Willy Martinez's Blog, page 34

Word Junkie – Poem

I'm not sure I can captureAll these thoughts and actions Down onto this paperTo simulate the madness. And For that I practiceRituals of avidWriting sequence notepadsPackage after packageJotting down these facetsOf how I feel on averageLeaking ink onto pagesCoffee stained phrasesWatering this lake fullWith melancholy acidMy thoughts are too abrasiveNot to record favoritesI share with you, my latest

Cover Photo by Bruno Martins on Unsplash. Poem by Willy Martinez, Copyright to Mind on Fire Books 2023.

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Another Drink?

I just want to drink.
Not to forget,
Because I won't.

But, so that I can feel
a different pain.
Even if it isn't real.

Take me to that dark bar
where they welcome fellow sorrows.
These crows prefer the somber. Order up a double shot, and a chaser.
Then drink them fast to cover up
the potential pains of a sober "later."

Drink until the light stings
like sun rays that noon brings.
Approve it.

Consumed with toxins abound
I st-mumble while standing.
What problems? I let go.

Order another round.
One for everyone in town.
What's there to be sad about now?

Until I remember,
what I wanted to forget.
What was it again?

All rights reserved by Mind on Fire Books. Poem by Willy Martinez

Lit Hack

Surround yourself with people that have to immediately write things down into their notebook, even if they were just sleeping.

Isocrates Against Everyone – Why Our Education Comes From This 2,300 Year Old Athenian

For Isocrates, rhetoric was the discourse of responsible citizenship and was built upon the core values of Justice and moderation

(Marsh 8)

A Critical Abstract – Isocrates: Against the Sophists and Antidosis

Isocrates is an absolutely crucial figure when it comes to studying Greek civilization in the fourth century BCE. His impact cannot be denied. During the years from 403 to 393, he dedicated himself to writing speeches for the law courts of Athens.

But his influence didn’t stop there, as he also served as a mentor and teacher of composition for aspiring orators. His contributions were invaluable in shaping both the legal and rhetorical landscape of that time period. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios he returned to Athens and established there a free school of ‘philosophia’ involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language.

Here, I will identify the key concepts, theories and concepts discussed in two classical works from Isocrates: Against the Sophists and Antidosis.

Summaries:

Against the Sophists was written as a rationale for his newly opened school.  He begins by identifying two trends in schools being formed at the time; the eristic and the sophist.  Isocrates wanted to separate himself from the competition by making them irrelevant.  His program is said to have offered a broader base of education.  He also admits that not every person can be taught or be expected to perform at the same level because of the different levels of ability. 

He acknowledges that natural ability has much to do with learning and discourse.  He also promises that there does not “exist an art of the kind which can implant sobriety and justice in depraved natures” but that his school will help facilitate the growth of these ideals as well as others (Matsen 46). 

Antidosis was written as a defense of his philosophy of education.  An Antidosis is something that an Athenian would wear to court as a type of suit, to show that they felt they were unfairly taxed.  The metaphor is used in this work in which he pretends to speak on his defense against the allegations of collecting large amounts of money to “train young men in the art of winning lawsuits” (Matsen 44) . 

Isocrates makes the claim that it is better to train the mind, so that is what he has done and has chosen to teach.  But as he stated before, not every student can be a champion.  This is important because it shows that his character and ideals have been constant since the beginning.  In the end, he summarizes that even though he can teach rhetoric, and so can others, the only thing better than rhetoric is good character.

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Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again. Key concepts and theories discussed in Isocrates:

In Against the Sophists, the main concept is admitting to the public that everybody cannot learn at the same level, the students natural ability has to be taken into account.  Introduction of a broad based learning environment, not just limited to study of a single subject (this is later transformed into the Liberal Arts Tradition).    

In Antidosis, there is much emphasis on natural ability, practice and experience.  Isocrates stands behind the claims he made earlier in his career that not every pupil can be a champion, he can only help cultivate their intellect so that they will hopefully be a better person and citizen. 

He also adds that the only advantage that one has over words and rhetoric is character, if a man has led a just and moderated life, then the arguments and proofs of his accusers will not be successful. 

