A Word of Poetry

Chao- Normally this author likes to place in author notes before and after a fan fic to explain where the inspiration came from and any notes that readers may want to know. But for three fan fics, Chao chose not to and instead focused on just writing a one shot poem for three categories. Figured it was important to just focus on the words altogether.

YChao- I thought you disliked poetry.

Chao- Yes, but this was something important, something that Chao couldn't fight.

Agent Daisy- (raises eyebrow)

Chao- Yep. The first poem was for Cats Don't Dance with Danny and his passion for dancing. It just started after watching the movie in the early morning a few times... and listening to its soundtrack... and looking at screencaps... and reading fan fics... and looking at wonderful fan art... and-

YChao- Uh oh, Chao is stuck in a world of bliss.

Agent Daisy- (grabs bucket of water) (pours it on Chao)

Chao- Huh? Oh, yeah. It all just started with wanting to write a good poem for Cats Don't Dance, but Chao figured it'd be pretty cool to expand the idea to Yu-Gi-Oh! and Phineas and Ferb.

YChao- Isn't writing poetry hard?

Chao- Yeah, it's difficult finding the right words and getting a good flow. But the passion for writing three different views on a passionate subject (as viewed by the characters) really helped. It was important to get into their minds and write how they would think and see.

Agent Daisy- (nods in agreement)

Chao- Chao doesn't know much about poetry, but here's a few websites Chao came upon while doing research about poetry writing.

http://www.famousliteraryworks.com/writing-poetry.htm

http://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-poetry.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Poem

Chao- Perhaps poetry isn't all that bad. Guess if anyone wants to write a poem of their own with no ties to fan fiction, they can always get an account on FictionPress or deviantART. And of course they always have their own blogs, like Blogger or Livejournal.

Yikes...

Chao- After finally being able to relax in the PnF world, Chao reviewed a few chapters from The Value of a Smile.... Don't really know how people could stand reading paragraph after paragraph of narration.

Agent Daisy- (shakes head in disappointment)

Chao- Hey! It seemed like a good idea at the time! Chao was able to create an atmosphere of what was happening by detailing the characters' actions and thoughts. Now Chao realizes that it's best to include space between paragraphs by adding dialogue and thinking bubbles. After all, comics involve speech and thoughts between panels of action. Readers just don't rely on pictures alone to tell them stories.

Agent Daisy- (rolls eyes)

Chao- Well, anyway, this author went back to fix some grammar mistakes (after learning a few rules in a grammar class) for The Value of a Smile and a few other PnF one shots. For future chapters of The Value of a Smile, Chao is hoping to continue this drama and psychological aftermath through more dialogue and thoughts to make the whole chapter seem more appealing. Dunno when the next chapter will be posted, but they are under work. In the meantime, hope you all will enjoy the upcoming one shot, Creativity from the Heart.

Having a Good Introduction Will Help: YGO Edition

Chao- If we are in a bookstore or library we see many books on many shelves. Some of us get our attention captured by an interesting title or artwork. But many of us know a good story lies beyond the cover. We also look at the back or the jacket for a summary. If the book company is lucky enough we'll actually rent or buy the book. And if we are satisfied we'll check it out again or keep it rather than sell it. So what's another way to capture reader's attention for writing? You can start off a story by writing a great introduction. Introductions are the first insights readers get after the cover of a story. It'll tell them how soon the writing is done (first person vs third), the setting (time and place), and perhaps a character's desire (to get something or get away from something). What's a way to get started on getting started? Take a look at this exercise.

Exercise 1: Take a published story you really enjoy and read only the introduction. (If it's a long one, then stop after the first 250-300 words.) Write out the introduction. (You can type up and print out if it's easier on the eyes to mark up, but actually write out your choice with a pencil or pen on paper first.) See what strikes you. Examine the verbs, adverbs, and adjectives they use; first person vs third; usage of commas, periods, semi-colons, dashes, etc; fragments; and the sentences using the verb "to be" (writers should know to use “to be” sparingly). See if there's any foreshadowing or character perceptions.

