Share the Scare

Scary Story (To Taylor Marshall) This story was about a young man who has died, and is trying to accept death. I really liked Taylor's use of language for the young person who had died.
Hi, Taylor!
This is really creative. You really pulled me in with this story and your use of realistic language. I also liked the way you painted how death might be. It really seems like you took on a new twist to this story. I loved the ending line, "Maybe death's not so bad." I also loved the opening line, it really got me interested!
Have A Great Day!
Taylor Denton

2nd piece. (Archie Smith, Boy Wonder) This was about a young boy with magical properties to him. It was a fantasy. I loved the way the boy was realistic and the story was believable.
Hi Taylor,
I loved the details in this story. I loved how realistic this story was, especially in the way that it was fantasy. I really loved it. And I especially loved the ending line, "'Oh, dear. It seems he is the one. Hello, Archie. My name is Claude Frobisher and I’m 214 years old. We’re from a magic place, and we would like for you to help us save it.'”
You're Great!
Taylor Denton

3rd piece.
Hi, Taylor!
I really loved learning about you and your personality. I think Shailene Woodley would make a great actress for your story! I also loved the movies on your list. Forrest Gump is one of my favorites. And I really agree with your option that acting and dialogue are both needed to make a good movie. 
You're Magical, 
Taylor Denton

Scary Story (Laura Payne) This was about death and what the face of death really looks like. I loved the creative story-telling and the fascinating plot. 

Hi Laura, 
This was so good. The way you included your fantastic writing with a creative story-line were amazing. I loved the opening line. I loved how you talked about a feeling being able to follow you. And I loved the way the title, Crimson, tied together with the rest of the story. Great job!
Have A Good Day! 
Taylor Denton

2nd piece. (Boo) This was about Laura and her Halloween. I loved her writing style and her beginning poem. 

Hi Laura, 
I loved this post, I loved learning about you and your writing while reading it. And I love the idea of going as sushi. That's so sweet. Your poem was awesome and really creative. And I really relate to going to the "rich neighborhoods" to get the best candy. 
Happy Halloween!
Taylor Denton

3rd piece. (Rightness to our Wrongness) In this post, Laura answered questions related to Dan in Real Life. I loved the advice she gave about how to raise teenagers. 

Hi, Laura!
I really found all of your responses to the questions very interesting. I really thought the idea of young people who "romanticize love" was really interesting and I have to agree with it! I liked the advice you'd give parents about teenagers. I thought it was very truthful. And my perfect day would also be in the fall! 
You're Great! 
Taylor Denton

Scary Story ( Emma Hayford) This was about a young person who has a frightening experience while going home to see their family. I loved this story beginning and the chilling ending! 

Hi Emma, 
I love your writing style. I love the way you craft a story and this is another masterpiece! I enjoyed how you pulled me in with the interesting story. I loved the way you painted a picture with the story, especially at the beginning. It really set the scene. And I loved that ending! The last line, "for those of you who say the dead can't feel...they can" is phenomenal!
You're Beautiful!
Taylor Denton

2nd piece. (Stalking the Pump) This story was about a cat who is stalking a gasoline pump when it comes across a stranger. I love the personality of the cat along with the man. 

Hi, Emma! 
I loved how you gave the cat a real personality. I also loved the way you made the cat realistic. I was impressed with the way you were able to give the man a personality with just a few words in the story. And I love how well you were able to paint this picture. It went along perfectly with the image. 
Have A Great Day!
Taylor Denton 

3rd piece. (Brizo and The Duel) These were two short poems. One about the dog and one about two horses fighting. I thought her sharp, fast-paced writing was really interesting. 

Hi, Emma!
I loved the way you were able to sum up so much with just a few lines of words for each picture. The Duel really fascinated me because I've never thought about horses fighting. It's awful, but I suppose it does occur. The ending line, "Another battle won for the king." is chilling. 
You're Magical!

Mr. Linden's Library: He had warned her about the book. Now it was too late.

