Writing

This topic was inspired from multiple conversations I have had with people pertaining to my own writing. The first full-length fiction piece I wrote was a fan fiction based off of Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games. While I expect most people to react with a wrinkled nose or an amused chuckle, several have been enthused by the concept, articulating that fan fiction is a valuable part of the dialogue between author and reader.
My question then surrounds the purpose of, and thereby value of, fan fiction literature. Is it supposed to be a semi-rational approach to an author’s work, exploring underdeveloped facets of their created world, in a kind of creative dialogue? If so, much fan fiction seems to fall short, as the characters developed or plots imagined do not coincide with the author’s original content at all (The character arcs found in the Dramione ship from the Harry Potter fandom is a key example). In that case, then, is the purpose of fan fiction really a sort of wish fulfillment for the fan base, a resource through which they can create – as all fiction writer’s do – their own version of reality? Each approach comes with its own set of artistic constraints and merits, and I’m curious as to whether or not one approach can be “valued” over the other.

In the crowded space that is the media, the digital growth has left profound effects to which writing is contending to keep pace with. Primarily, though English has maintained itself to be the language of the cyber world, there is a consistent mingling of cultures and tongues that our entire world shares in. This topic is meant to provoke the questions about the assimilating values that have shaped the digital crowd, and what kind of adaptations are made to the languages we commonly speak. What can we gather and understand from these changes?

This topic will cover the generally accepted writing formats for undergraduate/graduate level writing – MLA, APA and Chicago style specifically. Generally each are associated with a certain field of study and there is no generally accepted styles of writing. What are some of the benefits/drawbacks of each format of writing? Undergraduates normally only interact with one style (ex. I only use MLA but I know some liberal arts degrees require Chicago style proficiency). Explore the reasons certain styles are recommended when all of them have places in the same/similar fields. Also explore what, if any, is the most generally accepted writing style for graduate and undergraduate studies and how they are related.

When does one side, or both, start to confused platonic affection for romance. Can one maintain a healthy friendship with the opposite sex with out developing feelings? If they do develop, should you live in silence, cut the relationship, or confess?

An analysis of psychopathology as a plot device (particularly in horror films), a phenomenon I've come to identify as "sexy slasher" movies, and humanism (or lack thereof) in depictions of mental illness in mainstream television, films and books.

Hyperbole and a Half. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir. Humans of New York. Even Dog Shaming. All of these are blogs turned into books—although some are more successful than others. What makes for a successful transition from blog to book? How has this changed publishing (for better or worse)? Should prospective writers be writing in blogs, in the hopes of building an audience base and working towards a book deal? Or is this a fad that will play itself out?

You may have heard about the quote by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of "Eat Pray Love”: Creativity is a crushing chore and a glorious mystery. The work wants to be made, and it wants to be made through you.

I understand what she means. I sometimes have an urge to write something down or respond to others' texts. I usually first start writing in my mind and organizing the words in my head first. I just have to let it out. One of my selves would say : choose the right time and right way to say. But I may be under some supernatural power's control. I can not stop myself. After writing down, I am calm and peaceful. But I won't be able to produce anything relevant to the same topic soon. I can really feel the idea/inspiration captures me and makes me want to write.

What would you do when you are hit by inspirations? Do you have the experience that the work captures you? How does it feel like? High quality work when you are made to create?

As a staff member of my University's Newspaper, I have come to the conclusion that typical, straight news articles should no longer exist. Especially in a young adult environment, straight forward articles with no personality or something to grab you, are not something people reach for and that is heavily affecting people's knowledge about the world around them. Basically what I'm saying is that so many more students COULD be reading our publication but we don't give them a reason to. I love print journalism and I think more people should too.

This article could almost be a letter to newspapers, and remind journalists that they are telling a story, and not listing off facts. All of the most popular publications, such as Vice, talk about hard hitting news but through a fascinating and unique perspective. I think this also affects the quality of journalists we have as a society– as time progresses, journalists are taught simply to meet deadlines and get the news out there; which is important for television news because of it's immediacy. That extra night or so should be taken to their advantage– make print journalism popular again and give people a reason to read.