tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18229637316329198792024-02-19T19:50:29.732-05:00Fictional OmensRob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-30922985054443330022018-03-17T09:37:00.000-04:002018-03-17T17:30:40.232-04:00Is Walk Up not Out Victim Blaming?<b>The Origin Story:</b><br />
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On February 14th of this year, 14 students and 3 teachers were gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In response, the survivors of the attack issued a call to action for the one month anniversary of the tragedy. They called for students across the country to walk out of their classrooms on March 14th, stand in solidarity, and demand change in our nation's gun laws and gun culture. This is where the story begins.<br />
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In the days leading up to the Walk Out, there was a new movement beginning to take shape on the internet. It was a call on students to Walk Up Not Out. It issued a challenge to students to seek out and befriend other students who were lonely or bullied and befriend them. It was a call to be nice. And what is wrong with being nice?<br />
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<b>What Is Wrong with Being Nice?</b><br />
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So let's all be clear here: There is nothing wrong with being kind. There is nothing wrong with being respectful. There is nothing wrong with reaching out to those who are hurting and offering a shoulder to them. There is nothing wrong with seeking to spread positive energy.<br />
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A friend suggested that the Walk Out vs Walk Up Not Out has become just another division in our culture, another battle line that we didn't need. That reasonable people have staked positions and that it's a silly thing to be fighting over. Can't we all just get along, already?<br />
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So before we delve any deeper, dear reader, let's put that particular issue to bed here and now. There is no reasonable objection to a call to civility in our communities. There is no reasonable objection to a call to end bullying.<br />
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None.<br />
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Being respectful, being civil, being welcoming and being kind are core values we should all strive for in all of our communities.<br />
<br />
There.<br />
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But before starting up the next sub-title, let us take note that being a thoughtful partner is a wonderful goal in a marriage. There is nothing at all objectionable to asking people to share labor, share affection and support each other. Who can argue that when two people are together, that they are strongest when they share responsibilities? This will come up again.<br />
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<b>What is Victim Blaming?</b><br />
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If we're going to talk about victim blaming we need a working definition. While there are many definitions out there, let us consider this one:<br />
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Victim Blaming is the act of attributing the cause of an assault to the victim of such instead of the perpetrator. It also is the act of assigning responsibility for the prevention of the assault to the would-be victim rather than the would-be perpetrator.<br />
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For example, a woman does not have dinner on the table when her husband comes home from happy hour. Angered, he hits her and blackens her eye. When her friend sees her the next day her friend says, "Well what did you expect? You didn't have dinner ready."<br />
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A second example could be the same friend saying to the woman in the afternoon, "Don't you want to get home and get dinner on the table? You know he'll hit you again if dinner is not ready on time." In this case the woman is not yet a victim, but it is still her responsibility to act in a way so as to avoid being assaulted.<br />
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And most important in this responsibility, is that it requires her to take special action to avoid this assault. She must act to avoid being hurt by another.<br />
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<b>The Issue of Timing</b><br />
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One of the first major challenges in this new "debate" is the timing of the call to kindness. The memes most circulated on the web do not show a suggestion that kids simply be kinder but they present an either/or choice. The message is "Instead of Walking Out, Walk Up!" The goal of these posts is, apparently, to present an alternative to action against guns and gun culture. And it is cleverly designed because the act of being kind cannot possibly raise objection. If a student is forced to choose between being kind or marching out to protest guns, and they still elect to walk out, doesn't that mean they are rejecting being kind?<br />
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Of course not, yet that is the argument implied when Walk Up Not Out is presented as the alternative. It is a well crafted message that permits some to vilify students who walked by labeling them as unkind. They have rejected the "alternative" of Walking Up by Walking Out, so they must reject being kind as well.<br />
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It is impossible to separate this new push to kindness from the timing. The implication is clear: If you walk out, we will all say that you do not support being kind because we are presenting it as a choice.<br />
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If Walk Up Not Out were truly about being kind, it would have come at any other time than to be presented as the alternative on the day of action called for by the survivors of the Stoneman-Douglas shooting. It would have come after any other act of school mass murder. It would have come immediately after the Parkland Shooting. It would have come as anything but an alternative action on March 14.<br />
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<b>But is it Victim Blaming?</b><br />
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In a video of one of the Walk Outs, a young lady addresses the crowd and asks challenging questions.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“These shootings are happening from these kids that you’re cornering out, that you’re bullying...because you think it’s funny. And it’s not funny,” she said. “All of these kids just want to be themselves, they want to be who they wanna be in their own schools.</i>” (<a href="http://www.krem.com/article/news/local/grant-county/moses-lake-hs-students-powerful-speech-at-walkout-goes-viral/293-528624714" target="_blank">Source Link</a>)<br />
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This is a thought provoking challenge but it is also dangerous in its implication.<br />
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Remember our earlier agreement about being partners in a marriage? Let's reframe this girl's words in that context:<br />
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<i>"That black eye happened because you didn't have dinner on the table. You didn't care and you should have. All your husband wanted was to have dinner on his table."</i><br />
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Can there be any doubt that this is victim blaming? In the re-written statement, the blame falls squarely on the woman. She did not perform as she should have in order to avoid being hit. She should have done something different. She should have been more aware of her husband's wants. And for that she was beaten.<br />
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Many of us know what it is like to be bullied, marginalized and "cornered out". We lived that torture daily. We were picked on, hazed and harassed. We looked out into the crowd for a kind eye, or a hand to pick us back up. We wanted to be respected. The call to be kind resonates.<br />
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But look again at the words of the young woman. "These shootings are happening from kids that you're bullying." In other words: Your bullying is causing these; if you stop bullying and start being nice, the shootings will end.<br />
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In other words: You didn't have dinner on the table, what did you expect him to do? Of course he beat you.<br />
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<i>You didn't reach out and befriend him. So, of course he murdered your classmates and teachers.</i><br />
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<b>Does This Mean Bullying is Okay?</b><br />
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We as a culture absolutely need to address bullying. Bullying is not okay. In the information age, it has become frightfully easy for bullies to predate though social media and private messages. As our world becomes ever more connected, it is easier for those who want to abuse and harass to do so. And that is not okay. That is not acceptable.<br />
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Bullying is not okay.<br />
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<b>When a Call to Kindness Becomes Victim Blaming</b><br />
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If we are to suggest that being kind will end these school shootings, then on who's shoulders have we placed the responsibility?<br />
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If, when called to action to end gun violence and address gun culture, we instead send our students out to be kind to each other instead, what have we said about our own beliefs about the causes and who should repair the damage?<br />
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When students have cried out for action, the Walk Up Not Out movement answers with "stop being bullies". When the actual kids who ran past the bodies of their friends asked us to stand with them, many schools instead said "We hear you, but today we want to spread positive energy because that's more important to us."<br />
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What is consistent in all of this, from the memes calling on students to Walk Up Not Out to schools sponsoring school-wide act of kindness is this: students are being forced to take the responsibility to end gun violence in the school. They are being told, just as the woman was with dinner and her subsequent black eye, that it is up to them to prevent this.<br />
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Rather than hiring more counselors to address troubled kids, students are given the responsibility to be nicer and reach out instead.<br />
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Rather than reducing class sizes so teachers, who can use their experience to get to know their kids and reach out, students themselves are given the responsibility to be nice and all will be fine.<br />
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Rather than addressing the ease with which a trouble kid can get a powerful gun to bring and use, students are give the responsibility to be nice to him, and hope he won't want to fire it.<br />
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Rather than moving reasonable and sensible legislation forward, students are told that their acts of kindness will be the only real fix.<br />
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And rather than telling the survivors of the Stoneman Douglas shooting that their loss will be the last, they are told that they brought this upon themselves with their bullying ways.<br />
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<i> "These shootings are happening from kids that you're bullying."</i><br />
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<b>We Cannot Force our Children to Fix This</b><br />
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It is not up to our children to be counselors. No student should feel compelled to eat lunch with a kid they don't like because they are afraid of becoming a victim. No girl should have to smile at a boy she doesn't like out of fear he will bring a gun to school. It is not up to our children to make this right by being there for everyone else, regardless of their own wishes and desires.<br />
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By reacting to the March for our Lives Movement, the #NeverAgain Movement and others with commentary about bullying and about being kind, we are effectively laying the responsibility for fixing this at the feet of our children.<br />
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That is victim blaming.<br />
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And it's wrong.<br />
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It is not the responsibility of our youth to address gun violence in their schools by simply being kinder. Should they be? Of course. Everyone should be kind.<br />
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But that is where the responsibility ends. Not with befriending the neo Nazi. Not with taking taking a date with the stalker so that he will be appeased. Not with smiling at the boy who calls girls he dislikes dykes and boys he dislikes faggots. None of these are the responsibility of our youth.<br />
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And it is sad that our refusal to lead, as adults, has forced us to the point it even needs to be said.<br />
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<br />Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-33607370407762187942017-03-09T15:21:00.004-05:002017-03-10T07:17:28.141-05:00An Open Letter to Modest Mom<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Modest Mom,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I read your recent post about your <a href="http://www.thismodestmom.com/boycott-disney/" target="_blank">choice to cancel your family trip to Disney</a>. I have to say that I feel bad about your choice firstly on the principle that a trip to a Disney park is an amazing experience. Even when my wife and I traveled there without children it was exciting; with our kids it was down right magical.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am also saddened by the nature of<a href="http://www.thismodestmom.com/hate-mail/" target="_blank"> the response you've received</a>. Bullies are an ever-present problem and no one deserves to be demeaned in the manner you've shared on your blog. My heart fell for you and your family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a fellow Christian I want to talk to you, frankly, about what I see as a disconnect in your words and your deeds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This tea-pot-tempest began when you posted your reasons for not wanting to take your family to Disney and spend $6000 to support a company that promoted an agenda you disagreed with. This agenda is, at its most basic, the normalization of homosexuality.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So let's sit down and talk, okay?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You say:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">"No matter your preference of life, I believe in kindness, compassion, and brotherly love."</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You are operating here on the assumption that being gay is a preference, much like I might prefer sausage on my pizza over pepperoni, or may prefer wine over beer. It makes it sound like being gay is a simple matter of "if I had my choice I'd date a red-head over a blonde, but I could fall in love with a brunette". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And that's not, we are finding out more and more, the case. There is an ever-growing body of evidence that being gay (or really any of the LGBTQ+ group) is something that runs deeper, much deeper in a person's character.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">With that in place, I concur with you: kindness, compassion and brotherly love are essential in our society and a core principle in a Christ-led life.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">"LGBT people are humans. I don’t think they are bad people. I don’t shun LGBT people. I don’t fear them. I believe that all humans should be treated equally, and with respect."