the words aren't coming to me very easily today, so i am going to type like david levithan's will grayson. that's right, he uses no capitalization unless he's very ANGRY or trying to prove a point. hmm... that's actually kind of interesting to me.
do you ever think that authors have reasons for typing things the way they do? speaking as an aspiring author, it is my experience that they do. wow, shocking right? not really. did you ever wonder why the teenage prostitute in catcher in the rye was wearing green? (ac, this is for you) i learned in my sophomore english class that this is because of the madonna/whore dichotomy.
the madonna/whore dichotomy is basically a stereotype for women. it says that either a woman is a madonna, meaning that she is innocent and young and takes care of others, or she is a whore, i'm figuring you know what this means.
back to the catcher in the rye. she wears a red coat symbolizing the fact that she is whoring herself out, as red is characteristically for adulterers and whores (seen in the SCARLET letter). but underneath this red coat is a green dress. green is a very innocent color. this means that even though she does whore herself out, she's actually a madonna! i believe that salinger is telling us with this girl that we can't judge people by their outward appearances.
i bet you didn't catch that when you read the novel, unless you read it for school like i did. if you know of any other instances in which the author is trying to tell you something, aka symbolism, comment it!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Prepare Yourselves!
Hey, y'all! I have a really bad cough thing, so I'm going to make this post a little short, I think.
Here's the thing, GRADUATION. That's right, it's coming, looming in the near future and we can't hide from it. I've been thinking about this today because I had my "exit interview" with the principal of my school. This basically means that he asked about teachers I liked or didn't like. He also asked if I was prepared for college. That's when I kind of freaked out in my own head.
Prepare for college! Ah! It sounds like I'm going off to battle, and that's something I really don't want to do. This is when my mind goes off into little tangents. I think of a lot of different things when I think about going off to college.
1.) Independence- I know we always think that things will be so much easier when we get to make our own decisions...but do we really want to make our own decisions? I mean, my mom even told me the other day that I have to make my own choices. I like to go with the flow, I thought I wasn't being picky, but no, I hate making choices.
2.) Distance- As I have said before, I will be the farthest I've ever been away from my family and this scares me. My older brother is moving back into town, and I will be the only one gone. I'm so used to having family everywhere that next year will be very hard to get used to.
3.) The Future- I really have to buckle down on my writing now if I want to have a novel published by the time I graduate college. I need to know my process and be able to devote a lot of time to typing and looking over the things I have. I also need to finish more stories than I start.
Saying this, I will be leaving you to type now...I need to have this done! Oh why can't I get all my ideas on paper and edited immediately?
Here's the thing, GRADUATION. That's right, it's coming, looming in the near future and we can't hide from it. I've been thinking about this today because I had my "exit interview" with the principal of my school. This basically means that he asked about teachers I liked or didn't like. He also asked if I was prepared for college. That's when I kind of freaked out in my own head.
Prepare for college! Ah! It sounds like I'm going off to battle, and that's something I really don't want to do. This is when my mind goes off into little tangents. I think of a lot of different things when I think about going off to college.
1.) Independence- I know we always think that things will be so much easier when we get to make our own decisions...but do we really want to make our own decisions? I mean, my mom even told me the other day that I have to make my own choices. I like to go with the flow, I thought I wasn't being picky, but no, I hate making choices.
2.) Distance- As I have said before, I will be the farthest I've ever been away from my family and this scares me. My older brother is moving back into town, and I will be the only one gone. I'm so used to having family everywhere that next year will be very hard to get used to.
3.) The Future- I really have to buckle down on my writing now if I want to have a novel published by the time I graduate college. I need to know my process and be able to devote a lot of time to typing and looking over the things I have. I also need to finish more stories than I start.
Saying this, I will be leaving you to type now...I need to have this done! Oh why can't I get all my ideas on paper and edited immediately?
Friday, April 9, 2010
Playlist April 5-9
Monday- Happy by Brandi Carlile: I really didn't do too much on Monday, but something made me really happy. I miss those days when not doing anything could be enough.
Tuesday- No Floods by Stefani Germonata: I had to work on Tuesday, but it was worth it because working makes me those paychecks. I always get really hopeful on days when I work because I imagine what life will be like later and I feel unstoppable.
Wednesday- I Don't Want to Wait by Paula Cole: I picked this song because of the title. I skipped posting this day because I couldn't wait to finish reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It was AWESOME.
Thursday- My Little Corner of the World by Yo Lo Tengo: I took some time on Thursday to look at this old website (shelfari.com). I felt as though I'd slipped back into some other time and place. Somewhere that was mine, but part of something bigger at the same time.
Friday- No Sleep by The Faders: I feel like just doing wild and crazy things right now. Who knows...I might just stay up all night.
Tuesday- No Floods by Stefani Germonata: I had to work on Tuesday, but it was worth it because working makes me those paychecks. I always get really hopeful on days when I work because I imagine what life will be like later and I feel unstoppable.
