tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post2014653756727604018..comments2023-10-30T08:00:54.059-04:00Comments on Laurel's Leaves: What is that thing? Harnessing outsider perspectiveLaurel Garverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-19625616981850225142011-02-16T13:30:04.655-05:002011-02-16T13:30:04.655-05:00This is a great take on setting, and a good remind...This is a great take on setting, and a good reminder for me as my MC goes to a new place.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-28927137276339600822011-02-16T09:15:13.817-05:002011-02-16T09:15:13.817-05:00Christine: It's probably a good idea to take a...Christine: It's probably a good idea to take a break and work on some shorter pieces--poetry, short stories--so your fresh perspective returns. I've had to do that several times myself. It really does help restore your joy and confidence.<br /><br />Laura P.: Exactly. It's often little details that can have big impact.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-88163517142681778602011-02-16T09:08:54.419-05:002011-02-16T09:08:54.419-05:00Tessa: As much a the strip-mall-ization of America...Tessa: As much a the strip-mall-ization of America seems to homogenize everything, it's still possible to find local color if you look hard.<br /><br />Holly: Take it as an incentive to entertain, so you can steal all your guests' best lines when they notice unique things. :-)<br /><br />Shelley: Thanks. Visceral reactions and immediate associations like that can be so colorful and fun.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-15263909115208801462011-02-16T09:02:04.384-05:002011-02-16T09:02:04.384-05:00Jade: Locals get habituated to an environment--out...Jade: Locals get habituated to an environment--outsiders will notice the special, unique things in a setting most.<br /><br />Lisa: Most of us feel that our hometown is the dullest place on earth. It takes perspective to see afresh what is unique about it. But as your prof says, you have some insider perspective on things in your town that aren't readily seen by an outsider.<br /><br />Laura M.: It is a colorful image that sticks with me years after first hearing it. Outsider perspective can help you find that kind of zingy idea too.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-82884945855835546272011-02-16T08:54:37.646-05:002011-02-16T08:54:37.646-05:00Kelly: If you read the Wikipedia article, you'...Kelly: If you read the Wikipedia article, you'll see that this genetic mutation appears in pockets of the squirrel population in many places. The part of Fairmount Park above Wissahickon Creek, where my neighborhood is tucked, has one such pocket. <br /><br />Simon: Ha! My friend actually made the comment years ago, and it still sticks with me every time I see one of our tulip-bulb-stealing ninjas scampering about.<br /><br />Mary: The dark fur helps them absorb more warmth from the sun. Clever ninjas!Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-67594881113300966662011-02-15T23:18:16.894-05:002011-02-15T23:18:16.894-05:00That is the freakiest thing I've ever seen! Re...That is the freakiest thing I've ever seen! Real details like that make a story!Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-15611590373770365232011-02-15T20:12:13.601-05:002011-02-15T20:12:13.601-05:00I've been working on the same story for so lon...I've been working on the same story for so long, it's hard to get outside of it for a new perspective. I'll have to think about that!Nighfalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01745824744507928211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-773286248915332202011-02-15T19:55:09.191-05:002011-02-15T19:55:09.191-05:00Very good point you've made. Also, I just saw...Very good point you've made. Also, I just saw one of those squirrels for the first time last year, and I thought the same thing -- what is this, a ninja squirrel? Too cute.Shelley Slyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981620646634240160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-34260551974400069922011-02-15T17:57:25.644-05:002011-02-15T17:57:25.644-05:00Furry-tailed ninja! Awesome. It's a really goo...Furry-tailed ninja! Awesome. It's a really good advice here. Taking a step back is a good idea.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-78742376799115492462011-02-15T14:17:45.583-05:002011-02-15T14:17:45.583-05:00This is really good advice... making the unique st...This is really good advice... making the unique stand out in your setting. There will always be something different in each place that you visit. =)<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this!Tessa Emily Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08625256104634830104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-61842425353749182372011-02-15T14:16:47.379-05:002011-02-15T14:16:47.379-05:00Haha, what a great way to describe that kind of sq...Haha, what a great way to describe that kind of squirrel! Awesome post. This is a great reminder to put ourselves in another person's shoes when walking around our setting!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-32850963633207244092011-02-15T11:12:26.609-05:002011-02-15T11:12:26.609-05:00Great post! We just have boring brown squirrels wh...Great post! We just have boring brown squirrels where we live and I remember getting all excited the first time I saw a black one. <br /><br />Once, during a writing workshop, I talked about how I never wanted to write about where I'm from. "Who wants to read about Cleveland?" I said. But the instructor assured me that people like to experience places they've never been. What seems boring and mundane to me is exciting and new to an outsider!Lisa Galekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02438927319122874125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-82303260823117205482011-02-15T10:20:18.391-05:002011-02-15T10:20:18.391-05:00This is a great post! Characters are not all very ...This is a great post! Characters are not all very knowledgeable about everything in the story, and so their unknowing can provide a new, fresh way of seeing.nonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025913472730278205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-49744885460215273092011-02-15T09:57:02.993-05:002011-02-15T09:57:02.993-05:00Excellent point. We have ninja squirrels, too. T...Excellent point. We have ninja squirrels, too. They really stand out on these white days.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-29774151214701526802011-02-15T09:42:15.000-05:002011-02-15T09:42:15.000-05:00Ha! I love that. Furry-tailed ninja. Now I'm g...Ha! I love that. Furry-tailed ninja. Now I'm getting images of squirrels with katana, bursting from the shadows to cut down feral dogs in the neighborhood.... :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-22063992173274091412011-02-15T09:29:35.579-05:002011-02-15T09:29:35.579-05:00Wow. First, I'm from the same area you are, an...Wow. First, I'm from the same area you are, and I think I would have the same reaction as your friend! I've never seen one of these squirrels--more maybe I just never noticed. Oops! As for the different perspective on setting- awesome. I really never thought about it before--how the outsider would view it differently, therefore the description should be different. Once again Laurel, I've learned so much from you! Thanks!Kelly Lymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773120663217816189noreply@blogger.com