Monday, January 30, 2012
"On Writing" The End
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, and was rather sad to be reaching the end. Through King's final chapters, he rounds up his purpose behind the book- how to be a good writer. I'd like to consider myself a slightly creative person, and found King's point on bordem being a good way to unblock a creative jam very helpful. Stephen King also continues to stress the importance to stay locked up in a room to focus on your writing, and only with the revision of the first draft and beginning of the second draft can the door be open. With my failed attempts at spur of the moment writing I've found it very difficult to concentrate on a work whenever the door to my room is open. King even covers the dreaded "writer's block" and suggests a break from your current work and maybe going for a stroll or starting a new piece. Being rather ADD, this could be very helpful. It's through the breaks and bordem that one could find this sudden strike of genious (cliche I know) and viola! you've figured out the problem. His idea of an "Ideal Reader" is extremely helpful. Instead of just writing, write with someone in mind or perhaps for someone. To me the "IR" seems to be whomever the book is dedicated to.. While King seems to almost boast at the minimum amount of words in his books being well into the one hundred thousands, he continusouly stresses the point of not going off track with a story or giving it too much fluff. King adds "Thematic Thinking" to the "toolbox", but says to use it cautiously. As he said, a good work starts with a story and progresses into theme. Stephen King's On Writing is very helpful for the unsure beginning writer. King starts with the first stages of building up a sturdy toolbox (vocabulary, grammar, etc.) and continues on to how to properly write, revise, and finish a work. I have thoroughly enjoyed his insight and knowledge on the writing process, and would recommend this book to any aspiring writer.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
State of the Union Address
First of all, I would like to start with saying that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords looked abolutely wonderful tonight, and it's unbelievable that she was present for President Obama's speech. Her strength to overcome such a tragedy is truely inspirational.
While I agree with Obama on bringing our service men and women home, I did not agree with him saying that the U.S. is now safer and more respected by the world. If anything thing, I feal we are just as likely a target and a source of disrespect to many smaller countries. Having Bin Laden gone does initially give a sigh of relief, but it's not a complete sigh. There is still that fear of the men who were under Bin Laden and are likely to procede with his plans. However, Obama, like the rest of the country, would rather focus on the positive of Bin Laden no longer being present. Maybe I'm just a worry wort.
I found much of the President's address tonight to be reminiscent of his 2008 election campaign. Promises to better the economy and make changes; the montra of" "We can do this" all over again. Although this seem inevitable with it being an election year.
Obama mentioned the state of the Union growing stronger quite frequently, but I am beginning to notice a pattern in the American system. Since the start of our country it seems we have been in a continuous cycle of economic ups and downs. Every few years a low, such as the depressions of 1873 and the 1930s, and years between being economic highs, with practically no national debt (Thomas Jefferson's Presidency). Obama also followed in true form with the mentioning of banks loaning more money than they can to people which puts them in debt. (Banks play largest role in economic depressions) This time, instead of mile long bills, Obama is putting major suppport in American manufacturing. Hello! Why haven't you done this before, Mr. President? I strongly agreed with Obama's call for no tax deduction for American manufacturers for creating jobs overseas, and using tax funds to benefit the companies that stay and hire in the U.S. His overall point being to stop rewarding the overseas man and to start rewarding the men who keep their companies on home soil. I strongly agree with Obama's push for an increas for American manufacturing, and decrease for dependency on foreign manufacturing.
I think Obama couldn't be more right with his ideas to better fund community colleges to becom more vocational schools to help people get the skills, training, and job opportunities they need. However, I believe that way more than the current one percent of government funding should be spent on education. If we value education and push for everyone to be eductated more, then why do we spend so little on education? I have to disagree when Obama said we lead the world in educating people. High school drop out rates are increasing.Obama's plan to fix this: stop interests rates on student loan from doubling, and as university tuitions go up, tax funding goes down. My mother is still paying off student loans with her measely teacher's salary. Another thing- why do we pay athletes millions of dollars to throw, kick, pass, or hit a ball, but pay the people who are educating future generations less than minimum wage? Thought provoking, yes? "Families should be able to afford college." Yes, Mr. President they should, but how are we to do that when government funding doesn't help the programs that help the eager student?
