1st Quarter Writing Reflection

1) I enjoyed the short story assignments. It was the most fun to write our own stories from scratch. I really like using my imagination to make a story as believable as possible using sensory details. I didn't like how the focus of the class was to get the most done possible, as opposed to focusing on quality. We never sat back and reflected on what we had written; it kept moving to cover as much material as possible. Never letting it soak in.

2) I think my short stories were the strongest. As a writer, i think I'm good at describing a scene that many readers can relate to. As an example, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" attacks how many people in society focus only on themselves and not others in need. I think I did a good job of portraying that.

3) I can accept both sides of a writing prompt. I do like structure, but i don't mind a broad topic either. I have learned that broad topics really get my imagination going.

4) I would like to write screenplays. Creating a conflict, then resolving it with character description as well as describing a scene would be fun. I'm a very visual learner, and along with that comes a visual writing style.

Fear

I don't mind being scared. Although, i don't get scared all that easily. I'm usually the one laughing in the back of the theater because the people getting murdered are so stupid. Maybe its just a lack of creativity by the writers because the only scary movies that get to me are the ones that could happen to me in the real world. Spiders are a fear of mine. I'm not sure where that fear came from. It was much worse in my childhood, but now i am beginning to overcome it.

I think fear stems from empathy. Horror movies scare people because the people watching the movies put themselves in the shoes of the people in the movie. For example, often times when a person is hiding from a "killer" he/she holds their breath. The same behavior occurs in the people in the audience, the viewers get just as scared. The fear of death or physical harm only apply to certain people, myself not being one.

A definition of madness would be the opposite of how the majority of the public would react in a given situation. The difference between madness in our time to Poe's is just a change in society. Today, people can be driven to madness by increasing bills, or the inability to "fit in." It didn't take much to scare people in Poe's day, so a simple story that let the reader's imagination really define exactly how "mad" the character went in this story. But in our time, it is understood that there are mental diseases that actually drive people to be insane. Before this, it was thought to the be work of the devil.

Assignment 5- Final First Lines

1) The exhaust from the bus cloaked it as it pulled up to the school. The door opened and out jumped Jimmy. His excitement rung throughout the school yard.
2) A car horn chases a flock of birds from the cover and safety of the trees. Four green courts that double as basketball and tennis courts stand in the distance. This is where many grew up.
3) He got tunnel vision as he stepped off the bus. Jimmy focused on one thing every time he arrived at school, and today was no different. But today was different in many ways.
4) His alarm clock shook him from his deep sleep. He was 10 minuets late. "NO! Not today! Any day but today!" shouted Jimmy. For today was no other day. Today was the day where he finally stood up to his fears and went for the goal he has been yearning for.
5) He sat impatiently waiting for the doctor to be finished taking his temperature. Jimmy wanted to get to school as soon as possible today. This wasn't the usual mindset of a third grader waiting to go to school, but today was different. Today is when Jimmy finally tries what he has been waiting to do.

A Response to the Story "Where are you going? Where have you been?"

The setting begins with a place of freedom in the diner across from the mall. The setting then shifts so a sense of helplessness. Connie is home alone and left with little to do. This boredom eventually leads her to letting herself get into Arnold's car. We are first introduced to Connie as the stereotypical self-centered brat. This characterization not only interests the reader it also, paradoxically, makes the reader dislike Connie. She is completely self absorbed, ignoring her family and their activities. I was really drawn in to the story from the beginning because I didn't see where it was going at first. Arnold is described earlier then he is introduced. When Connie is walking out to a boy's car, she sees Arnold in his car and he makes a creepy comment. This gives the impression of his domineer right away. When he pulls up into Connie's driveway, he is described as being deceiving and discussing. The strange thing about him is that he is not forceful. He is somewhat genuine and kind of nice about the whole thing, not forcing anything. He only threatens once when saying that he will come in if she calls the police. I think Joyce Carol Oates is trying to say that some people are not to be trusted. Don't necessarily judge a book by its cover, but don't ignore it either.

Important aspects of a short story;
1) Interest from the begging
2) Strong descriptions of characters
3) Appeals to a large audience
4) A strong climax
5) A hook
6) A variety of characters
7) Plot twists
8) A sense of empathy
9) An ending that can be thought out by the reader
10) Plots that relate to real life experiences

My 2 Strongest Poems

S.O.S.
by David Reese

A final resting place.
For this war, i didn't want to face.
Bodies surround; to the right, behind and straight ahead.
One, to the left, full of burning lead.

For this war i did not stand. But,
now I cannot stand at all.
Some say "rest in peace," but my peace
is when this war is in it's resting place.

Mouth fills with nearly simmering salty liquid.
Heart steadily slowing.
Hands cramping.
But with this, no pain.

For tonight, my time line is at it's end.



The Purpose of Points
by David Reese

Everything starts with a point.
Even this poem, with this point I'm making.

Points together make a line.
Lines form shapes.
Life also starts with a point.

There's a point in life where you can go no further,
then someone makes a point to help.

A point can be vague or punctual.
You can make a punctual point to be present.

The sharp point of a pin can hurt, while
the same sharp point of a needle can cure
Everything beings and ends with a point.

A Work that Changed a Life

The piece of writing that i brought to class today is a copy of The Hardy Boys series. It wasn't exactly that specific work that changed me, it was the night after night stories that were read to me by my mom. The array of books she read to me included the Goosebumps series along with The Hardy Boys. She would spend hours sitting in my room reading aloud to my brother and I.

I believe the imagination it took to put me in those sittuations the characters faced led me to my writing. In The Hardy Boys i would try to solve the mysteries along with the brothers. The first book of the series is called The Tower Treasure, it was the first i read and the most memorable. The first line of the book is what first struck me. Right away i was thrown into the adventure and realized i would be putting myself in their situation throughout the series with, "Frank and Joe Hardy clutched the grips of their motorcycles and stared in horror at the oncoming car. It was careening from side to side on the narrow road." (p. 1) This got the excitement going for me right away.

Prompt:

In a paragraph describe the most vivid and early memory book has given you. Also, describe the mood and setting.

Da Greatest Blog Ever

My name is David and i like to write in many different ways. All areas of writing interests me. In the next few months i hope to improve my brainstorming abilities and overall creativity. One of my favorite poets is Robert Frost. He uses symbolism along with creative word choice to create a vivid image.

My first Creative Writing Poem:

Balance by David R.

Trapise artists have it easy;
Holding a physical balance while we hold
Many balances that can affect many more lives.
To trade place would be a dream,
for my balance is much more extreem.

Atop the clouds he may stand,
while on the earth's crust is where I land.
It takes a strong and steady hand
to saty true.

Don't be troubled, your not alone
there are many more masses just like us
who need no help to keep that precious balance.
So lend your hand to one in need.
You can be that steady pace
who keeps the world in it's place.