We recently had dinner with a family who are big fans, might I say obsessive fans of the Harry Potter series. I have enjoyed reading Harry Potter myself. I believe J.K. Rowling is a gifted storyteller. So, this may seem somewhat random, even contradictory, and I realize that I’m speaking of what to some is sacred ground, but I am just going to put this out there and take the flak. I’m talking about Harry Potter. I just struggled with the end of that series. I’ve thought a lot about it because, hey, it’s Harry Potter, and everyone just raved (still raves) about it. And it is an engaging series. Let me just say in my defense that I really like the Harry Potter series. The books are clever and egrossing, but I really, really was disappointed with that climactic scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Continue readingAuthor: Gigi Lynn (Page 9 of 9)
For me a story, whether it’s a short story, novel, or movie, is all about the people. I know some readers/viewers who “see” the picture that an author is “painting.” They love the setting, atmosphere, movement and action. And while I appreciate a good action scene, a well written description, or historical accuracy, when I read or view, it is all about the people and their relationships. Their motivations and their history are a fascinating tapestry. The way they react to their environment, the way they interact with the other characters carries the story.
Continue readingWhich, of course, is just another name for writer’s block. There are so many blogs out there. It is easy to think/say, “What do I have to say? What do I have to say weekly? And the ever discouraging, why would anyone read it?”
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Oedipe et Antigone By Eugène-Jean Damery
(1823-1853) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
For the month of November, I’ll be re-entering the High School English classroom. (As a substitute teacher, this time). Because I’ll be there for longer than a day or two; and because I’m doing this for a friend who cares deeply about his students and their education (and don’t we wish we could say this of every teacher?); and because if I’m going to do something, I might as well do it well; I am reading/re-reading all the of homework assignments for the eight classes.
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I think I was a Junior in high school when I took the required Psychology class. For one assignment, we were asked to write a paper or create a project on a psychological subject of our choice. (Looking back, I realize this is a very vague assignment. I’m not sure what the desired learning outcome was supposed to be, but that was the assignment). The teacher encouraged us to be creative. But I think everyone in the class just started writing a paper. By the time we were Juniors, we knew how to do that. We didn’t like it, but we knew how.
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A while ago I read a book by Deborah Tannen entitled, You Just Don’t Understand: Women and
Men in Conversation. She explored/researched the different ways men and women communicate.
In communication, as in many other ways, we truly are from different cultures. Funny as it
seems, this book actually helped me understand my conversations with my mother more than
with my husband or other men.
I’ve decided to join the twenty-first century. That means that I have a smart phone; I have dabbled in social media (still experimenting), and now I am beginning a blog. It took more time to choose a title than it will take to write my first post. I wanted a title that reflected my aspirations to be an author, but “Aspiring Author” was not available. And though most of my posts will be about writing–inspiration, discussion, hints–the truth is that my interests are varied. I have a ‘day-job’ that I find fascinating. I will probably write about that sometimes. I have very strong avoidance skills that coincide with my varied interests, so sometimes I will probably write about what I do when I should be writing but am not (thrifting, quilting, reading, learning new things). Like writing, I think this blog will be an exciting learning experience. Please, join me.