Are You The Next JK Rowling? Are You The Next JK Rowling? by Suzanne Harrison Harry Potter. The name brings instant recognition from people all over the world. The books have sold over 350 million copies worldwide. When Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published in 1997, Joanne Kathleen Rowling was a previously unpublished author. So how did she do it? The answer to that question lies not in what she did in those ten years between the publication of the first book and the publication of the seventh, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The answer actually lies in what she did in the seven years prior to the first book's publication. So if you're an author who is yet to be published, you're actually in the best possible position. Quite simply, JK Rowling followed a four-step writing process that you too can adopt to write your very own list of bestsellers. Planning This is by far the most underrated of the steps in the writing process. Would you attempt to build a house without plans? And who knows?
Give it five minutes A few years ago I used to be a hothead. Whenever anyone said anything, I’d think of a way to disagree. I’d push back hard if something didn’t fit my world-view. It’s like I had to be first with an opinion – as if being first meant something. It’s easy to talk about knee jerk reactions as if they are things that only other people have. This came to a head back in 2007. And what did I do? His response changed my life. This was a big moment for me. Richard has spent his career thinking about these problems. There’s also a difference between asking questions and pushing back. Learning to think first rather than react quick is a life long pursuit. If you aren’t sure why this is important, think about this quote from Jonathan Ive regarding Steve Jobs’ reverence for ideas: And just as Steve loved ideas, and loved making stuff, he treated the process of creativity with a rare and a wonderful reverence. That’s deep. There are two things in this world that take no skill: 1.
Plot, Theme, the Narrative Arc, and Narrative Patterns In the world of fiction, just as in the world of your life, events occur. In life, people often try to determine what events mean in their own life and in the life of others. In fiction, authors will create meaning by introducing conflicts in the life of a character. The way a character responds to these conflicts is part of what gives a story meaning. Understanding plot, conflicts, structure, and their relationship will help a reader understand the meaning in a story. Plot is not just what happens in a story. Similarly, the plot in a film is not just what happens. The pattern for narrative was largely handed down from the Greek tradition in drama. Exposition In section one of a narrative, viewers are exposed to information that will later be necessary for them to have if they are to understand the unfolding story. Characters: The lead character in the narrative — the character who faces the conflict — is called the protagonist. Rising Action Resolution
Using Weather Symbols in Fiction Post and Artwork by Sylvia Nica, Age 14, USA Symbols. They may bring back memories of boring literature lectures, but they can be a great way to add meaning and depth to your writing. Like clues scattered around you writing, symbols can hint to your reader the meaning of an event or alter the mood of your story. So, let’s take a closer look at some of these weather symbols: Rain. Fog. Rainbow. While there are other weather symbols you can use in your writing, such as sun and snow, the ones above are common symbols many people will recognize. So how do you add these weather symbols into your writing? One way of incorporating these devices is to use a weather symbol to represent a certain event. You want to be careful that you don’t get too heavy with symbolism, or else your story will feel muddled and heavy. Sylvia is a writer who “draws inspiration from the world around her.”
Lessons learned in a writing journey Author Michael Smart (see my chat with Michael here) has a pet peeve about using too many words when fewer would do. If you haven’t read his riveting Bequia Mysteries, set in the unusual locale of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, you’re missing out. All three are tightly-woven, action-packed, and sprinkled with the authentic island culture of their Caribbean setting. Michael published “Kill These Words! 10 Easy Rules to Enliven Your Writing” about a month ago on his blog and has given me permission to republish it here: Lessons learned in a writing journey… The use of weak verbs, plentiful adverbs, and unimaginative words, is a malady I encounter with increasing frequency among many indie-published authors. In our everyday lives, we all use a functional vocabulary, words we employ regularly and frequently in conversation and correspondence. Here is a small sample of weak words I’ve learned to aggressively seek out and destroy in my writing: Final thought. More on words: Like this:
Time [The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy] Time is what we use a clock or calendar to measure. It provides us with a measure of change by putting dates on moments, fixing the durations of events, and specifying which events happen before which other events. Yet despite 2,500 years of investigating time, many issues about it are unresolved. Consider this one issue upon which philosophers are deeply divided: What sort of ontological differences are there among the present, the past and the future? There are three competing theories. That controversy raises the issue of tenseless versus tensed theories of time. Table of Contents 1. Philosophers of time tend to divide into two broad camps on some of the key philosophical issues, although many philosophers do not fit into these pigeonholes. However, there are many other issues about time whose solutions do not fit into one or the other of the above two camps. A full theory of time should address this constellation of philosophical issues about time. 2. St. 3. a.
Greek and Roman Mythology About the Course Myths are traditional stories that have endured over a long time. Some of them have to do with events of great importance, such as the founding of a nation. Others tell the stories of great heroes and heroines and their exploits and courage in the face of adversity. Still others are simple tales about otherwise unremarkable people who get into trouble or do some great deed. What are we to make of all these tales, and why do people seem to like to hear them? Course Syllabus Week 1: Homer, epic poetry, and Trojan legends Week 2: Heroes and suffering Week 3: This World and other ones Week 4: Identity and signs Week 5: Gods and humans Week 6: Religion and ritual Week 7: Justice Week 8: Unstable selves Week 9: Writing myth in history Week 10: From myths to mythology Recommended Background No special background is needed other than the willingness and ability to synthesize complex texts and theoretical material. In-course Textbooks Suggested Readings Greek Tragedies, Vol.
Color Symbolism - What Do Colors Symbolize? Since times immemorial, color symbolism has been used to depict beliefs, traditions, and behavior. Colors are used to represent life, death, fear, hatred, anger and joy. Most of the color symbolism represented today is handed down from generation to generation. Due to this fact, we often find that there is no uniformity in such color associations. People’s traditions, beliefs and values all play a role in these connections and associations. Take the example of weddings. Using Color Symbolism In many English speaking nations, commonly used phrases also depict color symbolism. Experts thus caution color symbolism to be used very carefully by firmly establishing the context. Color symbolism: Then and Now We take colors for granted. Today, there is a great deal of research being carried out on color symbolism and color associations. Color symbolism thus forms a huge part of our daily lives.
51 Of The Most Beautiful Sentences In Literature Socratic Questioning Techniques > Questioning > Socratic Questions Conceptual | Assumptions | Rationale | Viewpoint | Implications | Question | See also Socrates was one of the greatest educators who taught by asking questions and thus drawing out answers from his pupils ('ex duco', means to 'lead out', which is the root of 'education'). Sadly, he martyred himself by drinking hemlock rather than compromise his principles. Bold, but not a good survival strategy. But then he lived very frugally and was known for his eccentricity. Here are the six types of questions that Socrates asked his pupils. The overall purpose of Socratic questioning, is to challenge accuracy and completeness of thinking in a way that acts to move people towards their ultimate goal. Conceptual clarification questions Get them to think more about what exactly they are asking or thinking about. Why are you saying that? Probing assumptions What else could we assume? Probing rationale, reasons and evidence Why is that happening? See also
The Art of Being Right The Art of Being Right: 38 Ways to Win an Argument (1831) (Eristische Dialektik: Die Kunst, Recht zu Behalten) is an acidulous and sarcastic treatise written by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer in sarcastic deadpan.[1] In it, Schopenhauer examines a total of thirty-eight methods of showing up one's opponent in a debate. He introduces his essay with the idea that philosophers have concentrated in ample measure on the rules of logic, but have not (especially since the time of Immanuel Kant) engaged with the darker art of the dialectic, of controversy. Whereas the purpose of logic is classically said to be a method of arriving at the truth, dialectic, says Schopenhauer, "...on the other hand, would treat of the intercourse between two rational beings who, because they are rational, ought to think in common, but who, as soon as they cease to agree like two clocks keeping exactly the same time, create a disputation, or intellectual contest." Publication[edit] A. Synopsis[edit]