Surprise!

     The text that we are reading for our Comm 337 class has so far given me a wide variety of useful information. One piece in particular that we are studying is the use of surprise(s) in writing. Whether or not its journalistic writing, 'reporting for surprise' is a sure way to make a good story.
     "The best writers seek surprise, delight in what they do not expect to find. They come to the story with a focus, an expectation...treasure the contradiction, the traitor fact, the quotation that goes against the grain..." Take this advice any way you want. Murray states that when exploring the world, a writer should look for what is not there as much as what is there. Hear things that people aren't saying as much as the things they are saying. Use your imagination!
     My favorite type of writing is creative writing. I feel that the more I write, the more I am able to express myself. So far in my career, I have focused on journal writing for pleasure, poetic writing for class, and brainstorm writing for stress relief! I have also figured out that copy writing for the advertising industry interests me. I try and use my imagination and be creative. However, I never heard about the "surprise" before reading this book. I think that Murray makes a great point after great point in describing what he means by using the writer's craft, using the writer's 10 senses, and asking the reader's five questions.
     Seeing the obvious: "The reader's appetite for fresh stories is never satisfied, and as soon as you get an idea, it's used up." He says that it is vital to suspend the censor, be willing to be silly (How fun.), and just list specifics. I like his advice about mapping. It is similar to brainstorming, I think, can be much more abstract.
     I strive to be one of those writers who carries a notebook at all times. I think I will be one day. Right now my bag that I carry everywhere with me contains everything but the kitchen sink and a notebook. As a busy single mom, I think I prepare for anything on a regular basis. I am working towards making room for that notebook. I feel that if I had a notebook with me, I might be able to: 1. Not forget as many things and ideas. 2. Write down my feelings. 3. Turn those feelings and ideas into stories!
     Things I like to write about: The news. I am fascinated by what goes on in our community, nation, and world. So many people complain all day long about our government, our crime rates, and situations that can't be helped. Do I think that I am going to bring all of our soldiers home and pull out of war? No, however if I really wanted to I could write the President every day and let him know how I felt. Every body who complains could do this as well. I feel that as Americans we have a voice. We should let our voice be heard (not necessarily by writing the president every day, but you catch my drift). If we don't like what is going on in our community, why not try and fix it?
                                               Journaling: Throughout my life, I have kept several journals. The only truly active journal I have right now is for my daughter. Her name is Vaida. When I found out I was expecting, I started writing a journal for her. In there, I write down her milestones, I tell her how she is making me so proud, I include anything and everything I can think of that I think she will want to know one day. (Don't worry this journal does not take the place of a baby book or anything. She has two baby books, a calendar for milestones, and a continuous scrapbook PLUS this journal.)
                                               Poetic writing: In the past, I have taken several poetry classes. They have probably been a few of my favorite classes. I liked both to be given a topic, and to come up with a topic. I liked to be given instruction, and make my own instruction. I think poetry is so neat in that you can write however you please, about whatever you please, and others will enjoy it too! I also enjoy reading poetry.
     So, how can I apply Murray to my writing? I take his advice. I love getting new advice anyway! The techniques that Murray advises are interesting, as well. I like the following: Change your point of view. Pursue a new interest. Keep a notebook (I need to do this right now). Compost: My mother calls me a packrat, and I can now say that I am "composting." I think that in years to come, great stories could come of everything I am "composting." Role-play: "It is our obligation to at least use our imaginations to extend the limits of our world" (I love this). Try another game. Read outside your interests. Free write. These are just a few of my favorite techniques that Murray explains. I really think that he (and you) will make me a much better writer.
     My Voice: Its a lovely day today. Actually, every day is a lovely day. A year ago I probably would not have said that, however somebody very special has come into my life. Her name is Vaida Joy Keen. I feel that she has "put me in my place." As I sit here and look out the window, I see her swing swaying in the tree. She isn't occupying it because she is napping, however, as I look out there I picture her singing and laughing as I push her and tickle her toes. She loves to listen to the birds, feel the breeze, and sing to her mommy. She is a very brave little girl and I just pray that she stays that way forever. Some days she tests me, I think to see how brave her mommy really is. Words cannot explain how brave I am striving to be. I want her to have the best possible example to follow because she is a star. She is a star in my eyes, and always will be.
     I am not afraid to dream of a fairy tale. This fairy tale is already coming true. I see her and I and the rest of our unknown family growing together. Her shirt is a light purple, and it reminds me that one day we are going to be planting lilacs together under the windows to give us a refreshing start to our day!

Go State Farm!

State Farm 9/11 Tribute

Check this out! Alicia Keys, State Farm Insurance Company, and NYFD together put together a wonderful tribute to all of the horrifying events that occurred on September 11, 2001. This day was one that will never be forgotten. Alicia Keys' song, Empire State of Mind was already my favorite song, being that she is my favorite artist, and this commercial brought her song to a whole new level. What a wonderful technique to use for a successful commercial.

Go State Farm!

You Learn Something New Every Day. AKA You Meet Somebody New Every Day

Tyler Lewis

“I have never tried a vegetable; I’m a little scared and I don’t like the way they smell.” Tyler Lewis describes himself as a normal 25 year old college student. As we sat in a dimmed classroom in front of computers, the two of us introduced ourselves and began asking questions. I knew it would be an interesting conversation the second he told me that he’s never eaten a vegetable.

            Tyler is a senior at Benedictine University, majoring in Communications and plans to graduate this May. “If everything goes as planned, I’ll be done this spring,” Lewis stated. He joined the Bulldog pack recently, after attending Western University in Macomb, IL for 2 ½ years and taking 3 years off. He is a native of Virden, IL where he resided all of his life until recently, when he moved to Springfield. The best friend of Tyler, named Grady, also lives in Virden.

