Story Lab: Ted Talk Grammar

For week six, I have completed the Story Lab instead of the Story writing. Out of the eight videos that I watch, I found two really interesting and helpful. I believe these videos will help me in my future writing.

The first video that I watched was When to use apostrophes by Laura McClure. She goes on to explain that there are really two main times to use apostrophes. Apostrophes need to be used to mark possession. In this case, the apostrophes will belong to the noun. If the noun is singular, then the apostrophe "s" will be located between the noun and "s." However, if the noun is plural, then the "s" will need to be placed after the "s." 

The second video that I watched was When to use semicolons by Emma Bryce. I particularly liked this video because I struggle with semicolons. It was mentioned in the video that semicolons are stronger than commas, but they are less final than a period. Therefore, semicolons can be used to clarify ideas that are infested commas. It was also mentioned that in general, semicolons can be used in two cases. For one, they can be used when things are being listed in a paper. Semicolons can also be used to break up sentences and make connections. For example, two independent sentences or clauses that relate can be fused together by adding a semicolon. This will ultimately allow for a better sentence flow in writing.

I enjoyed the Story Lab this week! However, I also look forward to using these techniques in my creative writing. I am excited to see what story I can produce next week. 

Grammar: Pixabay

Reading Notes, Part B, The Burning of the Forest

For today's reading of the Mahabharata, I would like to focus on the story, The Burning of the Forest by John Mandeville Macfie.

In this story, Arjuna and Krishna go on an adventure together. The story starts off by describing a party that Krishna and Arjuna are at. There are a lot of people there with women and they are drinking a lot. They drink to the point that they have an unsteady gait. Next, as Arjuna and Krishna are sitting together, drinking at talking about their adventure, the god of fire Agni comes up to them. Agni goes on to tell them that he is hungry and that he wants food. However, the food he wants is not a normal food. He wants to consume the Khandava forest with fire. However, the god Indra prevents Agni from consuming the forest by drenching it with rain. Therefore, he needs the help of Arjuna and Krishna. Arjuna and Krishna want weapons in return for their help. So, Agni gets them a chariot of weapons and a bow that has an unending quiver of bows. Now that they have their weapons, Arjuna and Krishna fight a big battle with Indra and end up defeating him, thus allowing Agni to consume the Khandava forest.

I would like to change the characters in this story. At this moment, I am not too sure who I will be changing the characters too. I may potentially change the characters to animals. I would also like to change the food source that Agni has to eat. Or, I may write a story from the perspective of Indra. I could go into the reasons why he is protecting the forest in the first place. However, again, at this moment I am not too sure which direction I would like to take my story. Overall, I believe this was a great story!

Forest Fire: Pixabay

Reading Notes: Mahabharata:, Part A

This week I am going to be reading the online public domain for the Mahabharata. However, for today, I read part A and was introduced to the various characters that will be making up this story. From my reading, I found two stories that I particularly enjoyed. The two stories are The Contest and The Arrival of Karna by Donald A. Mackenzie. I liked these two stories for a couple of reasons. For one, I enjoy the action and flaunts that are demonstrated by the warriors. I also enjoy the surprise and suspense that is demonstrated when two brothers (who do not know each other) have to compete. 

In the story The Contest, Bhima and Duryodhana engage in a competition by battling with one another, demonstrating their abilities with the bow and so forth. However, a new contender soon enters the contest by the name of Arjuna. Now Arjuna is a prince and a great warrior. As Arjuna takes the contest, he walks onto the battlefield with golden armor and demonstrates perfect aim with his bow. He hits every single target, big or small. The crowd cheers for him. Everybody thinks he is going to win the contest. 

In the story The Arrival of Karna, just as everybody thinks Arjuna is going to win the contest, a new contender arrives by the name of Karna. He is godlike, wearing golden armor and carrying a colorful bow. He portrays himself as somewhat cocky. Saying that whatever Arjuna has demonstrated today will be no match for what he can show everyone if they will allow him. At this time, Arjuna and Karna do not know that they are brothers that were born from Kunti. Karna does everything that Arjuna does on the battlefield and is praised. Arjuna is very mad at this point and challenges Karna. They almost begin to fight, while the fathers of the two warriors prepare to help their son, their same mother was torn between her sons fighting. However, the situation is de-escalated and they do not fight.      

I will be changing the characters of this story. I may potentially write a story from the mother's perspective of how she feels about her two sons being angry and wanting to fight one another. 

Arjuna vs. Karna: flickr