Week-6 writing exercises

With Revision Comes Final Meaning

Exercise

Write one sentence for a story that is in its fourth or fifth draft. Then revise the story to heighten and illuminate this final meaning.

The story, A Vessel of Value is about a young woman that comes to appreciate her self-worth and learns valuable life lessons from an old pot that reminds her of her beloved Grandmother who has recently passed away.

This helped me keep me focused on the point of my story. When I first began drafting, the story began going in a direction that was leading away from the meaning I wanted my story to have. I had to change some of the characters, and situations to keep the story concise. I could have continued in the original direction and ended up with the same meaning but not in the limited size of the story.

In-Class Revision

Exercise

I’m answering some of the questions from this exercise to help me evaluate my story and see what areas might need to expanded or condensed.

1. Whose story is it?
This is definitely Beth’s story. She is the main character and it is told from her point of view throughout the story.
2. What does your main character want?
She wants to feel connected to her dead Grandma. This desire drives the story because Beth remembers many of the lessons she has learned from her Grandmother and she realizes that she can be confident to face the future because she will always have a connection to her Grandma. She has become a part of who Beth is.
3. Is the language of your story interesting?
I have chosen to use language to reflect and support the personality of the characters’. For example, I used language that might be more commonly used by an older generation for my older characters.
4. Was your title thrown at the top of the page or chosen with care? Make a list of other possible titles.
I chose the title on purpose. It tied tightly into the fabric of my story and is part of the last sentence. The word vessel refers to the pot as well as the embodiment of her dead Grandma. The word value comes to have more than one meaning as well. It means a monetary and an emotional value.

Other Titles:

1. Life Lessons
2. The Happy Pot
3. Treasure Hunt
4. Rummaging through Memories
5. The poignant Pot
6. Glass Slippers

Week 2 Writing Exercise

I am catching up on this assignment so I have had the opportunity to use these exercises on my story in progress, “A Vessel of Value.”

I think the exercise that may have given me the most direction, or redirections as it has turned out, is There’s a Party…..57 Page 150

As I re-read the beginning of my story, and asked myself what the occasion was, it was a little unclear. There really doesn’t seem to be one. It seems to be mostly set-up and backstory. The only event I can think of is that Beth is re-plotting a plant. Later, the event turns into a visit from a handsome acquaintance that may become the climatic issue but I’m not sure yet. It’s not what I intended.

What surprises me is that it’s not the direction or the purpose I had when I started. I’m sure this is common but instead of following the story wherever it’s going, I think I may still want to explore my original idea or conflict. I really have a sense of the message I want to imply and I don’t think it centers on this relationship.

I may need to keep writing in this direction to get through to the climax and resolution that I’m looking for and then do some editing. I may just re-think my story scene and elements and see if I can come up with a scene or chain of events that don’t need as much work so I can spend more time on what I think is important to the story. Basically, I need to “Get to the point” so I can focus on the point-so to speak.

The problem I’m having is the limited length. I’m having a hard time setting up my story in a sensible order with believable events and still get my conflict and resolution worked in nicely too.
I am also surprised because I have spun off two pretty good stories from this original idea through the exercises and now that I can focus on my goal for the story, it’s becoming complicated. With the exercises, I did what was suggested, and threw my character into some situation and let the story go in whatever direction and it worked nicely. Now that I am trying to fit my story to my intent I am having difficulty.

I may continue to try and fit the square peg into the round hole with the draft I’ve started or, scrap it and start over. I could use one of my earlier stories, elaborate a bit, clean it up and call it good too. That would probably be the easiest. The story, “A Place for Peanut” is pretty much already a complete short short story but, I wrote it in about 2 ½ hours. It just went in it’s own direction and worked. I think trying to make my original point through a story in 2000 words or less seems to be more of a challenge for me. You may have noticed that I write much like I talk, a lot. Learning to condense and still be clear is a nice goal.

A Place for Peanut Week-4

“What on God’s good earth are we supposed to do with all this food, Amanda”?

“I don’t know Mom, maybe you can send it home with Beth, I’m sure she could find some starving students to give it too”.

“I don’t think so, I would never see my good Tupperware again! You know Beth would give it to them bowl and all.”

“Why don’t you use Grandma’s old stuff? She won’t be needin’ it anymore. Besides, all her stuff is just junk from those nasty garage sales she was always stopping at.

“What about Grandma’s junk”? Beth asked. She had just returned from the funeral home viewing. She only caught the end of her mom and sister’s conversation but it was enough to remind her of how fussy they could be about the most insignificant things. They were the only people she knew that could see Tupperware as a status symbol. But what really bothered her was their insensitivity. Grandma wasn’t even in the ground yet, and they were ready to give away her treasures.

“Never you mind Beth, we need to figure out what we are going to do with Grandma’s Dog.”

“You mean Peanut?” Beth asked. Isn’t he at Aunt Evelyn’s?

“For now Bethany, but Aunt Evelyn is leaving for her Vegas Vacation the day after the funeral".

Here we go again. Beth thought. Her mom handed her a damp towel and a bowl to dry. She asked why Peanut couldn’t stay with her until she came home for the summer. It would only be two months and Beth would be home from College for good. She would gladly take Peanut then. She had helped Grandma pick him out when she lived with her the year before she left for college. Beth didn’t want her Grandmother to be alone when she went away to school and she wanted to help train the pup before she left.

“Don’t be ridiculous Bethany, you know your father can’t tolerate his shrill bark, and Amanda’s little Joey has allergies. I just don’t know what you expect us to do. We didn’t choose to have a dog.”

Peanut was Grandma’s pride and joy. Peanut was the sweetest blonde long-haired little Dachshund ever, and to Grandma, he was more family to her than her two kids had been. She adored this little guy and took him everywhere. She even snuck him into grocery stores in a large handbag so he could pick out his own bones from the meat department.

The kitchen was uncomfortably quiet except for the sound of dishes clanking together and foil being ripped from the dispenser. Beth was so mad. She knew if she said one more thing she would explode. She swallowed her tears, and vowed to take care of Peanut no matter what, but she knew it wouldn't be fair for Peanut to live with her because she would be at work most of the time and he would be alone. Amanda started humming nonchalantly as she stuffed the last of the zip-locked bags of leftovers into the fridge.

"Don't forget to take these with you when you leave," Amand said with all the authority of a big sister. "Mom needs the space back in her fridge.

Beth couldn’t wait to toss her drenched towel in the laundry room and head to her car. She had to escape for awhile. She had to figure out how to rescue Peanut. She knew that if left to her Mom, she would just have Amanda take him to the “Shelter”. Neither of them were prone to sentimentality. Grandma always told Beth she must have got their share of compassion when God was handin’ it out.

“I’ll be back later”. Beth didn’t wait for anyone to ask where she was going or when she would be back. She didn’t want to say another word to these people.

It was almost dark and still warm outside. Beth drove to end of the street and parked the car near a park where she played as a child. She grabbed the lever under her seat and leaned the seat back. She slipped into the still warmed leather seats in her car. The weight of her loss was crushing and she soaked up every bit of comfort the familiar car offered.

When she regained her emotional strength, she began to consider the options for Peanut. She thought she might just quit school and come home to take care of him. That would show them, she thought. They would be so humiliated if their only college child dropped out two months before graduating, with honors no less. She wanted to prove to them that people were more important than things and status, even if they were animal people. She realized that quitting school would hurt her more than anyone, and Grandma would roll over in her grave, when she got there anyway, but she was so upset, she wanted to think the ugliest thoughts possible. She wanted to at least feel like she could do something that might actually upset them for a change, even if she knew she would never actually do it. It simply wasn’t her nature to be spiteful. It was even difficult for her to think angry thoughts but this, she felt was warranted.

