Writing Corey in a Grocery Store

As you can tell from the time stamp, I didn’t exactly get to finishing my story last night. In fact, I didn’t even start it, but luckily today existed so I did it then.

As of now, “Geneva Gritz Goes to the Grocery Store” is unedited but complete. Corey discovers that she no longer likes Planter’s Peanuts and decided to give potatoes a try, so Geneva deals with it. That is basically all that happens, but I think that the story gives background for Corey that the collection insofar has otherwise lacked. In writing today, I decided that Corey is not ditzy, but instead is entirely enthralled by her own world. I hint at her elusiveness with comments which show she has a complicated life outside of the space contained within the stories. Corey is generally disconnected to Geneva, and she’s rather apathetic to the majority of her and Tinny’s endeavors with exception of this particular grocery trip. Also, in this story I decided that Corey was raised by intelligent slugs, so I think I’ll definitely have to play with that in the future (maybe she likes to slither around the floor or lay on the ground when it’s raining? Maybe she’s terrified of salt?).

For story purposes, I know I need to edit my ending (right now it is rather abrupt) and include more of Tinny (the ram) since he is such a central character in the rest of the stories. Also, I need to figure out what he eats, because before I had him dining on hemp from Whole Foods but now I realize that as a ram, Tinny would likely be eating from bales of hay or something like that. I don’t know because I am not a farmer, but I will certainly research more to figure it out.

I will also be editing the story to better fit an audiobook format and cater to blind children. Tomorrow I’ll post my research and comment on how it factored into my edits.

Signed,

The Writer

SLOTH

Who is Geneva Gritz and Why Do I Care About Her?

According to twelve year old me,

Geneva Gritz is a young girl, at the age of ten. She has curly strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. There is a gap between her two front teeth, and freckles dot her beneath the eyes.  She is short for her age at 4’ 3”. She has a pet ram named Tinny (short for Tin Can) and enjoys trying the impossible. She lives by herself in an abandoned warehouse with her best friend Corey (she’s a girl) and Tinny (the Ram). She gets all of her money from her Aunt, who is rich and couldn’t care less about her.

I began the Geneva Gritz chronicles with my mother while we waited in the urgent care center to either fix my broken arm or cure my scarlet fever—neither of us can really remember why we were there. We can remember, however, that it was taking forever, and Candy Crush just wasn’t cutting it. As to avoid death by bureaucracy lethargy, my mother opened the pages application of her iPad and started typing. I instinctively added details, and so Geneva Gritz was born.

The story was about Tinny (the ram) getting his horns stuck in a popcorn bowl. He too was waiting in the urgent care center with annoyance parallel to our. We used Geneva’s orphanhood and Tinny’s pageant career as context. Corey acted as the lax roommate. Geneva became fluent in Japanese.

My mother told me (and continues to tell me to this day—seriously, she said it last week) that my career is in Geneva Gritz. Because of this, I have jumped at any opportunity to write her. In high school, when the creative writing majors were assigned children’s comedies, I wrote of Geneva’s short-lived career in the shrimp and blimp industry. When we were asked for children’s books, I introduced Dame Judith Gritz, the dreadful aunt with too much money. Now, in a college-level children’s literature course, I figure I should flesh out my supporting character, Corey. I mean, what is she even doing?

Throughout the stories, Corey is ditzy or dumb or apathetic. She never knows what’s going on, but it’s always in a different way. In “Geneva Gritz Goes to the Grocery Store,” (the story I will be using for this project), I plan to solidify her character as a foil which demonstrates the brilliance that is Geneva. I also think Corey invited a lot of room for comedy, so I hope that will help.

Anyway, tonight I am writing. I might update after I’m done. I might not. I guess it will be a surprise.

Signed,
The Writer

SLOTH

A Project. A Final Project.

Okay, if you’ve been reading backwards I’d just like to stop you here. Every post before this was written when I was in middle school, and though many of them are entertaining, they probably won’t convey any real information. But hey, if you want to read about why I once believed giraffes were the most useless species on Earth, by all means go ahead.

Anyway, I am beginning a project. A final project. A final project for a Bard College at Simon’s Rock course on children’s literature taught by the lovely Dr. Jane Wanninger. Hi Jane!

In this class, we read a series of books, most of which I enjoyed, some of which I didn’t. One that particularly stood out to me was El Deafo by Cece Bell.

El Deafo is a memoir which details Bell’s childhood as a deaf individual. In an article she wrote, Bell says,

“The main reason that I believed the graphic novel format was the best format for my story is: SPEECH BALLOONS. They are awesome. They let me show the reader exactly what my character is hearing, or not hearing—a very important thing to show in a story about deafness.”

