Feedback Thoughts: Week 2

Getting Feedback
(1) 5 Tips for Taking Feedback Like a Champ Link to article
(2) Using Harsh Feedback to Fuel Your Career Link to article

I am someone that has always taken constructive criticism well. I am highly self-motivated, so tips on how to write better, complete a task more efficiently, or overall advice is welcomed. Even if I know that I won't implement the advice, the fact that someone is taking time out of their day to share something with me is recognized and appreciated. The way I cope with unwanted or rude/negative feedback, is to look to the root of what the individual is getting at. From this I am able to derive meaning from the conversation, even if its not the immediate intent of the person sharing with me. I definitely related to the Using Harsh Feedback to Fuel Your Career more, especially Step 3: Prioritize. Being a young woman/look like I'm 12 and not 22, most people feel the need to share a lot with me. I'm pretty sure I don't give off the helpless-babyfaced-girl-who-needs-every-piece-of-advice-avaliable look, or if my young appearance makes me more approachable or what-but well, whatever is going on has resulted in soo much unsolicited advice from everyone (yep, even literal strangers at the grocery store). So prioritizing what advice/feedback I am going to implement is a major part of my daily life.


Giving Feedback
(1) Try Feedforward Instead of Feedback Link to article
(2) 7 Key Characteristics of Better Learning Feedback Link to article

I found both of these articles very helpful. I am a very direct and intentional individual. I would prefer someone tell me a harsh reality directly to my face, than for them to struggle with phrasing and wait to tell me bad news. And I often forget that this isn't how others prefer to receive news/criticism. For example, my younger sister is very emotional and likes the timing and wording of difficult news to be just right. She rather be spoken to in a sweet and soft tone and have the issue somewhat sugar coated. I think both of these articles did a great job talking about how to kindly and constructively give feedback. I hope this doesn't scare anyone, I promise I'm kind and supportive, and most of sassiness comes out in person and especially when I'm in a time crunch.

This article, Constructive Criticism, Hold the Tomato, also had some great tips!! Link to image/article

Until next time,

xoxo maddy

Week 2 Story Planning: Nature's Guide To Life

Source Notes:
-Nature: Throughout both Part A and Part B, nature plays a symbolic role. A lot of the scene placement is also in outside areas, such as around homes, in meadows, near lakes or rivers, or under trees. I want to write a story where nature plays a more active role in the lives of the people or gods and helps open their eyes to the ways of the past as they help guide humans towards the future.
-Tradition: I love the traditional and ritualistic components of Part B. This, to me, give the story a stronger ties to a story that may have been a traditional Indian Epic. I plan to conduct further research on traditional views of nature (and specific elements, such as trees and rivers), relationships, clothing, and religious elements.
-Gods: I have always been intrigued by Hindu and Buddhist gods, so I will conduct further research into some of the most prominent ones and their role in society and relationship to the other gods. I want to have them be the supporting role to nature.


Styles:
-Descriptive Paragraphs
-Dialogue
-Poems
As a group, a plus could be that these varying styles keep the reader engaged and interested in the story. I also find that creating dialogue helps clarify exactly who is speaking to who, which help create less confusion in the reader's mind when trying to sort out the plot. Also using the structure of common poems can create a sense of familiarity that the reader can identify with.
A negative, is that if this is not done properly, it will confuse the reader and take away from the overall effectiveness of the story.

Character Sketches:
-Ganesha, will be the central character who struggles with being unhappy with his mundane life, but yet is scared to explore other avenues that may indeed lead to happiness. He is only moderately uncomfortable with his situation, which is what leads to his stagnation. After reflecting upon his life and not being able to remember the last time he was truly happy or content with his life, Ganesha quits his job and pursuits different means of attaining a fulfilling life.
-Prajapatis (which refers to the Hindu nature gods) will be the central nature character. Prajapatis will help Ganesha discover that his name indeed is the God of Travel, and through that- he will find his path to happiness.




Bibliography:
-PDE Ramayana: Rama and Bharata Link to original story
-PDE Ramayana: King Dasharatha Link to Original Story
-PDE Ramayana: Sita Link to Original Story
-Prajapatis Info Link to information
-Ganesha Info: Link to information

Ganesha before discovering his hidden namesake Link to original image

Ganesha after discovering his path to fulfillment (travel) Link to original image

Ganesha Symbolism Link to image info

Reading Notes: Public Domain Ramayana, Part B

      I have really enjoyed both Part A and Part B of the Public Domain Ramayana, but if I had to choose, I think I enjoyed Part B more. During Part A, I had a difficult time initially following all of the names and links between characters; but things started to make a lot more sense as I entered Part B. I absolutely have been loving the traditional elements of these stories. (i.e. things they hold sacred, symbolic rituals, and the hierarchy of the Gods) I have taken multiple world history, international relations, and diplomacy classes while also studying different world religions in my free time. I feel like I know of what basic principals make up Hinduism and Buddhism, but I am unfamiliar with specifics and the differences between the different Gods. While taking a focus on nature and traditional elements, I also hope to have my own story pivot around the different Gods and their relationship with each other.
      Part B also dives into the idea of religion and the afterlife. In the story of "Rama and Bharata", Jabali explains to Rama that there is nothing after death, and for that reason, sacrificing animals is pointless. Jabari explains that because there is nothing after death, they need to seize every moment of life and make the most of everything given to them (including the animals they can eat). Rama then replies with the notion that some principals still hold true, even when they are unable to be seen. He relates it to still being married, even though your spouse is out of sight.

One of the images from my favorite story of today, Shurpanakha and Rama. Link to image

Bibliography: Public Domain Ramayana: Link to read online

Reading Notes: Public Domain Ramayana, Part A

        Out of all of the aspects included in this story, I loved the incorporation of nature. Throughout the individual stories, there are many mentioning of the sun, mountains, the moon, earth, nature, flowers, animals, and groves. The relation between human, gods, and spirits are very interesting. I would love to write a story about nature itself going through some sort of transition. It may include having humans, who are unhappy with their lives look to nature to find meaning. But changing the perspective, run two parallel stories (1) what the humans believe nature is telling them and (2) what nature is trying to communicate. Depending on the different situations that we are in, we can interpret different signals to mean something different than their original intention.
        One important aspect to include are plenty of descriptive words. Throughout these stories, the way that the streams, meadows, and flowers were described really made me feel more connected to the story. It is one thing to just be able to describe an event or story, but it is another to make the audience feel. I would also consider bringing in this aspect of how beauty in both art and nature causes one to feel emotions that are usually sparked by other events. As science and technology advances, many move away from the arts. While it is very common to have a favorite movie or preferred Netflix series, it is uncommon for people my age to have a favorite play, novel, artist, or particular piece of art. I hope to draw on this as my story telling progresses.

Ganesha Painting Collection by Raghuraman Image Link

Bibliography: Public Domain Ramayana: Link to read online