</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This, right here, if it is sincere is the best thing I read from you in your blogs. They are humans. They are not bad people. They deserve to be treated equally. They deserve Respect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But then you also posted this:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Let’s let our children be children. Don’t include them in your efforts to create a politically correct stance."</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This, MM, is where we separate. What you see as a "stance", I see as no more, nor less, than an acknowledgement of existence and respect. LGBTQ+ people are here. They are our brothers, sisters, children, parents, neighbors and friends. If we want to treat them equally, if we want to treat them with respect, then they deserve inclusion in our media. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your concern was that the character of Lafou has a crush on Gaston, a point you will see in the cartoon (if you look for it) and in many productions of the Broadway musical. This isn't really well hidden and to be honest I'm a little surprised you're just now seeing it. You also go on to lament:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">"This move made Disney’s first LGBT moment in a kids animation. Last fall, the creators of “Moana” mentioned in an interview with a liberal media source that they wouldn’t rule out an LGBT Disney princess. Director Ron Clements said, “It seems like the possibilities are pretty open at this point.” WHAT?!"</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What I am reading in your words is your concern that being gay will be seen as, well, something deserving of respect. What I am reading is that being gay will be seen as being given a chance at equal time. And that only works as a point of concern if being gay is a choice, if it's a "lifestyle". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If being gay is how God made someone, then you lose a lot of the ground you've claimed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And let's talk about Elsa's coming out, can we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What is it about Elsa that stands out? She can make ice and snow, amazing creations with ice and snow. When she "let's it go" as it were she can build an entire palace. But instead of being who she is, she's taught to hide it. "Conceal, don't feel." This is the same emotional place a lot of LGBTQ+ youth find themselves. They find happiness with someone, or simply with themselves, but they don't dare show it to the world. They feel, but they conceal. People will be afraid of them; people will shun them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Is it any wonder that so many people talked about Elsa as a closeted gay princess? Consider what kind of life she led (if you can do so with a fictional character) constantly hiding who you were from the world. But again, you have to accept that being gay, or being transgender, is how God made these people. Expressions of "gayness" is no different than your hugs with your husband- it's who they are naturally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At this point I imagine you're disagreeing with me but before we go there I want to talk about something else you said in your response:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe I’m just digging myself a deeper hole for you guys to throw me into. But hopefully, you see that there’s a real person with feelings behind this screen. Hopefully you know that your words hurt. Hopefully you’ll see me in a different light.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes. Words hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And to a young person struggling to figure out why they are interested in other girls, or why they don't feel right about themselves in the role of "a boy", being reminded over and over again that they are "wrong" also hurts. They look to popular culture, movies, TV, books, games, to see what's normal, to see what's acceptable-- and they don't see themselves very often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When they do come up, often it's people saying "those gay people don't belong" or "keep that away from my kids" as though kids will learn how to be gay by seeing it. And those words, as you said, hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Good intentioned "I'll pray for you to not be gay" are words that hurt. So are "all this acceptance is just an agenda". No, MM, it's an effort help people in our community, in our schools, in our markets, in our churches feel like they belong and as you said "deserve to be treated equally... [and] with respect"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So let's get to the words that hurt, words like Bigot, and "guilty for suicides". Those kind of suck to be slung at you, I don't doubt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But, I'm sorry to say, they aren't unfair either. Your stance that "the gay agenda" doesn't fit in because it's morally wrong is no less a bigoted stance than that of the last generation who said "black and white people shouldn't marry; it's just wrong". Saying that gay characters don't belong in things your kids see because it's morally inappropriate fits right next to "it's a moral truth that African's just aren't smart enough". It's a generalization against a group of people based on more than who they are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your apparent stance on homosexuality is the same parallel as the writings of those who say that women just don't have the minds for science. It's bigoted. Sorry, but stay with me a pinch longer please.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to end on one of the most important parts:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">"It seems as though agreeing to disagree is a sign of weakness."</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my life I've learned that there are times where, no, we cannot agree to disagree. There is a right, and there is a wrong and acceptance of a wrong is never right. Espousing a wrong is not right. 30 years ago it was not right to "agree to disagree" about women in engineering. 50 years ago it was not right to "agree to disagree" about how all people should have equal access in society regardless of skin color. 100 years ago it was not right to "agree to disagree" about humans owning other humans. There will always be issues for which, no, there is no middle ground of shrugging and saying "well just don't agree, let's part with respect."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">No, MM, this is one of those places where the side of right is say "we need to create a society where all people feel welcomed and acknowledged" and that means once in a while your daughters will see a boy kiss a boy on TV. The right thing for us as a people is to acknowledge that while we may not agree about what we find attractive in another, homosexuality is a real thing that happens and does not need to be "boycotted" because it appears in media. The right thing, MM, is to call you out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And I am not alone in this:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As spoken by Christ in Matthew 22 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, <b>Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.</b> On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (emphasis mine).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you demean others for being who they are by saying "<span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-size: 15px;">They are banking on corrupting the purity of a child’s mind for the 1%" and "</span>At this point, Disney is proudly looming over your morals and values and eerily cackling like a villain in one of their own classic fairy tales." you are not showing love for your gay, for your transgender, for your queer, for your bisexual neighbors. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">I believe that different views are what make discourse great, but the line is drawn when those views vilify and defame others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">I pray for you and your family, that your hearts will not be hardened and that you will come to love your neighbors as Christ commands us to. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Sincerely</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Rob</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><i>Rob Osterman is a failed author, a middling husband, a decent teacher, and a pretty good dad. He enjoys board games, his work teaching, and time with this family. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>This post may be edited at any time for clarity and for grammar.</i></span></span></span></div>
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-24619351425467395662013-09-04T12:18:00.001-04:002013-09-04T12:25:25.952-04:00Answered and AskedAs most of you know I went to DragonCon this past weekend. It's what's caused another delay in Bastion, has kept me from writing any more of Mind the Thorns and has been eating up what little spare time I can squeeze out of life now that school has resumed.<br />
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But I did have an amazing time there, much of it good, some of it bad, and a little of it frustrating. I'm going to start with one of the more frustrating moments.<br />
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The name of the panel was "Vampires and the Women who Write Them". It featured an array of women authors of Urban Fantasy ranging from those who had just started writing to those who had been writing about vampires since the 1960's. It was quite the collection and what I saw as an opportunity to get to the ins and outs of writing good, solid urban fantasy.<br />
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It was also a chance to be talked down to by none other than the wonderful<a href="http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/" target="_blank"> Laurell K Hamilton</a>.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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The panel was asked a series of questions about vampires, vampire lore, and the like and then the floor was opened for questions. Because there were few volunteers I was the first question of the panel. I cannot recall exactly my words but my question boiled down to this: "I'm a man who is writing with the hope of giving my daughter stories that feature strong women characters. What would you suggest that I, as a man writing these characters, try to avoid? What mistakes do men make when writing strong women characters?"<br />
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And without hesitation Laurell K Hamilton pounced and gave a firm, confident answer to half the question.<br />
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She answered the part about "Strong Women Characters" by basically telling me that the problem is that I should not see them as Strong Women Characters but simply as Strong Characters. "The great mistake was to think of them as Women. She actually gave a great answer to that half of the question.<br />
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In fact. It's nearly the exact same answer I gave when I was asked a question about Women Characters in an interview:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/50CyFXbCBTA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Now to be fair, I do misquote Joss Whedon. The accurate quote from him is "Why do I keep writing strong women characters? Because you keep asking the question." This came at the end of a litany of reasons that we should have strong women characters. Not just strong characters, but strong women, characters that our daughters, our sisters could look at as role models and as inspirations. In an interview GRR Martin answered the question about the authenticity of his women characters with the quip, "I start by thinking of them as people."<br />
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However, during the panel, Ms. Hamilton appeared so excited to leap on me for suggesting that Strong Women Characters were also Women, that she completely missed the point of what I was asking: How does a man ensure that these characters are authentic? What are the mistakes men make when writing authentic women?<br />
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And short of that, I was also stymied. Just a few minutes ago co-panelist<a href="http://www.karenetaylor.com/" target="_blank"> Karen E Taylor</a> had introduced herself as someone who "writes about women", who writes stories from "a woman's point of view". She went to great lengths to establish her credibility as writing the Female Character. The subject had been broached that writing women was different than writing men long before I entered into the conversation.<br />
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And honestly, there is a fundamental difference between men and women. They are not the same. I take great pride in the compliments I get for what I'm able to do with the women in my stories and the feedback I get on their authenticity. But that does not mean I am without room to grow and learn.<br />
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I respect everyone on the panel for their accomplishments and art. I was told, later, that asking for advice is a serious no-no in these author discussions, which I understand only begrudgingly. I love to teach and educate and enlighten. I don't mind, at all, sharing my experience and wisdom. For me, it seems that short questions about the art are quite fitting for these moments.<br />
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I am, however, disappointed that the real question of authenticity in the character was missed in favor of scoring quick points by talking down to one of the only men in the room, and a man who was willing to step up to the mic and ask a question of the panel as experts.<br />
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There is a good possibility that Laurell K Hamilton did not understand all of the question, or only felt comfortable addressing part of it. I suppose that it is also possible that she felt, sincerely, that the only key to a strong woman character is worry only about her strength and to ignore her womanhood. Fundamentally, I disagree because I know as myself, my maleness is part of me. It has shaped my experiences in life. It manages my fears. It opened doors to me that it might not have to others because we do not live in a perfect society where gender is ignored.<br />
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And I learned a valuable lesson about talking to panelists. Keep your question short, on point, without room for them to wander off. Never admit that you are a writer. <br />
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That just makes them irritable.<br />
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<br />Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-47843668425572987122013-08-27T11:00:00.002-04:002013-08-27T11:00:17.978-04:00Facts, Figures, Fat-shaming and Cosplay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTR2hPpqPGPZ0jwc9Srq2QM_5pgue_pp1NnIH1PmLtDq3ANsePXIbgh7PRDUg2Gu6wJEY5zwr5j2016wxo4l0JMgsM5G8L1onleNLWs_0bVFY4kON19E3EGj6H4xPFBWIdVrHxGicnaQ/s640/Photo+Aug+01%252C+5+04+35+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTR2hPpqPGPZ0jwc9Srq2QM_5pgue_pp1NnIH1PmLtDq3ANsePXIbgh7PRDUg2Gu6wJEY5zwr5j2016wxo4l0JMgsM5G8L1onleNLWs_0bVFY4kON19E3EGj6H4xPFBWIdVrHxGicnaQ/s640/Photo+Aug+01%252C+5+04+35+PM.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a>So the TV Show Heroes of Cosplay is taking the Cosplay/ Costuming Community by storm and often not in a good way. Among it's many missteps have been copyright violations committed by using photographs without permission. Then two of the stars opted to do a full head cast when they only needed the forehead, taking on massive risk and danger, apparently, just to do it.<br />
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But what really seemed to steal the spot light was an exchange in Episode 2 regarding who could and could not cosplay. This seemed to take the show into a dark direction of what was "Permitted" and what was not.<br />
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Now this was further complicated by Becky's obsession with her figure in Episode 1. A great deal was made about her quick return to the gym to try to slip down to play the part of Merida from Brave as well as snippets of her trying to squeeze into a corset to get the fit right and really look the part. Since we watched the episodes back to back we saw a solid two hours of weight issues and "looking the part" being front and center.<br />
