"It’s perpetual motion; the thing man wanted to invent but never did...it’s a mystery...its real beauty is that it destroys responsibility and consequences...clean, quick, sure; nothing to rot later. Antibiotic, aesthetic, practical."

Fahrenheit 451

By: Ray Bradbury

Part Two: The Sieve and the Sand, pg. 94-110

Part Three: Burning Bright, pg. 113-165

Don't judge a book by its cover...

 The Sieve and the Sand

   The scene begins as Montag withdraws money from his account to pay Faber. The country has begun mobilizing for war. The country is an atomic crisis. Faber begins to read the book of Job to Montag. Encouraged, Montag heads home only to find Mildred with her "TV family" and friends -- Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles. He attempts to engage the three women in conversation...and quickly becomes angered by their lack of values. For example, he asked the women their thoughts on voting in a presidential election. Their typical answer included the man's appearance on, you guessed it, television. Montag breaks out his poetry book and reads Dover Beach to the women. The women become emotional and even angered by such actions -- Montag wishes others could see and know what he sees and knows. I believe this is another turning point for Montag. It opens his eyes to the world that is actually around him. Mildred returns to her bedroom, and Montag quickly discovers that Millie has been burning his books -- one by one. He plots to rehide them in the backyard...soon, he is consumed with guilt for upsetting Millie and her friends. This shows his self identity and emotion for personal issues that most in this futuristic society don't practice and understand. He begins to discover self doubt. Are THEY in the right to just focus on pleasure in life? Yes, if there was no war and all was right with the world. But those realities call for detention. Montag heads back to the fire station for the first time since his leave of absence. Faber, in his radio ear piece, scolds and consoles him along the way. Beatty welcomes Montag after his "period of folly." One of my favorite quotes, that I hope to retain in my memory, was at this point of the novel -- Faber says, "Don't be afraid of mistakes, as they sharpen the mind." This holds so much meaning to me, for, as the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. At the end of Part Two, Montag discovers his house on fire... 

Burning Bright

As Montag gazes at Clarisse's empty house, his empty eyes give way to his innermost being. Beatty soon assumes (under correct pretenses) that Montag has fallen into Clarisse's influence. Nevertheless, Beatty berates him for it. Upon arrival of the Montag residence, Mildred rushes out of the home, suitcase in hand, headed for a taxi. Beatty orders Montag to burn the house with his flame thrower -- how INsincere and emotionless is that...Beatty has always weirded (is that a word?) me out. Beatty also warns Montag that the Mechanical Hound will be on the watch for him should he attempt escape. Of course, Montag torches all of the home, and Beatty places him under arrest. Beatty discovers Montag's ear piece, to which he converses with Faber, and strikes Montag on the head. He continues to degrade Montag by quoting literary works...but Montag throws his flame thrower at Beatty, and he turns to a crisp. What. A. Relief.

The Mechanical Hound injected anesthetic into Montag's leg, but numb Montag was eager to escape. He seeked his four hidden books in the backyard he had hid once before. He discovered a seashell radio, only to find out that the police are on a mass search for him. War has officially been declared for the country. Montag begins to cross the street but is almost hit by a speeding car. He ponders -- could these kids be the same ones how killed Clarisse? After perishing such a thought, Montag creeps into co-workers houses to hide books. He visits with Faber once more, and Faber makes plans for Montag to take the old railroad tracks and meet him one day in St. Louis to meet a retired printer. the Mechanical Hound is out on the hunt for Montag. Montag tracks the Hound by glancing in people's windows of their TV parlors to catch the news reports. The Hound hesitates at Faber's house but passes through. An all call to action was televised, stating for a ten count, neighbor to neighbor search for Montag. He makes it to the river before anyone began to search. After wading the current, Montag washes ashore in the countryside. Here's where my favorite part begins...He feels a strong sense of Clarisse's presence, assuming she has been there before. He stumbles upon the track which will soon lead him to a fire with five men sitting. The leader of the group, Granger, invites Montag and says that they have been expecting him, for they have been watching the chase on TV. The men were neat and clean, yet homeless....hmmmm, that's strange. They contain considerable technology, too. Even stranger. Granger gives colorless fluid to Montag to cover his scent from the MH. A strange part, in my opinion, occurred as the scapegoat of an innocent man died in Montag's place. Granger provided great comic relief to Montag (who felt distraught) when he said, "Welcome back to life." These former professors and intellectuals saw Montag as their "back up copy" of the book of Ecclesiastes. Finally! His reading and love for literature has been validated by someone!

I loved Granger's character. His motives through the end of the novel were enouraging. He stated that he and his group (of thousands) are waiting for humanity to become ready for books again so that they can be of some use to the world. If only...

He also describes how to always remember -- that books are not important in themselves but only as repositories of knowledge, confident in man's determination to save what is worth saving. Montag is perplexed and analyzes the men's faces. They laugh at his blank stares and tell him not to judge a book by its cover. Clever, huh? Very fitting...

Montag thinks of his wife Mildred...he left her, yet doesn't miss her at all. He thinks of her untimely death and is not saddened by the thought. Granger, with consoling words tells a story of his grandfather's death and also of his wisdom. He says, "When people change even a small part of the world thoughtfully and deliberately, they leave behind enough of their souls to enable other people to mourn them properly." Well said, in my opinion.

Suddenly, jets flash over the city. Somehow, I had forgotten that the country was under nuclear warfare. The jets drop bombs, and the city is vaporized by the explosion. The men were knocked flat by the shockwave. Internally, Montag is torn. He thinks of Millie again -- thinks of her dying -- and realizes where he met her...in Chicago. Earlier in the novel, the two argued over personal matters like this. He was in disbelief at his lack of knowledge on personal memories in life. He began repeating the book of Ecclesiastes to himself.

Granger symbolically compares mankind to a phoenix, rising again and again from its own ashes. He tells the men that they will need to build a mirror factory to take a looooong look at themselves. And as the book closes, the men head upriver to help the survivors rebuild.

How interesting! This book has so much symbolism -- like the mirror, as it compares to self understanding. Several paradoxes were displayed throughout and religious references were a heavy influence. I also loved Bradbury's use of animal and nature imagery to convey this futuristic novel.

 

"...the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns..."

Fahrenheit 451

By: Ray Bradbury

Part One: The Hearth and the Salamander, pg. 3-68

Part Two: The Sieve and the Sand, pg.71-93

Eager to begin this book (that I've heard so much about), I flipped the novel open...there, I found this quote: "If they give you ruled paper, write the other way." Penned by Juan Ramon Jimenez, these words are ambitious, daring, and encouraging. Little did I know -- it set the tone for the story to ensue...