Wednesday- I Don't Want to Wait by Paula Cole: I picked this song because of the title. I skipped posting this day because I couldn't wait to finish reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It was AWESOME.
Thursday- My Little Corner of the World by Yo Lo Tengo: I took some time on Thursday to look at this old website (shelfari.com). I felt as though I'd slipped back into some other time and place. Somewhere that was mine, but part of something bigger at the same time.
Friday- No Sleep by The Faders: I feel like just doing wild and crazy things right now. Who knows...I might just stay up all night.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Will Grayson, Will Grayson and Washing Machines
Yeah, sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I have a legitimate excuse. I had to read! It was absolutely necessary and if you can't see that, I don't think we can be friends...I'm just kidding, of course we can be friends.
You see, I pre-ordered this book Will Grayson, Will Grayson on Amazon.com over the weekend and it arrived yesterday while I was waiting for the new washing machine to get to the house. Yes, I was waiting for the washing machine. You see, my mother couldn't be home to sign for it, so about three periods into school I get a text from my mom telling me that I should go home because the washing machine people will be there in about forty-five minutes. So I went to the office due to a "migraine" and called my mom who told me to go home. So they gave me a pass and home I went.
Now, I am not going to ruin this book for you because I believe you all should read it. But I will tell you that it is super amazing. If you don't like a lot of cursing, you may not appreciate it as much, but I have to tell you it is hilarious. I almost couldn't put it down long enough to watch Heathers last night, but of course "a best friends work is never done", so I had to. Not really, I really wanted to watch Heathers. I highly suggest that movie as well. But not for those who can't understand dark, sarcastic humor.
Well, I guess that's about all I have to say...I should probably go to the library and find something else to read. Oh, by the way here's a link to the book: http://www.readingrants.org/2010/01/15/will-grayson-will-grayson-by-john-green-david-levithan/
You see, I pre-ordered this book Will Grayson, Will Grayson on Amazon.com over the weekend and it arrived yesterday while I was waiting for the new washing machine to get to the house. Yes, I was waiting for the washing machine. You see, my mother couldn't be home to sign for it, so about three periods into school I get a text from my mom telling me that I should go home because the washing machine people will be there in about forty-five minutes. So I went to the office due to a "migraine" and called my mom who told me to go home. So they gave me a pass and home I went.
Now, I am not going to ruin this book for you because I believe you all should read it. But I will tell you that it is super amazing. If you don't like a lot of cursing, you may not appreciate it as much, but I have to tell you it is hilarious. I almost couldn't put it down long enough to watch Heathers last night, but of course "a best friends work is never done", so I had to. Not really, I really wanted to watch Heathers. I highly suggest that movie as well. But not for those who can't understand dark, sarcastic humor.
Well, I guess that's about all I have to say...I should probably go to the library and find something else to read. Oh, by the way here's a link to the book: http://www.readingrants.org/2010/01/15/will-grayson-will-grayson-by-john-green-david-levithan/
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Character Crushes
Alrighty, so yesterday I got philosophical on you guys and now I'm going to take on the flip side of some of the books I read. The unrealistically wonderful guys that I fall in love with. NO, this is not about the evil Edward Cullen. Don't even get me started on how much I detest that fake, sparkly, stalker vampire wannabe. The guy has no depth! Please, it's just like saying you have a crush on a celebrity because of their face which may be fake. I'm not saying I don't enjoy some guys' faces, but there has to be more than that!
Take for instance, my highest character crush William B. Landsman from Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. He's not perfect looking and he wears old fashioned clothing to go with his personality. And he's stubborn, so stubborn that he went to school with pneumonia and his lung had to collapse before he would leave his duties as editor of the yearbook. But he's the best friend a person could have. When Naomi needed a ride to see her ex, Will took her even though he was mad at her. He also made her this wonderful slideshow with pictures from the years she forgot to help her remember. I could talk and talk for hours about how great Will is because he has great characteristics. He's not a creepy stalker vampire.
A lot of my character crushes are from Sarah Dessen novels, and if you've read any of them, you can see why. Sarah gives these characters depth! She doesn't just say "they have this great crooked smile" (cough cough, Stephanie Meyer), but they also have faults, just like actual guys! No, being a vampire is not a fault! I will discuss a few of Dessen's guys.
Dexter: He is lanky and clumsy as hell, but behind his childish behavior is this really sweet guy who believes in love after everything he's been through that would convince him not to.
Wes: Sure, he's got the perfect looks "sawoon", but he is super shy and has a criminal record. He's also a great artist and very modest about his work as well.
Owen: Owen gets angry easily and has anger management issues. He's working on them though, and tells the truth because that's what he expects in return. He's a music expert and will enlighten you if you ask.
These are just a few examples, I could write forever about characters I've fallen in love with, but I'm sure that would get boring. But the point is that I don't look for guys that are perfect. I look for characters with depth. Which is something today's society has been sorely lacking in the teen population idol wise. We should work on that.