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Really, much of this is quite likely the result of the show's editing staff trying to create an engaging and provocative narrative. This is not hard to do when you use some creative cuts, slip a few comments around out of context and then remove the chance for someone to respond to something to try to better establish context.<br />
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Since Episode 2 has aired, many efforts have been made to defend Yaya Han, the "Ambassador of Cosplay" as being very open to "cosplay for all" despite the fact that her words on the show implied quite the opposite.<br />
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So this brings us to now, today, and my own collected thoughts and observations.<br />
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<b>Looking the Part Can Matter</b><br />
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Depending on what you want to do with your cosplay being a different body type than the character you want to play can be a barrier to entry. This can be matter of being the wrong height, heavier weight, wrong skin complexion, etc. But this limitation only applies to Cosplay with certain specific goals: wanting people to believe you are that character.<br />
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Now why would that matter?<br />
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One of the greatest groups out there is the 501st Stormtrooper Legion and it's sister organization The Rebel Alliance. For some of their charity work, which can include visits based on the Make a Wish Foundation, having the "Real" Luke Skywalker and the "Real" Obi Wan can be a requirement. It's quite like being cast in a movie or play where it is more than just costuming. It's the complete package.<br />
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Likewise, Disney does this already when it casts men and women in the "human characters" for the parks. Simply if you don't have the figure of Jasmine or Peter Pan, then they can't cast you because the illusion is a very big deal.<br />
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And for some cosplayers that moment where a fan says "Ohmigod, Look! It's Indiana Jones!" is why they do it. They look like a certain character/actor and therefore are able to really play to that look when they get into costume. It's not a requirement for all cosplay and for those of us (I put myself well in this group) who do not have Hollywood looks, looking like an actor just isn't going to happen. I am a little lucky in that I'm told I look like Adam Savage or even Paul Giamatti, neither of whom are really known for appearing in the kinds of costumes I can wear at a convention. Sure I could do John Adams, or I could do something that looks like Adam on the set but it's not the same as having the jaw line to be a really convincing Han Solo.<br />
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So what does this mean for the 300 pound Superman? That he can't do it?<br />
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No. Anyone from 30 pounds to 300 can cosplay Superman. Period. Full stop.<br />
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It does mean, however, that he (or she) should not expect to be mistaken for the character/ actor. No more. No less.<br />
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<b>The Internet is a Cruel Place</b><br />
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One of the points raised in the after comments about the infamous "you can't be superman if you're 300 lbs" is that when doing so the cosplayer is putting themselves out there for ridicule. The implication is that people will take pictures and post mean spirited text on them and then circulate them as the next nasty meme. And once out there, getting these images pulled can be impossible, creating a permanent nasty record.<br />
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Last week I commented on the woman's image of "This is what a Feminist looks like" being turned into an anti-feminism meme and Facebook's refusal to react to the obvious bullying that followed.<br />
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On this I, reluctantly, agree that it is a risk. It's a risk of not being what "the masses" label as physically attractive. It doesn't matter if they're in costume nor not. The wrong hair color. The wrong complexion. The wrong sized gaps between teeth. The wrong weight. The wrong height. Bullies don't need a lot of excuses to pick a victim and zero in on them.<br />
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So rather than suggesting that someone not pursue something they love because they might get hurt, I really think we need to be encouraging of these courageous souls and support them when the bullies do come out, rather than preemptively telling them to hide from the bullies not yet seen.<br />
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Because no matter how much we may think we can protect them, as someone who was bullied, it has already happened. You can tell me not to wear that costume but it won't be the first time I've been verbally abused. I'd rather you stand with me when it happens.<br />
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<b>Bullies are going to happen. </b><br />
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I wish this weren't true. I do. I wish that when someone said to me "Do you think I'm going to get teased for this?" I could universally say "no." That would be a better world to live in than we do. <br />
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It's sad but I fear it's a little expected that if someone who isn't a perfect match, then there will be someone who will make a comment about it. I say that not because I want to assign blame to the cosplayer but because I'm a realist about how there are people in this world who are mean, vile and sad people. They have learned that when they are cruel they get something they themselves want, be it attention, perceived respect, or laughs.<br />
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As a Cosplay community it's a job to deny them of these things. It's our job to not laugh at their jokes, to not give them respect for their "cleverness" and to only give them enough attention to tell them that their comments are not welcome and then refer them to the Convention staff.<br />
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Most cons have harassment policies and if it's that easy for a bully to take a picture or a video of someone they wish to mock, it's just as easy for us to do the same in collecting evidence to take to con staff to have them disciplined.<br />
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I don't suggest we go straight to Twitter or Tumblr and create a Wall of Shame effort to attack and belittle the bullies. Those actions make us no better than they are and it only adds fuel to their flames of attention seeking hate mongering. In short those stories never end well. But as much as I believe these evil people exist, I believe as many if not more good people exist who want everyone from the 90 lb Super girl to the 300 lb Batman to have fun showing off their fandoms.<br />
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<b>Dress for you, in all the meanings of the phrase</b><br />
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First, my own personal advice is to cosplay as you like for what you want.<br />
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Second, there is an art to dressing and costuming for your own body type. What works on the hyper-stylized body of a comic book Power Girl is not going to work on every other woman's body. There are some looks that one actor can pull of but just plain look wrong when applied to a different shape or silhoutte.<br />
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Tim Gunn, briefly, did a show called "What to Wear" and part of it was to sit down with a woman and look at her figure and say, frankly, these are things that look good with the way you are shaped. He did it with class and poise and not a single drop of judgement. And there is no need for judgement. You are what you are in that moment.<br />
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But it does mean that some costumes may need to be modified to fit who you are rather than be a faithful 100% copy of the comic or the movie. It might mean finding a way to add short sleeves to help accent your arms, or a short skirt to better fit and display your legs. It might mean opening up a panel, or hiding a seam. Honestly I'm not a tailor and I'm not an expert on how to pull any of this off myself. But I have seen it done and when it's done well, women (and men) of all body types can rock the look.<br />
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The Cosplay community wants to be open but like any group there are going to be those who see it as a competition. There will be a quiet tally of what comments are made, what compliments given, how often they are stopped for pictures. It can't be helped and if kept in the right perspective it might not even be a bad thing.<br />
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The bad is when we let our sense of competition mutate into efforts to cut others down to build ourselves up, rather than joining in a shared celebration of loves and passions and fandoms.<br />
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<i>Rob Osterman is the author of the popular web novel <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bastion: The Last Hope</a>. Its story follows those few who struggle to survive through the end of days and perserve what remains of humanity. He also writes <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>, a reader directed web novel chronicling the death and life of Regan Fairchild: Accountant, Bachelorette and Vampire.</i><br />
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<i>His first novel, Fantasti*Con follows Allison Cavanaugh on a weekend of geekery gone awry as she is stalked, followed, harassed and worse. It is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Rob-Osterman/dp/1470136260/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank">Amazon in print </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Con-ebook/dp/B00779JKXK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">eBook editions</a>.</i></div>
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<br />Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-17879102246484877612013-08-24T19:56:00.002-04:002013-08-25T22:22:11.419-04:00Weekly Omens - 8-24-13This week I discovered Heroes of Cosplay and the train wreck of drama and cattiness that it is. I'm not going to pull punches. The editors of that show make the Cosplayers look like mean spirited wicked elitists. The repeated commentary on, for example, Yaya Han's history in the hobby only seems further drive home that idea that Cosplay is for the select few.<br />
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It hit a fever pitch in Episode 2 when it was explained to newcomer Chloe (@skydart) that there are certain things you don't do, such as be 300 pounds and try to cosplay Superman. I believe, possibly, that the other veteran Cosplayers were trying to say that the internet is a mean spirited place where people who are not within "the ideal" are mercilessly mocked and that being of a fuller figure means also being prepared for the fat-shaming and abuse that will follow. I want to give them a break but I can't. <br />
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I won't.<br />
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And I'm going to leave it there for now because really my fuller thoughts on this should be in their own blog post and that's going to come next week, possibly after I see Episode 3. Maybe.<br />
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So here's the rest of your weekly wrap up:<br />
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<b>In Bastion: The Last Stand</b><br />
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Hiatus week. Time for me to prepare for Dragon Con. Also it may not be until after Labor Day that my life find the normalcy necessary to return to a regular schedule of updates. I'm hoping to be able to keep to a piece of prose every 3 weeks but I might be too optimistic with that.<br />
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<b>On Fictional Omens</b><br />
<b><br /></b>A woman posed for a picture with the sign, "This is what a Feminist Looks like". Internet Trolls were as trolls are. Facebook failed to do the right thing. I'm still not sure about how they managed to blow this.<br />
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<b>At Home</b><br />
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I'm prepping for Dragon Con!<br />
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For those going here's a short list of what I have planned:<br />
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<li>Friday night:</li>
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<li>Walking Dead Costume Group</li>
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<li>Saturday</li>
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<li>Dragon Con Parade as Dum Dum Dugan</li>
<li>Panel at 1pm on "Do We Need Teachers?" as part of the Science Track</li>
<li>Panel at 5pm on "Hollywoodpocalypse" as part of the Apocalypse Rising Track</li>
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<li>Sunday</li>
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<li>BSG Duty Blues costume for fun</li>
<li>Star Trek Costume Group</li>
<li>Panel at 7pm on Defiance: A Town without Mercy as part of the Apocalypse Rising Track</li>
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<li>Monday</li>
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<li>A long... long... drive home.</li>
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If you need any help finding me at the con, shoot a tweet to me @FictionalOmen, drop me an email or leave a comment here and I'll do my best to find you.</div>
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<b>Your Weekly Video</b></div>
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I'm seriously considering making a lipsync video of "What Makes you Beautiful" by, yes I know, 1 Direction because of all the shaming and hate around Cosplay. I'm not sure if I will or not but here's one of the best I've seen to some awesome Bon Jovi:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BbBe9X5qqe0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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<i>Rob Osterman is the author of the popular web novel <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bastion: The Last Hope</a>. Its story follows those few who struggle to survive through the end of days and perserve what remains of humanity. He also writes <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>, a reader directed web novel chronicling the death and life of Regan Fairchild: Accountant, Bachelorette and Vampire.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div>
<i>His first novel, Fantasti*Con follows Allison Cavanaugh on a weekend of geekery gone awry as she is stalked, followed, harassed and worse. It is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Rob-Osterman/dp/1470136260/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank">Amazon in print </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Con-ebook/dp/B00779JKXK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">eBook editions</a>.</i></div>
Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-11776489375847061362013-08-22T20:53:00.001-04:002013-08-22T20:53:57.481-04:00Feminism and I: It's Complicated<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSH9Okr673zsSxdklJr-X2ML91JP49o2i_7bt3R54hlz0ZurllE9g" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSH9Okr673zsSxdklJr-X2ML91JP49o2i_7bt3R54hlz0ZurllE9g" /></a></div>
Recently I was advised to submit a short story to a group working on a collection of stories by female authors. As I'm not a female this would seem out of place but the suggestion was made that I might be added as a "bonus story" because I have pretty good track record of writing strong female characters, and that a story in that vein might go well in the collection.<div>
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I wasn't called a Feminist but I like to think that I let my process of character creation run along similar lines as Jos Whedon and he has been given, if not taken, that title himself. I've also been known<a href="http://youtu.be/50CyFXbCBTA" target="_blank"> to horribly misquote him</a> but I like to think that my error is more along the lines of "correct in spirit if off in fact."</div>