“It’s time to get a move on Bethie” she heard coming from the memories of her heart. That’s exactly what her GG would have said to her. GG was her beloved Grandma Grace and she didn’t tolerate anyone feeling sorry for themselves for too long. Beth knew this for sure. “Time to move in to problem solving mode” Beth heard.

Beth’s mind felt so tired and empty. The day had been so draining. She didn’t know how she was supposed to come up with a solution when she was too numb to think straight. She closed her eyes and surprisingly thanked God for all he had done for her and asked him to take care of her GG. She often went to Sunday services with her and was comforted by the teachings of eternal life.

She stretched her arms as far into the back seat as they would reach and took a deep breath. Then, she asked God for help. She knew she needed to be guided to a solution because she had done all that she could do and none of her ideas were workable. She remembered that God helps us after we have done all that we can do, and at that moment, she felt sure that she had.

Her mind began paging through the already explored ideas again. Then she recognized an unfamiliar suggestion that she hadn’t thought of before. She grabbed the seat lever and threw herself straight up in the seat. She rummaged through her purse until she found her cell phone. She was so excited, she dropped her phone and had to fish it out from underneath the seat. Her hand got stuck to a piece of old gum that wasn't wrapped so well in tissue but she didn't care.
She dialed the number of her last roommate from college. Mary had moved home to marry her high-school sweetheart Mark. His widowed Mom was really having a hard time being alone in the house now that he had moved into his new home with his wife. Mary had mentioned that his Mom considered getting a pet but she didn’t like cats, didn’t want to train a puppy, and she was afraid she would get a “Problem Dog” from the pound so she resolved to remain alone.

Beth knew this was the solution she had prayed for. As the phone was ringing, she looked out her window at the now darkened sky and stared at the winking stars as she gave thanks to God for taking care of her Grandma in the best way he could, by helping her take care of Peanut.

Story Idea-2

The Problem: A story about a financially strapped young college student that is faced with selling a prized sentimental ceramic pot for more money than she could make in ten years as an English teacher once she got her degree, and holding on to the only thing in this world that gives her comfort and peace, a potted plant she was given at the funeral of her beloved Grandmother.

The Struggle: If she sells the pot, she believes she can fix all the things in her life that keep her from experiencing joy. On the other hand, she could lose the connection she feels to the only person she ever felt love from.

Conclusion: She must make a choice and live with the consequences. I have an idea but like my character, I'm not sure which way I am going with it.Posted by mindyrosin at
Saturday, May 30, 2009

Week-1 exercise 14

Sunday, May 17, 2009
I imagine Lisa as someone that doesn't take no for an answer. She is manipulative and just plain mean, although she can appear as the essence of kindness. She will be nice to a friend when in her company but complain about her to other friends. If confronted, she will deny doing such a thing and convince you that it must be the other person causing the problem.She probably married a wonderful man that thinks she is perfect. Her step-children however are painfully aware of the reality of her demeaning and demanding personality. She treats them as second rate and expects them to do more than their share of household responsibilities. In front of her husband, she is always careful to treat everyone in the most appropriate manner leaving her husband to wonder why anyone would take issue with her. If the children try to tell their father of her cruelty, they are not believed and she makes life more miserable. She can switch from the nastiest tone to the voice of a songbird in an instant with the answering of a ringing phone.

Of course her house is always presentable because she demands it of the children, although it is never good enough. The child she shares with her husband of course is not submitted to the same treatment. She only wears the finest clothes her credit cards will allow, which means the majority of her wardrobe is actually knockoffs. Her closet is organized and uncluttered. She is a master of returning items she no longer wants, usually well past the deadline. The manager of the store will usually give in to her demands to avoid the inevitable and familiar scene. She can't tolerate those that smoke. You can always find her with an assortment of gum and mints in the only authentic designer case she owns which is reserved solely to hold her minty treasures. She is quick to share her treats, reinforcing her obvious facade believing that it impresses.

