Escaping Bias

Pablo Stafforini 

If your actions, writing, and speech are an expression of who you are, can you really avoid or escape “bias” in every area of life? Bias in what you believe, bias in what you value, bias in what you prefer?

For example, take me as a Christian…and then put me into the role of a TESOL teacher in a foreign country—say China, which is currently opposed to Christianity—and ask me to squelch my Christian “bias” or witness (erm, in other words, my declarations of faith, my testimony of what God has done in my life, refraining from praying aloud, etc.).

I can refrain from praying aloud in my classroom for my students. I can refrain from bringing the Bible to class (although I wouldn’t because it has fantastic poetry and narration…). I can refrain from speaking about what I believe. But in the end, I will find that I can’t hide everything about what I believe, because belief is not merely a piece of clothing that I can put on one day and change out the next.

Belief is a part of who I am. And eventually, I am going to be found out.

The Chronicles of Me (a mini-series of mini-stories and other such things)

This may sound stupid to you, but I’ve always wanted to complete a manga series titled The Chronicles of Me. (Great title, huh?)

Many of the events in my life could’ve made perfect manga panels…if only I could DRAW.

I suppose that my lack of artistic skill would be hilarious in and of itself, but eventually my failure to draw would become annoying, and then it the “manga” would ago up in flames—flames that I’d start to spare myself and everyone else around me from needless torture.

**Aside from that…it’s already the 20^th of May??!!!  Definitely feel like I missed half of this month o_o.**

K, back to The Chronicles of Me…

Even though I can’t draw, I can still share a mini-story or two about the randomness of life/dorm/nerd weirdness. Don't worry, though, this isn't going to be an every post kind of thing! ^_^' 

I am considering doing a few posts featuring artists from Deviant, a post or two about Axel, eventually an author interview...but for now I am trying to keep my head attached and promote serenity rather than stress by not doing a whole lot of blogging (I'm getting details for scenes and settings in SPHERES patched up right now). 

TCOM, excerpt 1

~If we were affiliated with characters in One Piece~

*Names have been altered for the protection of the guilty. As for me, well, I have no problem being compared to Zoro, so…

SANJI 

                “You know, I could totally see myself with Sanji,” Hannah says, jarring me out of the One Piece episode we’re watching. Whipping my head from the laptop screen, I give her a look that says ‘you’re kidding, right?’

When You Read Manga, Everyone Wins

Whether you’re a reader or a reader/writer, reading manga is almost always a win-win: a win for the author, a win for you, and a win for your would-be audience as a writer if you are one.

Manga, for those who are unaware, are Japanese graphic novels. As you’ve probably guessed, America doesn’t exactly have a colossal collection of manga, which is sad. 

On a happier note, there are some places where you can find fairly good collections: in stores like Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, and other chain bookstores; big-city libraries; and sometimes—sometimes—local libraries will have small-medium collections. In addition, you can find certain titles online (manga that haven’t been licensed yet).

Like any other genre, manga isn’t for everyone—but you’ll never know if you don’t try it, right?

As readers (and writers with a reader’s eye), we generally want to read things that are enjoyable, interesting, and informative…which is why manga is such a good choice! 

Alright, maybe manga isn’t exactly what most would call ‘informative’ unless we’re investigating slightly-out-of-the-norm Japanese culture, but it’s easy to read, hilarious, and undeniably quirky—which, to me, is interesting.  

As writers, we want to read things that are all of the above with a particular bent toward craft. After all, one of the most important components of developing our craft as writers is reading. Reading everything. (Although, now that I think about it,  “everything” is a bit intimidating…)

Bloglovin' claim

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7583401/?claim=hzcstwdwr6c">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Just to claim my blog on Bloglovin'...it's kinda weird >_>.

*Bloglovin Blog Hop!*

I'm happy to announce that I'm participating in a Bloglovin  blog hop hosted by Brandi at Blkosiner's Book Blog! 

And this is particularly exciting because...I am taking small steps toward not being a total n00b when it comes to blogging. Yay me ^_^'!

Anyway, check out Brandi's blog to enter her Book of Choice Giveaway before the contest ends on the 19th and to see the linky list so you can hop around--go to the post here.   

If you want to participate, Brandi has the rules in that post.

Hop question: What are you reading now?

Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I've wanted to read it for a while now, but I had to get through some other books first :). 

Top 10 Fantastical Modes of Transportation

Here is a list of the most epic modes of transportation *ever*!

Requirements for being on the list:

A) It must be fantastical, although the source—movie, book, game—doesn’t matter, and

B) It must be about the coolest thing you’ve ever seen, heard, or read.

#1: Aslan’s Breath

Narnia Series

Ok, this is #1 because, I mean come on, how cool would this be??!  

In the 6^th book in the Narnia series, Jill is transported to Narnia from a mountain that is probably 3x taller than Mount Everest…by the breath of Aslan.  There is nothing that I can add to this to make it seem cooler than it already is. SO. EPIC.

Arythin, the TARDIS
Doctor Who (c) BBC

#1.5: The Tardis
Doctor Who

When I first compiled this list, I wasn't really a Whovian. I'd heard of Doctor Who and seen a youtube clip here and there...but I'd never really watched  it. And then I saw the first season, and fell in love. I've been wanting to add the Tardis to this list for a while, but never got around to it. 

Anyway, the Tardis is brilliant. I mean, come on--you can time travel in it, it's a blue police box, and it's bigger on the inside. What's not to love? *sound of Tardis departing*

#2: The Flying Bison

Avatar: The Last Airbender Series

Appa is the coolest flying animal I’ve ever seen, and I want one just like him. He’s adorable, fluffy, sweet, and he can travel long distances via flight (or swimming, if need be). I just had to have him on this list!

#3: Chocobos

Final Fantasy IX

If you know anything about Chocobos (or FF), you may be wondering why I totally discriminated against every game in the series by refusing to credit any of them except for IX.