Toward the Future

1.I found it fairly difficult to write the play, things got easier once I started typing though, I guess when you can physically put your ideas down things start to flow faster. It was also difficult to add the themes and plot lines effectively, along with bringing my characters out as I had hoped. I was particularly frustrated with the lack of action you could put in, things would have been easier in Novel Form. However Dialogue was certainly easier. I would be interested in writing a screenplay, although I'm sure writing a story that long would be difficult.


2. I guess I would give advice based on what I've experienced. Whenver someone asks my opinion or advice, I generally go off of what I know, not what I interpret in others. The most important thing I would have to say to anyone is this: Find something you love and stick with it. I think it was Twain who said "there is only time in life for one great passion" and I agree. Besides that you love this activity or whatever it is, there are other practical reasons for following this. Whenver you can become an "expert" in something you're giving yourself an advantage. Like no matter what happens for the rest of my life, (unless I get hurt I suppose) I'll be a great skier. I could instruct or get a job in the industry if need be.


3. The key to any literary or art-work gaining immortality is this: It must be popular among educators. Anything can become a pop-culture phenomenon, but eventually it will pass. The only way it will last forever is if it is taught to each subsequent generation. Many great novels are mandatory reading in High School or College. Works like Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Homer and more fit this mold. Other works could be remembered for something they changed in society. Uncle Tom's Cabin is a good example of this, A lot of people remember it, but no one reads it.

Thinker... wtv

1. To be good at anything you need to observe others. In ski racing I always take time out to watch the top racers, emulation is a key to success. This same principle applies to writing, to be good at creating your own works, you must study those of others who are already good at it. They say that great minds think alike, this applies to everything else. Great athletes all work hard and study those with success, as do writers, politicians, generals and others. And once you've achieved some success, then you innovate to earn your own place at the top.

2. If anything really concerns me it's the way our economy is going. The gap between rich and poor grows every year. As Americans we all have a certain standard of living, and as time goes on that standard becomes less and less possible to attain. I attribute this to high taxes and inflation, people only bring home about 60-70% of their income. As Bill Clinton said "It's the Economy Stupid". --- I dont wan't to have to go through life paying high taxes and struggling to make a decent living, just because I didn't make it in to the top 10%.

3. The show Seinfeld has always inspired me to look at life with a grain of salt. Don't always be so serious, but also look at things objectively, almost as an outsider. This POV has helped me see the world (I think) a little differently than others, or maybe growing up with liberal parents in a conservative city. This show has also helped me to see humorous things in every day life. You know, the girlfriend who chomps a lot of gum, the sports fan who paints his face...

Theme and all that

1. Theme isn't really all that important to me when I write. I like to just concentrate on the characters and try to bring out their personalities. The best works don't always have a developed theme. For example, the Great Gatsby doesn't have all that much of a theme, in fact, I thought it was pretty boring. On the other hand, Red Dragon has a very developed theme, horror. Books that are fun to read generally have developed themes and moods. the so-called "great works" don't always fit that.

2. I'd probably try and fit some suspense in. As a writer I get concerned over wether or not my readers are interested. The best way to keep people in their seats is to make your work suspenseful, it draws people in. My aim as a writer is to entertain, you can't entertain if you're not interesting.

3. Conflict to me generally revolves around two characters, the pro and antagonist. Both strive to accomplish conflicting goals. In particular, I like conflicts revolving around a certain goal that are clear. For example in Red Dragon there is a clear conflict between three characters.