She rarely drives the sporting equipment filled van. She prefers her regularly detailed used Mercedes. It is old but not a previously popular model. No matter though as just the name is of importance and she always refers to it as "the Mercedes".Her fake nails are always manicured to a gaudy perfection which gives her a self-believable justification for not being able to perform any duty she finds distasteful.

(I can't do exercise 27 yet) I look forward to seeing how this character develops. I do not know anyone quite like this although I have experienced many of the feeling she invokes in others I think.

# posted by mindyrosin @ 11:17 PM 3 Comments

Hello fellow classmates, and Ray,I am experiencing some problems with having the wrong edition of our book. I will remedy that tomorrow. In the meantime, I wanted to add something here at least.

The "Character" I remember that made quite an impact on me was a little girl in my first grade class. I don't remember her name, so I will call her Lisa. I painfully remember the incident of impact vividly.It was recess and I was playing "Star Trek" on the Monkey Bars with the boys (Yes it was the 60s). She came over and wanted me to play Hopscotch with her. I said no. I didn't know how to play that game. She insisted. She grabbed me and was holding me with her arms wrapped firmly around me and wouldn't let go. I told her to let go and she didn't. I then warned her to let go, telling her that if she didn't, I would bite her! She didn't, I did, bite her that is.Back in the dark ages of the 60s, it was commonplace for a disobedient child to get a swat from a teacher or the Principal if it was really serious. Well this was big time serious because not only was I sent to the office to receive my swat from the Principle, but I also earned a visit with the psychologist too. What a deal. I obviously was not believed and she was. It's difficult to prove that you don't know how to play a game.I felt so helpless. There was nothing to be done, power is limited in the first grade.

This stayed with me until I was able to redeem myself, completely by chance. I was attending the graduation of a younger friend of our family when I actually ran into my old Principal! It must have been 12+ years. Although I was sure she wouldn't remember, or care for that matter, I was eager to make her aware of the injustice I experienced at such a tender and impressionable age. She apologized with an aire of indifference but it didn't matter. I was heard.Perhaps this contributed to my strong need to be heard as an adult. I know there were many other events that added to this but it was an awful feeling to be accused and convicted of a crime not committed.

Character Description-Beth

Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Beth was weary of looking at discount stores and nurseries for a replacement pot to house the delicate plant that needed a new home. Earlier that morning, the plant had tumbled off of the stand and fell to the floor. She was devastated to think that she had just ruined the only thing she had left of her beloved Grandmother Grace, or GG as Beth affectionately called her. She wanted to just lay down with the broken and scattered pieces of dull clay that surrounded her and forever melt into the wooden floor. “Nonsense!” she thought she heard. She recognized the tone and knew what it meant. It was her grandmother’s voice inside her head telling her it was time to get up and move on. Beth could hear her grandmother telling her the same thing she had heard every time when Beth was experiencing an emotional struggle. “It’s OK to lick your wounds a bit, as long as you shift your fanny into problem solving mode shortly”. GG had a way with words that was quirky but effective.

It was hot and sticky in her un-conditioned 19-hundred something Cavalier. There wasn’t anything cavalier about this car. It had long lost its luster, but she felt comfortable in it and was grateful to have it. She wiped the strawberry blonde bangs off of her sweaty head and put her long soft curls in a loose ponytail bun. She rarely liked to have her face so exposed, not so much because she feared her pale skin might burn but because she didn’t feel comfortable having anyone’s eyes on her. She had been apathetic since the funeral and it she didn’t have the energy to care, it was just too hot. GG would have liked seeing her with her hair up and out of her face. “Classic Beauty, that’s what you are, a Classic Beauty” she would say. Beth would roll her eyes in disagreement and wonder what Classic really meant.

