Buddhism

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Religion isn’t a part of me that I need, nor that I believe will change me in a particularly useful way, but it’s there. There’s something missing. I was brought up with a tendency to Christianity through my life, but then at around 12 I decided there was little reason for me to believe in God, and that all religions were like it. My biggest problem with Christianity has, and already will be the rules. It does not let one think for oneself and I came particularly thoughtful of Religion on being around to keep the poorer people quiet.

Buddhism promotes that you think for yourself, and well why shouldn’t we? There’s Karma too. Should I ever believe in reincarnation I would know that if I infringe another’s life (wrath, hate, ignorance, selfishness) I wouldn’t need to fear for a lightning bolt coming down to strike me dead, but a twinge of guilt, or the return to myself.

It’s about the Buddhist, not Buddha. Calm yourself, be yourself. Have fun and enjoy the gift… ever since I first learnt about Buddhism in Year 9, I loved the idea.

Buddhist Monks

There’s no god forcing me to worship complete belief. I can doubt, accept or resign. What intrigued me was that if you were no a Buddhist, you would lose no more Karma than if you were one. It’s about the teachings and no more. It’s also flexible. What applied 1000 years ago applies still today.

Should I be a buddhist? I shall see in time.

Of Tolkien’s Brilliance

When I was a child (or rather, younger than I am now) I just couldn’t read anything Tolkien. It felt boring, tiresome, long and complicated. Soon after, it discovered a place on my shelf and five years of dust.

It wasn’t far from the present when I picked it back up again an began reading, then, loving every word. Enter J.R.R. Tolkien:

The Master, the Word, the Lord of the Rings. I know not a single writer who can compare the slightest to Tolkien, or perhaps I should say, not one can match his greatness. Of course, what made him a good writer was not the fact he wanted it, nor did he wish it, but wanted to say something. The story he wanted to write turned to a frenzy of fans grabbing books, and directors making films.

He had decades of experience. Tolkien’s mythological colleagues told him it would not work, that he should be researching Norse mythology. Instead, however, he created Arda. But why? He says that he spent too long reading about wonderful myths and legends, but saw how bleak Britain’s was.

He wanted to create British Mythology. He succeeded, too. Just look at the great style and storytelling:

With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder.  And straightaway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.

“Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!”

Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away.  Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it.  After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them.  Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in this speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken.  Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young.  His golden shield was uncovered, and lo!  it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed.  For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea;  and darkness was removed, and the host of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them.  And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.

No need for long, rambling descriptions and pretentious crap, Tolkien gets to the point. Hale Tolkien!

I Did Not Write That!

Don’t you just love it/hate it when you spend countless hours writing something–be it work, creative writing, essays and all the jazz, then find on the first page some horrific spelling error? We’ve all done it…

I DID NOT WRITE THAT!

Feel free to send in your own, but I have collected a few. Just today, I got my GCSE creative writing back (first draft, thankfully) to see some horrible error. Fortunately, my friend pointed it out:

Beg Ben’s spire reaches into the heavens like a lone sentinel, thrusting up between the litter of skyscrapers and burnt-out mechanics

Should have read:

Beg Ben’s spire reaches into the heavens like a lone sentinel, thrusting up between the litter of skyscrapers and burnt-out mechanisms

It’s a subtle error, but made me laugh a bit. Just seeing these burnt out bodies crawling in agony.

Anyway… spot the mistake!

‘Why Dangle Lens’.

Q: What is the Fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does ‘varicose’ mean?
A: Nearby.

Q: What is a terminal illness?
A: When you are sick at the airport.

This will be indicated by a tinkle ring.
(This appeared in a screen menu on a genuine system.)

Also: http://www.istc.org.uk/Humour/Boobs.pdf

And I’m annoyed McCain’s winning. Obama rules. Sorta.

That is all.

