Jenny's Discussion With Sarah

'''Note: Before you begin reading this page, I must warn you that it's very long, and it might take more than a few minutes to read. But don't rush through it. Just take your time and read each section slowly and carefully. Since I've also added some pictures and videos on this page, you should observe the pictures and watch the videos to understand what I'm talking about a little better. Make sure you have a notebook and a pencil with you, just in case you need to take some notes. Make sure you understand every single detail as you read this page all the way through. If you can, feel free to ask some questions. I hope you learn a few things from this page that I wrote. Enjoy!'''

- Jenny Williams (JessicaFin23)

Characters

 * Jenny Williams
 * Sarah West
 * Sebastian

Voices

 * Nicole as Jenny Williams
 * Julie as Sarah West
 * Sebastian as Himself

Summary
Jenny talks to Sarah about a few things.

Note: Sarah, if you're reading this page, feel free to ask some questions.

Introduction
Sebastian: Hey, Sarah, Jenny needs to talk to you.

Sarah: She needs to talk to me? Why?

Sebastian: Because she says it's really important. Please go into the room and talk to Jenny.

Sarah: Uh, okay.

Sebastian: Good.

(Sarah comes into the room where Jenny is in)

Jenny: Hello, Sarah. I'm glad that you came. There's something I have to talk to you about. What I have to tell you is very important, and you need to understand every single detail. So, are you ready to begin?

Sarah: Uh, yeah, I think so.

Jenny: Good. Sit down, and let's begin. We have lots to talk about.

Part 1: Grammar and Spelling
Jenny: So, the first thing I want to talk about is your writing problems.

Sarah: What's wrong with my writing?

Jenny: Well, there are quite a few things wrong with your writing. Allow me to explain. Are you listening?

Sarah: Yes.

Jenny: Okay, then. Here's what's wrong with your writing. You seem to have a bit of trouble with uppercase and lowercase letters. Sometimes, you make a few words uppercase when they're supposed to be lowercase and you make a few words lowercase when they're supposed to be uppercase. You end almost all of your sentences or statements with an exclamation point, even when they're not interjections or don't need to be expressed with really strong emotion. Your subject-verb agreements are very faulty. You also tend to get confused when it comes to personal pronouns.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Yes, really. It seems to me that your writing hasn't improved at all. In fact, it's gotten a tad bit worse.

Sarah: It has?

Jenny: Yes, it has. That's why I want to help you improve your grammar.

Sarah: Improve my grammar? How?

Jenny: Well, I've made a few pages here on this wiki, and I'm currently writing a grammar guide, but I'm certain that the pages I'm making will help. But, I could give you some advice now that you're here.

Sarah: What kind of advice?

Jenny: Well, I'm going to give you some tidbits to improve your grammar.

Sarah: Oh...okay.

Jenny: First off, you cannot end all of your sentences with exclamation marks. You can only do that if you're writing an exclamatory sentence or using an interjection, and not everything you say has to be an exclamatory sentence or an interjection.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Yes, really. Second of all, you seem to have a little bit of trouble when it comes to subject-verb agreement.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Well, you don't really seem to grasp the concept of subject-verb agreement and how it works in sentences. You don't really seem to know how to get subjects and verbs to agree.

Sarah: I don't?

Jenny: Of course you don't.

Sarah: But, how do you know?

Jenny: Well, subject-verb agreement is all about numbers. A subject has to agree with its verb in number. Single subjects are followed by single verbs and plural subjects are followed by plural verbs. But, you usually tend to make plural subjects be followed by singular verbs, which makes your subject-verb agreement incorrect. For example, when you attempt to use subject verb agreement, you might say something like "Paul and Eric walks down the street", which doesn't sound correct.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Well, if a singular verb follows a plural subject, they will not agree. The correct way to make a subject and a verb agree with each other is to make sure that they match up. If the subject is singular, you follow it with a singular verb. If the subject is plural, you follow it with a plural verb. To make it more simple, you can check your sentence to see if your subject-verb agreement is correct by removing the extra words, leaving just the subject and verb. sometimes with the English language, that's the best way to know if something's correct. "Paul and Eric walk" agrees in number, but "Paul and Eric walks" does not. You can hear that the first way just sounds more correct.

Sarah: That sounds kinda complicated.

Jenny: It does, but once you get the hang of it, it's rather simple. Most verbs that end in "s" are singular. That's the opposite of nouns; when they end in "s'", they're usually plural. So, the correct sentence is "Paul and Eric walk down the street."