He had warned her about the book. Now it was too late. It was on the very first page. In massive black letters. Beware. Beware. He'd done all he could. She never woke up. Her eyes stayed shut, clamped tightly together under the weight of the spell. She wasn’t going to wake up. Not now, not again. He knew this much. He couldn't help but feel satisfied. Liberated. That was a better word, more descriptive. He almost laughed. If anyone knew about words, it was him. He stood over her bed as the vines and plant-life growing from the book began to engulf her, really engulf her. Even if the idea of her demise was pleasing, he was glad she was in a state of slumber. Nothing was worse than being awake when it happened. He still remembered. He remembered screaming and shouting and seeing no response from his family. They looked right through him. He wasn’t real anymore. They’d be dead now, dead for hundreds of years. He wondered how his mother passed, how old his father lived to, who his sister had married. He’d never know. He didn’t really recall them now. He couldn’t think of their names. They were blurry, surrounded in a perpetual kind of fog in his mind. But he knew once they’d been blood. Even if his existence with them was wiped away. He watched as the girl’s arm slid into the book. A blinding light shown from the vines and flowers. It had started. She still didn’t wake up. But how could she? The book was being merciful. Even it knows that there’s nothing more painful than ceasing to exist. And it’s a different kind of pain. It’s the empty kind, the bleak kind. The kind that throws you into an abyss. He sometimes thinks he recollects what it was like to be tangible, to be a measurable form. He knew it was probably just his imagination, the book playing tricks on him. The book has a sense of humor. You could feel it laughing at you once you were inside. Once it had lured you into its prison. She’d know that laughter soon. He wondered how she’d react. The real curse of the book isn’t the book itself. It’s everyone else. Whoever reads the book is trapped, and the other poor soul is released. So the story never really gets told. It’s sort of just known, a little piece of it ingrained in everyone’s mind. No one really knows how it got there and no one will notice when it vanishes. She won’t even be free to be caged. Maybe he should burn the book. He’d considered it while he was waiting. He fantasized about going to a fireplace and destroying it forever. But what would happened to her? He cocked his head, almost her entire torso was sucked in. Her legs too. He wondered how she’d be described. Would they mention her hair? She had the most beautiful hair. He still knew how the book once described him. It had focused on his eyes. Every five pages, there had to be something about his eyes. But he himself had forgotten what color they really were long ago. Once the girl was gone, he’d cover this room in mirrors. He’d look at his eyes at least five times a day. He’d never forget again. The vines were wrapping around her shoulders. He was so close. He was so close to freedom. He smiled, for the first time in centuries. What would her title be? His was Prince of Water’s End. Children loved him once, he was every little girl’s first love and sparked the first hint of jealously in little boys. When the children got older, they looked back on him and smile. They’d say that they remembered reading him in school, and watching the cartoon adaption of his life on television. But he wasn’t really there. And when he was forgotten, no one would really take notice. The book pulled her closer, her neck contorting as it descended. She wouldn’t even be a memory anymore. She’d be nothing more than a silly fairy-tale. A character. She was still sleeping, he could hear her quite breaths become sharp. She was struggling. His stomach began to sink. Suddenly he wanted to stop it, stop all of this. But then he didn’t want to stop anything, he just wanted it to go faster. Then he wanted to close the book and decimate it and throw the tattered pages into the wind. Her head was gone now, all that remained was one eyes and a cheekbone. He let out a deep sigh. That’s when it happened. The eye opened. She was awake, vibrantly awake. The book had woken her up at the very last minute. He gasped and covered his mouth. That one eye could hold so much emotion. Horror. Confusion. Betrayed. The book lingered on her eyes, waiting a while before finally swallowing her and closing itself. He sank to his knees. That was the book’s way of punishing him. He stayed slumped on the floor for some time. Then he reached up. He wanted to see the title. She deserved that much.  He reached up and pulled the book from the bed. The title wasn’t written in any real language. She’d been written by Charles Perrault. And by The Brothers Grimm. And then later by Walt Disney. It fit her. And the book was laughing. “Sleeping Beauty.” 

Finally Fading Away

Pain can be the only thing to let you know you’re still alive…sometimes I wonder if I was even born at all. I know I had to have been born. I breath, I eat, I even sleep and wake up the next morning. But every now and then I wonder if I really exist. I’ve never felt real. I’ve always felt like an idea, a fleeting little wisp who’s never quite there. People look at me, and it feels as if they don’t quite see me standing right in front of them. They say things and the words vanish. And every now and then I think I disappear. I just dissipate. Better yet, I evaporate, like a puddle of water on hot pavement. But now I feel as if, one day soon, I’ll just cease to exist all together. One morning, a morning that felt like a glitch in a timeline I could never be part of, I floated down to the living room. That’s when I first noticed the changes. I couldn’t see any pictures of me. Not that I’d seen any before, but surely my mother and my father had to have some. I was their child, their reason for living and all that. But I didn’t see anything. A stranger could walk in and have no idea they’d ever even had me. Had it always been that way? When my mother walked into the room, her stance was firm. Gravity and her feet nailed her to the ground. I hated her. I wanted to be able to do that, and not feel like I was falling all the time. I expected some sort of greeting. But I never got it. I called her name. She looked at me, blankly. It was like she was seeing me for the first time. I could almost see the shock, the horror, in her eyes. She didn’t even know me. Then, she blinked and her face was an icy slate. She passed through me, her solid body finding its way over me. She left. She walked out the door. I never saw her come back again. I don’t know if she ever did. I wonder if she remembers me, even the fragment of my presence. I wonder if she can look back and think of a ghost who might have existed once, and might very well have not. I could feel myself becoming extinct. I went through the house, looking for something that could confirm me, and who I was. I went to my room. It didn’t look special. It looked like a regular guest bedroom, nothing to say that I’d ever slept there, or played on the carpet when I was young, or had my first kiss by the window. It was empty, memory was just a word. It held no meaning or structure. It had to have happened. I know it did. I lived once, didn’t I? I turned and looked around. But I couldn’t see anything that spoke to me, calling my name in longing. My name, what was my name? I didn’t know. I had one, didn’t I? Everyone had a name. I looked at my fingers, and saw nothing. I looked at my legs, and saw nothing. I went to the mirror. And saw nothing. The last thing I can remember going through, what I suppose would be my mind, was to wish for pain. To hunger for it. Just so I could know that I used to be something. So when the air passes next to you, look for me, would you? It’s been lonely, and I wouldn’t mind the conversation. 