In the first sections of this futuristic American society novel, I learned that the value of books lies in the detailed awareness of the life that they contain. This means that one needs not only books but also the leisure to read them and the freedom to act upon those ideas in life.

The Hearth and the Salamander

Guy Montag, the protagonist cleverly named after a paper manufacturing company (ironic, huh), is a fireman in charge of burning books in this grim, objective society. He wears a black uniform with a salamander on the arm and a "phoenix disc" on his chest. Late one night, he meets a new neighbor, seventeen year old Clarisse, who is fascinated by him. She goes on to tell Montag the original nature and duty of a fireman. In disbelief, Montag finds Clarisse peculiar in her family interactions and strolls down the street. Such matters are illegal in this society, afterall. He becomes enthralled by her incredible power of identification, perceptive observances, and unorthodoxed lifestyle. To challenge Montag's character, Clarisse asks him if he is happy, and then, she disappears. This strikes his innermost, trembling thoughts...a real turning point in Montag's life.

Montag is not used to discussing personal matters and is disturbed by the scene that had just taken place. He finds his wife in bed, overdosed on sleeping pills and calls the hospital to replace her poison blood with fresh. A common symbol throughout the novel, blood represents repressed soul and instinctive self. The next morning, his wife Mildred denies her suicide attempt. Montag goes out for work, only to find Clarisse standing outside, catching raindrops in her mouth. One of my favorite parts of the book is when she tells Montag that one is in love if rubbing a dandlion under the chin leaves pollen behind. She tries it on Montag, yet, nothing is left behind. Clarisse can see Montag's embarrassment and states she must go to visit her psychiatrist because of her "lack of sociability" and "dangerous independent thought habits." After seeing her depart, Montag begins catching raindrops in his mouth.

After that fateful day, Montag begins visiting with Clarisse more and more outside after work. Montag begins challenging the ability and motive of a fireman more and more...he asks Captain Beatty about it. Beatty claims that in 1790, Benjamin Franklin imposed the fire department in hopes of ridding the country of English influence in literature. (This was odd to me...not exactly how I remembered history. But that's just my opinion.) In the next scene, the department is sent to a book burning in an old building. There, an old woman refuses to flee, and although Montag persuades her otherwise, she strikes a match, and the house goes up in flames with her.

That night, Montag tucked away a book from the fire...placing it in secret underneath his pillow. At this point, he hasn't encountered Clarisse in over four days. He askes Mildred about her, who then describes that Clarisse was hit by a car and killed. After the two argue much over personal issues, Captain Beatty arrives to check on Montag. He tells Montag that everyone goes through the "problem," challenging and relating to the history of the profession. During this part, to me, Beatty's monologue was difficult to follow. It was as if he were scatter-brained. He describes why reading became less popular -- due to photography, film, and television, making it possible to pressure for information in quick, digestible, visual forms. The spread of literacy grew in standard and competition. Also, "minorities" and special interest groups thought books were objectionable and wanted to abandon all debate. While straightening up the house, Mildred discovers Montag's hidden book and attempts to burn it. Montag begs her to embark on this journey with him for 48 hours, seeking through the books together, in hopes of finding something to share with others. 

The Sieve and the Sand

Montag continues to spend the afternoon reading...meanwhile he thinks of Clarisse and her uniqueness. Although Mildred refuses to speak of the dead, she continues with Montag in his search. He isn't finding the answers he had hoped for, sooooo -- he sets out to find a teacher. He calls Faber, a professor he once met in the park. With Faber, Montag learns that it is not books but the meaning they contain that provides happiness. People in this futuristic society are living on flowers instead of good substantive dirt (media vs. literature). People are unwilling to accept the true basic realities and unpleasant aspects of life. Montag promotes an idea to Faber -- to plant books in homes of firemen to discredit and demolish the profession. Faber disagrees with the suggestion at first. But Montag threatens Faber by tearing out pages of his Bible...to which Faber quickly agrees.

So far -- the book is very interesting, displaying themes of censorship and knowledge vs. ignorance. I can't wait to read on and learn what happens next. Stay tuned...

“Solitude began. I turned to God. I survived.”

Life of Pi 

A novel by Yann Martel

Part Two: The Pacific, Chapters 90-94

Part Three: Benito Juarez Infirmary, Tomatlan, Mexico, Chapters 95-100

At the close of the novel, Pi's transformation of innocent boy to courageous man shows his oneness and relationship with God. Although his condition continued to deteriorate, Richard Parker was there with him along the way. Both were gloom and doom, knowing hope was all they had to press on. Pi became convinced that he was near absolute death. And, as mentioned before, he came across a "French accent" he couldn't quite place. The voice spoke of beef and brains and all sorts of food that Pi found to be repulsing. He assumes the voice is just RP but soons finds out it is a castaway, old man, seeking food. Pi begins questioning the voice if he had ever killed someone. Yes -- a man and a woman. The two join boats when suddenly the man comes aboard to kill and cannabalize Pi...but, of course, RP comes to the rescue and kills the man. Pi weeps and washes his eyes out with seawater...and he is no longer blind!

The two come upon a low island. There, they nursed themselves back to health and fled to join the meercats. Pi stumbles upon a fruit tree but the fruit contains a middle with a TOOTH. Pi soon climbs back aboard and seeks better land opportunities.

The next destination -- the life boat washed ashore on a Mexican  beach. RP flees to the jungle immediately without saying goodbye.

Two officials, Totohiro Okamoto and Atsuro Chiba, from the Maritime Department in the Job Ministry of Transport are in California on unrelated business. They soon hear Pi has made it to the States. As they journey and venture out to go see him, they two get lost and take a forty-one hour trip...! They face several setbacks along the way but make it to interview Pi about his journey. The tape began recording on February 19, 1978.

An interesting way to keep the reader's attention, Martel uses great syntax and diction through the differnt font for the interview type. In chapter 97, his prompt and willingness showed in his "indoor" area. And first, in English, the men were very interested in Pi's story...but in Japanese, the men were in extreme disbelief. Through proving bananas can float and other instances like that, Pi showed his true colors of the love, charity, TOLERANCE, and GUILTY that entitles it. The book ends on a lighter note than expeced...I'd love to actually meet Pi to hear him recount his experiences from the novel.

"Suddenly, his brute strength meant only moral weakness. It was nothing compared to the strength in my mind..."

Life of Pi 

A novel by Yann Martel

Part Two: The Pacific, Chapters 56-89

 

"I had to tame him. It was at that moment that I realized this necessity. It was not a question of him or me, but of him and me. Most likely the worst would happen: the simple passage of time, in which his animal toughness would easily outlast my human frailty."

In my third posting on the novel, it's still hard to tell if I really like this story. It's interesting, to say the least. In the beginning of this portion of Pi's journey, tension is still on the rise between Richard Parker the tiger and Pi himself.