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: The same thing goes to sentences like "Alice throws the ball to Francis and me".

Sarah: I see.

Part 2: Original Characters and Plagiarism
Jenny: The next thing I want to talk about is your OCs.

Sarah: My OCs?

Jenny: You know, your original characters.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: Listen, Sarah, I know that you like to make your own original characters, but there's only one problem: not all of the OCs you make belong to you.

Sarah: They don't?

Jenny: No. Sometimes, you tend to steal OCs and claim them as your own.

Sarah: Do I?

Jenny: Yes. We all know about your bad habit of stealing OCs or already-made characters and claiming them as your own.

Sarah: Do I really steal OCs? If so, then how do you know?

Jenny: Well, I do a little reverse search or check the file name. When I see that the file name says that it was created by someone on DeviantArt, I realize that the OC isn't yours. I also notice that when you steal an OC, you sometimes change the name of the OC and claim that you made it yourself. The truth is, you might not even know that the OC you stole already belongs to someone, and that OC might already have a name.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Yes, really. To be honest, your habit of stealing OCs could get you in a lot of trouble.

Sarah: It could?

Jenny: Yes, it could. The truth is, Sarah, you're not very original when it comes to making OCs, and the only ones you're original with are characters you make using dress up games on websites like Rinmaru Games and Doll Divine or the characters you make on GoAnimate. When you don't use those websites to make OCs from scratch, you take random, already-made OCs, existing characters, possibly already-taken character adoptables, and character renders from DeviantArt and claim to have made them yourself. You also use random character clipart for your OCs, which doesn't really solve your problem with plagiarism.

Sarah: It doesn't?

Jenny: No, it doesn't.

Sarah: Why not?

Jenny: Because it's not being very original.

Sarah: But how come?

Jenny: Well, plagiarism is the act of submitting someone else's work as your own. Whatever you do, you can't steal someone else's ideas, even if they're original characters.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Yes, really.

Sarah: Whoa...I didn't realize that I was stealing OCs that belonged to other people.

Jenny: Well, now you do. Stealing from someone else is not a good thing to do, because stealing can lead to dire consequences.

Part 3: Creativity and Originality/Character Appearances/Overusing Stereotypes/Mood and Tone
Jenny: Another problem of yours is that your ideas aren't very creative or original.

Sarah: They're not? Why?

Jenny: Because you tend to use the same concepts over and over again. And if you use them over and over again, they become very cliche and boring.

Sarah: What concepts do I use over and over again?

Jenny: You use the same concepts for video games, movies, and even character personalities and interests. You keep using them over and over and over again.

Sarah: I do?

Jenny: Yes, you do. It's becoming very monotonous, unoriginal, and repetitive.

Sarah: It is?

Jenny: Yes.

Sarah: How do you know that my concepts are boring and repetitive?

Jenny: Allow me to explain. First of all, let's talk about the personalities and interests you give your OCs.

Sarah: What makes the personalities and interests I give my OCs so repetitive and boring?

Jenny: Well, your OCs don't really have that much personality. You just make their personalities the same as yours: ditzy, naive, childlike, always happy-go-lucky, gets upset easily when someone bullies them, and slightly immature. You also give your OCs the same interests that you have, such as Disney and anime.

Sarah: What's so wrong about giving my OCs the same personality that I have and making them like the same things I like?

Jenny: The point is, "OC" stands for "original character", and the personalities and interests you give your OCs aren't very original. In fact, if you give them all the same personalities and interests, they're not original characters at all. They're unoriginal Mary-Sues.

Sarah: Huh? What's a Mary-Sue?

Jenny: A Mary-Sue is a fictional character often recognized as an author insert or wish fulfillment.

Sarah: So, you think that the OCs I make are Mary-Sues?

Jenny: Somewhat. The only way I can make them more original is by giving them more different, complex personalities and different interests. I give them these personalities by taking a look at their appearances and think of some good personalities and interests for them. For example, if an OC you make looks shy, I give them a shy, introverted personality, and if an OC you make looks athletic, I give them an athletic, humble personality.

Sarah: I...I don't understand. What are you trying to tell me?

Jenny: Sarah, what I'm saying is that not everyone can be like you. Not everyone has the same personality or interests as you do.

Sarah: Not everyone has the same personality or interests as me?

Jenny: It's true, Sarah.