Spooky Season

1.) I was putting my Halloween costume on when I heard something moving in my closet...my hands froze on the white fabric. I cocked my head and stopped breathing. I felt like one of those stupid people in horror movies, those idiots who just kind of sit and stare into the distance as the murderer dramatically slides up the side of the wall and raises the knife. I could feel my heart catch in my throat. I had to think about what my options were. There was a good 115% chance that I was going to die in the next five seconds. So I had to consider my next move. I knew about the small can of pepper spray in the corner of the closet. My mom had given it to me when I noticed a shifty looking man in the parking lot one day after school. If this psycho was at least slightly human, it could work. But then, let’s be real here, it’s probably a ghost. The best thing I could do would be to distract it. I could run from the closet and bar it, use my bed and nightstand. Then I could take a flying leap out of the ceiling and onto the concrete outside. The fall might kill me, but at least I’d stand a chance. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I shifted on my feet, preparing. Then, just as I was about to spring into action, I heard a meow. I turned my head, for the first time, and there she was. Rosie. My cat. No Norman Bates, no evil clown, no nothing. I can’t lie, I was a little disappointed.

2.) Describe all the Halloween costumes you have had in past years. – I’ve always had a weird obsession with princesses. Every year, I’ve been some sort of princess. I’ve been Mulan (even if she’s not a ‘real’ princess), Belle, Cinderella, and many others. While I preferred Disney, my father would almost always choose the knockoff brand and I would wind up being the generic, nameless princess in a purple dress. I wasn’t one of those cool, creative kids who think of fantastic, imaginary names for themselves like Princess Whale Blubber. No, I wasn’t that awesome. The only thing I was ever really concerned with was how much candy I could get, and how much I could eat without vomiting an hour later.

3.) Describe how to make a great Halloween costume using mostly supplies you have around the house. - Some of the best costumes can come from around the house. Having trouble finding something to wear this Halloween without breaking the bank? No problem! Now, what is something everybody wants to be? A unicorn, of course. The first thing a person needs are hooves. Now, everyone knows that unicorns have five legs. Humans, generally, only have four. So, a quick fix to this would be to take two rolls of old paper towel roll and tape them together, then glue this to the middle of your shirt. Back to the hooves. What I suggest is to find five empty cans. I personally enjoy cans once used for corn, but each to his own. Put two of these cans on your feet, and two on your hands. Then glue one to the makeshift leg on your stomach. Boom! Instant hooves. The next thing you’ll need are a mane and tale. Any fool could tell you that unicorn mane and tail are often rainbow colored. But we have recently discovered that this is not always the case. Some of the other colors you can consider are magic, butterfly, and invisible sparkle. But, I would choose rainbow myself. To make a mane and tail, get stripes of paper and spray paint them whatever color you wish. Tape them to your head and buttocks. Finally, you need a horn. For this, take five to six donuts and mash them together, shape them into a pointy structure. Super glue the donuts to your forehead. And that’s it! Congratulations. You are now a Five-Legged Unicorn. Now go out and make all your friends jealous.

Dan in Real Life Questions

1.) Dan writes a column on parenting advice but has a lot of trouble parenting. Do you think it’s important to write about what you know? – I do think it is important to write about what you know. If you try to write about love, and you’ve never been in love, it can sound fake and shallow. I’m not saying, of course, that a person has to have been in love to write about it, I just think they should have some knowledge about it, or at least some background information. I feel this way about most things though, if you’re going to be an expert on something, then actually become an expert. I think one of the most dangerous things in the world is people pretending to know about things they don’t.

9.) What makes someone a ‘hottie’ to you? – Everyone has a ‘type’. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t have some sort of preference in what they find attractive. For me, there is nothing more attractive than kindness. A sparkling personality, one that radiates and brings people to them, is something I find to be very attractive. I admire people who are comfortable with themselves and couldn’t really care less what other people think. I admire people who stand up for themselves and what they believe in, and I admire intelligence and class. These things are often too rare in modern society.

