Bird by Bird (pages 43-93)

The first quote that grabbed my attention was, “Just don’t pretend you know more about your characters than they do, because you don’t” (51). I absolutely love this quote because it depicts my problem with writing. Before writing I like to imagine my characters. Their flaws, hobbies, work, responsibilities, etc. I place my characters in a box and I don’t let them out. I don’t let them grow, and this is what this quote taught me. My characters will grow as I write my story. They will surprise me as I let them soar into the air and let them fly.

The second quote that grabbed my attention was, “Over and over I feel as if my characters know who they are, and what happens to them, and where they have been and where they will go, and what they’re capable of doing, but they need me to write it down for them because their handwriting is so bad” (58). I love this quote as well because it seems that my characters have a mind of their own. Sometimes I feel as if I am not writing the story; my characters are telling their life stories to me. I am just a typist who has taken interest in their stories and am voluntarily writing it down for them. I learned that my characters need space to do unexpected things that will make my story more interesting instead of me deciding what all of their qualities are.

Bird by Bird

The first quote that I liked was, “What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid, squares of paper unfolds worlds after world after world, world that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you” (13). This quote explains how magical books are and the endless possibilities there are with books. These small rigid squares can share the secrets of life or the slow destruction of a person. It can enlighten us and show us how amazing our imagination are. In addition, I feel like Lamott wrote this to explain a part of why she enjoys writing so much. Another quote that I liked was, “Clutter is wonderfully fertile ground-you can still discover new treasures under all those piles, clean things up, edit things out, fix things, get a grip” (27-28). When I first read this, I thought that I should read this for my mom and sisters when they think my room is dirty. However, it truly explains the process of writing. It’s okay if your writing is unorganized and you have thoughts everywhere with no sentences. The unorganizedness (I don’t think this is a word, but it works) is what helps us mold our thoughts in order for our readers to comprehend, visualize, and enjoy our writing. I feel like this quote could answer the question of some advice Lamott gives her students and what kind of attitude you need just to get writing done.

101 Word Short Story

The rainbow steals my breath away as I sit on the bridge, my life fulfilled. My last day here, and I have everything I need.

My sister on my left side, with her curly hair always in her face, and my boyfriend who never leaves my side. He will have to learn how to now.

Breathing deeply, a tear rolls down my cheek. Why, I’m not sure.

I close my eyes and etch this memory into my mind and heart forever, never wanting to leave my perfect life.

The one time I have everything I need.

I’m losing it all forever.

Character with a Wild Animal

1.     Hair: curly, Face: small forhead, big nose, long eyelashes, eyebrows thin and threaded, mouth, big with Chapstick on at all times, skinny figure, shirt that says “Live in Style”, high-waisted jeans with Nike black and white shoes.

2.     Wild animal: Jaguar, body: strong with black and orange spots, smooth skin, sharp teeth, colors are orange, white and black

3.     These two characters are in a park in the daytime. The second character is the first character’s friend.

PARK – AFTERNOON

Characters: Syeda, Liam

SYEDA
Don’t turn around but there’s someone watching us

LIAM

What?

SYEDA

I’m gonna tie my shoe and come to your side, you come to mine

Syeda gracefully bends down to tie her shirt, cautious of her every step. Liam, who is extremely freaked out, not gracefully walks to Syeda’s spot

SYEDA

(standing up)

Now, causually look under the big tree

LIAM

(looks and laughs)

It looks like they’re bird watching Syeda

SYEDA
No, they were not looking at the sky

LIAM

Well they are now. Why would anyone want to spy on us? We’re honestly not that interesting

SYEDA

(opens her zipper to her backpack)

I am prepared if anyone dares to attack

LIAM

Woah! Where-

SYEDA
Let’s go

Writing a Letter

Dear Liam,

I know that I could have texted you, but I feel that this will grab your attention a little more than a text would. You graduated! I saw on LinkedIn that you graduated, and you are officially a nurse! Way to go Liam! I am so glad that you achieved your dream! I am writing you this hand-written letter because I have some big news to share!!!!  Of course, you know me enough where I’m not gonna tell you unless you reply. And your reply needs to be in a letterform. You know I like to torture you so do it please. I was deep cleaning and I found our pictures from Eastview’s cultural night. I have no clue why we signed up to be the hosts. You probably did that to torture me. Anyways, I’m sending a copy of those in here. I’m sure that you don’t know how to send a letter so go and tell your robot to do so (Google, Alexa, whatever you have). I miss you Liam.

                                                                       

            Make sure to reply Liam.

                 With hope in her heart that her best friend won’t be mean and accept her torture,

                                                                                                                                    Syeda :)

Blog Journal Two (Week 11)

Characters: Paro, 22, librarian, female, Chris’s best friend. Chris, 25, nutritionist, male, Paro’s best friend

Setting: In the library, Paro is closing, and Chris has come to the library so they can go out to eat

Conflict: Chris is persuading Paro to come to the ski trip he wants to go to, and Paro doesn’t want to

CHRIS

Come with me?

PARO

No, Chris. No

CHRIS

But why? It’ll-

PARO

 I don’t know

CHRIS

Don’t know what?

PARO

How to ski

CHRIS

I’ll teach you

PARO

What about work?

CHRIS

You can’t take

PARO

What?

CHRIS

A leave Paro

PARO

I don’t know

CHRIS

Your boss’s number?

PARO

No thank you

CHRIS

For God’s sake

PARO 

Go with another

CHRIS

I want you

PARO

I’ll embarrass you

CHRIS

I don’t mind

PARO

Seriously?

CHRIS

It’ll be fun

PARO 

I’ll think about-

CHRIS

Yes!

PARO 

it

CHRIS

My bestest friend!

PARO

Take these books

CHRIS 

Gladly best friend

Using $6 kickstarter

Setting: Interview Office

Characters: Mr. Interman and Shea

Knock on Mr. Interman’s office

MR.INTERMAN

Yes, please come in

Shea comes in and sits down

MR.INTERMAN

Hello Shea, is it? How are you doing today?

SHEA

(nervously) 

Yes sir, I am doing good today. How are you sir?

MR.INTERMAN

Pretty well myself. Thank you for asking. Now, let’s get right to it, shall we? You are here for the position of my secretary. I am going to go over some demographics as a formality. What is your gender?

SHEA

(confused) 

Female sir.

MR.INTERMAN

(Typing on the computer )

Just as I thought Shea. How old are you?

SHEA

23 sir.

MR.INTERMAN

Very good. Young enough to conquer the world some may say. (Chuckles) You’re Indian right?

SHEA

No sir, I am Pakistani

MR.INTERMAN

Oh. That’s not on here.

SHEA

You can put Asian for my race.

MR.INTERMAN

That isn’t right. Asian is for Chinese people with little eyes. My dear, you are so naive.

SHEA

Sir, I believe that Asian includes individuals from the continent of Asia. Pakistan is included in that. It is the country right by India.

MR.INTERMAN

Are you sure dear? In my 20 years of experience, I have never encountered this problem. What are you, did you say Paki?

SHEA

No sir, I said Pakistani.