tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91544661175022927742024-03-13T21:18:13.697-06:00It's Too Late to ApologizeRandom musings about all things bookish.Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-59376375119361690372022-11-10T09:46:00.003-07:002022-11-10T09:49:03.791-07:00One Hundred Years of Solitude : How to Keep it in the Family<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="449" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FxfzKovCbb4" width="539" youtube-src-id="FxfzKovCbb4"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-61841022225924333022021-09-07T11:08:00.001-06:002021-09-07T11:09:05.939-06:00If Thinking Were Sinning ; a Poem by Beauty in Words <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="475" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KNTNXtu_m_k" width="571" youtube-src-id="KNTNXtu_m_k"></iframe></div><br /><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This video is a collaboration between the poet Beauty in Words and It's Too Late to Apologize Book Reviews.
Check out her instagram @ beauty_in_words._
Her link tree @ </span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB4T0pKdWxteVBwTkFUTzdIZTVEaHQzaGlBZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuVW1rUjRmYXRlb1pVVmljMWVqWnRNZXo0SzJEMHAtZGt6S0prVXZiejdNaDRYMGljWmZ3VU50eFJoY3RuUnF3MUFndWpXMnlkdGtvWEhjeEswWUJQZzRRNFlaY1d2aERiZUJyU2todWxwbUc1VmJrWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fb.i.w" rel="nofollow" spellcheck="false" style="color: var(--yt-endpoint-visited-color, var(--yt-spec-call-to-action)); cursor: pointer; display: var(--yt-endpoint-display, inline-block); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration, none); white-space: pre-wrap; word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break, none); word-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap, none);" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/b.i.w</a><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
To find out what I'm reading check out my instagram https://www.instagram.com/stellatelleria/</span><p></p><p><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.20000000298023224px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-63825671783995695602021-09-07T10:59:00.000-06:002021-09-07T11:00:58.628-06:00Frankenstein by Mary Shelly ; Some Serious Daddy Issues<p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="453" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kvQWui_Z7DM" width="545" youtube-src-id="kvQWui_Z7DM"></iframe></div><p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-67146623867977472082021-09-07T10:57:00.001-06:002021-09-07T10:57:42.504-06:00The JFK Book Tag<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="430" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vNrce40JqE0" width="517" youtube-src-id="vNrce40JqE0"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-71584503999141744712021-09-07T10:49:00.000-06:002021-09-07T10:53:32.429-06:00The Little Friend by Donna Tartt ; The Miss-understood Middle Child<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="439" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k9CK922sPX8" width="528" youtube-src-id="k9CK922sPX8"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-12408200616820996722021-09-07T10:44:00.000-06:002021-09-07T10:46:03.216-06:00What The Faulkner Did I Just Read?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="475" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FyRVxTQmS_E" width="571" youtube-src-id="FyRVxTQmS_E"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-41907627684387036792021-08-28T01:02:00.005-06:002021-09-07T10:47:03.094-06:00The Booktube Newbie Tag<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="433" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L-3QOmFkjrg" width="521" youtube-src-id="L-3QOmFkjrg"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-51910370589234602392021-08-21T00:31:00.001-06:002021-08-21T00:33:51.023-06:00Dune Messiah ; The most hated sequel of all time?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="423" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/86oipivVAw4" width="509" youtube-src-id="86oipivVAw4"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-17207404033778922452021-07-23T10:45:00.001-06:002021-07-23T10:45:47.559-06:00A Dream Within A Dream by Edgar Allan Poe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="425" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ueh_8ZNk1mc" width="512" youtube-src-id="Ueh_8ZNk1mc"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-70869494949275392002021-07-19T21:33:00.001-06:002021-07-19T21:35:12.900-06:00The Secret History and the Dangers of Dark Academia<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="473" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5BfsEDNL9Cs" width="569" youtube-src-id="5BfsEDNL9Cs"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-53494243654513631412021-07-02T22:02:00.000-06:002021-07-02T22:02:19.885-06:00To a Stranger <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="397" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iw0GSS-p5U8" width="581" youtube-src-id="iw0GSS-p5U8"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-51650606554419585772021-05-29T22:27:00.000-06:002021-05-29T22:27:28.303-06:00Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="451" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V8_FQYZC4VM" width="542" youtube-src-id="V8_FQYZC4VM"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-340734416495479662021-05-05T10:01:00.004-06:002021-05-05T10:06:45.531-06:00Dune By Frank Herbert: Why it isn't for everyone<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: georgia;">Are you thinking about reading Dune in preparation for the 2021 movie adaptation? </span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: georgia;">Watch this first.