15.) What is something most people don’t know about you? – I have these bizarre nightmares most of the time. I don’t really tell people about it, and it isn’t something to bring up in everyday conversation, but I have nightmares almost every night and they are some of the most bizarre experiences of my life. Once, I had a horrible nightmare that my friend took me to a church where they worshiped vampires and everybody was walking on the ceiling, and once I woke up in a blind panic because apparent the ACT had a question about dogs that I didn’t know the answer to and I was kicked out of the county.

21.) Does your family do large gatherings with interesting sleeping arrangements and lots of activities like Dan’s? – I have a fairly large family – mainly gathered in New York, Kentucky, and Colorado. When I go to Kentucky, I always have two choices. Choice One – to sleep in one of the oldest beds in history that happens to be infested with spiders. Or Choice Two – sleeping in the mosquito filled cabin on a dusty (I’m allergic to dust) couch with eight stuffed deer heads staring down at me from the high living room wall. Either way, I never get too much shut eye. Sometimes, if there simply isn’t enough room, I’ll end up on the floor, which isn’t terribly bad considering my other two options.

29 Where would you like to have a vacation of getaway home like the one Dan’s family has? What would the place be like? – I would love to have a getaway home somewhere in the city of Versailles, France. I went there once to view the Palace of Versailles, and I though the little, wealthy city itself was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been too. I’ve always wanted to go back. I would love to have a small place, not too close to the Palace of Versailles. One room could satisfy me, with plush furniture and lavish foods at the ready for me every morning. In fact, I might never want to leave this tiny getaway paradise! 

"Reely" Good Movie Quotes

(The Truman Show)

(Beauty and the Beast)

(American Beauty)

(The Princess Bride)

(Tangled)

"Reel" Life

My favorite movie would have to be Beauty and the Beast. I have always loved this film, it has gotten me through some difficult times and I really can't imagine my life without it. I have found it to be a safe refuge in the stormy times of my life. No matter what seems to change, that movie always stays the same. Usually, I really can't stand romantic comedies. I can't stand their sickly sweet humor and their hopelessly happy endings. They always make me roll my eyes. But I think the real reason I hate them so much is because they don't make me think. If I'm going to watch something, I want it to stimulate my mind somehow. Romantic comedies never do this for me. I find their ridiculous fantasies about love to be flat and silly. However, there are some romantic comedies I can stand, and find myself enjoying (cough cough, The Princess Bride, cough cough). I feel that I watch movies pretty often. One of my favorite things to do is go to the theater with my parents. I love that feeling of being able to escape for a couple of hours. I find myself more relaxed in a theater than anywhere else. When I get home, my father and I often watch some sort of film together. It's a nice way to get to spend some time with him. When I do watch movies at home, I always do it in my living room. Although I really enjoy silence while watching movies, I can stomach some comments throughout. As long as there isn't a constant flow of talking, I'll be fine. I love the most cliche of all movie viewing food, popcorn. I love popcorn, and to have some while watching a movie just seems to add something to the viewing experience. If anyone could play in me a movie about my life, I would have to say Selena Gomez, because I think she looks vaguely similar to me (although she is much prettier). Three things about my life that would have to be included in my movie would be my mother and stepfather divorcing, leaving middle school, and going into high school. I don't really know what kind of ending it would have, hopefully something potent.


Quiz -

It said some interesting things about who I am as a person and what kind of movie-watcher I am.

PLEASURE-SEEKING: 25%

NOSTALGIA: 60%

Your low score on the “pleasure seeking” dimension suggests that you are a not hedonistic movie watcher – this means you do not really enjoy films that give you pleasure and that few movies have a real “feel-good” effect on you.

The “nostalgia” dimension refers to the extent to which you watch movies in order to re-experience the past. Your score on this dimension is average or similar to most people.






CATHARSIS: 60%

AGGRESSION: 15%

The “catharsis” dimension refers to the extent to which you watch movies in order to feel miserable and suffer with the characters of the movie. Your score on this dimension is average or similar to most people.

Your low score on the “aggressive” dimension suggests that you do not enjoy watching violent movies, such as action or war films. Such movies help some people release aggression and tension, but that does not seem to be your case at all, either because you are not aggressive, or you release your aggression otherwise.






ESCAPISM: 40%

SENSATION-SEEKING: 30%

The “escapism” dimension refers to the extent to which you watch movies in order to escape or forget about reality. Your score on this dimension is average or similar to most people.

The “sensation seeking” dimension refers to the extent to which you watch movies on order to experience arousing or adrenalising feelings. Your score on this dimension is average or similar to most people.






ARTISTIC: 65%

INFORMATION-SEEKING: 75%

The “artistic” dimension refers to the extent to which you are interested in aesthetically driven, conceptual, and highly creative films. Your score on this dimension is average or similar to most people.

Your high score on the “information seeking” dimension suggests that you are a curious and intellectual movie watcher – thus you probably enjoy movies that enable you to learn something or increase your knowledge (e.g. factual films, documentaries, or accurate biographical/historical accounts).






