Portfolio Link

This is the link to my web writing portfolio:

http://lps84portfolio.wordpress.com/

A travel blog…..nearly

Week 9 Assignment  - BLOG WRITING: a week of blog entries as a creative writing exercise in itself, developing existing piece as longer assignment if preferred.

Day One – Canberra

After a long drive from Melbourne, we finally arrived in Canberra, Australia’s capital city. I  expected it to be boring, full of stale government employees with nothing really to do. Well, to a certain extent this is true, but I really enjoyed looking around Parliament House. Kevin Rudd (Australia’s Prime Minister) wasn’t in today, but we had a look around the House of Representatives.

We also went to the amazing National Gallery of Australia, where we saw a mixture of classical and explicit art. We followed this by a visit to the War Memorial, and a trip up the Telstra Tower, viewing the rest of Canberra from above.

Day Two – Katoomba

It’s been a long day. The drive from Canberra to Katoomba was a killer. But we managed to arrive in the Blue Mountains, and have spent some time looking around the amazing scenery – the Three Sisters rock formation is particularly stunning.

We are staying at Becky’s friend Sarah’s house. So we went with her to the local pub, and managed to come second in the pub quiz.

Development of ‘Last Day’

Week 8 Assignment – REVISION OF WORK: post entry on how to develop hypertext photo story (or other piece if preferred).

Here are my thoughts on the development of Last Day

Aspects of the hypertext that work well:

• The first person viewpoint enables the reader to experience the journey through the narrator’s eyes.
• The linked poems allow further insight into the observations of the narrator, and provide a different aspect to the main story.
• The sense of waiting conforms to the reader’s experience – the action waits while they explore the links.
• The image draws the reader immediately into the story.

Things that could be developed/improved:

• I could add more links, to pages that contain sub-plots to the story, or describe the setting.
• I could possibly add links that use comments from people observing the narrator.
• I like the idea of using links to factual websites about the area the story is set, to position the work of fiction in the real world. eg. Flinders Street Station

Critical Commentary:

When writing Last Day, I was very aware of the way that hypertext has the ability to tell a story from mulitple viewpoints. In the narrator’s journey, I wanted to create a feeling of movement, alongside a sense of waiting and observation. To achieve this, I decided to let the narrative develop along the narrator’s journey within the main body of text. This enabled me to create links from different points within the story, where each moment of reflection could be detailed.

I wanted to compliment the contrast in movement with a different narrative style. I believe that by writing short poems to capture each moment of waiting, the sense of observing and being still is enhanced. Poems have a quality of describing minute details, and the structure of each poem enables the pace of the narrative to be slowed, further enhancing the effect of stillness.

I believe I can develop my story in several ways. I could add more links to the existing narrative, which may describe the setting more accurately, and possibly use links to factual websites to help with this. I could also continue the story, and introduce links that use a different point of view. For example, I could add details of another character’s observations of the narrator, which would have the effect of turning the narrative inside out, as the reader is given both internal and external detail about the first person narrator – something that is very difficult to achieve in non-hypertext fiction.

The non-linear format of this genre allows for multiple perspectives, and also for a certain amount of disjointedness, especially in terms of time and place. I believe I could possibly use these features in order to explore the theme of this story in a more expansive manner.

Tanya’s story, and edit

Chester was at the bar, making his last orders. Julian sat alone with me. He was picking his nails and looking at the beer stained table. “Have you ever told him?”

My chest was gripped with fear. “Told him? Told him what?” Even though I knew damn well what he was talking about.

“What happened that night, at that party.”

“No.”

“Why?”

I thought long and hard. “I haven’t told him because he doesn’t need to know. It was a thing that happened. It shouldn’t have happened and the next morning, it may as well not have happened. I don’t see the point in mentioning it. It’s not like it happened again, is it?”

“I wish it had happened again. I still wish it would happen again.”

I didn’t know what to say; didn’t know how to react. “I’m sorry Julian but you need to forget about it. I have.”

Edited version

Chester was at the bar, leaving me with Julian, picking his nails on the beer stained table. “Have you ever told him?”

My chest tightened, but I knew what he was talking about. “Told him what?”

“What happened at that party.”

“No.”

“Why?”

I thought hard. “He doesn’t need to know.”

“I wish it would happen again.”

I didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry Julian but you need to forget about it. I have.”

Laundry – Flash Fiction

Arthur was leaving Tammy’s Laundrette. It was twelve o’clock, and a queue of cars had begun to form at the traffic lights. The pink and white striped laundry bag grazed a series of puddles as he dragged it towards his house. It had lasted him for twenty-three years, but since February, he had found the plastic handles a little incapable when carrying a week’s worth of greasy, blue overalls. He stopped at the curb.

The cars had begun to pull away. Arthur looked to his right and crossed to the other side. He felt water spray at his heels as a truck went past. The trailer swerved and mounted the pavement. Arthur’s pink and white striped laundry bag fell to the ground, as did he.

Last Day

Week 6 Assignment – HYPERTEXT: Hypertext writing/photo story (’flash fiction’ approach).

I step out on to the pavement. I am used to the flow of suits along Collins Street, the five o’ clock scurry to Flinders station. Today I am early, and it is quiet.

I glance back at the office.  Every time I pass this building, I will think of the time I watched a workless Friday afternoon drift by; I will smell the lunchtime coffee machine, and remember that I can no longer go inside. I wait at the lights.

I walk past cafes with their half-drunk cappucino’s and empty tables.  Cars drive past on their way to lunchtime bars and business meetings. The corporate clock continues without me. Now I am just a suit in the rain, wondering what I want to do next.

I make my way to the station. There is no crowd to guide me now. I look up to the scrolling board and make my way to platform three with five minutes to spare. I sit on the end bench, waiting. After eight minutes my train arrives. I allow an elderly Greek man to step off, and then search for my seat. There are plenty to choose from, but I look for the ones without empty bottles and burger cartons,  as far away from the drunk man perching at the front of the carriage.  I sit down as the doors beep shut.  I am slowly pulled away from the city, away from work. This is my last day.

This is my penguin

‘Week 6 Assignment – HYPERTEXT: Hypertext writing/photo story (’flash fiction’ approach).

‘Mummy says she’s going to put it up in the kitchen with my paintings.

Gemima is four years old, five on Sunday. Her mum lives in a flat. Gemima lives in the flat with her mum. No one else lives there.

‘Where did you see the penguins?’ I ask.

‘Colchester Zoo. There were lots, and they all slipped down and jumped in the water.’

Her eyes are pushed open attentively. I look at her flushed complexion, her smile begs to tell me more.

‘And we saw sealions. They had big whiskers like a cat.’

‘Wow.’ I push my fingers outwards from my cheek, and she giggles at my impersonation. I make a seal noise, well try to, and then feel embarrassed.

‘So you made this penguin at school?’ I feel the sharp card edges, and move my fingers up to the cotton wool. ‘Did they have big fluffy eyebrows like this?’

‘Yep, and orange beaks.’

I find myself still lingering on the cotton wool. I turn and look up from the penguin. Her flat is surprisingly tidy.

She walks in and places her gentle hand through her daughter’s hair. I look at her flour-dusted T-shirt and think about how I want to come here again.

Manifesto

Week 5 Assignment – COLLABORATIVE WRITING (MANIFESTO): group writing exercise on writing a Manifesto – discussion of manifesto (arwebwriting.wetpaint.com).

Energy saving and environmental responsibilities of businesses

http://arwebwriting.wetpaint.com/page/MANIFESTO+-+group+2

How to be a boring writer…..

Week 4 Assignment – CRITIQUE/INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Finishing ‘Op-Ed’ web opinion piece; reading and critique on article by Bernstein (as a blog entry); ‘How to’ instructional web page materials (choice of serious or ‘tongue in cheek’ approach).

1. Write long lists of things and seperate each point with the word ‘and’ and don’t use any commas and continue like this until the reader gives up and goes home and falls asleep.

2. Repeat yourself all the time.
2. Repeat yourself all the time.

3. Capitalise words you want to emphasise – IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE YOUR WRITING LOOK IMPORTANT.

4. Use exclamation marks after writing what you think is a particularly worthy statement!!!!!!!

5. Tell the reader about the most trivial parts of your day, like the fact that you brush your teeth for three minutes day and night, use Palmolive shampoo and had cornflakes for breakfast but they were soggy.

6. Complain about bloody everything

7. Write long and confusing and boring paragraphs that include all of the above points!!!! This is THE BEST AND MOST EFFICIENT WAY OF BEING A BORING WRITER!!!!!!!!! That is after having washed the dishes and dried the dishes and put away the dishes and wiped the surfaces and mopped the floor with detergent. House work is very tedious and boring and everyone hates it but everyone has to do it. Write long and confusing and boring paragraphs that include all of the above points!!!! This is THE BEST AND MOST EFFICIENT WAY OF BEING A BORING WRITER!!!!!!!!! That is after having washed the dishes and dried the dishes and put away the dishes and wiped the surfaces and mopped the floor with detergent. House work is very tedious and boring and everyone hates it but everyone has to do it.

Writing the living web

Week 4 Assignment – CRITIQUE/INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Finishing ‘Op-Ed’ web opinion piece; reading and critique on article by Bernstein (as a blog entry); ‘How to’ instructional web page materials (choice of serious or ‘tongue in cheek’ approach).

10 Tips on Writing the Living Web – Mark Bernstein

The living web can be described as the everchanging websites that deliver up-to-the-minute news, or regularly updated information. Such sites include news websites, blogs and journals.

In order to keep the reader challenged and interested, Mark Bernstein suggests the following tips:

1. Write for a reason – If it’s not worth thinking about, don’t write it. If it interests you and you are passionate about a subject – spread the word.
2. Write often – Be consistent. You don’t have to write much, but write often. Readers find inconsistent writers untrustworthy.
3. Write tight - Choose a design that fits your needs, don’t go over the top. Omit unnecessary words, and make the most of the ones you keep.
4. Make good friends - Read widely, and comment on good ideas. Spread your word.
5. Find good enemies - Begin or join constructive debates. Write your opinion clearly. Don’t be afraid, but don’t go too far.
6. Let the story unfold - Intrigue your reader, let each post become part of a wider story.
7. Stand up, speak out - Know your facts, do your research, and then express your opinion – it’s as valid as any other.
8. Be sexy - Apparently ‘sex is life’ (Mr Bernstein recommends stripping on your blog). Be honest and intimate with your reader.
9. Use your archives - Keep previous posts available for future viewing.
10. Relax - Don’t be afraid. Use your own voice and don’t worry too much about grammatical correctness. This is your space to be yourself.

I found this article to be fairly useful in terms of being a guide to writing a blog. However, the rest of the ‘living web’ may not be able to take as much from these tips. Many up-to-date news sites must retain an authoritative, consistent tone, even when written by a number of different authors. This list really is just a guide to maintaining a successful, well-written blog.

I disagree with the point about being sexy. I don’t think it is necessary for the writer to divulge their intimate secrets and sexual desires. And there are places on the internet to see literal ‘undressing’.