Sarah: Not even my OCs?

Jenny: Nope, not even your OCs. We all have different interests and personalities, and your OCs should have different interests and personalities, too.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: Think of it this way, Sarah. If everyone were the same, it wouldn't be that much fun. In fact, it could get very boring if we all had the same personalities, interests, hobbies, or skills. That's why everyone is different. What makes people different are what makes them special.

Sarah: I guess you're right...It can be boring if everyone were the same. Maybe I should've thought about that before I decided that all of my OCs should be like me. If I made my OCs interact with each other, I don't think they'll have much fun together.

Jenny: That's right. That's why I changed the personalities and interests of them. The next time you make an OC, try to brainstorm some different personalities and interests for them, so they won't be Mary-Sue-like.

Sarah: I see. I guess I'll try.

Jenny: Another thing about the characters you create is that, sometimes, their appearances might not match up with the personalities you have in mind for them.

Sarah: Really? Why not?

Jenny: Well, first off, I've noticed that you sometimes like to give your characters a certain type of eyebrows.

Sarah: Huh? What are you talking about? Jenny: Well, it seems to me that you've taken a certain interest in these types of eyebrows:

Sarah: So, what's so wrong about that? Jenny: Well, those eyebrows might show that a character is shy, quiet, timid, or cowardly. But you tend to put them on some characters you describe as cheerful and happy-go-lucky. Sarah: So? Jenny: Those eyebrows don't fit characters that are cheerful and happy-go-lucky. Those eyebrows are more suitable for characters who are shy and timid. If you want to create characters who are not shy or timid, you can use eyebrows that are straight and curved upward instead of down. Like these ones:

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: Now that we're talking about eyebrows, now might be a good time to describe personality traits based on eye color.

Sarah: Okay...

Jenny: Scientists say that the color of your eyes reveals information about your personality.

Sarah: Is that really true?

Jenny: Of course it is. You can tell what someone's personality is just by looking at the color of their eyes.

Sarah: So, uh, what does a person's eye color say about their personality?

Jenny: Well, for example, it is said that most people with blue eyes are attractive and youthful, in addition to having a very calm and peaceful personality. Blue eyes are also representative of knowledge. People who have brown eyes are said to be very independent, self-confident and determined. They are known to be trustworthy, and have a sense of security and stability. People with green eyes are curious about nature, very passionate in their relationships with other people and have an overall positive and creative outlook on life. These people tend to get jealous easily, but possess large amounts of love. People with hazel eyes are spontaneous and will rarely back down from a challenge. If there is more green mixed into their eyes, they like to be mischievous. If they have more brown mixed in, they are more approachable to other people. People with black eyes are known to be very secretive and keep to themselves around new faces until they feel comfortable. They are very passionate and loyal, especially to their friends. People with black eyes are also very intuitive and have the ability to tap into powerful energy. People with gray eyes are known to be very wise and gentile. These people are sensitive, but have a strong inner strength and think analytically. They can also very easily change their mood to suit any situation at hand.

Sarah: Wow. I never knew that before.

Jenny: Well, maybe you should try giving some of your characters personalities based on the color of their eyes.

Sarah: But what if the eye colors I give them aren't blue, brown, green, hazel, black, or gray? What if they're other colors like purple or orange?

Jenny: Well, that's up to you. You can give them any eye color you want, as long as it matches the personality you give them.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny:

Jenny: Now let's talk about your concepts for movies and video games. The problem is that you tend to give very repetitive and unoriginal concepts to your ideas for movies, TV shows, and video games.

Sarah: I do? How?

Jenny: Well, almost all of your movie or video game ideas involve a cute anthropomorphic creature rescuing a human damsel in distress, a group of magical female superheroes saving the world from an evil threat, or...something like that, if you know what I mean.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: You also like making very strange crossover ideas. For instance, you like to make crossovers of Woody Woodpecker and anime, which isn't a very good combination.

Sarah: It isn't? Why not?

Jenny: Well, they just don't go very well together. The same goes with a few other crossovers you tend to create. Some franchises just don't go well together. It's like a cheeseburger sundae, because it might have two great tastes when separated, but when they're put together, they just leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Sarah: They do?

Jenny: Of course they do, Sarah.

Sarah: So, you're saying that some franchises don't go well together when crossed over together?

Jenny: Of course they don't.

Sarah: But why not?