BOREDOM-AVOIDANCE: 10%

SOCIALISATION: 5%

Your low score on the “boredom avoidance” dimension suggests that you do not watch films primarily as a means of avoiding boredom. Thus you are probably more interested in what specific movie you choose.

Your low score on the “socialising” dimension suggests that you are more interested in the movie itself than in the company of others; and that you prefer to watch movies alone than with others. Watching movies is definitely not a social experience for you.

http://www.thefagans.org.uk/filmuses/survey.php

 YOUR PERSONALITY

Take a look at how you scored on the Big Five personality dimensions below.
Your scores, compared with the responses of other people, suggest that you may be described as follows:

YOU ARE 8% EXTRAVERTED.
You are introverted, reserved and serious. You prefer to be alone or with a few close friends.

YOU ARE 67% AGREEABLE.
You are generally warm, trusting, and agreeable, but you can sometimes be stubborn and competitive.

YOU ARE 75% CONSCIENTIOUS.
You are dependable and moderately well-organised. You generally have clear goals and are able to set goals aside.

YOU ARE 25% EMOTIONALLY STABLE.
You are sensitive, emotional and prone to experience feelings that are upsetting.

YOU ARE 92% OPEN TO NEW EXPERIENCES.
You are open to new experiences. You have broad interests and are very imaginative. 

Dreaming of a Good Future

From the presentation yesterday, I really liked what he said about critique groups and self-publishing. I'd never really given self-publishing or critique groups any thought, but now I think it might be worth looking at. One question I have would be this - was self-publishing worth it? I wonder if all the work it took was worth it to self-publish. Next year, I'd like to be at college. I'm still looking at which college I'll really go to, but I'm really excited. In five years, I'd like to be nearly finished with my first degree, most likely in psychology. I hope to be living on my own and paying my own way, independently. In ten years, I'd like to be finished with my Ph.D and starting to work at a college. Perhaps I'll be married and very busy (with work and so on) at this point. In fifty years, I'd like to be happily retired or going through the process of becoming retired.

Poem Inspired by Edward Hopper

Peter looked at the wine sloshing in the glass, his hands rested on the table. It was as if his body wanted to reach for the drink, but his heart and mind wouldn’t work towards the goal. His face felt sticky and dry from the clown makeup. It always did, he could feel the thick paste begin to crack until the pressure of time and the wind.

“Peter.”

He heard his name, above all the sound, he heard his name. Above the clatter of the silverware, above the mundane prerecorded voices of the customers, above the suffocating hum of normality, he heard his name.

“Peter, are you listening?”

He glanced upward, he could feel the waitress’s eyes gnawing at the back of his painted skull.

“Peter, we don’t like this sort of thing, you know? It doesn’t give us pleasure.”

“I know.” His own voice sounded bizarre now, he hadn’t used it in what felt like forever.

The other man, dressed in dark clothes and a black beret, pulled some cigarettes from his pocket. It was about time. He’d been smoking and blowing the white clouds into Peter’s face for at least ten minutes now, “What one?” That was the first thing he'd said and the last thing he was going to say.

Peter nodded, placing the little tube in his mouth and letting it dangle there. He never actually lit it.

The first man, a bright bald spot glimmering in the pale glow from the restaurant, went right on talking, “It’s just that people don’t like clowns anymore. You know? You’re scaring people around here. The kids start crying whenever you come around.”

“I just wanted to make people happy.” The words seemed to grind against his throat, like claws scraping their way up to his tongue.

Bald Spot tipped his head, “And that’s very admirable of you. You know, I admire your selflessness.”

“I needed this job. My landlord is going to evict me.”

Bald Spot shifted in his chair, a look of discomfort landing on his face, “Come on, really Peter. You know that isn’t fair.”

He forced his head to bobble up and down, “Yes. Sorry sir.”

Bald Spot sighed, “Now, we’re willing to give you three weeks’ pay, I really think that we’re being more than generous. You know?”

Peter scoffed under his breath. What exactly did he know?

“Yes, sir.”

Bald Spot said nothing more. And the man with the ever shrinking cigarette said nothing more. And Peter said nothing more.

The place quieted, and went dark. 

Art Walk

The wintry ocean reminds me of my father. We go to the beach in Florida every winter, the blankets of white sand, the icy waters crashing against the sharp rocks, the warmth of the sun bursting between shades of grey clouds. I remember how green it still was, when all had turned to brown back at home. I remember the joy of being away, and how fun it was to let go when I got the chance. There was no snow there, or ice. Life seemed to have passed though winter completely unaware of its absence. Winter, however, is my favorite seasons. Still, perhaps a break can be rejuvenating. When I would return home, it was as if I’d woken up from a dream. Reality, shockingly, still managed to survive perfectly well without me there. He always promised we’d go back next year. And we always have. I don’t intend to stop now, even when a time in my life is ending and another is beginning. I need to hold on to this tradition, even if it may seem childish. There are some dreams that you can come back to in your sleep, and this dream has always been an inviting one. I smile when I think of those trips to Florida with my dad, and I smile when I think of those journeys still yet to come. Sometimes I wonder if this dream will come to cease, forever. I hope not. Sometimes it can be nice not to have to wake up. 