</span></span></p><p><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: #242526; caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); color: #e4e6eb; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="457" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e8zBGOM3ix4" width="550" youtube-src-id="e8zBGOM3ix4"></iframe></div><br /><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: #242526; caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); color: #e4e6eb; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-22309708722739709902021-04-07T19:25:00.002-06:002021-04-08T00:57:29.942-06:00The Road by Cormac McCarthy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="482" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ioY_1egwG4c" width="581" youtube-src-id="ioY_1egwG4c"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-41544968937681803262021-03-15T15:10:00.002-06:002021-03-15T15:10:16.180-06:00Faust<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5gofsf8KyU" width="643" youtube-src-id="Z5gofsf8KyU"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-64945900970636810022021-02-23T15:56:00.002-07:002021-04-08T00:58:33.730-06:00The Scarlet Letter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="489" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3dGejuT8B28" width="589" youtube-src-id="3dGejuT8B28"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-89831665008287304332021-02-17T08:31:00.003-07:002021-02-17T08:42:10.827-07:00A Battle Between 3 Classic Dystopian Novels<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="528" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eSlZBc8DbLQ" width="635" youtube-src-id="eSlZBc8DbLQ"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-6101492299914800762020-12-29T17:31:00.002-07:002021-02-17T08:43:34.413-07:00A War Like No Other: Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="358" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UbvghIawJdQ" width="483" youtube-src-id="UbvghIawJdQ"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-45118267915596596932019-01-19T04:17:00.000-07:002019-01-19T15:32:05.617-07:00The Best Any of Us Can Be<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Four days ago a close friend included me in a group text with the topic of the chat a new Gillette commercial slated to hit TV soon if not already there. Now let me say that I don’t watch TV, so often times I find myself behind on certain cultural stirrings. Everyone in on the chat, a total of four people myself included, are all very important people in my life which I mention because I feel it is important to understand the conflict I was about to feel upon watching said commercial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So I watched the linked ad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UYaY2Kb_PKI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UYaY2Kb_PKI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My immediate first feeling of it was uncomfortable. I had a few ideas why I felt this way but I like to take my time coming to conclusions about complex things because they merit careful introspection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My friend wanted to know everyone’s thoughts on the commercial which often happens as everyone in the chat holds different views on a wide range of topics. We often like to converse in-depth about different political and social issues. This friend thought it was a beautifully done commercial that was long overdue. However, they mentioned that the comments the commercial was generating online were making her lose her faith in humanity. Which, to her defense, I feel is a sentiment many people feel when browsing almost any comment section now a day. A second friend agreed with the first, this commercial was saying something profound. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I could already anticipate where this chat was about to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The third friend thought the message was good but took some issue with the delivery of it. This third friend was slightly baffled at the ad's message of holding others accountable for their poor actions. If one doesn’t associate with people who make such poor decisions then how should they be held morally responsible for correcting the actions of these others? This third friend also took issue with the negative aspects of the message specifically aimed at men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The debate then progressed to freedom of speech, censorship, the sexism behind some of the censorship, double standards, and the denial that certain things were double standards, click-baiting, feminism, and patriarchy. It was a night at the opera, nothing but drama. </span>It was all going back and forth so fast it was hard to keep up with. My phone was just a buzzing, notification conniption.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I didn’t want to even get into the debate because it was so polarizing. I made a few comments about supporting freedom of speech and being against sexism but I said little and I mentioned nothing about the commercial. Since that first text on the evening of January 15, 2019, the Internet has exploded over this divisive ad. Everyone seems to be talking about it (just look at the views on it) and most people fall into one of two camps: love or hate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Those that love it can’t see how anyone could take issue with the central message of the ad, which is to strive to be a better person. How could anyone take issue with that they wonder?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Those that hate it say that it is targeting men, telling them that they are despicable people, and they are the root of all evil. How could anyone not see that the ad is biased against men?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So, what do I think about the ad?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Firstly, it’s an ad. Advertising is designed to make people spend their money in new ways the company wants; it is always self-interested by design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are either flocking to buy Gillette razors now to show support or swearing off buying them all together. I’m interested to see what the polarizing campaign does to their sales, probably good things because since the dawn of the Mach 3, I can't say the company has stood out in my mind for years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Or am I to just speak to the social altruism Gillette is trying to cash in on as other businesses have recently?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Let's have that social-based answer then:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My short answer is that while the heart of the message is a positive one, the delivery and wording of the message was inefficient and biased if the goal is to make this world a better place for everyone in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The ad displays and mentions what has been coined as toxic masculinity, I hate the term but I’ll use it for the sake of this conversation, but that isn’t the full problem. The problem is toxic behavior and everyone does it. EVERYONE. Calling it toxic masculinity is at best only addressing half of the issue and at worst placing the blame on a particular group of people, whether offending or not, and making them understandably defensive about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Gillette makes razors for women so why are they being excluded so completely from this ad? Surely women could see the benefit of working towards being the best version of themselves also. If this ad is actually the very positive thing that some argue it is then why don't we want to see the same done for women? Shouldn’t we see this exclusion as sexist? Should we possibly perceive this as Gillette saying that there isn’t also something that could be irritatingly coined as toxic femininity? Are there not female toxic traits that are evident just as there are toxic male ones? Of course, there are. It’s all just toxic behavior, a general term, and that is a term I can get behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I’m writing this because I can’t stop thinking about it, I can’t leave it alone. I can’t stop thinking about how our media and culture is doing us all the disservice of playing the social 'hero' and pointing out the faults of particular groups of people which only serves to divide us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Everything these days in the media is alt-left verses alt-right, women versus men, black versus white, oppressed versus oppressors, socialists versus capitalists, atheism versus religion when really we all have so much more in common than we have differences. We see this common ground, our shared sorrows, and struggles when we talk to each other as human beings with dignity. When we get to know each other beyond the superficial small talk, hear one another’s opinion, and get to know what has to lead a person to feel the way that they do, that is when we realize we’re all just trying to do the same things. We all want the same things in general, to prosper. But all too easily do we judge one sentence from a person, like their view on a razor commercial, and decide we know all there is to know about that person and how they feel on all other topics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s not ok. Do not put people in boxes. These are not definitions of people. This is toxic. And if someone does exhibit some toxic quality it is not because they are a woman or a man or an atheist or of a certain culture, they are just being human and seeing the world through their lense of experience. Everyone feels the way that they do for a reason, try to understand their reasons. And more importantly, humans can change. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The media: reporters, tv shows, movies, social media, comment sections, and newspapers are fracking our communities, our unity, and it is only through our unity that we can ever hope to overcome our biggest obstacles. Be pro-everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The pro-Gillette people are often only looking one way before crossing the street as are the anti-Gillette people. They're looking only in opposite directions of the same street and assuming they have all the knowledge they need to safely cross it. One needs to look both ways, assess the danger from both directions because those dangers are both real.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Can’t we all agree on that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All I know is that this Gillette commercial will not have it's desired effect on me. It will not make me spend my money any differently then I was before.</span></div>
Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-5524774647157928122018-06-15T12:51:00.000-06:002018-06-15T13:11:50.272-06:00The Struggle<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
you may be aware of, I am a reader. I love reading and talking about books and
stories and characters as if they were real people. I could talk about books
I’ve read for ages. That love extends into my writing. I love writing, it may
be difficult and frustrating, but I enjoy it on a level that is difficult to
describe properly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">But do you know
what I hate, even loathe? Talking about my writing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">When someone
asks me about my novel or about what I’m working on, I freeze, I get awkward,
and all the blood in my body rushes to my face in an attempt to mercifully blow
up my brain before I need to inarticulately respond. Talking about my writing
makes me feel like a special sort of idiot who regularly speaks to people with
their ear buds in and proceeds to shout at everyone without realizing it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">This is a
problem. A problem I never fully acknowledged I had until I read a blog post
from a writer friend of mine <a href="http://jeanddavis.blogspot.com/p/my-writing.html" target="_blank">Jean Davis</a> of <a href="http://jeanddavis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Discarded Darlings</a> (<a href="http://jeanddavis.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-to-z-all-things-writing-talking-about.html" target="_blank">blog post here</a>)where she writes
about this issue. Talk about other people’s work? No problem. Talk about my
own? It’s like death by firing squad.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">But why?</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvT3bvVHpqA/WyQMYsnwFMI/AAAAAAAABHA/FKv2lRxpOBcili1gYcZVBLl1KR9qWGUWACLcBGAs/s1600/alphabet-business-close-up-326642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvT3bvVHpqA/WyQMYsnwFMI/AAAAAAAABHA/FKv2lRxpOBcili1gYcZVBLl1KR9qWGUWACLcBGAs/s640/alphabet-business-close-up-326642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">I think it’s
because I fear people will laugh at me and my stories and wonder who I think I
am putting my work out there. I dread what, I think, a lot of creative people
fear—that they are that person auditioning for some reality talent show, and
that they are so terrible but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">somehow</i>
don’t know it. And I hate this sensitive part of me. In most other aspects of
my life I care very little of what other people think or have to say about me.
But THIS is my kryptonite.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I want to fix
it, I do. But it’s hard, so soooooo hard.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;">A few of my
closest friends have read my first novel and I didn’t want to even speak about
their thoughts on it because I didn’t want them to feel like they had to be
nice about it, because I knew they would be. But even more so, I feared that
they didn’t like it and that would have crushed me.</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I find it easier
to talk to strangers about my writing, because their opinions are based on just
the work and their own life experiences. It’s not about me because they don’t
know me. That makes it so much easier for some reason. It’s clinical, and of
course while my work is far from perfect I can brush off a stranger’s opinions
as simply being their own bias’. We all have bias’, it’s unavoidable.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">But maybe the
answer, and perhaps truth, is that it’s impossible for anyone to really know
anyone else entirely. There will always be mysteries one will never share, and
those friends also see the world through their own personal lenses and bias’.
In this sense there is little difference between the friends and the stranger
reading my work. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">So now what?
What’s my problem?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Perhaps the root
cause of my issue is the sharing of my work. The lessening of the mystery, for
my writing feels like it’s a part of me, it is me in some way, in its hopes and
dysfunctions I hide and hope no one will recognize me. Maybe that’s it. Maybe.
I don’t know.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">And perhaps I hate
talking about my work simply because I suck at summaries and any quick
description of my novel I’ve rattled off makes it sound terrible and cringe
worthy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">*sigh*<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The least I can
do, what I can work on the easiest, is practice a quick blurb about my book so
I’m ready when someone asks me. And maybe I need to sit down and just ask my
friends about their thoughts. One step at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Blurb for the
book as seen on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19048814-across-the-wire" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMnvxZ_mJFw/WyQJqr-tLvI/AAAAAAAABG0/3U_N8c_jJLoeViV6mvTfVc_VZFgTWIuvACLcBGAs/s1600/blog%2Bpost.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="650" height="612" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMnvxZ_mJFw/WyQJqr-tLvI/AAAAAAAABG0/3U_N8c_jJLoeViV6mvTfVc_VZFgTWIuvACLcBGAs/s640/blog%2Bpost.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Quick
conversational blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Across the Wire
is about a parallel world where men have to fight for their freedom from their
oppressors—from women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Does that cover
it though? Is it interesting? Gosh I suck at this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Stella out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-76578313937028855702018-04-25T17:22:00.000-06:002018-04-26T14:02:40.786-06:00What is a Library?What is a library? Pondering this question lead me to consider my relationship with books.<br />
<br />
I have to confess that it's been years since I've been in a library to use it for it's intended purpose. I've donated books to local libraries and visited famous libraries, the most recent being the New York Public Library.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5AS_ERK-wA/WuDgZ81zJRI/AAAAAAAABFk/uka_g8Fnjbco6PH3hPRaqhOOBc7Cw62UQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5AS_ERK-wA/WuDgZ81zJRI/AAAAAAAABFk/uka_g8Fnjbco6PH3hPRaqhOOBc7Cw62UQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7177.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The New York Public Library has been in so many movies I just had to see it for myself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y347ERqKGB4/WuDg420eTCI/AAAAAAAABF0/CTZAW6X8UL4rom5ntwMecbZH7Av-p5pGACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y347ERqKGB4/WuDg420eTCI/AAAAAAAABF0/CTZAW6X8UL4rom5ntwMecbZH7Av-p5pGACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2077.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2C05HLOVas0/WuDg5ZslGKI/AAAAAAAABF4/XoUKTL-REP8M1ZdmYLt5DyZwI3mNwRkrgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2C05HLOVas0/WuDg5ZslGKI/AAAAAAAABF4/XoUKTL-REP8M1ZdmYLt5DyZwI3mNwRkrgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What a building, am I right? I spent five days in New York, I just got back on Monday, and if you asked me where I did the most shopping it was the NYPL gift shop. Typical.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_v-hHShEkc/WuDg6cJxQzI/AAAAAAAABGA/qDeiqtFuiTgALCpPcKmcJHt8c5QiwdSywCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_v-hHShEkc/WuDg6cJxQzI/AAAAAAAABGA/qDeiqtFuiTgALCpPcKmcJHt8c5QiwdSywCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7170.