The Origin of Written News

 

For centuries the written news has been in existence from the time period of ancient Rome to the present.  In ancient Rome the “Acta Diurna,” or what was referred to as government announcement bulletins, were created and carved in metal or stone and posted in public places.  China produced early government news sheets called “tipao.”  These were distributed among court officials during the late Han dynasty, second and third centuries AD.  The “Avvisi was published to increase cross border communication when it became apparent that handwritten news sheets were necessary in early modern Europe.  The government of Venice published the monthly “Notizie scritte” in 1556 which cost one gazetta, a small coin.  These “Avvisi” were handwritten news sheets that were used to covey political, military, and economic news to Italian cities and shared common characteristics of newspapers; but were not considered actual newspapers. These sources did not meet the criteria of proper newspapers because they were usually not intended for the general public and these sources did not consist of a wide range of topics. 

The materialization of more advanced forms of media came into existence during the 17^th century when the printing press was created and that is where the publishing press got its name.  The “Relation aller Furnemmen und gedenckwurdigen Historien” was published in the German language in 1605 by Johann Carolus in Strasbourg.  This source is often referred as the first newspaper.  During that time period, Strasbourg was a free imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation. The first newspaper of modern German was called “Avisa” and was published in 1609 in Wolfenbuttel.  The “Corrant out of Italy, Germany, etc.” was the first newspaper published in English in Amsterdam during the year 1620.  “The Daily Courant” was considered the first successful English daily and was published from 1702 to 1735.

The industrial revolution brought on even more advanced circulated type publications during the 19^th century in many cities in Europe, as well as North and South America. Printing technology was advanced greatly which enabled newspapers to become a more widely circulated form of media. “The Times” in London in 1814, created a printing press capable of making 1,100 impressions a minute.  Shortly afterwards the process of printing on both sides of the paper was developed which made newspapers cheaper to produce. This advancement made the newspaper more available to the public and led to the creation of the daily newspaper.  The daily newspaper is published daily with usually the exception of Sundays and Saturdays.  When Sunday editions are published these usually tend to be larger and include more specialized sections along with more advertising.

To explain further, a newspaper typically is a regularly published rendition of the news concerning current events, informative articles, a multitude of various features, editorials, and advertising. The publisher from the Sault Evening News printed in Sault Ste. Marie, MI local newspapers represent a mirror of the community. Newspapers are usually printed on inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, 6,580 daily newspapers were printed in the world with selling 395 million copies a day. Due to global recession and the rapid growth of web-based alternatives there has been a serious decline in advertising and circulation.

Broad spectrum newspapers often publish stories covering local and national political events involving crime, business, sports, entertainment and society information.  Most newspapers also feature an editorial section containing editorials, written by the editor and columns that express the personal opinions of community members. Newspapers are usually funded by paid subscriptions and advertising. Approximately 80% of the profits derived from the newspaper business are from advertising.

A wide variety of additional information has been published in newspapers for many years consisting of obituaries; entertainment features such as crossword puzzles; horoscopes; weather news and forecasts; advice columns; food and other columns; reviews of radio, movies; television, plays and restaurants; classified ads; and cartoons such as editorial cartoons and comic strips

The publisher stated that the Sault Evening News appeared to be lacking in many areas and required serious renovation.  He questioned why there were so many editors and not enough reporters.  There was a need for this newspaper staff to get out into community and seek local news. The newspaper needs to talk about things that reflect the community. They need to consider what’s important to those buying the product.  He wants to add a history page associated with the area. Obtaining local news has been made easier by the internet.  Many people still like to shake out a paper and read it, hold it in their hands. There are still many people who don’t like the internet.  So in essence, the newspaper is going to be around for a while. 

 

The Lighthouse Keeper's Hymn

"Let the Lower Lights Be Burning"

Brightly beams our Father's mercy
From his lighthouse ever-more
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore?
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the waves.
Some poor fainting, struggling sea-man
You may rescue, you may save.
Dark the night of sin has settled,
Loud the angry billows roar;
Eager eyes are watching, longing-
For the lights along the shore.

Characterization

Neil O’Boyle Connelly provided a presentation on developing characters when writing.  Connelly is an author of four highly acclaimed novels such as “Saint Michael’s Scales” and “Miracle Stealer.” Connelly was visiting campuses as a part of a literary initiative called “Continuing a Literary Dialogue in the Easter Upper Peninsula.”  This project’s goal is to  bring together the community and Universities in a shared literary experience and persuade Michigan writers to tell their own stories. Connelly read part of his new book which was geared at enhancing the awareness of Lake Superior State University’s (LSSU) expanding creative writing program.  You can learn more about creative writing at LSSU by going to:  http://www.lssu.edu/engish/creativewritingatlssu.php. During the presentation and part of this project on October 4, 2013, Connelly provided the audience with information about making characters real.

Connelly told a story about his four year old son.  His son was watching “Kung Fu Panda” and he reacted to a scene.  Connelly tried to convince his son that it wasn’t real what he was viewing on television.  His son looking him straight in the face said “I know it’s not real; but it feels real.”  The writer of this movie personalized the characters and made them real.  When developing characters, we have to bring something of ourselves to the character. 

He went on to explain about the different levels of our relationships.  There are three levels: 1.  Strangers and acquaintances; 2.  Friends and probably most family members; and 3. Intimates.  How many people know us?  Connelly stated he doesn’t know himself half the time.  It takes a while to become intimate.  We need to know our characters deeply.  What kind of questions do you ask?  What do you do?  Where do you live?  What do you care about?  What are you reading? How did you become who you are?  What is your dream?  What would you die for?  Are you where you want to be?  What’s your epitaph? What do you feel guilty about?  These are questions that help you get to the bottom of your character.  More food for thought: people pray different in private than in public. Unlikeable characters have secrets too. Look in a person’s car. Our dreams and concerns are unique. Need to know the character like it is a sibling of yours. Fiction writers will look under the bed, not on the night stand. That will form your initial illumination.

Use your imagination and conduct an organic exercise involving a pet rock.  Give your pet rock a name, a place to live, favorite foods, fun things to do, way to make a living, greatest things it has ever done, and what is your pet rock afraid of?  There are three mode of character mobilization: Exposition; Description, and Action involving dialogue and thought.  Connelly gave us a set of pictures and we were instructed to pick one of the pictures and develop a story about that character’s life. 

Exposition is naked expression of the character such as Susan is an honorable woman.  It’s second hand information, and most people will accept it to a certain degree; but most want to see for themselves if this information is correct.  Description involves how we judge people but how they look for example. It is specificity such as the person has a sharp chin. Bob is 34 years old and lives in Chicago. Only use this information if it goes somewhere.  He suggested that not too much time is spent on this area. Action is where it’s at.  There needs to be a big push in this area.  This is where the character is judged. 

Character development consists of getting to know our characters fully by giving them characteristics that are relatable by putting part of ourselves into our characters.  Connelly strives to be a good father; however, he is able to create characters who are bad fathers.  There are different levels in all our relationships. Once we establish an intimate relationship with our characters our characters will blossom into personifications that our readers want to know and become interested in.