Exercise 2: Write in a style similar to that introduction.

Chao- Chao did this for homework using Fahrenheit 451. All these mark ups from the image below were from the first four paragraphs of the novel, only 246 words. You can always look back on old work (no matter how embarrassing) and see what you did before and what you're doing now.

 

Chao- Chao has done something in a similar style. Here's an introduction that will hopefully be in a fan fic some day.

 

 

"IT WAS A PLEASURE TO PLAY.

     It was wonderful to sit with others to talk and move pieces around a board. With his youthful hands, instruments adopted to enlist military orders, a joy spread throughout his heart, and he planned his next step. With his pawn in his hands, and his innocent eyes glowing with pride, he moved a white piece across a checkered board. He glowed with pride. He never wanted however, like jokes seen from TV series, to take out a notepad and strike a line demonstrating his many victories over his opponent, while the reaming pieces to the game stay idly by. While some pieces were captured and moved to the side in a ruthless sacrifice for a chance to an upper hand.

     Yugi grinned with joy as his grandfather praised him.

     He knew he had accomplished something big, and he long for the feeling to last. Later, sleeping in his bed, the feeling would change as his heart altered from family to loneliness. He would never forget this grand feeling as long as he kept playing."

Chao- All stories begin with an introduction. If your story has a purpose, then writing will become easier.

Get Your Stuff Out There!

(This entry was last edited 1/30/13)

Chao- Writing can lead people down different paths. Some will continue only in fan fics while others will try out original stories and/or poems. Even if writers have a larger craving, what can they do about it? The answer is simple: Get your stuff out there! There are websites that are dedicated to writers publishing their work and learning new ideas for creating plots and characters. Many of us are already familiar with deviantART and Fanfiction.net, but did you know that at one point FF.net had allowed original stories?

YChao- I think so. Was I alive back then?

Agent Daisy- O.O;;

Chao- Yep! Fanfiction.net and Fictionpress.com used to be the same site. But then one day, years ago, Fictionpress was separated, giving authors a chance to write and post their original stories in a supporting place. They have two main sections: Fiction and Poetry. From there they break off into genres. Those who have yet to see the site should visit it.

http://www.fictionpress.com/

Chao- And there are other ways as well. If you're under 18 in the US, you could probably submit a short story or something like that to a local library newspaper or teen magazine. If you're in college, check out your school's newspaper or see if there are any literacy magazines that accept fiction, creatvie nonfiction, poetry, or anything like that. If you're serious about submitting, write something that carries meaning and don't be afraid to have more than one set of eyes review it. There are people who get a lot of submissions and can only publish so many per issue. Also be on the lookout for guidelines and due dates.

YChao- So why should this matter?

Chao- If people are serious about writing, it's important to get their stuff out there. It's the same for those yearning to be rock stars: becoming a published author ain't gonna happen overnight.

Having a Purpose Matters: YGO Edition

Chao- When writing fan fics, some writers use programs like Microsoft Word or Works. Some programs come with tools that pick up misspelled or misused words. Sometimes writers only type what sounds correct through their ears. But what if the program is insistent of what you have is incorrect? Consider this line from Chao's YGO fan fic Offspring of Heroes, Chapter 11. Trouble in the Woods Part 2:

What was most peculiar about the bear were the gold chains wrapped around it.

Chao- Microsoft Word had insisted that this should be types as:

What were most peculiar about the bear were the gold chains wrapped around it.

Chao- Which is correct? Chao had asked an English professor at school, and she had said the first line was correct in grammatical purposes. Word does do a good job at catching lines that are not grammatically correct, but it is not always accurate. In this case, the teacher had explained that Word does not pick up well in long clauses. What was also troublesome was having the two to be verbs, was and were.

YChao- Since you mentioned this before the start class, did other students give their feedback?

Chao- Yeah, and some had asked why not rearrange the sentence to saying: "The gold chains were peculiar..."

YChao- You probably wouldn't have run into such a problem and confusion if you had taken their advice. So why go with your first choice?

