WHY CHILDREN'S LITERATURE IS STILL RELEVANT TO ADULTS PART II

This post is part of an earlier installment which you can find here, talking about the importance of adults reading classical children's literature. As a brief recap, though many adults find children's literature to be infantile and immature, many of the themes presented in classic children's literature are better understood by adults and are inappropriate for the modern child. In the last segment, we analyzed the theme of abandonment, death, and abuse in PETER PAN, THE SECRET GARDEN, and WINNIE THE POOH. Today we will be discussing sexuality in PETER PAN and THE SECRET GARDEN.

PETER PAN by J.M Barrie is a great book to study for this theme. The first obvious point of sexuality in the novel is Wendy's role as mother and Peter's attraction to her. This is suggestive of Sigmund Freud's Oedipal Complex. Taken from Socrates' Oedipus Rex - where Oedipus, through a bizarre turn of events, unknowingly kills his father, marries his mother, and has children with her - Freud exemplifies the sexual attraction a son may have for his mother. Freud states that the male son may be jealous of the relationship the father shares with the mother as the mother is a source of comfort and stability for the son. The Oedipal Complex is present not only in Peter's attraction to Wendy, his awe with her specific to her nurturing and motherly traits (telling stories, giving him medicine, fussing), but also in how Peter kills the father figure of the story (Hook). Peter effectively destroys his rival (the father figure) and ensures that he is the sole focus of Wendy's attention and affections.

Hook also presents an interest in Wendy. This is not expressed in an overtly sexual way in the novel but always struck me as slight nefarious. Though in present day, a possible relationship between the two may seem perverse because Wendy is a child of maybe twelve during the novel and he is an adult, this may not have seemed as strange during the Victorian Era, when women often married much older men and could be married at such an young age.

The other small detail that I found while reading the novel as an adult that I could not believe was present was the fact that at some point in the story, Tinkerbell is said to have come back to Peter's hidden tree house from an orgy. While this word may or may not have meant something else during the time at which it was written, it was bizarre to see this in a "children's" novel.

Sexuality is also present in THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Victorian theme of quasi-incestuous relationships is also present in this novel. In THE SECRET GARDEN, Mary (our protagonist) goes to England to live with an uncle she has never met. Through the exploration of her new house she meets Colin, her cousin who has basically been quarantined because of a perpetual nondescript illness. Once the two meet, they form a bond because of their shared loneliness. Throughout the story though, Colin covets Mary and her attention. He becomes jealous of Dickon (their friend) when Mary takes an interest in Dickon's affinity to animals.
--> As a disclaimer, though modern readers may find the relationship between the two cousins disturbing, the marrying of cousins was not altogether inappropriate in England where the aristocracy would marry within the family to maintain titles and wealth.

Read through a lens of sexuality, the two boys can be seen as a symbol of virility and impotence. Dickon, who has a green thumb, has intimate knowledge of the land, and is a healthy and strapping young man, is an obvious representation of virility. Colin, who is sickly, whinny, and emotionally needy, is representative of impotence. Though throughout the story Colin becomes healthy and he too learns about the land, he remains more an intellectual counterpart to Dickon's physicality. Colin experiments with "magic" to see how the land and the animals will be affected while Dickon continues to weed and plant and care for the animals. Furthermore, by the end of the novel, the reader feels that Mary's affections lean more towards Dickon than her cousin.

Despite being children's novels, both novels can be read through a sexual lens and reference interesting concepts like that of Freud's Oedipal Complex and the dichotomy between two characters in their representations of male virility and impotence.

I hope you've found these analyses interesting and that it may have touched upon something that is new to you. If you have any questions or would like to start a discussion, please do so in the comments!

Thanks for reading!

Keep on reading on!

Three Common Study Misconceptions

As a tutor, lifelong learner, and someone who is studying to for the GREs, I can tell you that there isn't one right or wrong way to study. Studying is a personalized thing that is specific to each individual student. Different people can optimize their studying by gearing their notes to the kind of learner they are (kinesthetic, visual, auditory, etc - but more on that another time).

What I can say is that instead of telling people how they should or shouldn't study, it's important to point out common misconceptions about studying to students who feel they are putting in the work and not seeing results. Not knowing these misconceptions may be the reason why you're not seeing the fruits of your labor. 

So without further ado, here are some misconceptions to look out for:

1. Color Coding Is The Most Effective Way to Take Notes

Now, as a disclaimer,  like most of the things that I will mention in these misconceptions, I'm not saying that color coding is a BAD method for studying or note taking. Instead, I'm saying that there a lot of ways that color coding can be misused to make your notes completely undecipherable. Here are some of my issues with color coding.

• First, it takes so much time switching back and forth between different colored pens. Even when you use multicolored pens like a coleto pen, it takes a lot of time just switching back and forth between the different tabs to switch colors. This my not be an issue for someone who has a lot of time on their hands, but let's be honest, most students just don't.
• A lot of the time, if misused, color coding makes a page look too busy with color and the eyes have a hard time looking for specific kinds of information.

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In order to combat this:

• Pick TWO CONTRASTING colors to color code with. Or, set up two specific colors for different functions in your notes. --> Make sure that these contrasting colors are from opposite ends of the color wheel - think purple and orange, green and pink, blue and yellow, etc. Colors like orange and red and too similar and won't contrast enough to be effective.
• I use a red, blue, and black system. I write down general notes in black, put definitions down in red, and important information in blue. I sometimes underline in purple or highlight (depending on what pen I'm using) with a blue Mildliner. Generally, I stick to three text colors and one accent color for underlining or highlighting. 

