Storybook Comment Wall
Here is a link to my Storybook:
Introduction to a Future Psychologist.
Hello Everyone! My name is Shivani Patel. This is my second time taking a class with Laura Gibbs. I took the Indian Epics class last fall and I loved it so I am excited to take this Myth and Folklore class this semester. I am from Clinton, OK but I'm happy to say that my family left the small town life behind and moved to Oklahoma City this summer. So I guess I can officially say I'm from OKC now. I was born in India but moved here with my family to the United State when I was about five years old. I am a 5th year senior Psychology major with a minor in Sociology. I'm graduating this December! (Whoop whoop!) If you had read my introduction post from last fall, it would say pre-PA as well, but sometimes you hit a bump in the road and your plan changes just like mine did. Now, I'm going for Psychology and currently in the process of applying to grad schools. My goal is to be a Clinical Psychologist so I know that's going to take a lot of work. Being a Psycho
Hey there Shivani! I just had the chance to take a look at your project site, and so far it looks great! I was drawn to the title of your project immediately because Greek Gods are really interesting to me, and the play on words to Keeping Up With the Kardashians was also appreciated. The font and images that you chose to use are clear and easy on the eyes, which is always great for a website. Your introduction was written in a modern tone that I really enjoyed, and I am glad to see that you chose Zeus as your narrator. I am curious to see who you choose to write the rest of the stories about since there are so many interesting characters in Greek mythology! I also look forward to seeing how the tone changed throughout your project as each character is highlighted. Lastly, I liked how you included the little tidbits on Hera and her jealous nature (that is definitely justified).
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani! I want to say, first of all that I really like your storybook idea! I think it's really fun and creative to take the Greek gods and make them more modern, combining them with reality TV like Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The layout of your website looks really nice, and I like your banners a lot. They work well with the story! I like how you let Zeus use more modern and colloquial language for your introduction, it fits well with your idea. The only suggestion I can think of to give for your introduction is to maybe include a picture (like a statue or painting or something) of Zeus to give your reader someone to picture when they read his narrations. I'm interested to read your next story and see what he does after meeting with Thetis! Does this mean that the rest of your story is going to be about the Trojan war, maybe? Good luck with the rest of your stories!
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani!
ReplyDeleteI love the image you included on your Project website! It sets the stories to be grim and eerie and invites the readers to see what it’s about! I can not wait to see what stories you will include in your storybook! Once you decide which stories you will be telling, you could give brief descriptions about them in the introduction! That way, the readers have an idea of what they will be expecting. In addition, I was confused if you would be telling stories involving all the characters you mentioned or stories with only a few of them. I also love the idea of Zeus being the main character as the other two comments have mentioned! I wonder what stories he will be telling. Will they be about his daily life as the introduction suggested or about something completely different? These are just suggestions, and I hope I helped!
Hi Shivani! Your introduction to your storybook is really intriguing! I wonder what you mean with Keeping up with the Olympians? It makes me think about a new tv drama or something lol. Anyways, I hope you add a story soon because I really want to know what in the world is about to happen! Definitely all those Olympian guys are always stirring stuff up with mortals and I'd like to see how it happens. One thing that I think you could add is maybe who Thetis is? I haven't looked her up yet but why is she significant? You explain who Hera is and who Zeus and Hades are but not Thetis. Perhaps some background info on her and why she is mentioned can bring to life who she is and why Zeus owes her a debt.
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your Introduction, I am excited to continue your storybook to see what else is to come! I was immediately intrigued by the title of your storybook, because it sounds like the TV show, and I expect lots of drama and entertainment. I think that if you maybe either talk more about Thetis and her story, or make your first story about her life and history, that would ease some confusion! I am dying to know what the debt is about and how this whole story line works out! Keep up the good work, and I look forward to reading more stories from you!
Hey Shivani! I really love your story premise (although I think I am a bit biased, because my storybook is about Greek mythology, too). I'm guessing the name of your storybook comes from Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which I also love, because that show is totally a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm not usually into reality TV, but I have a soft spot for Jersey Shore and KUWTK... don't judge me. I love that you decided to center the story around Zeus and frame all the various children and lovers he's had as drama! Drama is what makes a story great, and I'm really excited to see where you go from here. (Also, this is unrelated, but I love what you've titled your comment wall!!) Anyway, I'm definitely looking forward to your future stories. Zeus has so many children, so I know you have a lot to choose from for your storybook!
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani! I love your StoryBook topic! Upon viewing your site, I am really impressed with the layout and the pictures you have chosen for each page so far. The photos show just how grand Olympus is. After reading your Introduction, I am really excited about reading more of your stories... Your narrator, Zeus, has such a funny personality. I actually laughed out loud when he talked about how he can't deal with Hades' drama on top of his kids and wife. I also think that you transitioned into your first story at the end of your Introduction. I am eager to see what unfolds and if Zeus’ wife will found out that he is meeting with another woman for help. I was wondering if your stories would include the entire family each time or just focus on a few of the characters? Great work so far! I can’t wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani! I loved reading your introduction. I feel that a lot of gossip-like first-hand stories about Olympus don't employ a male perspective, so it's interesting that you chose Zeus to be your narrator. I also love the banner images you chose for your storybook; they really envelop me in the setting for this story and set a mood for the storybook. The only suggestion I have in this regard is trying to see if you can find a higher quality image to use in your introduction. Though I like the image itself, using it as a banner might not be the best choice because it doesn't have the best resolution. I am excited to see where your first story leads because I am familiar with the favor Thetis requests from Zeus. She's going to ask him to help the Trojans in the war so that her son Achilles' pride can be kept intact. The Iliad is one of my favorite epic tales, so to read about it from this point of view is exciting. I can't wait to see what the rest of your storybook has in store!
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani!
ReplyDeleteTo start, I really liked that you chose a Greek Mythology background--I did too. I enjoyed the fact that you told the story from Zeus' point of view, that was very cool. I thought you introduction was very humorous and introduced the family members quite well.
I am intrigued to see how you tell your stories. Are they all going to be from Zeus' point of view or are you going to bring Hera, Hades, the kids into it also?
You also ended the introduction with Zeus going off to meet with another woman and Hera was not supposed to find out; I think it would be humorous to make one of your stories about Hera finding out and drama explodes--that could be a great lead into the first story actually. Your banner images are also really cool. Great job on starting your storybook--I cannot wait to read it.
Hello, Shivani! I like how your introduction questions the reader directly, pulling them into the story. This can be a double-edged sword—on one hand, the reader is immersed into the story and is curious to see where it goes. On the other, making assumptions about the reader’s thought process can turn them away. However, since this is Zeus we’re talking about (who tends to come across high-and-mighty in most legends) this can work to your advantage. Most people find him amusing one way or another, due to his audacious personality and trouble-making tendencies. In short, you couldn’t have picked a better narrator and foil for the story.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading Zues’ banter in the introduction, the briefing of his personal family history, so on and so forth. It’s a good tool to help the audience get familiar with the main character and understand what kind of story they’re getting into. I suggest editing the ending of the introduction to where it includes any audience. Because I identify as a woman, it works—but someone who doesn’t identify as a woman can’t get in on the joke. Otherwise, I’m excited to read the next story in “The Olympians!”
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI like the title of the website! I immediately knew it was a play on keeping up with the Kardashians. The introduction was intriguing the way you wrote it in the first person for Zeus. You made him sound sort of arrogant and prideful. I laughed a bit because I could see this being one of the Kardashians saying this. You also make him out to be a player! You wrote your introduction really well. It actually felt like it was something that would be on a reality tv show. As for the first story it was very dramatic as I expected it to be! I loved the tension between Zeus and his wife Hera. I love how you turned Olympus into a house of drama. What I find even more comical is how your pictures for the introduction and first story banner are so serious. When I read the story and introduction it is completely opposite. It is funny and dramatic.
Hi Shivani! I want to start off by complimenting the design of your storybook website. I think that the aesthetic is great for your topic, and the images are beautiful. Your introduction does a nice job of introducing your topic. It was a good choice making it come from Zeus’ point of view. I think that this really helps us get to know the character and feel more connected to the story right from the beginning, so good job with that. I also liked that you carried this point of view over into your first story. I like how you featured Zeus’ internal monologue as well. This really added some fun humour to your project. Was it intentional for the story to be broken into three parts? I can't exactly tell if that was on purpose or if it was just to feature the image of Thetis and Zeus. Overall, I think your storybook is off to a great start. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani, I read your intro and thought it was GREAT. I laughed at the way Zeus described Hera’s jealousy but said he doesn’t blame her. I thought that was very funny. Your introduction has been one of my favorites thus far. I found it very informative and short while explaining what readers can expect in the future from your book.
ReplyDeleteHera’s Jealousy: I think I found my favorite story! Haha, this was great. I loved the way you broke up the story with the different font when it was Zeus telling what happened with Thetis. I thought your dialogue was TOO accurate in many relationships. I think that so many people can relate to your story because way too often the girls in relationships can react just like Hera. But for what Zeus did with other women, I think she has every right to be. If I am honest, I could not find anything about this story that I would change so great job!
