And who doesn't like raspberry truffles?

One of my "general question" posts.

I didn't think my Facebook friends would respond well to an academic thesis post. Instead, I've been posting a series of very general questions like, "Who has read Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol? Tell me what you think about his writing." and "What's your favorite part of Ella Enchanted?" I found that these questions probably resulted in more responses than a specific thesis would have.

The most useful comment was a link to a book/movie review from my cousin. So awesome. I wouldn't have even known she had written it.

People care. Not just about what I am about writing about, but what I have to say about what they're writing about. On this group blog it's been neat to read posts with my name in them. It makes me feel like I really am helping other people with their papers. People want their opinion to be heard. This process has been fulfilling and validating for me.

I received some helpful comments on my tweethis statement blog post from Sophie and Annalee. Sophie suggested that I look at the literary techniques each author uses and how it affects their portrayal of decision-making and control. Awesome! I really liked that idea. Annalee also commented and suggested that I relate the idea of their lack of control to the male main characters.

Combining these comments made me think about how the gender of the writer plays a role in the perspective they each have on womanhood. From the beginning I have wanted to avoid feminism but it keeps cropping up and I'm considering it some more before I dismiss it entirely. I'm going to ask the Facebook community about feminism in young adult and children's literature and see what they have to say about it! #gettingexcitedaboutsocialproofs

At the beginning of this process, I've learned that ideas can fluctuate in importance. They come and go and create new ideas with different concepts. Sometimes I have to let an idea go so that a better one can take shape. Sometimes we need to pass up truffle in order to make way for a raspberry caramel turtle truffle.



This blog and the associated activities have already taught me a lot about how ideas work. 

They don't happen alone.