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2. Reading Through the Material is Enough For Studying

This one I decided to add not because it's not true. Sometimes it is. Some people are able to read something, learn the concept, and apply it without much review or repetition. What's important to note is that these people are the exception. You probably aren't one of these people. I know I'm not. My problem with this is that when pressed for time, or when feeling just plain lazy, a lot of students fall back on "oh, I'll just read my notes" or "oh, I'll just read my textbook" to review. 

Please don't. I mean, do read assigned texts and do review your notes but know that just rereading something is not usually enough to prepare you for any sort of extensive exam or assignment. Need to know scientific terms and equations? Reading or rereading won't have you remembering these facts. 

Instead, take notes on your reading and make them interactive. These may be Cornell notes, mind maps, flashcards, bullet point notes - whatever works for you and the subject you're studying (and I suggest mixing it up depending on the subject and topic). Then after taking these active study notes, quiz yourself on the material. 

As an aside, you can skip the note taking if you're in a serious bind BUT read actively by quizzing yourself on bolded terms, saying the term's definitions before the textbook can. Also, answer questions that come up in at the end of chapter sections, in margins, or under pictures in your textbook.

The point is to be an active participant in your studying. Reading is a passive activity. Your brain can read through the words without registering what it's reading and without making larger connections. This can lessen focus and keep you from getting the "bigger picture" the material is trying to show you. Personally, I find notes are better than nothing. The physical act of writing something down can help with memory and with a question response study method (like Cornell notes and flashcards), you'll be much better prepared for exams. 

3. Highlighting Is an Active Study Method

It can be. Usually though, it's not. I cannot begin to count the number of used books I've bought for school where more than half of the page was highlighted. I mean, half of the page? REALLY?

https://joyandcontentment.wordpress.com/category/things-i-like/

My issues with highlighting is not that highlighting isn't an effective way to parse information, but that this is a skill that needs cultivating. Most people highlight absentmindedly, highlighting WHILE they're reading which means that the highlighter isn't doing its job (of separating important information from the rest). Most likely, you'll have to reread the entire page with highlights AGAIN in order to pick out the important things at which point, what was the point of highlighting really?

Another of my issues with highlighting (especially in textbooks or handouts) is that most highlighters (with the exception of the Pilot Frixion highlighters) are not erasable. So if you make the above mistake of highlighting damn near everything, there's no fixing that problem. Now you're stuck with an incredibly busy page.

Some minor issues (that do not affect some people) is that while you can color code your highlighting, it makes the page too busy for me to process the information. When I turn to a brightly colored page, it just overwhelms me.

Finally, I hate that some people believe that highlighting is in and of itself an active studying technique just because you are physically completing a task. This is incorrect. If you are someone that is highlighting absentmindedly, then you are not interacting with your text. When done correctly - you should read your text through one page at a time, then go back and find the parts you thought were important, then highlight keywords or terms to trigger a bigger concept - highlighting can be slightly active. But you have to do the pre-work.

You have to read your text and think about what information is important. This is a great first step to good quality reading skills or taking precise notes. I would even go as far as to say that when reading out of a textbook, just highlighting is never enough, and that you should use highlighting to make precise notes. You should highlight your notes but sparingly.

I hope these exposing these misconceptions has been helpful to you. Some people study their butts off and don't understand why their grades aren't reflecting their hard work. Sometimes, it's not that you aren't studying but that you're not studying effectively. I have a few more misconceptions I want to touch on on a later blog post so stay tuned for that!

As an aside, please remember to go out and vote! It's Election Day!

Have a great Tuesday! See you guys next time!

It's Elementary My Dear Reader

While this blog is about reading and writing and the study of these two things, in my downtime (when I'm not reading or writing or studying) I enjoy watching tv. I've recently gotten caught up with BBC's Sherlock - a modern adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

--> As an aside, if you have never heard of or read the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle (how in the world could this be possible?!), I strongly urge you to do so. The language can feel a bit dense to someone who isn't used to reading Victorian literature but once you get through the first ten or fifteen pages, it gets easier. The stories follow the mysteries of a detective named Sherlock Holmes as told by his roommate and detective partner John Watson. The writing is just wonderful - especially if you're reading it aloud, it just rolls off the tongue - and the characters and plot are entertaining and intriguing. It's a hell of a lot of fun to read and a great start to anyone who wants to trying reading a mystery or wants a fun introduction to Victorian literature. 

I finally watched the Sherlock Christmas special, which was mostly set in Conan Doyle's original 19th century setting. I loved the episode. It wasn't what I expected and I'm grateful at being at least a little sated until next year's Season Four airing. If you're a Sherlock fan like me, you're super excited that we're finally getting another season but if you really just can't endure the six month wait, here are four books that I've read that might hold you over.

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A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Caralloro

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book! And did you catch the reference to a Study in Scarlet?! This teen fiction novel centers around James Watson, Dr. John Watson's great great grandson and his meeting Charlotte Holmes, Holmes' great great granddaughter. Both characters have known of each other's existence (since their families have been tied together since Sherlock and John) and our two main characters meet at boarding school where shortly thereafter a murder happens. Who are the two most likely suspects? Our protagonists of course. Despite a rocky start, the two must team up in order to clear their names.

This book is a lot of fun. It is written in the point of view of Jamie (James) Watson and is filled with witty high school insight - especially about boarding schools where family money and association can define your place in the social hierarchy. I also really appreciated that Caralloro gave us a great narrator in Jamie Watson. He is curious, humorous, and in awe of Charlotte Holmes (much the same way Conan Doyle's Watson was with Sherlock). But what is new about this modern adaptation is that the Holmes character is a girl and this allows for a whole new dynamic between Watson and Holmes.