Chao- Because there was a purpose in mind. Before that line, the bear was already established to be normal, a toy bear wearing human clothing. Authors can work around grammar if they have a purpose in mind. If someone asked you why you wrote a line in a certain manner, you'll need a good reason.

YChao- They can't reply with an "I don't know?" argument?

Chao- Nope. Ignorance of rules is not art. In this case, it was to show just how unnatural the chains were. Whether it's Word or another person's suggestion, if you as a writer have an idea set, then go for it. Otherwise, see if what you have is an honest mistake and try using the grammatically correct sentence/phrase/clause. You may see that the grammatically correct choice has a clearer message. You can work around it if you want something to be seen strong or you are making a point. (But this is for fictional and creative nonfiction pieces. You should probably not try this for academic papers unless your teacher allows it.)

Dr. Chao has a nice ring to it

Chao- So Chao has been reviewing some materials and classes for this semester and future semesters. Chao had planned to stop writing fan fics after graduating from college. Now the original graduation date has been pushed back. For how many semesters? Hopefully just one, but we'll see what'll happen. This gives Chao some extra time to finish current fan fics and promised sequels. Hopefully Chao can also post a few new ideas.

YChao and Agent Daisy- (shake heads)

Chao- Hey! Chao is trying! Chao spends a good amount of time studying at the library and asking teachers for help!

YChao and Agent Daisy- (raise eyebrows)

Chao- It's just those other darn classes and the arrogant teachers... Anyways! Chao has been looking at some graduate programs, and has anyone had any teachers that you refer to as "Doctor" instead of "Mister/Misses/Miss"?

YChao- Where are you going with this?

Chao- Well, there are some programs underneath the English department, some like Linguistics, Rehtoric and Composition; and English Literature.

Agent Daisy- (motioning paws for continuation)

Chao- So, Chao was thinking about going for such a degree after working for some time at a publishing company. Chao would like to gain a higher position than just editor. Plus, Dr. Chao has a nice ring to it.

You're a 90's kid if

Chao- Saw another meme (?) on some FF.net profiles and thought it would be fun to do. It looks like all that needs to be done is to bold anything that you remember.