I did find it rather odd when Obama talked about no more bail outs, cop outs, or handouts when he was a big supporter of the many bail outs these past years. Also a supporter of millionairs getting tax breaks. Now why should our wealthiest people be rewarded with tax cuts while our poorest have an increase in taxes? Obama promises no more tax cuts for the wealthy, but infact tax increase or at least equality. I guess this year or possible re-election will tell. Still not certain on his flip flop of this matter..
"This is not a year that will achieve nothing in D.C." I don't know if I can agree with the President on that one seeing how this year he will have to put much of his time and effort in to his re-election for another 4 years. Perhaps he will fufill his promises this year, or maybe even if he is re-elected to another term. Only time will tell. While his speech focused on plans of fixing the economy, the ever true "America will pull through" kept a constant ring, and gave it's feeling of hope that we will overcome this difficult time.
While I agree with Obama on bringing our service men and women home, I did not agree with him saying that the U.S. is now safer and more respected by the world. If anything thing, I feal we are just as likely a target and a source of disrespect to many smaller countries. Having Bin Laden gone does initially give a sigh of relief, but it's not a complete sigh. There is still that fear of the men who were under Bin Laden and are likely to procede with his plans. However, Obama, like the rest of the country, would rather focus on the positive of Bin Laden no longer being present. Maybe I'm just a worry wort.
I found much of the President's address tonight to be reminiscent of his 2008 election campaign. Promises to better the economy and make changes; the montra of" "We can do this" all over again. Although this seem inevitable with it being an election year.
Obama mentioned the state of the Union growing stronger quite frequently, but I am beginning to notice a pattern in the American system. Since the start of our country it seems we have been in a continuous cycle of economic ups and downs. Every few years a low, such as the depressions of 1873 and the 1930s, and years between being economic highs, with practically no national debt (Thomas Jefferson's Presidency). Obama also followed in true form with the mentioning of banks loaning more money than they can to people which puts them in debt. (Banks play largest role in economic depressions) This time, instead of mile long bills, Obama is putting major suppport in American manufacturing. Hello! Why haven't you done this before, Mr. President? I strongly agreed with Obama's call for no tax deduction for American manufacturers for creating jobs overseas, and using tax funds to benefit the companies that stay and hire in the U.S. His overall point being to stop rewarding the overseas man and to start rewarding the men who keep their companies on home soil. I strongly agree with Obama's push for an increas for American manufacturing, and decrease for dependency on foreign manufacturing.
I think Obama couldn't be more right with his ideas to better fund community colleges to becom more vocational schools to help people get the skills, training, and job opportunities they need. However, I believe that way more than the current one percent of government funding should be spent on education. If we value education and push for everyone to be eductated more, then why do we spend so little on education? I have to disagree when Obama said we lead the world in educating people. High school drop out rates are increasing.Obama's plan to fix this: stop interests rates on student loan from doubling, and as university tuitions go up, tax funding goes down. My mother is still paying off student loans with her measely teacher's salary. Another thing- why do we pay athletes millions of dollars to throw, kick, pass, or hit a ball, but pay the people who are educating future generations less than minimum wage? Thought provoking, yes? "Families should be able to afford college." Yes, Mr. President they should, but how are we to do that when government funding doesn't help the programs that help the eager student?
I did find it rather odd when Obama talked about no more bail outs, cop outs, or handouts when he was a big supporter of the many bail outs these past years. Also a supporter of millionairs getting tax breaks. Now why should our wealthiest people be rewarded with tax cuts while our poorest have an increase in taxes? Obama promises no more tax cuts for the wealthy, but infact tax increase or at least equality. I guess this year or possible re-election will tell. Still not certain on his flip flop of this matter..
"This is not a year that will achieve nothing in D.C." I don't know if I can agree with the President on that one seeing how this year he will have to put much of his time and effort in to his re-election for another 4 years. Perhaps he will fufill his promises this year, or maybe even if he is re-elected to another term. Only time will tell. While his speech focused on plans of fixing the economy, the ever true "America will pull through" kept a constant ring, and gave it's feeling of hope that we will overcome this difficult time.