Charlotte herself is a great character. She is flawed in many of the same ways Sherlock was - has substance abuse problems, can't relate well to others, can sometimes belittle those around her for having inferior intellect. But she also has a lot of his strengths as well. She is fiercely loyal and protective and is undeniably intelligent and observant. Charlotte also brings a new and interesting vulnerability to the story with serious personal experiences that are revealed within the story.

Of course, like most Sherlock Holmes stories the plot revolves around the mystery - in this case the murder of a boarding school student - and a lot of the usual deductions, chemical experiments, and misdirections are present. Watson is of course protective of the misunderstood Holmes and a lot of the traditional tropes are featured. But in all honesty, I found that the mystery (although the driving force of the plot), was a bit generic and predictable. In fact, I was able to guess the culprit close to half way through the book, which made the resolution a bit dissatisfying.

I don't want this to take away from how great I think this book is. It was incredibly entertaining and I finished it relatively quickly. I liked getting an insight to how the Holmes and Watson families have operated through the different generations and found that this book (at least to me) was more about the characters (the parallels to the original characters and the idiosyncrasies of the new characters). So if what drew you to the Sherlock Holmes mysteries was the characters, this book is definitely for you! If not, my other picks may interest you. 

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King 

This book I read a few years ago. I read the synopsis - a novel about a retired Sherlock coming out of retirement to train a female protege - and was set on reading it. This book follows Mary Russell, our young female protagonist, over several years. In the beginning of this adult fiction novel, Mary Russell is a teenager who meets Sherlock who is fifty four years old and retired. He is intrigued by her succinct observations. He takes her under his wing and trains her in the art of unfolding a mystery - of understanding information that isn't immediately obvious. He teaches her the art of disguising herself, deduction, and how to track suspects.

Over the years she solves cases with Sherlock and becomes known as his apprentice. But when she goes to college, someone begins to target not only her but Sherlock and Watson. She must distance herself from her mentor in order to solve this mystery and to put a stop to the danger on all of their lives. This is honestly as much as I can say without spoiling the plot.

I liked this novel. I really enjoyed Mary as a narrator and protagonist but I did feel that Sherlock as a character was rather muted. He didn't exude enough presence for me (something Sherlock generally does without trying as a character) and I felt that there was something missing in how he was portrayed. I also had a slight issue with how Watson was portrayed. He was spoken of as "poor uncle Watson who has a good heart but is too simple too keep up with us". It rubbed me the wrong way and made Mary as a narrator a bit off for me in that one scene.

The mystery was enjoyable and had a lot of references to the Sherlock mysteries written by Conan Doyle.

I did feel like the story centered very closely around a small group of characters and made the plot and mystery easy to follow and I couldn't guess who the culprit was, which I appreciated! Though you do get to see Holmes and Watson (albeit in their older years), I felt the novel was more geared towards the mystery and the idea of intellect and deduction itself than any of the characters other than Mary. Because of this, I would suggest this read to those who are more interested in the mystery of a case than in the familiarity of the traditional Sherlock Holmes characters.

The Devil's Grin by Annelie Wendeberg

I have so many things to say about this adult novel! I found this book on goodreads.com while looking for Sherlock Holmes related reads. I had never heard of it before and thought I'd give it a chance based on the synopsis. This book follows a female bacteriologist at the turn of the nineteenth century who is posing as a man in order to have and keep her profession. She crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes during a case (a murder where cholera may have been involved) and at once he knows her secret (thanks to his skills in observation and deductive reasoning). This is literally the synopsis and the opening scene of the book.

Things just get more interesting from there. The story is told from the perspective of Anna (or Anton) Kronberg our crossdressing bacteriologist. We get to see the dichotomy of the two personas she must live with, the medical hardships of the people and the inequality of rights between men and women during this time period. Anna as a whole, is a gripping and dynamic character and trying to find out if she would be exposed kept me reading the story as much as the mystery that was unfolding.

Through the book Anna and Sherlock must confirm whether or not doctors are experimenting on patients and who the culprits are. The dynamic between the two characters is interesting, though sometimes a bit stilted, and Holmes is more a consultant to Anna than anything else. It is enjoyable to read the scenes where the two challenge each other since they are both incredibly intellectually driven people and it is fun to see Sherlock admit that he sees Anna as an equal. There are some parallels drawn between Anna and Irene Adler but this doesn't progress much further in this first novel.

--> As an aside, the story evolves much more over the next two books in the series, and comes to include Moriarty as a prominent character though he is not really featured in the first book. Honestly I would recommend for anyone to read the first book just so they can continue on with the series. Even though I did not like the end of the last book, I still think this was a great read. 

The mystery is the main focus of this novel and there is a lot of scientific knowledge (jargon) thrown in for authenticity. These scenes did not bother me but can be repulsive to those who cannot read about a doctor cutting a body open in order to examine it for cause of death in a coroner's office.

Some readers have stated that Sherlock does not read true to the original character but this did not bother me as it was someone's interpretation of the original character. The one thing that did bother me in the beginning of the was the way the narration was written. For the first thirty or so pages, I found it slightly off. But when I became engrossed in the story, I honestly forgot about it altogether.

Overall, I found that this book (as a Holmes read) was more about the mystery and the rivalry dynamic between Anna and Sherlock than it was about enjoying Sherlock as a character (in that he was not always portrayed authentically and didn't have much screen time altogether). If you enjoy how detailed some of the Holmes cases are and how the minute clues must come together in order to solve a case, this is a definitely a read I think you will enjoy.

Jackaby by William Ritter 

This was an interesting read. This book is not specifically about Sherlock Holmes but has a very similar vibe in terms of story structure, characters, and tropes. Jackaby is a teen fiction novel marketed as a cross between Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes. I can't attest to the first (I've never watched Doctor Who) but I can say that there are many nods to the Sherlock Holmes series.