Take for instance, my highest character crush William B. Landsman from Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. He's not perfect looking and he wears old fashioned clothing to go with his personality. And he's stubborn, so stubborn that he went to school with pneumonia and his lung had to collapse before he would leave his duties as editor of the yearbook. But he's the best friend a person could have. When Naomi needed a ride to see her ex, Will took her even though he was mad at her. He also made her this wonderful slideshow with pictures from the years she forgot to help her remember. I could talk and talk for hours about how great Will is because he has great characteristics. He's not a creepy stalker vampire.
A lot of my character crushes are from Sarah Dessen novels, and if you've read any of them, you can see why. Sarah gives these characters depth! She doesn't just say "they have this great crooked smile" (cough cough, Stephanie Meyer), but they also have faults, just like actual guys! No, being a vampire is not a fault! I will discuss a few of Dessen's guys.
Dexter: He is lanky and clumsy as hell, but behind his childish behavior is this really sweet guy who believes in love after everything he's been through that would convince him not to.
Wes: Sure, he's got the perfect looks "sawoon", but he is super shy and has a criminal record. He's also a great artist and very modest about his work as well.
Owen: Owen gets angry easily and has anger management issues. He's working on them though, and tells the truth because that's what he expects in return. He's a music expert and will enlighten you if you ask.
These are just a few examples, I could write forever about characters I've fallen in love with, but I'm sure that would get boring. But the point is that I don't look for guys that are perfect. I look for characters with depth. Which is something today's society has been sorely lacking in the teen population idol wise. We should work on that.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Perks of Infinite Playlists
Today I finished a book and started reading another. This isn't an uncommon thing for me to do, but what is uncommon about this is the fact that the novel I finished reading was one I've read twice already in less than five months. It is my favorite book ever, and trust me that is something I don't say lightly.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a work of brilliance that I recommend to everyone who has the ability to read things "as a filter, not a sponge". Don't get me wrong, absorbing this novel is a wonderful thing, but when you can read it and put it in terms of your own life, it's so powerful. Charlie, a freshman living on the edges of the lives of seniors, experiences things that so many of us experience every day, but can never put into our own words. The feelings and actions in the novel are so provoking that it just blows my mind every single time I read it. The author, Stephen Chbosky, is a genius and I would love to possess half the writing ability he has.
This novel always gets me going on the idea of being infinite. At one point in the novel Charlie tells his best friends Patrick and Sam that he feels infinite. At first I could only imagine what this could possibly mean. It sounded so open ended, so open to interpretation. But then it happened to me. This is how I described it to a friend: "I feel like anything could happen. Anything in the realm of possibility, good or bad, could occur right now. The best part of this is that I feel like I could take it. It's insane. It's wonderful. It's overwhelming. It's more than I can say and everything I've ever said. It's just so...infinite. Period."
Also, I started reading Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Will tell you how that goes. Now I will watch some Rocky Horror, one of the things also in Perks. I love this movie!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a work of brilliance that I recommend to everyone who has the ability to read things "as a filter, not a sponge". Don't get me wrong, absorbing this novel is a wonderful thing, but when you can read it and put it in terms of your own life, it's so powerful. Charlie, a freshman living on the edges of the lives of seniors, experiences things that so many of us experience every day, but can never put into our own words. The feelings and actions in the novel are so provoking that it just blows my mind every single time I read it. The author, Stephen Chbosky, is a genius and I would love to possess half the writing ability he has.
This novel always gets me going on the idea of being infinite. At one point in the novel Charlie tells his best friends Patrick and Sam that he feels infinite. At first I could only imagine what this could possibly mean. It sounded so open ended, so open to interpretation. But then it happened to me. This is how I described it to a friend: "I feel like anything could happen. Anything in the realm of possibility, good or bad, could occur right now. The best part of this is that I feel like I could take it. It's insane. It's wonderful. It's overwhelming. It's more than I can say and everything I've ever said. It's just so...infinite. Period."
Also, I started reading Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Will tell you how that goes. Now I will watch some Rocky Horror, one of the things also in Perks. I love this movie!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
There's a Wall There
Sorry I have been so terribly neglectful lately. No, I haven't given up on my blog or been too busy to post...I've been suffering from Acute Authoring Absence aka Writer's Block.
That's right, I haven't been able to write anything in almost four days...it is killing me! I hate the fact that I'm leaving you hanging here, but the words just aren't flowing like they usually do.
The main reason I am posting today is to ask for prayers for my grandpa who is currently in the hospital. He had an episode on Sunday, thought it wasn't that bad, and decided not to go in to see a doctor until today. They had him go to the hospital for testing, and he was then admitted. I hope he's okay. Please, please, please keep him in your prayers!
That's right, I haven't been able to write anything in almost four days...it is killing me! I hate the fact that I'm leaving you hanging here, but the words just aren't flowing like they usually do.
The main reason I am posting today is to ask for prayers for my grandpa who is currently in the hospital. He had an episode on Sunday, thought it wasn't that bad, and decided not to go in to see a doctor until today. They had him go to the hospital for testing, and he was then admitted. I hope he's okay. Please, please, please keep him in your prayers!
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