In a regular book, deafness can only be shown by saying “I can’t hear”—the reader cannot tell whether or not other people are talking if the main character is not looking at their mouth. In the graphic novel, however, the reader experiences the events of the story as a deaf person would: through sight.

This use of medium to cater to specific needs inspired me. I developed a plan to write a story designed to be specifically accessible to blind children, and what better way to do so than through an audiobook?

Side note: To be considered blind in the court of law, your vision must be 20/200 or less with and without visual aids (Boxer Wachler). According to WebMD, “[t]hat means if an object is 200 feet away, you have to stand 20 feet from it in order to see it clearly.” I have terrible eyesight and wear glasses every day, but my vision is entirely correctable. For this reason, I will not be writing about the blind experience, but will simply be making my own work accessible to the blind community.

As of now, my plan has five parts:

1. Write my story.
2. Research into blindness. How are blind children taught? What is the blind community like? How do blind people experience the world?
3. Change my story with this information in mind. I am writing the story first and then researching because there are way more authors who write without accessibility in mind than those who do. The methods used to adapt a story can be applied to any already existing work, which means that authors have not been using accesible practices can correct retrospectively.
4. Research into the audiobook format. Are there ways I should change my story to better work within the form? Is this an easy or difficult process?
5. Convert the story into the audiobook format.
6. Reflect.

So here I go.

Signed,

The Writer

SLOTH

Works Cited:

1. Bell, Cece. “Cece Bell: How I Made El Deafo – in Pictures.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 4 Aug. 2015, www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2015/aug/04/cece-bell-el-deafo-in-pictures.
2. Boxer Wachler, Brian S. “What Does It Mean to Be Legally Blind?” WebMD, WebMD, 7 Nov. 2019, www.webmd.com/eye-health/legally-blind-meaning.

How Learning Can Change the World (And Just Your Life)

Learning is the foundation of thought. Every moment of everyone’s life is consumed by learning one thing or another. Just by utilizing the five senses a person is taking in information, forming inferences, and eventually making decisions based on them. It is literally impossible not to learn, which is good, because learning leads to progress.

Everyone learns in different ways, so naturally, everyone learns different things. Many argue that education should be censored because it leads to conflicts which can become violent, but all conflicts, no matter how small or large, are vital to progression. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This is because without it, progression is at a stalemate. If no one was to question facts, then everyone would be living in the same conscious and the world would remain unchanged for an indefinite amount of time. However, when questions are posed and positions are challenged, humanity shares and gathers more information, which either leads to deciding whether the situation should remain the same, if it should change, or a split down the middle where each side collects more information to convince the other on why they are correct.

Learning leads to discovery in all fields. For example, when a scientist performs an experiment he or she observes until a hypothesis is proven or disproven. If it is proven it becomes a theory. Then other scientists either build upon or challenge the theory, which always leads to new technology and new questions to be answered through the same process. If one person chooses to learn, thousands of others may do the same, and billions of discoveries will be made. It’s a giant cycle.

From the beginning of my life, I have been taught that education, by school, self, and others, is the easiest path to a successful life. This has not only encouraged me to eagerly retain information, but it has also given me a positive outlook on my mistakes. I have learned that failure is simply another opportunity to grow in mindset and knowledge. Many who have not yet realized this become angry or upset when they do something incorrectly and they fixate on the fact that they did something wrong in the past, not on that they can do better in the future. Because of my appreciation for learning, I have taught myself to move past my failures, learn from them, and do greater things.

At this point, learning is the only thing I know for sure that I want to do with my life. Right now I want to become a fiction editor, but one year ago I wished to be a writer, and before that I wanted to be a plastic surgeon, lawyer, Broadway star, singer, dentist, etc… Still, I always knew I wanted to go to college, get a master’s degree, and never ever stop learning. What I didn’t know was that I would be doing a big part of that much sooner than my peers.

This is Bard College at Simon’s Rock, and it is where I will be living and attending school next year. Keep in mind, I just turned sixteen years old, I have not finished high school, and that is indeed a bonafide college. That’s right, I’m going to get my bachelor’s degree without a high school diploma.

That’s what’s so amazing about learning. It can push you to places like Simon’s Rock, designed for people who just can’t get enough information like me. My strive for education has led me into an early college program where others who know how important it is will be as well. If I did not value knowledge, I definitely would not be attending the school of my dreams in the upcoming semester. My life is being turned completely around because of what learning has done for me, and I’ve never been more excited.

Signed,

The Writer

My Bucket List

            So it’s July, which means another Camp NaNo. This month I’m trying something a little different. I will be switching the point of view every chapter, and since I’m writing about half a chapter a day, I am going to have to change my writing style a lot. But let’s push all of this aside for the moment.

I’m choosing not to reveal my plot because I don’t want anyone stealing my idea, but I’m going to tell you one little thing. My story is centered around a bucket list, which got me thinking, what’s on my bucket list?

If you don’t know what a bucket list is, here is a brief definition: a bucket list is a list of activities you want to complete before you kick the bucket, or die. Almost everyone has a bucket list, whether they’ve written it down or if it’s completely mental. In the last school year I wrote a rough draft bucket list, but it wasn’t very detailed and a few of the items have changed. So I present to you, my new and improved bucket list:

1.     Food Fight

Number one on my list is to get in a food fight. I’m not one for messes, but for as long as I can remember I have yearned to chuck a handful of spaghetti at one of my friends.

2.     Learn to Drive

I am looking forward to when I’m sixteen because I finally won’t have to ask for a ride. I’m planning to learn how to drive a manual because it is a good skill to have in case, I don’t know, you have to steal a car when running from some evil villain. Imagine taking a sigh of relief as you enter the stolen car, until you see the gear shift. “NOOOO!” you scream, and the villain reaches through the car window to take you to his evil lair.

3.     Get a Tattoo

Though I will probably never do this, I think it would be fun to get a tattoo. If I ever do, I will probably get a hummingbird on my right shoulder blade. I find tattoos very artistic and versatile because the image is up to you.

This is Jasmine Thompson. Please look her up so this bucket list item can be fulfilled.

4.     Discover Someone Famous Before They’re Famous

I think it would be really cool to say “I loved them before they were on TV” or “I read their first book before their second got famous”. This one is all up to chance, but I still hope it will happen.

5.     Publish a Book

I would love for one of my books to be published by a publisher. Self publishing is great and all, but nobody will ever read your book. If something that I had written became a kid’s favorite book I would be happy with life.

6.     Get a Crazy Hairstyle

I think it would be so cool to have a bright blue-green pixie cut someday. I love boldness, and when it comes to looks, you can tell a person is bold if their hair is different.

7.     Watch all of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars

I am not a person that watches a lot of TV, so I think it would be really awesome to finish an entire TV series. Gossip Girl and PLL are two of my favorites.

8.     Meet a Celebrity

This is on a lot of peoples’ bucket lists, but that’s only because it’s commonly wanted by, well, everyone! If I could meet Adam Lambert, Mitch or Scott from Pentatonix, or a member of The Script I would die.

9.     See a Movie Premier

This is just a random wish of mine. Watching celebs walk down the red carpet and then seeing their movie would be so cool.

10.  Slide Down a Bowling Alley

This is from “Across the Universe”, which is a movie that features a ton of the Beatles’ songs, including “I’ve Just Seen a Face”. In the scene where this song is played, everyone starts sliding down a bowling alley. Though it looks painful, it also looks fun. Oh, and speaking of “Across the Universe”, you should watch it. It’s one of the best movies ever.

11.  Learn to do Makeup… Well

I’m okay at makeup. I can do enough to get by in the teenage girl world, but I don’t understand what half of the products I use even do. I am taking a stage makeup workshop in August, but that’s not going to help me with my everyday eyeliner.

12.  Walk into a Surprise Party

Wouldn’t you just love it if someone threw you a surprise party? I know I would. This is another one of those items that depends on chance, but I’m still keeping it on my list, hoping that maybe someone will read it and get to planning *wink wink*.

13.  Flash Mob

I have only seen flash mobs on YouTube, but I can tell that they are amazing and hilarious. Ever since I saw my first dance I have wanted to participate in one.

14.  Roller-skate in a Wheelchair

If you have seen Glee, you probably know where I got for the inspiration for this one. The Glee cast sang Hail Mary, while dancing in a wheelchair to support their friend Artie. I want to take this a step further by actually roller-skating.

15.  Hold up a Free Hugs Sign

Hugs are one of the nicest things in the world, so why not give a hug to a stranger?

16.  Send a Message in a Bottle

You always see this in pirate movies, but never in real life. I want to try it, so I’m going to send a message with my address on it. The person who receives the bottle can let me now they got it by sending me a letter. Another variation of this is sending a note in a balloon.

17.   Bury a Time Capsule

Time capsules come in all shapes and sizes, and they are great for the future. Imagine someone one hundred years from now digging in the ground and finding a box. They open it to discover rare artifacts from the past! How cool would that be?

18.  Carve Something in a Tree

Whether it’s your initials with someone else’s in a heart or just a design, you are leaving your mark on the world. This carving will stay on the tree until it dies or is cut down.

19.  Be Vegetarian for a Week

I already don’t eat cured pork (pepperoni, salami, bacon, ham, etc…), but I wonder what it would be like to not eat any meat at all. This can be either a health or fun experiment (or both). Take a step into a vegetarian’s shoes for a week!

20.  Get a Psychic Reading

Even if you’re a skeptic, you’ve got to admit the concept of being psychic is pretty cool. I think it would be fun to get a psychic reading, whether it’s tarot cars, palm readings, or a message from a medium.

21.  Attend a Pride March

In honor of LGBT Pride Month (July), there are plenty of pride statements all over the world right now. YouTube Videos, Twitter Posts, Pictures, Marches and more! I would be really fun to participate in a pride march

22.  Make a Bulls-eye on a Dartboard

If you’re as unathletically (not sure if that’s a word) skilled as me, you know how amazing it feels when you actually do something right. Think of how great it would be to do something perfect!

23.  Go Scuba Diving at a Coral Reef

If I’m not a professional writer when I grow up I would like to be a marine biologist. By reading this you can probably guess that I like marine wildlife. I recently did a project on coral reefs, which involved me searching for pictures. They are some of the most beautiful and colorful sea life there is.

24.  Go Skydiving

I hear so many good things about skydiving. It’s fun, it’s thrilling, and it’s a little but dangerous, but hey, isn’t everything?

25.  Go to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta^®

New Mexico is famous for it’s hot air balloon rallies. With more than 700 balloons lifting off the ground the festivals are sure to be a wonderful sight.

26.  Win a Raffle

I have done this once before (for a Billy Elliot, the Musical Poster, signed by the original cast), but I would love to do it again. As luck would have it, I was in the bathroom when my name was called so I missed my moment of glory.  So you see why I want a second chance.  Raffles are a fun and (sometimes) cheap chance game. Often held at large events, they put a bunch of names into a basket and pick a few people to receive prizes.

27.  Road Trip

Everyone loves a good road trip. Your legs may be cramped and you could be tired from driving, but once you stop at your many destinations you forget all about that. I personally want to take a road trip down Route 66, seeing all the sight, stopping at old places with neon signs.

28.  Be in a Band

It has always been a dream of mine to perform in a band. You’re making music with your friends. What’s not to like?

29.  Kiss a Dolphin

A good friend of mine recently went on a cruise and came back with a picture that inspired me to add this to my list. She was leaning over a railing, kissing a dolphin. I love dolphins and think this would be a great photo to hang up in a hallway when I’m older.  It’s all fun until they mistake you for a fish, my mother says, but I don’t care. What’s life without a little risk?

30.  Read under a Willow Tree

There are not any willow trees where I live, but I still want to find one and read under it. I feel that this would be relaxing and fulfilling.

31.  Fall Asleep in a Meadow

Plenty of people want to fall asleep on a beach, but that leaves nasty sunburns. Though meadows can give bug bites, bug spray can prevent that. One day I will take a pillow and camera out to a field and just relax, hopefully falling asleep.

32.  Donate a lot of Money to Something

Not everyone is as fortunate as you. Donating money to a third world country or even a local non-profit organization can help the world.

33.  Fly a Kite

Take a step back to your childhood and fly a kite! Head to a local park on a windy day for some fun. I’ve wanted to fly a kite for a long time, and I still have never done it. My friends and I are planning on doing it this summer (see my previous blog post).

34.  Cosplay in Public (Cosplay, not Co-Splay as my mother wrongly interpreted)

If you don’t know what cosplaying is, it’s when you dress up as one of your favorite characters from a book, movie, or TV show. Then go downtown and stroll around. Eat in a restaurant; browse a library, etc… When I do this I’m hoping to get a few people asking for pictures. I want to dress as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.

35.  Float in the Dead Sea

My last item is different from the others in the fact that it is international. I learned about floating in the Dead Sea when I was in sixth grade. I was mystified of how you could not possibly sink, so I decided that one day I was going to visit it and try it for myself.

            That concludes my bucket list (for now). Compared to most, it’s actually pretty short. If you’re feeling bored, make a bucket list. It’s fun, and you’ll have a rough draft for some of the things you want to do in the future.

Signed,

The Writer

SLOTH