I like background noise a lot, whether I am reading, studying, cleaning, or just lounging around. There's a reason why I was asked to leave the Matheson Reading Room freshman year of college.
So as I study for the 3 weeks left, I usually play iTunes, though sometimes I stream on Netflix--usually things I have seen fairly frequently (like Jaws) or silly, nostalgic cartoons (like Hey Arnold!). Having something going on the background keeps me grounded. But over the past two days I've been streaming stuff I have yet to see. Thankfully as I am not memorizing vocabulary or roots anymore, and rather I am just practicing algebra and geometry and reviewing the analytical writing strategies, I can focus on the movies without much repercussion. Over the past few days I've watched:
Schindler's List
The Silence of the Lambs
Kramer vs. Kramer
The Graduate
some Hey Arnold! episodes
the first act of The Usual Suspects
I quit watching The Usual Suspects because I wasn't focusing on it and I felt that was a movie I should pay attention to, so I'll return to it later, but I have to say, I really enjoyed all of the films I watched. Schindler's List was nothing short of phenomenal, and I found The Silence of the Lambs enthralling. The Graduate and Kramer vs. Kramer were both good movies that deserved the praise they received, but I was more attuned to Dustin Hoffman's acting than the actual plots of the movies (though Kramer vs. Kramer was very touching).
It made me think back to my screenwriting year--the good and the bad seminars--and I really miss my screenplay! One day I'll get back to it, just to finish it, to keep having it. Sure, I've got dreams of selling that too, but dreaming too much about my future as a writer will inevitably make my head explode/my heart crap out/my search for a good graduate program doing...something...all the more tragic.
Word of the Day: Abattoir
Word of the Day: Abattoir
Definition: (n) A slaughterhouse
Manuscript Related Sentence: Emsger had become an abattoir, the innocent lives laying on the streets lifeless and bloody.
Other Sentence: Despite my self-proclaimed literary snobbery, I have not yet read
I particularly like this word because it is French, and the French language is so beautiful--after all, my favorite word ever is French: parapluie, which means "umbrella." But seriously--/abba-twah/. It's amazing to me that a word with such a negative definition can be so verbally aesthetic.
Definition: (n) A slaughterhouse
Manuscript Related Sentence: Emsger had become an abattoir, the innocent lives laying on the streets lifeless and bloody.
Other Sentence: Despite my self-proclaimed literary snobbery, I have not yet read
Abattoir-Cinque Slaughterhouse-Five. :)
I particularly like this word because it is French, and the French language is so beautiful--after all, my favorite word ever is French: parapluie, which means "umbrella." But seriously--/abba-twah/. It's amazing to me that a word with such a negative definition can be so verbally aesthetic.
On a Completely Snotty Note...
I have a lot more faith in myself when I study the Analytical Writing Foundations and Content section of the Revised GRE Study Guide and think to myself, "People actually make these mistakes?" I know that's really uppity and snotty. But it kind of makes me feel...better.
I miss my manuscript.
I miss my manuscript.
Book Journal: The Hunger Games
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Hunger Games! A little fluttering on the wind that is steadily grasping attention. Now if there's one thing I like, it's highly envisioned action, which means that I really like The Hunger Games on a technical level. It surely isn't a perfect novel, with its flaws pretty obvious, but I have only read this first one in the trilogy, after all. In any event, this book has inspired a "list" review.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
1. Why, why on Earth is this book written in present tense? I understand the pretense for action and thus the inclination to use it, but present tense is so....Well, for fiction, it's just kind of forced. It's great for academics, it's great for verbal storytelling, but I think present tense in fiction doesn't allow the reader to ever delve into the character or the events. For a book focused solely on action, like The Hunger Games, it's not such a big deal, but it is noticeable nonetheless. It certainly gives the book a more "tell" than "show" vibe, but for a book that reads more like a video game, again...whatever.
2. What the hell was Collins thinking when she named her characters? Now, I'm all for weird names, especially names with meaning (Katniss comes from the katniss plant found in Appalachia, the region Katniss Everdeen is from...yes I get it)...but... her name is Katniss Everdeen. What a lame, lame name. And her friends are Peeta (which is...Indian?) and Gale? And then everyone in the capital has a Latin name (Cinna, Caesar) to parallel how ahead of the game Rome was back in the day, especially compared to all the "barbaric" regions around it? These names blow. Hard.