Jenny: They just don't. In fact, a few people might not even like the crossovers you make.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Well, we all have mixed opinions on certain things.

Jenny: Another problem with your OCs is that you sometimes stick stereotypes into them.

Sarah: Stereotypes? What kind of stereotypes?

Jenny: Well, whenever you make a princess OC, you tend to stick the stereotype of all princesses being damsels in distress into that OC.

Sarah: Do I?

Jenny: Yes, you do. Whenever you make a princess OC, you decide that the princess OC you made has to be kidnapped and held for ransom by a fictional villain, and then a cute anthropomorphic creature has to come rescue her.

Sarah: I know that. What's so wrong about making my princess OCs damsels in distress?

Jenny: Well, it's just becoming too repetitive.

Sarah: Why?

Jenny: Because when you stick a certain stereotype into every single character you make, it becomes very cliche. And besides, nobody likes characters that are stereotyped way too often.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Of course, Sarah. Not every princess is a damsel in distress.

Sarah: Why not?

Jenny: Because there's more to a princess than just getting kidnapped and held for ransom all the time.

Sarah: More? Like what?

Jenny: Well, real princesses are not just beautiful women in crowns and fancy dresses. A real princess has to be brave and stand up for herself. She has to be wise and give her knowledge to others. She has to be strong and be able to defend herself when there's danger.

Sarah: Ohhhh! I see! So, should my princess OCs be brave, smart, and strong, too?

Jenny: Of course, Sarah. But, you don't just stick stereotypes into royal characters.

Sarah: But...what kind of characters do I stick stereotypes in?

Jenny: Well, first of all, you have a tendency to stick stereotypes into fictional characters who are either heroes or villains.

Sarah: Do I?

Jenny: Yes, you do. For example, when you make a villain character, you make them villains who represent the ultimate evil. You don't give them explanation behind their evilness. Their villainous ways don't derive from from any childhood traumas, broken hearts, or feelings of revenge.

Sarah: Are those things that make them evil?

Jenny: Well, of course. A villain's start of darkness has to have some sort of backstory to it. They need to have ambition and underlying intentions. They can't just be evil for no apparent reason.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: And their evil ways aren't just kidnapping people or terrorizing towns. There are more evil things that villains can do than just that.

Sarah: Like what?

Jenny: Well, they can invent machines to make people do their bidding. They can shoplift at stores. They can rob banks. Basically, a villain can do bad things which will eventually lead to their downfall.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: You also seem to stereotype hero characters, too.

Sarah: Really? How?

Jenny: Well, you seem to think that heroes are always characters who do good things. You think that all heroes are perfect, goody-two-shoes characters who are really kind-hearted and won't hurt a fly and step in when someone is in trouble, and have no motivation other than to be a hero. Most stereotypical heroes are just goody-two-shoes who always save the day with no other motivation other than to save people. Fictional heroes don't just fight evil for the greater good and to get praise from their peers. Some heroes try to bring justice to the world because they have a personal reason to fight crime. There's a saying that goes "With great power comes great responsibility". That means that most heroes need to learn how to control their powers while also becoming independent and strong in their everyday lives. They don't use their powers as crutches, but to help a whole diverse set of personalities to focus and pull together.

Sarah: So, heroes need motivations to fight evil?

Jenny: Of course. But there aren't just heroes with superpowers. Everyday heroes, like firemen or police officers, do good deeds and help out other people in their community, and they don't need special powers for that. Many heroes, or protagonists, are people who do good things for others and help them when they have a problem.

Sarah: Oh. I never knew that before.

Jenny: Another problem is that you don't seem to understand how mood and tone in stories work.

Sarah: I don't?

Jenny: No, you don't.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Well, when you try to give a story a very dark tone, you're obviously trying too hard.

Sarah: How so?

Jenny: In a few dark-toned plots you make, you tend to put the main character into a situation where they end up being kidnapped and placed in a dark dungeon, having a curse placed on them, or leave them in a situation where they feel depressed and lonely, but then give it a sappy ending where the character eventually gets rescued by some magical being and lives happily ever after. That's ruining the mood for the story.

Sarah: It is?

Jenny: Of course it is. That's not writing a proper story with a dark tone.

Sarah: Then how can I write a story with a dark tone without it being too dark or having an overly-sappy ending?

