Bill Conrad's Blog, page 12
September 27, 2023
Improving The Little Things
I graduated from college in 1993 and could not find an engineering job, so I worked at Kinkos making copies. This was a stressful time (because I did not have a proper job or a girlfriend), and I relieved the stress by taking bike rides after work. Later, I had to move back home, which upped my stress level, and I took even more bike rides.
A huge hill was nearby, and I began hiking/riding to the top. Wow, this wasn’t easy, and it took about four months to get to the top without getting off my bike and pushing it. This was quite a physical accomplishment, and I still remember the first time I made it without stopping. I jumped for joy and shouted at the top of my lungs.
One day, I timed myself. It took eighteen minutes to get to the top. Over the months, my times usually improved by a second or two, but there were days when I was off by a minute. The problem was that I was upset that my business was not getting off the ground and this mindset affected my performance.
One of the positive aspects of exercise is the freedom to think. This helped relieve my stress, and I devised creative ideas to solve problems. Of course, I also thought about reducing my climb time. I knew every rock, rut, turn, and bicycle gear. Plus, I had precise strategies for how to deal with each section.
Daily experimentation taught me that the steep sections required a simple strategy. “Miss the rocks and stay in low gear.” One day, I determined I was making another mistake. On the manageable sections, I slowed to recover, which allowed me to apply full effort during the challenging areas. As a result, my climbing time vastly improved.
I spent two years failing to start an audio business, but that frustration translated to a time of 10 minutes 23 seconds. I tried like crazy to crack the ten-minute mark and never made it. Eventually, my business dreams faded, and I found an engineering job. However, those endless hours of bike riding left me with powerful memories.
The fundamental lesson I learned is that on an enormous project, measurable improvements can come from concentrating on effortless tasks, for example, editing a book. Let’s pretend the beta reader identified the main character as too arrogant.
An author would spend hours locating the arrogance and editing. This is tedious work, and there are no easy tricks to reduce the time required. However, along the way, the author can also look at the other parts of the book. Make a simple change here, delete a few words there, or add to a description. These minor changes only take a few seconds, but the book dramatically improves from the reader’s perspective.
Another example is when I created a giant diagram to describe an extensive system. It involved weeks of research, basic graphics, titles, text, and linking objects. There was no getting around the arduous parts, but as I slugged through it, I added tiny features, simplified areas, moved things for a better artistic appearance, and made other subtle improvements. The result was well received, and many compliments focused on the overall appearance, which resulted from slight enhancements.
Learning to focus on the small things was an important life lesson, but how I discovered this was surprising. The real takeaway is to keep an open mind and keep trying.
You’re the best -Bill
September 27, 2023
A huge hill was nearby, and I began hiking/riding to the top. Wow, this wasn’t easy, and it took about four months to get to the top without getting off my bike and pushing it. This was quite a physical accomplishment, and I still remember the first time I made it without stopping. I jumped for joy and shouted at the top of my lungs.
One day, I timed myself. It took eighteen minutes to get to the top. Over the months, my times usually improved by a second or two, but there were days when I was off by a minute. The problem was that I was upset that my business was not getting off the ground and this mindset affected my performance.
One of the positive aspects of exercise is the freedom to think. This helped relieve my stress, and I devised creative ideas to solve problems. Of course, I also thought about reducing my climb time. I knew every rock, rut, turn, and bicycle gear. Plus, I had precise strategies for how to deal with each section.
Daily experimentation taught me that the steep sections required a simple strategy. “Miss the rocks and stay in low gear.” One day, I determined I was making another mistake. On the manageable sections, I slowed to recover, which allowed me to apply full effort during the challenging areas. As a result, my climbing time vastly improved.
I spent two years failing to start an audio business, but that frustration translated to a time of 10 minutes 23 seconds. I tried like crazy to crack the ten-minute mark and never made it. Eventually, my business dreams faded, and I found an engineering job. However, those endless hours of bike riding left me with powerful memories.
The fundamental lesson I learned is that on an enormous project, measurable improvements can come from concentrating on effortless tasks, for example, editing a book. Let’s pretend the beta reader identified the main character as too arrogant.
An author would spend hours locating the arrogance and editing. This is tedious work, and there are no easy tricks to reduce the time required. However, along the way, the author can also look at the other parts of the book. Make a simple change here, delete a few words there, or add to a description. These minor changes only take a few seconds, but the book dramatically improves from the reader’s perspective.
Another example is when I created a giant diagram to describe an extensive system. It involved weeks of research, basic graphics, titles, text, and linking objects. There was no getting around the arduous parts, but as I slugged through it, I added tiny features, simplified areas, moved things for a better artistic appearance, and made other subtle improvements. The result was well received, and many compliments focused on the overall appearance, which resulted from slight enhancements.
Learning to focus on the small things was an important life lesson, but how I discovered this was surprising. The real takeaway is to keep an open mind and keep trying.
You’re the best -Bill
September 27, 2023
September 20, 2023
Marco Zirino
I attended May Scott Marcy Elementary School in 1976 in San Diego. Was it really that long ago? Seems like only a few years. Education was challenging, plus I was an awkward kid. Fortunately, grade school was a stepping stone, and those lessons (inside and outside the classroom) helped me to become the man I am today.
One of my classmates was a kid named Marco Zirino. We both were interested in electronics and became friends. He was brilliant, and I admit it. Marco knew ten times more about electronics. That is still a tough admission, given how much I was into electronics at the time.
The nearby Junior High (middle school) was called Standly. In the sixth grade, our grade school class took a field trip to Standly (while they were in session). The idea was to introduce us to what middle school was like. Was it adequately supervised and organized? Of course not.
About an hour into the tour, some kid had a problem with me and started a fight. Because the kid was tiny, his punches were utterly ineffective. We both ended up in the principal’s office. The principal knew all about that brat and had somebody escort me to the bus, where I sat awaiting my classmates to conclude their tour.
At the time, the San Diego school district had a magnet program. They bussed kids all over the city to “integrate” (yes, they used that term) races and economic classes. I attended Alexander Graham Bell Junior High because they had computer classes (only one other school in our district had computers at that time).
Bell was far away, and the bus ride was long. Plus, the local kids did not take kindly to the invaders. It was a harrowing experience for an awkward kid like me. However, I knew computers were my future and persisted. Was getting attacked also motivation? It was huge, but thinking super high level, I must give myself credit for leaping computers. Good job, Bill.
Because I went to school across town, I lost touch with everybody from Marcy Elementary. Later, I attended Morse High School across town and went to college out of state.
Since grade school, I ran into two classmates. One, Annie lives a block away, and our daughters became friends. We have had several terrific conversations discussing our childhoods.
When I was about 30, I walked with my friend in Pacific Beach. We had come from a local bar, The Tiki where our other friend, Tim, was a bouncer. I spent every Friday evening at the Tiki doorway for about eight years. I rarely drank, but Tim was a fun guy to talk to, and watching all the Pacific Beach craziness was always entertaining.
