WORD OF THE DAY! 7/12/12.

partheogenesis [par-thuh-noh-jen-uh-sis]
noun
1. Development of an egg without fertilization.
2. Mythology. Human birth without sex; virgin birth.
3. Mythology. Creation of new life from a single individual or being without sex.

EX. Much like the parthenogenesis of Athena from the head of Zeus, the greatest stories ever told through anime have been born from the head of the Japanese Disney, Hayao Miyazaki. Yet, much like Athena's birth being partly from the result of a prophecy foretold by Zeus's first concubine/wire Metis, so too are the idea of Miyazaki born from a mix of his own personal experiences, philosophies, and mythology from all over the world.

Many of the young strong female characters in Miyazaki's works are based on real people and fictional archetypes, like his friend's daughter on whom he based Sen and like Russian mythology's Baba Yaga on whom he based Yubaba & Zeniba from Spirited Away (2001). In Porco Rosso (1992), the protagonist is an exaggerated satire of Miyazaki himself and the story briefly touches on themes of facism, which were once part of Miyazaki's political life. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Princess Mononoke (1997) drew upon his strong belief in natural conservation.

These examples are just a few and it becomes clear through studying any artists works that nothing is original, but that doesn't mean that it can't be unique, inspiring, and enchanting; three adjectives that fit the works of this titan of story-telling through animation.

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/27/12.

whimsy [hwim-zee]

noun

1. Capricious humor or disposition; extravagant, fanciful, or excessively playful expression.

2. An odd or fanciful notion.

3. Anything odd or fanciful; a product of playful or capricious fancy.

EX. As I talk about whimsy, you can check out this awesome Adventure Time x Miyazaki cross-over artwork from the link below. Make sure to check out his page if you like the art.

DMD

Every writer has things that make them tick and tock in a certain way; some of us are ticking away like a digital clock with computed precision and diligence, some of us write in small bursts like a stop watch, and then some of us are more like a cuckoo clock. I learned something a few years ago. I'm not exactly sure about the exact moment an adult writer realizes this about himself or whether he should accept it or fight it.; I am a cuckoo-clock, a whimsical writer.

I'm a young writer, but I think I might have some insights (regardless of how short-sighted they might be). First of all, to know a writer you must know two things: their influences and their motivations (often the same thing, but there ya go). My influences? The things that really matter to me? Aesthetically pleasing cartoons with good morals or good wit, video games (but especially Nintendo video games like Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past), tongue-in-cheek fantasy films like Flash Gordon, Labyritnth, Princess Bride, and Hook, beautiful and brilliant anime, especially that of Miyazaki, and, as for the writers who have influenced me most; Dr. Seuss who taught me how to be subtle in a silly world, Tolkein who taught me the simple pleasure of world-building, and Terry Pratchett. 

Terry Pratchett taught me the value of creating a world of characters with their own stories to tell, the value of cleverly sprinkled satire, and how, under all the whipped cream of fantasy and humor, you can still create something that tells a universal truth. Terry Pratchett taught me that under all the whimsy, the fairy tales, and the wishes-upon-a-star, you can still have something sincere, serious, and another word starting with an 's'. 

So, my influences have led me to use a mix of humor and drama to create interesting stories. So far, I hate to say or maybe I love it too, my best stories I've told have been done through the power of Dungeons and Dragons. Something about the spontaneity and the performance forced me to create world that were a tad goofy, plots a tad ridiculous, and yet, just right.

As for my motivations, I am still not 100% sure, but here is a short list.

1. Egotism- You can argue that this is a bad one to have, but I am pretty sure most writers are megalomaniacs.

2. Fantasy- I think a lot of writers write to put themselves, others, or fictional people in scenarios for their own amusement.

3. Enlightenment- Maybe I am trying to find some sort of truth?

And really, that's all I got for you guys. A little self-analysis to begin my Wednesday, followed by me playing some Zelda, going for a swim, and doing house chores. Maybe I'll make some magic cards or hang out with a friend later. Really, I should read a good book. But then again, as a cuckoo-clock, I am predictable, but always surprising.