The Comfort in Being Forgotten

We are all memory that will fade away. 

There will come a time when the world, in all it's glory, will meet it's end. 

And the human race will end along with it. 

The rest of the universe will barley notice our leaving. 

It will be like a spark from a great flame. 

Galaxies will never even know we existed. 

Our great story will come to be just that - a story. 

But one day, there will be no one to tell it. 

And I think the universe will smile. 

There's a comfort in that, too. 

Stopping the World

She felt the flowers on her legs like little velvet bells, chiming as the wind brushed against her bare shoulders. 

His arms were warm, warmer than the summer air in the meadow. 

Her dress was draped about her slender body, his robe pressed up against the garment, their bodies meeting. 

His hands were soft, they grazed her face with graceful elegance. 

Their love could be sensed from all across the field. 

It was stronger than any flowery scent, or sunny light. 

Her eyes were closed, yet she could see him. 

His lips whispered against her soft flesh, her toes bending. 

He never got near her lips, her cheek was enough. 

She didn't move, and let the world end around her. 

Artist Profile: Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt was born on July 14th, 1862 in Baumgarden, in the Austrian Empire. He passed away on February 6th, 1918. His father was Ernst Klimt the Elder, a gold engraver. His mother was Anna Klimt, a woman who wanted to be a musical performed, but never had her dreams recognized. He had a total of seven siblings, three brothers and four sisters. When he was a young man, he attended the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts.

Although Klimt was extremely secretive about his love life, it is known that he was very much sexually active. Many people don't know that he fathered at least fourteen children in his life, but never married. In fact, he lived with his mother until her death. He is known for having affairs with many of the females whole modeled for him. He had a lifelong association with Emilie Floge, although the exact nature of their relationship is unclear. One of his most famous affairs was said to have been with Adele Bloch-Bauer, the only woman who sat for him twice.



Gustav Klimt was born into poverty. The slowly worked up towards a livable income, spending his early years as a poor man. In 1894, Klimt was asked to paint the ceiling of the Great Hall at the University of Vienna. The three paintings, Philosophy, Medicine, and Jurisprudence, in English, were considered to be too graphic for the average audience. Klimt, known as a master of eroticism, struggled in these early days. In 1897, he became one of the founders and the president of the Vienna Secession. This group helped to provide exhibits and display the work of young, unconventional artists. He stayed with his project until 1908. During his gold phase, Klimt began to receive real success. He used gold and silver leaf in his paintings, and he was starting to become recognized as a genius. He also received success later in his life, painting Life and Death, which received acclaim. He died of what appeared to have been a stroke.

Klimt faced many challenges in his life, having been born into poverty, and losing his father and his brother, Ernst, fairly early on in his life. This left him responsible for both of their families, financially. Also, some of his work was, for a time, considered to be too pornographic for the normal audience. One of the greatest examples of this was the reaction he received after painting on the ceiling of the Great Hall. Many considered his work in the University of Vienna to be too graphic.

Klimt used mainly oil and gold and silver leaf on canvas. He was considered to be a master of Symbolism, Art Nouveau, and Modernism. Three of his most famous paintings include The  Kiss, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, and The Virgin.

Although I love much of Klimt's work, two of works that truly fascinate me are The Kiss and Life and Death. The Kiss was considered to be the most famous of Klimt's paintings, it is the visual of a man and woman crouching in a flower field. Life and Death is said to be about the the ever present threat of death, but that it will never break the cycle of life.

The Work of My Classmates

Hi, Mariah! I loved this. It was so creative. You have a short and sweet kind of writing style that I find to be very interesting. I especially loved the line, “I’m done. I thought to myself. I lived off of stories, Grandma’s stories, and now she’s gone.” I find that so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. The story was elegant and thoughtful, you have a talent for pacing and making characters believable and real. All I can say is congratulations on this piece of work! And the ending really got me, too. You should definitely continue writing and I believe you should continue on this story if you have the time. I also loved the part, “’No, lay down, you’ll need all the rest you can get,’ his brown hair was flopping through the wind as he made his descent through the forest. This isn’t a dream.” At the end. It was really is beautiful imagery.

You’re Fabulous,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Mariah!

