Tech Tip: Google Site Page

Here is the new page for the introduction to my Storybook.  Enjoy!:)

Reading Notes: The Ramayana, Part B

· Thirteen and a half years pass without us knowing anything that happens during them. I could write a story chronicling some of their life during that time.

· Demon-woman: “I’m in love with you, so let’s eat Sita and your brother and then go rule my kingdom together.” Rama: “I love Sita, so you should marry my brother instead.” What?! If I was Lakshmana and I heard that interaction, I’d be pretty upset. Maybe I could write of him overhearing the conversation and being like, “Dude! What were you thinking! She’s a demon-lady who wanted to eat me!” Then they could all go on their merry way.

· What if I told a story from the point of view of a Rakshasa? There are fourteen thousand of them, after all.

· Actually, that might be pretty unpleasant. They are demons, after all.

· Could I take the trick the demons used to kidnap Sita (turn into a deer, pretend Rama is in danger, get Lakshmana to leave her and go help) in a different context? Like, transpose the basic idea to a different situation?

· I don’t understand how Sita could be greeted in the way Ravana greeted her without being totally, completely, super creeped out.

· I’m confused: Sugriva challenged his brother to single combat, but then Rama shot him? That doesn’t seem like single combat.

· What if Lakshmana and his wife had joined Rama in the woods and then she was kidnapped, rather than Lakshmana joining Rama and his wife?

· Can Brahma decree the same thing he decreed over Ravana over Zeus? Please?

· I could tell the tale from the perspective of Sampati, the injured brother of Jatayus, king of the vultures, who saw Sita being carried away.

· Rather than trying to get her to sleep with him, what other, less dire situation could I put Sita and Ravana in? Like, maybe he’s trying to get her to tell him her boyfriend’s secret strategy in a game or something?

(Illustration by Warwick Goble)

Bibliography:   The Ramayana, retold by Donald Mackenzie and found in Indian Myth and Legend.

Reading Notes: The Ramayana, Part A

· I’m not sure how I feel about this, but I could actually just tell the story of how Valmiki invented poetry. Oooh! Actually, I could write a lament for the heron! I like that idea. Poetry is fun.

· What if they just prayed and the gods were merciful, instead of doing a fancy schmancy ceremony?

· Or, what if I wrote a story about the gods, leaving out humans entirely. They’re basically beefed up humans and in need of being saved, so why not?

· Aww I liked the story about baby Rama. I could make that (where he wants the moon and is eventually given a mirror) into a cute little tale.

· Haha I love how nonchalantly this says things. They began with the alphabet, “then they studied grammar, and at length they mastered eighteen languages.” Casual.

· Rama is slaying lots of demons. I’m curious as to the differences between the gods and the demons. I don’t really understand yet.

· Does Rama know he’s Vishnu?

· Did he mean to break the bow? What if I write a story where he only meant to bend and string it, then is horribly embarrassed when he breaks it, and is embarrassed during the wedding ceremony, and just keeps being embarrassed?

· Manthara is super pessimistic (because she hates Rama). So many troubles come from having multiple wives. How could I use that idea in a story?

· Does granting a boon mean he has to do literally whatever she asks?

· I could write a story from the point of view of Bhatara when he learns what his mother has done. He may either be really happy or really upset. Edit: he’s really upset.

· I do like Rama. He’s a man of his word.

· What if I did a gender swap, where Sita is banished by a rival somehow, and Rama goes with her to the jungle?

(Dasharatha and Kaikeyi)

Bibliography:  The Ramayana, retold by Donald Mackenzie and found in Indian Myth and Legend.