            When I asked Tyler if he was married or has children, he laughed and said, “Haha, absolutely not.” He has worked construction and done landscaping over the summer, but is currently not working and just concentrating on school. I asked Tyler what he wanted to do when he graduated and he said, “I really just want to find a stable job, you know?” I completely understand this feeling, knowing that the job market is kind of scarce.

            “I have been parasailing before,” Tyler said about himself. Tyler and a few friends traveled to Mexico after graduating high school. I told him that I could to relate to him with this fact. I, myself, traveled to Mexico after graduating high school. It is a beautiful country. I don’t believe however that Tyler drove his charcoal colored Jeep to Mexico, because he said he is going to buy it right after class.

            Some favorites of Tyler Lewis include the color red. When I asked him what his favorite food is, he replied, “Probably chicken. Preferably grilled.” I told him that the best kind of chicken is fried! He was unsure about his favorite restaurant. He said, “Longhorn Steakhouse is up there, maybe Osaka, and Popeyes.” Lewis had a hard time deciding on his favorite movies. When I asked if he had one, he replied, “Wow, that’s tough.” However, he came up with The Goodfellas, and Almost Famous.

            As we talked, I took note of what he was wearing. Tyler had on brown sandals, gym shorts, and a blue Polo shirt. I realized that he does appear to be a normal senior in College. If Tyler could have any car in the world, he would chose to drive a Lamborghini, I suppose a red one.

            It was nice to meet somebody new at school. Sometimes I think I know everybody because several of us students have all had classes together because we share the same major. I hope Tyler enjoys the rest of his time at Benedictine University.

How 'bout a Martini?

How To Organize a News Story:

Yea, Yea! The martini glass! We learned about the martini glass in "Editing for Publication" class. This specific term is basically a pretty name for the inverted pyramid because all of the most important info is at the beginning of the story, and the less important details go towards the bottom. If you can catch the reader's attention with the vital details, they may still be reading the story when its over.

Q&A:
Martini Glass

How To's 2 Write

News is found in any area of society. There is news in the neighborhood, in the workplace, in politics, and at school. As a "news writer", usually people prefer to write and report about one topic over another, in one area or another, and so on. I personally like to write- period.

When asked, "What is my voice?" I paused. This took me a moment to think about. I would say, my voice is original in that it comes from me, and nobody has ever been able to change my voice- even if they have tried. I was recently told, in one of my classes this semester by an instructor that by me majoring in Communications, it isn't possible for me to not watch television every day. Hmm..there may be several reasons this is true, however the most important factor is that there are more areas to Communications than television and personally, there are many more interesting areas in the field than television. And will I start watching television every day just because I was told its not possible for this to be true? No, because I'm me, and I've been me for 21 years now, and I will continue to be "me" for the same reasons I always have been. The same goes for writing and speaking. If somebody doesn't want to read what I have to say, or listen to me, we don't belong in the same vicinity!

 I have been given a topic to write on and it comes from here:

Mackerel Wrapper- Comm 337

The difference between hard news and soft news, according to Surtees and most other folks in journalism, includes the following:

Hard news is news such as the attacks on the twin towers that happened on September 11, 2001. This news could not wait for publication. It was all over the news, caught on camera- immediately before the incident, during, and for months afterward. The following link is from Youtube.com that somebody, along with hundreds of others, posted to the website.
Youtube Video- 9/11

Another example of hard news would be the day and time that US Troops captured Osama Bin Laden. This is something that our troops had been trying to do for a decade. When they were finally able to capture this man who can be compared to the devil, the story deserved to break across televisions nationwide- before it was time for the evening news, or any other scheduled news hour.
Osama's Death

I would rather read and write about hard news most of the time. I like suspense, and I like an adrenaline rush. I like when I hear people talking and gossiping about breaking news. I think it is interesting to hear every body's different opinions and ideas about news. More often than not, a "hard lead" contains factual information. Not as often as "soft leads" does a "hard lead" contain opinions, voices, and quotes. Hard leads can come from the big picture, or the little picture. Soft leads may be a news update about something that happened last week, or about something that isn't on the front page of the newspaper.

I notice that Surtees quotes Donald Murray, who is the author of our textbook, and yes I have now received my book. Both men have very useful information.

I personally would like to be surprised all day. Surprised in many different ways, that is. I would like to be surprised with info that I didn't already know but need to know. I like to learn (it makes me feel good!). I like to be given new perspectives on somebody else's ideas. Being surprised is a good thing- if what you are being surprised with is useful and positive. Surtees's tip didn't necessarily surprise me, but made me think. I like that he says be curious. I am a very curious person but I still like to be simple. I also like the last part of his tip: "Don't just describe something, reveal a piece of the world to yourself and to your readers. That makes reporting fun -- and the greatest joy of news writing is also the greatest joy of reading." -I guess that part did surprise me a little.

Blogging to blog about...WHATEVER?!

How can blogs be useful? How can blogs be helpful? How can a blog be an important tool in your career?

These days, social media is everywhere. In a career, especially the type of career I am interested in, a blog is a very important tool to success. Blogs are open to everybody. (Hints the term "social media") A blog is a wonderful way for people of all different backgrounds, from all over the country- or world- and people of many different interests to come together in one place and share interests, ideas, and knowledge. In a blog, pictures, links, and articles are shared. The more people that come together in one place, the more knowledge is brought out.

If somebody wanted to find a certain audience to discuss a topic with, a blog would be the perfect way to find that. In my career, I would want to be informed about as much as possible going on within my field. News, updates, articles, and new ideas. These things are all helpful to someone who wants to become and remain successful. Keeping a blog is the perfect way to keep your mind sharp!