On her way home, Beth drove by a HUGE GARAGE SALE sign that couldn’t escape her view. She never really cared for these “Sales”, but she had good memories of going on “Treasure Hunts” with GG, so she parked across the street hearing GG’s words again. “You never know what you might find Bethie” she would say. “You might just find your Prince Charming, a Jeanie lamp, or at least something that resembles a glass slipper”. She lingered over books neatly arranged on a warped upside-down cardboard box that was being used as a display table. She loved to read but couldn’t concentrate enough to read the synopsis on the back. She slowly strolled up the driveway into the shady garage and accidentally kicked a half used bag of mulch over spilling some on the grease stained concrete. At least it wasn’t going to hurt anything she thought. As she was bending over to lean the bag back up against the old cooler something caught her eye. It was the perfect pot for her GG plant! It was a deep red color with happy looking flowers painted on the sides. If a person could resemble a pot, this one “looked” like GG for sure she thought. A smile crossed her lips for the first time in weeks. She knew this was what she had been looking for.

Beth was weary of looking at discount stores and nurseries for a replacement pot to house the delicate plant that needed a new home. Earlier that morning, the plant had tumbled off of the stand and fell to the floor. She was devastated to think that she had just ruined the only thing she had left of her beloved Grandmother Grace, or GG as Beth affectionately called her. She wanted to just lay down with the broken and scattered pieces of dull clay that surrounded her and forever melt into the wooden floor. “Nonsense!” she thought she heard. She recognized the tone and knew what it meant. It was her grandmother’s voice inside her head telling her it was time to get up and move on. Beth could hear her grandmother telling her the same thing she had heard every time when Beth was experiencing an emotional struggle. “It’s OK to lick your wounds a bit, as long as you shift your fanny into problem solving mode shortly”. GG had a way with words that was quirky but effective. It was hot and sticky in her un-conditioned 19-hundred something Cavalier. There wasn’t anything cavalier about this car. It had long lost its luster, but she felt comfortable in it and was grateful to have it. She wiped the strawberry blonde bangs off of her sweaty head and put her long soft curls in a loose ponytail bun. She rarely liked to have her face so exposed, not so much because she feared her pale skin might burn but because she didn’t feel comfortable having anyone’s eyes on her. She had been apathetic since the funeral and it she didn’t have the energy to care, it was just too hot. GG would have liked seeing her with her hair up and out of her face. “Classic Beauty, that’s what you are, a Classic Beauty” she would say. Beth would roll her eyes in disagreement and wonder what Classic really meant. On her way home, Beth drove by a HUGE GARAGE SALE sign that couldn’t escape her view. She never really cared for these “Sales”, but she had good memories of going on “Treasure Hunts” with GG, so she parked across the street hearing GG’s words again. “You never know what you might find Bethie” she would say. “You might just find your Prince Charming, a Jeanie lamp, or at least something that resembles a glass slipper”. She lingered over books neatly arranged on a warped upside-down cardboard box that was being used as a display table. She loved to read but couldn’t concentrate enough to read the synopsis on the back. She slowly strolled up the driveway into the shady garage and accidentally kicked a half used bag of mulch over spilling some on the grease stained concrete. At least it wasn’t going to hurt anything she thought. As she was bending over to lean the bag back up against the old cooler something caught her eye. It was the perfect pot for her GG plant! It was a deep red color with happy looking flowers painted on the sides. If a person could resemble a pot, this one “looked” like GG for sure she thought. A smile crossed her lips for the first time in weeks. She knew this was what she had been looking for.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Mindy's Musing: Mindy's Musing: Character Description-Beth
Mindy's Musing: Mindy's Musing: Character Description-BethApparently, to leave a comment, you need to click on create a link and then click again to leave the comment and then just click the publish post. I will work on getting the simple comment link on the blog later. I have to go to class right now. Thanx for the patience.
Posted by mindyrosin at Tuesday, June 02, 2009 Links to this post
Mindy's Musing: Character Description-Beth
Mindy's Musing: Character Description-BethTesting
Posted by mindyrosin at Tuesday, June 02, 2009 Links to this post
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Character Description-Beth
Beth was weary of looking at discount stores and nurseries for a replacement pot to house the delicate plant that needed a new home. Earlier that morning, the plant had tumbled off of the stand and fell to the floor. She was devastated to think that she had just ruined the only thing she had left of her beloved Grandmother Grace, or GG as Beth affectionately called her. She wanted to just lay down with the broken and scattered pieces of dull clay that surrounded her and forever melt into the wooden floor. “Nonsense!” she thought she heard. She recognized the tone and knew what it meant. It was her grandmother’s voice inside her head telling her it was time to get up and move on. Beth could hear her grandmother telling her the same thing she had heard every time when Beth was experiencing an emotional struggle. “It’s OK to lick your wounds a bit, as long as you shift your fanny into problem solving mode shortly”. GG had a way with words that was quirky but effective. It was hot and sticky in her un-conditioned 19-hundred something Cavalier. There wasn’t anything cavalier about this car. It had long lost its luster, but she felt comfortable in it and was grateful to have it. She wiped the strawberry blonde bangs off of her sweaty head and put her long soft curls in a loose ponytail bun. She rarely liked to have her face so exposed, not so much because she feared her pale skin might burn but because she didn’t feel comfortable having anyone’s eyes on her. She had been apathetic since the funeral and it she didn’t have the energy to care, it was just too hot. GG would have liked seeing her with her hair up and out of her face. “Classic Beauty, that’s what you are, a Classic Beauty” she would say. Beth would roll her eyes in disagreement and wonder what Classic really meant. On her way home, Beth drove by a HUGE GARAGE SALE sign that couldn’t escape her view. She never really cared for these “Sales”, but she had good memories of going on “Treasure Hunts” with GG, so she parked across the street hearing GG’s words again. “You never know what you might find Bethie” she would say. “You might just find your Prince Charming, a Jeanie lamp, or at least something that resembles a glass slipper”. She lingered over books neatly arranged on a warped upside-down cardboard box that was being used as a display table. She loved to read but couldn’t concentrate enough to read the synopsis on the back. She slowly strolled up the driveway into the shady garage and accidentally kicked a half used bag of mulch over spilling some on the grease stained concrete. At least it wasn’t going to hurt anything she thought. As she was bending over to lean the bag back up against the old cooler something caught her eye. It was the perfect pot for her GG plant! It was a deep red color with happy looking flowers painted on the sides. If a person could resemble a pot, this one “looked” like GG for sure she thought. A smile crossed her lips for the first time in weeks. She knew this was what she had been looking for.
Posted by mindyrosin at Sunday, May 31, 2009 Links to this post
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Story Idea-2
The Problem: A story about a financially strapped young college student that is faced with selling a prized sentimental ceramic pot for more money than she could make in ten years as an English teacher once she got her degree, and holding on to the only thing in this world that gives her comfort and peace, a potted plant she was given at the funeral of her beloved Grandmother.The Struggle: If she sells the pot, she believes she can fix all the things in her life that keep her from experiencing joy. On the other hand, she could lose the connection she feels to the only person she ever felt love from.Conclusion: She must make a choice and live with the consequences. I have an idea but like my character, I'm not sure which way I am going with it.
Posted by mindyrosin at Saturday, May 30, 2009 Links to this post
Labels: Story Idea-2
Monday, May 25, 2009
Story Idea-1
I always thought I’d be great at choosing topics and characters for stories but now that I have to actually do it, not so much.My first story idea is about an 8 yr. old girl that has lived in foster care homes and with babysitters for much of her life. The story will be about the last place she lives before finally going to live with her Mother and new step-Father.My character will have to adapt to yet another unfamiliar “family” that is not her own. She will struggle with understanding why she doesn’t have her own home. She will also have to explore her feelings when she does.There will be some kind of a resolution when she moves in with her Mom and new step-Father but what will that be? I think that will be one of the driving forces of the story, Curiosity.I think this story will hold the readers interest by developing interesting characters that have a past that shape who they are as well as how they react to new situations.
Posted by mindyrosin at Monday, May 25, 2009 Links to this post
Week 2 Excercises
I didn't have my book, but I found a couple of the excercises in my old one. I found the "What If" section to be very helpful. When I create a character, I think I will use this to mold them into more realistic beings. I also liked the "Putting the Care into Character" aid. I never thought of that. I guess if we think of our characters as real people we will be better able to reflect that to our readers.