Pi pulls out the survivor manual he once found in the lifeboat. Curious, he delves into everything the book has to offer him through advice and tactics. He comes to the realization that he needs to handle two things: fishing and creating a shelter. Meanwhile, Richard Parker has clearly "marked" his territory. Pretty disgusting. To make matters worse -- Pi did the same and marked his own.

Here, I can see how Pi has begun to really become one with nature. His transformation is heavily displayed throughout this section. As he becomes one with natural life and the surrouding elements, he begins maintenance on the raft, water system, and shelter/lifeboat. He eats his rations and basks in the ocean and wildlife surrounding his world.

Lifelong, Pi has been a vegetarian and pacifist. That philosophy quickly goes down the drain...he kills a fish with his bare hands! Ewwwww.

By Chapter 62, it has been one week since the shipwreck. In the next few chapters, Pi has counted a total of 227 days as the lost, deserted seaman. Likewise, he has developed several every day chores and activities to stay busy and keep a routine. He feeds himself as well as Richard Parker, keeps the vessels clean and functioning properly, and stimulates his mind by praying, writing, and resting. In order to stay sane, Pi had to forget the notion of time completely...who wouldn't? After 227 days, I would definitely be in a panic.

Time passes and Pi's clothes deteriorate...causing sea boils from the wetness. Okay. Too. Much. Information. That is really disgusting.

He becomes better and better -- a natural, you could say -- at fishing. He learns to use a net and soon catches more fish than he is able to eat. Pi spends hours observing sea life...there isn't much else to do, after all.

 Pi sticks pretty closely to his survival guide. One piece of advice -- drink animal blood to quench the thirst. So -- Pi drank TURTLE blood. Ick. He begins thinking of his own survival guide -- of training and taming a wild creature in a lifeboat while at sea. Pi keeps a diary to recount the daily events, as well.

Here's what made me almost put the book down -- Both Pi and Richard Parker defecate once a month due to constipation and high protein dieting...once, Pi tried to EAT Richard Parker's feces. I draw the line there. That is absolutely repulsing.

Pi becomes almost too good and too natural when it comes to the wild. Whether catching a shark with his bare hands or wolfing down his food, Pi has transformed into an animal.

At the close of this section, Pi endures several storms at sea. Whether physically or emotionally, Pi has faced many trials and tribulations. A tanker -- rescue ship, Pi thought -- gave Pi false hope. Pi sent out a message in a bottle through the ocean. Defeated, Pi is just sure he is nearing death. His pen loses its ink. He begins sleeping more and more. And Pi eventually goes blind and faces delirium.

His crazy bizarre incident is a great indication of his delirium -- a French accent "voice" who turns out to be a cannibal. Okay, Pi...

The plot is interesting (that's an understatement), but who could come up with this stuff?! It's nuts...I can't wait to find out how he'll make it back to civilization. The question is -- will he be able to function in society ever again?

 

"How I had failed to notice for two and a half days a 450-pound Bengal tiger in a lifeboat twenty-six feet long was a conundrum I would have to try to crack later, when I had more energy."

Life of Pi 

A novel by Yann Martel

Part One: Toronto and Pondicherry, Chapters 30-36 

Part Two: The Pacific, Chapters 37-55

The next portion of the novel opens with Pi's religious philosophies and preferences...again. Surprised? As the point of view is switched back to Pi's narration, I saw that Pi was not just a Hindu or a Christian or a Muslim -- he was all three simultaneously! Priests nagged and begged for him to chose a faith. His reply was that he just wanted to love God. After much ridicule, especially from his brother Ravi, Pi says this: "People who act out in violence or anger in the name of God misunderstand the true nature of religion." Gosh, we should all have that 'mantra' ...right? Pick a religion and belief, sure -- but he has a point there. Pi also begins experimenting with prayer, through the excitement of the new prayer mat/rug he receives. He was then baptized.

The 1970s proved to be a difficult time for India. Yet these political adversities did not seem to have much of an affect on Pi. Nevertheless, Pi's father was troubled and decided to pack up the family and move westward -- to Canada, that is. 

In the next portion, the author briefly meets Pi's wife  Meena Patel. Later, he also comes in contact with Pi's two children: Nikhil and Usha, who is four. 

Pi and the family set sail for a new life on June 21, 1977 as they traveled into the unknown. But, leads in the story make me wonder and even believe Pi's story has a happy ending. 

Suddenly, the ship, Tsimtsum sinks! Pi makes it into the life boat as utter chaos and dysfunction erupts.

Enter Richard Parker, the Royal Bengal tiger. Pi saves him and let's him aboard. Has he gone mad?! Pi flashes back to occurrences of the Tsimtsum the night before. He encounters many trials through his memory. And soon, Pi is hopeless. It appears there are no other HUMAN survivors except for himself.

Enter the hyena, the zebra, and Orange Juice, the orangutan. Pi begins to think -- surely, help is on the way! He quickly realized there is not much of a boundary or barrier between him and the "others" -- those animals! Worried about the night events that would ensue, Pi cannot stop thinking of how uncomfortable he is around the hyena. 

Here comes the gruesome part -- the hyena EATS the zebra's already broken leg. Ewwwww. What a traumatic event to witness.  As Pi becomes devasted with defeat, he tells a sea turtle to go find help. Okay, since when did he become the animal whisperer? 

More disgusting details about animal brutality continued...the hyena atacked the zebra, eating it alive from its insides! OJ and the hyena face off. Pi just begins to grieve over his loss of his family. The hyena attackes and eventually decapitates OJ. 

We soon learn the reason Richard Parker is named Richard Parker and how he was captured to be taken to the Pondicherry Zoo. 

Pi is overcome with thirst, so...he goes to check out the rations. Here's my favorite part! The list....cannot get more thorough than that! I make lists for everything and loved reading something I could relate to. As he finishes tallying the supplies, Pi decides it is crucial for survival that he distance himself from Richard Parker. The tiger kills the hyena and turns to Pi next but gets distracted when Pi throws a rat at him. 

As Pi toys with plotting to kill RP, he ultimately decides to tame him instead. 

Although graphic, I really enjoyed this section...I felt like I knew Pi and connected with him so much more!

"If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams."

Life of Pi

A novel by Yann Martel

Author's Note, Part One: Toronto and Pondicherry, Chapters 1-29

Martel opens the novel by recounting his journey to the inspiration and completion of the story. By giving his own personal background, Martel writes himself into the text as an actual character (or at least it seemed that way to me). He proceeds with telling of his much needed trip to Bombay...here, he was in search of not only inspiration, but also of himself. He needed a fresh start, especially after the flop of his first two novels. So, on his second trip to India, Martel began to plan his next feature -- a novel about Portugal. Here, I was a bit perplexed. Why go to Bombay to clear your mind and prepare yourself to write about Portugal? Whatever. But, as I assumed would happen, his plan failed. Upon arriving to Pondicherry in south India, Martel encountered Francis Adirubasamy who would, little did he know, become the inspiration for Life of Pi.