Hey Shivani! I really enjoyed reading your storybook intro and first story. I really enjoy learning about Greek mythology, so I was really invested to this story going into it. I loved the design of your website! I remembered the banner images you used from the Percy Jackson movie, but I liked that you switched it up for each of your pages. I think you do a great job of giving us a glimpse of Zeus's personality in the introduction. I got the sense early on that he's sort of an arrogant figure, and you definitely do a good job of emphasizing that in your story. I also loved the way you presented the story with Thetis as a sort of flashback. Your writing is very descriptive when it comes to portraying the characters, but what if you included a little more on the setting itself? It's a little nitpicky, but only because I really like what you have so far!
ReplyDeleteHi Shivani! I really enjoyed reading your storybook as it focuses on Greek mythology like my own storybook! The personal view we get into Zeus is very interesting and entertaining, and I like seeing how the gods and goddesses interact with each other. Your introduction does good in leading into the first story, and I felt the first story was written very well. I like how the picture you used is the Hall of the Gods because it goes very well with the setting of the story. I think perhaps elaborating on the description of the characters in the story would be a nice feature to add to the storybook. For example, describing what Hera is wearing or how Ares looks could really enhance the story. Overall, this is just a small advice that I am giving because it is not really needed. Overall, great storybook and I cannot wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteHey Shivani!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading through your introduction and your first story, and I think you've done a great job so far! You do a good job of giving Zeus a voice that doesn't hide his flaws, but at the same time makes him and his thoughts accessible to your readers. I also chose to read part of the Iliad earlier this semester, and I thought this story was particularly interesting, so I was glad to see that you chose it for your website. (Also, I'm with you - the hand on leg and beard thing is pretty weird, but hey, that's Greek mythology for you.) I also think your website is aesthetically really nice - the images you've chosen are great (although the one for your story does remind me of my disappointment with the Percy Jackson movies lol), and it's easy to navigate. The only critique I'd have as far as the website itself goes would be to maybe change the background from stark white to an off-white or other color, because it might be a little easier on the eyes. Good luck with the rest of the semester!
Hi Shivani,
ReplyDeleteI was excited to stumble upon your storybook again because I remember really having liked it during my first read. One of my favorite things about your storybook is the layout of the pages. The images you use are perfect for the given chapter and convey the right kind of emotion. They help the reader picture the setting with ease. Furthermore, I love that you've inserted a story break during Zeus' recollection of his encounter with Thetis and added a picture that depicts the seemingly awkward position that Thetis is in. I also really like your use of dialogue. It's witty, funny, and it aligns closely to the character's personalities. I'm glad that you chose to diffuse the insinuation of domestic violence that Zeus inflicts upon Hera. Ares' comments reassured me that it was an anger issue and not necessarily something that Zeus went through with regularly. Great job!
Hey Shivani,
ReplyDeleteI read your story about Hela's jealousy and I really enjoyed it. I think the dialogue you included was great, and it did a really good job of giving the characters in your story the opportunity to voice their personality. I thought the scope of your story was good as well. You definitely could've included way too much in your story, since Greek mythology is extremely expansive, but you kept it simple and sweet and I think it did great things for your story. Finally, I thought your use of italics was really good. One of the hardest things in storytelling is to balance thoughts and dialogue, but I think you did it flawlessly. Great job.
Hi Shivani,
ReplyDeleteI think you have a great idea for your storybook, and I really enjoyed reading through it. As someone not in the Myth and Folklore class but in the Epics of India class, reading through your project was a welcome change in subject material. I really likes your story "Hera's Jealousy"! It was exciting and well-written. I took a class on ancient epic poetry last May, so I am actually familiar with the events of your story, since I read the Iliad for that class like you did for Myth and Folklore. I really loved the Iliad, more than the Odyssey, and I'd be curious to see the retelling you all read for this class. Also, I like the subtle Percy Jackson aesthetic you have going on. If we're all being honest, that's where most of us got first interested in mythology, especially in Greek myth and the Olympian gods. Anyway, I liked your story and how you balanced perspective with italics and page breaks. You did a great job! Have a great winter break!
Hello Shivani,
ReplyDeleteI loved this storybook! I grew up reading the Percy Jackson books so just like every other middle school kid my age I loved Greek mythology. I actually was excited to read more about greek mythology when I entered this class. I really enjoyed your story "Hera's Jealousy" One thing i really enjoyed about your story was how each character had the opportunity to showcase their personality. One thing that readers will often see is that writers introduce characters and then forget about them. I like how you saw the opportunity to showcase each character and show how they differ from one another, it was very interesting to read, good job!