This teen fiction novel is about Jackaby has the unique ability to be able to see magical creatures and their auras - this is not a spoiler, it's on the synopsis. Enter out main character, Abigail Rook, who becomes Jackaby's new assistant and we have the same dynamic Conan Doyle created between Sherlock and Watson. Ms. Rook has to help Jackaby solve a murder cause by a magical creature that none, other than Jackaby (with his unique skills), can detect. The interaction between the two characters is amusing in that most people (including Abigail) find Jackaby to be odd and often delusional. But the longer Abigail works for Jackaby the more she is drawn into his world of ghosts, banshees, werewolves, and fairies.

Abigail chronicles the case as a way to help Jackaby keep track of his thoughts and the incoming facts and clues as she narrates the story. As a woman in the late nineteenth century, she is bold, doesn't conform to gender roles, and is a "roll with the punches" kind of woman. She is running from familial obligations and has a need for independence. I really enjoyed learning all of these mystical new things as she learns them and find that she narrates with a great sense of dry humor.

Ritter does a great job with his characters. He has an amusing narrator in Abigail, creates more humor in Jackaby with all of his oddities (and his dismissal of everyone who doesn't understand his reasoning) and has a plethora of interesting side characters. But he does an even better job balancing all of this with a great murder mystery plot. The plot is always moving forward with amazing pace and with every new clue, a new interesting character is added to either help find the next piece of the puzzle or to create suspense as a possible suspect. While I did also guess the culprit of this novel correctly before the end of the book, I do think that Ritter gave a great deal of attention to the mystery aspect of the story and that the reveal at the end was satisfying.

Ritter does create a lot of parallels in the story telling to the Sherlock Holmes mysteries in the dynamic between his two main characters, the way Jackaby is a misunderstood savant who cannot relate well with others, and the way that the mystery unfolds. Jackaby also deduces things that others can't (if only because of his special talents) and goes to his lab to test his theories. Abigail is understanding of Jackaby and indulges his neuroses.

Overall I find that this is a more well-rounded Sherlock Holmes-esque read (save the magical and fantasy elements). It presents both characters and a plot that have a Holmes feel to them and in the end was enjoyable and satisfying in terms of its resolution.

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These are great Sherlock Holmes themed or inspired books for any Sherlock fan to read and I hope that you guys will enjoy them. If you've read any of these books, please let me know your thoughts and I hope you guys have a wonderful week!

Why Children's Literature Is Still Relevant To Adults Part I

A lot of teen and adult readers scoff at Children's Literature. I understand the impulse. We feel we're too mature for "little kid books" but older readers shouldn't be so quick to dismiss these novels. Many of them contain adult themes, historical and literary references, and are benchmarks for (what were once) innovative literary devices. 

To be clear, when I say this, I'm (mostly) not talking about Contemporary Children's Literature (like Harry Potter or the Big Nate books - though these books are great for their own reasons). I am talking about Classic Children's Literature. To illustrate these points, we'll be looking at classic novels like Peter Pan by JM Barrie, Winnie the Pooh by A.A Milne, and Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. All of these are incredibly popular and iconic stories, which we have seen at least once in Disney versions, with the exception of Hodgson's novel - which has several film adaptations. As such, I will assume the reader will know the general plot points of these works. Though these novels may bring about some childhood nostalgia, these novels can actually be extremely dark, the written works too dense for a child to navigate through alone, and filled with adult themes. 

If we take a more analytical view of these texts we'll see that a lot of complex themes are can be applied to these novels, including (but not limited to):

I. Abandonment, death, and abuse
II. Sexuality
III. Marxism (economic and social disparities)
IV. Historical and Literary References

How? Let's take a closer look...

I. Abandonment, death, and abuse

These themes can be see in all of the novels we'll be looking at. 

PETER PAN seems like the obvious place to start with this one. Peter Pan's plot revolves around emotionally abandoned children who run away from growing up by going to a magical land to live with Lost Boys who were literally abandoned. The Darling children love their mother and feel emotional support from her but do not feel that from their father who doesn't seem to understand them. It is their father's obsession with the children growing up (presumably so they can become more self sufficient) that drives the children to escape reality. This is the first act of abandonment within the novel. 

The story then continues on with the idea of abandonment by having Peter look for a mother figure for the Lost Boys. Because they have never had a mother (that they can remember, anyway), they look to Wendy who can tell good stories, to perform the role of "mother".  As much as the children have fun playing and doing childlike activities with each other, they crave the attention and affection of an adult parental figure and at first project this onto Peter and Wendy who play at being parents. The Lost Boys embody abandonment and evoke this feeling in their name alone. 

In the original play, Peter tries to convince Wendy that she has been abandoned by her parents by trying to lock her bedroom window, showing that they do not care if she returns.  he believes that this will be enough to convince Wendy to stay in Neverland with him. This shows that Peter feels he is being abandoned by Wendy and will do what he thinks is necessary to keep her with him. But when he sees Mrs. Darling's anguish over her missing children, he decides not to follow through with his plan and Wendy returns home feeling loved and wanted by her parents.

The theme of abandonment is then resolved (for Wendy, her brothers, and the Lost Boys at least) when Wendy brings the Lost Boys home with her and they are adopted into her family where they will finally have parents in Mr. and Mrs. Darling. 

Abandonment is also a major theme in both of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novels. In THE SECRET GARDEN the story opens to Mary, a little girl who lives in India with her wealthy and physically and emotionally unavailable parents. Mary rarely sees her father and her mother is more concerned with parties and flirting than attending to the needs of her only child. Instead the child is vetted out to caretakers who don't speak English and indulge the child's every wish. The emotional abandonment is then made more concrete (literally being a physical abandonment) when both of her parents die due to an outbreak of cholera (along with most of the people in the area). Mary then survives on her own for several days, sipping wine and eating the food that has been left on the manor's table. When she is discovered and the fact that she is an orphan announced, she is sent to live with an uncle (Archibald Craven) she has never met. 

After weeks of living in her uncle's manor in England, she discovers that she has a sickly cousin named Colin. He is equally as abandoned by both of his parents. Colin's mother died when he was very young and his father spends as much time as possible away from his son and his home in Misselthwaite Manor. Even when Mr. Craven is home, he never goes to see his son when he is awake and feels conflicted about whether to become attached to the child (because of Colin's weak constitution and Mr. Craven's fear that his son will die, creating an even deeper wound in his heart). Instead, Colin's wellbeing is left in the care of Mrs. Medlock who doesn't know what to do about Colin's bad health and in attempts to treat the boy, basically tortures him with ice baths and other hurtful remedies. 

This theme is also portrayed within the garden itself. Mary goes to great lengths to show the reader that the garden has been neglected and abandoned by its owner. She then takes responsibility for it and it flourishes under her care, creating a parallel between it and the two neglected children. 

Mary and Colin also become full of life when they find each other and gain Mr. Craven's affection. Mr. Craven is shocked to see how much Mary resembles his late wife (Mary and Colin's mothers were twins) and feels an affinity with the girl. He allows her to have her "bit of earth", which Mary uses as permission to open the Secret Garden (though Mr. Craven is unaware that this is the plot of land Mary had chosen). With Mary's help, Colin makes a miraculous recovery from his illness (which is not specified in the story though the symptoms include lumps, weakness of the bones, etc). Once he is healthy, they create a ritual (a bonfire where they ask for things they want) and Colin asks for his father to return and see him in good health. Once Mr. Craven returns and sees that Colin is cured, he is beside himself with joy and thanks Mary for everything she has done. The story ends with the understanding that he will be more present in Colin's life and that he will care for Mary as a father, satisfying the children's need for parental intimacy and erasing their feelings of abandonment. 

The characters in WINNIE THE POOH also experience this idea of abandonment. The most obvious case of this is Pooh's constant waiting for Christopher Robin to return to the 100 Acre Wood. The story was written by A.A Milne about his son's stuffed animals (and to me is the first "Toy Story" ever created). Milne creates a world where all of these teddy bears have lives and stories of their own, separate from his son, until Christopher Robin decides to play with them (which is represented by when he visits the Hundred Acre Wood). 

In The House at Pooh Corner, the novel ends with the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood throwing Christopher Robins a farewell party. Though is it isn't outwardly stated, it is suggesting that the farewell party is actually Christopher Robins saying goodbye to his stuffed animals as he out grows them (similar to Andy giving away his toys at the end of Toy Story 3). 

All three novels deal with the themes of abandonment, a topic that is explored seriously. All of these novels deal with emotional and physical abandonment and how the negative feelings attributed to being abandoned can be healed and overcome. 

I hope you've enjoyed this first installment of "Why Children's Literature Is Still Relevant to Adults". In the next installment we'll be looking at the theme of sexuality and relationships in Children's Literature. 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend! 

Happy Reading!

A Beginner's Guide To Planning Your Novel

I've been trying to write a book for the past sixteen years. I haven't been too successful. So why should you listen to anything I have to say on how to plan your novel? Well, planning has always been my strong suit, it's the actual writing that's been the problem - getting the words down in a way that sounds right to me so I don't abandon the project.

Some writers (known as pants-ers) don't believe in planning. They go wherever the story takes them and fix mistakes in the editing process. I admire these people and used to try to write in a very similar way but found that I just rambled for much too long on dialogue that went nowhere and scenes that meant nothing. That's when I began reading books on writing books to help me better understand the components of a novel - what was needed in order to form dynamic characters, a plot that had purpose and direction, and themes that readers could relate to. After a few years of research and planning out several novels, I've found a system that works for me. I do not guarantee that it will work for everyone but I hope that you'll find it useful.

In order to plan a story (and keep in mind that most of my stories are character driven), I separate my planning into three parts:

1. CHARACTER

2. PLOT

3. THEME

These are the three big things that I try to focus on while coming up with a good story. Obviously, there are other parts to story telling (setting, tone, etc) that are equally important, but I find that focusing on these three things give me a good foundation to figure out the rest of what makes a story great.

When using this model, I start with character and usually branch out. When focusing on CHARACTER, ask yourself, who is this character? If they were person (your neighbor, someone at your school or work) how would you see them? How would you label them? A lot of authors use this method as a starting point for their characters. In Harry Potter, for example, Hermoine is the smart one and Ron is the funny/loyal one. Obviously the characters are more complex than that but you can see how this is a jumping off point for Rowling to build her characters. When building your characters ask yourself:

i. What is this character's history?

ii. What kind of personality do they have?

iii. What habits do they have?

iv. What do they look like?

I usually answer all of these questions by setting up a bullet point system where I write any and all facts that come to mind about each of my characters. I then write a  few paragraphs about each of my characters (almost like a psychological study). This should read like a wikipedia page of any important information a reader might need to know. This does not need to be extensive and isn't really necessary to building good three dimensional characters but I enjoy doing it and it helps me really understand my characters.

The next thing I focus on when planning a long story is PLOT. Here you're essentially thinking about what specifically is happening in the story and thinking about where you want the story to go. It's important to know the basics of plot, which state that a plot is broken up into three major parts:

1) Introduction - this is the beginning of the story. It shows who your character is and where they are in life. Keep in mind that your character should feel like there is either something missing in their lives that they must gain, an obstacle they must overcome, or they are unassuming and are called upon to do something magnificent. This is because there needs to be some change in the character throughout the book. So this first part is the part where the reader who the character is BEFORE whatever is going to happen, happens.