In the opener of Part One, Pi is depicted as one who has suffered a great deal in life, leaving him dejected -- total gloom and doom. Why? I had no idea...yet. He then goes on to discuss his studious efforts in his educational aspects of religion and zoology. Randomly, he begins to describe slugs in grave detail. I almost put the book down at this point (or almost fell asleep!). I mean, who wants to hear about the slothful, lazy, indolent creatures??? But, I gave it another try and read on.

Pi misses India...that becomes apparent, but he also loves Canada. Sounds familiar, eh? He also describes missing a Richard Parker? No idea. And then randomly describes a hospital stay in Mexico, including listing his ailments and recovery efforts.

Suddenly, the point of view is switched to the author's. Martel describes Pi as a gray-headed, middle-aged, small man who runs his mouth but chooses his words wisely.

And then the focus switches again. Francis (mentioned in the Author's Note) is brought up when Pi describes his boyhood in India. Francis taught Pi how to swim, an important piece of knowledge, considering Pi was named after a pool.

Pi's father ran the zoo...ding, ding, ding. Here's where Pi's wildlife fascination must come in. He then describes his other passion in education -- religion...or lack thereof. Using his teacher, Mr. Satish Kumar an atheist communist, Pi dabbles into the experimentation of religion, belief systems, and other ideologies.

And then my stomach twisted in knots...Pi vividly describes in such gruesome detail of his father feeding a LIVE goat to a caged tiger. Somehow, this was supposed to teach Pi and his brother a lesson about the nature of the wild. But -- Pi soon realizes the most dangerous animal of all is the man. Pi describes and recognizes the behaviors of the wild -- territorial instincts, alpha male desire, and loyalty to the master.

Shifting again, Pi goes back to religion. Born into Hinduism, Pi embraces the philosophy: "That which sustains the universe beyond thought and language, and that which is at the core of us and struggles for expression, is the same thing." I'm not going to lie, I was perplexed when Pi stated that he would always be Hindu. Doesn't he keep a Bible on his night stand??? So, born into Hinduism, he became a Christian by age 14...and then a Muslim by age 15. This poor boy is so confused! As he delves deeper and deeper into religious philsophies, the author ponders more and more about Pi (or maybe his own) true beliefs.

So far, the book has been difficult to get into as it switches back and forth through religion and zoology. Nevertheless, it's a quick read (thus far) and keeps you interested (or maybe perplexed).



"I thought it would be easier if we were just one color, black or white. I didn't want to be white. My siblings had already instilled the notion of black pride in me. I would have preferred that Mommy were black. Now, as a grown man, I feel privileged to have come from two worlds."

James McBride's The Color of Water:

A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

Chapters 19-25, Epilogue, Afterword to the 10th Anniversary Edition, 

Thanks and Acknowledgments, About James McBride, 
About Ruth McBride Jordan 

In the closing portion of this coming-of-age memoir about race relations, Ruth begins by dictating her first stages of romance with McBride's father, Dennis of North Carolina. When she met Dennis's family, they were shocked (as anyone would be) of her opposite race but immediately welcomed her with open arms. Soon Mameh, Ruth's mother, becomes ill. Meanwhile, her father, Tateh, is having an affair! Scandalous for such a strict Jew, huh? Tateh leaves the store to his wife and children for long periods of time. Not long after his excursions with his mistress (a neighbor the family knew well, I might add!), Tateh asks Mameh for a divorce. But she refuses. This is what gained my respect for Mameh. I was also impressed with her generosity towards Ruth in her earlier years when she fled to live with her aunts. Eventually, Tateh gets his divorce in Reno, Nevada.

In Chapter 20, McBride takes a roadtrip to the South (Suffolk, Virginia) to visit his mother's past. At this point in McBride's life, he is at a point of indecision in his career. In turn, he faces confusion with his racial identity. In his journey to Suffolk, he sought to uncover the origins of his mother so that he could, in part, understand his own.

Ruth's tensions with her family become very apparent in Chapter 21 when her father basically tells her not to return home if she wishes to marry a colored man. Although I'm objective to interracial marriage (because I have no first-hand knowledge/experience or ties to the issue), it's sad to see the issue deteriorate a family bond. Ruth's mother dies in the Bronx hospital shortly after Ruth takes off. Guilt-stricken, Ruth feels remorse in abandoning her Mameh. Nevertheless, Ruth found strength in her love, Dennis, and her newfound affinity with Christianity.

Back to McBride: He locates the synagogue where Ruth and her family attended. There, McBride comes to terms with his Jewish roots. Loneliness enveloped as McBride walked the Nansemond River. The burden of his past was upon him, but he desired to embrace life and humanity all the same.

Harassment endured as Dennis and Ruth, an interracial couple, lived in 1940s Harlem. After living together for awhile, the couple attended the local baptist church and were soon married. Living in one room with four children for nine years, the couple grew closer and closer with each passing day. Times were tough. Money was tight. But love flourished. They soon established the New Brown Memorial Church in 1953. But in '57, Dennis became ill, leaving Ruth pregnant with their eighth child ---- James! Dennis died of lung cancer months later. Emotionally and financially unstable, Ruth looked to her generous community for help. She then married Hunter who promised to take care of her all the days of their lives. This portion of the book was bittersweet to me. As I watched the characters grow, I was in awe as I watched their lives grow spiritually. 

On several occasions, Ruth attests to the power of the word of God. If only women were as strong-willed and focused on Christ, right?! We could have many more amazing mothers in this country, raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Although mixed race kept haunting McBride which brought upon him identity crisis, McBride conveyed Ruth's upbringing of her children as her definition - her crowning accomplishment.

In the Epilogue, Ruth enters a synagogue for the first time since her childhood. Hesitant, Ruth soon realizes that Judaism has been a significant component of her heritage and she values it as she comes to terms with this virtue of her life.

I honestly thought --- this book is so not my thing. I'm too conservative to read about interracial marriages and what not. But I opened my mind and thoroughly enjoyed McBride's captivating tale of a black man's tribute to his white mother. 

"There's such a big difference between being dead and alive. I told myself, the greatest gift that anyone can give anyone else is life. And the greatest sin a person can do to another is to take away that life. Next to that, all the rules and religions in the world are secondary; mere words and beliefs that people choose to believe and kill and hate by. My life won't be lived that way, and neither, I hope, will my children's."

