Storybook Plan

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I am creating a storybook with a twist on Dante's Inferno. Obviously, this project will rely heavily on the original story. I want to learn more about the circles themselves: why Dante chose these specific categories, how he brings those circles to life for the reader, etc. By taking a deeper look at the story and its meaning, I'll hopefully gain a much better understanding of the text. I could also benefit from looking back at past storybooks to see if any of them inspire me.
There are definitely some components that I want to keep in my story. For example, Dante encounters several characters from other mythologies throughout the nine levels of hell. That is definitely a way I can convey the theme of each of my recreated circles. However, I want to give the story a much more modern twist, which might be a little hard considering how long ago it was written. That obviously starts with the plot itself. Because of the time constraints, I unfortunately won't be able to recreate all nine circles (and for that matter, I'm not sure I'd be able to). I plan on presenting a 21st-century twist on the first three levels of hell.
I'm going to be using more current wording in my stories to make my characters a little more relatable. I'm going to need to change the writing as well as the language the characters employ. One of my journalism professors told me to write as if your audience has an eighth-grade reading level, and by keeping things simple, I'll be able to give a clearer depiction of this new hell.

Main project source: Dante's Inferno.

Looking forward to throwing my twist in this man's epic tale!

Comment Wall

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Fire by Liz West.

Week 6 Story Lab: Writing Smarter, Not Faster

Because of time constraints caused by other commitments, I chose to do a story lab for this week's assignment. I decided to watch some of the TEDEd videos on creative writing and style because, when it comes to my journalism work and even classwork, I struggle at times to find creative twists to throw in my writing. I was actually really enthusiastic for this assignment because I'm very open when it comes to criticism or improvement in that regard.
I related to the video on creative constraints a lot because I think that idea in particular is very unique. The concept that the constraints motivate people to find unique solutions to issues is one that I had not thought of before, but that made sense to me. I think that idea also relates to diversity; not diversity of physical appearance, but diversity of thinking. Everyone has a different perspective on aspects of our world, but everyone has something to bring to the table.
I also really enjoyed watching the video on writing descriptively. I learned a lot about putting yourself in the perspective of your audience and asking yourself whether the audience is feeling what you want them to feel. That's definitely something I can apply to my journalistic work because the job revolves around telling stories. Especially in sports where the news isn't as serious, it's crucial for the reporter to be able to pull the viewer's strings.
I think that as a whole, this assignment gave me some really interesting perspective on how I can improve my writing, That aspect is critical for the field I want to enter after graduation, and it's something I'm striving to work on everyday. While there's no perfect way to write, I think there's some qualities that good writers hone in and emphasize in their writing, which helps them convey their message clearer as a result.

I don't have time to write my story this week because I'm in Grapevine for a
College Football Playoff mock selection. Look out for my story next week!

Reading Notes: Raja Rasalu, Part A

Story source: Tales of the Punjab by Flora Annie Steel, with illustrations by J. Lockwood Kipling (1894).

This week of readings is different from those to this point because I went in with no preconceived knowledge about this topic. It helped in some ways because I went in with such an open mind, but I definitely had to work a little harder to go through and comprehend all the readings.

The biggest reason for that is some of the language used in the stories. While the readings to this point had adaptations with more current language, the wording was clearly a little older and more difficult to understand. With that being said, I think I could turn some of these stories into a more 21st-century tale. The tales are also very unique in that they combine some parts of prose with some of poetry. This would definitely be an element worth keeping in mind when I write my story later this week.

I also think Raja Rasula is unique from some of the protagonists in that he's more independent as a hero. For example, Hector has a trusty sidekick in Paris, but when Raja Rasula shows his friends the creature that he killed while keeping guard overnight in "How Raja Rasula's Friends Forsook Him", they beg him for permission to return home. This protagonist is a hero capable of, and seemingly fine with, taking care of dangers to his people on his own.

