Whose GRAVE is this?

 

 

 

Dear Creative Writers,

 

If you read the Weekly MUSE on Cemeteries, you know how much I enjoy imagining the life of the person buried under each tombstone. Here is your chance to do some imagining yourselves.

 

I found this very intriguing tombstone at Crown Hill Cemetery. The stone looks like the trunk of a tree, and if you look closely, you will see an anchor and some other maritime objects carved into the stone as well.

 

The person's name appears to be W.H. Wyings. He or she was born June 28, 1854 and died on May 8th, 1886.

 

Here is your challenge: Who do you think this person was? What was their personality? What did they want more than anything? Did they get it?

 

In a paragraph or two, try to bring this person back to life through your imagination.

 

Have fun!

 

Professor Watermelon

 

 

 

 

The Weekly MUSE: Cemeteries

 

 

Like I mentioned in the video, some people think cemeteries are SPOOKY, especially around Halloween. After all, cemeteries are where we bury the dead. And when we think about the dead, sometimes we think about ghosts. BOO!

On the other hand, many people find cemeteries to be peaceful. I fall into this category.

First of all, I’m not afraid of ghosts (wink). And secondly, cemeteries are a place full of Imagination. When I walk through a cemetery, I like to read the names on the tombstones and wonder what that person was like. Were they kind? Were they mean? What did they do for a living? What did they want out of life? Did they get it? In other words, what was their life story?

Often, I leave a cemetery very inspired. I guess that would make cemeteries one of my FAVORITE muses. Let’s dig deep (pun intended) and see what we can uncover about these restful places.

The first interesting fact that I uncovered is that cemeteries and graveyards are not entirely the same. Some people use the words interchangeably, but they are two different kinds of burial places.

A cemetery is usually larger than a graveyard and better taken care of. Graveyards are often overgrown with weeds and dead trees. Often, small graveyards are found near old country churches.

Cemeteries often resemble city parks. The lawns are frequently mowed and the gardens of flowers, shrubs, and trees are maintained by a crew of paid workers.

As you can probably imagine, it often costs more to be buried in a cemetery rather than a graveyard. And just like the living can show how much money they have by the type of house they live in, the dead can show you how much money they HAD by the type of monument built for them.

This man must have had lots of money!

 

This man probably didn’t.

Photo by: Cindy Funk

 

In a cemetery, you will find a few different ways that people are entombed. They are not always buried in the ground like the two men above.

Sometimes people chose to have their remains placed inside the walls of  a mausoleum. Mausoleums can be large halls filled with hundreds of tombs, or they can be smaller buildings for the remains of one person or family.

 

Inside the Crown Hill Mausoleum

 

The family mausoleum of Colonel Eli Lilly  

Here is one of the most interesting tombs that I found inside Crown Hill Cemetery. This family’s remains are entombed in this hillside.

 

In the United States, there are two main types of cemeteries: governmental and non-governmental. Crown Hill Cemetery is the third largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States. Anyone who can afford a burial plot is allowed entombment at Crown Hill.

Governmental cemeteries (national cemeteries) are reserved for those who have served the government of the United States, mainly the armed forces. The most notable government cemetery is the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington D.C. This is the final resting place for President John F. Kennedy. Take a look at this video to learn more about this cemetery.

Cemeteries are great places for walking and exploring or sitting and reading. During my Crown Hill visit, I saw several people enjoying the landscape – some dogs, too.

Cemeteries can also be great settings for your stories. One of my favorite holiday movies takes place inside a cemetery. Have you heard of The Nightmare Before Christmas? Take a look at Jack Skellington in the Halloween Town Cemetery.

And if you want to read a great book with a cemetery setting, check out Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

 

 

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character lived inside a cemetery with his/her pet.

WHAT IF your main character lived next-door to a cemetery. What if he/she saw a strange green light moving around the cemetery one night?

WHAT IF your main character’s dad was a grave digger? What if his/her dad got sick and he/she had to dig graves instead.

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The word of the day is “entombed”. Here is the definition: to be placed in a tomb, to be buried, or to be interred.



The Weekly MUSE: The Wicked Witch of the West

Every year around this time, I get the urge to watch my favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz. Why? Because of the Wicked Witch of the West – one of the most profound antagonists of all time!

She is evil. She is spooky. And since I’ve been on this roll lately – she is GREEN!

The Wicked Witch of the West made her first appearance over a hundred years ago in L. Frank Baum’s classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Since then, many authors, screenwriters, and directors have adapted this character into different roles.

L. Frank Baum’s wicked witch was a short and stubby old lady. She was ruler of the Winkies, and her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East was ruler over the Munchkins. The original Wicked Witch of the West was not green. She had only one eye, yet it was as powerful as a telescope. She could spy on anything and anyone. And instead of flying on a broom, she wielded an umbrella.

The original Wicked Witch of the West from l. Frank Baum's classic book.

While the original wicked witch’s appearance was quite different than subsequent roles, her intentions were quite the same. She wanted revenge on Dorothy for flattening her sister with a falling house. And don’t forget the slippers – the silver slippers that is. Yes, in the original story, the slippers were silver. They had belonged to the Wicked Witch of the East, but since Dorothy had killed that witch, the shoes belonged to her. But the Wicked Witch of the West wanted those, too.

In the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is portrayed as a slender, boney featured old woman. She is dressed in a flowing black dress, and wears the classic black coned hat. And her skin is green. This witch flies on a broomstick, uses a crystal ball to spy on the world, and she coined the famous line, “I’ll get you my pretty! And your little dog, too!”

This version of the Wicked Witch of the West still wants revenge on Dorothy for killing her sister, but in this adaptation, the slippers are made of rubies.

MGM’s version of the Wicked Witch of the West has influenced the way we see witches in popular culture. From that point forward, the common representation of the witch has looked similar to this classic movie character. The green skinned, broom riding, boney featured old woman with the flowing black dress is the most common.

In 1978 another adaptation of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz hit the silver screen. This film was portrayed through the African American culture. The Wiz took place in Harlem and New York City. And the Wicked Witch of the West was a stout, whip wielding, gospel singing, large-and-in-charge woman who ran a sweatshop down in the sewers. She wore a large, puffy, beaded, orange and red baby doll dress – but don’t let that fool you. Her demeanor was similar to the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Take a look!

 

So, what tied all of these characters together? They all had a band of FLYING MONKEYS! And they all wanted revenge on Dorothy. After all, isn’t that what an antagonist is supposed to do – get in the protagonist’s way?

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

What if your main character’s mother was the Wicked Witch of the West?

What if you told the story of the Wizard of Oz through the perspective of one of the winged monkeys?

What if the Wicked Witch of the West was the protagonist (hero of your story) instead of the villain? Oops. That has already been done. Refer to the famous musical “Wicked”. Take a look at this video clip of Glenda and Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West). 

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

Grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The word of the day is “adaptation”. Here is the definition: adjusting a story to make it new but keeping key elements the same, so that the original story can be recognized through the changes.

The Weekly MUSE: Frankenstein

Frankenstein Movie Poster

 

October is my FAVORITE month. And Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday. And Frankenstein is one of my FAVORITE Halloween characters!

But why is this giant, green monster such a popular Halloween character? I decided I would do a little research and electrify you with some fun facts!

Ghouls and Goblins we have found out MUSE! FRANKENSTEIN!

To my astonishment, Frankenstein was not a giant. He was not green, and he was not a monster. Frankenstein was the scientist who created the monster. Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist of Mary Shelley’s classic horror book, Frankenstein, published in London in 1818.

Mary Shelley

 

During a vacation to Lake Geneva in Switzerland, Mary Shelley began writing what she thought would only be a short story. She used her surroundings as a setting and the concept if galvanism as a MUSE. Do you want to know what galvanism is??? Are you sure???

Galvanism was an experimental science used in the 1800’s. Scientists believed that if the right amount of electrical current was shocked into the brain of a dead body, the body could come back to life. Of course, this type of science proved to be unsuccessful in real life (as far as I know… wink).

But Mary Shelley’s protagonist was successful at galvanizing a corpse to life – the corpse is what we know as Frankenstein’s Monster. And this monster wreaks havoc throughout the pages of Shelley’s story. Unfortunately, the gory details are a little too much to share on this platform, phooey!

Over a hundred years later, Mary Shelley’s story had not died, Muah hahahaha! Universal Studios in Hollywood created a series of movies starring Frankenstein’s Monster.  Some of these films include: Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, and The Son of Frankenstein.

But the most famous movie is probably Young Frankenstein directed by Mel Brooks in 1971. Take a look at the movie trailer.

 

With the popularity of these movies, Frankenstein’s monster became a huge icon of the horror genre. And this is when people began using the image and character of the monster as a Halloween icon as well. Frankenstein’s monster became known simply as “Frankenstein.”

So, look out for the giant, green monster on greeting cards, holiday decorations, and reruns of old movies. If you are lucky, Frankenstein might even ring your doorbell this Halloween demanding, “Trick or treat!”