Suddenly, somebody yells, “Hey, Bill.” It was one of my classmates from Marcy Elementary, and he recognized me. It turns out that this kid (now a man) had the superpower of recognizing old classmates.
His name was Danny Nicklas, but we called him Froggy. So, we launched into a twenty-minute discussion. Of course, we were guys and talked about the cute girls. Plus, I wanted to know all about attending Standly Junior High and the local University City High School.
It turns out that my decision was far better than I imagined. Both schools had fights and did not stress academics. Fashion, goofing off, drugs, cars, and doing the minimum were all that mattered.
The police arrested one of my University City High School classmates for making fake identifications. And Froggy was still friends with him. Wow, this blew me away.
Our conversation turned to Marco, and I wanted to learn about his wonderful accomplishments. Froggy became sad and told me Marco took a deep dive into drugs. He could not remember if Marco graduated from University City High School. But he ran into him years later on the beach in Santa Monica.
Marco dressed in dirty rags, slurred his words, and rested in the shade. Froggy suspected he was homeless and drug abuse had severely damaged his body.
The news shocked me. I was sure Marco would have been a super-scientist, owner of a mega-corporation, or a revered professor at a massive university. Sadly, no.
This encounter gave me a lot to think about. What would my life have become if I had attended Standly Junior High? Would Marco have dragged me into that dangerous crowd?
My science, math and computer skills would have been lacking at the very least. I probably would not have had the grades or foundation to attend a good college. And my writing? It’s doubtful that I would have the minimum skill or interest to attempt anything.
What if Marco had attended Bell Junior High with me? Would we be best friends today? Bell also had a big drug problem. Was his path set, and there was no avoiding it? Could I have saved him? Is the lesson that hard work pays off? Is the lesson that society should do more for stoners?
The big questions. Is Marco happy being a beach bum? Did he use his superior mind to figure out the correct path in life? Would I be happy if I had followed in his footsteps?
Of course, I do not have the answer to these epic questions, but I know one thing for sure. I miss what my friend used to be.
You’re the best -Bill
September 20, 2023
One of my classmates was a kid named Marco Zirino. We both were interested in electronics and became friends. He was brilliant, and I admit it. Marco knew ten times more about electronics. That is still a tough admission, given how much I was into electronics at the time.
The nearby Junior High (middle school) was called Standly. In the sixth grade, our grade school class took a field trip to Standly (while they were in session). The idea was to introduce us to what middle school was like. Was it adequately supervised and organized? Of course not.
About an hour into the tour, some kid had a problem with me and started a fight. Because the kid was tiny, his punches were utterly ineffective. We both ended up in the principal’s office. The principal knew all about that brat and had somebody escort me to the bus, where I sat awaiting my classmates to conclude their tour.
At the time, the San Diego school district had a magnet program. They bussed kids all over the city to “integrate” (yes, they used that term) races and economic classes. I attended Alexander Graham Bell Junior High because they had computer classes (only one other school in our district had computers at that time).
Bell was far away, and the bus ride was long. Plus, the local kids did not take kindly to the invaders. It was a harrowing experience for an awkward kid like me. However, I knew computers were my future and persisted. Was getting attacked also motivation? It was huge, but thinking super high level, I must give myself credit for leaping computers. Good job, Bill.
Because I went to school across town, I lost touch with everybody from Marcy Elementary. Later, I attended Morse High School across town and went to college out of state.
Since grade school, I ran into two classmates. One, Annie lives a block away, and our daughters became friends. We have had several terrific conversations discussing our childhoods.
When I was about 30, I walked with my friend in Pacific Beach. We had come from a local bar, The Tiki where our other friend, Tim, was a bouncer. I spent every Friday evening at the Tiki doorway for about eight years. I rarely drank, but Tim was a fun guy to talk to, and watching all the Pacific Beach craziness was always entertaining.
Suddenly, somebody yells, “Hey, Bill.” It was one of my classmates from Marcy Elementary, and he recognized me. It turns out that this kid (now a man) had the superpower of recognizing old classmates.
His name was Danny Nicklas, but we called him Froggy. So, we launched into a twenty-minute discussion. Of course, we were guys and talked about the cute girls. Plus, I wanted to know all about attending Standly Junior High and the local University City High School.
It turns out that my decision was far better than I imagined. Both schools had fights and did not stress academics. Fashion, goofing off, drugs, cars, and doing the minimum were all that mattered.
The police arrested one of my University City High School classmates for making fake identifications. And Froggy was still friends with him. Wow, this blew me away.
Our conversation turned to Marco, and I wanted to learn about his wonderful accomplishments. Froggy became sad and told me Marco took a deep dive into drugs. He could not remember if Marco graduated from University City High School. But he ran into him years later on the beach in Santa Monica.
Marco dressed in dirty rags, slurred his words, and rested in the shade. Froggy suspected he was homeless and drug abuse had severely damaged his body.
The news shocked me. I was sure Marco would have been a super-scientist, owner of a mega-corporation, or a revered professor at a massive university. Sadly, no.
This encounter gave me a lot to think about. What would my life have become if I had attended Standly Junior High? Would Marco have dragged me into that dangerous crowd?
My science, math and computer skills would have been lacking at the very least. I probably would not have had the grades or foundation to attend a good college. And my writing? It’s doubtful that I would have the minimum skill or interest to attempt anything.
What if Marco had attended Bell Junior High with me? Would we be best friends today? Bell also had a big drug problem. Was his path set, and there was no avoiding it? Could I have saved him? Is the lesson that hard work pays off? Is the lesson that society should do more for stoners?
The big questions. Is Marco happy being a beach bum? Did he use his superior mind to figure out the correct path in life? Would I be happy if I had followed in his footsteps?
Of course, I do not have the answer to these epic questions, but I know one thing for sure. I miss what my friend used to be.
You’re the best -Bill
September 20, 2023
September 13, 2023
Changing People
One of the biggest challenges is to convince somebody they have a problem and support their transformation into a better person. Why is this so difficult? People like the way they are and hate confronting their faults. Plus, it takes deep personal effort to stop one mindset and adopt another.
Some big issues include drug addiction, poor health, bad attitude, or obesity. I have been trying to convince somebody close to me they are depressed and have an empathy issue. This ten-year battle has had many painful confrontations, false promises, and no success.
Yet… I can fix that quickly. “Sam was depressed, which concerned Lisa. The next day, she convinced him to turn his life around.” Wow, that was easy.
Writers can change their characters in a few words with no consequences. Want to convince your best friend to lose weight? “Matt lost 100 pounds.” Done!
Now, wait a minute. Immediate changes only occur in fiction. A biography or other truthful work would never gloss over the painful process of transforming a person. Nope. Authors jam excitement into every sentence, and a drawn-out change reads poorly. Hit me hard and fast. Wrap this change mess up in a single paragraph and then get to the good stuff.
Is this fast change process realistic? Not at all. Then why do intelligent readers get taken in so quickly? When somebody opens a book, some magic happens. The reader knows the story is a story and allows themselves to become engulfed by the action.
