Who Chopped What Where?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 22:30:57 EST

(In honor of the holiday, which vaguely resembles some DWMs' natal dates, to which we shall give scant honor...merely remembering that myth says they never told a lie--or fairly few--always paid back debts--mostly--and so forth:-)

According to the Boston Globe, various school systems are considering teaching values. Lists abound...

1994 Gallup--honesty, democracy, acceptance of racial and ethnic differences, and patriotism.

An educators' list--self-esteem, honesty, respect, trust, loyalty, justice, self-discipline, self-reliance, commitment.

One group out to reform education--honesty, decency, integrity, and morality.

(core values? first you eat the banana the snake gave you, then slip on the peel...what's left after that is just the real hard core, right?)

So...

1. Make your own personal list of values which you consider crucial, necessary, etc. Keep it short, comprehensive, and otherwise impossible (don't forget to ask yourself WHY this value is critical).

2. Pick a character or three. Give them different slants on one of your values. Then...

3. Rub them up against a situation which brings out their differences, and forces them (and the reader) to look at the results. Don't hide from the uncertainties, the pains, and even the possibility that you might be wrong...

4. WRITE THAT STORY! FINISH IT! AND SEND IT OFF TO THE PUBLISHERS!

*rah, rah, ree, write a stor-ie!
rah, rah, ray, mail it out today!
fee, fie, foe, keep them in the mail!
sis, boom, bed, you'll be published!*