Raja Rasula

Reading Notes: Ancient Egypt, Part B

This part of the Ancient Egyptian readings made me realize just how different that mythology is from other cultures. For example, as I was reading through The Two Brothers, I was intrigued to find out what would happen after the pharaoh had the cedar tree cut down, killing Bata. I was unsure as to why her wife would ask the pharaoh to do that, but as I followed Anpu's journey, I remembered the idea of resurrecting him after finding his heart. What I was not aware of, however, was that Bata could be resurrected several times. That is definitely a unique aspect of Egyptian mythology that I want to keep in my story. I also really enjoyed watching the relationship of the brothers develop after being torn apart by a woman. The idea of forgiveness between the two in order to save the relationship they have is a theme you can see in all types of fruitful relationships, whether real or on paper.

A depiction of brothers Bata and Anpu facing off over the Canal of Ra.

Reading Notes: Ancient Egypt, Part A

Story source: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).

Reading the first part of the Ancient Egypt, I was shocked in particular with the story of Osiris. I had learned in my past education that Osiris was the Egyptian god of the underworld, but I had not heard the story of his death before. It was interesting to learn about the good deeds he did for his people, and it reminded me to some extent of the kindness Jesus showed in some of the readings I explored from the Gospel of Mark unit. I also thought the manner in which he died, while original, was a little unorthodox. After all, his brother Set is a man of warfare like the story says, yet the plan for him and his conspirators is to trap Osiris in a coffin. I think I could definitely find a twist to that ending where Osiris is killed in a battle or doesn't die at all.

A painting of the god Osiris from the tomb of Nefertari.

Reading Notes: The Gospel of Mark, Part A

Story source: Gospel of Mark, King James Bible (1611).

This week of reading is a rather special one for me. A little insight: both of my parents grew up as Christians but strayed away from the religion as they got older. However, they always gave me the freedom to decide for myself what I believe in, and I grew up going to church occasionally with some of my best friends. While I do consider myself a Christian, I do not relate to any denomination in particular mainly because I was never fully immersed in the religion. I have also read parts of the Bible but never read it all the way through, which compelled me to read the Gospel of Mark for the first time.

While I knew several aspects of the Gospel of Mark beforehand, such as the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, there were also several parts of the story that I had never read about. I learned a lot about the path Jesus takes upon being announced as the Messiah, from teaching his disciples to the obstacles he has to overcome. One theme that is apparent throughout the Bible and this text is the idea of unwavering faith and acting upon it. Once Jesus is announced as the Son of God, he works to help people's illnesses, starvation, and more. While the idea of performing good deeds as repayment to God obviously is not transcendent across society, the idea of doing good out of the moral kindness is, and I think that's something I could touch on when writing my story later this week.

Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper

Topic Research: A New Kind of Hell

For my storybook project, I've decided to stick with my recreation of the nine circles of hell from Dante's Inferno. While there isn't really a way to condense all nine circles into one storybook, I think I could successfully reshape the first three circles while incorporating characters from stories I read throughout the semester.

#1: Limbo
While I understand why Dante added this opening circle of hell for virtuous non-Christians and pagans, I have to find a way to add my own twist to the story. Therefore, I want to remove all religious aspects from this tale; I want my storybook to be about the stories. I think I would make this first circle for people who were misguided by their own arrogance.
#2: Lust
I actually think lust would be a good second circle of hell because, while it isn't a serious offense, Dante understands how easily each and every individual can be strayed by it. However, one way I could alter the story is by incorporating more modern characters. This circle definitely applies to characters similar to Cleopatra and Helen of Troy; I just have to find them as I continue with my readings throughout the semester.
#3: Gluttony
This circle is chosen for gluttons, but I'm thinking about readjusting it to instead focus on those who are untruthful. This could apply to a wide range of characters, which is something I will have to narrow down as the semester progresses and I dive into more readings.

A depiction of the 9 layers of hell courtesy of Sandro Boticelli.