James McBride's The Color of Water:

A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

Chapters 10-18

In the middle 'chunk' of this novel, McBride grows from boy to man physically, mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually. In Chapter 10, the kids begin questioning their mother's past more and more. Reluctant, Ruth holds back her childhood and rather tells of their father's family life instead. The children, James especially, are curious of their mother's Judaism decent. Ruth's attitude, to me, reflects her children's upbringing. She teaches values and the importance of education --- nothing more, nothing less.

McBride begins to discover his love for jazz --- it's his clutch to the imaginative world, rather than facing the painful realities that ensue because of his race. The racial ridicule increases as his classmates make him feel inferior. He almost wishes his family were just one color. This sparks his real investigation of his mother's past.

In the next chapter, Ruth opens up about her secret love affair with Peter...and she's having his baby! That was a definite surprise to me! I was even more surprised that her mother was compassionate, kept her affair a secret, and sent her to live with her aunts in New York. Although Ruth builds strong bonds with Aunt Betsy, working in the leather factory became tiresome. BUT --- she met McBride's father, Dennis, there. Problems with her aunts arise, and she moves out. But before meeting Dennis, Ruth headed 'home' to complete her education...meeting back up with Peter who was to marry the black mother of his soon-to-be child. She has pitfalls along the way when her father argues with her about her education...this is how she ends up back in NY with Dennis. 

But Dennis (the biological father) was not the important Dad to McBride. In Chapter 12, McBride recounts his intimate final moments with his stepfather before his death of a stroke. He promises his stepfather that he will take care of Ruth and the family.

Unable to cope, McBride slacks off in school, begins skipping classes, turns to drugs, and even begins to do some petty stealing. All out of anger, it was sad to see McBride's quick turn for the worse. His mother sent him to spend the summer with his sister in Kentucky. There, he learned to educate himself and work hard in life. This is where I really saw McBride form into a man --- realizing the importance of his life. 

McBride turns to God for compassion, comfort, and guidance at this point in the novel...this is where I really saw him grow morally and spiritually. He takes deep consideration to changing his previous behavior. 

At the close of this portion of the book, the family packs up and heads to Delaware...for New York is far too expensive! I really enjoyed reading McBride's love of jazz grow and grow. He went to Europe with the Dawson's and got into Oberlin College! Can't wait to see what's in store for McBride. 

"Her oddness, her complete nonawareness of what the world thought of her, a nonchalance in the face of what I perceived to be imminent danger from blacks and whites who disliked her for being a white person in a black world. She saw none of it."

James McBride's The Color of Water:

A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

Chapters 1-9

Although I really enjoyed reading On Writing, it's definitely nice to begin a new book! So far, this tribute has been easy to follow, historically eye-opening, and captivating to uncover. To be honest, I've never been interested in the Civil Rights Movement. I'm totally for it and how it's molded our great nation -- but it just never caught my eye like Pearl Harbor or the Holocaust did in my history classes. Even though I've only begun the book, it's changing my mind completely. Hearing McBride's words through his Jewish mother's experiences is incredibly interesting.

James McBride, born in 1957, tells the story of growing up with a white Jewish mother, 11 siblings and their two black fathers in Brooklyn’s Red Hook projects.

In this memoir, he shares a mix between his mother’s telling of her life – one that she had once refused to share with her children – blended into his own upbringing.

This first page hooked me in...authors, of course, know you have to get the reader's attention at this point. Nevertheless, on his first page, McBride writes,

 “As a boy, I never knew where my mother was from – where she was born, who her parents were. When I asked she’d say, ‘God made me.’ When I asked if she was white, she’d say, ‘I’m light-skinned,’ and change the subject. She raised twelve black children and sent us all to college and in most cases graduate school…yet none of us knew her maiden name until we were grown.”

And he continues in saying:

“Here is her life as she told it to me, and betwixt and between the pages of her life you will find mine as well.”

That's pretty powerful. His (and her) stories thus far may seem common and of little importance. But throughout the pages, I'm beginning to see the other side of racism, controversy, and strife. Maybe more of us should see ourselves as "the color of water" instead of getting caught up in the actual color of our skin that separate so many different peoples of the world we live in.



 

Stephen King believes a writer should write a lot to be successful. Throughout his life, King has always written.

Final Response to Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Throughout his life, Stephen King has demonstrated his dedication to the art of writing. From a young boy, eager to learn the meaning of new words to a 63 year old autobiographer, King has lived his motto: read a lot and, more importantly, write a lot. King's passion for writing, displayed in the memoir, encourages amateur and aspiring writers, dedicated to the craft. King uses several personal experiences and advice as specific examples to show good writing. Unique examples include his early writing years, his time of addiction, and his relationship with his wife.

In his first years of writing, King could've been discouraged enough to give up writing completely. Rejection slip after rejection slip, King strived to become a published writer. In his C.V., King states: "Don't bother trying to read between the lines, and don't look for a through-line. There are no lines -- only snapshots, most out of focus." He uses metaphors like this example to show how simple good writing can be and is for a good author. In his childhood, King moved often with his mother and brother. One thing that never changed (contrary to his fast-paced life) was writing. In his early years, King developed the theme and genre he loved to write about. He realized fiction was suited for him and even wrote for newspapers. To write well, knowing early in life what you love to write about and share with others is key.

As his career progressed, King developed an addiction to alcohol and other drugs. And while some of his best works were written under the influence, King regrets not remembering his "glory" days of writing. Throughout his intervention, King showed true leadership in good writing by overcoming personal obstacles. As King had to battle his personal downfalls and strife, he had to form himself into the writer he is today. He says "Words create sentences; sentences creates paragraphs; and sometimes paragraphs quicken and begin to breathe." Like the structure of good writing, King had to develop the mentality of a good writer. In this portion of the novel, King portrays overcoming his darkest hour and rising triumphantly out of the pit of despair.

A writer herself, King's wife is an encourager, but more importantly, a realist. As his Ideal Reader, Tabitha King has a relationship with King beyond that of a bonded marriage. King uses her for advice on all of his works -- whether good or bad. When King is unsure of a piece he's begun, Tabitha is there to give him the absolute truth. When writing Carrie, King threw away his draft. Tabitha was immediately there to scoop it out of the wastebasket and put her mind to the work -- and a bestselling novel was born. In expressing his relationship with his Ideal Reader, King shows the importance of writing...good writing, that is.  He defines writing the best: "Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well."

Writing and reading a lot are a given in King's opinion. Beyond this, King uses several specific examples to develop good writers. Throughout his life, King has always written, and he charges others to do the same in this memoir.

"Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well."

Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Chapters 10-16 On Writing; On Living: A Postscript;

And Furthermore, Part I: Door Shut, Door Open;

And Furthermore, Part II: A Book List;

Further to Furthermore, Part III

I finished the book! And I must say, it is a must read. In my first post, I said I was a reluctant fan of Stephen King. I still am. Mostly because I'm not a fan of the genre he normally writes. But writing -- something I relate to -- connected me to King. There are so many great quotes, tips, and enriching pieces that I plan to share with many people. I plan to use his techniques as I venture into AP English writing classes in high school and especially in college (where writing is inevitable).