You're a 90's kid if:
You can finish this 'ice ice _'You remember watching Doug, Ren & Stimpy, Pinky and the Brain, Bobby's World, Felix the cat, The Tick...AAAAAAAH Real Monsters!
You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE!"
You just cant resist finishing this . . . "Iiiiiiin west Philadelphia born and raised . . ."
You remember TGIF, Step by Step, Family Matters, Dinosaurs, and Boy Meets World.
You remember when it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons. (Chao- So long as they keep running the original YGO, it's all good!)
You got super excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
You remember reading "Goosebumps"
You took plastic cartoon lunch boxes to school.
You still get the urge to say "NOT" after (almost) every sentence . . . not
If you remember seeing hot tub bubbles make bubbly sounds before every music video on VH1.
When everything was settled by rock paper scissors..or bubble gum bubble gum in a dish...eeny meeny miney mo...and even better daddy had a donkey inky binky bonky.
You used to listen to the radio all day long just to record your FAVORITE song of ALL time. (Chao- Didn't know that was possible...)
"Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" was both a game and a TV game show.
Captain Planet. He's a Hero. (Chao- Gonna take pollution down to zero!)
You knew that Kimberly, the pink ranger, and Tommy, the green ranger, were meant to be together. (Chao- Never paid attention to that; Chao just liked the yellow ranger!)
You remember when Super Nintendos and Sega Genesis became popular. (Chao- Sega Genesis forever!)
You always wanted to send in a tape to America's Funniest Home Videos . . . but never taped anything funny.
You remember watching Home Alone 1, 2 , and 3 . . . and tried to pull the pranks on "intruders"
You remember watching The Magic School Bus, Wishbone, and Reading Rainbow on PBS. (Chao- What's the story, Wishbone!)
You remember when Yo-Yos were cool. (Chao- They still are!)
You remember those Where's Waldo books.
You remember eating Warheads.
You remember watching the 1st Batman, Aladdin, Ninja Turtles, and 3 Ninjas movies.You remember Ring Pops.
You remember drinking Surge, and Tang.
If you remember when every thing was "da BOMB!"
When they made the new lunchables so that you could make pizza AND tacos.
You remember boom boxes vs. cd players.
Making those little paper cootie-catcher things, and then predicting your life with them.
You played and/or collected "Pogs" (Chao- Dinsey brands were very popular. Chao kept them in a Pogs holder... It was either black, pink, teal, or purple.)
You had at least one Tamagotchi, GigaPet, or Nano and brought it everywhere.
. . . Furbies
Saved By The Bell was the coolest show ever!
You haven't always had a computer, and it was cool to have the internet.
And Windows 95 was the best.
You watched the original cartoons of Rugrats, Power Rangers, and Ninja Turtles.
Michael Jordan was a king. (Chao- Space Jam!)
YIKES pencils and erasers were the stuff!
All your school supplies were "Lisa Frank" brand. (Chao- Really liked the leapord)
You remember when the new Beanie Babies and Talking Elmo were always sold out.
You collected those Beanie Babies.
Mortal Kombat was awesome--the game and the movie
CarebearsGak was the coolest stuff invented.
Lambchop's song never ended.
The old dollar bills.
Silver dollars, which were cool to have.
You remember a time before the WB.
You collected all the Troll dolls
You had to read Weekly Reader's in class.
If you even know what an original Walkman is.You remember wanting to sit on the orange Nickelodeon couch.
You've gotten creeped out by "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" (Chao- Who wasn't creeped out by that?!)
You know the Macarena by heart. (Chao- Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena Heeeeey Macarena AAAhAA!)
"Talk to the hand" . . . enough said
You always said, "Then why don't you marry it!"
You remember trying to collect all 150 original Pokemon cards but never could and if you did you thought you were all that!
You remember Highlight's magazine.
You went to McDonald's to play in the playplace. (Chao- Those playballs were amazing!)
You remember playing on merry go rounds at the playground.
Before the MySpace frenzy . . .
Before the Internet & text messaging . . .
Before Sidekicks & iPods . . .
Before MIKE JONES . . .Before PlayStation2 or X-BOX . . .
Before Spongebob . . .
Back when you put off the 5 hours of homework you had every night. (Chao- Not the smartest thing to do for college, though.)
When light up sneakers were cool.
When you rented VHS tapes, not DVDs.
When gas was 0.95 a gallon & Caller ID was the new thing.
When we recorded stuff on VCRs.
When we called the radio station to request songs to hear off of our Walkmans.
When gameboy was a brick.
You did MASH to figure out your future
When you weren't cool unless you had a Starter jacket.
Way back.
Before we realized all this would eventually disappear.
Who would have thought you'd miss the 90's so much!
Post this in your profile if you remember these days . . . .
or if you smiled at one of these things.


Chao- Oh, the 90s.

Looking Forward to the Future

Chao- So while taking all these different English classes for college, Chao has really learned a whole lot, working with clauses, passive voice vs active voice, independent and dependent clauses, the difference between clauses and phrases, etc. There are some teachers who really understand grammar and creative writing, instead of just reading a boring book and getting a lecture on it. Chao likes being able to apply new education to some current, soon-to-be-published, and old fan fics. Looking back on old writings is both funny and embarrassing. Chao can’t believe there was a time where his and he’s were ever confused! What was even stranger was that no one pointed this out; Chao just got some reviews talking about placing spaces between dialogue and the past tense for verbs. Anyways, Chao has been doing better at applying grammar rules so reading won’t be so hard and confusing. And with this new knowledge, Chao is thinking about doing something more than just editing a few commas and spaces between paragraphs. Chao would like to take Chao’s favorite fan fic of all time and completely re-work it and submit it as a redo. When will it be posted? Not too long after graduating from college when studying English is completed. Which is Chao’s favorite fan fic? Guess you’ll have to wait! (Hint: It’s one that’s already been posted).