Storytelling Week 10: Stay Afloat

I thought I should probably start chronicling my life. Today, my dog began to speak to me. We were down by the river when it foretold of an oncoming wave that would wash away all people. I didn't believe it, but the dog had the sign. It had a barren neck, and I could see the bones. This is a sign to my people that there is divine intervention. I must take its warning and begin constructing a great raft and save my family.

. . .

I began drafting my plans for the raft. I worry that I will not have enough money to cover the costs. We barely can afford anything. And if the dog is wrong, I will have nothing left for sure. But I must trust the sign. 

. . . 

Today, I went and hired help to acquire lumber. I do not think they would have believed me if I told them the reason behind it all, so I fed them a story about building a great home for my family. I guess I was not lying. I am building the a home -- a future in which they may live. 

. . .

Getting the wood has been very hard lately. I am not resting at night because I am constantly worrying about the waters. When will they come? I do not know. It could be tomorrow. It could be in a month.  And the longer we go, the more tired I grow. Hopefully, we will be done soon.

. . .

We are finally done, and I can begin building the raft. The skies grow dark, so I believe it is almost time. The locals think that the gods will descend from the sky to greet us. But they do not know what will really happen. I am almost there.

. . .

My wife is beginning to question the validity of all of this. I try to make her remember the sign of the gods. But we are barely scraping by, and she grows frustrated at how long this is taking. Even the others are beginning to mock me. They think I have gone insane. Maybe I have.

. . .

I now have but one reason to continue -- to save myself. My wife took the children and left me. She said this was all a scam. I thought about stopping. She would surely return if I stopped. But if the flood were truly on its way, then what good would stopping be? I can only hope that she returns in time.

. . .

I am almost done. I am alone, and I am hungry. But I only have a couple days' work to go. The skies grow evermore darker. The winds have been angry, and I swear I hear low rumbles from the skies. I tried to mend fences with my wife. She is still in doubt. But I see the worry in her face. Hopefully I have not lost her for good.

. . . 

It is done. A heavy drizzle began last night. The rivers are flooding. Most others seem worried, but they are too proud to admit I was right. I now am taking shelter on the raft in case the rain picks up while I sleep. I hope they come back.

. . .

I guess today is not the day. Though there is flooding, it is not yet severe enough to change the mindset of the others. I went out looking for my wife and children. I could not find them, and other have not seen them for a week. I hope she has not killed her self and the children out of fear. I would always take her back.

. . . 

It will be tomorrow. I can feel it. The dog is much more restless. She isn't back. Maybe I should leave the raft so that I won't have to live without her.

. . .

Today is a good day. Well, it is bad, but there is good in it. With a loud crack a lightning, the waters began to rise with urgency. The others retreated to the mountains, but they will surely drown even on the highest peaks. They were warned. My wife and children. On the peaks, even they would drown. But they will not drown for they have returned! I asked my wife where she had been the past week. She had been out collecting food to survive for three weeks of time afloat. I knew she would come back. I knew her doubt would recede just as these waters will, too.

~ ~ ~

Author's Note: I based this story on a Cherokee myth known as The Deluge. In it, a dog warns a man of an impending flood and instructs him to build a raft. The man does not believe the dog at first, but the dog instructs the man to look at its neck. The man see bare skin and bones and believes the dog. So the man builds a raft and is able to live while everything and everyone else drowns. For my story, I decide to chronicle the process of building the raft in a journal entry format. I wanted to dive into the mind of the man and his reactions to everything.

Image: photo by Mike Baird

Week 10 Reading Notes: Cherokee Myths, Part A

The first story in this section is a creation story. This one is really different from most creation stories I've ever read. It is really neat to see the differences between cultures.

The next story is about fire. In it, many creatures attempt to retrieve fire from an island, and most of them fail to do so. I might be able to take the essence of this story -- many animals, or people, not being well equipped to accomplish a task -- and make a new story.

The next story is about finding the sunrise. One thing that really caught my attention is that they came across a tribe with odd death-related rituals. If a husband dies before his wife, then she is buried alive with his corpse. I could maybe expand upon this part. Even though it is not about the Cherokee people, it still is an interesting place I could explore as a writer.

The next story is about the formation of a constellation. 6 boys use a Feather-dance and begin to ascend to the sky. Eventually, they become a constellation. I figure that their mothers would be in great mourning so I might want to write a story about some rituals that may have developed as a result. I would want to probably include the pine tree since it was of great significance in the story as well.

Reading the Moon and the Thunders, I was first surprised that the Sun was female. Usually, the sun is a male figure. The Moon courts a man while the Sun is away. Maybe this would be a good spot to write a story about their time together.

The Deluge immediately reminded my of the common "Great Flood" story present in many cultures. However, this one is interesting to me because many of the cultures with a Great Flood were once located in the Fertile Crescent. Maybe I could do a journal entry story about the process of building a big raft. This would also give me the chance to employ a new writing technique that I've yet to do.