Posted by mindyrosin at Monday, May 25, 2009 Links to this post
Labels: Week 2 Excercises
Monday, May 18, 2009
I imagine Lisa as someone that doesn't take no for an answer. She is manipulative and just plain mean, although she can appear as the essence of kindness. She will be nice to a friend when in her company but complain about her to other friends. If confronted, she will deny doing such a thing and convince you that it must be the other person causing the problem.She probably married a wonderful man that thinks she is perfect. Her step-children however are painfully aware of the reality of her demeaning and demanding personality. She treats them as second rate and expects them to do more than their share of household responsibilities. In front of her husband, she is always careful to treat everyone in the most appropriate manner leaving her husband to wonder why anyone would take issue with her. If the children try to tell their father of her cruelty, they are not believed and she makes life more miserable. She can switch from the nastiest tone to the voice of a songbird in an instant with the answering of a ringing phone.Of course her house is always presentable because she demands it of the children, although it is never good enough. The child she shares with her husband of course is not submitted to the same treatment. She only wears the finest clothes her credit cards will allow, which means the majority of her wardrobe is actually knockoffs. Her closet is organized and uncluttered. She is a master of returning items she no longer wants, usually well past the deadline. The manager of the store will usually give in to her demands to avoid the inevitable and familiar scene. sShe can't tolerate those that smoke. You can always find her with an assortment of gum and mints in the only authentic designer case she owns which is reserved solely to hold her minty treasures. She is quick to share her treats, reinforcing her obvious facade believing that it impresses.She rarely drives the sporting equipment filled van. She prefers her regularly detailed used Mercedes. It is old but not a previously popular model. No matter though as just the name is of importance and she always refers to it as "the Mercedes".Her fake nails are always manicured to a gaudy perfection which gives her a self-believable justification for not being able to perform any duty she finds distasteful.(I can't do exercise 27 yet) I look forward to seeing how this character develops. I do not know anyone quite like this although I have experienced many of the feeling she invokes in others I think.
Posted by mindyrosin at Monday, May 18, 2009 Links to this post
Hello fellow classmates, and Ray,I am experiencing some problems with having the wrong edition of our book. I will remedy that tomorrow. In the meantime, I wanted to add something here at least.The "Character" I remember that made quite an impact on me was a little girl in my first grade class. I don't remember her name, so I will call her Lisa. I painfully remember the incident of impact vividly.It was recess and I was playing "Star Trek" on the Monkey Bars with the boys (Yes it was the 60s). She came over and wanted me to play Hopscotch with her. I said no. I didn't know how to play that game. She insisted. She grabbed me and was holding me with her arms wrapped firmly around me and wouldn't let go. I told her to let go and she didn't. I then warned her to let go, telling her that if she didn't, I would bite her! She didn't, I did, bite her that is.Back in the dark ages of the 60s, it was commonplace for a disobedient child to get a swat from a teacher or the Principal if it was really serious. Well this was big time serious because not only was I sent to the office to receive my swat from the Principle, but I also earned a visit with the psychologist too. What a deal. I obviously was not believed and she was. It's difficult to prove that you don't know how to play a game.I felt so helpless. There was nothing to be done, power is limited in the first grade. This stayed with me until I was able to redeem myself, completely by chance. I was attending the graduation of a younger friend of our family when I actually ran into my old Principal! It must have been 12+ years. Although I was sure she wouldn't remember, or care for that matter, I was eager to make her aware of the injustice I experienced at such a tender and impressionable age. She apologized with an aire of indifference but it didn't matter. I was heard.Perhaps this contributed to my strong need to be heard as an adult. I know there were many other events that added to this but it was an awful feeling to be accused and convicted of a crime not committed.
Posted by mindyrosin at Monday, May 18, 2009 Links to this post
Labels: Excercise 1-a (14)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Testing
Testing, one-two-three, testing
Posted by mindyrosin at Wednesday, May 13, 2009 Links to this post

