Feedback Thoughts

I love getting feedback! It is really scary sometimes, especially if you're a bit iffy about your work. I read "5 Tips For Taking Feedback Like a Champ" and thought the article had good points. It is a bit uncomfortable, but eventually, you get over it. It does come back sometimes, though. I never really thought about the positive in having growth areas-- not in the perspective that allows me to realize that I can still continue growing. Hearing that makes me happy and motivated to do better. I also read "Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head" and I think that's a huge issue when it comes to writing. When it comes to ourselves (this is not only in writing), we're very critical and nit-picky. I definitely think we're too hard on ourselves. Sometimes, when I write, I don't like where the story goes, but I remind myself that this is my story. It might be boring because I've reread it over and over again-- so maybe others will like it. It's good to look for the positive and use that as motivation. People give feedback to help you (at least the people who give constructive feedback), so even if you might not like it, keep an open mind!


Giving feedback is difficult because sometimes it feels repetitive or I just don't know what to say. "Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback That Fosters a Growth Mindset" is an awesome article and it really helps as a guide to providing feedback. I would definitely appreciate getting feedback based off that article, so I will try my best to apply the advice they give in this class. "7 Key Characteristics Of Better Learning Feedback" is another excellent article that goes in-depth with what would be great feedback. It helps me think of what comments and advice would be good for an author's improvement.

Honestly, I do not comment very often on people's stories on the art site I usually go on because I don't usually know what to say. When I do give feedback, I try to tell them what I liked (how they portrayed the characters, the amount of detail/imagery, etc) and why I liked it. I also like talking about their writing style because everyone has a unique one. I try to go into detail and talk about how the story made me feel.

Good Feedback. Source.

Week 2 Storytelling: To Live Like Atlas

(Note: This story is purposely in lowercase.)

[ ii. the high priestess. ]

( you cannot escape your fate. )

i. a mind full of terror

she learns in her youth that she is different. she realizes that not everyone receives visions from the future-- the ones that allow dread to seep into her mind, the ones that fill her every being with anxiety. the ability to see the future is no blessing, no gift. she knows this all too well.

she knows the good that will happen. she knows the tragedies that will take and take and take. she knows who death will visit; she knows one’s last breath.

the seeress knows of pain and sorrow. no matter how unbearable it may be, her lips remain sealed because the burden is not one to be shared.

fate has already set its course. she cannot change that.

( seeress, you do not seek the future out.
it seeks you. )

ii. you never asked to be atlas

she grows wary of encounters.

the visions are haphazard; sometimes, they frighten slumber away in the late hours and keep her awake and pondering. sometimes, they come the moment her eyes make contact with another. she knows keeping distance is a smart choice, but loneliness is a dangerous hunter that she refuses to fall prey to.

so she lives the best she can. she laughs with others. she cries with others. she cherishes the memories and happiness because one day, they will disappear.

she does everything to distract herself from the horrors that reside in a frightened mind.

( your shoulders hang low with every burden. )

iii. fate takes hold of everyone

the visions visit and all that is seen is destruction.

war is coming. war will be the storm that ravages the town and leaves nothing but ruin.

it isn’t comprehended at first. shock overwhelms her and all she can do is stare blankly at the mirror before her. the reflection shows an angry sadness and bitterness because she wonders why this happened. why did they choose her to carry this weight?

fate taunted her. fate laughed in her face and cruelly taught her that no one could ever get in its way. it gave her a life of suffering and weakening endurance-- one that could never be changed.

even the gods know that fate should be left alone.

( you of all people should know this, seeress.
how many times did you try to run away from your power? )

iv. end of all

time passes quickly. her lips stay shut, even when they tremble in the presence of the ones that will die in the war. the conflict will come soon and there is nothing she can do about it. no warnings, no preparation, only acceptance.

a heavy heart aches terribly whenever she sees the happiness that fills the town. everything will be lost and only tragedy will greet them. everything she’s learned to love will slip through her fingers and there is nothing to be done.

no fighting, no resisting. just waiting and waiting.

she’ll move on, find temporary happiness, and then she’ll lose everyone again.

the cycle will continue on and on and the suffering will never stop.

( may you find peace where there is none. )

The High Priestess. Source.

Author's Note: The original story is titled "The One-Eyed Doe". It revolves around a dear who lost sight in one eye and is being tracked by hunters. Afraid, she continuously manages to avoid them because she knows they will lead to her death. However, they end up killing her. Her last words are "You cannot escape your fate", which inspired the story. I thought of this because I had an idea about how people constantly try to change their fate and some people believe fate is set in stone. I tied this in with the high priestess arcana because she is able to sense the unknown and she does not intervene with what is supposed to happen. I thought using a seeress would be interesting since they are able to see the future, so I thought it would be a good idea to write about a seeress who is suffering but is powerless to fate.

