This Fall, (back when I wrote for our school newspaper), the editor for the Arts and Entertainment section of the Keene Equinox asked me to weigh in on the e-book vs. print book debate. Prior to that essay, I had written book reviews on books of various genres, so that made me the resident "book expert". At the time, I had very strong opinions on the matter, and wrote a length article on the subject- now, I won't subject you to the entire article (though, if you're interested, it can be read here) but I think an excerpt will help to show you just how opposed I was to the who ebook reader concept:
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Back from Disney!
I recently took a trip with my family to Walt Disney World. The last time I had gone was also my first trip, around seven years ago, and due to a combination of little sister and intense Florida summer-heat, I did not really enjoy it as much as I could have, so I was sort of dreading the whole thing.
I don't know if I've grown up, or if we were more at ease, or if just being at a different place in my life really made a difference, but I actually enjoyed myself this time around! One thing's for sure- the park hasn't changed one bit....and although it's been 6 years, it's exactly as I remember it. The weather was hot, sunny, and humid (the temperature stayed above 85 the entire time we were there), the park was crowded and the food was expensive as anything. (Although some meals, like the cinnamon glazed french toast, were totally worth it).
I don't know if I've grown up, or if we were more at ease, or if just being at a different place in my life really made a difference, but I actually enjoyed myself this time around! One thing's for sure- the park hasn't changed one bit....and although it's been 6 years, it's exactly as I remember it. The weather was hot, sunny, and humid (the temperature stayed above 85 the entire time we were there), the park was crowded and the food was expensive as anything. (Although some meals, like the cinnamon glazed french toast, were totally worth it).
Monday, April 4, 2011
Procrastination and stagnation...
I've always been in love with writing, but as far as I can remember, I've never been able to finish something that wasn't for a class. It's been a pattern I've repeated over and over since I was 9 or 10, and it's terrible. Absolutely terrible.
Although it's been a lot of work, I'm really happy that I decided to enroll in ENG-490 Writing Workshop with professor Kirsti Sandy. She has been an amazing resource, and taking the class has really helped me to develop my voice and confidence in my writing. That's not to say I wasn't a good writer, but just doing the work has helped make me even better- and since when is progress a bad thing?
Although it's been a lot of work, I'm really happy that I decided to enroll in ENG-490 Writing Workshop with professor Kirsti Sandy. She has been an amazing resource, and taking the class has really helped me to develop my voice and confidence in my writing. That's not to say I wasn't a good writer, but just doing the work has helped make me even better- and since when is progress a bad thing?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
How I got here...
I've spent a few posts talking about my general angst and or anxieties about the recent turn my life has taken, but it's occurred to me that I haven't really provided any real justification for my decision to accept KSU's offer. So here goes:
As you might guess, choosing my future and taking decisive action have never been my strengths. I always worry about the consequences of my decisions, and before I know it, my opportunities have passed me by. I spent my entire college career waiting to discover my passion, but I eventually selected English because I just didn't know what else to do.
Don't get me wrong- I enjoy English. I'm a good writer, and I enjoy reading and interpreting well-written texts, so while I was comfortable, I didn't love it. For some reason, the books I read on my own were hundreds of times more amazing and engaging to me than my required reading. While my peers devoured James Joyce and Poe and talked about them with adoration, I wondered if there was more to English.
Whenever possible, I avoided the classics. Instead of reading romantic authors or post-modern novels, I took classes focusing on mythology or cultural issues- (in my case, Arthurian myths in Medieval Literature, or the works of Native American author, Louise Erdrich in a variety of Native American Literature classes). All the while, I supplemented this required reading with a large assortment of books for children.
On a whim, I enrolled in a class for early childhood education majors focused on Children's Literature, and I discovered the passion I had been missing. Never before in my undergraduate career had I been so focused, so engaged and so in love with a subject. I attended every class, sat in the front row, and took notes like a fiend, and even did extra readings to supplement and broaden my understanding of the topic. And yes, I read the entire textbook, a feat I have never achieved before or after the class.
The class had a reputation for its high level of difficulty, so I put in extra hours studying and remembering authors, terms, whatever, just to get an edge.
Studying a genre I loved so intensely literally revolutionized my study habits, but it also had another, more important impact on my life: it gave me a goal and a future to work toward. I had always loved children's literature- I had discovered this love when I began working in the Children's Department of my local library, but taking the class made me realize that there were opportunities there, too. I had simply assumed that children's literature/young adult literature was something to be read for enjoyment. I never realized that people studied it, taught it, analyzed it, but once I did, I had a better idea of the field I needed to be in.
As a result of its combined financial aid options, available TA positions, and specialization in Children's Literature, KSU became my top choice. And while I'm terrified about what the future holds, the prospect of studying and learning more about something I love so intensely......well, it makes me excited, too!
As you might guess, choosing my future and taking decisive action have never been my strengths. I always worry about the consequences of my decisions, and before I know it, my opportunities have passed me by. I spent my entire college career waiting to discover my passion, but I eventually selected English because I just didn't know what else to do.
Don't get me wrong- I enjoy English. I'm a good writer, and I enjoy reading and interpreting well-written texts, so while I was comfortable, I didn't love it. For some reason, the books I read on my own were hundreds of times more amazing and engaging to me than my required reading. While my peers devoured James Joyce and Poe and talked about them with adoration, I wondered if there was more to English.
Whenever possible, I avoided the classics. Instead of reading romantic authors or post-modern novels, I took classes focusing on mythology or cultural issues- (in my case, Arthurian myths in Medieval Literature, or the works of Native American author, Louise Erdrich in a variety of Native American Literature classes). All the while, I supplemented this required reading with a large assortment of books for children.
On a whim, I enrolled in a class for early childhood education majors focused on Children's Literature, and I discovered the passion I had been missing. Never before in my undergraduate career had I been so focused, so engaged and so in love with a subject. I attended every class, sat in the front row, and took notes like a fiend, and even did extra readings to supplement and broaden my understanding of the topic. And yes, I read the entire textbook, a feat I have never achieved before or after the class.
The class had a reputation for its high level of difficulty, so I put in extra hours studying and remembering authors, terms, whatever, just to get an edge.
Studying a genre I loved so intensely literally revolutionized my study habits, but it also had another, more important impact on my life: it gave me a goal and a future to work toward. I had always loved children's literature- I had discovered this love when I began working in the Children's Department of my local library, but taking the class made me realize that there were opportunities there, too. I had simply assumed that children's literature/young adult literature was something to be read for enjoyment. I never realized that people studied it, taught it, analyzed it, but once I did, I had a better idea of the field I needed to be in.
As a result of its combined financial aid options, available TA positions, and specialization in Children's Literature, KSU became my top choice. And while I'm terrified about what the future holds, the prospect of studying and learning more about something I love so intensely......well, it makes me excited, too!
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