Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
I’m borrowing from the approach I take when writing a post for zoe’s Six Sentence Story bloghop, i.e. that the most effective way to write something (a post, a story, a book or a blogpost), is to already be writing something. In the hope that what you write is something like what you’d set out…to….write.
This is, of course, the Ten Things of Thankful bloghop. Each week Josie invites one and all to share those things (or people) (or events) (or anything else) that elicit a sense of gratitude. It’s an exercise that is exceptionally varied in format, both in (how) one might express it, as well as how we experience (the effects of) participation.
(In the Wakefield Doctrine we have a thing called, ‘the Everything Rule’. In a nutshell (ha ha zoe), the Everything Rule says, ‘everyone does everything, at one time or another’. Of course, the context is the Wakefield Doctrine with it’s three worldviews (aka personality types). What gave rise to ‘the Everything Rule’ was that people sometimes would say, ‘hey! that’s a thing that a clark would do’ or, ‘isn’t that kind of job only for scotts‘. We’d look and say, “No! clarks, scotts and rogers (i.e. everyone) can do anything the other can, it’s how that thing manifests for the individual that is important”. ex: A clark and a scott and a roger can all go to a restaurant for dinner (together). fine. ‘going to a restaurant for dinner’ is a different experience for each of the three.)
Enough of the personality theory! the Everything Rule has an application to the TToT, (imo), in a similar way. How we experience this exercise can be different for each of us, how we benefit, (from participation), can be different for each of us. However, the common factor is the state/condition of thankfulness. same but different.
Boy! Am I glad the TToT isn’t a live-reading event…. the wind coming off the swinging exit doors would be gale force by this point in my presentation! lol
Item 1:
That there is, here at the TToT, the sense that the only requirement, (or ‘Rule’ if one chose to be provocative), is ‘good intent’. To hold that the sharing of one’s experience of gratitude, in whatever manner or form, as being something to be given without a secret (or overt) quid pro quo.
Item 2:
That, by our participation, we create a place, if only for a few days each week, where there is a common spirit (or to put it in more Y Chromistic terms: “hey! lemme tell you about what I think happened that made me grateful, then I totally wanna hear what happened to you.”)
Item 3: Phyllis and Una
Item 4: the gift (for today) of being able to walk and talk, pick up objects and move about, at will.
Item 5: the internet, as I experience it, including, but not limited to: zoe’s Six Sentence Story, the Gravity Challenge, Finish The Sentence and the other ‘places’ here in the ‘sphere
Item 6: the Wakefield Doctrine, (for the perspective it makes available and (it’s) challenge to see the world as the other person is experiencing it)
Item 7: the Book of Secret Rules (aka the Secret Book of Rules) which, in part, includes ‘Items of Hypo-Gratitude’, defined as those things that are really aggravating, but, if we can just put a little distance between us, really isn’t the mountainous tragedy that it may seem at the time. Conditions necessary to cite hypo-gratudiness items: ‘ya gotta know that at the end of the day, it’s just a part of life’
Item 8: Sister Margaret Ryan. The hero(ine) of my first completed novel, ‘Blogdominion‘ is back. At least she will be, in the second book, ‘Home and Heart’. This will be another in the series that I’ve decided to refer to as, ‘nun noir’. Sister Ryan will be back at Jukepop (Jukepop motto: ‘ if you’re gonna write War and Peace, do it in serial format, that way by the time the reader notices, they’ll be hooked by the characters’) Hoping to have Chapter One ready this weekend. Sign up for an email link or just say, ‘hey send me them chapter links!’
Item 9: (to be determined*) (…while we wait for me to come up with something odd, but hopefully interesting, Hey! Kerry!! Any travel stories from your Mexico trip to help a brother out?… (thank you!).)
Item 10: SR 1.3 (new Readers? this, SR 1.3, is one of the most user friendly of the famous (or infamous) Book of Secret Rules (aka Secret Book of Rules), which, despite the name, is totally available to any and all participants of the TToT. (‘Book of Secret Rules motto: ‘hey! that sounds reasonable! just be sure to use faux legal (‘faux legal’) terms like, ‘in part’, ‘including but not limited to’, ‘loco parentis’, and, while you’re at it, a couple of ibid(s), op.cit and [t]otally non-sensical punctuation. It’s fun and totally useful. Need an explanation for a grat item you think might puzzle the other TToTeers? BoSR/SBoR!! (or, you can just say, ‘well, that guy at that Wakefield Doctrine blog assured me that is would be alright and, though a little odd, seemed harmless enough…’)
About clarkscottroger
Purely pleasurable reading, as always! I actually really liked the three going to a restaurant together concept. That fits the TToT so well. We all do it, we all enjoy it, we all benefit from it, and we all approach it differently! It is that sense of freedom that makes it so appealing to me. I enjoy seeing how each individual presents their thankfuls as much as what they present.
#4 is a really big one that we take for granted until we can’t. The ability to do each of these is a true blessing, and I often ponder how life would be if I was suddenly unable to use keyboard or voice to express myself.