I also write in lowercase because I feel like it is more personal. It's a little hard to describe, but I feel like it's a bit easier to get into the story without all the formalities.

Bibliography. "The One-Eyed Doe"" from Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs. Web Source.

Wikipedia Trail: From Jupiter to Hephaestus

1. Jupiter (Mythology). Jupiter is said to be the equivalent of Zeus; he is also the god of thunder and the king of the gods. His symbol is not only the lightning bolt, but also an eagle. All animal sacrifices to him were required to be white.

2. Minerva. Minerva is the equivalent to Athena. She is the goddess of wisdom and is often used on educational forms and seals. She had a strange birth; she was actually born from her father's head. She is on the U.S Medal of Honor.

Minerva of Peace. Source. 

3. Metis. Metis was Zeus's first wife. Her name holds two meanings: widsom and cunning. Her name originally meant magical cunning. It was told that her children with Zeus would grow up to overthrow him, which led to Zeus swallowing her in a failed attempt to prevent this from occcurring.

4. Hephaestus. Hephaestus was well-known for being a blacksmith. He is associated with tongs, a hammer, and an anvil. In one story, it is said that Hera gave birth to him in order to get revenge for her exclusion from Athena's birth. He was exiled from Olympus, but was able to return.

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Jacobs), Part B

The Eagle and the Arrow

This story is bittersweet because an eagle is killed with an arrow that has the eagle's feathers. I liked the concept and the quote, "We often give our enemies the mean for our own destruction". It seems like I could write a story where one moment of exposed weakness could be someone's demise.

The Man and the Serpent

A man's son stepped on a serpent's tail, which resulted in the serpent biting and killing the son. As a result, the man cut off part of its tail and the serpent recoiled by hurting the man's cattle. Even though the man tried to make amends, the serpent refused because the injuries would remain with them. There could be a story where two people who hurt each other might have reached a middle ground, but they still held hints of resentment towards each other.

The Frogs Desiring a King

The frogs were once happy, but some believed that there should be actual rules. They wished for a ruler; Jove granted that wish. However, he just gave them a log. The frogs were unsatisfied and demanded another king that would actually do its job. This request angered Jove, causing him to send a stork that ate all the frogs. The last line is "Better no rule than cruel rule". I really like that line and it makes me think of people who are under a harsh king that is eventually overthrown. Peace is restored once the king is gone and the people find happiness again.

The Oak and The Reed

A tree is facing furious winds, but he never breaks. He simply adapts by bending. The last line is "Bend, not break". There could be a story about a hero facing his enemies in the worst of times; he feels hopeless but he refuses to break, no matter how difficult the journey may be. In the end, he overcomes his problems by adapting with a new plan or not giving up hope rather than breaking down.

The Bundle of Sticks

A father teaches his sons about unity by using sticks. If they are alone, they break easily, but if there is a bundle, then they cannot break. It demonstrates that there is strength in numbers. This theme could be applied to a war situation, like the gathering of troops before the battle begins.

Unity. Source.

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables (Jacobs), Part A

The Lion and the Statue

I enjoyed this story because the last line is "We can easily represent things as we wish them to be". I think it'd be really interesting to write a story revolving around this sentence, like adding a plot twist and realizing the main character was so desperate to imagine something that he ended up distorting reality and his desires.

The Four Oxen and the Lion

The last sentence for this is "United we stand, divided we fall". It describes the story very well; the lion attempts to kill the four oxen but fails when they are together. However, whenever they are apart, they are all killed. It shows vulnerability and how dangerous it can be sometimes. The quote I spoke of earlier reminds me of heroes coming together in a moment of crisis. I think I could possibly apply the strength tarot card to this image for a story.

The Fox and The Crane

The conflict between the fox and the crane is amusing. They keep inviting each other over for dinner, but mess with each other by making the food accessible. It's kind of a "ha ha" moment in each story, but it ends with "there are games that two can play at". It reminds me of tricksters (kind of like the fool arcana, but I already used that). I could write a plot that revolves around a game of cat and mouse.

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

I always liked this theme! It discusses how appearances are deceptive and I have actually written about that occasionally with my own character. Like with the last story, this could possibly fit in with undercover spies. In a show I watched, the spies were trained to become anyone they wanted to be in order to get information. It would be a good story to write about a spy that ends up tricking someone for their mission. I think the magician tarot can be used for this!

The One-Eyed Doe

The doe constantly tries to escape her death with extreme caution, but even in the end, she was killed by the hunters. No matter what she did, she still could not run. This story revolves around fate and how one cannot escape from it. I think the concept of a seeress is really interesting and I have actually never written about it, so I think this would be a really good opportunity. The high priestess would tie in with this!

Wolf. Source.

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs