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Week 2 of Reading Harry Potter for Babies

Every year I raise money for March of Dimes, which is a foundation established to study the causes and develop cures for premature birth. This year, rather than simply beg friends and family for donations, I’m taking donations to read Harry Potter. More about this strange donation tactic at the full into video here or scroll down further to watch. In this video, I discuss my thoughts on the first 223 pages of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone. If you think Harry Potter is a great series, and feel that I should read it, please consider donating to March of Dimes by visiting https://calebjross.com/potterbaby. This link takes you directly to the donation page. Also, be sure to leave your YouTube channel name, as I will be making a Thank You video and will be sure to mention your channel.

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My Advice for Graduates and Job Seekers

For all the upcoming and recent graduates out there, this video is for you. I graduated from college about 5 years ago, and given that temporal distance I feel confident in helping you find out exactly what you want to be when you "grow up", professionally speaking. If you interpret the word "be" as some metaphysical, transcendental state this video isn't for you. Pot is for you. Determining possible career options is easier than you think. Just consider these 3 aspects: A career must involve something you enjoy. A career should involve something you are good at. A career should involve something you can do over and over and over again Watch the embedded video for some much needed extrapolation.

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Pixar’s Rules for Storytelling 4 – Once upon a time there was ____. Every day, ____. Finally ____.

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling (the full list can be found here). Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #4: Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___. This “rule” isn’t so much a rule as it is a template for storytelling. A simple and very effective template, I might add. The most important element of this formula, I feel, is the repetition of the “Because of that” which speaks to the importance of constantly elevating stakes. Nothing is ever stagnant in an engaging story. Even if two characters are alone in a room, or if poo can’t fart, there should always be something imminent to further complicate…

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Week 1 of Reading Harry Potter for Babies

Reading Harry Potter for March of Dimes

Every year I raise money for March of Dimes, which is a foundation established to study the causes and develop cures for premature birth. This year, rather than simply beg friends and family for donations, I’m taking donations to read Harry Potter. More about this strange donation tactic at the full into video here or scroll down further to watch. In this video, I discuss my thoughts on the first 193 pages of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone. If you think Harry Potter is a great series, and feel that I should read it, please consider donating to March of Dimes by visiting https://calebjross.com/potterbaby. This link takes you directly to the donation page. Also, be sure to leave your YouTube channel name, as I will be making a Thank You video and will be sure to mention your channel.

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The Sound of Loneliness by Craig Wallwork video book review

Craig Wallwork's The Sound of Loneliness (Perfect Edge Books) takes the concept of a tired, alcoholic, depressed writer and recesses it a generation or so, using a 22 year old protagonist with 52 year old problems. Much of the story’s tension lies between this 22 year old Daniel Crabtree and his teenage infatuation Emma, a tension that similar to Lolita, is meant to rouse conflict, but unlike Lolita, the age and maturity difference between the two characters is such that the reader can imagine the two characters actually working out, given another decade. Also, I manage to work in a Roseanne reference which makes me happier than you can even imagine. Buy The Sound of Loneliness by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sound-Loneliness-Craig-Wallwork/dp/1780996012

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Week 1 of Reading Harry Potter has begun. $386 raised so far for March of Dimes.

Friday officially ended the first week of my attempt to leverage the general love of Harry Potter for the benefit of premature babies. Watch all about my scheme in the video below. The gist is that for every $2 in donations I receive, I’ll read one page from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I am proud to say that after this first week we have raised $386! That’s 193 pages I have to read by March 29th. My plan is to make a video at the end of each week where I will talk about my feelings toward the book at that point. Full disclosure: I honestly have no desire to read this book. But, because so many people seem to love it, I’m giving it a chance. Please, consider donating. Even a few dollars helps. Simply click over to www.calebjross.com/potterbaby to donate (NOTE: the page will be under…

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Pixar’s Rules for Storytelling 3 – You won’t know your story until you’re at the end of it.

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar’s 22 Rules for Storytelling. Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #3: Trying for theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about til you're at the end of it. Now rewrite. It's painful to know that during an entire first draft of a novel or story, very little of that first draft will survive.  At least, it won't if you're a good enough writer. A writer cannot make sense of a story until the story exists. Otherwise, we're looking at a pile of jigsaw puzzle pieces and trying to know the final image without putting the pieces together. (Additional metaphor here) With this, the third video in my 22 part series, I step up my game with a fake mustache.

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