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Showing posts from September, 2018

Story Lab: Week 6 - Creative Style

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Creative Styles Ted Talks A pretty cat Source Boundless freedom isn't helpful, you need restrictions to be creative = creative restraints Solutions must recognize limitations in order to innovate, like how to reach a goal when you know this specific thing needs work Joseph Campbell wrote about the hero's journey, a cycle every storybook hero goes through to complete her tasks and save the day. not every story hits all the points, but generally follows that pattern The order of the journey, same for Harry Potter to Odysseus call to adventure - hero starts off in their town, then leaves assistance - some figure helps the hero with advice or training departure - hero leaves for the mission trials - slaying monsters, challenges approach - face the biggest monster  crisis - hero is dead or almost dead, but reborn treasure - hero wins and gets a power result - does hero succeed or not return - goes back to home life new life - how the hero has changed resoluti

Reading Notes: Week 6 Khasi Folktales Part B

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Beautiful sentences. These sentences caught my attention by either describing things beautifully or having a certain style. A lot of them were long, but instead of rambling they were super descriptive and you could perfectly picture these scenes. ~~~~ A flowing river, Source "The clear chattering stream is seen emerging from its wild mountain home, dashing over the high precipice into the shadows of a deep gorge, flinging upwards, as it falls, clouds of tremulous spray, which wreathe and coil around majestic rocks, creating countless small rainbows which dance and quiver in a maze of palms and ferns and blossoming shrubs." “The place is so remote and so still, as if every sound had been awed into a hush, except the thunderous boom of the torrent with its distant echoes moaning and shrieking like a spirit in anguish, that the whole locality seems weird and uncanny, suggestive of terrible possibilities” “She rose distractedly, and, running to the edge of the p

Reading Notes: Week 6 Khasi Folktales part A

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Portrayal of animals/symbols Tiger King, "great strength by which he would be able to subdue the turbulent beasts" strong but dumb, self absorbed and didn't pay attention to the other animals kind of creepy wanting to marry someone so young alone, does not have family or friends licks a tree monkeys tricky, wanting to mess with the king tiger and don't approve of him "audacious" "mischief" "cunning" they all band together to protect each other, very much a family Cute bird, Source tree not an animal, but sort of a character  old, malevolent, stoic, "serious menace to the world" thick branches, dark leaves, largest in the forest everyone is afraid of it, hard tough wood bird small, chirpy, encourages the wood choppers loud, positive, good vibes only "thus ka phreit, the smallest of all birds, helped mankind to bring back sunshine and prosperity to this world' deer noble, &quo

Week 5 Story: Book of Thoth

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The god Thoth, Source Ahura was sitting at home caring for her son, Merab, when her husband Nefer-ka-ptah bust through the door excitedly. Shocked at her beloved’s demeanor, she asked “Why do you look so joyful today? Did you get more pay at work?” “No I didn’t get more pay, but this is going to be even better than money. I just talked to the old priest in the temple, and he told me where to find the Book of Thoth,” he replied. “Nefer-ka-ptah you must be crazy! That book will haunt us all if you even dare look at it. There is no way you are going to find it,” Ahura argued. Nefer-ka-ptah tried to explain to his wife the magic that the Book of Thoth held, but she would not barge. This book held all the secrets of the Heavens, the gods, and Mother Earth herself. If this book was seen by a human, they would soon have more power than the celestial beings. Nefer-ka-ptah was willing to risk anything for this. Ahura held her husbands face in her hands and gazed into his eyes,

Reading Notes: Week 5 Ancient Egyptian Myths part B

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Character Analysis Some overall notes I have about these stories is that the female characters are usually just described as beautiful, worrisome, or treacherous. When I retell these stories, I'd like to give these women more background and personalities. The God Thoth, Wikimedia Commons Bata younger, hardworking, strong “it was he who drove the oxen to the field, it was he who ploughed the land, and it was he who harvested the grain” brings food to both anpu and his wife, rises early in the morning sleeps in a barn with cattle, talks to oxen prays to gods for protection, honest Anpu older brother, has a house and a wife enjoys the fruits of bata’s labor eats and thrives in his house commands bata to do chores quick to anger, trusts his wife more than his brother Wife of Anpu just described as a woman likes to do her hair and doesn’t want to do chores flirty and manipulative, liar Bata’s Wife beautiful, everyone wants

Reading Notes: Week 5 Ancient Egyptian Myths part A

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Beautiful Sentences God Ra: Source I took note of the quotes that I thought were great in either imagery, style, or description. Some of these I liked because they were short and to the point, and others were long but beautifully described the scene. I especially like how adjectives are placed in front of God’s names, like “dreaded Sokar” and “winged Isis.” I will definitely take note of these for my own stories and writing. "The god of brightness first appeared as a shining egg which floated upon the water's breast, and the spirits of the deep, who were the Fathers and the Mothers, were with him there, as he was with Nu, for they were the companions of Nu." "The goddess Isis, who dwelt in the world as a woman, grew weary of the ways of mankind; she sought rather to be amidst the mighty gods" "She stooped down and she saw her beauteous face mirrored in the flood" "Then darkness came on" "The fifth hour-division

Comment Wall

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My dog Zak, who is excited for comments  Please leave feedback for my storybook ! 