Of course, readers complain about awful or unrealistic plots but are always up for a new book. We never tire of book magic and will always accept characters that do not match real life. Plus, it is fun to dream. Perhaps I could lose 100 pounds just like Matt? (Side note. I would settle for 25.)
Should readers be more critical? I would argue the opposite. Readers should be more open to new possibilities. Have you ever read a space opera, Zane Grey cowboy novel, vampire book, Danielle Steel romance, or even one of my books? Reading something outside our comfort zone can be rewarding.
Should authors do a better job of making realistic characters? No, characters must be larger, bolder, stronger, and brighter. The act of changing a character is tedious, and readers crave excitement. Harry Potter can have a magic wand, which is physically impossible, like when an autobiography glosses over inappropriate activities and focuses on accomplishments.
I find it fascinating that books have vast limitations and immense possibilities. Knowing that a writer can immediately transform a villain into a better person is comforting. How about the hero who overcomes their limitations? I wish it were me.
You’re the best -Bill
September 13, 2023
Some big issues include drug addiction, poor health, bad attitude, or obesity. I have been trying to convince somebody close to me they are depressed and have an empathy issue. This ten-year battle has had many painful confrontations, false promises, and no success.
Yet… I can fix that quickly. “Sam was depressed, which concerned Lisa. The next day, she convinced him to turn his life around.” Wow, that was easy.
Writers can change their characters in a few words with no consequences. Want to convince your best friend to lose weight? “Matt lost 100 pounds.” Done!
Now, wait a minute. Immediate changes only occur in fiction. A biography or other truthful work would never gloss over the painful process of transforming a person. Nope. Authors jam excitement into every sentence, and a drawn-out change reads poorly. Hit me hard and fast. Wrap this change mess up in a single paragraph and then get to the good stuff.
Is this fast change process realistic? Not at all. Then why do intelligent readers get taken in so quickly? When somebody opens a book, some magic happens. The reader knows the story is a story and allows themselves to become engulfed by the action.
Of course, readers complain about awful or unrealistic plots but are always up for a new book. We never tire of book magic and will always accept characters that do not match real life. Plus, it is fun to dream. Perhaps I could lose 100 pounds just like Matt? (Side note. I would settle for 25.)
Should readers be more critical? I would argue the opposite. Readers should be more open to new possibilities. Have you ever read a space opera, Zane Grey cowboy novel, vampire book, Danielle Steel romance, or even one of my books? Reading something outside our comfort zone can be rewarding.
Should authors do a better job of making realistic characters? No, characters must be larger, bolder, stronger, and brighter. The act of changing a character is tedious, and readers crave excitement. Harry Potter can have a magic wand, which is physically impossible, like when an autobiography glosses over inappropriate activities and focuses on accomplishments.
I find it fascinating that books have vast limitations and immense possibilities. Knowing that a writer can immediately transform a villain into a better person is comforting. How about the hero who overcomes their limitations? I wish it were me.
You’re the best -Bill
September 13, 2023
September 6, 2023
We Don’t Have to Write About It
There are endless topics to write about, including fictitious genres, current events, and history. Plus, trends, fashions, problems, and opinions. Honestly, it can be overwhelming.
What should we write about? Horses? How about a Science fiction story about purple aliens? Or perhaps we could examine Richard Nixon’s life. A classical romance novel? It is all possible. Yet readers have strong expectations. They have become knowledgeable, curious, risk avoiders, opinionated, and politically correct.
As a result, there are taboo subjects, expected subjects, and strong opinions. The WOKE movement is an example of a group that desires to promote their values and dislikes specific topics. As a result, it is essential for an author to be aware of the WOKE opinions and to avoid offending readers.
That is all good, but not quite the topic I wanted to touch. Let’s examine the book Misery by Stephen King. The story begins with an author who gets injured in a car accident. A book fan rescues the author and takes him through the woods to their house. Umm, wait a minute. As the fan transported the author, did they discuss how important it is to plant trees? No? Well, Stephen King should have included that topic.
What other topics might readers complain about? “Why don’t you have an LGBTQ character?” “You wrote a book about the ocean and did not mention whales?” “Why is the man a hero and not a woman?” “There was not a single Latino character.” “The lead character was far too young. Stop age discriminating!” “The lead character was far too old. Stop age discriminating!”
Wow, that spiraled quickly. Readers now have many expectations, and they have a powerful voice. Not including popular opinions can lead to critical reviews, a Facebook/YouTube rant, or even a boycott. Yikes!
Wait a minute. Does this mean that Stephen King needed a tree-planting paragraph? Would that help the story, lead to more sales or better reviews? Or could this addition have upset some readers or not mattered at all?
One is tempted to say, “That helpful pro-nature addition would not offend anybody. It would likely improve the story.” Yet, I often see critical reviews citing authors who added excessive and unnecessary detail. Having a pleasant tangent about planting trees during a dark mood scene would indeed lead to negative comments.
I wanted to provide a different example to prove my point. Society has developed a glass ceiling, meaning that minorities and females have difficulty getting ahead in business. I have many opinions on this topic and would like to share them to help eliminate this obstacle.
Nobody is forcing me to write about this topic, and I have received no requests to discuss it. Yet, I am sure that by writing about this important topic, I could help (in a small way), but my opinions would upset people. Why? Women and minorities are well aware of this issue (far more than me) and would prefer I keep my “lame-brain opinions to myself.” And my conclusions and recommendations? Yes, I know where I can stuff them. So, I will not write up my thoughts because I chose not to potentially offend some readers.
It is tempting to say that we have come full circle, but the central issue remains. How does an author please their readers? I answer, “Write what is in your heart and let the rest sort itself out.” Of course, that is a copout. And what about adding shock value (controversial content)? That usually leads to book sales. Right?
Authors, artists, and other creative people always decide what to include in their work and what not to. Intentionally leaving something out of a book is a difficult skill to master. An even more difficult skill is properly writing about a controversial topic.
Yet, there is another problem. It is challenging to develop a new topic, and readers always want more. As a result, authors must be bold with their choice of content. Meaning that the decision not to include tree planting was one of many bold choices that made the book Misery a great success.
It is also essential for an author to have a broad view. The characters and topics should never be stiff. Authors are now expected to explore alternative lifestyles, controversial issues, liberal viewpoints, and different cultures.
What about readers who complain about missing topics? In any endeavor, it is impossible to please everybody. That is human nature. Meaning that just because society is (presently) focused on a specific topic, it does not have to be included in a story. I advise developing something interesting and including a few popular trends, even if they are outside your comfort zone. This open perspective will both attract readers and make for a better story.
You’re the best -Bill
September 06, 2023
What should we write about? Horses? How about a Science fiction story about purple aliens? Or perhaps we could examine Richard Nixon’s life. A classical romance novel? It is all possible. Yet readers have strong expectations. They have become knowledgeable, curious, risk avoiders, opinionated, and politically correct.
As a result, there are taboo subjects, expected subjects, and strong opinions. The WOKE movement is an example of a group that desires to promote their values and dislikes specific topics. As a result, it is essential for an author to be aware of the WOKE opinions and to avoid offending readers.
That is all good, but not quite the topic I wanted to touch. Let’s examine the book Misery by Stephen King. The story begins with an author who gets injured in a car accident. A book fan rescues the author and takes him through the woods to their house. Umm, wait a minute. As the fan transported the author, did they discuss how important it is to plant trees? No? Well, Stephen King should have included that topic.
What other topics might readers complain about? “Why don’t you have an LGBTQ character?” “You wrote a book about the ocean and did not mention whales?” “Why is the man a hero and not a woman?” “There was not a single Latino character.” “The lead character was far too young. Stop age discriminating!” “The lead character was far too old. Stop age discriminating!”
Wow, that spiraled quickly. Readers now have many expectations, and they have a powerful voice. Not including popular opinions can lead to critical reviews, a Facebook/YouTube rant, or even a boycott. Yikes!
Wait a minute. Does this mean that Stephen King needed a tree-planting paragraph? Would that help the story, lead to more sales or better reviews? Or could this addition have upset some readers or not mattered at all?
One is tempted to say, “That helpful pro-nature addition would not offend anybody. It would likely improve the story.” Yet, I often see critical reviews citing authors who added excessive and unnecessary detail. Having a pleasant tangent about planting trees during a dark mood scene would indeed lead to negative comments.
I wanted to provide a different example to prove my point. Society has developed a glass ceiling, meaning that minorities and females have difficulty getting ahead in business. I have many opinions on this topic and would like to share them to help eliminate this obstacle.
Nobody is forcing me to write about this topic, and I have received no requests to discuss it. Yet, I am sure that by writing about this important topic, I could help (in a small way), but my opinions would upset people. Why? Women and minorities are well aware of this issue (far more than me) and would prefer I keep my “lame-brain opinions to myself.” And my conclusions and recommendations? Yes, I know where I can stuff them. So, I will not write up my thoughts because I chose not to potentially offend some readers.
It is tempting to say that we have come full circle, but the central issue remains. How does an author please their readers? I answer, “Write what is in your heart and let the rest sort itself out.” Of course, that is a copout. And what about adding shock value (controversial content)? That usually leads to book sales. Right?
Authors, artists, and other creative people always decide what to include in their work and what not to. Intentionally leaving something out of a book is a difficult skill to master. An even more difficult skill is properly writing about a controversial topic.
Yet, there is another problem. It is challenging to develop a new topic, and readers always want more. As a result, authors must be bold with their choice of content. Meaning that the decision not to include tree planting was one of many bold choices that made the book Misery a great success.
It is also essential for an author to have a broad view. The characters and topics should never be stiff. Authors are now expected to explore alternative lifestyles, controversial issues, liberal viewpoints, and different cultures.
What about readers who complain about missing topics? In any endeavor, it is impossible to please everybody. That is human nature. Meaning that just because society is (presently) focused on a specific topic, it does not have to be included in a story. I advise developing something interesting and including a few popular trends, even if they are outside your comfort zone. This open perspective will both attract readers and make for a better story.
You’re the best -Bill
September 06, 2023
August 30, 2023
Chekhov’s Gun
Wikipedia defines the phrase Chekhov’s Gun as a narrative principle that states that every element in a story must be necessary, and irrelevant elements should be removed. The original example recorded in letters by Anton Chekhov discussed a character who shot somebody, but the writer failed to explain to the reader where the gun came from.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov...
Some writers disagree with this basic concept. For example, a Western has many armed characters, so there is no need to explain how a character obtained a gun. Another option is a story such as a mystery. It is intentional that there was never an explanation.
I have a unique problem with Chekhov’s Gun concept because I assume readers can read my mind. I leave LOTS of story detail that never makes it onto the page. The result has been negative feedback.
What is going on? In electrical engineering, there is a term “too close to the wires.” The designer is so focused on minutia (my first time using this word) that they miss the big picture. I get so focused on the story that I forget about the reader.
Missing details is a writing crime. A story must make sense; a single inconsistency will confuse or upset the reader.
How can I avoid this problem? I have stumbled across a helpful tool. I now develop all my plots with outlines. This high-level approach allows me to spot this exact type of problem. Yet, there are still minor issues that crop up.
To identify these little buggers, I now make one editing pass specifically to locate plot problems. This is one of the last passes because editing often introduces minor issues.
For example, in a book I am working on, the main character has a backpack with a walkie-talkie radio. So… Where did he get it? Umm? Fortunately, I caught that mistake in time.
However, I have another problem. In the above example, I still do not see the lack of explanation as a big deal. “Obviously, the character got the radio from somewhere. He probably found it in a drawer, or it was a gift. Nobody cares. No big deal.” It IS a big deal, and it is taking a lot of effort to change my outlook.
Does this mean that all writers must spoon-feed facts to the readers? I used to think this was bad writing, but I no longer do. It is the goal of a writer to provide facts entertainingly. Chekhov’s Gun exemplifies the importance of keeping the reader in mind and ensuring they are happy. You’re happy with this article. Right?
You’re the best -Bill
August 30, 2023
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov...
Some writers disagree with this basic concept. For example, a Western has many armed characters, so there is no need to explain how a character obtained a gun. Another option is a story such as a mystery. It is intentional that there was never an explanation.
I have a unique problem with Chekhov’s Gun concept because I assume readers can read my mind. I leave LOTS of story detail that never makes it onto the page. The result has been negative feedback.
What is going on? In electrical engineering, there is a term “too close to the wires.” The designer is so focused on minutia (my first time using this word) that they miss the big picture. I get so focused on the story that I forget about the reader.
Missing details is a writing crime. A story must make sense; a single inconsistency will confuse or upset the reader.
How can I avoid this problem? I have stumbled across a helpful tool. I now develop all my plots with outlines. This high-level approach allows me to spot this exact type of problem. Yet, there are still minor issues that crop up.
To identify these little buggers, I now make one editing pass specifically to locate plot problems. This is one of the last passes because editing often introduces minor issues.
For example, in a book I am working on, the main character has a backpack with a walkie-talkie radio. So… Where did he get it? Umm? Fortunately, I caught that mistake in time.
However, I have another problem. In the above example, I still do not see the lack of explanation as a big deal. “Obviously, the character got the radio from somewhere. He probably found it in a drawer, or it was a gift. Nobody cares. No big deal.” It IS a big deal, and it is taking a lot of effort to change my outlook.
Does this mean that all writers must spoon-feed facts to the readers? I used to think this was bad writing, but I no longer do. It is the goal of a writer to provide facts entertainingly. Chekhov’s Gun exemplifies the importance of keeping the reader in mind and ensuring they are happy. You’re happy with this article. Right?
You’re the best -Bill
August 30, 2023
August 23, 2023
Cult of Personality
The first use of the phrase “cult of personality” appeared in a letter written by Karl Marx to German political worker Wilhelm Blos on November 10, 1877. This term describes a leader’s magnetic power to engulf and inspire their followers.
These devout followers hang on every word, and their loyalty grows with each speech. This term is not limited to politicians and may apply to business leaders, teachers, actors, sports figures, and musicians. Some notable examples include JFK, Martin Luther King, Joseph Stalin, Juan Perón (Argentina), Mao Zedong (China), The Kim family (North Korea), and Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines).
What is going on in the minds of the followers? It combines star-struck and success appreciation (factual or fabricated). People like winners, especially if they are good-looking and speak well. Leaders craft speeches for maximum reaction and practice before speaking to fuel addiction. The result is loyalty, fanaticism, and the acceptance of atrocious actions.
I wanted to examine this topic from a different angle. Developing a fictional character with a cult of personality is difficult, and I can provide a perfect example. In his famous speech, JFF said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” Those powerful words still resonate and continue to inspire.
Let’s pretend those few precious words were not in a famous speech. Instead, the fictional character Jack said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” It is a good sentence, but not inspirational for the reader. “Get out there and work!” would have been a more effective sentence. What is the difference? Leaders require time to be accepted, and the loyalty they inspire does not translate to plain words.
Readers must build a character in their minds. That is far different from watching a magnanimous person inspire and achieve solutions. To develop a cult of personality, our minds need a connection to reality, and a character does not have the qualifications. What about a movie character? They certainly have an advantage, but even an over-the-top character like Luke Skywalker comes nowhere close to JFK.
How about this? Let’s use AI to make an interactive AI character that is programmed to inspire readers. They could give rousing speeches, connect with the reader’s tastes, react to their visual signs, and advise. Would readers become engulfed with this character? Probably not, because it is a one-on-one interest and is pissing the “cult” aspect. In a cult of personality situation, people talk about what they saw with each other, amplifying the effect. When combined with change (success), this further reinforces the effect. That cannot happen with a solitary book.
Can an author simply state that “Sally is a leader with a cult of personality” and then let the reader fill in the blanks? I suppose, but I would consider this a lousy character description. Readers need to be spoon-fed details over many pages until they have a complete mental picture. An outstanding leader like JFK can give a speech and achieve ten times the connection.
What if this were not true? If we take this illogical premise forward, people would become addicted to books. While great for authors, this would most likely mess up society. However, it would probably be better than the horrific side effects of drugs. Would there be excessive hospital visits for paper cuts?
I continue to find unwritable topics fascinating, and a character with a cult of personality would qualify. If I could only get such a fanatic following for my books…
You’re the best -Bill
August 23, 2023
These devout followers hang on every word, and their loyalty grows with each speech. This term is not limited to politicians and may apply to business leaders, teachers, actors, sports figures, and musicians. Some notable examples include JFK, Martin Luther King, Joseph Stalin, Juan Perón (Argentina), Mao Zedong (China), The Kim family (North Korea), and Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines).
What is going on in the minds of the followers? It combines star-struck and success appreciation (factual or fabricated). People like winners, especially if they are good-looking and speak well. Leaders craft speeches for maximum reaction and practice before speaking to fuel addiction. The result is loyalty, fanaticism, and the acceptance of atrocious actions.
I wanted to examine this topic from a different angle. Developing a fictional character with a cult of personality is difficult, and I can provide a perfect example. In his famous speech, JFF said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” Those powerful words still resonate and continue to inspire.
Let’s pretend those few precious words were not in a famous speech. Instead, the fictional character Jack said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” It is a good sentence, but not inspirational for the reader. “Get out there and work!” would have been a more effective sentence. What is the difference? Leaders require time to be accepted, and the loyalty they inspire does not translate to plain words.
Readers must build a character in their minds. That is far different from watching a magnanimous person inspire and achieve solutions. To develop a cult of personality, our minds need a connection to reality, and a character does not have the qualifications. What about a movie character? They certainly have an advantage, but even an over-the-top character like Luke Skywalker comes nowhere close to JFK.
How about this? Let’s use AI to make an interactive AI character that is programmed to inspire readers. They could give rousing speeches, connect with the reader’s tastes, react to their visual signs, and advise. Would readers become engulfed with this character? Probably not, because it is a one-on-one interest and is pissing the “cult” aspect. In a cult of personality situation, people talk about what they saw with each other, amplifying the effect. When combined with change (success), this further reinforces the effect. That cannot happen with a solitary book.
Can an author simply state that “Sally is a leader with a cult of personality” and then let the reader fill in the blanks? I suppose, but I would consider this a lousy character description. Readers need to be spoon-fed details over many pages until they have a complete mental picture. An outstanding leader like JFK can give a speech and achieve ten times the connection.
What if this were not true? If we take this illogical premise forward, people would become addicted to books. While great for authors, this would most likely mess up society. However, it would probably be better than the horrific side effects of drugs. Would there be excessive hospital visits for paper cuts?
I continue to find unwritable topics fascinating, and a character with a cult of personality would qualify. If I could only get such a fanatic following for my books…
You’re the best -Bill
August 23, 2023
August 16, 2023
Perfect Words
Our vocabulary is nonexistent when we are born, but we see the big people making noises and want to join in. My first spoken word was “apple,” and my daughter’s was “mom.”
As our vocabulary grew, we began reading and understanding the power of words. Soon, we were writing and creating our sentences that other people could understand. This ability allows us to look at something and explain how it looks, works, feels, tastes, and smells. See that? I am using words to describe words.
How did I do it? To write that sentence, I needed a mental database of words and used my writing experience to choose the right words and logically string them together. The result was easy to understand and conveyed my exact thoughts.
All adults have a broad vocabulary after many years of life experience, reading, and writing. From this immense number of words in my vocabulary, I chose the best ones to describe my thoughts.
Yet, my sentence could have been better. Instead of “looks, works, feels, tastes, and smells,” I could have written, “appears, functions teases my fingers, and fills my nostrils with sent.” That second attempt is not as direct, but it is more flowery. Flowery? Wow! What an extraordinary word. In fact, it is the perfect word to describe that second attempt.
This is the area I wanted to explore. In every sentence, there is a possibility of having the perfect word (or phrase). This single gem outshines all the others and makes the writer look like a superstar.
Here are four bad/good examples. “Let’s adjust and tweak the controls for the best performance.” “Let’s optimize the controls for the best performance.” “Paint that section light-blue.” “Paint that section turquoise.” “Add a pinch more salt.” “Add 1/8 tablespoon more salt.”
How about a real-life example? My Uncle Al was a larger-than-life man who went far out of his way to make a powerful impression. I remember a conversation where somebody attempted to impress Al by bringing up a useless fact. Al commented, “Aren’t you a potpourri of information,” Potpourri? A perfect word that shut the arrogant person down.
In another conversation with Al, we were going deep sea fishing. He hooked a “giant fish” and reeled it in as fast as possible. Because of the depth, this took time, and Al boasted about the epic size as he cranked away. Near the top, the fish became unhooked, or a seal took it.
The six hooks and weight came out of the water, revealing a tiny fish. “Nice keychain,” was my brash comment. We still speak fondly about that conversation, all because of one word.