Mindy's Musing: Character Description-Beth

Mindy's Musing: Character Description-Beth

Testing

Character Description-Beth

Beth was weary of looking at discount stores and nurseries for a replacement pot to house the delicate plant that needed a new home. Earlier that morning, the plant had tumbled off of the stand and fell to the floor. She was devastated to think that she had just ruined the only thing she had left of her beloved Grandmother Grace, or GG as Beth affectionately called her. She wanted to just lay down with the broken and scattered pieces of dull clay that surrounded her and forever melt into the wooden floor. “Nonsense!” she thought she heard. She recognized the tone and knew what it meant. It was her grandmother’s voice inside her head telling her it was time to get up and move on. Beth could hear her grandmother telling her the same thing she had heard every time when Beth was experiencing an emotional struggle. “It’s OK to lick your wounds a bit, as long as you shift your fanny into problem solving mode shortly”. GG had a way with words that was quirky but effective.

It was hot and sticky in her un-conditioned 19-hundred something Cavalier. There wasn’t anything cavalier about this car. It had long lost its luster, but she felt comfortable in it and was grateful to have it. She wiped the strawberry blonde bangs off of her sweaty head and put her long soft curls in a loose ponytail bun. She rarely liked to have her face so exposed, not so much because she feared her pale skin might burn but because she didn’t feel comfortable having anyone’s eyes on her. She had been apathetic since the funeral and it she didn’t have the energy to care, it was just too hot. GG would have liked seeing her with her hair up and out of her face. “Classic Beauty, that’s what you are, a Classic Beauty” she would say. Beth would roll her eyes in disagreement and wonder what Classic really meant.

On her way home, Beth drove by a HUGE GARAGE SALE sign that couldn’t escape her view. She never really cared for these “Sales”, but she had good memories of going on “Treasure Hunts” with GG, so she parked across the street hearing GG’s words again. “You never know what you might find Bethie” she would say. “You might just find your Prince Charming, a Jeanie lamp, or at least something that resembles a glass slipper”.

She lingered over books neatly arranged on a warped upside-down cardboard box that was being used as a display table. She loved to read but couldn’t concentrate enough to read the synopsis on the back. She slowly strolled up the driveway into the shady garage and accidentally kicked a half used bag of mulch over spilling some on the grease stained concrete. At least it wasn’t going to hurt anything she thought. As she was bending over to lean the bag back up against the old cooler something caught her eye. It was the perfect pot for her GG plant! It was a deep red color with happy looking flowers painted on the sides. If a person could resemble a pot, this one “looked” like GG for sure she thought. A smile crossed her lips for the first time in weeks. She knew this was what she had been looking for.

Story Idea-2

The Problem: A story about a financially strapped young college student that is faced with selling a prized sentimental ceramic pot for more money than she could make in ten years as an English teacher once she got her degree, and holding on to the only thing in this world that gives her comfort and peace, a potted plant she was given at the funeral of her beloved Grandmother.

The Struggle: If she sells the pot, she believes she can fix all the things in her life that keep her from experiencing joy. On the other hand, she could lose the connection she feels to the only person she ever felt love from.

Conclusion: She must make a choice and live with the consequences. I have an idea but like my character, I'm not sure which way I am going with it.