Story Lab : Crash Course

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Crash Course Mythology Crash Course 1 Most myths are very old and have multiple different versions, so no story is really "wrong" Each myth can be interpreted differently, so everyone understands it differently so nothing is a fact or truth, they're all stories. Myths have been written about since the 6th century BC Myth comes from the greek word mythos, which means story Myths must have significance and staying power, which is how they survive centuries and are passed down. they need to be relevant and interesting.  There is a difference between folklore and myths The story of Persephone explains why we have the different seasons, many myths explain origins of worldly events  Crash Course 12 Mythology is the systematic study of myths, and myths are studied by Some people, including Plato, regarded myths as just lying Euhemerism is interpreting myths as primitive explanations of the natural world or as time distorted accounts of long past historical even

Reading Notes: Homer's Odyssey part b

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More Character analysis Teiresias I actually am familiar with his character, as I was in an Oedipus play with Teiresias as a main character seems very stereotypical wise old man figure, carries a staff, kind of weird that he drinks sword blood but he's dead so I don't know just like every other character, he gives odysseus a long monologue about what he is going to do in order to return home gives them a warning about staying out of trouble or they'll probably die Anticleia Odysseus's dead mother, seems very devoid of personality and just sad to be dead she is just like any mother, she asks her son a ton of questions about where he's been and where he is going Various women in the underworld Tyro, a queen who Poseidon seduced while pretending to be someone else, described as noble, has many children and lived a solid life Antiope, slept with Zeus and had two successful sons Alcmene, who had Heracles Megara (I know her from Hercules lol) who m

Reading Notes : Homer's Odyssey part a

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Today I'm focusing solely on characters, and the personality traits that go with each one Cyclopes - "lawless, aggressive people, who never lift their hands... but rely on the immortal gods..." the cyclopes are described pretty negatively from the get go they possess no means to escape their own islands, and have no desire to interact with other species The main cyclopes was a generic brute character, fairly dumb to believe that odysseus was named nobody, ate a lot of people which is gross Odysseus  Cocky, "I was too wise for that and answered him with cunning words" he is smart and confident, and in present day would probably be condescending he thinks he is the coolest thing ever, and honestly I am not sure how he got into this mess in the first place if he's so clever  he cannot leave the cyclops without making a smart-ass comment first, has to have last word I really don't like reading the story from his perspective because everythi

Feedback Strategies

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A lot of my high school career was filled with feedback. Every time I auditioned for a play, or did a scene in class, or performed anything in front of my director, I had to have my peers and instructors give me constructive criticism. I am very sensitive, and if anyone says anything mean to me it makes me cry so I really understand the importance of making your feedback a good mix of positivity and help. In high school one of my directors yelled at me until I cried for something I could not control, and I will never forget it even though he said positive things to me too. Basically, when I give feedback I don't want to be like my mean director, I want to be helpful and not make people feel like garbage. Inspirational cat from growth mindset blog The first article How to Give Feedback Without Sounding Like a Jerk was actually very helpful to me. I really liked how it gave you specific sentences to say. When you ask someone if you can give them feedback, it lets them prepare

Topic Research: Goddesses Galore

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Eos, goddess of dawn   Wikimedia Commons 1.  Loser Goddess's Club Although Greek goddesses get a lot of attention, there are dozens with really cool stories that don't get as much attention as Aphrodite or Athena. One of my personal favorites is Eos, goddess of the dawn. I'd love to have a story surrounding her and other lesser known goddesses like Iris (goddess of rainbows) and Selene (goddess of the moon.) This story might be them ranting about the popular goddesses or telling their own stories they wish more people knew. 2.  Mansion of Muses I think the Greek Muses would make a really great topic project because they are nine goddesses who each are in charge of some form of art. This story could revolve around them being in a large house together and the drama that ensues from a bunch of girls living together. I lived in a sorority house for a year so I know all the trouble that can happen with boys, sharing clothes and gossip. 3. Goddess Book Club This sto

Week 3 Story: Cupid & Psyche go to Couples Therapy

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(Cupid and Psyche,  Wikimedia Commons ) Therapist: So why are you two here today? Cupid: I don't think we need this- Psyche: You don't think we need couple's therapy? Don't be stupid, Cupid. Do you remember when your mother tried to kill me on multiple occasions? She sent me to the underworld and told me to my face that she wished I would just die? You don't remember that, Cupid? Cupid: Okay, I mean I think everything's okay now! We don't have to worry about her because that's all in the past. All that matters is that we are happily in love. Therapist: Wait, his mother tried to kill you? That might be worth discussing. Psyche: YES! She was jealous of my beauty and wanted me to stay far away because I was getting so much attention. Then, after she found out I was dating Cupid, she made me perform nearly impossible errands in hopes that I'd give up and die. She would rather me be dead than end up with her son. Therapist: And how does th

Reading Notes: Cupid and Psyche part B

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(Cupid and Psyche's Wedding from Wikipedia ) We jump into the story now with Venus' point of view, which is exciting because she is one of the antagonists and it's fun to know what she is thinking and plotting against her son and his girl. She has an EXCELLENT evil monologue. I love the interaction between gods and mortals again, and how Psyche and Ceres and Juno form a caring  relationship that Psyche desperately needs because her own family isn't there for her. Even though they can't directly protect her, at least they tell her to run. "The goddess burst into savage laughter as women do when deeply enraged" an absolutely iconic line I love how the ant starts to help Psyche like a true princess fairytale, and nature comes together  to sort the grains because they know she is a good person. And then again with the sheep, kind strangers help Psyche perform difficult tasks. The things Psyche has to do to get to the underworld are very intense an