This was so interesting. Thank you for teaching me about Ted Dekker. I’ve yet to read any of this work, but he seems like a fascinating person and a fascinating writer. Very much similar to yourself! I wanted to mention how much I loved your writing style, you write as if you’re simply talking to your best friend, and it is very comfortable and enjoyable to read.  And I love how you say, “I judge a book by its cover. I will just listen to the title of a book and tell you whether or not I will read the book. I know what I’m looking for. When I find it, I find it. If the name’s cliché, the book is probable cliché.” Because I do that as well. People always put me down for it, so it’s nice to know that there is someone out there who also does this. And your ending line, “Nothing is different if I just write for myself or if I write for the public eye. I have nothing to hide. If anything, it’s the exact opposite.” Is fantastic.

( I enjoyed this piece of work from Mariah the most because it taught me the most about who she is as a person. )

You’re Awesome,

Taylor Denton

Hi Mariah!

Wow! You can sure say a lot without using many words. That is a real talent. Anybody can hammer out a dramatic message using 2,000 words or so, but very few people can do so with just six. I loved the one, “Don’t talk to me, my friend.” It was so masterfully created and done. I really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing this with everyone. And the one for your father is fantastic as well. I think our fathers would really get along. They seem to be similar people. You really have a skill for this kind of poem. If you like it, I really encourage you to do more. I think you’re good enough to have some published! I honestly do, you’re really good at this! Keep writing, I’m sure one day you’ll be very famous for your talent and beautiful writing style.

Stay Snazzy,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Mariah!

I loved how you addressed it to the reader. It made it so personal and real. The line, “You pushed me out of your world up there. You called me a lunatic and psychotic. You tell me that I am malicious and dangerous.” Is amazing, really! You are so talented. Having read some of your other work, I am definitely used to being impressed, but this one really did a number on me. I think it was the most creative post of yours I’ve seen thus far. It really examines the human condition and the human mind. “I am beautiful. I am musical. I am here to call you into this hole that I am in.” Has to be my favorite part. You can make the mood so epic and special that it feels as if I’m reading from an already famous published author!

You’re Crazy Awesome,

Taylor Denton

What’s up, Mariah?

THIS WAS SO GREAT! I loved it! The way you switched moods depending on the poem was great, you can write many different ways and about many different things. I think this is my favorite piece by you I’ve read today. I loved the one about the monsters, Where are the monsters? Hiding in the Black Forest with evil and fear.” That creates amazing imagery and fear. You’re fabulous. I’ve loved all of your writing, I hope you continue with it. It would be so great to walk into a book store one day and find one of your works up on the bestseller list. But, even if you decide not to publish and you want to keep your work private, the main piece of advice I’d like to give to you is never stop. It would be a real crime to give up on your talent!

You’re Great,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Maddie!

I’m definitely voting for you to become the next president. I love your beautiful ideas about education and how life should generally be. I’d be so much happier if I lived in this society. And the thing is, it isn’t that unrealistic. There wouldn’t have to be many drastic changes to make this kind of place a reality. But it’s heartbreaking to know that it isn’t ever going to happen, isn’t it? At least, not for a long time. But your writing and this poem give me hope that another world is possible. I really enjoyed the part of the poem that went, “You wouldn’t have bad hair days. Or ‘That’s gay’ .You wouldn’t even have class at 7:50 AM.” That’s the way it should be, isn’t it? I’d be satisfied to make these changes alone, these things would make the world a better place.

Thank You for Being You,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Maddie!

This would be so perfect. The part that I really loved was, “Then Beyoncé would tuck me into bed and sing to me until I fell asleep.” She is the queen. Who wouldn’t want Beyoncé to sing them to sleep? Talk about fabulous. It’s also really sweet the way you talk about all the things you would do for other people. Most everyone seems to think only of themselves when it comes to their perfect day (myself included), but not you. You seem like a genuinely selfless person who cares about others. This really shines through in your writing. The way you talk about the things you want for your parents is really beautiful. You have a very gentle, flowing writing style that I really enjoy. Do you plan to continue writing after high school? I really hope you do. You have a talent for it.

Stay Awesome,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Maddie!

I’ve never read this book, but now I really want to. You’re paragraph at the end showed all the passion and love you obviously have for this book. You have an ability to see into the deep meanings of things that other people tend to miss. That is really awesome. I bet you’re a great person to have a discussion with. Your writing is intelligent, thoughtful, and graceful. You’re so mature for a person your age, and that is really rare in this school. You have a really great mind, and you really seem wise beyond your years. I loved the quote and I loved the meaning you got out of it. Congratulations on being so very talented!  I hope I get to read about more of your personal thoughts in the future, you’re very insightful and have the ability to understand concepts that even many adults can’t seem to grasp.

You’re Great,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Maddie!