I view sentences like a pyramid with a single word standing on the top. Yet, perfect sentences are difficult to create. Take the word blue. When I plug it into thesaurus.com, it lists blue-green, azure, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, indigo, navy, royal, sapphire, teal, turquoise, ultramarine, and blue-gray. Beryl, cerulean? I have never read these words before.
This brings up an important point. A writer must consider their audience. Take the previous example. “Paint that section blue.” “Paint that section beryl.” (I had to look the word up. It means dark-blue.) If I spoke that sentence to a color expert, it would sound impressive, but it would be nonsense to the rest of us.
How do we choose the perfect word? It is tempting to answer, “Keep a thesaurus nearby.” However, I often find that the perfect word comes from outside the topic.
I have found that an excellent source of outside-the-box words and examples of how to use them comes from comic strips. To create these, the cartoonist must think ultra-carefully about each word because they only get a few. The Farside cartoons by Gary Larson are perfect examples. Each one contains a gem of a sentence, and I keep them in the back of my bonkers mind as examples of humor.
Am I advising you to read cartoons and use their wisdom to write the perfect sentence and have a robust vocabulary? Umm, yeah. Umm, yeah? Wow, that is not a powerful sentence to make my point.
You’re the best -Bill
August 16, 2023
As our vocabulary grew, we began reading and understanding the power of words. Soon, we were writing and creating our sentences that other people could understand. This ability allows us to look at something and explain how it looks, works, feels, tastes, and smells. See that? I am using words to describe words.
How did I do it? To write that sentence, I needed a mental database of words and used my writing experience to choose the right words and logically string them together. The result was easy to understand and conveyed my exact thoughts.
All adults have a broad vocabulary after many years of life experience, reading, and writing. From this immense number of words in my vocabulary, I chose the best ones to describe my thoughts.
Yet, my sentence could have been better. Instead of “looks, works, feels, tastes, and smells,” I could have written, “appears, functions teases my fingers, and fills my nostrils with sent.” That second attempt is not as direct, but it is more flowery. Flowery? Wow! What an extraordinary word. In fact, it is the perfect word to describe that second attempt.
This is the area I wanted to explore. In every sentence, there is a possibility of having the perfect word (or phrase). This single gem outshines all the others and makes the writer look like a superstar.
Here are four bad/good examples. “Let’s adjust and tweak the controls for the best performance.” “Let’s optimize the controls for the best performance.” “Paint that section light-blue.” “Paint that section turquoise.” “Add a pinch more salt.” “Add 1/8 tablespoon more salt.”
How about a real-life example? My Uncle Al was a larger-than-life man who went far out of his way to make a powerful impression. I remember a conversation where somebody attempted to impress Al by bringing up a useless fact. Al commented, “Aren’t you a potpourri of information,” Potpourri? A perfect word that shut the arrogant person down.
In another conversation with Al, we were going deep sea fishing. He hooked a “giant fish” and reeled it in as fast as possible. Because of the depth, this took time, and Al boasted about the epic size as he cranked away. Near the top, the fish became unhooked, or a seal took it.
The six hooks and weight came out of the water, revealing a tiny fish. “Nice keychain,” was my brash comment. We still speak fondly about that conversation, all because of one word.
I view sentences like a pyramid with a single word standing on the top. Yet, perfect sentences are difficult to create. Take the word blue. When I plug it into thesaurus.com, it lists blue-green, azure, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, indigo, navy, royal, sapphire, teal, turquoise, ultramarine, and blue-gray. Beryl, cerulean? I have never read these words before.
This brings up an important point. A writer must consider their audience. Take the previous example. “Paint that section blue.” “Paint that section beryl.” (I had to look the word up. It means dark-blue.) If I spoke that sentence to a color expert, it would sound impressive, but it would be nonsense to the rest of us.
How do we choose the perfect word? It is tempting to answer, “Keep a thesaurus nearby.” However, I often find that the perfect word comes from outside the topic.
I have found that an excellent source of outside-the-box words and examples of how to use them comes from comic strips. To create these, the cartoonist must think ultra-carefully about each word because they only get a few. The Farside cartoons by Gary Larson are perfect examples. Each one contains a gem of a sentence, and I keep them in the back of my bonkers mind as examples of humor.
Am I advising you to read cartoons and use their wisdom to write the perfect sentence and have a robust vocabulary? Umm, yeah. Umm, yeah? Wow, that is not a powerful sentence to make my point.
You’re the best -Bill
August 16, 2023
August 9, 2023
Rewriting Books
I looked up the movie Robin Hood on the IMBD website to see how many times studios had remade it. The entries went on for pages, and I could not count them all. The remakes included full movies, comedies, shorts, television series/episodes, television movies, recreations, cartoons, and tie-ins. Even Mel Brooks spun his version.
Our culture loves reliving a classic story, but what about re-releasing a book? I cannot recall a single book that another author has re-released. Of course, there are condensed, plagiarized, and children’s versions. Also, there are allowed re-releases that correct errors or freshen a story to modern ethics. The result is never an altered plot or character.
What if I want to write my version of Harry Potter? The copyright owner would never permit this. What if I was mega-rich and purchased the copyright? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by Bill Conrad. Sounds like a good read. Right? Even if I came up with an astounding update, it would not impress readers. They would be angry because my recreation trashed a beloved work.
What about reimagining an old classic? The Iliad by Homer was never copyrighted. How about the Iliad by Bill Conrad? I could spice it up by adding a few goofy characters. Umm, no. How about a horror version? No! Comedy? No!! How about a comedy movie? Wait a minute. That sounds great.
What is the difference? I took some time to think about this inconsistency and developed a plausible answer. A book is an anchor that holds a story in one place. Movies are a level above books because they are visual, and this distance allows them to change the fundamental story. Another way to look at this is that a book represents the story’s core, so the plot and characters are not allowed to be altered. Perhaps this resistance to change causes us to treat books as sacred documents.
This resistance makes little sense because society loves to mess about. There are dance, holiday, R&B, country, foreign language, parody, and covers of almost every popular song. Owners and car companies modify, upgrade and transform their cars into every conceivable creation. Artists copy, alter, parody, counterfeit, and reimagine every kind of artwork. Lawmakers copy, distort, reimagine and invent new laws, rules, and jurisdictions daily. Business copy, reinvent, resell, rebrand, recycle, and mass-produce products all the time. Yet, there is a solid line with books.
Hunt for the Red October by Bill Conrad? Wow, that sentence even angers me. If I saw that book in a store, I would yell at the owner, “How dare you put this filth on your shelf!”
Is not having rewrites bad? This is another forbidden area that authors dare not approach. We traditionally treat all barriers as bad. Yet, for readers, it is nice to have a constant. After much thought, I conclude this resistance to change is good because it adds credibility to authors. Now if it only led to more sales…
You’re the best -Bill
August 09, 2023
Our culture loves reliving a classic story, but what about re-releasing a book? I cannot recall a single book that another author has re-released. Of course, there are condensed, plagiarized, and children’s versions. Also, there are allowed re-releases that correct errors or freshen a story to modern ethics. The result is never an altered plot or character.
What if I want to write my version of Harry Potter? The copyright owner would never permit this. What if I was mega-rich and purchased the copyright? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by Bill Conrad. Sounds like a good read. Right? Even if I came up with an astounding update, it would not impress readers. They would be angry because my recreation trashed a beloved work.
What about reimagining an old classic? The Iliad by Homer was never copyrighted. How about the Iliad by Bill Conrad? I could spice it up by adding a few goofy characters. Umm, no. How about a horror version? No! Comedy? No!! How about a comedy movie? Wait a minute. That sounds great.
What is the difference? I took some time to think about this inconsistency and developed a plausible answer. A book is an anchor that holds a story in one place. Movies are a level above books because they are visual, and this distance allows them to change the fundamental story. Another way to look at this is that a book represents the story’s core, so the plot and characters are not allowed to be altered. Perhaps this resistance to change causes us to treat books as sacred documents.
This resistance makes little sense because society loves to mess about. There are dance, holiday, R&B, country, foreign language, parody, and covers of almost every popular song. Owners and car companies modify, upgrade and transform their cars into every conceivable creation. Artists copy, alter, parody, counterfeit, and reimagine every kind of artwork. Lawmakers copy, distort, reimagine and invent new laws, rules, and jurisdictions daily. Business copy, reinvent, resell, rebrand, recycle, and mass-produce products all the time. Yet, there is a solid line with books.
Hunt for the Red October by Bill Conrad? Wow, that sentence even angers me. If I saw that book in a store, I would yell at the owner, “How dare you put this filth on your shelf!”
Is not having rewrites bad? This is another forbidden area that authors dare not approach. We traditionally treat all barriers as bad. Yet, for readers, it is nice to have a constant. After much thought, I conclude this resistance to change is good because it adds credibility to authors. Now if it only led to more sales…
You’re the best -Bill
August 09, 2023
August 2, 2023
Thinking Like a Kid
The weather was hot yesterday, and I was rooting through boxes in the attic to locate a pair of binoculars. As I sorted my junk, several trinkets reminded me of days gone past.
I filled one small box with achievement ribbons, and there was a blue one for the science fair experiment. I won first place. Then there was an enormous pile of old homework I should have tossed years ago. Yeah, I still did not throw it out. I am such a packrat…
This trip down memory lane reminded me of what it was like as a kid. I had so much hope, yet I knew nothing about life. I solved all my problems with passion and not logic. Yet I sure thought I knew everything. In fact, I was positive I knew everything.
As I sweated and cursed to myself for not being able to find the binoculars, I began thinking about how much I had grown since writing that homework. Then I saw an old school picture that reminded me of my kindergarten playground.
That environment was rough, fun, confusing, and an enormous learning experience. For example, playing with big bouncy balls taught coordination. Kids solved issues by yelling or fighting. Girls were hard to talk to, no matter what I did.
Yet there were many BIG questions. Why was the adult in charge of the playground so strict? Why were the older kids so mean? Why can’t the younger kids stop following me around? Why does that bully keep taking my lunch money? Why did I get in trouble when the other kid did not? Why do we only get 30 minutes on the playground?
I stopped momentarily to wipe away the sweat and thought, “Well, at least I am an adult now.” Meaning that I know these answers. Right? Adults no longer have playgrounds. We have BATTLEGROUNDS! Tanks, planes, guns, The United Nations, laws, judges, lawyers, talk shows, the internet, banks, and Amazon! We can do anything, and it will always be correct. Why? Because we are adults! And if you dislike it, you will go to your room without supper!
Yet, there is the Ukraine war. Why did it start? Why has it not stopped? What is the difference between now and my playground? Clearly, adults have sage wisdom and solve problems diplomatically.
Well, hold on. Not ALL adults have sage wisdom. Just like kids, we make mistakes too. But we would never think like a bunch of school kids arguing over whose turn it is on the swing. Right?
Now, I had stopped rooting through all my junk and tried to prove that I was indeed better than the younger me. My old homework certainly proved that I was an adult. 2+2=4 I know that now. Check! Yes, I am indeed an adult.
Then I took a moment to invent a circumstance to prove I (and others) was an adult. A man makes a terrible choice resulting in a stolen car. He gets caught and faces trial. There, his lawyer argues against the prosecutor while being mediated by an impartial judge, and a jury decides his punishment. A straightforward and logical process. This is how adults do it, not like a screaming match over a swing.
Yet… Not all trials are just, and the result never satisfies all parties. Take the person who got their car stolen. Does the jury make the car thief drive the victim around until they return their vehicle? No. How is that just or fair?
Want more proof? If the jury declares the defendant guilty, does the judge force the thief to apologize? No. Yet, the kindergarten yard monitor always forced kids to apologize even when they had done nothing wrong.
What does that mean? It means society is not as advanced as we think it is. And the tragic Ukraine war provides the proof. Here is a full summary of the situation. One kid wanted to play on the swing while another was on it. Then, a fight broke out.
Where is the yard monitor to break up the fight? Why don’t lawyers, judges, prosecutors, the police, talk shows hosts, insurance companies, YouTube influencers (I hate that word), banks, and Amazon step in to break up the fight? Not their job? Ha! That’s a cop-out answer. All the people in charge are adults. (Except YouTube influencers. We universally agree they are bratty kids.) It is an adult’s job to act mature and do adult stuff. Yet…
I did not find my binoculars and left the attic loaded with sweat and dust. I felt awful because my homework reminded me that while part of me had developed into an adult, I had a long way to go.
So, I took a shower and then looked in the mirror. “Those grey hairs do not prove maturity.” Yet, sometimes it is fun to think like a kid. Go to the beach and swim in the waves without a care.
As a parent, I do not want to think like a kid. I have responsibilities, and they require solid decisions. Yet, I cannot avoid immaturity. I do not know why I cannot switch off the adolescent part of my mind, and the worst part is that I cannot even tell when it is occurring.
What can I do? Like any dilemma, I can only do my best and try to learn from my mistakes. The problem is that I find myself on that same kindergarten playground when push comes to shove.
You’re the best -Bill
August 02, 2023
I filled one small box with achievement ribbons, and there was a blue one for the science fair experiment. I won first place. Then there was an enormous pile of old homework I should have tossed years ago. Yeah, I still did not throw it out. I am such a packrat…
This trip down memory lane reminded me of what it was like as a kid. I had so much hope, yet I knew nothing about life. I solved all my problems with passion and not logic. Yet I sure thought I knew everything. In fact, I was positive I knew everything.
As I sweated and cursed to myself for not being able to find the binoculars, I began thinking about how much I had grown since writing that homework. Then I saw an old school picture that reminded me of my kindergarten playground.
That environment was rough, fun, confusing, and an enormous learning experience. For example, playing with big bouncy balls taught coordination. Kids solved issues by yelling or fighting. Girls were hard to talk to, no matter what I did.