2) The Middle - This is the biggest chunk of the three. This is where the character is finally called up, realizes what they need to to, etc. This is a huge bulk of the book because this is where you character grows, learns (how to be themselves, how to defeat the enemy, the skills needed to overcome the obstacle, etc). Here the character is learning about their problem and what tasks/ character traits are necessary to fix them. They try and mess up, learning new lessons. And as this section comes to an end, they are almost ready to face whatever the problem in the story is.

3) The End - The end is basically the boss battle at the end of the book. The boss battle can be anything from realizing finally that you've chosen the wrong guy and therefore should break up with the jerk that's been mistreating you (so you can date the nice boy next door who's always been there for you) or it can be a literal battle between a protagonist who is fighting in the name of good against an antagonist who is trying to spread evil across the land. Here the character must wield everything they have learned in order to defeat the big bad.

Now, the way I start with plot may seem a little odd (basically thinking about who my character is and where they are in life) but this is a great place to start when writing a character driven piece or even just helping you piece together where you should start your story at all. So ask yourself these questions:

i. What is my characters life like before the thing that changes everything?

ii. What does my character need to learn by the end of the story?

iii. What does my character want? What motivates them to move forward and change?

iv. You character will come close to achieving the goal but there must be pitfalls. What is your character's setback? What does this mean for the character's growth (and how do they take the loss)? What does this mean to your character's goal?

v. The character comes to a fork in his/her life where they must show all they have learned so far. What does you character need to show they've finally become able to do? What must they give up to achieve this goal?

Finally, it's time for you to think about what THEMES you want to explore in your story. I like to do planning in this order because by the time I get to themes, I already have a lot of content to draw on. Knowing who your characters are and where you plot is (likely going because let's be real, everything is subject to change during the actual writing process), helps to cement what themes you might be exploring and how to bring them out better in your story. When considering themes, look at the (internal and external) challenges your characters are facing and think of how this can be translated into themes which can come in the form of:

--> relationship between parent and child                        --> questioning authority

--> identity                                                                          --> death

--> economic class                                                          

--> gossip/ lies

Once you find these (or other) themes with your story, talk about which characters portray these themes and give an overview of on how each theme shows up in that character's storyline. This may help with some background story for your characters or illuminate some scenes you haven't thought of in detail.

I personally like to do variations on themes in my stories in order to give more depth. For example, one of my stories goes into parent/child relationships. The girl's mother dies in childbirth, she is raised by her uncle, and is forced to move and live with her father when he remarries, giving her a stepmother (a new mother figure). Now there are three different parent child relationships being explored:

1) The relationship between her and her uncle. He is her surrogate father and has raised her for the first 14 years of her life.

2) The relationship between her and her father. Her father was absent for the majority of her life and is distant with her even after she moves in with him.

3) The relationship between her and her stepmother. Her stepmother is very judgmental and nitpicks at how she is though she has the best intentions and has always wanted a child.

This way, the theme is more complex because the reader can see three different version of this relationship and start asking questions like who is the better parent? Is being a parent defined by who births you? Can parents hurt their children even when they have good intentions? Can a parent love a child and be unable to show it? Etc.

After this, you are ready to get deeper into plot planning or to start writing your story. I hope this brief overview had helped you. If your writing process is different please let me know and if you would like more in depth explanations of each section, please let me know.

Happy Writing!

How To Start a Bullet Journal

Having a planner is a necessity to anyone who wants a more structured and efficient life. But trying to figure out what planner to buy can be overwhelming because of the number of planners available on the market and same of the high prices for the more popular planners. Because of this, bullet journaling has become a popular alternative to conventional planners.

But what is bullet journaling?

Bullet Journaling is an analog system created by Ryder Carroll meant to have the combined functions of an agenda, a to-do list, a journal, and a cork board. By using it, you can take any notebook and can track calendar events and write different sets of to-do lists, logging lists (like movies you want to watch or book you’ve completed), or habit trackers all in one place. You can also write journal entries where you talk about your day or just ideas that you have about something that made an impact on you. In addition, you can add any outside papers (like receipts or business cards) by taping them into you bullet journal or putting them into a pocket folder (which can be as simple as taping an envelope to the inside cover of a notebook) in order to keep all of your information in one place. 

Bullet journaling is easier than it sounds. All you need is a notebook and a writing utensil. Instead of buying agendas (some of which have become extremely expensive), ANY notebook can be used for bullet journaling.  

Follow these steps in order to set up your own bullet journal.

1. Choose a notebook. 

2. One of your first blank pages should have your Icon Library. The bullet journal system functions the way it does because it uses symbols to represent different kinds of tasks. The new bullet journal system used a series of different symbols to signify different kinds of tasks (bullets for tasks, circles for events, and a line for notes). I personally remember the Icon Library being a bit more complicated and looking like this (as per my first bullet journal):

But the Icon Library can be customized to suit each journaler's individual needs. In my current bullet journal, I've down sized to a small number if icons I used regularly:

3. After creating an icon library, leave two or more pages free for your Index. The bullet journal system suggests that you number your pages so that you will be able to reference any information stored in the bullet journal by logging entry page numbers in your index. 

As you fill in the pages of your bullet journal with daily to-do's, appointments, and general lists (like Movies to Watch), you can add a subject to your Index and log the page number so that you can go back and check off the movies on your list as you watch them. 

4. Create a monthly spread. The suggested bullet journal set up tells you to writhethe numbers of the days of month in a vertical line going down the page and the first letter of the day of the week right next to it, like so:

On the other side of the page, you can write a monthly to-do list, goals, or track your spending. 