On Writing

King opens this portion of the novel with theme.

"When writing a book, you spend day after day scanning and identifying the trees. When you're done, you have to step back and look at the forest."

He goes on to discuss the "norm" of writing: sybolism, imagery, irony, musical language. But it's up to me to discover what I want to write about. I love that. He's always so straight forward. So blunt.

"The vision was also strangely optimistic," King says while discussing the dreaded writer's block.

I am one who can definitely relate to this. As a newspaper reporter, creative writer, applicant for scholarships, and high school student, I often get in a jam with writing. But he says "boredom can be a good thing for someone in a creative jam." I like this. He gives wonderful advice on getting away from the desk, paper, and pencil. Take a break from you thoughts.

Using over-logic, or thinking above the curve, can be an amazing thing. It's "that sudden flash of insight when you see how everything connects." King's got some great quotes. I'm a fan of good quotes (if you can't tell!). I plan to add several (like this one) to my "collection". He is so articulate and knows exactly what he's trying to convey. He uses whatever word comes to mind -- sometimes a good thing. Sometimes not so much.

Instead of digging for answers in writing, sometimes the book gives you answers. Now, I don't know if I'll ever write a book. Well, I want to, but I'm not sure it'll be worth reading! But this portion of the book struck me. Find your answers in the book. From you characters. From their decisions. Where they'll end up next.

Thematic thinking, he says, is another handy gadget for the toolbox. Like a magnifying glass, it gives you a closer look into the character, setting, and events of writing.

"Good fiction always begins with story and progresses to theme; it almost never begins with theme and progresses to story. Starting with questions and thematic concerns is considered bad fiction."

This part of King's writing discusses enriching the draft. In revising your work, your first draft should not include help or interference with anyone. I really like this. It almost makes me feel like computers should not be allowed, for the Internet could be quite an interference. I imagine myself in a room with a note pad and pencil in hand. And that's it.

"Be cautious and give yourself a chance to think while your story is still like a field of freshly fallen snow, absent of any tracks save your own." Wonderfully said in my opinion. Don't expose your writing to the critical world until you have the chance to mull over, think, and enrich your draft.

After taking a 6-week break, it's time to read your manuscript. What?! Six weeks?! Aren't people on deadlines? This shocked me. But, hey! Apparently it works. He says to mundane over the housekeeping jobs -- tidy up your work with misspellings, punctuation, grammar, etc. Don't be lazy and leave that for the editor. BINGO. Thank you, Mr. King. I wish some members of our newspaper staff would read their work before turning them in to me. 

"Screw ups happen to the best of us. Someone did design the Titanic and then label it unsinkable."

This was funny to me. Very insightful.

During this time of re-reading, you begin to re-discover your own book. This is what I love about the 6-week break. It gives you the chance to almost see your book through someone else's eyes. Sort of. During your own "editing" process, knockout story and toolbox concerns: pronouns with unclear antecedents, deleting adverbs, coherence of your story. Look for resonance -- not necessarily morals.

The Ideal Reader -- all novels are really letters aimed at one person. I've never thought of it this way. Maybe it's because I don't write many short stories. But I imagine most writers and big time authors gearing their ideas toward their IR's. "He or she is going to be in your writing room all the time: in the flesh once you open the door and let the world back in to shine on the bubble of your dream, in spirit during the sometimes troubling and often exhilarating days of the first draft, when the door is closed."

Here's a funny line that I strongly agree with: "The truth is that most writers are needy. Especially between the first draft and the second, when the study door swings open and the light of the world shines in." This, I'm assuming, is why King believes authors rely so heavily on their IR's approval.

King goes on to discuss pace-- and how to keep your reader's attention. I can name quite a few authors who can lose an audience fast. But, he says, you can overdo the speed thing. Don't wear out your reader. But do keep him/her interested.

The formula: 2nd Draft = 1st Draft - 10%. Otherwise, cut out the boring parts, the lull in the text. He says the formula taught him that all stories and novels are collapsible to some degree. -- "The effect of judicious cutting is immediate and often amazing -- literary Viagra. You'll feel it, and your IR will, too." An odd way to put it but so true.

He uses great dialogue to teach backstory and its purpose. Clarify unclear things in your second draft. Use information to your advantage -- don't write an instruction manual. Great way to put it. Sometimes ideas can be cut from 2 pages to 2 paragraphs.This is a useful thought when it comes to backstory.

Although this may not exactly apply to me, King says -- "Remember you're writing a novel, not a research paper. The story always comes first." While I'll most likely be writing more research papers than novels, I do see where he's coming from.

Getting your first draft down, he brings up the fossil metaphor again. To write while it's bright and clear in your mind. I like how descriptive King is. He's engaging.

When submitting a story, King even describes how this should be done: attach a coversheet on top of your script, include where you've been published, briefly what your story is about, and an approximate word count. I'm glad he included this section. I don't think I would've thought of doing this.

He ends by saying that writing fulfills him. And he's convinced me that it does.

On Living: A Postscript

I never knew about King's awful accident in '99. But I felt like I was there after his graphic decription. He's pretty good at that, huh?! I do like though, that the glasses that flew into the van's front seat are the lenses he still wears today. The man is loaded -- he can obviously afford any pair he desires. But he kept these. It's a bit symbolic to me. After discussing every broken bone, surgery, and physical therapy session, he begins writing again. Picking up where he left off in this book. That's pretty cool to me. After five weeks, he was writing! He said that writing helped him forget himself, at least for awhile. I kind of wish I relied on writing that much in my life. It's a wonderful gift to have. And one that should be used if you possess the talent. He said "it's the work that bails him out." Sure, I like to write. But, I'm a bit jealous of King. Not because of his money, fame, or success. I'm jealous that he has writing, something he loves, to fall into and rely on when he's at his darkest or desperate hour.

He says the scariest part is always before you start. I think that's what stops me every time. I think I would enjoy writing those "2,000 words" he dedicates to every day. But beginning would get to me.

He sums up his book in this way:

"Some of this book -- perhaps too much -- has been about how I learned to do it. Much of it has been about how you can do it better. The rest of it -- and perhaps the best of it -- is a permission slip: you can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up."

Why does he have such a way with words?! That sums his book up perfectly. It makes me want to become a writer. Just to try all of his advice and calls to action. I need to stay focused. I'm going to pharmacy school. Although journalism and literature is calling my name!

