Famous Last Words: Week 15

This week I finally finished my novel!!! It seemed like I'd never make it to 50,000. I stayed up all night finishing it, but it's done. I can't really describe how relieved I feel. It'll be nice to read over it and edit during Christmas break. Now that I don't have deadlines for it, I think I'll be able to actually enjoy it.

I'm done with classes, but I have work until the 16th. Then I'm free! I hope everyone survives finals week. Luckily, as a writing major, I don't have any finals. I just have tons of writing. I finished my novel, wrote my last storybook entry, and now all I have left is a 15-page paper.

The paper is for my Arthurian Legend class. I'm doing a report on the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. In reality there is no reason why the paper should be 15 pages long. I could easily tell you everything you'd ever want to know in about 8, but those are the requirements. Honestly though, 15 pages is nothing after writing a novel. I find it easier to write academic papers, because (for me) it takes less mental energy. It's exhausting when I do creative writing.

Now that I'm done with my novel I can concentrate more on my internship. I write blog posts for a website called HelloHappyness.

My author's bio
(Personal screenshot)

The purpose of the site is to bring a smile or a laugh to peoples' days. Click on the link above if you'd like to check out my author's page on the site. It would be amazing if I could get a job writing these types of posts after I graduate. I like the idea of creating my own schedule and I already watch these types of videos so I might as well get paid for it!

Week 15 Review

My favorite thing from today's announcements was The Tunnel. As the semester draws to a close I can't think of a more apt picture. 

Light at the End
(Source: The Tunnel)

Reading

I really enjoyed the Biblical units. I read about Noah and the Ark, but my favorite stories involved Adam and Eve. It was cool to see stories about them that weren't from the Bible, which were the only version I'd heard of them.

I found it easiest to write comment for my diaries as I read the stories, because I would forget little parts and moments that I enjoyed. I think that the class did a good job of creating a balance between reading, writing, and commenting. I did feel like a storytelling post each week was a little overwhelming, but I was also doing a lot of writing in my other classes so it might just have been me.

I would suggest that future students look ahead and decide which units they want to explore. Not only will it make each week easier to start, but it will also get you excited for the coming weeks.

Reflections

I'm pleased with how fun and interactive this class was. I'm proud of the storybook I was able to create. I think it's awesome that this class has given me something that will last long after the semester is over.

I liked learning about all sorts of myths and legends. I was able to re-read some stories, but also finally read some classics, like Beowulf.

I can see myself better utilizing legends and famous stories as spring boards for my writing in the future. I didn't realize how fun it could be to re-imagine and give my own spin on classic stories.

Google Timer Tech Tip

I had never heard of the Google Timer before today. I know that my roommate always times himself for assignments, but it has never really appealed to me.

(Screenshot from my writing session)

I tried using this timer for a short bit of writing I had to do today. I set the timer for 20 minutes and went for it. Surprisingly it actually did help a little bit. It helped to know that I probably shouldn't look at my phone or text a friend for the next few minutes because I was on the clock. I can see this being something I use in the future.

Extra Reading Diary: Hans Christian Andersen

Extra Reading Diary: Hans Christian Andersen

I have heard of Hans Christian Anderson, but I don't actually know much about him. It looks like I've read or been read some of his stories before, but it's been a long time. I look forward to getting reacquainted with his work.

The Princess and the Pea: I read this story when I was younger. I remember it fairly well, but this might be a different version. I'm excited to find out. This wasn't the version that I read. This one was much more direct and simple. There wasn't a lot to the story, but it obviously provided a good base for people to write from.

Princess On Her Bed
(illustration by Dulac)

The Wicked Prince: Wow, I've never read anything quite like this story. In the beginning the story had a very realistic feel to it, until the Prince decided to try and kill God. It's a very interesting concept. The story didn't proceed or end like I thought it would. How the mighty was brought down by a single sting.