This layout didn't work too well for me. Visually, it's too different from the monthly calendars I look at on my wall. A lot of people draw their own calendars but if you're a lazy journaler like me, printing out cute personal size monthly calendar printables is much easier. This as a result, this is what my monthly calendar looks like: 

My spread includes monthly printables I receive from Design Is Yay. I receive a new monthly calendar at the end of every month for the next upcoming month. In my spread I include a list of monthly goals, notes or reminders for the month, and a list of things to buy. I also include a No Spend tracker where I circle the days I spend and cross out the days I don't. The No Spend does not track how much money I spend or what I've spent to amount on (that I log in my weekly spreads) but it does show me how often I spend money throughout the month. I made my No Spend section by using the calendar wallpapers for Mac and iPad that are sent with the Design Is Yay printables. I cut down the part that only had the dates or the month and pasted that beside my monthly calendar. 

5. Now you can move on to your daily spreads. You can do anything you want with your daily spreads. They can be as simple as writing the date are listing some tasks you need complete. In fact, when I first began bullet journaling, most of my posts looked like this. 

But as time went on, I found that creating a weekly spread in order to plan ahead for the rest of the week was a real lifesaver. I loved that I could use only as much space as I needed for each of my days but couldn't figure out how to remember information/tasks I needed to complete for later that week or for the next week. So I created weekly spreads that look like this:

My weekly spread includes my schedule for the week, has a week of weekly goals I want to accomplish, has space for things I am grateful for throughout the week, and a spending log. For planning ahead of the current week, I leave a blank box that I put post-it notes on, in order to remember information to put on next week's weekly spread. 

After this, I move on to my daily pages. Like stated above, your daily pages can be as simple and functional as you need them to be, but I have recently gotten into minimal decorating. Because of this, I use two pages for each day in my bullet journal. My recent spreads look like this:

I need the space because I like to include a quote and word of the day (seen in the jar and the sticker besides it), a food and fitness tracker, a water intake tracker, along with my schedule for the day, any tv shows I don't want to miss, a general to-do list, a section for work where I include lesson plans, or notes for future tutoring sessions, and a space for daily reflection. 

This can look a bit involved but all I've done is separate my day into sections that I think are important to keep up with or that I want to track and decorated with a small amount washi tape and stickers.

In between your daily pages, feel free to include general lists like these (wishlist, a future goals to accomplish, and bookstores to visit in NYC):

I like the bullet journal system because you can put literally anything in it. On top of these sorts of lists between your daily pages, you can also include business cards, postcards, ticket stubs, and small flowers like these (which are Baby's Breath from a bouquet of roses I received on Valentines day):

What can you do to make your bullet journal easier to use?

First, you can create a dashboard in order to house any post-its or page flags you might need. I really like the idea of carrying these supplies with me not just for my bullet journal but also for tutoring sessions. Often times, students don't have their own post-its to write notes in for books they've gotten from school or to plan small parts of their writing assignments. 

You can make your own dashboard by taking a thing number of post-its and sticking them to the inside of the front cover of your bullet journal. You can set this up in any way that is aesthetically pleasing to you. 

Mine looks like this:

Next, you can create small pockets in the back of your bullet journal to house receipts, stickers, or other small papers. Many people make their own pockets with craft paper and you can find these tutorials on youtube. But if you're into minimal effort like I am, you can just stick differently sized envelopes into the inside back cover of your bullet journal, to make these pockets.

What kind of notebook should you use?

A majority if bullet journalers use Moleskin or Leuchtturm1917 notebooks for their bullet journals. These notebooks have a minimalist classic look and are very plain on the inside, which is great for people who are artistic and like to decorate their bullet journals. 

As I am not one of these people, I personally like to choose notebooks from Barnes and Nobles that have cute covers and that have either quotes or slight decorations on the pages. The notebook I am using now is a traveler's notebook I purchased at Barnes and Nobles and has quotes and map-themed drawing throughout. 

Finally, why should you bullet journal?

Bullet journaling is a great tool for organization and efficiency. It's one of the best methods available for getting all of the details of your life in one place. It's very much like having a planner that caters to your individual needs. you can use it for memory keeping, journaling, and scrapbooking. Or not. You can use it to keep appointments, work related tasks and plans, or goal setting. You can use it to be creative and practice your drawing or stretch your artistic muscles. Or not. 

At the very least I hope that this post has been helpful and has made you more interested in the bullet journal system. It's a really good system to try if you're ready to downsize from bulky binder planners and a great system to implement into your conventional planning even if your not.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to put them in the comments section. 

Have a great Wednesday!

  

Sarah Dessen Author's Spotlight

Hey guys. I wanted to start an author's spotlight and thought I'd use one of my favorite teen fiction authors, Sarah Dessen, to get the ball rolling. A friend of mine has also written a "Why Every Girl Should Read At LEAST One Sarah Dessen Novel post here. I hope you enjoy. 

No relationship is perfect, ever. There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain something greater...The love we have for each other is bigger than these small differences. And that's the key. It's like a big pie chart, and the love in a relationship has to be the biggest piece. Love can make up for a lot." 

                                                                                              - Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby

Sarah Dessen has been one of my favorite go-to authors for Teen Fiction since I picked up a copy of This Lullaby in high school. I liked how was the cover looked and the book jacket seemed interesting. I’d gotten into books when I was in middle school and had been reading either YA fantasy books (of the Tamora Pierce variety) or classics (like Shakespeare or The Complete Sherlock Holmes - which gave me a love for great prose but I’ll admit there was a lot I didn’t understand at the time) but it wasn't until I got to high school that I started reading realistic teen fiction. This Lullaby was (is) amazing! And since I read it, I've bought all of Dessen's releases. Some were better than others but overall, I've never regretted purchasing or reading a Sarah Dessen novel. Dessen is a gem in the YA Teen Fiction genre because she delves into substantial and real themes, doesn't over-dramatize the way other YA novels do, and approaches love in a way that is organic and real.  