I read the remaining stories, but I really like the idea of retelling the Deluge in a journal storytelling frame. So this is what I plan to write tomorrow.


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Bibliography: Myths of the Cherokee, by James Mooney

Image: photo by Mike Baird

Week 9 Reading Notes: Alaskan Legends, Part A

I've never read enough Native American literature to remember anything from it. Furthermore, Native American literature encompasses a huge range of cultures and stories. So I went with the one I figured I'd be least familiar with -- Alaskan myths and legends. Opening the unit, I was actually very happy to see it include a story of Creation. I always love reading different explanations for the same concept.

Reading about the Raven, my biggest question comes from wondering how the backstory of the Raven. I definitely the see parallels to other religions with a god who creates everything. But very little is revealed of the Raven.

I also find it really interesting how many of these stories are so similar to other religious stories. Even the Alaskans had a Great Flood myth. One story that caught me off guard after all of the parallels was the story about the Raven's mother dying. The Creator had a creator? That might be an interesting area to spin off my own story from. The Creation of the creator of the Creator, I might call it.

Something I really appreciate about the myths and legends is that they are openly tailored to the area of the time of writing. The Flood might have had something to do with polar icecap melting. There are stories about seals and sea lions. It makes me stop for a moment to consider the fact that the Alaskan native probably knew little of other civilization. For they may have known, they were the entire world.

The biggest idea that I took away from reading about the Alaskans is that they directly took their environment when writing their stories. What was important to the Alaskan natives was important to the story. So if I am to retell one of these stories, I would want to utilize the environment of where the narrator of my story is located.


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Bibliography: Myths and Legends of Alaska, edited by Katharine Berry Judson

Image: illustration fro Judson's book

Week 13 Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman), Part A

For Part A, I mainly focused on Little Red Cap since it would be featured in my storybook. With it in mind that I would be retelling this story to be a date between the wolf and Little Red, I wanted to find elements that could be worked into my rendition.

It is obvious that I have to keep the titular red cap; it is essentially Little Red's identity. It came from her grandma, so I don't think that will have to change in my story.

On a side note: I wish my mom sent me cake and wine when I'm sick! I'm really not sure where I'll work in the mother since the story really doesn't involve her much, but I might be able to keep her as someone who helps catalyze Little Red's usage of Tinder.

When Little Red first meets the wolf, she is unfamiliar with what creature the wolf is. That kinda reminds me of social media, Tinder specifically. You meet someone new, and you really know nothing besides the superficial, surface details. 

The story also spends quite a bit of time talking about the flowers, so I probably should include the flowers. Since Little Red collects them before going to see her grandmother, maybe I can find a way to swap it where it is actually the wolf collecting them. Maybe he will get them before a date with Little Red.

Another classic part of the story is Little Red describing the wolf's features. So since Little Red is going on a date, maybe she describes what the wolf looks like to a friend -- maybe her mother. Since my story is about the two dating, I do not think it would make sense if the wolf was a threat. So I definitely plan to take out that aspect of the story. I'm not sure what to do with the huntsman in that case, but maybe I can make another character te huntsman too. Maybe the wolf is the huntsman. Or maybe her grandfather (which is a character I could always add since he is not in the original story).
Since I've already established that the "original" version is a lie spread by the wolf's ex, this one will need to probably end on a happy note. So no murder will be needed.

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Bibliography: The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales as translated by D. L. Ashliman

Image: Little Red Riding Hood 1881, via Wikimedia Commons

Week 8 Growth Mindset

This class has really been beneficial in allowing me to have the growth mindset. Without a course like this, I would never even dream of taking a creative writing class. I like to stick to what I know and what I've experienced before. However, with the freedom this class offers, I actually can focus on growth rather than trying to reach performance-based standards. I actually find myself wanting to challenge myself because I know that if I do poorly, there aren't many repercussions. I can just try again the next week; there's nothing in place to discourage challenge. One weakness I'm trying to better overcome with this class is putting off assignments until the last minute. So far, that's not really worked. But my goal for the second half of the semester is to start working ahead. This class allows for that to happen, I just need to take advantage of it. Another thing that I like about this class is that I don't feel like I need to perfect each assignment. Usually, I try to make my work flawless. But with this class, I can build upon my skills each week, over and over. If I don't get how I like it the first week, I can try again the following week. Or I can try something new and see if I like the new way better. Next semester, I hope to also experiment in my writing more than I already am. I've tried new things. But I want to never settle for what's comfortable. And again, this class is perfect for that. Concerning the readings, I've exposed myself to a lot of different cultures and their stories simply because there was nothing to worry about by choosing something unfamiliar. I've read stories I'd never imagine reading in a class, and I have actually rather enjoyed many of them.