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Oddly, though, I have to confess to a rather on-again-off-again relationship with the term Feminist. Most "-ists" tend to be used as a form of pejorative. Racist. Sexist. Misogynist. Elitist. These aren't nice words. I even have a weird reaction when someone uses the term "Deist" even though I don't think it's intended harshly in most conversation.</div>
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Even when it's not used as a negative title (such as Atheist, or Pragmatist) I often feel like the goal of its use is to imply an elevation of something as a superior idea or form over other thoughts. A Hedonist puts pleasure as a higher good than other concepts.</div>
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As much as I love women, I do not believe that by virtue of being women they are any better or worse then men. There are some men who are horrible and some who are virtuous. I've met women who have touched my life in profound ways, and some who I still struggle to fully purge from my memory so as never to think on them again.</div>
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But then this story came across my news feed: <a href="http://www.xojane.com/issues/my-picture-was-stolen-and-turned-into-a-fat-shaming-anti-feminist-meme" target="_blank">A woman's picture was turned into an Anti-Femisist Meme and Facebook won't remove it.</a></div>
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And I got angry.</div>
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There are two things at foot here.</div>
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Thing One: Anti-Feminism.</div>
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Look, fellow men, here's the deal. Being anti-feminist isn't cool, it isn't clever and it isn't welcome. It's not inherently manly. It doesn't show off "alpha male" status.</div>
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Simply, it makes you look like a jerk. Well it makes you look like other things but because I have to keep this blog relatively PG I can't post what it makes you look like. </div>
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There are still real problems with gender relations in this country and poking fun at what a Feminist is (or is not) doesn't help them. I won't toss out the "$0.70 on the dollar" figure because I think it too much of a soundbite, but I have seen sexism first hand myself as its inflicted on the women in my life. Part of writing Bastion has been working with Marines to get the Marie story arch right and there are still many real problems with gender equity in opportunity.</div>
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Cracking jokes about what a Feminist is in order to score quick points with your bros, doesn't do anything to help the rest of us. It's not funny and in this case it's just mean.</div>
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Thing Two: Facebook's non reaction.</div>
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You own your image. Period. It's your image.</div>
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I'm a little surprised that when someone's image is used without their direct consent, and done so further in a spiteful and mean way that Facebook's answer is to simply say "We cannot do anything due to free speech."</div>
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Here's a tip Facebook: Bullying is real and your inaction is part of the problem.</div>
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I get free speech. I get being a safe harbor. I get wanting to stay out of the politics of gender discussions.</div>
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<br />But this isn't some faceless drawing, or some statement posted in text. It's a woman's image, used to mock and shame her. And your inaction, Facebook, makes you complicit in the deed. If you, Facebook, are serious about anti-bullying, then the course is really quite clear.</div>
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Man up and do the right thing.</div>
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And really... that's what it comes down to. </div>
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<a href="http://nursingclio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nursingclio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/stewart.jpg" /></a></div>
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Patrick Stewart (who is as close to Godly as I think can be found on this Earth, next to the Pope, perhaps) is a famous advocate for battered and abused women. And in one of his talks he was very frank. Men must be part of the solution. Men have to step up and do the right thing. Men cannot be idle. </div>
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We cannot be silent. We cannot wait for others to act for us. We cannot let women sort it out among themselves.</div>
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<br />We, humans, are in this together and thus we all need to step up and do what's right.</div>
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-34161784376999597622013-08-18T18:02:00.001-04:002013-08-18T18:02:18.174-04:00Weekly Omens 8/18/13Why is this so late? Well here's a bit about my weekend. I'm trying to get the wife to try out Rift, we're just now catching up on Newsroom and True Blood, this was my last week of "Summer Vacation", and today Disney Infinity was released and already it's a hit with the house (but not the pocketbook).<br />
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So let's do this round up so I can get back to building a race track in my son's Infinity Toybox.</div>
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<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Bastion the Last Hope</a></b></div>
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This week was a multimedia update week and we got some insight into how it was that Felice now goes by the name Jo. I feel, personally, like it was a little more tell than show (I know it's supposed to be the other way around, but this is a picture based storyline) but I think it worked.</div>
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Fans should note that the schedule for BLH is changing over to the following: Prose / Media / Break. This past week was a media week, so the coming week will be a break. Expect the next prose, a week from Monday and expect it to be prose. This should give me a little more time to work on things and hopefully get Mind the Thorns back into my writing rotation.</div>
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<b><a href="http://fictionbyosterman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Fictional Omens</a></b></div>
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I waxed a little angry about the fact that our language is "evolving" to allow the wrong definition of a word to, literally, be considered "a definition" of that word. I'm, figuratively, steaming at the collar about it and, literally, ready to scream.</div>
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<b>At Home</b></div>
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I continue to prepare for Dragon Con. It's exciting and fun and I'm probably going to be taking at least 5 different costumes to change into and out for over the weekend, coupled with appropriate clothes for my panels (assuming I'm still on said panels as the schedule isn't released yet and my name does not appear in the DC app yet as a presenter).</div>
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And, for your weekly video:</div>
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If you're a fan of Lindsey Stirling you've seen this already but it's news to me and thus I am sharing it here. Also I think someone at Dragon Con should totally Cosplay her.</div>
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<i>Rob Osterman is the author of the popular web novel </i><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bastion: The Last Hope</a><i>. Its story follows those few who struggle to survive through the end of days and perserve what remains of humanity. He also writes </i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=125456516922047944#overview/src=dashboard" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a><i>, a reader directed web novel chronicling the death and life of Regan Fairchild: Accountant, Bachelorette and Vampire.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>His first novel,</i> Fantasti*Con <i>follows Allison Cavanaugh on a weekend of geekery gone awry as she is stalked, followed, harassed and worse. It is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Rob-Osterman/dp/1470136260/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank">Amazon in print </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Con-ebook/dp/B00779JKXK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">eBook editions</a>.</i></div>
Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-79359904783406257262013-08-15T11:04:00.001-04:002013-08-15T20:46:53.208-04:00New Definitions that, Literally, Need to Die<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks to John Scalzi, I learned last night that dictionaries are starting to add "Figuratively" to the definition of the word "Literally." Or to put it another way, because so many people are, literally, using the word in a way that is exactly opposite of what it means the dictionaries are giving up and changing the definitions.<br />
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This has spurred me to go after a short list of "definitions" that I would happily shoot with a phasor set to "Shake and Bake."<br />
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<b>Gay vs Stupid, Silly or Lame</b><br />
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I hear this from my students and it simply drives me nuts. "This test is so gay." I'm sorry, Student003, but a test cannot be gay. It doesn't have a sexual preference. It doesn't get together with other tests and make little quizzes together.<br />
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If you want to say "I went to my cousin's wedding and it was so gay" here are some acceptable statements that can follow:<br />
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<ul>
<li> "My cousin and his new boyfriend look so cute as a married couple."</li>
<li> "Everyone was giddy and happy and we all danced and laughed like we did not have a care in the world." </li>
<li>"The decorations were all rainbow pride flags." </li>
<li>"I was the only person there attracted to the opposite sex." </li>
</ul>
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<br />
What is not acceptable is to follow it with "I was so bored I couldn't wait to leave."<br />
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Yet somehow this idea has become locked into our culture, that it's okay to use "Gay" as a negative label.<br />
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<b> Can vs May</b><br />
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Here's one of my favorite exchanges at work:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Student004: Can I go to the bathroom?<br /> Me: I hope so. Inability to clear your body of waste can lead to serious medical conditions. </i></blockquote>
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Over time we have dropped the word May as a way of seeking permission and substituted in Can which is supposed to reference ability. Perhaps this comes from the idea that the only limitations we see for ourselves are those imposed by what we are able to do, rather than what an outside force gives us permission to do.
<br />
<br />
What happened to the playground game "Mother May I?" with its lovely and constant reminder of the proper word for permission? Should we stay saying "Just because you can doesn't mean you should" and replace it with "Just because you can, doesn't mean you may"? Have we given up on the idea of permissions all together and simply embraced, finally, the "if it feels good (and you're able to), do it"?<br />
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<b> Literally vs Figuratively </b><br />
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This is sheer laziness and a pure desire to look smarter than one is. "I'm going to, literally, bash his face in with a frying pan." This is not a metaphorical statement of anger, it's an actual real threat. You are saying that you really do intend to bash someone's face with a frying pan.<br />
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If you're going to say "Literally" in that context then you:<br />
a) need a frying pan<br />
b) need to have plans to bash someone's face in.<br />
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And to be a true statement, when you do see that person, you need to make good on your statement and actually bash his face in. If you don't then your threat of violence, your literal statement of intent is just some figurative expression of anger.<br />
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To put it another way, you should have said "I'm going to, figuratively, bash his face in."
But that takes thought. You actually have to, oddly enough, know what the words you are using mean. You have to, literally, know the proper use of the word Literally.
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<br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rob Osterman is the author of the popular web novel <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bastion: The Last Hope</a>. Its story follows those few who struggle to survive through the end of days and perserve what remains of humanity. He also writes <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>, a reader directed web novel chronicling the death and life of Regan Fairchild: Accountant, Bachelorette and Vampire.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">His first novel, Fantasti*Con follows Allison Cavanaugh on a weekend of geekery gone awry as she is stalked, followed, harassed and worse. It is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Rob-Osterman/dp/1470136260/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank">Amazon in print </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Con-ebook/dp/B00779JKXK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">eBook editions</a>.</span></i></div>
Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-3668649421414228482013-08-09T11:31:00.001-04:002013-08-09T11:33:04.080-04:00Weekly Omens 8/9/13And we're back to weekly updates!<br />
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So here's what's happening around the various writings and whatnots:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a></b><br />
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Is... still on hiatus. Look, it's been a busy summer and I'm going to level with you it's been hard to get this one going again. I know a lot of fans want to see how the story ends and honestly <i>so do I! </i>But with only 24 hours in a day and most of them spent with the kids, it's just as easy to get to.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bastion the Last Hope</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
On the other hand, <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/2013/08/chapter-19-gunnery-sergeant-marianne.html" target="_blank">Bastion is back</a>. For the last few weeks I've been able to work out the buffer a bit, see that I've got some of the "off week" videos and audio ready to go, and I'm able to focus on getting done what needs doing so that it can come back. Now to find the time to apply that other properties.<br />
<br />
<b>Here at Fictional Omens</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Dragon Con is fast approaching and answering a call for newbie guides <a href="http://fictionbyosterman.blogspot.com/2013/08/welcome-to-dragon-con-newbie.html" target="_blank">I posted a list of suggestions and ideas for new people to Dragon Con to consider</a>. Give it a read and feel free to make your own suggestions.<br />
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<b>At Home</b><br />
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The summer is winding down faster than I thought possible. It's hard to believe that in a few weeks I'll be back at work and 90% of my summer plans did not come to fruition. On the other hand, it's been a great run and spending time with the kids has been fun when it hasn't been horrifically challenging. Which leads us to this week's video.<br />