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But in this day and age who really uses a library? What is it for? If you are a self-professed book worm, like I am...*Inserts credentials below*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1THWFpgdWiE/WuDi5Ki3x5I/AAAAAAAABGg/Z2WYUpHJZjcGklW1vqHS6dpic72CCuojwCLcBGAs/s1600/54637789601__479621D9-4AA0-4491-80A8-6AD64263D5E5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1THWFpgdWiE/WuDi5Ki3x5I/AAAAAAAABGg/Z2WYUpHJZjcGklW1vqHS6dpic72CCuojwCLcBGAs/s400/54637789601__479621D9-4AA0-4491-80A8-6AD64263D5E5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...you love books and you love libraries, but do you use them? I buy books, be it online, at book shops, or at thrift stores. I have had a personal revolving library since I was a child and could not afford books. I have bought and read and donated several hundreds of books. And now I find myself in a strange place. I actually have the home library of my dreams, with a ladder and everything, and I find myself at a point where I'm buying the fewest books I ever have. I am very particular about buying new books, partially because my to be read shelf, or as book nerds call it TBR, has gotten out of control and partially because I want to own less.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Libraries contribute to the advancement of knowledge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I own so many books I have read and want to read but as I get older and time becomes ever more precious to me, I become leery of adding to my library before reading what I have. When did reading, become owning? I don't know, because it isn't about owning. Reading a book is an experience and you can't own that. Sure, that book sitting loftily on your shelf might be a pleasant reminder of that adventure you went on with that author. And even more so, an adventure with yourself at that moment in your life when the book chose you. No two people read the same book and as you are a different person along the course of your life, so too do you never read the same book twice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I very rarely reread the same book. Some books I refuse to read again in fear of tarnishing my first loving, and in some cases, profound memory of it. And maybe that is why I like holding onto books because I can look at the shelves as if it were a photo album of memories, epiphanies, struggles, conquests, realizations, and ideology shaping that has happened to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But books are even more then that. They are a record of culture and history.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lX0k4Ftp7Ls/WuDg6NIGJkI/AAAAAAAABGQ/6QscdRtFGVEWaLEnHjUqARP82E3bhEZfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lX0k4Ftp7Ls/WuDg6NIGJkI/AAAAAAAABGQ/6QscdRtFGVEWaLEnHjUqARP82E3bhEZfQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a picture I took of an exhibit in one of the many halls in NYPL. One day, when civilization ends and people are no longer around to power the world and the digital data resources are gone, hard copies are good to have. One day even those will not survive the passage of time but I always find myself wondering, as maybe other book nerds do, if mankind had not lost the Library of Alexandria, where we might be today. Humans are as advanced as they are because we are able to pass on information to people we've never met, across time, space, boarders, and possible resistance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Libraries lead to artistic creation by providing source material for inspiration.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As a child my family didn't have much money and so we went to the library. It was the internet of the time. A place where anyone could access information, history, and the world. And if you haven't had a deep conversation with a librarian about books then you have no idea what you're missing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In this fast information day and age libraries and books are slow. They take time to use, read, and find. You might not like what you read or how long it took you to read it. It takes work. But as some work does, the more you do it the more effortless it becomes. Slow is not bad. Sometimes I feel like the world just needs to slow down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Libraries preserve the records of civilization.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Libraries matter, even if I never use one again. Although I secretly have this desire to eventually get back to going to the library. A desire to never have an unread book in my possession and when I do want to read something to wander down to my library and look for a recommendation from a librarian, not a logarithm. A recommendation from someone who loves books at least as much as I do. Hopefully one day I will get there. I'll have a minimal bookshelf at home and a library down the street.