Feedback Strategies: The Right Way to Help

Through playing sports, I've learned the importance of being coachable and accepting feedback when you need it. However, I think it is just as critical to be able to give feedback in an appropriate manner. I think I have been good at giving feedback because I've gained experience in a few leadership positions, but this assignment gave me the chance to refine some areas where I need to improve.
First, I read Adam Grant's "How to Give Bad Feedback Without Being a Jerk". I think I can come across as harsh at times when giving feedback just because of my cynic personality. This article gave me some great insight on how to present my feedback in a positive manner. For example, Grant writes about how it is important to step off our pedestal when giving feedback. Instead of just being someone who critiques a colleague, I can instead present myself as someone who has received feedback in similar situations and could perhaps offer a different point of view.
The second article I read was "The Trouble with 'Amazing': Giving Praise that Matters" by Jennifer Gonzalez. I definitely feel like I related to this article as someone whose parents always had high expectations and, as a result, did not just hand out praise. I think Gonzalez makes a great point about how pointless praise really doesn't help much. The reference to "Paula praise" from American Idol that she mentioned is a perfect representation of feedback that is rather useless. I haven't really thought about the idea that this sort of praise is centered around the person rather than the effort, though. It's a little nit-picky, but it is also evident in some of the wording that people use. There's a slight, yet significant difference between "you're great" and "that was great".

Just because feedback is constructive does not mean it has to be negative!

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad, Part B

Story source: The Iliad retold by Alfred J. Church (1907).

The first thing that stood out to me when I read the second part of the Iliad readings was the appearance of Achilles in the story. I was immediately drawn into the story because I knew about Achilles' role in Greek mythology (fun fact: I suffered a bad ankle injury my junior year of high school, and the doctor told me I nearly tore my Achilles tendon as well). However, I had no idea he was in the Iliad. I was very intrigued by his relationship with Patroclus, who dies at the hands of Hector. The title, "The Rousing of Achilles" is very foreshadowing of what might happen later in the story.
I absolutely loved reading "The Slaying of Hector". This part of the story is jam-packed with action and ends, just as the title and the foreshadowing indicates, in Achilles killing Hector. Homer includes several similes throughout this chapter, including one where he describes the fury in which Achilles ran back to the battle as "swift as a racehorse". Homer also incorporates Apollo, who assists Hector in his escape, and Athena, who takes the shape of another figure and tricks Hector, into his story. I thought it was particularly interesting that Homer chose to have Hector run away from Achilles rather than fight him. While he concludes that this must be his fate, just as he told Andromache earlier in the story, it does seem a bit odd that he cowered so easily. I think it could be interesting to write a story while adding a twist where Hector does in fact stand up to Achilles. There's several different ways that could end.
I also wrote in my last blog about the love that Hector and Andromache share for each other. I thought it was interesting that Homer would include Andromache seeing Hector's dead body being dragged by the ships. The utter sadness she feels in that moment is also a sign a foreshadowing from when she was torn apart about him going back into the battle. The end of the Iliad texts reinforced the idea that I could potentially write the story from the perspective of Andromache.

A painting by Peter Paul Rubens depicting Hector's death at the hands of Achilles.

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad, Part A

Story source: The Iliad retold by Alfred J. Church (1907).

A few things stood out to me when I read the first part of the Iliad readings. Firstly, I was really intrigued by the relationship between Hector and his love, Andromache in the sixth part of the reading. While Hector is obviously a brave and powerful warrior, Andromache still worries that he might die in battle, abandoning her and their infant son, Astyanax. Yet, he stays true to the idea that if he is killed in battle by the Greeks, it it because "it be my fate to die". Hector cares tremendously for his son and even prays to the gods that he will turn out better than his father did. I could imagine writing a story from Andromache's perspective as a woman torn while the man she loves puts his life on the line for Troy. This is a little irrelevant to that relationship, but I also love the inclusion of Paris throughout the stories. It adds a real Batman and Robin feel to the story, and it even got me thinking about the idea of writing about their adventures together in battle.

In terms of the plot line, it was fairly easy to follow. The inclusion of several Greek gods throughout the story kept me engaged and helped me understand the historical context of the story. I also really liked some of the imagery in several of the stories. For example, in the first part of "The Quarrel", the writer describes the wrath with which Apollo descended from Olympus to avenge the priest, stating he "came as night comes across the sky". Furthermore, in Hector and Andromache, he compares Paris running to meet Hector to "a horse that is fresh from his stable, and prances over the grass and tosses his mane". I have always struggled to incorporate creative imagery like that in my writing, but reading through the first part of the Iliad stories definitely gave me some inspiration that I can carry over into the stories I write this semester.

A painting depicting Hector wishing farewell to Andromache and Astyanax.

Storybook Topic Brainstorm

As I mentioned in one of my previous blog posts, I took this class because I wanted to re-enhance my knowledge in topics that I had learned in the past but not fully retained. With that being said, here are some ideas for my storybook project this semester.