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<b>Weekly Video</b><br />
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Okay this one is home brewed using iMovie but it show cases some of the fun we've had this summer.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Ffictionbyosterman.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F08%2Fweekly-omens-8913.html&width=450&height=80&colorscheme=light&layout=standard&action=like&show_faces=true&send=true" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>
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<i>Rob Osterman is the author of the popular web novel <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bastion: The Last Hope</a>. Its story follows those few who struggle to survive through the end of days and perserve what remains of humanity. He also writes <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>, a reader directed web novel chronicling the death and life of Regan Fairchild: Accountant, Bachelorette and Vampire.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>His first novel, Fantasti*Con follows Allison Cavanaugh on a weekend of geekery gone awry as she is stalked, followed, harassed and worse. It is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Rob-Osterman/dp/1470136260/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank">Amazon in print </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Con-ebook/dp/B00779JKXK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">eBook editions</a>.</i><br />
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-17187930587613062942013-08-06T21:41:00.000-04:002013-08-07T07:48:22.636-04:00Welcome to Dragon Con, Newbie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the days to Dragon Con tick down, more and more first timers have been flooding the various Facebook Groups with questions, seeking advice, tips, and tricks for surviving the weekend with just slightly less sanity than they started with but without going completely nutzoid over the four days.<br />
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The call went out for the best "First Timer Guides" and so I am taking up the challenge with a set of ideas, suggestions, and observations I wish I had had for my first couple of Dragon Cons.<br />
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So in no particular order here are my thoughts:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<b>Bring Cash, and Small Bills</b><br />
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First there are a limited number of ATM's in the hotel area and the easiest to find and access are just that-- easy to find and access. That means everyone else will be doing the same and that means that they will be out of money very early in the weekend. Almost all autographs are best gotten with cash so there goes a large portion there. The food courts will take cards but it can be challenging to get through the lunch time mob and pay with plastic, and sign, and get your food. Cash is best, really but that means having it.<br />
<br />
The importance of small bills is for flexibility. When you arrive it's customary to tip the bell hop who helps unload your car. And then tip the one who brings the bags up to your room. And then tip anyone who brings up the costume bits you had shipped. And then tip the... and tip.. being able to slip a few singles is a lot smoother than standing there contemplating if you should tip a 10 or a 20.<br />
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<b>Cell Batteries</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
A lot of the convention will be in areas with poor cell reception. That's not bad as far as communication goes because more than likely you'll be using texts to communicate with each other. But what you do have to watch out for is what low reception will do to your phone's battery. Every time your reception drops too far, the phone has to send another signal up to the cell towers to connect. That drains your battery almost as much as actually talking does. It's not hard to go down to the Marriot basement with a full battery and emerge an hour later with it half, and not made any calls during that time.<br />
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You will also be using your phone, likely, for the Dragon Con App and other resources which will eat that battery up just as fast. Invest in some kind of pocket charger, battery extender or other gadgets to get your cell from sun up to sun down.<br />
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<b>Not Everyone at the Con is From the Eastern Time Zone</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This one probably could come later but it's fun to point out. The con runs pretty late into the night and it can start pretty early in the day. But that also means that if you have friends from California to hang out with, and you talk about "doing breakfast" your 9am meal to them is coming at 6am to their body's clocks. Likewise, if they say "let's just hangout until we crash", when your body says "Oh god it's 1am" their's thinks it's only 10pm.<br />
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<b>Cosplay is not Consent</b><br />
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Maybe this should have been at the top but it's something that if you're reading a list of tips of what to do and not to do, you probably have enough savy to realize that just because someone is in a costume does not mean.... well anything besides the fact that they are in a costume.<br />
<br />
It does not mean they need to pose for a picture. It does not mean they want to be touched. It does not mean that they want to be talked down to, treated as a prop, or laughed at. <br />
<br />
A Cosplay is a statement of fandom through costume. It's a way to say "I'm into this character, this story, this show, this movie."<br />
<br />
That said, the majority of cosplayers are happy to pose for pictures, to turn towards a camera, or to talk about their fandoms. The key is to be respectful that everyone is there to have fun, to enjoy the weekend and to engage with other fans. Show respect and you'll do fine.<br />
<br />
<b>Don't be afraid to talk</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The fact that we're all here for a massive convention of people into geeky things should make conversations the easiest of things to have. If you're the sort not used to talking to strangers, Dragon Con can be one of the best ways to get used to it. An easy trick to start a conversation is to ask about a costume you don't recognize. Pro tip: Be sure it's a costume first and note that Kilts do not mean costumes.<br />
<br />
Another good ice breaker is to just ask if they've been to the Walk of Fame yet. That opens up the door to find out what actors they wanted to see and then what fandoms you might share. <br />
<br />
<b>Going up to go down</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This appears to be controversial so let me explain a bit about how I understand the elevators work.<br />
<br />
When an elevator reaches a certain weight limit it no longer stops on floors where it might add passengers and instead continues down until it reaches one to discharge them. So this means that if you're in the lower part of a bank of elevators, it's possible that you will never get a "going down" elevator to open for you. <br />
<br />
Say you're on floor 5. The elevator going up opens on your floor to let people off. It then goes up to 6, 7 and 8 and lets off more people. Then it starts down picking up people on 8, 7, and then on 6. But on 6 it fills to capacity, thus it it zips past your floor without stopping.<br />
<br />
This is where "going up to go down" starts. When that elevator going up opens on 5, you get on. Now you're on an elevator that will eventually go down.<br />
<br />
And this is where it pisses people off. Once people start to fill up on the up trip, elevators tend to reach the top of their run at full capacity. This means they don't stop for any floors on the way down, and people on floors where there is not a stop to let people out never get an elevator.<br />
<br />
I don't have a solution. As someone who has spent long stretches waiting for any elevator to stop, I confess I've fallen prey to the "just go up to go down" mentality.<br />
<br />
<b>Plan for walking</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
No matter how perfect shoes or boots may look for a costume you need to remember that you will likely be walking or standing for long stretches in them. Honestly I usually plan three or four comfortable "generic" shoes to wear and accept that while they're not screen accurate I have to be able to walk again within a few days.<br />
<br />
It also helps to think about where you plan to go in what costumes. If you're just going down to the lobby then shoes that a more fashion over form should be fine. If you're walking between three different hotels for photo shoots, then, yeah, not so much. And while those might be the perfect boots for a look, if you can't walk back from said photo shoot, what's the point?<br />
<br />
<b>Be Cool about What you Shoot</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This is a major photo and video event. There will be pictures in all directions and many people love to make videos at cons. You may even be asked to lipsync some lines to go into a mash up later (I wish I had the talent to pull off the one below).<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3KmoKOrKJvk?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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<br />
But here's the key: Be sure everyone you film wants to be filmed in the way you're filming them. Making a point of getting shots of breasts, butts, crotches, down top, up skirts, etc are not only likely to get you in trouble later, they're likely to get you in trouble the very moment you snap the shot.<br />
<br />
And when in doubt: Ask.<br />
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<b>Breakfast - The Most Important Meal of the Day</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Breakfast is probably <i>the</i> hardest meal to get at Dragon Con if you are staying in the main hotels and you're on a budget. The Starbucks in the Marriott has a line that takes about an hour to get through and they will not have any food item when you get to the front. Coffee? Yes. Bagel? Aw, hell no.<br />
<br />
The easy way around this is to pack something nonperishable as your breakfasts. Granola bars are easy, dry cereal can work, and you can use the in room coffee makers to heat water for oatmeal. There are places that serve breakfast but they tend to be pretty jammed up, tend to be a walk, or tend to be expensive. If you're in the Marriot you can do the breakfast buffet but understand that at that price it'd be cheaper to hire someone to go to a different location, get you carry out and bring it back.<br />
<br />
Which is also an option.<br />
<br />
<b>Don't try to do it all. Prioritize.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If you've ever read a guide book for a major theme park you've heard this before. When you arrive do the most important things first, and then work your way down so that if you get to the end of your visit you don't leave saying "How did we <i>not</i> get to Pirates of the Caribbean?"<br />
<br />
For Dragon Con it comes down to picking a handful of panels you know you want to get to. Around that schedule your trips to the Walk of Fame, the Dealer's Hall, gaming. Eat when you can schedule it and if possible do it during off times. If you can eat dinner at 4 and then snack heavily at 8 you'll save yourself a lot of greif over going into the food court at 6 full of dreams. Those dreams will end up in a deep fryer somewhere screaming in terror.<br />
<br />
Some things make good "Sponge" activities to soak up spare time. The Walk of Fame can do this unless you want to see celebs who have limited appearance time and who will be very popular. The bigger the actor, the longer the line. So prioritize.<br />
<br />
<b>Do listen to hotel staff. They're just doing their jobs.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The hotels will usually stake out areas where they want you to keep from stopping to talk or take pictures. Please listen to them as there's usually a good reason that is not readily apparent. It often comes down to keeping a flow of traffic through an area and avoiding jam ups on the escalators. The hotel lobbies get a massive work out this weekend with the number of people milling around, going up and going down. Give the staff a break while they do what they can to comply with their own rules and policies.<br />
<br />
Being honest, I've never once felt like a hotel staffer was rude to me at Dragon Con. I've seen annoyance, even impatience from time to time but that's where it stopped. They want us to have as much fun as we do (so we come back and spend more money) so let them help you have that fun.<br />
<br />
<b>Take something to carry things in, preferably something for pictures</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If you're going to be collecting autographs have something like a binder with rigid sides to put them in. You don't want to be running around with a bunch of pictures you're trying to keep from getting bent. Before you pack make sure you have room for these things on the return trip. There is nothing worse than getting back from having met Sir Patrick Stewart and gotten his autograph only to open your suitcase and find a crease right down the middle of his face.<br />
<br />
<b>Getting Stuff there without getting arrested by the TSA</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
First, do <i>not</i> pack wands for your Harry Potter cosplay in your carry on bag. While the TSA may have a good laugh it will only be after an exhaustive search of the bag.<br />
<br />
Second, the hotels do have a receiving area and can and will take packages for guests. There is a handling fee for coming in (plus tip to the hop who brings it up), and there will be a handling fee for sending it out again (plus a tip to the hop who picks it up) but it will let you get things like swords, prop guns and other hard to pack in a suitcase items to the con and back again. You will want to ship it several days ahead and plan for it to be several days behind but it's a nice option if you have costumes that require items that you just can't take on the plane.<br />
<br />
This is hardly an exhaustive list. If you have more questions toss them in the comments and I'll do what I can to write up a part two to this list and try to address them.<br />
<br />
Oh, and totally look for me while you're there. I'll post more about where to find me when the final panel schedules are posted.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<i>Rob Osterman is the author of the popular web novel <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bastion: The Last Hope</a>. Its story follows those few who struggle to survive through the end of days and perserve what remains of humanity. He also writes <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>, a reader directed web novel chronicling the death and life of Regan Fairchild: Accountant, Bachelorette and Vampire.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>His first novel, Fantasti*Con follows Allison Cavanaugh on a weekend of geekery gone awry as she is stalked, followed, harassed and worse. It is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Rob-Osterman/dp/1470136260/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank">Amazon in print </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fantasti-Con-ebook/dp/B00779JKXK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">eBook editions</a>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-1031763961165640692013-06-27T09:37:00.001-04:002013-06-27T09:37:40.086-04:00It's been a good week for Link-age<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I wrap up my post-surgical convalescence, I've been fortunate to find my name out there in a few places recently.<br />
<br />
First my dear friend and fellow author Janine Spendlove <a href="http://www.ailionora.com/2013/06/26/guest-blog-post-robert-osterman/" target="_blank">posted my guest post on the levels of accuracy</a> over at her blog. Hop over there to give it a read, then come back here and leave a comment. Or leave one both places. <br />
<br />
By the way, she's also part of Silence in the Library Publishing and it's not too late to get in on their <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/103879051/time-traveled-tales-a-speculative-fiction-antholog" target="_blank">Kickstarter for a lovely collection of time travel based short stories.</a><br />
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Second, the wonderful blog The Kill Zone has <a href="http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/2013/06/first-page-critique-bastion-last-hope.html#.Ucw1gjQ3t8E" target="_blank">a critique of the first page of Bastion: The Last Hope posted.</a> It's a great read with many excellent points raised. I'm happy with the response and plan to take it all into consideration moving forward. Of course if you'd like to read the entire first chapter, just hop over to Bastion itself and have a look.<br />
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And lastly, I had my interview for the Local Author's program for our area cable channel. It will be airing in July so stay tuned for more!<br />
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Oh, by the by, I came through surgery quite well, and have all four of my wisdom teeth safely removed. Of course I scheduled an appointment only to remove two so there is still some story to be had here. I get the stitches out tomorrow and I'll be probably telling the full tale sometime next week.Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-72709838492897759822013-06-10T08:20:00.002-04:002013-06-10T08:20:34.468-04:00A little poll....Things have quieted down a bit so hop over to Mind the Thorns for a little poll about vampires:<br />
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<a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/2013/06/poll-vampires-are-real.html">http://www.mindthethorns.com/2013/06/poll-vampires-are-real.html</a><br />
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If vampires ~are~ real, what kind would they be?Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-52137250222413687912013-06-05T11:52:00.001-04:002013-06-05T11:52:21.216-04:00The Hiatus<i>The following is Cross Posted across all of my blogs: Fictional Omens, Mind the Thorns, and Bastion: The Last Hope.</i><br />
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So much to talk about and so much to write and to do and honestly no time for it all.<br />
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This is the end I want to make a public explanation of what's going on. As many of you know, my day job is teaching. This time of year is always incredibly challenging as the school year comes to a close, students seek extra last minute help, papers need to be graded, and life just has to wrap up. To this end I've just been unable to keep up with much of my writing.<br />
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Mind the Thorns has suffered a great deal from neglect of late, partly from timing, partly because of the nature of writing something reader-directed. Bastion has completely eaten up its buffer and while I love my blog, and I have plenty to comment on, there isn't time.<br />
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Officially, all web novels will return to regular posting on or around July 1. <br />
<br />Now, why the wait?<br />
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For Mind the Thorns, posting will resume much sooner than later. I just need time to sit down and write. Thankfully there's a plan in place I just need to keep pushing on.<br />
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For Bastion, I really need time to rebuild that buffer, collect videos from my cast, plan the next dozen chapters, and then be ready to write so that if I am forced to fall a little behind your regular updates aren't disrupted.<br />
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I appreciate the patience of all my readers as I push through this period and hope you all return at the beginning of July to engage in these projects.<br />
<br />Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-80338711068557266892013-06-02T09:33:00.000-04:002013-06-02T09:33:47.950-04:00Weekly Update 6/1/13You all know how this goes.<br />
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You're sitting in the cafeteria when you see that one of the popular girls of the school is looking at you. She gets up and starts to walk towards you. She knows you exist. She is coming to say something to you. You are someone she has something to say to. Finally, the moment has come and you have a chance to tell her how beautiful she is, how much you love her laugh, and her smile and her hair and how she smells, and how she writes her sevens on the board in Algebra and how she crosses her T's in her poetry in English. Finally, you get to tell her everything because she's coming.<br />
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To. Talk. To. YOU.<br />
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Then she's there and she leans in close. She's going to whisper to you. OhGodsofKobal. She has a secret. You tense. You close your eyes.<br />
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"Your fly is open."<br />
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Yep. That was how my Saturday started when I got a lovely comment from the ever amazing Mary Janice Davidson pointing out that I'd mistyped the title of her novel Undead and Unwed. I saw that I had gotten a comment on the blog post a few weeks back about Charlaine Harris and Vampires and I had referenced a lovely blog entry that Davidson had posted on that topic. <br />
<br />
And blown the title.<br />
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Which still upsets me because the Queen Betsy stories are such inspirations for my own writing, that bend of quirky characters, fish out of water themes, vampires, etc. Of course Regan didn't become obsessed with shoes until after she was a vampire but let's not quibble, shall we?<br />
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So... what's been up the last two weeks?<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">On Mind the Thorns</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
As I slide into my Summer hiatus, there has not been an update. See below for comments.<br />
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<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Bastion: The Last Hope</a></b><br />
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Owing to the Memorial Day holiday there was no update but we did all contribute to <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/2013/05/memorial-day.html" target="_blank">a special thank you </a>to our veterans, those lost in military service and their families.<br />
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<b><a href="http://fictionbyosterman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Fictional Omens</a></b><br />
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I <a href="http://fictionbyosterman.blogspot.com/2013/05/who-owns-world-reaction-to-kindle-worlds.html" target="_blank">weigh in on the new project Kindle Worlds</a>, an licensed fanfic program by Amazon. I really do think that it could be the end of Fan Fic as we know it.<br />
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<b>At Home:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Well, it's that time of year. As I mentioned above, all of my writing properties are going on a short Summer Hiatus. Why is this, you ask, dear reader? Because final exams are the toughest time of the year for me. I'm absolutely swamped with papers, grading, finals, students asking for late work, extra credit, and a million other things. I just don't have the time to sit and write in the way I write best. So rather than kick out something half assed, I'm officially declaring all properties on hiatus until the first week of July. Then they'll return with their usual weekly or bi-weekly updates.<br />
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Also at home, Xander has completed his first year of Kindergarten (or nearly has). And that brings us to ...<br />
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<b>The Weekly Video</b><br />
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This is a compilation of images and videos for my son over the last year as he finishes up his first year of school. It's amazing how fast the time goes.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sOrJ7Svacq0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-6547127985106759372013-05-29T11:55:00.000-04:002013-05-29T11:55:19.471-04:00Who Owns the World? A reaction to Kindle Worlds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/05/22/kindle-worlds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/05/22/kindle-worlds.jpg" height="106" width="200" /></a></div>
As you probably know by now, Amazon has announced that they will be launching a new Kindle Direct program called Kindle Worlds. Fan-fic authors can submit their work in one of the official licensed worlds and if accepted will find their work for sale on Amazon.com. Along the way, Amazon gets all kinds of benefits and perks and young fledgling authors who have been writing fan-fic for fun or for practice can now add "for profit" to their reasons for doing so.<br />
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John Scalzi, who himself is brilliant in all things writer-advocacy, has <a href="http://whatever.scalzi.com/2013/05/22/amazons-kindle-worlds-instant-thoughts/" target="_blank">a great post up</a> where he dissects the actual agreement. I'm going to spring board off of that myself here.<br />
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Spring boarding off of this there is one fundamental underlying question: Who owns a world?<br />
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<a name='more'></a>This is really the root of the entire conversation. Can GRR Martin actually stop people from writing and distributing fan-fiction, regardless of whether or not it's for profit? Generally fan fiction is given away on sites like Fanfic.net, Wattpad.com and other websites. Since it's mostly free (the owners of the sites, I assume make money on the advertising), it's considered some form of Fair Use and thus no one makes too big of a stink.<br />
<br />
Plus, who wants to alienate fans by saying "No no no! Mineminemine!"? Nothing can kill a fandom like acting like a jerk to the fans themselves. For more on that just look at the reaction to an ending the fans did not like to the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.<br />
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And she wasn't even mean to people; she was just writing the ending she felt best fit.<br />
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But in the agreement that Amazon has put out there, the full ownership of the work, including the Fan Fiction reverts to the original right holder, including the legal right to use anything in submitted work in later works. So if you write a great big of Fan Fiction for Vampire Diaries, and they like it enough to make it into an episode, you get the honor of saying "I wrote that" but without the honor of seeing your name on the credits as "story by."<br />
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As I understand it now, if I publish that same story on my own site, and then I see an episode that is clearly based on it, I can make the case that it was ~my~ story and thus I'm entitled to some compensation. In the grand scheme of things there's a line between "Just put his name in the credits and "spend the money to out-lawyer him into oblivion".<br />
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The thing is that if the world is not a property that someone can "own", then really the original holders and authors, say Rowlings and the Harry Potter, have no control over what is done with it, up to and including the production of entire works of fiction, for profit, using that world. Fan Fiction no longer remains only for free sharing.<br />
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On the other hand, if someone can own a world, then there is nothing to stop them from legally shutting down every Fan Fic site that references it. You want to write a story about a Quidditch match? Make up your own game.<br />
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Now in the past I've suggested that Fan Fiction has a good purpose. It's like being a cover band and learning the ropes of pacing, character, and plot by using a world that is already established and one that comes with a group of fans willing to suffer through your story while you massage it. It also allows you to enjoy the fandom and contribute to it in your own way.<br />
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I fear for the end of Fan Fiction which I believe that this Kindle Worlds program could usher in. Once there is a mechanism for establishing and codifying official Fan Fiction, then the un-licensed represents competition (why pay for it on Amazon when you can get it for free on Wattpad?) And it's only logical to shut that down.<br />
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Sadly I also believe that given the work required to create a solid, consistent world, I'm loathe to say that it becomes public domain when the first novel hits the shelf. Just to write the first Chapter of the Queen's Fury novel, I had to dedicate triple the time to world building before I even got to start on the second sentence of the novel itself.<br />
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Is the truth in the middle somewhere? Is there a place that allows for Fan Fiction for free and for profit?<br />
<br />I hope so but my experience with all things Amazon and "Big Corporate" says otherwise....<br />
<br />Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-59313118270936141812013-05-15T16:49:00.001-04:002013-05-15T16:49:32.138-04:00Where have all the game stores gone?So here I was all ready to blog about the latest in snarky reviews on Good Reads followed by a possibly unprofessional response on an author's blog leading to the latest internet Tea Pot Tempest when I got news of a store closing.<div><br></div><div>Let me put some context here.</div><div><br></div><div>When I started teaching, my room was a common place for nerds, geeks and dorks to hang out after school and have a shared space where it was okay to talk about DND characters, video games, and RPG's. </div><div><br></div><div>A few years ago I got a note from one of the guys who would hang out saying he had purchased a game shop and was selling the games we had talked about after school. </div><div><br></div><div>Sadly, the game shop is closing. Amazon, Walmart, and all the other "get more for less" stores took their toll, and the profit margin wasn't enough to keep it going.</div><div><br></div><div>So in lieu of a post tonight, we're heading up to East Lansing for a guy's night of comics, and games and good memories. I want my son to see a game shop, what gaming used to be, before the age of Overnight Delivery and On Demand Comics.</div><div><br></div><div>It's a bittersweet journey.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-40188245333490994442013-05-10T21:07:00.000-04:002013-05-10T21:07:40.148-04:00Weekly Update 5/11/13<br />
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The week opened with two days of inservices, followed by a day off due to a sick out by our bus drivers (long story and I'm not even sure what happened really), and then two days of work. It was a very short week for me at the day job yet oddly tiring all the same.<br />
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<b>On <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>:</b><br />
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Sadly, no update this time out, but I can assure everyone that the next chapter is in the works. However, as you will see below, it might be delayed just a pinch.<br />
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<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Bastion: The Last Hope</a></b><br />
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Bastion came back with an update following the KC130 crew, this time from the point of view of one of the copilots. We get a chance to see the group from a different angle, meet a different character, and find out a little bit about what exactly is happening.<br />
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<b>On Fictional Omens</b><br />
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Owing to a wacky week I went back to the archives and found a great post about writing in 1st person and why its so hard. Which is ironic because this week saw another dust up of "Authors Behaving Badly" as one tried to defend his rather casual writing style and his informal treatment of the audience. I may write more on it, if I feel I want to take the risk, as his response to the review got him pretty slammed.<br />
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<b>At home:</b><br />