Week 14 Review

My favorite thing on the announcements this week was the Phonetic Etymology section. I thought the graphic was funny and clever. My favorite one was the pylon!

Phonetic Etymology
By John Atkinson, at his Wrong Hands blog

To look at more of these, go to John Atkinson's blog, Wrong Hands. 

Famous Last Word: Week 14

This week I reached the 44,000 mark on my novel! I only have 6,000 words left! It's going to be such a relief to have my story done. I like my story, but I feel like I've had to rush each week. Once I'm done I'm going to have to go back and make a lot of edits and improvements. There are a few scenes that I want to make longer and a couple that probably need to be trimmed down. There's also a lot more description of the setting that I'd like to add to make the world come to life more.

There is already one girl in my class who has finished her novel, made her edits, and self-published on Kindle. I'm happy for her but it makes me feel really behind. But most people in class are where I'm at, so we can commiserate with each other.

I plan on editing during Christmas break. I hope to have mine published before I graduate in May. I'll send it off to a few places, but if it doesn't get picked up by any publishers, I'll put it on Kindle too. I like the idea of self-publishing. It gives the author a lot more control.

I'm also going to work on my cover for my book. I have an idea of what I want, but I'm not the best artist. I'm currently trying to decide if I'd like to take a picture and manipulate it in Photoshop or if I should just pay someone to draw it for me. The name of my book (right now, it's subject to change) is Spark. My idea is to have two hands facing each other with a flame between them. It symbolizes an important part of my story.

Watch out for my book, (hopefully) coming Spring 2016!

Reading Diary B: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

Reading Diary A: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

I'm excited about reading the second part of this unit. There are quite a few stories that I haven't heard of and just from the title they seem very interesting. I'm expecting some great stories!

Eve's Unequal Children: I read the Adam and Eve unit early on in the semester so it's nice to come full circle and find out a little bit more about their story. I think this story is an interesting take on people's destiny. Not everyone can be the king or president, but there have to be the lower-class workers. Although it seems unfair to me that it is that way, there is no changing it. I enjoyed this story and it had an outcome that I did not expect. I thought that the Lord would be angry with Eve for hiding away her ugly children.

Eve and Her Unequal Children
(illustration by Otto Ubbelohde)

The Peasant and the Devil:  I really enjoyed this story. It's not often that you hear of the devil being tricked. It's usually the other way around. I like that the roles of trickster were switched in this story. And since the peasant is an underdog, the reader will immediately be rooting for him, even if he is a clever trickster.

Reading Diary A: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

Reading Diary A: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

I've heard of the Brothers Grimm, but haven't actually read any of their stories. There are some obvious stories in this unit that I've already read, but I think I'd like to focus on the ones that are unfamiliar to me.

The Wolf and Seven Young Kids: I honestly thought it was going to be about human children, not goats, but really that's my bad. As always I'm tempted to read anything that has the mention of wolves and this story was no exception. Besides the mention of the wolf, the number of goats also immediately got me interested. I like stories that deal with important numbers, like three or seven. The seven dwarfs and the three beds that Goldilocks tries out are two examples of this. I first of all liked how the wolf was able to disguise his voice. I'd be interested to see if eating chalk is an old-wives tale for softening your voice. My favorite sentence of the story was: "'If you will not do it, I will eat you up.' That frightened the miller, and he made his paw white for him. Yes, that is the way people are." I like that the author is telling a story but also making a comment on society at the same time. I liked how the story ended, really I liked the story from beginning to end.

The Wolf and Seven Young Kids
Source: Wikipedia Commons

 Little Red Cap: I know I said I wanted to concentrate on newer stories, to me at least, but I have a soft spot for Little Red Riding Hood. I love that there are so many different variations to the story and each one has something special about it. This story was very similar to the first story I wrote about. It seems that everyone that's eaten by a wolf can but cut out and saved!

I enjoyed this unit and I look forward to reading the second half in my next Reading Diary post!