I can't write a play.......................

1. Writing this play was surprisingly hard. I had to write a 20 page play in 7th grade for a writing extra-curricular I was in, and this paly was so much harder. Part of that was trying to create an idea for a play that was limited in length. It's hard for me to pick something to write about that's only 5-7 pages. I was also having trouble making it stage appropriate. I wanted about fifty different places and a hundred characters. I really prefer writing stories rather than plays because I feel character development is more in my hands. In plays, movie and T.V. shows, the character is really in the hands of the actor who plays the character. I like talking about internal emotions and thoughts too much.

2. If I was talking to a five year old about to start their serious educational journey, I would tell them that it matters. School matters. You have to be able to let go of the little things, but the big picture is very important. It's important to make your school environment as positive as possible. This includes choosing the right friends. Friends who don't pressure you to do things you don't want to do. Friends with similar interests, but varying personalities and backgrounds. Humor is important, but kindness is more important. Always try your best. One year of school affects the next, which affects the next, which will eventually affect your highschool career.

3. Personally, I like old books much better than new ones. Don't get me wrong, there are amazing books coming out right now, but it's easier to know that a book is good if it's old. That's why it's been around so long. I was watching a very funny 1970's BBC version of Persuasion, by Jane Austen this weekend. I had forgotten how great the story was. Even though the plot is very specific to Anne Elliot, there are aspects of her personality that everyone can identify with. And if it's not Anne, it's another character. People find themselves in, and relate to, and are emotionally stimulated by these characters. That's what makes a book last such a long time. I would love to write something that lasts through time. Even though fashions change, and so do customs and sayings, the fundamentals of society and themes from our life stay the same.

Drama Queen!

1. I think theme is exceptionally important. I think the most important aspect of any work of literature, be it visual or otherwise, is the characters. Although I suppose it is through the characters that a theme is explored. The theme is what gives people pause after they read a work. What did it mean to them? Did it express the idea that rebellion is the key to making progress? Other than for strict enjoyment, books are meant to express emotions and ideas about life, and teach us about lifestyles and life paths that may be completely different or shockingly similar to ours. An example of this is The Jungle. First of all, I'm not a socialist. I like capitalism just fine. But that doesn't mean the powerful themes didn't affect me. It's extremely difficult to work and work and work for your family without feeling selfish longings. Even though I don't have to work in completely awful cnditions in the meatpacking business in Chicago in 1906, the themes still resonate. I didn't realate to the plot at all, but I did realte to the themes.

2. One theme that is very interesting to explore is learning to let go of one's past. This can be either letting go of a person who you were involved with, letting go of a previous lifestyle, previous fame or fortun, or even being able to forgive yourself for your past. I think this is one of the most difficult lessons to learn. It is a very hard lesson to communicate, especially through a shot play, but it is easy to approach for many many characters. This is completely different from the thing I'm concerned about from my first post, but I don't particularly feel like writing about pretend stupidity.



3.Probably one of the oldest conflicts in the history of the world is family conflict. Especially sibling rivalry. It's as old as Cain and Able. And its something most people can relate to. Even if your reader/viewer is an only child, they know the stereotype of siblng rivalry. Family conflict or rebelling against your famly is a conflict that can be approached in so many different ways, ages of the characters etc. It can be connected to many themes, so every story can be different.

First question!

1. Reading is absolutely crucial to every writer. It gives a person a basis of what kind of stories one can create. There are many, many different genres of book, and its important to be able to recognize the differences between them. Reading gives a person a sense of what's out there, what's accepted etc. Reading stretched the imagination, and gives people the scope of an imagined world, anything from Hogwarts to revolutionary France. It improves knowledge, that of vocabulary, story structure etc. etc. Taking notes, taking a class or even just wrtining a lot just don't compate to the benefits of picking up a book with any sort of literary value.

2. Being completely honest, a lot of things concern me. But the one thing that a person in highschool can see a lot of is, on the huge scale of things, comparatively minor. But that doesn't mean it's not important. This is people, especially young women who play dumb. They do it because they think boys will like them better because of it. I don't believe this to be true, and even if it is, the boys who want to date someone stupis are NOT worth a girl's time. And these are only short term. In the lon run, it is not worth pretending to be done and doing poorly on a test simply to gain a boy's affections. This simply hurts grades, teacher respect and can lead to other negative occurances.

3. I love to read. So naturally, I get inspired by works of literature. I must also confess that I am enamoured with early to mid eighteenth century Enghish literature. The Brontes, Jane Austen, etc. are just fantastic. For me, both Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice have provided a contrast that is important when trying to write something of substance. Pride and Prejudice is a very witty satire of the society in which Jane Austen lived. It is at the same time sarcastic and terribly romantic. On the complete other hand, Jane Eyre is a gothic romance, full of mystery. This lovely book inspires me because everytime I read it I notice something new. The first time, it was all about Jane and Mr. Rochester. THe second time, it was Jane's childhood- her lonliness and how that comes to affect her. The third time, it was about Jane's spirituality and faith. It's just an amazing story.