Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Day Thirty

I don't think i will continue writing prompts in it after i am done because i never really used blogger until this project. However, i do enjoy the process of blogging so i will probably create another blog and starting blogging from there. This blog will be used for personal reasons where i can express myself and share my inspirations. I want to share my perspectives and decisions of things that evolve around me with other bloggers.

From that blog, i will start my own topics and write my opinions about it. However, i am busy most of the time so i probably will not do much updating. For the meantime, i will perhaps continue blogging with this blog that i have created and continue on with my story. I enjoy blogging and being able to express myself so i will continue on with this processing.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Day Twenty Nine

There are many people that i would like to dedicate my book to. I want to let them know that they have given me much love and inspiration that has helped me manage to write my story. I would like to dedicate my book to my family, friends, school, and church. My family has been very supportive of me from the start and helps me to strive for the best. My friends are there to inspire and correct my errors. They help give their opinions about my decisions and are always there to give me an answer when i am clueless. My school is part of my life and has helped me experience many beautiful tragedies. School is the step to success; therefore, i want to dedicate this book to my school.

The importance of acknowledging my family, friends, and school is to let them know that they are part of my life. They have made me who i am today and has made a great impact on me. My friends has influenced me to be a better person and do things that are of my interest. My family supports me in all situations and is willing to encourage me all the way. My school allows me to experience the feeling of success and achievement. These three things are a special part of my life and has affect me in many positive ways. In the future when i look back, my family, friends, and school will always be a special memory that has brought me to the success at where i am right now.

Day Twenty Eight

I have some ideas on what the title of my book should be. I want my title to be simple and yet summarizes the story of my book. All i need now is to decide on the right one that can immediately capture the readers' attention. I wasn't able to come up with two more titles, but the ones that i have so far are:
"The Korean Frog Prince"
"A Frog's Love in Palace"
"Imperial Love from a Frog"

I am considering on using "The Korean Frog Prince" because it is a simple title that can describe the story in an excellent way and enables children to know that it is written in a Korean culture. The significance of the first title is to inform the readers that it is about the frog prince and it will be written with Korean customs. In the second title, it basically tells the readers that the story will be about a frog who experiences love in a palace. The significance of the third title to is basically let the readers know that the book will take place in an imperial palace and it will be about the experience of love from a frog to a princess.

Day Twenty Seven

For this blog, i want to describe and talk about what i have written so far for my story. I have three ideas on how to start my story-
1: start it out as a dream that the Princess is having about the kind of life and happiness she wants
2. write the story in first person and start it out with the Princess narrating the story and talking about a girl who has struggled growing up all her life and how she wishes to be loved. the Princess will then reveal that the girl she is talking about is herself.
3. start it out like any other folktale would.

Those are the ideas that i have so far. However, i think i am going to go with my third idea and start it out like any other folktales would. I don't want to make my story too difficult, yet i want to make it unique. Unless i am able to get other inspirations or opinions about how to write my story using the other ideas, i will stick to number three.

Also, i am reconsidering about whether or not i should have someone illustrate and hand draw my pictures, or draw it on the computer. I think it will be easier for someone to hand draw it, but it will be complicated because it will require scanning. If i choose to do my illustrations on the computer, my pictures will be be very creative. Above all, i think i am off to an good start, yet unsteady.

Day Twenty Six

At this point, i feel that i am at a good start of writing my story. However, i think the hardest part of writing a story is how to start it out. The beginning of every book determines whether or not people will read it. Therefore, i think the introduction to my story will be the hardest part for me to write. I spent about two hours writing my story and so far i only have two paragraphs. Therefore, i think starting out the story is the toughest part for me.

However, i have learned how to organize and put my events in a sequential order according to its situation. I have come too far with writing my blurb book because i am having difficulties writing everything out. I know exactly what is going to happen, but i'm just not quite sure on how to type it out on paper. At times, i need some sort of inspiration to boost my creativity so it would inspire me to write my book. My strengths is organizing my events, but my weakness is typing it all out on paper. What i hope to accomplish is to find some inspiration and finish writing my blurb book.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Day Twenty Five

i am still decided whether to write my story in the character's point of view or the author's point of view. I wanted to make my story in first person, but i think it doesn't stick with the original folktales. Also, if it is going to be a children's book, it will probably confuse them. The flow of my story will be very smooth. i don't want my folktale to be rushed or organized in any way because i want the readers to get a good perspective of the book and apply the message within their life.

The style of my story will be according to the traditional Korean style and ways of life. I want to based the lifestyle and almost all their customs according to the Korean way. I want to immediately let the readers know that this story has been retold into the Korean culture. As i read part of what i have written, it doesn't immediately let the readers know, however, it gives them the description of the Princess and how she has struggled growing up. This style will keep the story together and flowing smoothly because it keeps a constant and exciting flow within the story and the readers' attention.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Day Twenty Four

The climax of my story will probably be when the Prince/Frog learns from the maid that the Princess acts the way she is because of the things she experienced when she was little. The Prince always wondered why the Princess acted the way she did towards him. He never really understood her situation and what she is going through until her maid explained to him about her life growing up. I chose to make that the climax of my story because it will explain the whole situation of explanation about the Princess' life.

The climax that fits my story best would be, 'Personal problems overcome by character's own efforts.' I chose this as my climax because it falls deeply into the situation of the Princess. Her own personal problems containing her life and her relationships with others are revealed and slowly accomplished when she decides to accept everything and everyone around her. I think this can also fall under the 'Greatest challenges met or failed' as well, because it will be one of the most toughest yet greatest challenge of the whole story.

Day Twenty Three

The Princess' social responsibility is to find her own happiness. She grew up in the Palace and was home-schooled, therefore she was never able to make any friends. Her father was always too busy ruling the palace, therefore he barely has any time to spare with her. The Princess' only friend is her maid who raised her up as her own daughter.

The Prince's social responsibility is to basically try to turn back into a prince. However, along the way, the forgets about that responsibility and starts to concern about the Princess' feelings. Afterwards, the Prince's social responsibility will change and he will therefore have the new responsibility of helping the Princess find her true happiness and satisfy everyone. Not realizing it, he also fulfills the social responsibility that he first had to start off with.

The King's social responsibility is to satisfy his people and take care of the things that happen in the palace. However, he became so fed up about satisfying everyone that he had forgotten all about his daughter. Although he has that responsibility, it is not his main responsibility. His most important responsibility is to be with his daughter and love her. He has been too protective of her for too long. Therefore, he needs to spend time with the princess to determine what it is that will make her happy.

All of these three major characters have their own responsibilities in the fairytale. However, they think that they know what they are supposed to do, but they do know quite know what it is that they really need to do. At the end of my folktale, all of these miseries and responsibilities will all be solved and accomplished. I want to satisfy the readers by ending the story with an excellent ending.

Day Twenty Two

The theme for my story is "give without expecting" because i want many people to focus on these words. It would be great if everyone was able to think of this quote. In my folktale, the Prince gives the Princess many wonderful things although she never really acknowledged it or thanked him. The Prince was even willing to give her his heart before they even officially knew each other. He has never regretting giving anything to the Princess and because of his personality, he was always willing to give to satisfy others.

Prince Woo Young represents "giving" because it is part of his willingness that just makes him want to give others the chance to experience happiness. The statement i want to follow the theme is "giving without expecting, you will surely receive." People who give whole-heartedly, they will surely receive something great in return without them even expecting or knowing it. I plan to make the Prince forgive the Princess numerous times because she refuses to acknowledge his existence. Afterwards, at times he would secretly give her things that would make her happy and get her out of trouble because she tends to be stubborn.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Day Twenty One

I haven't decided on the book openings, but i definitely want a picture that will immediately catch the attention of the readers. Perhaps it can be the fashion or appearances of the characters. I am still deciding on whether to start the story off about the selfish and lonely Princess or the situation between the witch and the Prince. However, i want the actions of my folktale to take place quickly because i don't want to drag my story and make the readers lose interest in them. I was also thinking about describing the Palace with an illustration that can get the readers' attention.