 

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your protagonist used galvanism to bring a dead cockroach back to life? FRANKENROACH!

WHAT IF Frankenstein wanted a pet to keep him company? What would it be?

WHAT IF Frankenstein was your protagonist’s dad? What kind of life would your protagonist lead? What does your protagonist want more than anything? Does he/she just want normal dad without green skin and bolts in his head?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us. 

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The word of the day is “genre”. Here is the definition: of or pertaining to a distinctive literary type. Examples: science fiction, fantasy, magic realism, horror, comedy, etc.

Turned to STONE by her BLACK CAT!

Professor Watermelon,

I finally did it. I've turned her to stone. And she purrrrrfectly deserved it!

Signed,

A very happy and FREE Black Cat

###

Dear Black Cat,

I can't help but wonder why you were compelled to turn her to stone? What did she do to deserve this punishment? And how did you do it?

Signed,
Professor Watermelon

###

Creative Writers,

As you can see, this black cat has had enough! Can you write this Black Cat's story? The black cat is the protagonist and the witch is the antagonist. Give them both names and weave a story that will entrance your audience. I look forward to reading where your imagination takes us!

Sincerely,
Professor Watermelon

Weekly Muse: Black Cats

Black Cat by Doug Wheller

 

I was at a shopping mall the other day and came across an adoption center for cats and dogs. Sadly, I am allergic to cats, but the cutest little black cat named Salem caught my attention. I just HAD to hold him.

As I felt a tickle in my nose and eyes, I knew I couldn’t hold him for long before I’d be a sneezey, watery-eyed mess. So, I handed my new feline friend back to a volunteer.

“Do you know that finding homes for black cats is the hardest?” said the volunteer.

“Why?” I asked.

“Well,” said the volunteer. “People still think they are bad luck.”

“How could anyone think such an adorable little fur ball like Salem is bad luck?”

At that point I wanted Salem even more, although I knew my allergies wouldn’t stand for it. (Sad Face)

That’s when I got the great idea to use BLACK CATS as our WEEKLY MUSE!

Purrrrrrrrrfect!

Here is what I have discovered about black cats.

For centuries the black cat has been the subject of myths and superstitions. In America this dates back to the pilgrims who settled at Plymouth Rock. These people were suspicious of anything unholy, and they believed that black cats were the familiars of witches.

Vintage postcard of a witch and her familiar

 

A “familiar” is an animal, such as a cat, that people believe to have a supernatural spirit that aids a witch in performing her magic. This is why black cats are often seen riding on the broomsticks of witches in Halloween decorations.

Also in America, many people believe that if a black cat crosses your path, you must turn around and go home to avoid bad luck. This is an example of a superstition.

A superstition is a belief that is blindly accepted without real knowledge or reasoning.

While some believe that black cats are bad luck or familiars to witches, other people throughout history have seen them as good luck.

Historically, sailors have chosen the black cat to be their onboard “ship cat”. Some sailors think that the black cat will help bring them to shore safely and soundly. At home, many sailors’ wives would keep black cats for the same reason.

Black cats as good luck can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian Goddess Bast (the cat goddess). Those who gave shelter to black cats were given special favor by this goddess. Some people still believe this today.

Bast, the Egyptian Cat Goddess



While these myths and superstitions cannot be proven, here is a black cat fact:

Black cats are just like any other cat except for their high levels of melanin. Melanin is a dark color pigment found in ALL animal life. Melanin is what causes the dark colors in skin, hair, fur, scales and feathers.  

This high level of melanin isn’t found only in house cats. Have you ever heard of a black panther?

Black Leopard by Barrasa8

 

Black panthers aren’t a species of their own. In fact, a black panther is any large cat with high levels of melanin. This includes black jaguars, black leopards, and the very rare black tigers.

But the rarest of them ALL is the PINK PANTHER! Take a look (wink).

Black cats have inspired many, many characters in children’s literature. In the book Coraline by Neil Gaiman, the main character, Colaline, is encountered by a talking black cat that warns her of dangers in the alternate world.

"Coraline" movie poster

 

And we can’t forget about Catwoman in the Batman stories. Take a look at this video to see the many faces of Catwoman.

 

So, if you and your family are searching for a new pet, please consider adopting a black cat. Not only will you gain a wonderful feline friend, you will also help change the history of this misunderstood creature.
One more quick fact: August 17^th is Black Cat Appreciation Day. Who knew?

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these WHAT IF questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character adopted a black cat who could talk?

WHAT IF your main character was a black panther who dreamed of being a pop star?

WHAT IF you told a story through the perspective of a “ship cat”?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon