By Julia H. Jackson
What do Jane Austen, sea monsters, high school girls, and zombies have in common? I’ll give you a hint: “bloodline” takes new meaning when classic books are re-envisioned.
In honor of Halloween, we at Eduify have decided to investigate a new phenomenon: the burgeoning popularity of dark humor in popular literature, television and film. And by dark, we are referring to the macabre, sinister, and surprisingly funny sides of human nature. Looking for a way to spruce up your latest English paper? Need a new hook for that short story you’ve always meant to submit? In our first installment of Write Like You Mean It, we offer a creative writing prompt that jumpstarts your approach to writing. Today’s concept: crafting fiction, vis-à-vis elements of humor and horror.
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By Julia Jackson

When I was a senior in high school, a real live writer came to my English class. She was a successful novelist, a middle-aged woman who later went on to win a series of literary awards. After she spoke about her latest novel, my teacher opened the class up to questions. I raised my hand and asked, “What advice do you have for young people who want to support themselves as writers?”
The author, who has since gone on to become a renowned writer and somewhat of a local hero in my hometown, smiled grimly and said: “Marry rich.” I put my hand down and before I could respond, someone else asked a question. Class resumed and it seemed that no one else was bristling as much as I was. How could this be true? This was the twenty-first century! Surely there were better ways of being a professional writer and a healthy individual in the world. The author both crashed my confidence and instilled a lifelong desire to prove her wrong, all in one fell swoop.
Just how do you become a professional writer? And how do writers combine their technical skills with careers that support themselves? Well, there are a lot of ways to do it. Welcome to Writing Careers: Real Tips from Real Writers. Over the next few weeks, we will be profiling professional writers who work in various media. Read the rest of this entry »
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, or often simply Goethe, was a brilliant German polymath best known for his epic poem Faust. Goethe was prominent enough during his time that he was able to Interview Napoleon. Goethe is held so highly still in Germany today that two Theatres have been built in his honor. The second Goethanum is pictured below.

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