War of the Worlds

I love this broadcast of War of the Worlds. I had never actually heard it until class, but had learned about it in one of my previous classes and was fascinated by the impact it had on people. I know that it scarred people, but I just want to say that Orsen Wells was a genius for pulling this off and he did so well.

Group Critics

I like the idea of having groups offering suggestions and comments on each others stories. I think it will really help boost the creativity among us as well as gain a different perspective on our stories. I am looking forward to seeing how well it works.

What can they say?

I have found that it is challenging to think of good dialogue for characters to say within a story. As a writer I am trying to figure out the best lines for my characters to say and I feel it ends up being too much or has nothing to do with driving the story along. It really is a challenge

More Dialogue (From Wed 2/22)

I just want to say first I love John Goodman in every Coen brothers movie he is in. From Barton Fink to The Big Lebowski to O Brother Where Art Thou. I have not seen all of Barton Fink but that scene was a good dialogue-driven scene. There really is creative ways to use dialogue and the Coen brothers are prime examples of people who do so.

Dialogue (from Mon 2/20)

I always love watching Full Metal Jacket, especially that particular scene we watched in class. There is something about those hateful remarks that just resonate in my head. This was the perfect example of good use of dialogue to set the scene and tell the story.

Hunting and Gathering

I love the five steps of creativity. It seems like I am always going through these steps when thinking of story ideas. However, I have not been fortunate enough to have the "eureka!" moment. Hopefully I will get there soon!

The Ten Story Types

I was very interested in the ten different story types. Since class I have watched a few different television show episodes and a couple movies and kept in mind the different story types that were being told to me. I have to admit that crime and punishment is my favorite. I am obsessed with gangster films, especially those directed by Martin Scorsese.

3 Little Pigs 2

I liked the assignment to write the three little pigs sequel. I especially like the wolf as the protagonist. It really leaves it open for some creative choices, especially a redemption tale for the wolf, which is mine personally. Even the big bad wolves can redeem themselves.

Starting with the snake

I have been writing story ideas down for the past week or so. Since learning of the three act structure and starting with the action I feel that it has improved my story writing. It is helpful to remember to "always start with the snake".

The Hook

I often think about what would make a great hook in my stories and grab the audiences' attention. I like how the structure was depicted in class. It is a useful guideline and helpful to remember to always start with the action and not to talk about the action.

Hero's Journey

I found the hero's journey very interesting from class the other day. I have since watched movies and thought of said journey and really do see it in every story. Its very interesting how even with different characters, plot, and setting how the hero's journey is basically still the same. I also find it helpful in outlining my characters' adventures

Characters and Characterization

I liked the "exercise" we did in class on characters and characterization. The story about the two people saving or trying to save the children in the bus accident displays the hard choices writers have to make for their characters. I have since thought of that when thinking of different choices my characters should make within my story.

Maslow's Motivation

I find Maslow's pyramid of motivators very useful when writing my characters. I have been thinking of some new characters for my story ideas and using Maslow's motivation as a reference is helpful in determining their motivation and new plot points in the story.

Unusual Jobs (From Fri)

I have to say that I googled the most unusual jobs after class on Friday. I was surprised to see some of the things on the list. I really can't believe the jobs people have or create for that matter. Now I don't know how many on the list that I looked at were true, but it wouldn't shock me to know that there really are people who look out for forrest fires. Also, one of my favorites was furniture tester. I would love to sit or lay on furniture and get paid for it...what a slacker's dream job.

Characters (Update from last week)

I have been without a computer the past few days as it needed to get fixed. However, last week we talked about characters. I have to say that as I look around at people that I encounter everyday I start to think of them as characters in their own little story. It may sound weird, but I think of where they were before our paths crossed, where they are going, what they do for a living, etc. It makes things a bit more interesting and less dull.

Common Stories

I really enjoyed stories that I heard from my classmates on Fri in class. From awkward occurrences to regretted tattoos I was thoroughly entertained by all of them. While the class was telling these stories I was thinking to myself how these types of stories are so relatable, but at the same time very unique. I thought that this was an excellent exercise in getting to know the class as well as conveying the messages in all stories told.

Short and Sweet

On Wed we talked about how a story should be concise and to the point. Well between then and Fri I hung out with some of my friends and we mostly just talked about random stuff. However, when I would talk about what was going on with my life I would eventually tell them some recent funny or weird stories  about me. I made a conscious effort to be concise, to the point, and easy to remember. This actually worked as far as grabbing my friends' attention as well as not telling boring, uninteresting stories.

The Debit Card

           Jake pulled into a gas station one Sunday evening to the obnoxious sound of his car dinging due to low gas. He was on his way home from visiting his friend out of town. This gas station in the middle of nowhere had only one other person getting gas at the time Jake pulled in. This man was filling up his car and watched as Jake rummaged through his own car. Jake had misplaced his debit card, and only had his checkbook.

            The man went on minding his own business, but was curious as to what Jake was doing. As the man kept starring, Jake rushed into the gas station with his checkbook. Minutes later he came out looking upset and did not know what to do, until he caught the eye of the man.

            Jake didn’t want to do it, but he had to get home somehow, so he went up and told the man his situation and asked him if he could put some gas in his car. Jake offered to write him a check and even showed him his bank account on his smart phone app. The man still felt that he was just trying to get money. He drove away leaving Jake at the gas pump. At that moment Jake felt sorry he had never helped people who had asked him for help with money or gas. He wondered if they were ever truthful. Suddenly he found his debit card on the floor of his car. 

The message of Axe

 Today I saw an advertisement for Axe body spray on TV. The ad was telling a story to me about the young man who wears Axe will smell so good that women can't help but throw themselves at him, in addition to being very sexually suggestive. Now I do not wear Axe nor use body spray at all, but I think the Axe company is trying to tell me that if I wear their body spray then I will be irresistable to women. That is the message they are telling me and what they want to change about me. They want me to buy their product and thus have women crawl all over me.