 For Authors: April 26, 2023 Issue [#11932] |
This week: Word/Phrase Thoughts Edited by: Fyn  
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Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.~~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I think what makes people fascinating is conflict, it's drama, it's the human condition. Nobody wants to watch perfection.~~Nicolas Cage
The fact of storytelling hints at a fundamental human unease, hints at human imperfection. Where there is perfection there is no story to tell.~~Ben Okri |
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From a recent two-day writer's workshop I did with fifth graders---
"Let's write a story about a 'perfect' world. Hmmm. Guess we'd best define perfect. Why? Well, MY idea of perfect and yours would most likely not be the same. That's your first question for your homework." *Calls on a hand waving in the back.* "World Peace!"
*writes it down on the board* "So no wars, no fighting. What about ... yes?"
"No violence of any kind."
*writes it down on the board* "So no muggings or school killings. What about ... yes?"
"Hadn't we best define 'violence' then? There's physical, emotional, and there's is certainly verbal ..."
"Absolutely. That's your next question for your homework. Moving on in our 'perfect world... Yes?"
"No sickness, no diseases, um... no accidents so no one gets hurt."
*writes it down on the board* "And the ... yes?"
"After a while, wouldn't the world would get awfully crowded? I mean if people only died of old age? And who would decide when it was time to die? No disease or sickness --wouldn't people live forever?"
"Hmm, I don't know. I wouldn't want to live forever. Crowded... another question for homework. Now, what about ...yes?"
"If it's a perfect world, but there are too many people, not enough food or space for people to live then how can it be a perfect world?"
"I guess it might go back to the definition of perfect." *Nods at a handing the back corner.*
"I think a perfect world would be boring." *I nod, smiling.* "No drama, nothing would happen. Nothing would change. There is no story without change or drama or something happening that messes everything up."
"So, how do we write about a perfect world?"
*A sea of blank looks.*
"That's your last question for homework. And answer AND explain why! And tomorrow we will write a perfect story."( Of course, it wouldn't be quite what they were expecting. And the possibilities changed the more they thought about their answers.)
"Mrs. Moyer? Do you do things like this with your grownup classes?"
I do, I told them. T then explained how writers are writers and we all need to take time to examine perspectives, observations, and the way our perceptions and observations of word meanings can and will affect our writing.
The next day they came up with a bunch of 'perfect' definitions and concepts about perfection and as a group decided perfect moments or days were great even if they weren't actually perfect --just really good on a sliding scale Yay them!
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Madelyn Silver & Gold Stone   says: This was wonderful to read through and feel the awe, enthusiasm and joy that you experienced visiting this place that means so much to you. Thank you for sharing everything, most especially your impressions. I do have to say I was dreaming of Maui... until you got to the spider part. EEEEK!! LOL. Even the lava tube, I thought 'well, maybe'. But not the spider. However, maybe I shall go one day and just stay near where they are most unlikely to be! :) Best wishes on your future creations based upon what you brought back!
Worth it! :)
Bikerider  writes: Thank you for highlighting my story, Island of Dreams, Island of Tears. Your March 28th For Authors Newsletter hit home with me. I have an aunt and a passel of cousins living in the northern mountains of Italy. The beauty of the valleys and mountains is difficult to describe. From my aunt's bed & breakfast you can see all the way to Switzerland. While there about3 years ago my aunt told me the tragic story of my grandmother's last years. I've written several versions of her story.
I need to go read them!
Monty  comments: I walk with difficulty now but have walked over much of this world, have written thousands of things and the hard copies are filed under my desk. At times that is the place I get inspiration from.
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