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

Key theorists/scholars discussed:

In Against the Sophists, Isocrates bashes both the eristic (philosopher) and the sophists.  He claims that the eristic can only be successful after the student learns to mimic and think like his teacher, in other words, the eristic doesn’t learn to think for their self.  The sophist is described as being “nothing more than professors of meddlesomeness and greed” because they neglect justice and virtue (Matsen 46 ).  

 In Antidosis, the only character really mentioned is the sycophant, which was a demagogue who attempted to fatten the treasury by bringing false indictments against wealthy Athenian citizens.  They are described as being “jealous, perturbed in spirit and are much in the same state of mind as lovers” (Matsen 54).

Major points:

In Against the Sophists, Isocrates’ point is to advertise his school and make his honest plea that he cannot teach everybody to be ‘great’, the notion of natural ability has to be taken into account.  He argues against the sophist’s claims to be able to teach everybody the art of rhetoric for the courts.  Isocrates was upfront about not being able to teach everybody, he can only provide a broad education to help improve the student’s mental faculty.  

In Antidosis, the main point was to refute the claims that the slander and charges which were repeated against him are false; to persuade the Athenians to change their views about him; and not to judge him or his pupils because they choose to exercise and train the mind rather than the body.  He then accuses the sycophants of trying to bring him down because it is in their interest to bring good men down, so they can wield “great power”, which they cannot do “over honorable and intelligent men” (54).

Analysis of Isocrates Works:

The articles here are written to demonstrate the importance of good character and ethics on behalf of Isocrates.  It is interesting to see these types of virtues come up when we learn about rhetoric because in relation to the philosophers and the sophists, this perspective is much different in the sense that it leads to a more comprehensive view of a good education. 

Not only does Isocrates’ perspective include philosophy and oratory, he acknowledges that people should also have a sense of justice and discipline.  He addresses the issues of philosophy and oratory on a more personal level.  More emphasis is placed on the persons cultural background and ideologies, rather than proofs or lofty orations. 

In short, a person’s character has more weight than words or ideas.  Isocrates was more interested in educating Athenians on being good people as a whole, not just good in certain exercises.  This is much different that the sophists who are known as traveling teachers who only advised and trained pupils how to become better public speakers. 

Also of note would be how Isocrates constantly turns the tables around on his accusers and questions their values and sense of judgement.  He addresses his audience as “intelligent” and “proud Athenians.”  These two works are specific to his Athenian audience. Isocrates makes a strong stand on defending his character in the beginning and towards the end of his career (Antidosis being printed 35 years after Against the Sophists.) 

Isocrates lays the blue print for, or, emphasizes the following ideals: Liberal arts education; Character of rhetor; justice and self moderation; natural ability; practice and experience.

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

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Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again. Isocrates Biographical Information:

Isocrates was born in Athens, in 436 B.C.E., 37 years after Socrates, 8 years before Plato, and 52 years before Aristotle.  Similar to Socrates, Isocrates was known to be extremely shy and never delivered his speeches in public.  Early in his career, he worked as a logographer, writing speeches for those who needed them for court purposes.  He would eventually go on to begin a school of his own in which he would teach ideals of rhetoric, oratory, composition, history, citizenship, and culture. 

Scholarship has highlighted the fact that during his lifetime, his school which ran for 50-plus years had a greater influence than that of Socrates, Plato, Gorgias, or any of the other attic orators.  Even though he would debate with philosophers and sophists, he did not identify himself with either label. 

For Isocrates, rhetoric was the discourse of responsible citizenship and was built upon the core values of Justice and moderation (Marsh 8).

Isocrates: The Philosopher We Should Have Studied At School

Isocrates is an absolutely crucial figure when it comes to studying Greek civilization in the fourth century BCE. His impact cannot be denied. During the years from 403 to 393, he dedicated himself to writing speeches for the law courts of Athens.

But his influence didn’t stop there, as he also served as a mentor and teacher of composition for aspiring orators. His contributions were invaluable in shaping both the legal and rhetorical landscape of that time period. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios he returned to Athens and established there a free school of ‘philosophia’ involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language.

Oh, what an incredible school! It attracted talented individuals from all corners of the Greek world, including renowned historians like Ephorus and Theopompus, as well as gifted orators such as Isaeus, Lycurgus, and Hypereides. And let us not forget about the brilliant Isocrates himself! He passionately wrote captivating essays on political matters with his main vision being a united Greece triumphing over the mighty Persian empire. How inspiring it must have been to be part of such a vibrant intellectual community!

In his remarkable Panegyricus, crafted for the momentous 100th Olympiad gathering in 380, he passionately advocated for Athens to take the mantle of leadership, potentially alongside Sparta. Although eventually turning his gaze towards Philip of Macedon, fate intervened and he tragically passed away just as Philip’s supremacy over Greece began to unfold.

FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInGoodreadsWorks Cited/Consulted

Marsh, Charles. Classical Rhetoric And Modern Public Relations [Electronic Resource]: An Isocratean Model / Charles Marsh. n.p.: 2012. SIUC online resources. Web. 5 Sept. 2013.

Matsen, Patricia P., Philip B. Rollinson, and Marion Sousa. Readings From Classical Rhetoric/Edited By Patricia P. Matsen, Philip Rollinson, Marion Sousa. n.p.: Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, c1990., 1990. I-Share. Web. 5 Sept. 2013.

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

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My Words To Fellow Writers

How Exciting! I often read author interviews and watch/listen to author podcasts. And, even though I have published a couple of short stories, it still feels surreal to be asked to do an interview with someone you don’t even know. I was recently interviewed by Fraser from Feed My Reads, and I couldn’t be more humbled. Here ya go!

A little introduction:

Hi, my name is Willy Martinez and I’m a relatively new-to-fiction writing kind of guy. I have written a ton of research papers on Rhetoric and horror tropes, and I have studied many of the classics in Literature that our Universities require. Now, it’s time to sit down and begin writing my own stories. I have one published short story in a short horror anthology, Mad Men, and a recently released short story , The Siguanaba,. I’m currently working on a novel that takes place in Southern Illinois, about witches. I also dabble in some poetry, but mostly, I write content for my day job working for the Veterans Affairs, and in my spare time, I write content for The Ritual Blog, which is the blog for my small press company, Mind on Fire Books.

FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInGoodreadsWhen did your love of books begin?

As with all things in life, I have been a late bloomer. I didn’t learn to appreciate reading until my Freshman year in High School. One of my friends was reading Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut, and I asked them to borrow it when he was done since he had spoken so highly of it. And that was it, once I read Timequake, I was hooked on reading. Naturally, my next book was “Cat’s Cradle,” another Kurt Vonnegut book. From there, my interest in other authors slowly grew.

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

I would probably say that was my Junior year in High School. I had been listening to a lot of hip-hop and was dabbling in poetry. Around the same time, there was a short fiction writing contest held at school in which I participated. I believe I was simultaneously taking a fiction writing class, so it just kind of worked out that I would write something to enter the contest. I ended up earning 2nd place and was pleased with the outcome. I felt a real sense of fulfillment in having accomplished this small milestone and setting the course for more writing studies in the near future.

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

Oof, now that’s a conundrum, lol. For me, I wanted to experience the world before I sat down to write. I felt that I was too sheltered at home, or that I wasn’t exposed to enough “life.” I once read somewhere that we will only be good at writing something that we are familiar with. So, I decided to enlist in the Marines to see the world. I didn’t get to see too much of the world, but I did get to serve during the Invasion of Iraq. Subsequently, I experienced many different feelings after my deployment. I also went to school, on and off, for about 12 years until I earned my Master’s Degree in English. Along this route, I learned many lessons in life, as well as read many books, while studying how writers deliver their stories. To sum up my response, I would say that my process involved a heavy mixture of life and classroom lessons over the course of about 15 years.

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Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again. What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

Go for it! Start small if you have to. Hold on to those journals and beginner writing prompts. You never know when you will return to those feelings and or stories. They might just evoke new ideas, or remind you of why you started in the first place.

Tell us about your book/books:

My short fiction so far would fall under the dark fiction and fantasy categories. Ultimately, my goal is to write something fantastic, meaning that I want to ride the fine line between reality and imagination. I like the reader to question their own thoughts and beliefs when they finish reading my work. Was it real? Is this even possible?

FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInGoodreadsWhat do you love about the writing/reading community?

The writing community has been super supportive. I don’t think I have met another writer that has tried to put me down or speak condescendingly. The writing community has really proven to be a community of loving, caring artists. I think we all just want to write and read stories all day.

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

Make sure you are enjoying what you are reading. If you don’t feel like you are enjoying the book after 20 pages, go ahead and put it down, and pick up the next book. Sometimes it’s about the right time, and you may just not yet be ready to hear what that certain author is sharing.  Or maybe, the book just isn’t that good. This applies more so to the classics. Please do not feel obligated to read a supposed classic, just because it is considered to be classic. Move on if it sucks.

Where can people connect with you?

You can find me on Twitter at @MindOnFires, or on Instagram as Willy_Martinez_Writer.

You can always email me as well at martinez@mindonfirebooks.com. 

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Ignacy Krasicki “Mr. Podstoli”, part II, [old print, 1784]

Today we present the edition of part II of “Mr. Podstoli” by Ignacy Krasicki, published by the famous Warsaw bookseller Michał Groll in 1784.
Krasicki (1735-1801), one of the outstanding figures of the Polish Enlightenment, was a poet, prose writer and encyclopedist, called by his contemporaries the prince of poets. Bishop Krasicki was also, and this is what interests us most today, the precursor of the Polish novel. He wrote four works in this genre: “Mikołaj Doświadczyński’s Cases”, “History” and “A True Novel About a Corner Tenement House in Kukorowce” and “Pan Podstoli”.
The work was subordinated to the civic and moral discourse. The title character is a land official, who in the fifteen-level hierarchy of Crown offices occupies exactly the eighth place. However, Krasicki does not show him as an official, but as a moderately wealthy nobleman-host. He appears as an example of a nobleman-landlord, and one of the main threads of the novel is the definition of a “good landlord”.
That is why the work was most often compared to “The Life of a Honest Man”, in which Rej showed the process of becoming an ideal landowner nobleman. An attractive old print, and one of the first Polish novels.

Ignacy Krasicki “Mr. Podstoli”, part II, [old print, 1784]

The Medusa of Central America – The Sigua – Part 1

You have heard of la Llorona no doubt,  but have you heard of The Sigua? 

Similar to la llorona,  The Sigua is a similar tale told in central America,  within the Salvadoran,  Honduran and Guatemalan countries.  Instead of this being a tale told to kids to behave,  the Sigua is told to young men to behave and to respect women.  

The Sigua is said to have alluring beauty,  effervescent skin, long flowing black hair,  complimenting curves,  and worst of all,  a horse face! 

She’s the Medusa of Central America. Her looks can drive men mad, the legally insane type of mad. 

We will be releasing the full short story in three parts. If you enjoy it and want to support the author, check it out here.

Our Gothic Summer Giveaway Sale includes this dark fiction short. Simply enter coupon code BNPLEGENDS at the checkout until September 20, 2023.

The Sigua by Willy Martinez Part 1

He finds himself in the body of a young teenage boy, fulfilling the destiny of rural laborer, on a humid plantation along the base of the Santa Ana Volcano.  The young boy senses a strong history of submission within. A childhood robbed of him, most of the hours of the day were spent on chores, helping his grandfather on the plantation, and never having much time for himself. 

One warm evening, his grandfather sends him to fetch water for the following morning. A deviation from the regular routine of acquiring the water in the morning, but the boy unwillingly accepted the request, for it was his duty.

With a lantern in hand, the boy sets out to stage the horse named Chico for the trek up the small hill. As he prepares the water pails and saddle, he hymns an unfamiliar song. He tries to recall the hymn as something very familiar to him but the more he thought about it, the more confused he would become. Unsure of what he was whistling, he shrugs it off and mounts Chico.

The boy and Chico cut through the dark humid barrier of the night, following the lantern glow of the poorly illuminated path. Although a clear night, the contrasting temperature between the woods and the homestead created an evening dew. As if the dew itself was hugging onto the humidity, riding it like the boy on top of Chico, lurking for no reason.

What is regularly a small hill, soon becomes a small mountain to a young boy in the dark. The lantern only casts light onto a few trees near him, but luckily for the boy, familiarity of his surroundings was on his side. Even Chico knows this path in the dark.

The path seemed to take longer in the evening, causing the boy’s nerves to be on high alert. He tries his hardest not to think about any dark possibilities, but he can’t clear his mind enough. Chico and the boy eventually arrive, and the boy parks the horse at the summit, jumps off, and unties the water buckets.

Turning towards the water tanks at the mountain summit, he notices a shadow being cast from the limited lantern light. The boy jumps back in startled surprise. He sees the silhouette of a … woman with her back turned to him. Her long jet-black hair cascades down to the back of her knees, overlapping her long airy, white gown.

When she turns to look at the boy, he immediately looks down at his bare, brown feet. He knows what she is.

A strange neighing sound seeps out from her mouth, daunting Chico into a rearing front leg kick into the air. Chico turns, and gallops off, leaving the boy alone, with her. Thinking he is adding another layer of defense from her, he covers his eyes with his hands, shutting his eye lids so tight they’d crush a guava fruit.

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“Don’t be scared,” she says to the boy.

With his hands still clinging his face, he looks up to peak through his fingers. She was no longer standing with her back towards him. Her head tilted downward, her hair billowed forward, covering her face. Thank God, he thinks to himself.

She walks towards him slowly.

“I know who you are,” he yells at her, once again squeezing his whole face to pinch his eyes even tighter.

“Come here boy, let’s play a little,” she responds.

The boy looks back down to his dirty feet, toes pointed at each other. Stuttering: “Sss stop right, th, th, there. Sign me a song,” he says to her.

Violently halting her movement, she spits back, “What?”

“Yes! Sing me the song that God sang to you when you were cast out of Heaven, you devil!”

At this point, she had no choice but to comply. Every vessel in her body resonated with this command and tune. What one would expect to be dreadful and searing to the ears, was in fact the opposite.

The song moves quickly past the ear, to the depths of the inner chambers of one’s heart and can go even deeper the more you listen. It’s as if the strings of Orpheus’ harp were serenading the senses, evoking all human emotions at once.

*****

If you enjoy “The Sigua,” visit our blog at The Ritual for related flash fiction.

Alvarado wakes up from this nightmare to find himself in a strange bed, in a dimly lit room. He is surrounded by crosses, two nuns, and a priest. To comfort the panicking conquistador, el padre begins to pray an ‘Our Father.’

“Enough,” commands Alvarado as he attempts to shoot out of bed. But the pain in his rib cage is too intense and shuts down his advance. His ribs and head have been bandaged up to prevent further bleeding from God knows what horrible accident.

“Very well,” responds el padre. “Do you remember anything? The church demands to know what happened to you and your men.”

Alvarado reaches for the wooden chalice filled with water to gulp down what he can, barely breathing in-between gulps.

“When we found you in the aqueducts, you were ranting on about some cave system and something about a Sihuehuet. You have been living in sin, Alvarado. Now, you must tell me what happened so that I may report it to General Cortez and the church.”

Copyright © 2023 By Mind on Fire Books

All Rights Reserved. This is a work of fiction. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher or authors, not be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this coordination being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

The Sigua is a short story written by Willy Martinez.

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Destiny – Haiku Poem

The caterpillar
understands its destiny
to be beautiful

Copyright © 2023 By Mind on Fire Books

All Rights Reserved by Willy Martinez.

Library Pet

Books, chameleons… and Cthulu . Our chameleon, Lilo, hung out with me while I did some book inventory today.

#library #bookblogger #shelfie #bookshop #bookstore #chameleonsofinstagram #cthulu #chameleon #book

Happy Birthday H.P. Lovecraft

Happy Birthday to H.P. Lovecraft who was born on this day, August 20, 1890.

Happy Birthday H.P. Lovecraft