, wizards, hobbits), the individual storylines (dozens of them!) that actually all meld together in the end. It's a BIG, sweeping movie, and it feels....epic. In fact, you feel rather exhausted after finishing it. But in the best possible way. You've escaped into another world, an epic world, and immersed yourself in it.
Then, there are the themes. Friendship, loyalty, jealousy, sin, forgiveness, family relationships, war, honor, love (<----friendship, romantic, familial), sacrifice, good vs. evil. Those are just a few I rattled off in seconds. I'm sure there are many more. Again, epic.
And the symbolism -- though there are many symbols, the ring is, of course, the primary one. A tiny piece of metal. It looks so harmless. Beautiful, even. But it symbolizes all that's evil and wrong with this world, and with humans. When the bearer of the ring is affected by it, such a clever picture is painted, of what sin does, and how human nature is drawn to it. I especially loved (and cringed over) the "evolution" of Gollum/Smeagol that begins the third movie.
Even though this is a "big" movie/trilogy, probably the most meaningful moments are the small moments within the epic. The nuances of friendships, decisions made that seem insignificant at the time, but produce enormous outcomes with consequences.
Bravo, Tolkien. And bravo Peter Jackson, and his entire team. Both works - the books and the movies - are masterpieces. Epic masterpieces.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Award!
I've been just been awarded this. How cool is that?!?!
Many thanks to the clever blog/blogger at Single Writer Mom Rants for this. She's a super-sweet, uber-witty gal, and she's got an equally-witty blog: link here
So -- the rules for the award are as follows:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to the awarding blog.
2. Answer 7 questions about yourself.
3. Provide 10 random factoids about yourself.
4. Hand the award to 7 deserving others.
2. Answer 7 questions about yourself.
3. Provide 10 random factoids about yourself.
4. Hand the award to 7 deserving others.
Questions about myself:
1. Favorite song? "Slide" by Goo Goo Dolls
2. Favorite dessert? Sea-salted caramels. Oh my.
3. What do you do when you're upset? Either shut down and close off from people, and/or vent about it by writing.
4. Favorite pet? Corgis!! Here's my Darcy:
5. White or whole wheat? White. Definitely.
6. Biggest fear? Losing a loved one unexpectedly.
7. General attitude? Generally pessimistic/realistic, but with a few sprinkles of hope on top.
10 Random Factoids:
1. I have a real weakness for donuts. I could eat 5 of them, easily, in one sitting.
2. I'm an Anglo-phile and would probably live in England if I wouldn't miss my family and friends so much.
3. Nothing makes me laugh more than slapstick. I love a good pratfall.
4. I hate it when I feel like a friendship/relationship is terribly lop-sided - when I'm doing most of the giving, and that other person is doing most of the taking.
5. I adore sarcasm, but don't like using it much, myself. I'm always too afraid the other person won't "get" it, and will be offended.
6. I know my love of Shakespeare came directly from my watching the 70's movie version of Romeo and Juliet. I was 13 years old and hadn't read the play yet, so I had no idea about the tragic ending. I got so absorbed in it that I think I might've even talked to the screen, to Romeo - "No - she's ALIVE. Don't kill yourself!" lol Alas, he didn't listen to me...
7. I wish people didn't feel the need to judge other people. We're all in the same boat, living this life. So why point fingers?
8. I'm guilty of being way too sensitive, of hurting too much when I get let down by someone.
9. I hate seafood. I know it's supposed to be good for me, but ick. Hate it.
10. I'm a Christian and I'm not ashamed of it. No, I don't push my beliefs on other people, but I do love having respectful conversations about different people's views. My good friends all range from other Christians to Buddhists to atheists. I believe in freedom of choice, that people are totally free to believe whatever they wish. Do I wish they'd seek/choose Jesus, and discover the same peace I've found? Absolutely. But I still respect their decision not to. :-)
Other deserving blogs to award:
The Sweet Life http://www.beckybray.me/
Pensive Sarcasm http://pensivesarcasm.blogspot.com/
Author's Echo http://www.adamheine.com/
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
"What If?"
There's a cartoon I found online that has two men, both digging through tunnels. The first one, on top, is working hard, teeth gritted, determined to make it. The other one, below him, has changed direction. He's got his pickaxe over his slumped shoulders, and has given up, walking the other way.
If we look to the right of the cartoon, we see what the men were digging for: diamonds. But more shocking than that, we see how close they were. A mere inches away. The man still digging WILL find those diamonds in a few more minutes. But the one who gave up? He never, ever will.
There's a quote that goes with this: "If you give up too soon, you'll never know how close you were." ~Unknown
That image and quote are so powerful. And they perfectly embody how I feel about following your dreams. To the end. Even if they're years in the chasing, dreams are worth the pursuing. Because the "what if" question is just too hard to bear. What if your dreams are right around the corner? And what if you gave up on them moments too soon?
If we look to the right of the cartoon, we see what the men were digging for: diamonds. But more shocking than that, we see how close they were. A mere inches away. The man still digging WILL find those diamonds in a few more minutes. But the one who gave up? He never, ever will.
There's a quote that goes with this: "If you give up too soon, you'll never know how close you were." ~Unknown
That image and quote are so powerful. And they perfectly embody how I feel about following your dreams. To the end. Even if they're years in the chasing, dreams are worth the pursuing. Because the "what if" question is just too hard to bear. What if your dreams are right around the corner? And what if you gave up on them moments too soon?
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