Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Everyday Project: Year Six

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The Everyday project is one of my alternative creative outlets to writing.  For the past six years, I have taken a picture of my face on a daily basis.  When put in quick succession, it creates the reality of how quickly life changes while showing the slow progress of aging.  I am 23.5 years old….so this project shows 25.5% of my life.  With each passing year, this project means more and more to me.

It’s strange to watch the whole video.  I can see my high school self.  I can tell you when I became popular.  When I went to London.  When I started college.  When I lost a friendship.  Gained a relationship.  Lost a relationship.  Moved.  Became depressed.  Gained weight.  Lost weight.  It all shows itself in this video.  It’s the best way I know to lay everything on the table and take away the truth of someone’s life.  I will always be in love with this project.

Thus far, I have only been able to convince one person to do this project.  The thing is, he got someone to start the project as well.  No matter your age, this is a project I challenge you to start.  Nothing is more rewarding and challenging.  Seeing yourself age is so hard…but so eye-opening.  If you need a little more convincing, check out some of the other projects around the web here.  If you do decide to start the project, let me know.  I’ll link any Everydayer’s video with glee.

With Love,
Richard

The Bechdel Test for Novels

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The Bechdel Test was created for movies.  The whole point was to point out the inequality of the sexes on the big screen.  In order for the movie to pass, it must succeed in these three simple tests.

1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man.

It’s pretty simple.  In order for a movie to pass the test, there has to be only one part of one scene in which two women talk about something other than a man.  Unfortunately, of the 3,305 movies that The Bechdel Test Website has rated, 53% have failed.  If you did the same test for men, I can guarantee you that less than 5% would fail.  The point of the test is to point out the inequality that is seen on the big screen…and it is making a huge impact.

I want to make a vow today.  From this moment forward, I will makes sure any Novella length (or longer) writing of mine passes this simple test.  I did have this test in mind when I wrote The Stagner Chronicle–which is why it passed.  I really want to look through my first three novels and see if I fell victim to the same problem.  This type of sexual discrimination is unacceptable in my mind.  I don’t want to be a part of it.

The next time you read a book or see a movie, keep this in mind.  If you are a writer yourself, consider taking this pledge with me.

With Love,
Richard

Road Trip

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I am currently in a small town called Fairfield, Iowa.  After more than twelve hours in the car, I am exhausted.  I hope to update with some actual writing in the days ahead.  I can’t guarantee anything, though.  This month has been crazy and will only continue.  I hope to repurpose this blog once I can sit down and spend a good deal of time on it.

Thank you for your patience!

 

Staying Informed in a Globalized World

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By the time you are reading this, I should be boarding a plane back to Colorado.  This trip has been exhausting and eye opening.  As my family cycled in and out of the house where my grandparents live, I had conversations with nearly all of them.  Although the conversations usually revolve around personal FAQs, in my family the conversations often turn to politics.

Everyone wanted to talk about the Presidential Election or Gun Control.  Those are the two big topics right now.  I have strong opinions on both (that go against most my family’s beliefs).  Today’s article focuses on Minimalism in reference to economic change.  Namely in America–with regards to the Occupy Movement and The Tea Party.

Minimalist Lifestyle is Step One in Fighting Class Inequality

Looking for The Third Way

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Before you read my next article, I feel the need for a disclaimer.  I write for the sake of writing and thinking.  What I write is not always entirely what I believe.  Oftentimes, it is an exercise into the unknown.  I find that some of my best non-fiction writing takes place when i explore things that the general population refuses to talk about.  That is what I have done today.

Today’s article is about scraping the ideals of Communism and Capitalism and finding another way–one that doesn’t funnel money to the 1% at the expense of the 99%.  It is an exploration into the world of think-tanks and coming up with better ways to run our world… because we sure as Hell aren’t doing it right.

Capitalism, Communism, and The Third Way

100th Post

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I know it’s late, but seeing as I’ve been experimenting with everything in regards to blogging…why not.  This is my 100th post.  The past three months or so have been incredible.  This blog is forcing me to do exactly what I wanted it to do.  I write daily and am improving my craft at a far quicker rate than I thought possible.  I even was able to pull a novel out of nowhere in a matter of weeks.

The next 100 posts will be very interesting.  I am convinced that posting more often and writing about current events will become a permanent part of this blog.  Writing and spreading the word about important matters is all I really know…I couldn’t stay away if I wanted. So…here is update number three from the Manifesto.  Remember to check out the Kickstarter campaign.

Better Questions; Better Schools

Cultural Impact on Revolution

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The first day of the Kickstarter campaign went pretty well.  In order to keep the ball rolling, we need to keep it going through the 30-day campaign.  If you enjoy my creative writing or enjoy my political writing, I can guarantee you that you will enjoy this novel.  Click through the link above.  Minimal support ($10) will get you a copy of the book.  Remember: If the campaign fails, you will not be charged (but, sadly, you won’t get a book either).

Cultural Impact on Revolution

Our False Democracy

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In late 2011 and early 2012 I wrote nine political pieces under the folder heading “Manifesto.”  I never showed a soul what I wrote.  I’m note sure why.  I knew the writings were rather extreme–but they were meant to help me figure out what my core beliefs actually are.  Now, in order to help advertise my Kickstarter campaign, I decided to post them.  I hope you enjoy.

If you enjoy my writing, check out the Kickstarter campaign.  You can guarantee yourself a copy of the book for only $10.  It is a great way to support independent publishing while getting some new reading material in the process.  The link to the first part of my manifesto as well as the link to the Kickstarter campaign are below.  Thank you to all my readers!

Join the Kickstarter Campaign to Publish “The Stagner Chronicle”

Our False Democracy

Kickstarter!

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We are up and running! The Kickstarter campaign was approved and we already have our first few backers streaming in.  If you would like a copy of the book, reserve yourself a copy…and then help me get the word out.  Kickstarters are all or nothing campaigns.  So if we don’t reach the goal, no one is charged.  I do not want to see that happen.  Check it out!

Join the Kickstarter Campaign to Publish “The Stagner Chronicle”