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As a heads up, the next few weeks are going to be crazy at work as we end out the school year. Final grades are due, and for the first time in a long time it looks like I'll need to clean out my classroom in case I teach somewhere else in the fall. Finding time (and energy) to compose is going to be tough. So everyone knows Mind the Thorns will get another chapter before Memorial Day weekend, and Bastion has three more posts before the buffer is exhausted. After that it may go on hiatus for a few weeks to rebuild the buffer as we move into summer. The one perk of teaching is that I will have time this summer to muse and write in and around spending time with the kids and the family.<br />
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Plus my parent's cottage now has high speed internet and Wifi so I can go work up there as well.<br />
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<b>And.... your weekly video:</b><br />
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A few weeks ago Wil Weaton was asked what he might say to a woman's newborn daughter about why it was awesome to be a nerd.<br />
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Here goes:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H_BtmV4JRSc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-57922741410464436532013-05-09T10:22:00.000-04:002013-05-09T10:22:06.608-04:00Repost: Narrators- The Challenge of 1st Person<i>This is from the archives given that this week has been kinda bat-crap crazy for me. It also reminds me that I need to get some serious work done on my next few chapters too....</i><br />
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<a href="http://smurfs.wikia.com/wiki/Narrator_Smurf"><img border="0" src="http://images.wikia.com/smurfs/images/c/cb/Narrator.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
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<br />
The 2011 Smurf movie introduced us to a variety of unique smurfs, among them Gutsy (a kilted smurf) and Narrator (shown above). At one point in the movie, while Narrator is describing the ongoing battle scene another smurf looks at him and shouts "Really? Now?" At this Narrator shrugs and says "It's what I do."<br />
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When it comes to 1st Person Past Tense writing I find that the idea of the narrator is profoundly problematic and one of the least understood or acknowledged challenges in writing, especially among young or new writers. There is a distinctive appeal to having someone relate their accounts of events in their own words. We, as readers, are treated to their thoughts, their statements of their feelings, and their interpretations of the story.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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But we are also treated to their selective memory, their bias, and their agenda, hidden or otherwise.<br />
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Reading something in 1st Person, I need to know what the context of this dialogue with the narrator is. Is this, as is the case in <i>Catcher in the Rye</i>, a single therapy session? In the case of <i>World War Z</i>, it is the first hand stories of multiple survivors, talking to a historian and journalist. Or is it a diary, as <i>Twilight </i>is implied to be?<br />
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Once I have context I then move to asking how much I should believe the narrator. In the case of <i>World War Z</i>, I believe that most of what we read is honest. Without spoilers, the characters admit to some pretty horrible things that they were forced to do as part of surviving the zombie apocalypse. They are not stories that someone would make up to look good.<br />
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In contrast, consider Bella's self descriptions in <i>Twilight </i>and compare them to the actions of those around her. She insists that she is unattractive, plain, and clumsy. Yet she is so much an object of affection of the boys around her that they ask her to go to the girl's choice dance. She insists that she has no redeeming qualities, yet the most attractive boys in the school demand to be with her. Simply put, someone is not telling the whole truth.<br />
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When I first started writing short stories I mostly focused on 1st person. I wanted to tell stories as I imagined myself living them. I wanted to be the main character and I think that makes that narrative style a popular one, especially among young writers. Now, I don't mean to imply that everyone who writes in this format is an immature narcissist. Many great books (the aforementioned <i>Catcher in the Rye</i> for example) use this style to great effect.<br />
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I do believe, however, that it is one of the more challenging styles to use well. A writer has to either make the character believable and reliable, or to account for that unreliability and thus be certain that it is not just the narrative but the character's view of the narrative that we, as readers, are given.<br />
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-88988278383805758602013-05-04T21:52:00.003-04:002013-05-04T21:52:31.960-04:00Weekly Update 4/4/13<br />
Up and down and up down went the emotions of the week. One drama led to another and then another. Most of them were work related (not writing work the kind that pays the bills) but all in all it was not a bad week. Just one that kept the hits coming.<br />
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Like a jack hammer.<br />
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<b>On <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>:</b><br />
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It does seem that polls are borked so I'm going to be looking for something other than the Blogger resident poll system to keep tally week by week. The winning vote ~appeared~ to be to rescue Emma so that's what Regan's going to do. Of course, technically the vote was to ~try~ to save her. I never said if she was already too far gone or not.<br />
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We'll just have to wait a week and see.<br />
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<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Bastion: The Last Hope</a></b><br />
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This week was a hiatus week with no update. I should be hearing back from my friend in the Marine Corps tonight or tomorrow so that will give me a little bit to get the chapter edited and posted and from there it looks like we're on track for a good 4 week run without break.<br />
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<b>On Fictional Omens</b><br />
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Last weekend a major dust up took place for author Charlaine Harris, the woman behind the wildly popular True Blood novels also known as the Southern Vampire stories. Long story short, spoilers to her final book in the series leaked and many "fans" were none too happy. I took on<a href="http://fictionbyosterman.blogspot.com/2013/05/charlaine-harris-southern-vampires-and.html" target="_blank"> the issue of Reader Entitlement </a>in this week's Fictional Omen.<br />
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<b>At home:</b><br />
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Okay so Amazon Prime has this thing going where you can watch pilots for original shows that they will put on the "air" next season. We watched a few and here are our votes:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Zombieland The Series - Green Light</li>
<li>Alpha House - Yellow</li>
<li>The Onion News Network - Red</li>
</ul>
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We'll watch more and get back to you.</div>
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<b>And.... your weekly video:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>How am I just now finding out about this amazingly talented young woman?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BSLPH9d-jsI?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-90366721121227917992013-05-01T12:43:00.004-04:002013-06-01T10:38:21.079-04:00Charlaine Harris, Southern Vampires, and Entitlement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2011/05/charlaine-harris-close-thumb-200x300-78106.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2011/05/charlaine-harris-close-thumb-200x300-78106.jpeg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
This is the second take of my title. The first was "Charlaine Harris is not your B***H". It seems very posh to quote Mr. Gaiman these days and well, it seems to fit. Specifically it comes, so the legend goes, from a time that Neil Gaiman was asked how a fan could ask GRR Martin to write faster because they were so anxious to see where the Game of Thrones story line went. His answer?<br />
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You don't.<br />
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And that quote started to make the rounds again as authors weighed in on the recent debacle related to the much anticipated end to the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampires True Blood series.<br />
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But, given that<a href="http://mybookgoggles.blogspot.com/2013/04/charlaine-harris-isnt-your-bitch.html" target="_blank"> ChibiNeko did that for her blog</a>, I thought I'd write up my take on the whole thing under my own title.<br />
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The best write up of the event is here at the <a href="http://maryjanicedavidson.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-bullying-of-charlaine-harris-and.html" target="_blank">Blog of one Mary Janice Davidson, author of UNDead and Unwed and other stories of Vampire Queen Betsy.</a> <i>Edited: I originally mistyped the title of Ms. Davidon's Queen Betsy series as "Dead and Unwed" rather than "Undead and Unwed". <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Undead-Unwed-Queen-Betsy/dp/B0064XEIGO/ref=la_B001I9VW0E_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1370097442&sr=1-11" target="_blank">For clarity here's the actual book</a>. In fact, I need to really apologize because so much of Mind the Thorns and my own efforts to write to a similar audience was influenced by having read the first two books in that series.</i><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Here's the short form:<br />
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The last novel is due to be released on May 7th. It was leaked early (probably due to a mistake at a book store) and a fan decided that they did not like the ending. They did not like the ending so much that they set out specifically to spoil it for as many people as they could. This included posting directly on Harris's Facebook wall.<br />
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She responded, in my opinion, with class:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>By now some of you know that a reader in Germany obtained a copy of DEAD EVER AFTER and decided to post the ending online. While this is unfortunate, I wanted to say this to all of you: Even if you *personally* are unhappy with the ending, please don’t spoil it for other readers. DEAD EVER AFTER goes on sale on May 7th; after that date, you are more that welcome to come here and tell me how much you like - or don’t like - the choices I’ve made for Sookie. But from one Sookie fan to another, I’m asking you all to please not spoil the book for other readers. Thank you so much for your continued support.<br />Charlaine Harris</i></blockquote>
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As near as I can tell she really did not have any other choice. If she had left the posts on her page, her fans, like it or not, would likely be spoiled and the fun of finding out the ending ruined. Likewise just deleting them quietly would have caused even more of an uproar. Her only choice it seemed was to respond, professionally, and ask that people try to be polite and respectful.<br />
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So that's been played out pretty but well but it opens up the flood gates of posts for writers to think about.<br />
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As I have written before about fan fic, I'm going to save that for later and instead focus on what readers should expect when they buy into a book and when they buy into a series. Specifically the vicious cycle that is itself the formula for frustration.<br />
<br />
To talk about this, let's assume that Bastion: The Last Hope goes on to become the "next" Twilight, the "next" Harry Potter, the "next" Game of Thrones. I know, you dear reader, believe in your heart that this must be so, but I, the humble author, still have my doubts.<br />
<br />
So people come to the website week after week. They donate to the continuation of the story. They buy print copies of the book as it comes out. They buy swag and go to cons and talk about how much they love the work.<br />
<br />
Fan fiction begins to appear. You know you've arrived when you see people start to write fan fiction based on your stuff.<br />
<br />
What can people expect? What is fair now? Should they have a right to be upset when I start killing off characters? Should I start to tailor my writing to match the fact that people like certain characters?<br />
<br />
Do my characters acquire plot immunity because I know that killing them will cost me readers?<br />
<br />
At what point does my audience take over the manner in which my story is told?<br />
<br />
And that, right there dear reader, is the crux of what has happened.<br />
<br />
Harris was telling a long story spanning several books. But along the way, her readership became invested in it to the point where they felt that their personal plans for the book trumped the story Harris wanted to tell. I won't even go so far as to say what kind of story, good or bad. I will only offer up that good or bad, it was her story to tell.<br />
<br />
Gunny is my character to write, and Genevieve's part to act. That's it. No one else "owns" her.<br />
<br />
But that's not easily communicated. Part of why I got to be the famous "Author of that Innovative Web Novel" was because my fans told other fans. They shared their fan fic. They talked about what they hoped would happen to the characters. They helped build me up.<br />
<br />
An option, of course, is to tell the story I think they want. To keep droning out book after book (or update after update) specially to keep people reading more than I'm worried about telling a story.<br />
<br />
I believe, truly, that such is not good writing. At the end of it, my name is attached to the work and my only responsiblity is to tell the best story I can within my vision for the story. It's good if people like the story, but I can't start to second guess my arches based on what I think people will like. <br />
<br />
And that's what I think went wrong here. Too many fans decided that they were owed story arcs, plot threads and a specific kind of resolution. And because what they expected, what they felt they were "owed" for their investment was not what they got.<br />
<br />
It's never a good thing to disappoint an audience. But it happens. You can't please all the people all the time.<br />
<br />
Harry Potter absolutely could have ended with it all being a dream. The Hunger Games could, quite honestly, ended with a double suicide. These endings might not have been wildly popular, but they would have been perfectly valid.<br />
<br />
And at the end of it, all a reader is truly entitled to is to read the work, and decide if they want to consume more of that author's product. That's it.<br />
<br />
You can be upset, you can be disappointed, you can be furious, you can even feel cheated. But that's a risk you take when you consume literature in any form. Usually the risk is worth it. And if it's not, then there are millions of other authors to try out. <br />
<br />
<br />Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-13609267492046923602013-04-27T15:14:00.001-04:002013-04-27T15:17:32.310-04:00Weekly Omens 4/27/13It's amazing how fast a week can shoot past you when you're worried about getting everything done by Friday. You keep thinking "I'll have time tomorrow to get it done" and then all of a sudden you're at the end of the week going "How did I not get time to get that done?"<br />
<br />
<b>On <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>:</b><br />
<br />
