Writing Gooder

I’m excited, this looks great:

The Kindle: It Fits Into A Zip-lock Bag Apparently

I keep on thinking about buying a Kindle from Amazon, but can never quite bring myself to buy one.  For one, they’re expensive at $359 a pop, and two, the e-books are more expensive than paperbacks ($9.99 vs. $8.99).  So why should I bother buying something that will actually end up making me pay more for reading?

Well, because it can fit thousands of books, and it’s easy to carry; in fact, it would be really nice for the subway  Right now, reading a book on the subway requires two hands, which can be a difficult proposition when you have a heavy-set individual next to you (happens more often than not).  Plus, it appears to be really easy to read in direct sunlight, which would be great for when I go to the beach (and I go to the beach a lot).

But at this point, if I pay $359 dollars for a gadget, it better support color and full web.  Until the Kindle does so, I’m staying away from it.

What do you think, though?  Kindle isn’t the only e-book reader out there; just the most popular one.  Do you think the price is warranted?

Finally watched Slumdug Millionaire last night and loved it.  Discuss.

Writing

If you’re reading this blog, then chances are that either (1) you want to write a novel, or (2) you are in the process of writing a novel.  Indeed, that’s a secret almost everyone holds.  All of us want to be published writers someday, or at the very least have something that we can show off to friends.

Getting into the writing mood can be tough though, so here’s some ways to jump start yourself:

1. Read: If you don’t read, you can’t write.  Preferably, you should read a book, but newspapers and magazines can work just as well.
2. Exercise: I think a lot of writers tend to overlook the importance of exercising.  Using your muscles is a stress reliever that releases endorphins into your system.  Exercising helps to clear your mind, which makes it easier for you to concentrate on the task at hand.
3. Proper Nutrition: It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the secret to a healthy brain is the same as a healthy body.  In addition to exercising regularly, you should eat the right foods.  An apple with peanut butter is better than popcorn.
4. Shower: Take a shower!  Like exercising, showering is a cleansing experience that is important to clearing the mind.
5. Wear Comfortable Clothes: Ever heard of the writer who wore a pressed suit every day to the typewriter?  Neither have I.  When you write, wear whatever is most comfortable for you.
6. Writing Prompts: A writing prompt will get your mind moving.  YWS has its own writing prompt generator at: http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/story_theme.php
7. Write Every Day: If you’re writing a novel, it’s important you do something with it every single day.  You don’t necessarily need to actually write something though.  Instead, you could spend a day on developing your character, or go back and edit Chapter 1.  All you need to do is spend at least 15 minutes on your novel.  This will keep it fresh in your mind.

Lets start off the week with a writing exercise where you write a letter of resignation.  Not to your job, but to something else, such as school, a favorite sports team, your friends, or even YWS!  Don’t spend anymore than ten minutes on it, and keep it as serious or funny as you like.

Dogs Can't Read... Yet

Let us know what book you are currently reading and whether or not you’d recommend it to a friend!

Unfortunately, because of law school and a full-time job, I’m not reading anything at the moment.  But if I could, I’d be reading “Sword Song: The Battle for London” by Bernard Cornwell.  I just bought it from Amazon, and it’s the fourth book in his Saxon series.  I’d strongly suggest it to anyone who likes adventure novels.

Cursive Writing: Is it Necessary?

Possibly because of No Child Left Behind and maybe because kids are taught so much more these days, cursive writing seems to be losing ground.  Perhaps, it’s due to computers, or maybe none of these factors.  In any case, cursive writing just doesn’t seem as important these days.

When I was little, cursive writing was its own subject (penmanship) that we began learning in second grade.  In third grade, we couldn’t start writing in pen until our cursive writing looked good (i.e., legible).  Through eighth grade, I was never allowed to write in manuscript.  Some of my teachers even preferred computer printed papers to be done in the script font.  But, this was in a Catholic private school.  When I started going to a public high-school, no one used manuscript.  In fact, the teachers insisted students use manuscript (I’ve always suspected the teachers didn’t even know how to read cursive in some cases).

Now that I’m 25, the last time I used cursive was on the LSAT (you have to write down the oath that you won’t cheat in cursive; it was the hardest part of the LSAT!).  Before that, it was ninth grade.  I don’t even know how to make a Z anymore  (anyone remember that scene in Billy Madison?).  Part of me wishes I could write in cursive (and do it well), but on the other hand, I don’t think cursive is necessary.

So here’s my question: Given that upper grades and the workforce no longer use cursive, do you think time should still be taken out every day in elementary school to teach cursive writing?

Home-Schooling

Recently, a judge in Raleigh, N.C. ordered three kids who were being home-schooled to attend public school instead.  The issue arose in a divorce proceeding where the father wanted the kids to go to public school, and the mother wanted to continue home-schooling her children.  I have not had the opportunity to read the case itself, but if you’re interested in reading more, click here.

Apparently the problem was that the kids were receiving a creationist focused education when it came to science.  However, the kids were also testing two years above their grade level.  So that begs the question, why were they forced to go to public school?  I don’t believe in creationism, but it does seem to me that no matter what they are learning, if they are testing two years above their grade level, then home-schooling seems to be working out.

My greater concern, though, is: when is it okay to home-school?  The lesson here is that if a judge disagrees with the curriculum, then he can order the kids to public school.  Not enough math?  Too much math?  Not enough structure?  Not reading the right books?  Cases like these can be slippery slopes.

What do you think?  Did the judge make the right decision?  Is it okay for parents to home-school their children?

Save the Words

Save the Words (http://www.savethewords.org) is a neat little website run by the folks from the Oxford English Dictionary with a listing of rare & old english words.  In fact, you’ve probably already heard of it (and if not, go check it out!).  Not all the words seem old or rare to me (ten-cent store for one), but I’ve never heard of the vast majority of them (tortiloquy meaning dishonest/immoral speech).

The objective of the web site is, of course, to save these words from dying out.  So many of them seem like they’d be very useful in everyday speech (I’m definitely using tortiloquy) that I’m sure there a few you’d pick up.

After you’ve had the chance to explore the web site, come back here and let us know your favorite!