Monday, January 23, 2012
"What Writing Is", "Toolbox", and "On Writing"
"Books are uniquely portable magic." I couldn't agree more with Stephen King than with that statement alone. King's idea of writing being telepathic between the author and reader is unusal, yet makes perfect sense at the same time. While a book may have been written years before somone reads it, the person still understands what the author is writing about; as King puts it: "... a meeting of the minds." or telepathy.Through the "On Writing" portion of the books, Stephen King talks about how he does not take the task of writing lightly, and encourages hopefull writers to treat it the same way. This section is almost a waring that unless one is to take his advice and approach the craft seriously, he or she should spend their time doing something more productive.
King uses a fond memory of his grandfather's toolbox as a basic guidline for the "tools" necessary to be a good writer. King believes that good writers are already made, and through time and practice their talents will come through. To not discourage the mediocre, King suggests how to properly use the "tools" in your "toolbox, such as not using ridiculous vocabulary you found in a thesarus, or being overly descriptive. One will also become a better writer through serious dedication. Reading, reading, and more reading whenever time is spared is King's best advice to better one's writing. Stephen King also sets out a guidline for writing practice through a suggested 2,000 words a day in a distraction free zone.
Through the "On Writing" section, King goes into greater detail on how to build up a talent, and cuts the crap with saying he does believe there are bad writers. (He even calls out well known authors for their faults) As the saying goes "practice makes perfect", and King strongly emphasizes this through his constant mentioning of ceaseless reading and writing whenever possible. Stephen King encourages the writer to use their imaginations, and just write. Plots are the ultimate sin and demise of a work of fiction in his eyes. He uses his own work, "Misery", as an example of a succesful novel that didn't begin with a plot, and even critisizes his own early works for being plot driven.
Through "What Writing Is", "Toolbox" and "OnWriting", inspiring writers gain pieces of advice from an experienced and succesful writer that they cannot get from a textbook or writing course of any kind. Stephen King does a wonderful job in being completely honest in how writing should be handled.
King uses a fond memory of his grandfather's toolbox as a basic guidline for the "tools" necessary to be a good writer. King believes that good writers are already made, and through time and practice their talents will come through. To not discourage the mediocre, King suggests how to properly use the "tools" in your "toolbox, such as not using ridiculous vocabulary you found in a thesarus, or being overly descriptive. One will also become a better writer through serious dedication. Reading, reading, and more reading whenever time is spared is King's best advice to better one's writing. Stephen King also sets out a guidline for writing practice through a suggested 2,000 words a day in a distraction free zone.
Through the "On Writing" section, King goes into greater detail on how to build up a talent, and cuts the crap with saying he does believe there are bad writers. (He even calls out well known authors for their faults) As the saying goes "practice makes perfect", and King strongly emphasizes this through his constant mentioning of ceaseless reading and writing whenever possible. Stephen King encourages the writer to use their imaginations, and just write. Plots are the ultimate sin and demise of a work of fiction in his eyes. He uses his own work, "Misery", as an example of a succesful novel that didn't begin with a plot, and even critisizes his own early works for being plot driven.
Through "What Writing Is", "Toolbox" and "OnWriting", inspiring writers gain pieces of advice from an experienced and succesful writer that they cannot get from a textbook or writing course of any kind. Stephen King does a wonderful job in being completely honest in how writing should be handled.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
"On Writing" blog #1
With Stephen King being know for his sci-fi horror novels and endless movies and TV specials, I was a bit skeptical to read On Writing. From the forwards on I was immediately hooked on Mr.King's writing style. While he claims to be a straight forward no fluff writer, I thoroughly enjoyed his descriptive short stories from his childhood. My particular favorite was his brother's elementary science project to build a "super duper magnet" that ended up knocking out all the power in the apartment complex. Stephen King tells the story of the beginning of his career with the comic books he used to copy and add his own personal touches to, and showed them to his mom. His mom suggested he write his own original story, which she read and told him to keep writing. As the memories continue and King's short stories are adding up, he shows his interest in horror fiction with weekly trips to the local theater to view the latest alien or haunted mansion inspired film. Here I saw the true spark to his now infamous collection of writings. Along with the horror films, Stephen King seemed to draw inspiration from his wife, who is also a writer, and life experiences, such as the ones shared in "CV". After reading the "CV" section of On Writing I am very interested in picking up a copy of one of Mr.King's novels during my next trip to Books-A-Million.
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