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Image: Old-Growth Forest, via Flikr

Week 8 Reflections

Reading: Concerning my reading choices, I feel like I'm making good choices. I've read stories that I probably would have never read if I were not in this class. I really enjoyed the Japanese and Chinese stories I've read. I feel this is probably because it's a type of literature I've never exposed myself to. I've still not found a great schedule to do the readings. I've found that I put off the reading assignments until the hour before they're due. It's just really convenient when we have so much leeway. I'm hoping that next semester I get on top of it all.

I don't feel that my reading notes were good at the beginning of the course. I feel like I took notes as if I was going to be tested over the material. It's been a struggle to adjust to a different kind of note taking, but I think I've recently found that right balance.

For my upcoming readings, I definitely want to check out the Inuit stories, the marriage tales, and then the stories that contain the stories my storybook will be based on.

Writing: I've definitely been please with my writing. I've surprised myself with how creative I've been. I expected to be pretty dry and unimaginative, but I've pleasantly surprised. When I encounter an issue writing, I've found that taking a break tends to help the most. I feel confident in the storybook I've decided to go with. I think it's completely doable. I just need to make sure I dedicated enough time towards it. It will need solid planning.

Connecting:I really like reading others' stories simply to see the wide array of storytelling techniques and styles people have. I hope I've been helpful with my feedback; the feedback I get has been very helpful. I feel like giving specific examples from their stories the most helpful way to get good feedback.

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Image: Machine Writing, via Pixabay

Week 7 Storytelling: The Castle of the Moon

Once upon a time, there was a young child who was infatuated with the moon. When he wasn't at school, he was either learning about the moon from the local scholar or telling his widowed mother about the moon. At night, he spent hours gazing through the telescope, hoping one day he might visit the spectacle. One night as counted the number of craters he could discern, he noticed a rather odd thing. At the bottom of the wall of a crater, a small tree was blossoming.

Running to his mom, he found her quietly reading a book. Before he could announce his findings, he noticed the book his mom was reading was about the moon. "Mother, have you become as curious as I am about the moon?"

"No, not as quite. I know how bad you would like to visit the moon, and I heard from a soothsayer that it was possible! She handed me this book and told me the way to the moon was inside. I figured I entertain her folly. Maybe you'd like to explore the book yourself?"

"I would love to, mother!" And with that, the child grabbed the book and ran into his room.

For years, he poured over every line of the book, holding on the hope that he might visit the moon. His mother soon had gotten over the childishness of his interest and began to push his to find a wife. Resisting, he would leave the house with the book hidden in his satchel so that his mother would think he was socializing with the women of the town.

One day, he passed a small shop hidden between imposing building. "This must be the soothsayer my mother saw years ago!" Entering the shop, he made his way towards the back where he heard some noise. Passing through a curtain, he found a small chamber where an old woman was studying ancient books and scrolls.

"Hello, I believe my mother visited you years ago about visiting the moon!"

"Why yes, I remember her. Did she ever make it?"

"Well, no. But she was actually inquiring for me. Every since I was tiny, I all ever wanted to do was visit the moon."

"And why haven't you? I told her the way was in the book."

"Well, I wasn't sure what that meant. Regardless, I've recently been pressured by my mother to find a mate, so my attention hasn't been fully on the book in quite a while."

 "If the moon is what you still seek, wait until the next full moon, and gaze upon the cover in an open field."

"But I don't want to disappoint my mother by being alone the rest of my life!"

"If you make it to the moon, build a castle of unparalleled beauty. Then you must wait, and a woman will come to you. She will live in the castle and be yours for as long as you live."

. . .

The full moon had finally arrived. The man now sat alone in the field miles away from home. Gazing at the cover, he soon grew tired. He began to nod off, only to jolt himself awake. Looking around, he was unsure of his location. "Have I been kidnapped," he wondered. Glancing up, he immediately knew where he was. Earth rested above him. He had made it to the moon!

Traversing the surface of the rocky body, he wondered where he was going to build his grandiose castle. He journeyed for a week before deciding he had found the place. Down the side of the crater, he saw the very tree from when he was little. And just like him, it had grown much larger. "What a beautiful tree," he clamored. He then worried that it might rival the appearance of the castle he was ready to build. "I will chop this down immediately so that my wife will come!"

He began building. Years passed, and soon, centuries. As he built, he would rest under the shade of the tree that had been regrowing. At the make of a thousand years, he decided the tree was back to the beauty before he chopped it down. So again, he chopped it down. A further two-hundred years later, the castle was complete. So under the tree, he sat and waited until the day his wife would arrive.

 ~ ~ ~

Author's Note: In the original story of The Lady of the Moon, a prince named Hou was given the herb of immortality, which he hid in his home. Later, his wife ate of the herb, and she floated through the clouds all the way to the moon. Here, she found a castle built by the man in the moon and lived there. I wondered why there was already a man there, and why he built a castle. This story served as a backstory to man and castle on the moon.

Bibliography: The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921) 

Image: Illustration from the book