1. The Story of Perseus, told from those around him
I've always been intrigued by Perseus and his role in Greek mythology. He is the protagonist in stories throughout Greek mythology,  and there's no denying the impact of his character in pop culture (Percy Jackson, Clash of the Titans, etc.) However, I find it interesting no one has really explored the story from other points of view. There are several different viewpoints in this story: Andromeda (the woman he saves from the sea monster), the gorgons (who were killed by Perseus), and even that of his father, Zeus. I think I could dive into the gorgons' history before Perseus and perhaps even extrapolate his story after he saves Andromeda.

2. My twist on Aesop's Fables
I've always been a big fan of Aesop's Fables. My parents introduced them to me when I was a child, and I quickly enjoyed how simple the stories are yet how deep and applicable the message can be. "The Hare and the Tortoise" taught me to be patient and methodical with anything I do to produce better results. One of my dad's favorite sayings comes from "The Lioness and the Vixen": quality, not quantity. Furthermore, I've always wondered if I could write similar stories with a similar message. This class gives me the opportunity to do just that. It would also be an interesting challenge because I'm obviously not quite as creative or as good at storytelling as Aesop.

3. Dante's Inferno, reimagined
I read some of Dante's Inferno in high school, and I was immediately hooked by it. I was particularly interested in how Dante categorizes and ranks the nine circles of hell. But what if the layers were different? This would also be quite the challenge for me because I would have to be a little more introspective as to how I would categorize them. Recreating the first nine circles might be a little complicated, but I think that I could find a unique way to rearrange the first three levels.

4. Homer's Odyssey
It would probably be impossible for me to confine all of the Odyssey to one storybook. However, I think I'd enjoy focusing on one aspect of the story, such as Odysseus' clash with the Cyclops or Circe's island. Just like Dante's Inferno, I read some of the Odyssey in high school but fell out of touch with it once I got to college. I could also tell the story from the perspective of the protagonist's enemy.

Overall, I think these four ideas highlight the parts of this class I am most interested in, and I would be very eager to work on any of these subjects.

A painting from Swiss painter Arnold Böcklin depicting the battle between Odysseus and Polyphemus.

Feedback Thoughts: Re-Wiring My Brain at OU

When I started my college experience at OU, I was so focused on perfection. After going through high school, where classes were not too difficult but my parents' academic expectations were high, I wanted to carry that success in the classroom over into college. I quickly realized that I could not have been more wrong in my approach.
By focusing on making sure I succeed in every single aspect of my college life, I became overwhelmed and thought I was in over my head. Since then, I've learned the importance of making what I like to call "critical mistakes" and learning from them. While I've improved in that regard, the articles I read for this assignment provided fresh perspective on ways to be better.
The first article, Joel Almeida's "A 5-Second Habit to Rewire Your Harshly Self-Critical Brain", related perfectly to how I address mistakes early in my career. I tend to set a high standard for myself in my work, whether it's academically, journalistically, or even personally. As a result, I saw the mistakes I made in a negative light; I worried less about my long-term development and instead focused on my short-term success. This article stuck out to me because of how it addresses the mentality one should have about mistakes. Rather than looking at mistakes as failures, Almeida emphasizes how seeing those mistakes as a bump in the road and refocusing on your ultimate goal help you overcome them more easily and grow from them.
I also read John Spencer's article, "Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work". While the first article emphasized having the right mentality following a mistake, this article focused on ways to stop doubting yourself in order to produce your best work regardless of the situation. I definitely enjoyed reading this article because it related a little more to my career in sports journalism. I've always been pretty confident when it comes to my journalistic work, but I will be graduating in 8 months (terrifying) and entering a workforce filled with professionals who have been in the industry way longer than I have. The very first point Spencer makes to get rid of that self-doubt is not to compare yourself to others, which will be critical to how I approach my first job out of college. In my opinion, the most important point he makes is to trust yourself. I've always been one to trust my gut and to tell others to do the same. After all, that's what's gotten me where I am today. This article definitely reinforced my confidence in that regard and motivated me to stick to that standard.

A picture after my first time on television in the fall of my freshman year. I thought I was terrible, but I've since learned to grow from my mistakes rather than criticize myself over them.