Monday, August 17, 2015

Transformation project ideas

One idea I have for the transformation project is to make my journal entrees into a map. The way I look at the journal writing process is like a tool to both track my progress over time and help me make that progress by showing me where I've been. I like to use the metaphor of life being a journey and all parts of life that get me there as finding my own way. Similarly, I find that all events that happen are learning experiences and can be translated as road blocks, forging new paths, remembering certain terrain, how to use new resources to get through new situations, etc. Journaling has been an irreplaceable source for me to "map out" my life experiences in order to learn and grow and find my way so I feel like showing that transformation as a literal map would be fitting. How I imagine the map to look is as one that I draw out with my course thus far since being the project that shows in picture metaphoric landmarks that coincide with journal entries that I will write in next to them which will end in a place that represents where I feel that I am today.
Another idea I have for the project is a short story. One way I was thinking it could go would be to use my journal entries to write the story of what I've done and how I've transformed over the course of the journal writing. This version of the story would follow my journaling very precisely and base the story on only that with an ending that leaves off where my last entry has. Another idea for a story would be more of a creative and descriptive piece based on my entries but from a more embellished introspective point of view that looks at the journal from an outside perspective. The first version would show more literally the journey I've been on whereas the second idea gives more room for interpretation and analysis of the journey.
My last idea for the project is a poem. I would go through my journal and take parts that I like and that are representative of my transformation and piece it all together. Depending on what I find when going through my journal I would decide on the format and length of the poem and whether or not I want to add parts here and there that wasn't said in my entries but might tie pieces of it together or clarify the message it is going to portray, once I figure out what that is!

12 comments:

  1. I really like your "map" idea. I think if you refined it you could potentially have something pretty amazing. I never have thought of it that way but a journal is much like a map. They both help you find your way and it's best to keep an updated map.

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  2. Ingalls,

    A cartographer, eh? Mapping out learning experiences and metaphoric landscapes—I like it a LOT. I’m such a digitoid (new word?), but I bet there are some badass programs/websites out there that lay a decent amount of the artistic groundwork for you. One benefit to a digitized version of your map could also be the likelihood of preserving it for, probably, a much longer period of time. You’d also likely be able to share it easier with others if you wanted to do so.

    Short stories would work too. Stories have people, ambitions, settings, themes… and i’m sure your life’s got plenty of all that too. Would it be straight-up nonfiction or would you fictionalize it to help it fall into the conventions of a traditional “story”? (It doesn’t need to adhere to the traditional conventions, IMO.)

    You could do a poem, but that runs the risk of being super-thin. A series/collection of poems, maybe? A new one for each spot on the map?

    Excellent work on this proposal. Nice’n’thorough.

    Z

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  3. I love all 3 of your ideas, however I agree with AJ that the map could be pretty amazing. I am and always have been a sucker for poetry, so I think the poem could be really beautiful and heart felt as well. Right on Erin.

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  4. I really like your first idea! It sounds to me that it is your first pick! I love the map idea and one of my options was very similar! I say go for it! The other two ideas are cool. I like the short story idea but not as much as the first one! The poem idea is cool too, but I think the map is a way to show your journey and creativity.

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  5. My vote is also for creating a map out of your journals. Life is definitely a journey, and if you can go back to different places through your writing, that could be an entirely different experience! I think our writing thus far in this class has been such a great way for us to read into our thoughts and feelings - just like we read a map and figure out which direction we're supposed to be going. Using your past journal entries to see where you have been (and to guess where you might be going) will definitely be a worthwhile experience for you!

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  6. The map idea is really cool, took me sec to visualize but i think it would come out super well. I think that any way one can see their work in front of them is a growth from the beginning. But if you prefer to write than both the story and poem idea would be cool. I think poetry scares me thats why I am scared to try. What ever you chose will work out amazingly!

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  7. I really like the poem idea since I think poems can be so interesting and thought provocative. You an also hide little meanings in there by using metaphors so you don't have to expose all of your darkest, deepest thoughts so openly :) (I like the short story idea as well, just FYI!)

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  8. I really like the idea of a map since it's more visual than a poem or a few poems. You could maybe combine the two and make poems with individual landscapes/maps on the back? Just throwing out an idea, but I really like what you're thinking of already! :)

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  9. Your poem idea sounds amazing! I think it would be such an interesting approach and really fun to read. I'm looking forward to seeing what you end up doing :)

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  10. love the map idea! i think that would be really fun :) and i agree with the comments before, life is a journey! i feel like that would be such a cool and fun project!

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  11. MAP MAP MAP! i think it's universal, everyone likes your map idea. GO FOR IT!

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  12. Using metaphors in a literal map is great way to show your learning and growing experiences throughout the last couple of months. I am a visual learner and I think a lot of people are also visual, so seeing a map can really help me (or the audience) to connect with your experiences!

    Landmarks in my opinion are a great reminder of a (day, time, experience, or feeling one had) as well as a great way to reflect. Again, I love visuals!

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