I want to make my folktale predictable yet unpredictable at the same time. Also, i want the readers to feel some kind of intenseness while reader so that they are eager to contine reading further into the book. I want to start my folktale off with, "Once upon a time..." because i feel that it is simply a way of how authors introduce their fairytales and it immediately lets the readers know that this is a folktale. I want to make my story unique, yet at the same time keep the same introductory as most folktales do. I will first draw the beautiful palace that the Princess and King lives in that can attract the reader once reading the first page. I hope to tell about the Palace which is separated into many parts as most Palaces in South Korea are. I want to explain and share every specific detail about it and fascinate them.

Day Twenty

I am still not quite sure of how i want my illustrations to look like yet. I want illustrations that are easy and simple that can help the reader get an idea of how the characters in my folktale look like and what the situation is. I believe that drawing my own characters will be much more simple than drawing them on Paint or Adobe Photoshop. Perhaps i can find someone to draw my pictures so i won't have to worry about how to draw with a mouse. I can probably give them an idea of how i want my illustrations to be and of what situation and the illustrator can draw according to the details i give him/her.

I not sure of what scenes i want in my folktale yet, however, i want to include each of my characters into the illustrations therefore the readers can get an idea of how they physically look like. There will be an illustration of the scene when the Princess drops her golden ball into the pond and the frog retrieves it. Also, another scene i want into the folktale is the ending when the princess breaks the spell on the prince. These are two major scenes that i think my folktale must have in order to satisfy the readers. I haven't yet decided on the rest of the illustrations, therefore i will need to do more brainstorming.

Day Nineteen

I think my folktale is lacking characters because most stories have many characters. However, I only have a few characters in my folktale. My cultural pastiche seems to be missing some details of both the characters and customs of my culture. What my story is lacking the most right now is more information and details about how my version of "The Frog Prince" will be. I feel that the beginning of my folktale is not yet decided. I have not made a decision about how to start of my story yet.

What i want my folktale to really focus on is the main storyline of "The Frog Prince," Korean customs and proverbs, and last but not least, the messages that i want the readers to receive. Although i want my folktale to stand out from others, i don't think i can make any more major changes into the folktale now that i have already gotten this far. For instance, i want to twist the storyline a little bit and instead of having the Prince turn into a Frog, i thought of having the Princess turn into a frog because of her selfishness and cold heart. However, it would be quite difficult now that i have made most of my decisions already. Perhaps i could put in more details of how the story will really go and hopefully find more characters along the way.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Day Eighteen

One of the folktale i have researched from the Korean culture is "The Korean Cinderella" by Shirley Climo. This folktale is basically the same storyline as the original "Cinderella," except her name is Pear Blossom instead of Cinderella. Pear Blossom is mistreated terribly by her stepmother and stepsisters. This book has won trophies due to it's beautiful illustrations.

Another folktale is "Princess and the Beggar" by Anne Sibley. This folktale is about a young daughter who weeps nonstop, therefore her father (King) became tired of it and threatened her that he would marry her off to a beggar name Pabo Ondal. She challenges her father with the threat and in no time, she was able to help the beggar become a great poetry writer. Therefore, in the first place, the King's threat was no threat to her.

The third folktale is called, "In the Moonlight Mist" by Daniel San Souci. It is about a young woodcutter who saves a deer's life, so the deer offers to grant him a wish. The young woodcutter believes he is too poor to afford a wife, so he wished for a wife. The deer then sent him a heavenly maiden to be his wife. They soon have a child, but because of homesickness, the wife and child return to life among the stars and leaving the poor woodcutter.

I believe that all three folktales had to do with Korean history or past legends because Korean legends are often similar to "In the Moonlight Mist." Also, in each folktale, there were some sort of Korean related customs in them. The significance of the folktales are to imply to the readers about Korean culture and their legends to entertain children. These folktales do not focus on only one aspect, but many to make the stories more interesting and worth reading to everyone. All three of these folktales teach lessons and morals. The purpose of these stories are to share the author's perspectives and to tell everyone of the customs of Korea.

Day Seventeen

My folktale is "The Frog Prince" by the Grimms Brothers and is written in the German culture. The story that i chose to compare it with is "The Water of Life." Although i think "The Water of Life" is more similar to "Cinderella," i think i can still relate and differentiate it with "The Frog Prince." Both folktales have little similar things in common and a lot of differences.

