BendtedWreath

Came here after reading the note on Homecoming Week. Glad I read this part first. Those men sure will have their hands full from now on. Just one teenage son is difficult to raise. Three at the same time? Best of luck, guys! 😂

Oh man! I really missed out on more than one amazing GA member, then! First @Comicality's brand of humor in the guides he left us and now @Carlos Hazday. I'm all teary eyed and I didn't even get a chance to interact with them. 😢

Chemistry might die, but recollections remain. Whether you've been in many relationships or not nearly enough, the feelings this piece invokes are universal.

This was quite an introspection we were privy to, an entire relationship backwards from accepted endings to the beginning.

I'd say you're a blend. The end result of your work is always worth the price of admission, regardless of what methods you use to get there. I'm definitely a fan. I'd have to finish something first. 😅 I dont even think it counts as a first draft yet. While I haven't exactly painted myself into a corner, I need to really figure out the ending before trying to start working on anything else. I do have an idea for the prompt I was given from the new event, though.

Note: I am a novice level writer. Everything I say should be taken with a grain of salt or disregarded as I bumble my way around. I would like to think we all started as readers and then felt the desire to write our own characters, worlds, or continuations (the birth of fanficiton?). In school, we were taught a few basics: Everything has a beginning, middle, and end. A story generally has 3 Acts in structure. Make sure your thesis statement in those essays have the main points you want to make. Watch your grammar. Start with something interesting or eye-catching. Those more passionate about literature would then move on to more advanced studies in college and even psychology to understand what drives a human mind. With so much information on the internet shared by all, even those that rebuff a continuing education can also gain the level of knowledge they wish. In many of the books I've read, writers look to past examples of their favorite books and stories for guidance. Some writers have what I consider a "great gut" and instinct for writing, able to compile everything about a story in their mind every time they sit down to work on a chapter. Some writers are more "organized" and have everything from webs, charts, images, and miscellaneous data sorted out in several files like the many tabs on a webpage (or the tabs in a physical binder or filing cabinet). Some writers are "chaotic at best" letting the chips fall wherever they may as they hope to tie up as many loose ends as they can in the end. Then, there's everyone in between that have adapted hybrid or mixed methods to suit their needs. Even firm readers that don't have the drive to write their own work can sense whenever a story feels "off." If a story lacks enough conflict, or if the conflict drags out for too long, there's a sense of imbalance. If a character is too sheltered from suffering, or if a character is too deeply in the throes of incessant angst with no relief in sight, there's a sense of imbalance. If the pacing fluctuates too little or too much, there's a sense of imbalance. While certain writing techniques can address imbalance, such as plotting ahead, sorting out key backstory elements, and hammering out rocky transitions...a second set of eyes, or even several sets of eyes can help pinpoint those imbalances. Just like how in the past, when a story was passed by word of mouth from one person to the next, each person added or changed something for the better. Not everyone in the audience can be reached, but with a few different perspectives, more people can resonate with what's being told (though, in the spirit of balance, even too many eyes on a project can result in a dud). I found a plethora of blogs to help beginners in the Writing Tips section of Writing World (click on the underlined "Writing Tips" in this sentence to follow the link), mostly because I was searching for this information for myself. @Comicality provided quite the robust map/field guide if you take the time to search for all of them. Some of the ones I found that were important for beginners were (and there is more on Theme and Tone at the very end of this blog): That being said, there are plenty more in the Writing Tips blogs to look over. The ones I handpicked above are great for either the new writers or great reminders for writers that might have stalled on whatever they were working on. I saw something that was mentioned in many of the blogs that I thought I had a vague idea about, but it turned out I knew nothing like Jon Snow. So, I wrote down what I found below: Tone vs. Theme Tone: Expresses the writer’s feelings/attitude/point of view toward the topic/subject. Theme: The main idea or the central message of the story. Tone is expressed through word choice or the writing style the writer uses to express his views on the topic/subject. Theme can be felt or uncovered through concrete/important events as the story unfolds. Scope of the tone: How did the author convey/articulate/express the message of the story? Scope of the theme: What is the story about? What is the moral or message of the story? Nature of the tone: Can be suspenseful, cheerful, sarcastic, funny, melancholic, and etc. Nature of the theme: Can be a powerful message ("moral of the story") or a conclusion that’s drawn from the author’s written work. Examples of Tone: Somber, dark, serious, gloomy: A speech at a funeral, a murder mystery, a novel about someone's struggles with depression, Book with dark tone: Lord of the Flies Humorous, witty, goofy: A stand-up comedy routine, a TV show like Seinfeld or Friends, Book with humorous tone: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Examples of Theme: Good vs. Evil: Marvel movies, Star Wars, Harry Potter Power and Corruption: Wall Street, The Black Book, The Godfather Coming of Age: The Breakfast Club, The Catcher in the Rye, Emma Love and Sacrifice: My Sister's Keeper, Gravity, Titanic Redemption and Forgiveness: It's a Wonderful Life, Schindler's List, Les Misérables Nature and Environment: Avatar, Okja, The Lorax Identity and Belonging: Zootopia, Hidden Figures, Percy Jackson Survival: Cast Away, The Hunger Games, The Grapes of Wrath Theme and Tone: The Lord of the Rings series has a Good Vs. Evil theme told in a mournful tone. Pride and Prejudice's theme is in the title told in critical, ironic, and sarcastic tones. Charlotte's Web's theme is friendship told in a tone of innocence, gentleness, and whimsy (though it has moments of joy, sorrow, love, and friendship). The Great Gatsby's theme is the decline of the American Dream, the hollowness of upper class, and the corruption of wealth and love told in a scornful and sympathetic tone.

A deep love that transcends a lifetime. 😭

It hit everyone reading it pretty hard, as well!

As far as the "In Too Deep" theme goes, this character experiences it twice...once in adolescence, and then more progressively in his adult life. While I didn't relate with the main character much, I do thoroughly enjoy this writer's style, and I equally enjoyed reading this story. Nicely done.

This character and I shared maybe 25% commonalities. The rest of the 75% couldn't be more different, as I would not have chosen those specific paths. But, even so, I wished him well, and I'm glad he figured things out for himself and that both he and Tom found special someones, even if not each other.

Yet another story that took the "In Too Deep" theme to heart. This one is all about heart, showcasing platonic and familial love along with a romantic love so deep that it's reminiscent of how lovebirds mourn their partners into the afterlife, chasing right on after them. A short and heartfelt read that was written wonderfully.

The next morning, I sipped my tea and watched the wind tug at a huge red wine leaf. It eventually would lose the fight, but for then, it persevered, like Dad. - What beautiful writing. Where was the man who easily carried my sixteen-year-old brother to the EMT at the other end of the beach when he stepped barefoot onto a glass shard? Where was the laughing big man who showed us how to swim, the man who moved back to his homeland after his messy divorce to start anew? - No, where is that roll of toilet paper I had near me? My eyes were just barely recovering from being drained of fluid and here they are watering up all over again. Dad’s eyes glistened brightly with tears. “When?”/I closed my eyes. Dad remembered Matteo’s passing. I sat down beside him, my hand on his thigh. “In January.”/He nodded a few times, surprisingly alert. “Matteo went ahead. Typical. That man.” He chuckled. - (struggling to read through gushing tears) He saw us when he took Dan’s and my hand. His gaze became unfocused again when he smiled. ‘There you are...’ - 😭

Yet another story that took the theme "In Too Deep" and ran with it. From the very title of Depth Perception down to the 5,555 exact word count. (Why has no one mentioned that magical word count?) This story will suck you right into the complexity of familial relationships, the various ways we (as humans) grieve, and the many bonds one creates over the years. I cried, I laughed, and then I wept some more. This was a beautiful and bittersweet read that resonated deeply with me.

This one is dedicated to my mom. You're in my heart forever. - Oh no. My heart hurt just reading that. This is going to hit me like a ton of bricks, isn't it? (taking a deep breath) Let's dive on in. You may need some tissues. - Oh, come on! We didn't need that warning when you already mentioned the dedication to your mom. Now, where is that roll of toilet paper... I didn’t bother correcting her. She wouldn’t remember anyway. - No, stop it with the watering, eyes. We're only a few sentences in. Gone were the days of dieting and complaining about the weight she gained after having four kids. She had to be fed these days, forgetting how to do the task herself. - Heart, stop it with the squeezing. We're not even a quarter of the way through. Pull it together! The idiot mutt got sprayed by a skunk. - Quick! Mix a quart of three percent hydrogen peroxide with a quarter cup of baking soda and a teaspoon or two of liquid detergent to wash him with! Once in my car, I called Jordy. In the background, I could hear a distinctive howl. “Hello, my love. How is it going with our stinky pup?/“I’m gonna kill him.” - LMAO!! Life's many woes. “He’s an embarrassment.” Jordy lowered his voice to a whisper. “A dog mom is sitting across from me, looking like she just bit a lemon. She’s judging. I know she is.” - LMAO!! She's judging, I know she is!! I laughed when he turned around and nearly tripped over Visa, who, as usual, lived up to her name. Like the old commercial, he was everywhere you wanted to be. - THAT's why they named her Visa!? (Still laughing over here) “I’m losing my mom.” My voice cracked as the words tumbled out. - (Instant gushing tears) Hold on. I'll be able to read on in a moment. Doggone tears blurring my vision. She never admitted to having favorites, but more than once, I caught her saving the biggest piece of lemon meringue pie for Jordy. It was his favorite. The only other person she did something like that for was Dad. - I'm gonna need another moment...and to order a lemon meringue pie from somewhere. Her mom lived to ninety-five and was as sharp as a knife until the end. - Yeah, but everyone's got a different blend of genetics. “I one hundred percent blame that witch he married. I hated her from day one. I’m glad I kicked her shin.” - Nice!! I glanced at Jordy, and he grinned. He was a sucker for Annie’s wings. Whatever the hell she put on them tasted fantastic when they were grilled. - Ooo, Mojito? Adobo? Cajun?? Soon, mouth-watering burgers and hot dogs joined the chicken, chips, and a huge bowl of fruit salad. - I'm not drowning in my own drool right now. (I say while wiping my mouth) These impromptu get-togethers were getting harder to coordinate, but I resolved to make more time for my siblings in the future. - Yes. This. No matter what title you knew her by, she loved you all. - (More gushing tears) Mom’s depth perception included the ability to see love and, in turn, give freely of herself. Her heart was bigger than she was. I am forever grateful for having her as my mom. - 😭 (Can't see through tears) This was beautiful. I lost track of how many squares of toilet paper I used.