3. At least in Book 1, the characters are all pretty thinly drawn. Katniss is most developed, but that isn't saying much. Gale and Peeta are stick figures of characters, and Cinna and Katniss's relationship is beyond forced upon the reader.
4. The copy-editing is borderline atrocious. That's not Collins' fault though. C'mon, Scholastic, I get that all your time and energy goes to Harry Potter but cut the rest of us writers some slack, would you?
5. The action is incredibly awesome-paced. This book goes down like water.
6. A giant arena that changes setting!!!!! HOLY CRAP THAT IS SO COOL! IT'S A DREAM FOR AN IMAGINATION LIKE MINE!
Rating: 7/10
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
1. Why, why on Earth is this book written in present tense? I understand the pretense for action and thus the inclination to use it, but present tense is so....Well, for fiction, it's just kind of forced. It's great for academics, it's great for verbal storytelling, but I think present tense in fiction doesn't allow the reader to ever delve into the character or the events. For a book focused solely on action, like The Hunger Games, it's not such a big deal, but it is noticeable nonetheless. It certainly gives the book a more "tell" than "show" vibe, but for a book that reads more like a video game, again...whatever.
2. What the hell was Collins thinking when she named her characters? Now, I'm all for weird names, especially names with meaning (Katniss comes from the katniss plant found in Appalachia, the region Katniss Everdeen is from...yes I get it)...but... her name is Katniss Everdeen. What a lame, lame name. And her friends are Peeta (which is...Indian?) and Gale? And then everyone in the capital has a Latin name (Cinna, Caesar) to parallel how ahead of the game Rome was back in the day, especially compared to all the "barbaric" regions around it? These names blow. Hard.
3. At least in Book 1, the characters are all pretty thinly drawn. Katniss is most developed, but that isn't saying much. Gale and Peeta are stick figures of characters, and Cinna and Katniss's relationship is beyond forced upon the reader.
4. The copy-editing is borderline atrocious. That's not Collins' fault though. C'mon, Scholastic, I get that all your time and energy goes to Harry Potter but cut the rest of us writers some slack, would you?
5. The action is incredibly awesome-paced. This book goes down like water.
6. A giant arena that changes setting!!!!! HOLY CRAP THAT IS SO COOL! IT'S A DREAM FOR AN IMAGINATION LIKE MINE!
Rating: 7/10
Word of the Day: Veracity
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Well today I finally finished my 500 words for the GRE. Now it's time to just review, review, review, and brush up on my Latin roots.
Oh, and math. But...eh.
Yes!
Oh, and math. But...eh.
Yes!
Word of the Day: Veracity
Definition: (n) Filled with truth and accuracy
Manuscript Related Sentence: Not one member of the coterie, perhaps save Rafni, is truly for veracity.
Other Sentence: In novels, authors often strive for veracity in their themes and symbols.
Definition: (n) Filled with truth and accuracy
Manuscript Related Sentence: Not one member of the coterie, perhaps save Rafni, is truly for veracity.
Other Sentence: In novels, authors often strive for veracity in their themes and symbols.
Word of the Day: Tyro
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Word of the Day: Tyro
Definition: (n) Beginner; novice
Manuscript Related Sentence: Though a tyro at football, Rafni's physical prowess gave him proclivity.
Other Sentence: Jillian is a tyro of writing novels, but is ever-hopeful for a bright future of written success.
Definition: (n) Beginner; novice
Manuscript Related Sentence: Though a tyro at football, Rafni's physical prowess gave him proclivity.
Other Sentence: Jillian is a tyro of writing novels, but is ever-hopeful for a bright future of written success.
Word of the Day: Peregrinate
Monday, August 1, 2011
Word of the Day: Peregrinate
Definition: (V) To wander from place to place; to travel, especially on foot.
Manuscript Related Sentence: Feya would peregrinate across England after the loss of Landess.
Other Sentence: Link from the Legend of Zelda is the prime example of the peregrinating hero, wandering aimlessly to find stuff to beat the bad guy and save the princess.
I just couldn't resist.
Definition: (V) To wander from place to place; to travel, especially on foot.
Manuscript Related Sentence: Feya would peregrinate across England after the loss of Landess.
Other Sentence: Link from the Legend of Zelda is the prime example of the peregrinating hero, wandering aimlessly to find stuff to beat the bad guy and save the princess.
I just couldn't resist.
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