Category: writing
-
Translating the Hyakunin Isshu: Day 15/100 Emperor Koko
Hello and welcome back to our 100-day journey the legendary Hyakunin Isshu. I’ve missed our ruminations over the stickiness of translation, our wrestling with the ambiguity of localization. In case you missed the last entry, here’s Day 14 of Translating the Hyakunin Isshu and you can catch up on the rest of my project on…
-
Story Themes and the 4E’s of the Writer’s Craft
Most ancient tragedy had at its heart the contradiction between two morally justifiable positions. Aristotle begins defining tragedy as “imitation of actions of great import”; the actions themselves are motivated by a conflict of ideas. We may apply this to our own context and craft through the lens of “Story Themes.” A few of examples:…
-
You’re Doing Human Wrong: The Clickbait Conundrum of Turning People into Products
Ah, the internet, a wondrous labyrinth where the minotaurs are clickbait titles, luring us into their dens with promises of life-altering secrets. Today’s special: “You’re Doing X Wrong.” That’s right, from slicing bread to living your life, you’re apparently doing it all wrong. But worry not, for I am here to guide you through the…
-
The Prodigal Son Returns: Prince Zuko, the Blue Spirit, and the Parable of Identity. Assessing the Rhetorics Avatar: The Last Airbender as a Media Theorist
The Blue Spirit is a masked vigilante who initially appears to be an antagonist, fighting against Aang and his companions. However, as the series progresses, it becomes clear that the Blue Spirit is actually Zuko in disguise. By adopting this persona, Zuko is able to detach himself from his responsibilities and explore his own sense…
-
Much Ado About Writing: The 2024 AWP Conference, Kansas City Chiefs, and Living the Writer’s Life in the Middle West
The Kansas City Chiefs and Poetry. BBQ and Creative Nonfiction. The Middle West is a hotbed of creativity and sports these days. We just hosted the 2024 AWP Conference and we’re hosting six games during the 2026 World Cup! And who’s to say what’s in store for the Kansas City Royals or the next generation…