When I was in high school  saw Remy, the main character of This Lullaby, as a kindred spirit. She was seemingly pessimistic, her social skills were sorely lacking (she was generally mean without meaning to be), and she didn’t believe in love. At the time this was published, I felt like she was different from most teen fiction MC’s who would meet a guy, instantly feel drawn in, and fall in love only to have some outside force interfere before the couple finds a way to overcome the force. This Lullaby broke away from that formula. Instead, it featured a girl who had seem relationships end badly and who was weary of them. In the novel she was approached by a sweet musician named Dexter who becomes interested in her and she avoids him like the plague, turning him down every chance she gets. Then on one of her worst nights, Remy has no one to turn to and Dexter is there see her vulnerability and ease her pain. This is how their relationship starts and they are so opposite one another - Remy being a bit controlling and serious versus Dexter’s laid-back, unplanned, goofiness, that watching the two interact is interesting and seeing the growth of their relationship is compelling. What I loved most though, is that Dessen doesn’t come up with a huge outside force to pit against the lovers because sometimes all that stands in the way of our own happiness is ourselves. So if you enjoy good writing, real and interesting characters, and a respect and love for themes about growing up, please pick up a (if not THIS) Sarah Dessen novel.

Dessen is also one of my favorite Teen Fiction authors because each of her books focus on a theme that is weighty and important without over-dramaticizing it, exposing teens to important topics without them feeling threatened or overwhelmed by the material. Dessen's books explore themes like identity, not letting your past rule you, love, family  and friendship dynamics, insecurity, body image, anorexia, rape, abandonment, psychical and emotional abuse, and incarceration to name a few. And while all of Dessen's books do have romantic elements (that have a romance enthusiast like me gushing), romantic relationships are not the point and therefore are not in the forefront of most of her novels. Instead, Dessen focuses on growing up, telling stories of the bittersweet life lessons of adolescence. Because use of this attention to her characters and worthwhile themes, Dessen's novels are moving and resonate with their readers.

Currently, Dessen has thirteen published Teen Fiction titles. They include:

That Summer (1996) - The more things change. . . As far as Haven is concerned, there’s just too much going on. Everything is changing, and she’s not sure where she fits in.Then her sister’s old boyfriend shows up, sparking memories of the summer when they were all happy and everything was perfect. . . . But along the way, Haven realizes that sometimes change is a good thing.

 

Someone Like You (1998) - The world is a terrible place not to have a best friend. Scarlett was always the strong one. Halley was always content to follow in her wake. Then Scarlett’s boyfriend died, and Scarlett learned that she was pregnant. Now Halley has to find the strength to take the lead and help Scarlett get through it. Because true friendship is a promise you keep forevermore.

Keeping the Moon (1999) - Fifteen-year-old Colie is spending the summer with her eccentric Aunt Mira while her mother travels. Formerly chubby and still insecure, Colie has built a shell around herself. But her summer with her aunt, her aunt's tenant Norman, and her friends at the Last Chance Diner teaches her some important lessons about friendship and learning to love yourself.

Dreamland (2000) - Love can be a very dangerous thing. After her sister left, Caitlin felt lost. Then she met Rogerson. When she’s with him, nothing seems real. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

This Lullaby (2002) - When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?

How to Deal (2003) - Rule #1: There are no rules. Just when you think you've got everything figured out for yourself, things get turned upside down. Families change. Lives end. New lives begin. And love sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The trick is finding that one person you can always count on, that one person who will throw out the rules and help you figure out how to deal with it all. (Combined copy of Someone Like You and This Summer)

The Truth About Forever (2004) - That's what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy's father.

But sometimes, unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to question her sheltered life.

Just Listen (2006) - Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything" — at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store. This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong.

Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Lock and Key (2008) - Ruby, where is your mother?
Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Along for the Ride (2009) - It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

What Happened to Goodbye (2010) - Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out. 

The Moon and More (2013) - Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Saint Anything (2015) - Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

My favorite Sarah Dessen novels are This Lullaby, Just Listen, Lock and Key, and Saint Anything. These books are filled with female characters who are strong-willed and independent. Maybe because I have a personal preference for female characters who struggle with breaking down emotional barriers within themselves, these books really spoke to me. Remy and Ruby are both strong characters who push people away and struggle to control their lives by being alone. They find that they don’t have deep connections with people because they push everyone away and must overcome this in order to find happiness. Both Macy and Peyton are dealing with family troubles and are having trouble finding where they fit or belong because it. Both of these characters are relatively sensitive but believable - not too strong but understandably weakened by the circumstances in their lives. To me, these four characters are what made these stories great and if you prefer strong female characters or characters that become stronger despite being beaten down, these books are what I’d recommend to start with if you’ve never read a Sarah Dessen novel. 

My least favorite book by far was The Moon and More. I couldn’t get into the book in the beginning for some reason, and when I got to the middle and thought I knew what was going to happen (was looking forward to it really), we took a sharp turn off course and the book left me feeling unsatisfied. Also as a disclaimer, I have not yet read any of the books published before This Lullaby.

Sarah Dessen has been a staple in my teen fiction suggestions to others. I made all of my friends read her novels in high school and have stolen phrases like “zip sodas” which I use in daily life. I have also spent more than one afternoon talking to a friend about whether or not we have caught all of the cameos Dessen sprinkles throughout her novels. Her books have given me much enjoyment and at this point have become books that are nostalgically linked to my adolescence. So please, if I’ve done a bad job of convincing you to pick up a Sarah Dessen book, please for the love of God, do it anyways!