The Photography of Bruce Davidson (Journal #6, Marking Period 3)

"They danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I’ve been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop..."

- Jack Kerouac, "On The Road"

In class, we discussed Kerouac's use of the word "mad" as it refers to the people in life who seize life and choose to live it fully - completely - madly.

The photography of Bruce Davidson is stark and displays the vibrant youth culture of the late 1950s - just as the young people in this country were beginning to become restless and ready to shrug off the values of their parents.

For you next writing assignment, choose one of these photos and tell me who these people are.

Where are they going?
What are they doing?
What are their names?
Where do they come from?

Fill in the details that are missing....
Photo 1



Photo 2



Photo 3



Photo 4

The Plot Pitch (2/27/26)

Here is what to expect in the coming days…

You will be working on your proposals for your children's books.
When your proposals are complete, its time to start thinking about your “pitch”.

You will now begin to outline the most basic elements of the book you intend to pitch. However, you can take this a step further.

We are going to focus on developing the characteristics of effective plots, characterization, and illustrations (as appropriate).

During today’s class, I would encourage you to collaborate and share your ideas as you develop them. During this time, I will be circulating to answer any questions you might have. I will also be available to provide feedback if you have anything you want me to read.

Remember – the basic plot of a children’s book is no different than any other work of fiction. The only difference is the audience and their reading level. You still have to have the basic elements of an effective plot.

Those elements are:

Exposition (beginning) – Rising Action – Climax (middle) – Falling Action – Resolution (end)

Without these elements, your plot will not really help a child improve their reading comprehension skills.

If you would like, you can use the following online tutorial. It basically offers a visual for your plot diagram. It also offers tips to developing that plot if you find yourself struggling to find that elusive passage that will bring your story to a successful resolution.

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagram/

In the days ahead, you will be storyboarding your ideas.

Then, its time to get down to the business of writing your stories.

Great Examples of Illustrations (2/27/26)

Several members of the class of 2012 created various storyboards for their books. Of course, these are only a few examples. These are good ones.

If you click on each image, you can see a bigger picture of it.

Check it out.

The following illustrations were done by Melissa Mutter. As you can see, two different artists drew pictures of the cat named Miles.











"Marshall's Misadventures" was drawn by Maura. She did her own illustrations.

As you can see Jacob Fagliano drew something that is very similar to Curious George.

Bella Wattles was another talented illustrator who wrote a book called "Finding Fresco."

Brandi Spering wrote a story about Amos that was actually very good.

Finally, Rachel Purdom wrote a great story called The Sea Robot. It was awesome. It reminded me a lot of The Iron Giant.

What Does a Writer Look Like? (Journal #3, Marking Period 3)

For this journal, I chose authors. I could have just as easily chosen musicians, graphic novelists, or screenwriters.
One of the great things about artists is that they can influence the culture in the ways that they choose to express themselves as authors and as people in the public eye. It is interesting to think that such a traditionally introverted art as writing can have ambassadors who express themselves quite loudly and with great influence. What does a writer look like? How do they present themselves to others? How can their work/art be considered an act of activism? Since we talk about details, I want you to think about the details that writers incorporate into the way they choose to appear. Do adopt a persona for their chosen vocation? Aside from their work, what helps a writer become a writer to others? Is it necessary to live as something in order to become that something?

I have attached some photos of great writers who also had a strong sense of individual style. Who are your favorites? Is there someone I have not listed who should be on this list?

Jack Kerouac

Ernest Hemingway

Tom Wolfe

Oscar Wilde

Sylvia Plath

Toni Morrison

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Haruki Murakami

Truman Capote

Henry Miller

JD Salinger

David Sedaris

The Location - Destination: Journal #7, Marking Period 4 (4/29/25)

“I suddenly realized I was in California. Warm, palmy air - air you can kiss - and palms.” ― Jack Kerouac, On the Road One of the most important aspects of your story about personal freedom is writing about a journey that feels authentic for your reader. If you think about some of the best novels you've ever read, there is usually a description of a place that is so vivid that it comes to life in your mind. At times, that location is an imagined or fictional place. When a writer is really hitting their stride, they bring a real place to life in the mind of the reader. It is a description so detailed and pleasing that you can almost close your eyes and see it. When it's really good, you want to visit it and see it for yourself.

Your job in the final two stories that you write for this class is to do a little research to really nail down and present the details of a real place for your story. This will bring the story to life on the page. Think about the places your characters will go and how they will get there. What is most important to you when you think about the description of the journey? The present location of the characters at any given moment? What is most important about their destination? What sensory images can you use to draw the reader into your story? What is significant about the places where you choose to place your characters?

For this journal, I want you to name at least one real location you will use in your story. Tell me why it is significant to your story? Tell me 5-10 facts about this location that you will use in your story to bring it to life. Be as detailed as possible. Remember...setting isn't just a place. It is also the time of day, the season when your story takes place, or any other detail most people take for granted.

This part of your story is critical to the success of this particular piece. Describe the place as if it is a character in your story. Describe its physical attributes and use literary devices such as metaphors, simile, and personification.