Armchair BEA 2015: Visual Expression and Social Media
Yesterday was the first day of this year's Armchair BEA and this year's topic is: Diversity. There are two topics for today and for once, I'm combining them into one post to make it easier for everyone.Visual Expression
There are so many ways to tell stories. Whether it's comic books, graphic novels, visual novels, webcomics, etc. there are quite a lot of other mediums to tell a story. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just words and use other ways to experience a story.This is a great topic because it goes hand-in-hand with diversity. The 'novel' that we nowadays consider standard is an incredible Western thing! Although arguably the first novel was by Lady Murasaki, the author of The Tale of Genji, written in the early 11th century in Japan, it was popularized and developed in England the early 18th century. Story-telling isn't necessarily done through words on a page. It can be done through actual, verbal story-telling, through paintings or through music. I mean, don't you dare tell me that classical music, despite being instrumental, doesn't tell a story. Back to the original point, I love this topic because I can't wait to see which books and mediums everyone comes up with. I'm waiting to be inspired and have works recommended to me.
But before I move on, let me give you the special books I have read that gave me more:
- Moth by Daniel Arenson - I can always rely on Daniel to write amazing books with beautiful world-building, but for Moth he went even further. On his website he has music, artwork, maps and an encyclopedia for this new world and it makes the reading so immersive!
- Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D. by Brian M. Bendis - this was one of the first comic-series that I picked up and I absolutely loved it. Most of the story's emotion and depth really came from the drawings by Alex Maleev and I really had to train myself to not just rush over them. This was really a new experience to me!
- Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor - I'm not even quite sure what to qualify this as. Technically it is an audio podcast which has a huge number of episodes by now. However, it feels like so much more than that! Cecil Baldwin's voice is amazing and there is such a sense of atmosphere and story-telling to Welcome to Night Vale that I would recommend it to everyone! Also, talking about diversity, this pod cast IS IT!
Social Media
How do you use social media to expand your blogging/writing horizons? Social Media is all about networking and connections, and utilizing today's technology to the fullest. Make sure you mention your own social media pages. Do you have another blog, maybe a Tumblr? Have a Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook? Or maybe there's an underrated social media program that you like.
Ah social media, both the bane and the blessing of this current generation! I love using social media for a purpose, i.e. for promoting my blog, or for having fun, e.g. Tumblr is all the fun, but I try to not spend too much time on it. I completely fail at this when it comes to Tumblr, but oh well. Below are some of my social media accounts:- Twitter: https://twitter.com/universeinwords
- Tumblr: http://juliwi.tumblr.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jarw93
- Link: https://clonecorridor.wordpress.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/clonecorridor
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/clone_corridor/
Social media is an amazing way to connect with people from all across the world. Especially this last year or so I have noticed how Tumblr, I know, has made me a lot more aware of what is happening in America, for example. I knew about Ferguson and Baltimore before many of my friends. We also just had Eurovision and I loved seeing everyone really excited about it online!Soo, have you read any comics or listened to audio podcasts? And are you a fan of social media or no?
Nice! Spider Woman is AWESOME. My favorite Marvel series is The Runaways, have you read it? Some serious girl power in that one! I love your Star Wars blog, too!!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! I haven't read 'The Runaways' but definitely will now because girl power is the best! And thanks :D
DeleteI've never really got into Tumblr. I feel like I'm probably missing out on so much though. I'll definitely make more of an effort with it. x
ReplyDeleteTumblr is a lot of fun but it can also steal hours of your time! I always think social media should be fun rather than be a chore so don't stress yourself out over it! Thanks for commenting :)
DeleteI know two Colleen Hoover books that have extra's. Confess has artwork and Maybe Someday has original songs you can listen to on the website or on iTunes! :)
ReplyDeleteOoh I will have to look those up, I love songs for books! Thanks for the recommendations and thanks for commenting :)
DeleteWelcome to Night Vale sounds interesting and I'm definitely checking out that podcast. And yes you are so right about the written form only been one part of storytelling.
ReplyDeleteI love social media, too much so as it can take my free time unless I curtail it firmly.
It's cool that you blog with your family!
ReplyDelete"...both the bane and a blessing..." I couldn't have said it better. For the most part I like social media, some platforms better than others, and use it how it best works for me. Everyone's needs are different, but I mostly like the interaction with like minded bloggers and authors.
ReplyDeleteI have to thank Tumblr, too for making me aware of issues.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, for following (no, you're not a stalker XD). Following back!
I'm off to make sure I follow your channels. :-)
ReplyDelete