Announcement and Rant · 8:20pm May 13th, 2013
For better or for worse, Dissonance is coming out in June. I've worked out everything behind the scenes, and I've a bank of chapters to publish, so the war machine is officially in motion. As for when in June, that's up to when the Cover is done, and potentially by who. I'll elaborate on that when appropriate, if ever; at present I will answer no questions concerning the Saga. Rest assured, though, that the winter stagnation of my writing career is slowly peeling away.
Given this! I do have a tidbit of content for you, a new short in my "Apologies" portfolio. Its cover image is the one Denial expertly crafted for me at the top of the post, and it's a request I addressed quite a while back. It's a cute little shapshot, and I think you'll enjoy it—but I must ask you all a favor, first. I would like your help. Though I am no titan, and I never really have been, I like to think that I can rely on my followers for a boost, when appropriate. Tangentially, I have a plan.
First thing in the morning on Saturday, May 18th, which is typically 8:00 AM EST for me (curse my biological alarm clock), I will submit my newest story to moderation. I'm letting you all know in advance because, with your help, I'd like some... propulsion, as it were. Moderation should be finished at sometime that day, and if you see it, you can give it a read and judge it appropriately. What's important, to me, is that you read it and enjoy it—that is my goal, after all, as a writer, and always has been/will be. If you do happen to be available that day, though, could you perhaps, I dunno... give me an upvote? 
It would mean the world to me, after so long a stagnation, to be put back into the spotlight. Of course, this doesn't come without reward. I have another story in the works, one that has a much better premise, and is funnier to boot. So, I'll cut to the point: If I get into the featured box before the end of the weekend, I will publish my second story the same time next week. Exciting, right? I'm excited. And I damn well mean that promise; nothing means more to me than upholding my word. I don't make excuses, not for something as important to me as ponyfic.
So! I'll reiterate that if any of you have a short request for me, I'd be happy to write it. Today, though, if you want to continue, I have something to get off my chest. Read on if you like, though there is mild French ahead.
The ever-dramatic title of this particular rant is, "How I gave up on Englsih class."
I notice the typo in the title. I made it on accident, promise, but I'm keeping it because it fits in with the theme. I have really, really given up on this particular English class in which I'm enrolled; namely, Honors English 10. The following analogy, in part, describes the frustration I experience in terms of quizzes, papers, and the like.
So, I say I'm going to give you, the reader, an ice cream sundae if you run fast. I only give you very vague definitions of what 'fast' is, but I assure you it's a perfectly reasonable speed achieved by putting one foot in front of the other at a pace above the average running speed of a typical citizen, which I also don't specify. I tell you that I won't give you a sundae if you trip over rocks, but you have to run on gravel. Oh, and you can't run the exact same way as anyone else, or I'll shoot you.
You think that seems reasonable, so you run as fast as you did last time someone asked you to run, and I say, well, that isn't good enough, but I'll give you an ice cream cone because it was okay. I give you some good pointers, but I never really show you how I want you to run. So you purse your lips and say to yourself, well, maybe I just didn't do good enough. So next time, nine weeks later, I ask you to run again, you run as fast and hard as you can. And I say, well, it's better, but it's still not good enough, so here's your ice cream cone.
So you, now reasonably frustrated, glance at the corpse of a friend who was unwise enough to look up how to run on the internet and say to yourself, well, maybe an ice cream cone is enough. It's not what I want, and it's not what I think I deserve, but it's all I think I can get, so I'll run half-assed because I'll get an ice cream cone no matter how I run, and I don't have the drive or motivation to dedicate all my energy to running, because then I'll get less ice cream in other tasks, like swimming and climbing, which are much easier to do 'correctly.' And you complain to me once about the very frustrating way I handle things, and I tell you that if you don't like it, you can go run with the kids in wheelchairs.
Translating this into my current conundrum, running, obviously, is the assignments of English, most of which I'm able to do reasonably well. I have an 85% in the class, as opposed to an A in all my other classes. The ice cream sundae represents an A for me on certain things like papers and quizzes—only a very, very select few I've ever gotten an A on. A lot of it is either arbitrary (the questions on the quizzes are especially particular, ex. "What game does Hana play in order to feel more like a child inside the bombed-out villa?" The answer to that is 'hopscotch,' but it's only thinly veiled in the text. I knew it only because we went over it in class, but other things we don't) or tedious (Seriously? Notes are graded? Not for completion, either. For 'depth and analysis of the text.' This is another situation where I don't feel I get anywhere no matter how I approach it).
Now, one would think that, as an author, I ought to be good at this. And I'm not saying I'm not. But I could also tell you to go be successful as a painter. That could mean two things: One, a painter as in the subjective art form which is a hit-or-miss depending on who you ask, or two, a painter as in the mind-numbing up-down motions you do for people who are too lazy to pick up a brush. In English, I have to do both. This isn't of course to say that there aren't methods to complete these tasks, or a few do's and do-not's, but none of those will get me an ice cream sundae.
My only other options are to either dedicate an unreasonable amount of time specifically to English and have conferences and stay up late writing bogus notes by hand and perhaps still get a B, or to just say 'screw it' and let it go. Obviously I'm going with the option that saves me more of my valuable time, but that means for the rest of the year, I'm completely and utterly unenthused and detached, which is a darned shame because I quite enjoy its teacher and the friends I have therein. In this instance, it's either a failure of the teacher to assign and grade reasonably, or a failure of the curriculum to do the same, or perhaps a combination, or maybe even just a complete and utter failure of school in general. I enjoy school, but I feel I'm getting a taste of what it's like in most other places, in which case I share my condolences to all you stifled intellects out there.
And to add insult to injury, my teacher's typical response to these types of complaints is to say, "Well, just go to Academic English." Well, screw you, too. Would you go teach in Nebraska just because the pay is better?
Some teachers are difficult, MB. Sorry you got a not-so-great one.
Also, c'mon, like you need to ask your followers to upvote your stuff - you know we all love your writings.
I really wanna use that pic as an avatar now...
I hear you on the tough teachers. Ive never liked grading on notes, namely because I memorize a lot with OUT notes and what notes I do take are very shorthand.
What I hate the most , though, are COLLEGE teachers who grade on attendance. I seriously almost didn't get an A in a 101 course (elective)..because I was out sick 1 morning and I got a 0 for the day.
Good luck! I'm glad to see you are making some progress!
Also, yes, to what IceOfWaterflock said, Ive upvoted basically everything of yours that I've read. No need to ask when you are good
Dissonance is coming! I was beginning to think it never would.
By giving us a second story if you get the feature box, isn't that giving an incentive to unfairly rate your stories higher than others? This, I shall not do.
And don't get so down about having a B in honors English. One B and the rest A's isn't too bad if you ask me. Then again, it seems you are more distressed by the unfair grading practices instead of simply having a B, so I dunno.
OO it is coming back. I hope Pinkie continues to be awesome (heck she could why not even more awesome lol).
Nebraska? Not my bag too flat and too empty I will stick to the North East.
URA!
...Well.
That was a great analogy, first of all. It was actually kind of fun to read. But, uh...
Yeah. I can't think of a time yet where I've been--Wait, wtf am I saying? My online Environment instructor this semester, lolol. First "assignment" is to send an email showing you're there, I ask in that email about what we should be doing because the only things on the site were quizzes and information for three projects (with no dates anywhere). I ask again three weeks later, and another two or three weeks later because he never responded. Eventually he says in an announcement that the class is doing pretty well, and the few that have questions must not have been paying attention to the due-date schedule it took him two months to make (a list of about 6 dates)?
I could go on about that, but I do too much. I don't think my situation was quite so bad as yours, because although once I managed to discover what I had to do offhand, all I had to do was take a couple hours almost daily to read a chapter--the class itself was easy, despite the annoying projects. In your case, it's a matter of being competent and... well, you know.
Point is, I empathize. I'm sorry to hear you're in such a situation, but at least it's not, well... worse, or anymore than one class.
I mean, uh, HELL YEAH I'D MOVE TO NEBRASKA FOR BETTER PAY.
1076394
I adore my teacher, I think he presents a very fun and engaging class. My complaint is that I truly wish the grading system was a tad more reasonable. I don't specifically know whose fault that is, nor do I particularly care, because it's not like I can just waltz in and change it.
1076415
Feel free.
1076548
Indeed. I don't take notes, and I'm going to tank the 0 I get on them this quarter if I can afford it. I actually just calculated it now and, as long as I get a B or better on all my assignments, I'll get an 80, and that's the worst case scenario. I'll probably do some half-assed notes to cover said ass should something run amiss, but at least I have options.
1076704
Perish the thought!
I just want you to keep your eyes and ears open, then thumb if you enjoy when it comes out. If you don't enjoy it, tell me why.
1077127
I've improved my Pinkie significantly since my last attempt, I'm sure you'll enjoy her.
1077746
1078121
I'm fairly competent in English, but I question the time/effort:reward(knowledge) ratio present in the class itself. Also, no you wouldn't. No one moves to Nebraska. You're either born there or you aren't.
1078813
Did I ever mention I love your writing? Because I do.
IMPROVED?!?
Nice to hear I will be looking forward to her. I liked how she had her key moments and it sounds good that she may get some more.
1078813
Exactly.
But... awww, c'mon, I can't move to Nebraska? It's so... Nebraska!
I've been waiting for Dissonance for a long time. Thank you for informing me!
the impossible quiz free