Now, I myself really struggled with this poem when I wrote it. I found it difficult to write and hard to connect to. I think mine turned out to be pretty unexciting and dull, but your poem is another story .You really managed to connect all the types of the paint colors and weave them gracefully into the poem. I could not do this, but you have already acquired a mastery of writing that many people spend decades trying to perfect. You’re extremely creative. I loved the line, “But harsh like the deepest wine.” It really gave me an image of the painting I believe you created. It’s been said that writes paint with their words, and I really think this is the case for you. Awesome job. I also appreciated the image you included at the bottom with all the various colors of purple, it gives a person an idea of what colors you were describing.

You’re Lovely,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Maddie!

“In the bright, hot, sun, sand shining in the light, stuck between my toes.” Was a great short poem. I could see the scene you created with just a few words, and the title really completed it. I love how descriptive you can be with only a few lines. I enjoyed reading this work and I might suggest that you do more poems like this is the future. Haikus are indeed quite difficult. I struggled to cram meaning, imagery, and good writing into mine when I wrote them and they just ended up being somewhat over-complicated. But yours are simplified and fun to read. Thanks for using your talent on such a fun poem! And it is definitely a relief and a breath of fresh air to have sometimes light and lovely instead of the dark and depressing things I commonly have to read, thank you for sharing!

Stay Awesome,

Taylor Denton

( That was my favorite piece of Maddie's because of the lighthearted and gentle mood it created. )

Hi, Katie!

This story was awesome! It was so creative and inventive. How do you come up with so many awesome ideas? I’ve read some of your stuff and I’ve loved all of it. You have such an amazingly clever and witty way of writing. I absolutely adore the picture that you included at the end! It made the whole thing so real. This was so classy and awesome. I really enjoyed the way you connected the plot together in this way. You’re a boss! My favorite part is, “The negotiations lasted for hours, particularly on the subject of arming the Earthlings with Argon's weaponry. As Argons are sentient-gas beings, they can only use gaseous poisons against the Martians, which could also be deadly to Earthlings when released.” You really brought the story and the aliens to life.  I’m so impressed in the way you created this world in just a few sentences. You have a talent for making creative stories in a short piece of time. Bravo!

You’re Beautiful,

Taylor Denton

What’s Up Sister,

I love The Great Gatsby! It’s one of my complete favorites. I adore the way you talked about it, I really did. And I totally agree with the things you said. You have a well-developed mind. The line, “Besides all the deeper meanings to this passage, I also love it for the simplistic and beautiful language that it contains.” Is totally awesome! I completely agree. It’s so nice to read the way I feel about The Great Gatsby. I also loved the way you analyzed the book and how it was written. You also did a great job describing it. The way you talk about the book is loving and intelligent, I can tell you have a passion for books from this story. Amazing analysis! You are very mature and a great thinker, and this passage is thoughtful and well-written in every way possible. Awesome job!

Your Face is Magical,

Taylor Denton

Hi, Katie!

“In the bakery, Rich dark chocolate drops smooth, Forming sweet small cakes” was such a cute poem! You have a talent for writing innocent and adorable things.  It’s so refreshing to read this. It’s nice to read something that isn’t totally dark and depressing. I think what I like best about your writing style is how gentle and sweet it is without being annoyingly cutesy. I love how much you can convey with a few words. This poem is very pretty and fabulous. What I also enjoyed was how you got in touch with my stomach! You managed to make me starving without even trying! That takes effort. You are very descriptive in your writing that is really my favorite thing about this poem and about your writing in general. You can make up stories in a few seconds that become creative masterpieces. Great job, sister! I loved it.

You’re a Genius,

Taylor Denton

Yo, yo, Katie,

This was great! You connected all the colors into this poem really seamlessly. I was impressed with how creative this one was. It can be hard to try to be creative with such a structured poem assignment, but you really made this your own and I loved it. I also enjoyed how you painted a picture with this work. Your imagery was really great! It’s a really gentle poem with a cute undertone. It’s innocent and lovely, and I completely love it! It can really be hard to find good writing, but I have really found it in your writing. I wanted to go to this place you’d created, it really seems like a good place to be. When I read your writing, I can’t really help but to feel happy. That’s another thing I love about this poem, it’s incredibly creative! Great job, awesome work!

Stay Awesome,

Taylor Denton

 Hi, Katie!

This was adorable! It was so cute, and of course I loved the way you made it about a child and the connection that the baby had with his mother. It seems like you really summed up the way a new mother would feel after her child was born. I loved the way you tapped into this delicate and unbreakable connection with parent and offspring. I love writing that tells the truth about something invisible, and I think you really did that with this poem. My favorite line of this work is, “Child of her Heart, Affectionately swaddled in Readily placed blue blankets.” It creates the sweetest imagery of the whole poem, in my opinion of course. I also loved how warm and fuzzy it made me feel. It was a happy poem and a great piece of work, and that combination can be a difficult one to find.

Great Job,

Taylor Denton 

(This was my favorite piece of work from Katie because it was sweet and intelligent)

6 Line Poem

"Don't Forget Me, Just Don't Remember"