Yet there were many BIG questions. Why was the adult in charge of the playground so strict? Why were the older kids so mean? Why can’t the younger kids stop following me around? Why does that bully keep taking my lunch money? Why did I get in trouble when the other kid did not? Why do we only get 30 minutes on the playground?
I stopped momentarily to wipe away the sweat and thought, “Well, at least I am an adult now.” Meaning that I know these answers. Right? Adults no longer have playgrounds. We have BATTLEGROUNDS! Tanks, planes, guns, The United Nations, laws, judges, lawyers, talk shows, the internet, banks, and Amazon! We can do anything, and it will always be correct. Why? Because we are adults! And if you dislike it, you will go to your room without supper!
Yet, there is the Ukraine war. Why did it start? Why has it not stopped? What is the difference between now and my playground? Clearly, adults have sage wisdom and solve problems diplomatically.
Well, hold on. Not ALL adults have sage wisdom. Just like kids, we make mistakes too. But we would never think like a bunch of school kids arguing over whose turn it is on the swing. Right?
Now, I had stopped rooting through all my junk and tried to prove that I was indeed better than the younger me. My old homework certainly proved that I was an adult. 2+2=4 I know that now. Check! Yes, I am indeed an adult.
Then I took a moment to invent a circumstance to prove I (and others) was an adult. A man makes a terrible choice resulting in a stolen car. He gets caught and faces trial. There, his lawyer argues against the prosecutor while being mediated by an impartial judge, and a jury decides his punishment. A straightforward and logical process. This is how adults do it, not like a screaming match over a swing.
Yet… Not all trials are just, and the result never satisfies all parties. Take the person who got their car stolen. Does the jury make the car thief drive the victim around until they return their vehicle? No. How is that just or fair?
Want more proof? If the jury declares the defendant guilty, does the judge force the thief to apologize? No. Yet, the kindergarten yard monitor always forced kids to apologize even when they had done nothing wrong.
What does that mean? It means society is not as advanced as we think it is. And the tragic Ukraine war provides the proof. Here is a full summary of the situation. One kid wanted to play on the swing while another was on it. Then, a fight broke out.
Where is the yard monitor to break up the fight? Why don’t lawyers, judges, prosecutors, the police, talk shows hosts, insurance companies, YouTube influencers (I hate that word), banks, and Amazon step in to break up the fight? Not their job? Ha! That’s a cop-out answer. All the people in charge are adults. (Except YouTube influencers. We universally agree they are bratty kids.) It is an adult’s job to act mature and do adult stuff. Yet…
I did not find my binoculars and left the attic loaded with sweat and dust. I felt awful because my homework reminded me that while part of me had developed into an adult, I had a long way to go.
So, I took a shower and then looked in the mirror. “Those grey hairs do not prove maturity.” Yet, sometimes it is fun to think like a kid. Go to the beach and swim in the waves without a care.
As a parent, I do not want to think like a kid. I have responsibilities, and they require solid decisions. Yet, I cannot avoid immaturity. I do not know why I cannot switch off the adolescent part of my mind, and the worst part is that I cannot even tell when it is occurring.
What can I do? Like any dilemma, I can only do my best and try to learn from my mistakes. The problem is that I find myself on that same kindergarten playground when push comes to shove.
You’re the best -Bill
August 02, 2023
July 26, 2023
The Story Quality Scale
Recently, I was looking for a movie to stream and the number of star ratings each film had listed. Random people apply 1-5 stars, and the average score appears next to the movie. This score got me thinking about the letter grades I received in school.
Letter grading, such as math or history test, usually has a logical method behind the score. But what about an English test? What criteria does an English teacher use?
Most English teachers use their writing style as a baseline and combine this with standard guidelines to develop a letter grade. This scale sounds like an “expert opinion,” not a scientific method. It turns out that there is a universal standard for writing quality that is not subjective:
https://nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.w...
This WQS defines how to grade a document from content and development, structure and organization, vocabulary, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling. The result is a scientifically backed evaluation with a numerical result. Other unbiased methods are available, such as Grammarly and ProWritingAid. They have an impartial analyzer that produces a number representing document quality.
However, that was not quite the topic I wanted to explore. Is there a universal scale of story quality that uses elements like flow, plot twists, character interaction, depth, and reader enjoyment? I am sure one could make categories and develop an objective analysis score.
Yet, there would probably be disagreement. What is a compelling plot twist? What if the story has offensive material?
Well, there might be an easy solution. Let’s take 2,000 excellent books and use Artificial Intelligence to analyze the stories to determine common elements, proper flow, solid characters, and the other elements that make up a good story. This foundation should give the AI model the knowledge to form a scale.
However, I see a flaw in my plan. Take the two outstanding books Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. One makes no sense, and the other has no plot. As a result, the AI-generated writing quality scale would be dreadful.
Is a story quality scale something our society needs? Readers could see in advance if they are about to read a good or bad story. This scale would also help writers by giving them a target to shoot for. They could also edit a book before release if it scored poorly.
There is another problem with a fixed scale. Writers would tailor their results to get a high score leading to bland, cookie-cutter stories. We now see that trend with comic book movies that seem to define the word “generic.”
I will keep noodling on this topic and try to find a solution. Or will any effort fill our lives with useless chat-box-generated book scores? Only time will tell.
You’re the best -Bill
July 26, 2023
Letter grading, such as math or history test, usually has a logical method behind the score. But what about an English test? What criteria does an English teacher use?
Most English teachers use their writing style as a baseline and combine this with standard guidelines to develop a letter grade. This scale sounds like an “expert opinion,” not a scientific method. It turns out that there is a universal standard for writing quality that is not subjective:
https://nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.w...
This WQS defines how to grade a document from content and development, structure and organization, vocabulary, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling. The result is a scientifically backed evaluation with a numerical result. Other unbiased methods are available, such as Grammarly and ProWritingAid. They have an impartial analyzer that produces a number representing document quality.
However, that was not quite the topic I wanted to explore. Is there a universal scale of story quality that uses elements like flow, plot twists, character interaction, depth, and reader enjoyment? I am sure one could make categories and develop an objective analysis score.
Yet, there would probably be disagreement. What is a compelling plot twist? What if the story has offensive material?
Well, there might be an easy solution. Let’s take 2,000 excellent books and use Artificial Intelligence to analyze the stories to determine common elements, proper flow, solid characters, and the other elements that make up a good story. This foundation should give the AI model the knowledge to form a scale.
However, I see a flaw in my plan. Take the two outstanding books Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. One makes no sense, and the other has no plot. As a result, the AI-generated writing quality scale would be dreadful.
Is a story quality scale something our society needs? Readers could see in advance if they are about to read a good or bad story. This scale would also help writers by giving them a target to shoot for. They could also edit a book before release if it scored poorly.
There is another problem with a fixed scale. Writers would tailor their results to get a high score leading to bland, cookie-cutter stories. We now see that trend with comic book movies that seem to define the word “generic.”
I will keep noodling on this topic and try to find a solution. Or will any effort fill our lives with useless chat-box-generated book scores? Only time will tell.
You’re the best -Bill
July 26, 2023