And Furthermore Parts I, II, and III

In Part I, King shows just how he edits and cuts his draft. It's pretty cool, I must admit. "It's the story putting on its clothes, combing its hair, maybe adding just a small dash of cologne." He says most changes are cuts intended to speed up the story. Like Strunk said, "Omit needless words."

"It's about engine maintenance, not joyriding." I really love his metaphorical styles.

In Part II, he gives a booklist of what's worked for him. I'm ashamed to say, of the entire list, I've only read Lord of the Flies. Embarrassing, huh?! In Part III, he updates his list -- almost ten years later. Of both lists, I hope to read: Oliver Twist, To Kill a Mockingbird, Water for Elephants, Life of Pi, No Country for Old Men, Atonement, War and Peace, and Revolutionary Road. Although odd, I kind of like how he ended the book abruptly with a reading list. It's almost mysterious, almost.

"It's because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward, and the state of our union is strong."

State of the Union Address

January 25th, 2011

Delivered by President Barack Obama

Although I was unable to watch the SOTU as a whole, I've heard and read the major points, opening statement, Republican responses, conclusion, news updates, and internet commentators. The address focused on more broad themes and less on a laundry list of policy proposals -- which, surprisingly, I liked.

The tone "after Tucson" was very appropriate as the President honored Congresswoman Giffords and recognized the empty chair in the chamber. Congress members wore black and white ribbons to honor her (loved that!). And President Obama called for the people to pray for "our colleague and friend." The Today Show reported that Giffords's husband held his wife's hand while watching the address live.

While President Obama did not mention gun control as expected, I'm satisfied that he didn't. I don't think it would've been appropriate to discuss that so close to the tragedy. And -- it would've most likely caused bipartisan bickering throughout Washington! Opposed to the President's neglect on the matter, Paul Helmke released this statement:

"How can President Obama tell us in his State of the Union speech tonight that 'the dreams of a little girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own children, and that all deserve the chance to be fulfilled,' without talking about the gun violence that destroyed those dreams?

It wasn't the lack of innovation, education, or investment, too many regulations or too much debt that ended Christina's life and her dreams -- it was a clearly dangerous man who had way too easy access to a gun with a high-capacity ammunition magazine -- good only for killing many people quickly. We need the President to push for laws to reduce the gun violence that shattered Tucson, and Christina's family, and that shatters the lives of more than 100,000 Americans every year."

The First Lady Michelle Obama invited many high school students, researchers, CEO's, and small business owners to her guest box in the chamber. But the Green family were the guests who stood out last night. I really loved that they were invited in this difficult time.

On to his speech ---

It seemed that the President's theme of the evening was increase, increase, increase in spending -- which was not something "the people" necessarily wanted to hear. He believes our focus is to increase spending in energy infrastructure and innovation (with, of course, increasing jobs). But, sure that sounds good - to outbuild the world - but how exactly?! Who is he expecting to pay for this? He stated we need to outbuild the rest of the world, specifically naming India and China. Some good points included malpractice reform and the 1099 reform. He called for more civilty. But something I definitely noticed -- there was no leadership in the debt/deficit issue . . . that obviously needed to be dealt with. I'd guess his address was less than 10% deficit-driven. He also called for a 5-year freeze in the domestic non-security budget. But said he's willing to eliminate what we can always afford to do without. Good cover, Obama. BUT he made sure to say -- we won't be doing this on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens. Healthcare was another surprise at the address. He said instead or re-fighting the battles of the past two years, let's find ideas and work together. Woo-hoo, right?! Like people say - communism looks great on paper. So does healthcare. He says let's fix what needs fixin' and move on. This is when I began to wonder . . . is he just trying to appease his audience? I think so.

Aside from the address, the atmosphere of the room was awesome. It gave me chills to see Republicans paired up with Democrats instead of the common segregation. John McCain sat with John Kerry! And, a big surprise, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi sat with GOP leader Rusco Bartlett.

Here's proof:

Obama's comment on the comming together of parties: "What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow." Amen.

Another addition to the address -- Republican John Boehner . Boy, was I glad to see someone other than Nancy Pelosi sitting beside Joe Biden last night! As the new Speaker of the House, Boehner was brought in, like most recently elected Republicans, with a no-spending platform. Bad choice of words tonight, Obama. You didn't get much of a standing ovation on that one.

Matt Lauer interviewed former mayor of NYC and 2008 presidential candidate Republican Rudy Giuliani. I agreed with him -- he fell short and missed the opportunity of the deficit. Big government will continue. Really? Lauer asked Giuliani a trivial question about the Republican party: could American's see the party split as the 2012 election nears? While Giuliani was skeptical, it sure had me questioning the same thing as I thought about last night's Republican Responses.

 Paul Ryan of Wisconsin delivered the offical GOP response. Later, Michelle Bachmann, with a different twist, responded via internet. Although the two didn't verge on policy exactly, their styles differed greatly.

"We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed"

President Obama began his efforts to gain back Democratic control for 2012 in Wisconsin today (where he won by 14% in '08 but was recently turned over to the Republican party in this past election).

Stay tuned . . . this ought to be good!

The best thing about the SOTU?

Each year, one member of the President's cabinet is absent from the address, to maintain the line of succession in case of emergency.

Okay. How cool is that?!

"Words create sentences; sentences create paragraphs; sometimes paragraphs quicken and begin to breathe."

Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Toolbox and Chapters 1-9 On Writing

The Toolbox

The Toolbox has - by far - been my favorite portion of this novel. Beginning with Uncle Oren's toolbox metaphor, King begins to describe the shelves of one's writing toolbox. He begins with a very encouraging thought to the toolbox theory:

"I want to suggest that to write to your best abilities, it behooves you to construct your own toolbox and then build up enough muscle so you can carry it with you. Then, instead of looking at a hard job and getting discouraged, you will perhaps seize the correct tool and get immediately to work.

He goes on to show common tools on the top shelf, one of which -- vocabulary. I loved how he showed examples from different excerpts of good AND bad no-so-good writing. I've always thought I needed to impress my audience with my vocabulary. This is not so. (Which I was thankful to hear, considering my vocab isn't up to par with some of my peers!)

"Remember that the basic rule of vocabulary is use the first word that comes to you mind, if it is appropriate and colorful."

Another common tool for the top shelf is grammar. I noticed that King referenced William Strunk's The Elements of Style, and I'm considering reading it. (Not only for pleasure or even to improve my writing...but it sounds like it may improve an English ACT score!)

"Grammar is not just a pain in the a**; it's the pole you grab to get your thoughts up on their feet and walking."

Ten favorites in this section that I never want to forget include:

1. People who use the phrase "That's so cool" should have to stand in the corner.

2. The timid fellow writes in passive voice.

3. The adverb is NOT your friend except in dialogue attribution.

4. Fear is the root of most bad writing.

5. Good writing is often about letting go of affectation.

6. You always add 's, even when the word

you're modifying ends in s. (Love it! Sydney Sanders's!)