"The Water of Life" is able a King who has three sons and is severely ill. All three sons go in search for the water of life to cure their father's sickness. However, because the eldest and second son have rude and hasting personalities, they were instead punished by a dwarf they met along the way. Therefore, it gave the third son a chance to go in search for the water of life. Because of his generous and loving heart, the dwarf game him the items and instructions to receive the water of life. While trying to accomplish the mission, he met a young princess who agreed to marry him if he waited a year for her. Due to kind heart, he was able to get his brothers back. Because the brothers were selfish and frightened that he would steal their places in the kingdom, they took his cup of the water of life and replaced it with salt water. After his brothers betrayed him and lied to their father, the King plotted to kill his own son. However, the person who was given this task was unable to complete the King's command of killing him, he let the youngest son go. A year later, both the elder and second son went to the kingdom of where the Princess lived. Realizing that the path upon the Kingdom was of gold, they didn't go upon that path, thus the Princess knew they weren't the one. Then the youngest son went with determination and his love for the Princess, he didn't realize the golden path and walked right up, therefore, the Princess knew he was the one. The King found out the truth, so the eldest and second son ran far out unto the sea and never returned.

Because both stories were written by the same author, it was told from a German perspective. There were similar words used in both stories such as thus, thou, etc. Also, the main thing that they had in common was that the message of the folktales were similar to one another. For instance, the message in "The Frog Prince" was: Don't judge others by how they look. The elder and second sons in "The Water of Life" was like the Princess in "The Frog Prince" and judged the dwarf and was mean to him although he was just concerned about where they were going. Like the Princess, she judged the frog because he was filthy, however, he turned out to be a handsome Prince of a very wealthy family.

Although the folktales had many similarities, they had even more differences. The stories were completely different from one another. There were more characters in "The Water of Life" and the fact that the King had three sons. This folktale was more similar to "Cinderella" because the youngest son had to get the water of life before the clock struck twelve o'clock. Also, the King's condition and personality were very different from the King in "The Frog Prince." This King didn't believe his youngest son and even ordered to kill him, however, the King in "The Frog Prince" loved his daughter very much, even though she was bratty and selfish.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Day Sixteen

The characters in my folktale are: King Young Jae, Princess Soo Young, Prince Woo Young, Ma nyeo (witch), Head Maid Soo Jin, and Butler Min Ho. However, in my story, there will also be a chef, but he does not have a speaking role. I haven't mentioned much about the Head Maid and Butler, but they will be in charge of taking care of the rest of the other workers in the Palace. Therefore, they are mainly the the supervisors of the other servants and house keeps.

King Young Jae: the King always has a strong and calm voice while talking to others, but when he is talking to his daughter, his voice becomes soft and cheerful. Because he is busy most of the time, he doesn't have much time with his daughter, therefore he always feel apologetic.

Princess Soo Young: the Princess has a sweet and lovely voice that often attracts people to her, along with her beautiful looks. However, when she is speaking/criticizing the frog, her voice becomes harsh and unlikeable. She often sings to herself when she is lonely, therefore, her voice is gift.

Prince Woo Young: the Prince has a charming and gentle voice that makes others listen to him. Even as a frog, he is still able to have that voice. Although the Princess often uses a harsh tone at him, he never changes the gentleness of his voice.

Ma nyeo: the witch has an irritating and screechy voice that often frightens and annoy everyone who hears her. She doesn't appear as a witch, because it will make her obvious among others, therefore she is usually in disguise.

Butler Min Ho: although he is a butler, he is not old like most butlers. He is a young butler who is often clumsy, but yet a good and loyal butler. He sometimes stumble and stutter while talking because he isn't sure what to say when the King or Princess asks him a question.

Princess Soo Young: Appa! how is the weather today?
King Young Jae: The weather is quite nice and sunny today.
Princess Soo Young: Really? then can i go out and play with my golden ball?
King Young Jae: neh. (yes)
Princess Soo Young: Komawoyo! (informal thank you)
King Young Jae: Just be back before dawn.
Princess Soo Young: neh neh.
King Young Jae: Be careful while playing!

Day Fifteen

Congratulations Lada for presenting your Pecha Kucha! I believe that there could be many changes made to my folktale to improve it for the best. While presenting, there were many things that i left out, such as how traditional homes look like and the education that students in South Korea have. The way students value education and respect their learning environment is beyond amazing. Most Korean students are eager to learn and are well encouraged to strive for the best by their parents. I think i spent too much time on the least important things than i did on the important ones.

If i could represent my Pecha Kucha, i will make sure that i fix the way i explained my folktale because i made it sound more difficult than it actually was. Also, instead of speaking so much about the food that they ate, i can perhaps talk about their culture or everyday lives. Another thing that i didn't mention in my Pecha Kucha is the way Koreans greet one another. However, I was able to talk about their language, alphabet, food, and the fact that South Korea is known for having the most plastic surgery. I believe that i was able to gain a lot from the Korean customs.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Day Fourteen

I don't think my folktale will take years because it's basically a short and simple story that only require perhaps months or days. For instance, after the Prince is turned into a frog by the evil witch, perhaps one month will pass by and he spends that period of time adapting himself to the world as a frog. After a couple of days, one bright sunny afternoon, the Princess decides to go out and play with her favorite golden ball. Accidentally, the golden ball falls into the pond which the frog is currently living in. Although the pond isn't dirty or filthy, she refuses to go in because of her fear of water. After the frog retrieves the golden ball for the Princess, she leaves him without hesitation. The next day, the frog comes to the palace to look for the Princess, and as the days pass by, they both become closer and more familiar with one another.

I will try to connect my folktale by letting the scenes flow along smoothly without any rush. I think one major scene should happen each day so there wouldn't be much confusion. Readers understand and find interest more in stories that are organized and move on smoothly with the next scenes. I don't think connecting the scenes together will be difficult because this is rather a simple folktale that isn't hard to put together. Therefore, my folktale will take one month and a couple of days to complete my version of "The Frog Prince."

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Day Thirteen

The message that the original Frog Prince have is "don't mistreat someone by your own judgments." However, i think there are also many more messages that can be taken and applied to life. The Princess judged the frog based upon how it looked, therefore, she didn't care or find the need to keep her promise. Therefore, i think this is probably the most important message given from this folktale.

In my Korean version of this folktale, another message that can taken out of is that although criticisms aren't good, they can help increase people's determination to become better. For example, although the Princess criticized and judged the frog, the more he was determined to make her accept and befriend him. Also, many things can be learned from the Korean culture, such as, kimchi being one of their main traditional food, hanboks, formal hangul, and simply their way of living. In South Korea, because there are mostly Korean people, everyone is very polite and comfortable with each other although they have never met. In Korean culture, it is very important to obey and respect your sunbaes, hyung, unni, etc. which are basically people who are older than you.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Day Twelve


I'm not sure which category my folktale belongs in, but i think it would fall more under the fairy folktale category. The magical characters in my folktale are the evil witch with magical powers and the prince who magically turned into a frog and is able to speak. However, there aren't going to be that many magical scenes in my folktale besides the scene when the evil witch turns the prince into a frog and when the spell on the frog is broken. I want to include fairy magic in my story, but i don't want too much of it that it becomes unnecessary.

As i have mentioned before, my folktale will end with a happy ending for the Prince and Princess. Also, i have decided to have the evil witch be punished by losing all her magical and evil powers after the Prince had broken her spell. Therefore, she won't be able to place any more evil spells on anyone else. I want this folktale to be a magical folktale, as well as a serious and more realistic one. I also want it to satisfy the readers and have the cultural traditions of Korea.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Day Eleven


I'm not sure if numbers will be of any mythological significance in my folktale because it is not really necessary or needed. In my folktale, there's simply a tragic that encounters love along the way. However, think i can integrate the number eleven into my folktale. I want to make the ending a little bit exciting and more satisfying.
The importance of this number is to describe the love between the characters.

I chose to end the story with a happy and romantic ending for the Prince and Princess. At the ending of my folktale, the Princess will receive a 101 roses bouquet from the Prince which symbolizes their love. I chose 101 roses because in Korea, there is a saying that 101 roses signifies that in this life time, you are my one and only. I chose Korea as my culture because there are many unique things about that culture that not many people may have known about.