I love the concept of hypo-gratitudes. You will note I included one in my list today. We do not have to love everything, or to be thankful for everything in our lives, That seems unrealistic to me, but we can look for ways that make those things not quite so negative as them seem at first look.
I am delighted to hear you are starting a serial sequel to Blogdominion. Not having read it yet, will I be able to make sense of the new story, or will I need to read Blogdominion first? I definitely want to sign up for email notifications.
#10 is a literary prize of explanation, I think! :-)) Have a wonderful weekend, and a great week ahead!
thank you… yeah, the notion of ‘good intent’ is one that, perhaps understandably difficult to define, might be in the class of those ‘know it when you see it’. It is, imo, the one rule that allows for no rules (in any common activity)
Ah! Blogdominion is the first in a series of Sister Margaret Ryan stories. It’s funny, ’cause the plot (of Blogdominion i.e. the self-publishing blog/computer with self-awareness) was fully formed I my mind when I sat down to write the story. Almost immediately, I ‘met’ Sister Margaret Ryan and, as they say, ‘she totally stole the show’. She is a 23 year old novitiate nun living in a convent (St Dominiques) on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Still is funny, very smart, Radcliffe dropout who showed up on at the convent door. Hey! you want to meet her? and my other favorite character, Mother Superior Bernadine Ellison?
This is Chapter 1 and we meet Sister Margaret and the Mother Superior
So, yeah, if I can learn fast enough how to write a book (of a series) that is familiar to fans and provides insight into the sustaining characters for new readers, I’ll be all set.
This definitely is an intriguing storyline. I will have to check it out! Thanks for the link! :-)
Actually that (the business of the mariachis and crickets) is real-life adventures of Kerry with her roadTrip south this winter past. pretty cool, loves to hear about road trips
Item 4 particularly resonates with me. I do feel I take my health for granted and need to be more mindful. I have a few aches and pains at the moment that I want to see the doctor about, but otherwise I’m healthy and that is a great thing :)
OMG NUMBER 8! Way to go…. So a clark, a scott, a roger and a nun walk into a bar…
lol… I get you on ‘the list’ (who says serials are old fashioned? oh, yeah? well, besides ‘Everyone’!)
personally I’m loving the new, necessary genre ‘nun noir’
Oh God yes! Classic! See what I did there?
I am delighted to have the link delivered directly to my Facebook messenger and I’m anxious to begin reading Home and Heart. Will Maribeth be making an appearance? I do hope so.
Working on it. Not sure when Maribeth puts in a direct appearance, but I think you’ll enjoy the reference to her in the first chapter.
You are truly entertaining…and an educator. Not that I always understand everything you write. I do enjoy what I do understand and don’t worry about what I don’t. Works for me.
Sounds good. Let’s all, three of us, all go to dinner together. Love your ideas
And, sure, I’d love to offer up. I have plenty of those Mexico stories. I continue to be thankful for that trip every day. Any in particular you’re looking for?
The mariachi serenade in the park? I already wrote about that experience and submitted it for consideration of an excellent Canadian literary prize. I love to eat rose petals and crickets. I am thankful for all the food I got to eat and the people I got to meet. I love to find a rhyme in and amongst my thankfuls.
Huh. Hmm. Where did my comment go? I told of stories from Mexico, per your request, but now I am rewriting.
I love all the characters from Blogdominion! Glad there’s going to be a Sr. Margaret series.
Love the “Nun Noir”. Perfect :)
Having just come out of – what is it now a month? – a rather extended period of non-health, I’m with you on being thankful for having health and ability to move, etc. Definitely.
I admit I have not yet read Blogdominion – is it still on Jukepop? I know I signed up and started reading and then life happened and I didn’t finish. I would be happy to if you’ll pop an appropriate link my way?
Also…should I be elated or concerned that your first paragraph made total sense to me. Complete and total sense.
concerned…very concerned
lol
If you’d like I can add you to the list of ‘Cereal Readers’* of ‘Home and Heart’ Your feedback would be especially valuable as a semi-unfamiliar with Sister Margaret Ryan reader, ya know? (Along with things like what the plot will be, this second installment has the added challenge (to my ability) of being a second in a series. How to present enough back story without boring fans yet be enough to hook the new readers on the characters.
should be fun*
*in the horrible, tossing and turning at 3am sort of way that is the joy of writing for some of us
*links to each new installment, first thing in the morning, once a week!
I’d love to read, but I honestly don’t know if I can keep up with the pace you’ll need for feedback. If that’s not a big issue, sure add me.
not a big issue, in fact, by (my current standards) that’s exactly what I need… i.e. if the story is good enough to compel readers to read… ya know?
We often forget our gift of walking and talking! Glad that you’ve remembered, though! Glad to be here again after a while!!
Hey Michelle! good to ‘see’ you! Trust all is well with Misty and Cloudy… and your husband… lol (no, that does not make evident my priorities.)
Looking forward to the new book (and to finishing reading Almira–I’m so behind!)
Hoping to have Chapter 1 out this weekend (and then try to get back to the Chapter per week that Blogdominion was written in)
In edit/re-write on Almira The original was fun and enjoyable and, possible (to work in the style) by the fact of it being a serial.