Critique 4

Though my response here is late, I chose to give a brief critique on Natasha's group project found here:http://mason.gmu.edu/~ahart9/Anime.html

Overall, I really enjoyed this project. I was once a huge fan of japanime in general, and especially Dragon Ball Z. I enjoyed the many videos you posted all over the site, along with the Japanese to English translation dictionary. My favorite part was the history section though. This helped me to understand more about the shows in general, and how they came about, etc. The drawings were really neat too, but I feel you should color them in!

In regards to what I don't think worked, I would mainly like to comment on the design. I feel that the main page is too "full" and it's almost hard to look at. The colors don't seem to blend well. I believe if the background were simpler, it would make for a more "professional" look. Also, I feel the videos could be better organized. Perhaps instead of posting them all on the main page, you could put them into separate pages and link to those pages. I feel this would make it more organized.

Lastly, some of the links on the bottom of the page are broken. In particular, the "Gohan - Remember The Name" (which I love that video, by the way!) does not work. Great work, though! I loved your project.

FINAL PROJECT

http://sites.google.com/site/goodbyegmu/

Manifesto 2.0

After having read my original manifesto for this class, I found many aspects of it that I would change. Though the language was actually quite beautiful and poetic in my opinion (just kidding, I’m full of myself), the substance of what I originally stated as opposed to what I have actually done is entirely different. I stated in my original manifesto that I would make poetry, new Japanese animation, and create mystery and science fiction works. Well, up to this point, I have failed to do any of that. After learning, studying, reading, and being indulged in the beauty of this course, I came to the realization that those were not my areas of expertise. Rather, I found that the increased video technology through Windows Movie Maker and other various tool as Photoshop, etc, were the tools of my designs. These designs have been videos primarily. I have also focused more on web design and informational approaches (such as the copyright site). My original suspicions of this course mainly revolved around the idea that I thought I would have to submit various "textual" works (as in other creative writing courses), but just on a computer. I was oh so wrong. Digital writing is a completely different, and more entertaining, field of creative writing. The options are unlimited, and you have so much more room to decide what you want to do, and how you want to do it. I would say that my original manifesto, as stated articulate and poetic, was fun to read, but lacked substance. I now say that I cannot give a specific example of what my works will be (especially the final project), because the options are unlimited. Having never been in a class such as this, I did not realize the vastness of options within digital writing. From here on out I will use all the tools and techniques I have learned throughout this class and relate them to my final project. The final project is the bulk of this class, and I plan on giving it my all. Effort, time, thought, prayer, workshops, etc, will all be used to help complete my final project. I’m thinking of doing a “choose-your-own-destiny” type story, somewhat like George Shry did in his group project. But I would like to add some animation, as well. I’m not saying this will be my final project, but it is a small possibility. Ultimately, I feel that my ideas for produced works have changed completely, and have taken a 180 degree turn in regards to substance. I did not produce any of what I originally set out to do, but I feel the work I have produced has actually been more suitable to my style of creative “writing.” Thus, I failed to accomplish what my manifesto stated I would do. I apologize.

Revised Manifesto

Hey guys, just lettin' you know I'll be posting my updated manifesto in the morning.  

GROUP PROJECT LINK

http://sites.google.com/site/eng344group/

Critique 3

The literary journal I chose to explore and critique was that of the Toasted Cheese Literary Journal found at http://tclj.toasted-cheese.com/. This literary journal caught my interest for the assignment due to the fact that it accepts numerous genres of writing. The journal accepts flash works, poetry, fiction writing, and even CNF (creative non-fiction). After browsing through the site for a good while and reading a few “Featured Writing” samples, along with a few of the “Editor’s Picks,” I found that the website generally contains interesting pieces of writing. Or at least what I have read this far has been interesting. I especially like the piece entitled, When a Porn Star Steals a Poet's Name, found at http://tclj.toasted-cheese.com/2009/9-1/moni.htm. The poem is clear and concise in my opinion, and the title completely caught me off guard. I had to read it.

Anyhow, in regards to the platform of the website, I feel that the platform is set up quite decently. On the home page of the website there are Editors Picks and Featured Writing samples which serve as a good introduction to the website. There are also archives of pervious works that I found to be a useful platform tool. This way, previous writing samples that are interesting and well done are not just deleted because new, crappier works will come in and take their places. I also found that the website was very straightforward and direct in its approach. It had listed on the left links regarding submission requirements, which is usually the first thing I look for when I visit an online literary journal. The forums were also great and very useful. Outside of that, I felt that the website design was a bit weak and could use some improvement. It was a bit, tacky, so to say.

Continuing, I feel that the literary journal takes advantage of the digital format for publishing creative works mainly because the works are posted quite frequently. Each quarter, March, June, September, December, new works are posted, thus giving a vast amount of new literary works to read, critique, and enjoy. Also, I cannot stress enough the community aspect of the website that is revealed through the forum and chat room. Forums/Chat rooms are a way of life when it comes to online journals, and really online life in all contexts. They are a way of communication. Each writer, reader, and any person just generally interested in the website or the works published can simply access the forum and/or chat room and simply engage in conversations regarding most any topic so desired. Thus, the online journal takes advantage of the digital format to engage all persons.

Lastly, in regards to whether or not I would want my work published on Toasted Cheese, I surely would. I love this website. I have read from it before, and would be honored to have my work published on the site. I think the works are very well done, and believe my work could be just as good if I put in the time and effort. Also, I think it is a great way to get your work noticed. If your work gains popularity amongst readers, it may further advance your chances of becoming well-known, and even help to get works published in hard copies. I really do want to take over their website design program though and teach that designer a thing or two about how to properly design a website!

My Group

Me, Amanda Whitten, Ryan S.

We are doing our project on copyright laws.