In addition to reading summaries, I should really stop and take a look at story genres, as well. For branching out into so many genres and sub-genres, this story is still rooted in enough reality that it doesn't feel jarring as we see different stages of Noonan's entire life flashing...shimmering before our eyes. Go on and read to find out if he makes the most of the curse...gift he was born with. You won't be disappointed.

She was even less pleased when the first poll came out and I had a twenty-point lead. - Nice. Each of his children shared the characteristic of having an extraordinary talent. Their stories will follow. - Awesome! I think it was just missing these lyrics: Ooh war, I despise 'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives War means tears, to thousands of mother's eyes When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives I said, war (h'uh) Good God, y'all! (What is it good for?) Absolutely (nothin') 'gin

Fuck. Did I kill over nine thousand people because of a fucking joke? - I mean, it was either 9,000 or millions at the time... "The other eight?"/"Leaders of the anti-Loof movement."/"I only killed eight murderers?"/"That is exactly correct." - At least there's that. What a wild mess that was.

That went from zero to sixty real fast. Gotta love the duality there. "The US is a bully and only helps the countries they like." And after sending said help. "We're destroying one small city for each of your offending drones."

I really had no intent on ever being President. Unfortunately, many things are out of one's control, and I really had no good reason to turn his offer down. What was I going to say? No, I don't want to be your running mate because you're going to die in less than a year? - Had to write a separate comment for this, but this is one of the best chapter endings I've ever read. 🤣

I smiled widely, couldn't hide it if I wanted to. My oldest son was yellow, with a long life ahead of him. - Thank heavens! Her shimmering claim? It was necessary for the country to move on from people who couldn't contribute fully. I wanted to strangle her. - Same! So, November second, twenty-sixty, I was on the Presidential ballot. - Look how far you've come, buddy.

I had reviewed all the case information, and despite the sympathy I may have held for the widow, I had concluded the accident wasn't even the Trooper's fault. It was going to be a bloody trial. - Bloody indeed. "That's less than a hundred thou a year!"/I poured on the sarcasm, "Oh my God, barely above poverty level." -LMAO!

Newborns had white auras. It took a few months before Avery junior started to turn blue. - Oh no! "Using proper English, if there isn't none there, that means there must be some. Do you have any favorite hiding places to keep the drugs you've possessed before?" - LMAO! "Understood. After hearing about your hijinks on that drug trial, I shouldn't be surprised this case would turn into a circus as well." - Exactly!

Two of us were criminology majors so any sort of ruckus that may lead to a crime was high on our radar. - I imagine so! Suffice to say, it made the creation, testing, and troubleshooting of software programs as easy as 1-2-3, or pie, or something. - Ah, AI. Tier 1 tech support will already be obsolete because of it in the next several years. As I was being introduced to the stars and slackers, sounds like a name for a bad rock band - Right? He was on the security staff and worked the graveyard shift. Somewhat prophetic, since he was the first in the company to end up in the graveyard. - Right?? And no matter how confident people are in their lying, auras didn’t lie. It almost seemed like the aura wanted to break away from the lie. - That's useful to know!

Bill was the only one of the five of us that was in my homeroom, but he shot me a look that showed his disbelief in Baskin Robbins 31 flavors. - Oh! I hope he's not thinking something too wild like seeing into the future. I was a pretty unpopular guy that lunch time. - Spoil sports. Blinded by the dollar signs I suppose. - I mean, he was just trying to use the hand he was dealt. “I knew she was going to die pretty soon, just the same way I know you have less than six months yourself.” - Oof, the worst thing he could have said. But at least he was honest. “Get him out of here. He just bought himself a ten-day vacation.” - 10 day suspension!? That's a bit harsh. I'd have called his parents and ensured he'd attend a therapy session...not that it'd help since he's seeing something no one would believe.. We obviously can’t allow you to profit from the unfortunate passing of Mrs. Miller, but ten days is excessive for that. - That's what I was saying. I told him six months. He made it a little more than seven. When I heard he died, I wasn’t so pleased with my reasonably accurate prediction. - Yeah, getting better at gaging deaths doesn't make it better. But he became my friend and confidant for my last three years of high school. I never did get that Xbox game. - Well, a friend beats a game any day, if you ask me. It didn’t click that Jeff’s was a reddish-brown for all the time I knew him. I guess you just never think about your friends dying, especially as a teenager. You seem to overlook those things. - Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good. Drug addicts that ended up overdosing were red auras. - Does that mean suicides are red, too? my planned major went from the overcrowded field of computer science to criminal justice/forensic science - Using the cards he was dealt again! Let's go!

I have no words so far and I'm a slow writer, so you'll always be above me- wait, that sounded so wrong out of context. 🤣