Speaking of getting it done: A new chapter is posted. <br />
<br />
Sadly, the poll seems to be broken and votes appear to be vanishing out of it. As of Wednesday there were two votes, now there are none. It's making me wonder what's up there, and if I should be using an external polling plug-in, or requiring votes to be in the comments section.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Bastion: The Last Hope</a></b><br />
<br />
To set up the next chapter we get a flash forward and see what Gunny has to say about what it was like to get the first real instructions after the beginning of the end of days. It was a lot of fun to write and as always my actresses deliver a top performance.<br />
<br />
If you're a regular follower (and why wouldn't you be?) please note that we are going on a one week hiatus so my fact checkers have some time to review the chapter for military procedural errors.<br />
<br />
<b>On Fictional Omens</b><br />
<br />
I took some time to muse on my role as an author in communicating politics and the like. I found myself writing my own views on gun control into my characters and I took a few minutes this week to reflect on whether or not that's really fair.<br />
<br />
<b>At home:</b><br />
<br />
We wrapped up the Walking Dead and moved on to Mad Men. It's starting off very dour but maybe that's how the show just is and I let myself forget. I also put in an order for white hair dye so I can cosplay Hershel at an upcoming Comic-Con. That should be fun.<br />
<br />
<b>And.... your weekly video:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>We went bowling. I took videos. Wackiness ensues.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-4494633118633679882013-04-23T20:47:00.000-04:002013-04-23T20:47:12.996-04:00Guns, Politics, and Writing<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/discovery_pink_gun_130205a-615x345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/discovery_pink_gun_130205a-615x345.jpg" height="111" title="" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/02/05/3-year-old-s-c-boy-killed-after-mistaking-pink-handgun-for-toy/" target="_blank">Image Courtesy Raw Data</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As much as I have political opinions, I've always been leery of sharing them here because: A) I don't want to risk alienating possible fans (customers), B) I've got other venues to share them, and C) I really want to focus on my writing, methods, inside scoops and the like.<br />
<br />
Once in a while these paths converge and they do so in an odd way allowing me the excuse to talk a little politics as well as talking about the writing process.<br />
<br />
I'd been meaning to post this for a few weeks now, pretty much since I posted <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/2013/03/chapter-11-winters-angelica.html" target="_blank">Chapter 11 over on Bastion</a>, the one that focuses on the teen-aged daughter of a rugged suburban survivalist. I did not entirely mean to get preachy in there but I realized that the more I re-read the chapter the more I had essentially worked in my own political views into the character's mind set.<br />
<br />
Then this week, I learned of a related tragedy.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
A three year old lost his life as he and his sister, aged 7, <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/02/05/3-year-old-s-c-boy-killed-after-mistaking-pink-handgun-for-toy/" target="_blank">played with a pink handgun</a> that they presumably thought was a toy. It tragically was not.<br />
<br />
The United States has an incredibly unique relationship with guns. They are part of our national heritage, but not in ways that most people recognize. Data from the time of the revolution shows that image of the common man with his musket hanging over the door was more of an anomaly than the norm. Yet that image persists and influences our discussion today about guns.<br />
<br />
While I could wax all manner of preachy about who should have what guns for what purposes, I'm going to shy away from that conversation. I've got my thoughts, though I suppose linking the story about the pink gun tragedy may tip my hand slightly, and instead I want to focus on my writing and what I realized I had done after the fact.<br />
<br />
So if I can pull an excerpt from <a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/2013/03/chapter-11-winters-angelica.html" target="_blank">Chapter 11 on Bastion: The Last Hope</a>:<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
“I said ‘take a gun’, dammit. I’m not going to try to keep you here but if you’re going out, you’re going out like you mean business. So march yourself over to the armory, and take a goddamn gun.”</blockquote>
<blockquote>
“Dad,” she started to protest. It was not that she did not know how to use a firearm. He had been taking her to the range since she was old enough to handle a pistol. Nor was she particularly reluctant to use one. <b>Guns were like any other tool, appropriate for the specific task of killing something, generally something that wished her harm.</b> But if there really had been clouds of death sweeping through the greater Chicago area, who was left to threaten her and would they really be lurking along some sleepy suburban street in Sugar Grove?</blockquote>
Additional emphasis mine.<br />
<br />
Well the whole passage is mine but you get my point.<br />
<br />
I've always argued that when the gun control issues have come up, specifically that guns only serve one purpose: Killing Things. They're not intended to intimidate (though they can through reputation), and they're not strictly for comfort (though it can be comforting to know you have them). At the end of the day they are for killing things.<br />
<br />
And that was the exact attitude that I wrote into Angel, and by proxy her father, and I rather intend to continue in my writing. <br />
<br />
It is not my intent to sway people politically. My opinions on how many bullets a magazine should have, or if we should cap the number of rounds per minute a hand gun can manage aren't really relevant to any story I'm telling. But what is relevant is the purpose my characters have for guns.<br />
<br />
They have guns to kill things.<br />
<br />
Contrast that to the cartoon I watched growing up, labeled as "educational" thanks to the little PSA at the end: GI Joe. Thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired off, and the worst that happened was that something blew up near someone and they were thrown to the ground to be captured later. That might make for good cartoon TV but it kind of flies in the face of reality. Sure a solider may expend a lot more rounds than he hits with, but he's usually not ~trying~ to miss.<br />
<br />
He's trying to shoot someone.<br />
<br />
I know that Bastion (and Mind the Thorns) are going to be violent stories at times. Bastion is about resisting efforts by aliens to drive mankind into extinction. We kind of have to shoot back. But as the writer I also bear sole responsibility for the style of violence I write into that world. It is my task to craft a tale that is engaging but also honest. And that is my ultimate goal.<br />
<br />
<br />
Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-20975480363511641412013-04-21T09:14:00.002-04:002013-04-27T15:14:23.323-04:00Weekly Omens 4/21/13<br />
At work I've started Flipping my classroom. That means that I send the students home with a list of videos to watch, and then when they walk in the next day we start right in on the "You Try" variety of problems. It gets rid of the 30 minutes of silent note taking and moves that part of the class home. That means that I need to plan my work days ahead of time and it's incredibly labor intensive on my end. I've barely had time to breathe, let alone write and I'm seriously considering some hiatus time until I figure out my personal schedule.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>On <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/2013/02/chapter-23.html" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>:</b><br />
<br />
When this post is up I'm off to write the next update which will go live tonight.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Bastion: The Last Hope</a></b><br />
<br />
A new plot thread is started as we meet members of Action Team Easy, specifically Spice, the demolitions expert, Colt, the hothead, Probie, the rookie, and Sid, the new XO.<br />
<br />
<b>On Fictional Omens</b><br />
<br />
I took some time to reflect on the fact that it's a little easier to write for Bastion than it is Mind the Thorns and I was promptly schooled by my fans for not updating Thorns more often.<br />
<br />
<b>At home:</b><br />
<br />
Strep Throat for Kaylee and a case of being 5 for Xander. Yep. Tons o' fun.<br />
<br />
<b>And.... your weekly video:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>There is nothing this man can't do. And what he does do, he does with all his soul:<br />
<br />
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Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-60012134869567158722013-04-17T20:03:00.001-04:002013-04-17T20:03:28.382-04:00Bastion vs Thorns: Why Bastion is Winning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50fzn9NsoIH8DChcMSdi_xFLK8VWeCsLmq5JplQhHAVgbmIGtCHYIvYZX0Je06Q5zTi_4fCsaYBrX1dOna-slCbMit2fHZuUUiGTSm06pWZK-y69EQdt7xIGniJxQs2PysW3_StkoyNuu/s300/BookCoverPreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50fzn9NsoIH8DChcMSdi_xFLK8VWeCsLmq5JplQhHAVgbmIGtCHYIvYZX0Je06Q5zTi_4fCsaYBrX1dOna-slCbMit2fHZuUUiGTSm06pWZK-y69EQdt7xIGniJxQs2PysW3_StkoyNuu/s300/BookCoverPreview.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a></div>
Well it finally happened, and I feel like I've somewhat arrived:<br />
<br />
I got a complaint that I haven't updated Mind the Thorns.<br />
<br />
That tells me a lot of things. First it says that someone is actually reading it. That rocks. Second it says that someone reads it and cares enough to want to know what happens next. That also rocks. Lastly it means that not only do they want to know what happens, they also are willing to go out there and ~ask~ for more of it.<br />
<br />
I really need to work on it.<br />
<br />
However, since the launch of Bastion, it has only missed one update for Spring Break and is currently on pace to keep going without interruption. The real issue is: Why?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>First I want to look at time frames.<br />
<br />
When Mind the Thorns launched, it was my only web fiction, and I was not working on anything but my writing. I had the kind of time to sit down every Friday and pound at the keys for five to six hours, nonstop to create the next chapter. This meant I was able to keep a schedule of posting a chapter on Sunday, having an open poll for four days, and then spend the fifth day on the first draft of the next chapter. I had two days to revise and then post.<br />
<br />
When the school year started and my Summer of Free Write was over, I realized quickly that I just could not keep up that pace. I wanted to, but it was not going to happen, not without sacrificing other things in my life.<br />
<br />
Already I was behind the eight ball.<br />
<br />
As I shifted in an every other week mind set I realized something else: I could probably do a chapter every week if I had a chance to work ahead when things were slow and then catch up later. In short I could do it, as long as I had a buffer, which I am lucky to have with Bastion.<br />
<br />
And that's the first big difference with Bastion that sets it apart from Mind the Thorns. When I have creative inspiration I can write two or three chapters of content and have them ready and waiting to post. I know where the story is going and I can plan accordingly. And if a chapter is not gelling in word as it does in my mind it's not hard to simply push it aside for more stories that do gel as I write them.<br />
<br />
Mind the Thorns, on the other hand, has been an affair of uncertainty. I have my rough outline but I can't start writing the next chapter until the polls close and I know just what the readers want me to do. And what in turn does, is sap my momentum. I also takes away the little things that keep the writing going.<br />
<br />
As Bastion rolls along I may write two chapters out, but I also plan out eight. I have my outline of each chapter and what themes I want to hit on, which POV's I want to cycle through, and I can constantly be tweeking that schedule. It means when I get fifteen, twenty free minutes I have the chance to do something related to the project. For Mind the Thorns I don't have that micro investment.<br />
<br />
And while I love my beta readers for Mind the Thorns, the project team for Bastion is simply bigger. If I don't have an update ready to push up, I am forced to push back the contributions of others. I feel a much stronger need to keep posting and keep providing content both for the general audience but also for my team of actors and actresses that have volunteered their time and energy to help make Bastion the unique Web Fiction experience it is.<br />
<br />
I would like to blame it on the genre, that Alien Apocalypse is more interesting. That's not the case. I love the story of Regan and her quest for answers about her own undeath. I think it's a very compelling vampire story. I think Bastion is equally interesting and complex in its own way. So please, dear reader, do not think it is because I love one of my children more than the other. <br />
<br />
Then there is a final, personal factor. At work I've embarked on a new style of teaching and it is proving to be a massive drain on my creative energies. Rather than having an hour every few days to myself, I'm working until I absolutely have to leave, and then coming home and working more. By the time I've sat down at the computer the last two weeks, I'm too tired to do much more than shoot aliens in someone else's story, rather than generate prose about the shooting of aliens in my own.<br />
<br />
I do hope that things change soon and that my time becomes my own again. I miss Regan and I know she misses me. But so do Gunny, Al, Angel, and a few so far unnamed characters.<br />
<br />
I really want to thank everyone for their support and offer my assurances that these stories will continue.<br />
<br />
<br />Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1822963731632919879.post-34156650519304648432013-04-12T21:08:00.001-04:002013-04-12T21:11:24.249-04:00Weekly Omens 4/12/13This week has been a curious one, with some odd bits of closure on certain fronts. I'll do a dedicated post on it in the near future, but in the short term I'm more or less letting FantastiCon go where it will without a lot more dedicated promotion. I have a lot of other awesome (and I think better) projects running and the fatigue of putting FantasiCon out there just isn't worth the returns. Speaking of those other projects....<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>On <a href="http://www.mindthethorns.com/2013/02/chapter-23.html" target="_blank">Mind the Thorns</a>:</b><br />
<br />
Yes yes... over due. Yes yes... we want to see that dress.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://bastionthelasthope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">On Bastion: The Last Hope</a></b><br />
<br />
Bastion returns from Spring Break with this video clip showing the mission briefing for Action Team Easy. We haven't met the team yet, but we do know that they are shipping out to some point we've seen before.<br />
<br />
<b>On Fictional Omens</b><br />
<br />
Things have been nutty crazy at work so I went to the archives again to pull out a post on what the world <a href="http://fictionbyosterman.blogspot.com/2013/04/repost-these-are-terms-that-do-not-exist.html" target="_blank">might be like once we get rid of the <i>Terms</i> "gay" and "lesbian"</a> and we simply treat all relationships as just "relationships".<br />
<br />
<b>At home:</b><br />
<br />
Redwings game. Overtime. Shoot out! ANNNNNNNDDDDD...... we lost.<br />
<br />
Then, because we didn't get into the stadium garage and I didn't know where else to park, we walked about a mile along the Detroit River, in the rain, back to the car. Cold. It was a rough way to end the night. Sure I felt invigorated by the time we reached the car, but after the hour drive home, we were all ready to crash, and crash hard.<br />
<br />
<b>And.... your weekly video:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>This is just a haunting rendition, and personally I like the lady's voices.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=LLqxN8zhh1dwbhq5Ck8f7Rtg" width="425"></iframe>Rob Ostermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07226679027078689566noreply@blogger.com0