Sunday, November 13, 2011

Genre Fiction - Magical Realism

by Audrey Niffenegger

This week in Creative Writing we are working on our short story pieces. Our theme is genre fiction. Genre fiction is fiction meant to fit into a particular category such as; Horror, romance, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, magical realism, etc. 

I just recently learned the term magical realism. I didn't get a full picture of what this particular genre meant until I researched novels written specifically for that category. I was amazed at how many, of the books or movies listed, fell under my list of favorites. Examples of magical realism that most would recognize are; Practical Magic, Beloved, The Butcher's Wife, The Others, The Time Traveler's Wife and The House of Spirits, to name a few. While some may perceive these to be fantasy, they are not. Magical realism is the blurred line between fantasy and reality. 


Magical realism uses normal or real situations with a flare of mysticism, or magic, towards a particular person or characters. Often it goes along as a subplot to the main story. In Beloved, the main story involves Sethe's life after she escapes slavery and the inner turmoil she suffers over the death of her child, Beloved. At the same time, the reader sees another story unfold with the stranger that Sethe takes into her home. This stranger is where the essence of the magical realism enters the story. 

In Pushing Daises, an ABC television series, Ned the Pie-man has the extraordinary power of bringing the dead back to life. This gift is only shared with a select few. However, Ned's ability to restore people and things to their living state, is what makes his pies the best in town. Ned uses old, discarded fruit and returns them to their most ripest state.  

If you are interested in this genre of writing, below are several publications that deal exclusively with magical realism.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Crunch Time

Well, we're at the halfway point of our fall semester. Aside from crunch time, mid-terms, and preparing for our final papers, it's also the time for early registration, and only two more months until the deadline for The Ink Quill Publication.

At the moment we have a small handful of students interested in submitting artwork to the publication.  Whether it be in art or literature, there are an enormous amount of talented BCC members. I am asking that we spread the word to those on campus who may not have seen the posters or submission forms. There are also faculty members, staff, alumni, and administrators who I am sure dabbled a bit in both categories. So, the goal this month is to RECRUIT...RECRUIT...RECRUIT.

Students can find the neon green submission forms in every building on campus as well as the top right sidebar of this blog. There is a drop off box for literary pieces located in the lobby of Building #1 and the Learning Resource Center.

All artwork can be scanned by the student. I am requesting scanning to be no lower than 300 resolution and 100%. For those who do not have access to a scanner or need larger (over 8.5 x 11) pieces photographed, please contact Jeanne at jbutler0927@mymail.bladencc.edu

Those who wish to email their pieces, please send to theinkquillsociety@gmail.com

For those entering their submission to the gmail account please put your name; whether you are a student, faculty, etc.; your BCC e-mail; and what category you are entering.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Poem of the Month - The Raven





Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door—
Only this, and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had tried to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"
Merely this, and nothing more.

Then into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
'Tis the wind, and nothing more!"

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no sublunary being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

Wondering at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster—so, when Hope he would adjure,
Stern Despair returned, instead of the sweet Hope he dared adjure—
That sad answer, "Nevermore!"

But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust, and door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by angels whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and Nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Let me quaff this kind Nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

"Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting—
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!





Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Ink Quill Society will be having a meeting on Thursday Oct 13th, 1:30 pm in Bldg 17 Rm 113, to discuss the two remaining officer positions as well as the progress of the publication. I am hoping that club members reach out to other students to join us.

Also, the announcement for the publication has been out a week and submission forms have been placed in various locations on campus. If you know an artist or budding writer, please encourage them to submit an entry.

I am looking for activity ideas for the club.  Our main focus is working on a yearly publication but I would also like to do something fun that would enhance our writing abilities. This could be a weekly or monthly project. Any ideas would be appreciated.
As for community activities, we are not seeking to take in any funds but are willing to help other clubs with their fundraisers and activities. If you belong to another club, please pass the word along.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Welcome

to Bladen Community College’s Creative Writing Club official online meeting place. Here you will find many useful tools that will assist in your writing projects. This sight is designed to be user friendly, and will give us all a forum to share ideas and communicate upcoming events concerning our club. Feedback is always appreciated and please remember, this is OUR forum, and all are welcome.

Over on the right toolbar you will find several links to help with navigating this blog. Included in the links are: writing tips, a writers video of the week, our club minutes, upcoming meeting dates, publication progress, and the submission form for publication entries.

Thank you for your participation
JB