7. Informal essays are, by and large, silly and insubstantial things.

8. Paragraphs are less structured in fiction - it's the beat instead of the actual melody.

9. It is possible to overuse the well-turned fragment.

10. Make the reader feel welcome - then, tell them your story.

"For the paragraph, not the sentence, is the basic unit of writing."

The Toolbox taught me to be bold and go with what I know.

---- "We are talking about tools and carpentry, about words and style . . . but as we move along, you'd do well to remember that we are also talking about magic."

Chapter 1-9 On Writing

In this section, King digs deep into how to actually write from his POV. He begins by beating around the bush but finally confessing that there are lots of bad writers. "Writers form themselves into the pyramid we see in all areas of human talent and human creativity." This is so true. People thrive on others . . . that's why we constantly compare ourselves to others better than us and others beneath us.

Two of King's theses on writing are:

• Good writing consists of mastering the fundamentals (vocabulary, grammar, the elements of style) and then filling the third level of your toolbox with the right instruments.
• While it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.

I love how he describes what he knows -- fiction. He states that in order to be a writer, you must first learn to read a lot and write a lot. His metaphor to the muses of Greek mythology was comical as well as logical.

I learned much as he taught the learning writer about style:

"Reading is the creative center of a writer's life."

A funny portion was the writer's concerns in the world: rudeness should be the second-to-least of your concerns. While the least of all should be polite society and what it expects. Very clever. A man of constant ridicule, King knows much about this reality!

King gives guidelines on where to write, when to write, and how long to write. What I loved -- you can read anywhere, but this is not so with writing. You need an inspiring, serene atmosphere for writing. Yes -- this means no phone, no T.V.

I've noticed that King loves imagery. What fiction writer doesn't? But King painted a deep incription in my mind when he said: "write what you love to read." Therefore, this girl won't be writing sci-fi novels!

Plot fits in nowhere. I'm not going to lie, this struck me as odd. But as I read on -- King had a point. His fossil metaphor on uncovering your seashell or, for some, T-Rex was invigorating.

Story is honorable and trustworthy, whereas plot is shifty.

Another thought -- don't describe everything to your reader. Open the door to audience imagination. Wow. I never thought of it that way. I've had details, details, details shoved down my throat all of my life. And, while details are necessary, mystery and imagination connects the writer to the subject and the subject to the reader. (Ahem...the rhetorical triangle!)

--- "Description should begin in the writer's imagination but finish in the reader's." Hello!

Practice makes perfect, right? Not to King.

"A man's got to know his limitations," Clint Eastwood sighted, full of underlying wisdom. King made a good choice in adding this to convey his meaning.

This is just another example of the countless times King has stirred up and made me question myself on the building blocks of what I've been taught for so many years.

On Writing has shown me great aspects into the field of writing.

--- "Practice is invaluable and should feel good, not like practice at all. And that honesty is indispensable."

Transcribe what you hear and feel and convey that to your readers.

"Don't bother trying to read between the lines, and don't look for a through-line. There are no lines -- only snapshots, most out of focus."

Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

C.V. & What Writing Is 

A reluctant fan of Stephen King, I was unsure of how I would view his "autobiography" and outline to the writer's world. But then I read the front matter reflection page:

"Honesty's the best policy.

"Liars prosper."

I immediately laughed and thought -- I may like this guy afterall. Then came his forewords (all three of them!) These explained how he came to writing about writing. "No one ever asks about language," his close friend, Amy said. And she was right. He says, "in our humble way, we care passionately about the art and craft [of writing].

I also love the way he explained the need for this to be short and prompt. "Omit needless words," he said. As the copy editor of the Warriot Beat newspaper, I loved reading that! Ask anyone on staff, I use that tip almost every day.

In the final foreword, he acknowledges his editor -- "to edit is divine."

(I loved that, too. Just glad someone appreciates the work of an editor!)

C.V.

In the opening of the book, I was drawn in and intrigued by his emphasis of words, hyphens, dashes, italics, description, detail, and asides. Remember: he said he would keep it concise. And he has. Using all of these devices has helped me as the reader -- it's kept me from wanting to put the book down! Even his crude humor has kept me hanging on every word.

I've also enjoyed reading about his "firsts" for everything from writing to life lessons. His earliest memory of imaging himself as someone else was at a young age of three. This embarked his journey into fiction, really. "Pow!" is used all throughout the book -- a reference to his ludicrous and grotesque mishaps throughout his childhood and early adulthood. Although dry, his sense of humor is daunting enthralling.

Another favorite, I enjoyed his seventh story of his discovery of meanings of words as a young child. I'm envious of how King can share so many tools for writing through his early memories. All I remember as a child are play dates, trick-or-treating, and time-out.

King is unafraid of others and their point-of-views. He says what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants. It's pretty ridiculous how he can convey something disastrous and make it seem optimistic. Take his first stories for example: rejection after rejection, he nailed the return slips to the wall and used those as his fire -- his drive to prove himself to the world (of writing, that is).

"Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up." Here, King describes finding an original idea -- something to claim as your own.

"When you're still too young to shave, optimism is a perfectly legitimate response to failure." This has been, by far, my favorite quote (and I'm almost finished with the book!). He's so right -- optimism can be used for anything in life lessons.

From his stories about watching Poepictures at the Ritz theater to writing for Dave's Rag, you can see King's wit and way with words began at a young age. After a school incident when writing for The Drum, he soon realized he wouldn't "truck with satire" anymore.

I'm sure many of my classmates have similar stories they admire from the
curriculum vitae. Maybe it's his poison ivy incident after "pushing" outside. Maybe it's his story about Dodie (the pour soul who was ridiculed for wearing the same outfit day after day). But mine is most likely different from the rest of the students. His demonstration of editing on pages 55-58 was one of the better parts of the memoir. He conveyed a not-so-interesting subject and made it fascinating to read and learn!

As I turned the pages, I enjoyed watching his career grow from $200 to HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS!

A writer herself, his wife Tabitha encouraged him along the way. "You've got something here. I really think you do," she said as he threw away his first draft of Carrie.

Later in the earlier part of his career (did that make sense?), King faced alcoholism and other major addictions. But he kept on writing...and published many books in that time! Not that I condone the behavior...but hey! It worked. Through an intervention, King soon realized he never remembered writing some of his pieces.

 

He concludes his C.V. by discussing his desk and its importance -- "Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around."

What Writing Is

This short section on "meeting of the minds" blew my mind. It was such a great way to engage the reader, the subject, and the writer. With detail and a heck of an imagination, King prepared me for his view on writing...which is covered in the Toolbox in the next section.