Exercising and Writing

It’s a great thing to do when writing a short story, novel, epic or in fact, anything. Just now, I went on the rowing machine for about 10 minutes, did 200 strokes and burnt 60 calories. Doesn’t sound like much, but it clears your head a lot, whereas actual writing exercises just clog up more room.

On the internet, and in particular a voice to you stumble-upon-ers, no doubt you will come across productivity tool, that in turn can just lead to the irony of procrastination. For example, oneword.com. The you wonder where the time has passed and blame someone.

Why you should exercise before you write:

• You don’t feel guilty for having not had exercise.
• Your brain has been working harder.
• You don’t have people telling you to get out.
• It’s fun.

I never intended this to be a detailed blog entry regarding Biology and Psychology and all that, but i’s a great tip to think about.

In other good news, I started a facebook

Style or Story? Craft or Creation?

Recently, I have been summing up what’s more important to a piece of writing–writing with a great style, or writing a great plot. It’s something I’ve noticed. Take JK Rowling for example. Her stories are great. Very fantastical and interesting but also relateable–whereas her style is only a little techniqual. Any other examples?

Is your handwriting illegible? Your essay might be great, but I can't read it.

How about Ian McEwan? His writing style is brilliant. I adore it, perhaps as much as I admire Tolkien. The trouble is, his plots are interesting but not ‘grabbing’. For me, I need that one great story that might take me years to write, but when I look back, will see wonder.

I feel obliged to say Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings is a great achievement, as with the rest of Middle-Earth. The style no less than a masterpiece and the story can be seen as clear as day. I think both are essential. I namely see Agatha Cristie. I picked up one of her books the other day after hearing things of And Then There Were None. Fantastic mystery!

I’m not sure where I was going with this, but the point is, make sure your skeleton (plot) supports some great muscles (style).

When the 1st Draft Looks Amazing

I know, it’s horrifying. I remember starting Ever Wayard - or The Immortals, as it was called then – at around January. I started the actual novel in November, but that’s something else. It was when I joined the Young Writers Society and the people who reviewed the first instalment were brilliant. In particular, I remember two who gave me fantastic feedback, or at least, told me I had potential. Me! Of course, I was shocked but also elated with cheer. It went on for about 4 or 5 pages with reviews (unbelieveable!). Anyway, I started posting instalments as quickly as I could, averaging at around… 400 words per day? Of course, I was pleased with myself but eventually things went wrong with YWS. Things… happened, and I lost all points with my novel. I still loved the idea but didn’t know what to do… there was no motive.

I hated it, and every day I was trying to restart it, promising myself I could do it. But now, I am returning to that first draft. If I can just finish it, then I can look back and edit/edit/edit & rewrite/rewrite/rewrite!

Success? Possible!

Paolini’s Originality? 0%.

Checking out my email a came across an inheritance news letter (ye, I still get those–don’t know how to stop them) and thought I would check out shurtugal.com for more reasons to laugh at Paolini. I made a comment in a couple entries. One of which was a video in which Paolini reads aloud – in a very camp voice – some of Brisingr, calling it ‘awesome’. Oh the vanity. I called it pathetic (with complete reason) and got the following response:

Every Letter Begins with ‘W’?

I came across this with stumble-upon (it’s done so many things for me!). I remember seeing it before somewhere, but anyhow. The following is a story by an unknown author, 479 words and was first published in the late 19th century, originally found in Everybody’s Scrapbook of Curious Facts. It’s called ‘Walter and Winnie’.

Deus ex Machina Forums?

If you’re a recent visitor, not only do you deserve a medal, but you might notice the French ethnicity at the  mo’. La Plume de Mon Esprit is it’s new name! It means The Pen of My Mind which I think gives it a nice “wannabe” touch.

Anyway, in other news I came across the Deus ex Machina forums, a website about Paolini. My first thoughts involved were perhaps it’s a hate website, lashing out the reasons one may loathe the guy. Then again, maybe a few deluded fans have put together a website for Paolini, whilst thinking the name sounds “cool”.