• Star In My Notebook
    Diary

    I’ve Decided To Write Another Book

    Today I talked to Amelia about all the times when I submitted my writing to magazines, and specifically, to a traditional newspaper. A few years ago, I applied for the position of a contributing newspaper columnist, with the hopes of sharing my voice and perspective with the world. I envisioned my words gracing the pages of a respected publication, reaching countless readers and inspiring change. However, when the response arrived, it was not the acceptance I had so eagerly anticipated, but a polite decline. My dreams of becoming a published writer seemed to shatter, leaving me feeling as though I had failed. Their reason for rejecting me was simple; they…

  • My Notebook

    1984 By George Orwell

    The novel is set in Oceania, one of three intercontinental superstates that divided up the world after a global war. Orwell used England as a model for Oceania, but every other country was somehow involved in its creation: he based Eurasia on Russia and Eastasia on China. He created a new language called Newspeak to reflect how totalitarian societies try to control everything—including words. It portrays a totalitarian future society where citizens are reduced to nothing more than cogs in the government machine. Big Brother is an omnipresent figurehead whose face appears everywhere, even though no one knows what he looks like and his real identity remains unknown. And yet…

  • My Notebook

    Animal Farm By George Orwell

    George Orwell’s Animal Farm may be categorized as an allegorical novella, but it’s far more than just an entertaining piece of literature. It’s considered one of the most important books to come out of the 20th century and has been cited as one of the most influential political novels ever written. The story follows a group of animals who realize that their life under their human owner isn’t quite how they thought it would be, so they revolt and begin to run the farm themselves, led by their intelligent pigs and ending with brutal totalitarian rule and censorship. The story is about a farm run by a group of animals,…

  • Books

    Reckless And Wild

    Reckless And Wild: That Which Cannot Be Unseen “Thomas Slatin was born and raised in New York City. She started writing and taking photos at the age of eight. In 1996, Thomas designed and published her first personal website, and TomSlatin.com was established in July 1998. She has been employed as a freelance writer, photographer, and website designer in various capacities since age 18. In July 1998, Thomas was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Then, in 2001, she became a certified Firefighter. She served over two decades in the fire service, while also pursuing writing, photography, and website design part-time. Shortly after being promoted to the rank of…