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I want to accumulate knowledge, not things. I don't want libraries to disappear. There are always children who need reading material and people who don't have the space or money to buy books. Or people who like to listen to audio books, read ebooks, or watch movies. Libraries have transformed into convenient online resources as well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Free information. The gift of knowledge given easily and willingly. It's beautiful. How does one not like libraries? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, that was a long unorganized ramble.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The beauty of the world is not in what you own but what is left out there for others to enjoy with you, in the libraries of life and the world. This sentiment also speaks to me in this quote and by the magnet I brought back from the NYPL which is stuck to my desk.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 class="quoteText" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">“I have a hobby. I have the world’s largest collection of sea shells. I keep it scattered on beaches all over the world. Maybe you’ve seen some of it.”</span></i></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">- </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/181771.Steven_Wright" style="font-family: lato, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: white;">Steven Wright</span></a></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DimQXkhLzPQ/WuDhBHccoXI/AAAAAAAABGE/vsKzW7-3kNE6mN4tlDT8bm6sJZpa2qkYgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DimQXkhLzPQ/WuDhBHccoXI/AAAAAAAABGE/vsKzW7-3kNE6mN4tlDT8bm6sJZpa2qkYgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7432.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stella out!</div>
Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-54146482817801849222018-04-08T17:55:00.001-06:002018-04-08T19:38:17.867-06:00Rebirth of a BlogHello, strangers.<br />
<br />
<br />
I know, it's been a long time. Like, a really really long time, mid March of 2015 to be exact. Back when I thought I could start doing video book reviews and possibly engaging people through YouTube. Some people succeed at this, I however did not.<br />
<br />
Epic fail.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrYDsZLU9zk/WsqrdHMr9nI/AAAAAAAABEs/LuGaqdS4VuoxBX5vx5ibJcsTIvRRwM-8wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/dropped-fail-failure-4091.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrYDsZLU9zk/WsqrdHMr9nI/AAAAAAAABEs/LuGaqdS4VuoxBX5vx5ibJcsTIvRRwM-8wCK4BGAYYCw/s640/dropped-fail-failure-4091.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Like all epic failures they make you reevaluate what you're doing and why. Why do any of it? <i>It</i> being videos, blogging, and writing. The truth is I don't know why.<br />
<br />
I'd like to say I write for the readers, but the truth is I don't have many, if any, of those. I'd like to say that I blogged to get people to be interested in me and said writing, but the truth is I don't think it did. I'd like to say that I made some YouTube videos so that I could connect with other readers, but that didn't work out either.<br />
<br />
So why? Why fumble through renewing this domain for another year to just let it sit idle, like some ancient ruin once thought useful but now forgotten? I don't know.<br />
<br />
The one thing I do know is that this blog was a nice place to connect with other writing friends I'd made online. That is something I can say it actually did. After a few years of falling off the internet map and forsaking Facebook, a writing friend found me on Goodreads and we struck things up again. It was really nice to hear from him and it had me wanting to reach out to a few writers I hadn't heard from in awhile too.<br />
<br />
So maybe that's the reason I have this blog and that's enough.<br />
<br />
And maybe I write simply because I like to and that's enough.<br />
<br />
And maybe I'll just never make another YouTube video because I just sucked at those. LMFAO!<br />
<br />
Maybe I'm revisiting this blog thing far too late. I mean, does anyone still read blogs? Jenni tells me she still reads a few and the Google machine won't give me a straight answer on that so maybe I'll just have to go with the uncomfortable <i>I don't know</i>.<br />
<br />
*Shrug*<br />
<br />
So I gave the blog a face lift to familiarize myself with it again. I like it, and that's enough for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stella out!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-40941771436677123312015-03-18T14:54:00.001-06:002015-03-18T14:54:20.245-06:001984 Book Review<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ijc-DP7ct3I" width="480"></iframe></div>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-81865231491840026442015-03-11T17:50:00.001-06:002015-03-11T17:50:14.201-06:00Mini Book Reviews The YA Special #3<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/izVa87VRboU" width="480"></iframe></div>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154466117502292774.post-33326375714254433852015-03-11T17:49:00.001-06:002015-03-11T17:49:17.434-06:00Lucid Review<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gIKkN2ZcY-0" width="480"></iframe></div>Stella Telleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11990643131467271476noreply@blogger.com0