Jenny: Well, here's how. First, you have to remove the notion of 'sight'. Vision is by far the most important way we have of seeing things; suspense comes greatly from what you're unable to perceive. Remove sight, increase smells, sounds, and any other form of perception. There is nothing so suspenseful as the anticipation of what's coming to you, so make sure to stretch the phases of unknown to their maximum. Anticipation is your best tool.

Sarah: Okay...how else?

Jenny: To learn writing a specific tone, read books that has the kind of tone you want. You can even retype a chapter or two to get a feel for how that author/tone "feels in your fingers."

Sarah: Can you give me a few examples on how that might work?

Jenny: Certainly. The first example is this: A protagonist that follows a negative character arc has the potential to leave your readers with a sense of suspense and wanting to read more.

Part 4: Properly Working on Wikis
Jenny: Another problem is that you don't seem to understand a few basics of working on wikis.

Sarah: I don't?

Jenny: No.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Well, first of all, you don't quite seem to understand how deleting pages works.

Sarah: I don't?

Jenny: Of course not. You seem to think that you can delete a page just by removing all of its content.

Sarah: Well, if I make a page completely blank, does that mean I deleted that page?

Jenny: No. If you remove content from a wiki page, it won't be deleted. It'll still be there, but as a blank page with no content.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Yes, really. Blanking a page does not count as deleting it.

Sarah: It doesn't?

Jenny: No, it doesn't.

Sarah: Then how can I delete a page?

Jenny: Well, there are two ways to delete a page. The first option is that you can delete the page yourself, but you have to be an administrator in order to access the "Delete this page" button.

Sarah: But I'm not an admin in any of the wikis I contribute to.

Jenny: That's the problem. If you're not an admin, you cannot delete a page.

Sarah: So, what's the second option?

Jenny: The second option is that you can mark a page for deletion and ask the admins of the wiki to delete it for you.

Sarah: But...how can I mark a page for deletion?

Jenny: Well, it's simple. You just add the Candidate for Deletion tab.

Sarah: How?

Jenny: On the right side of the editing screen, you'll see a small box on the bottom that says "Templates". Click on it, and it'll show two buttons that say "Add other templates" and "Show list of used templates". Click on the "add other templates" button, and when you see the word "Delete", click on it, and the Delete tab will be added to the page.

Sarah: Oh, I see. That sounds kinda tricky.

Jenny: Actually, Sarah, it's fairly easy once you get the hang of it. There are many templates that you can use on a page.

Sarah: But...what kinds of templates?

Jenny: Well, to start, there are something we call infoboxes. The infoboxes are for information on the topic of the pages.

Sarah: How do you use those?

Jenny: It's simple. You just fill inthe empty boxes with little tidbits of information. Here are a few examples below:

Sarah: Ohhh, I see, I see.

Jenny: Then there are templates that warn people of certain content. For example, there's the Mature template, which warns readers that the page might contain profanity or innapropriate content, like this:

Sarah: Okay...

Jenny: Then there are templates that are a little more complex, like the forumheader or the navigation box.

Sarah: How do you use those?

Jenny: Well, you do the same thing you do with the simpler templates. You just write in some information, like this:

Sarah: Oh, I never knew that.

Jenny: Well, now you do. The next thing you need to learn to do properly is to add features and media to pages. I already know that you sometimes add photos or galleries to pages, but there seems to be a little problem with the photo galleries you create.

Sarah: What's the problem?

Jenny: Well, the problem is that you always add the link of the page that the photos are already on.

Sarah: Do I?

Jenny: Yes, you do. It's not okay to add the link to the page that an image is already on.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Well, people would want to see the pictures more closely, and to do that, they need to click on the pictures to expand them.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Of course. That's the reason why you cannot add the link to the page that the image is already on.

Sarah: Oh. I never thought of it that way.

Part 5: Acting Your Age/Controlling Your Emotions/Getting in Shape
Jenny: Here's another problem of yours.

Sarah: What is it?

Jenny: Well, you're not very mature for a 20-year-old.

Sarah: I'm not?

Jenny: No. In fact, you can be very immature for a young adult.

Sarah: Why am I immature?

Jenny: Well, you're very naive and tend to act more like a giddy little child than a grown woman. You're very obsessed with rainbows, fairies, princesses, and whatnot. In other words, you still like a few things that little children like, and you haven't outgrown them, like normal people do when they become adults. You also tend to get upset over small things that adults normally wouldn't get upset about.

Sarah: Then how can I become an adult?

Jenny: Well, it's simple. First of all, you need to develop some mature behaviors.

Sarah: Like what?

Jenny: Well, for starters, you should start developing your interests.

Sarah: You mean my interests in TV shows, movies, and video games?

Jenny: Something like that. But lacking dynamic or developed interests or hobbies might contribute to your seeming immature. Finding something that you enjoy doing and becoming an "expert" at it can make you seem more experienced and mature. It will also give you something to talk about with others, whether or not they also participate in your hobby. Try to keep your hobbies active and productive. It's a lot of fun to marathon a TV show, but it isn't necessarily the best use of your time.

Sarah: Does that mean I can't enjoy my favorite TV shows, movies, or video games?

Jenny: Well, not really, but they shouldn't be the only things you spend your time on.

Sarah: Really? So, if I can't spend my whole time watching my favorite shows or movies and playing my favorite video games, then how can I spend my free time besides doing something that has a screen?

Jenny: Well, taking up new hobbies can increase your self-esteem and boost your creativity. They can also stimulate parts of your brain that make you feel positive and happy. There's basically no limit to the types of things you can do. You can grab a camera and learn photography. You can learn how to play a musical instrument. You can practice a new language. Basically, you can take up any hobby, as long as you're interested in it. Just make sure that whatever you choose is something you enjoy doing, or it'll become a chore rather than a hobby.

Sarah: You mean, I can't fight back someone who is bullying me?

Jenny: No, you shouldn't. That's not going to make things better.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: The next step is to talk to a therapist or other adult you trust. A therapist can calm you down and help you make good decisions even when you're upset. Try setting up a meeting with your local therapist to discuss your anger issues.

Sarah: But...what should I say to them?

Jenny: Well, try saying something like, "I am struggling to control my feelings of anger sometimes and I think I need some help."

Sarah: That...kind of sounds like a reasonable thing to say to a therapist.

Jenny: Indeed it is.

Sarah: How else can I prevent my angry outbursts?

Jenny: You need to try and make sure you're getting enough rest. Some people get angry more often if they are tired. Be sure you are getting enough rest at night, and not trying to do too many activities during the day when you're not well-rested.

Sarah: Really? Getting more sleep at night will make me less stressed.

Jenny: It's true, Sarah. The more rested you feel, the less angry you will be.

Sarah: I never thought of that.

Jenny: Another way to prevent yourself from getting really angry is by making sure you are getting enough to eat and drink.

Sarah: Getting enough to eat and drink? That sounds a little weird.

Jenny: It does sound a little weird, but some people have more angry outbursts when they're hungry or thirsty.

Sarah: Do they?

Jenny: Yes, according to some studies.

Sarah: So, what can I eat and drink when I'm angry?

Jenny: Well, you should try to eat healthy foods instead of foods high in sugar or fat. Snacks like string cheese, apples with peanut butter, or a banana can help keep you from feeling angry.

Sarah: Healthy snacks can make me feel better when I get angry?

Jenny: Of course they can, Sarah. You should try eating a healthy snack when you feel stressed.

Sarah: Oh...okay.

Jenny: The next step is to try practicing deep breathing. People can learn to relax themselves through meditation. Try taking deep breaths and do it regularly, not just when you're feeling angry. Try spending five or ten minutes at night before bed relaxing with deep breathing. This can help you sleep better and calm your feelings.

Sarah: It can?

Jenny: It certainly can, Sarah. Practicing deep breathing and meditation every day will help you control your anger more easily.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: Do you seem to understand how you can control your anger now?

Sarah: I guess I do.

Jenny: Well, the next time you get angry, make sure to take notice, take deep breaths, relax your body, and try to take your mind off of what's making you angry.

Sarah: I guess I'll try.

Jenny: Another emotion you have a hard time controlling is your sadness.

Sarah: How can you tell that I have a hard time controlling my sadness?

Jenny: Well, I've noticed that you have a tendency to cry a lot when something upsets you.

Sarah: You have?

Jenny: Indeed. It seems to me that, just like how you get angry over some small things, you have a tendency to get teary-eyed over some things, even if they're very small or no big deal. You cry when you don't get the food item that you want at a restaurant. You cry when your favorite sports team loses to another team. Sometimes you even cry for no good reason at all.

Sarah: I know, but sometimes I just can't help it.

Jenny: Well, I believe that your tendency to cry over little things is because you're very sensitive. But there are some ways you can stop yourself from crying and prevent the tears from coming when you feel like you're going to cry.

Sarah: How?

Jenny: Well, watching your favorite shows or movies, eating fast food, and playing your favorite video games are not going to help anymore. There are some strategies that you can try to stop yourself from crying and calm down.

Sarah: Like what?

Jenny: To start, you can calm yourself down by physical actions.

Sarah: What kind of physical actions?

Jenny: Well, I'll start by talking about the easiest thing to do to calm yourself down. Focusing on your breathing and taking deep breaths can help you calm down. Calming yourself is a big part of stopping yourself from crying. Focusing on breathing, as in meditation, can help you to control the emotions you are feeling and help you to restore a sense of inner peace. Taking deep breaths might be hard to do while you are sobbing, but try your best to breathe as deeply as you can. When you feel the tears coming, breathing in slowly and deeply through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Doing this will both relax the lump that forms in your throat when you are on the verge of tears, and will stabilize your thoughts and emotions. You can also try counting to ten as you breathe. Breathe in through your nose when you count a number. Exhale through your mouth when you are between numbers. Counting helps you to focus solely on your breath and not whatever is making you want to cry.

Sarah: Hmm, that sounds complicated, but taking deep breaths seems pretty easy.

Jenny: It is easy. There are other easy ways you can stop yourself from crying with physical distractions.

Sarah: Like what?

Jenny: Well, you can distract yourself with a physical movement. When you are on the verge of tears, it is important to get your mind onto other things. Physically distracting yourself is one way to keep yourself from crying. For example, you can squeeze your hands together. The pressure should be enough to distract you from the reason why you feel like crying. If you don't feel like squeezing your hands together is enough, find something else to squeeze, whether it is a stress toy or a pillow.

Sarah: But what if physical distractions aren’t enough?

Jenny: Well, as you take deep breaths and squeeze something in your hands, try to think of something else that you can focus on. Sometimes you can stop the flow of tears by redirecting your attention onto something else. For example, you could change your focus by doing some simple math problems in your head. Adding up small numbers or going over the times table in your head will distract your from what is making you feel upset and help you calm down. You can also think of something funny.

Sarah: That kind of sounds hard to do.

Jenny: Well, while it may seem hard to do in the face of whatever is making you want to cry, thinking of something funny can really help you overcome your tears. Think of something that has made you laugh in the past - a funny memory, a scene from a funny movie, or a joke you heard once.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: Next, you should remind yourself that you are a strong individual. Giving yourself a mental pep-talk when you feel like you are on the verge of tears can help you overcome your desire to cry. Tell yourself that it is okay to feel sad, but that you cannot feel sad right now. Remind yourself of the reasons you cannot cry at that moment - you don’t want to cry in front of people you don’t know, or you want to be strong for someone else, etc. Tell yourself that you will let yourself feel sad, but that you need to hold it together for that moment. Remember that you are a great person, who has friends and family who love you. Think of what you have achieved in your life, as well as what you hope to achieve in the future.

Sarah: Am I a strong person?

Jenny: Well, with a little practice and self-encouragement, you will eventually learn that you are indeed strong and able to control your emotions.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: While you're calming yourself down, try to address the reasons to why you were crying.

Sarah: How?

Jenny: Well, first of all, you should try to identify your negative or sad thoughts. You might think something like, "He's left me forever," or "I have no one…" In the moment, identifying the thought may seem like it makes it worse, but it is the first step in regaining control of your thoughts and tears.

Sarah: But what if that makes me want to cry more?

Jenny: Well, then you try something else.

Sarah: Like what?

Jenny: You should write down what is upsetting you on paper. If you are too upset to write a formal sentence, feel free to write anything. You can simply list incomplete sentences, a page with one big feeling word, or a page full of feeling words. The point is to get these feelings and thoughts onto a page and out of your mind a little. Later on you can reflect on and discuss these feelings and thoughts when you are in a calmer state. Writing down what's bothering you can also help you have a conversation with someone who might be hurting you.

Sarah: It can?

Jenny: Of course it can. Writing down your feelings is a good way to just let it all out when you're upset about something.

Sarah: I see.



Jenny: You should also remind yourself that the situation you are in is only temporary. Though in one of these moments it feels permanent, try to remind yourself that the moment will pass. That moment is not forever. This will help you see a bigger picture beyond this overwhelming moment. Try splashing some cold water on your face. The coolness can distract you for a moment to gain control of your breathing.

Sarah: Okay.

Jenny: The next step is to consider and prevent crying.

Sarah: How?

Jenny: First, you should ask yourself if your crying is a problem or even necessary in the situation that you're in. When crying fits start to feel out of your control and affect your personal or work life, then it may be considered a problem worth addressing.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Yes, really. Next, you should think about why you cry. If it's something small, just try to calm yourself down and tell yourself that it's no big deal. If it's something big, you may have to talk to someone about how you're feeling.

Sarah: I should?

Jenny: Of course you should.

Sarah: What else should I do?

Jenny: Well, you should identify the things that trigger your crying. Start being aware of the situations leading up to your crying fits and write them down. When do the fits happen? Are there certain days, situations, events, or scenarios that elicit intense crying? Are there things that trigger a crying fit? For example, if listening to a certain song makes you tear up, take the provoking song off of your playlists and avoid listening to it. If watching a certain movie makes you tear up, stop watching that movie. The same goes for pictures, smells, places, etc. If you don't want to be exposed to these upsetting reminders, it is okay to avoid them for a while.

Sarah: It is?

Jenny: Yes. Once you identify your crying triggers, you should start avoiding them at all costs.

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: You should also start writing in a journal. Write down any negative thoughts and ask yourself if they're rational. Likewise, consider if your ideals are rational and realistic. Remember to be kind to yourself. A good way to do this is to list any accomplishments or things that make you happy. Think of your journal or diary as a record of what you're grateful for. Try to contribute to your journal or diary every day. When you feel like you're going to cry, read what you've already written and remind yourself what makes you happy. Writing your thoughts down will help you to sort them out and feel better. Journaling can also help you to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. For best results, set aside a few minutes every day to write about your thoughts and feelings. You can structure your journal any way that you like and write about whatever you want.

Sarah: Does that work?

Jenny: Well, it does work for some people.

Sarah: Gee...maybe I should start keeping a journal.

Jenny: You should try to evaluate yourself. Ask yourself, "How do I cope with conflict?" Do you typically respond with anger? Tears? Ignoring it? Chances are, if you let conflict build up by ignoring it, you'll end up overwhelmed with emotion, and might end up either throwing a huge, angry tantrum or having a huge sobbing fit. Becoming aware of how to respond to conflict may help you identify what path you need to take.

Sarah: It will?

Jenny: Yes, it will.

Sarah: How do I do that?

Jenny: Well, it's simple. Remember to ask yourself, "Who is in control?" Reclaim control over your life so you have the power to change outcomes. For example, rather than say, "That teacher is terrible and made me fail that test," admit that you didn't study enough and that led to your poor score. Next time, focus on studying and accepting the outcome.

Sarah: Oh...okay.

Jenny: You should also try to understand how thoughts affect your emotions and behavior. If you continuously think negative thoughts, you may be fostering harmful emotions. You might even revisit negative, sad memories that happened in the distant past, which also keeps the crying going. This can cause damaging behavior, including prolonged crying fits. Once you're aware of the effects your thoughts have, you can begin to change your thinking to create more positive situations. For example, if you keep thinking, "I'm not good enough," you may begin to feel hopeless or insecure. Learn to stop the thought process before it affects your emotional well-being.

Sarah: I see. But...why are you concerned about wanting me to learn to stop crying when I get upset over some things?

Jenny: It's because I'm rather concerned about you. What makes me concerned is that you're usually not in control of your emotions, or you become upset without a good reason.

Sarah: I know. You told me already.

Jenny: Even though you're prone to breaking down and wanting to cry when you're overwhelmed, you can learn to manage your emotions more effectively.

Sarah: Do you mean that I need to stop being a crybaby?

Jenny: Well, yes, if you put it that way.

Sarah: How?

Jenny: Well, I'll explain some techniques you can use to diffuse your emotion, both in the short and long term. In other words, I'll give you some tips on how to stop being a crybaby all the time.

Sarah: Okay.

Jenny: First, you should take a moment to breathe. Instead of focusing on what's bothering you, take some time to focus on only your breathing. Close your eyes, and count to four as you breathe in. Count to four again as you breathe out. Place all your concentration on your breathing rather than your problem.

Sarah: Okay...what next?

Jenny: You can talk to someone about how you're feeling. Whether it's a friend or family member, taking a minute to talk about what's bothering you can help defuse the situation. It can also help you figure out what's actually bothering you. It can be difficult to say you're having a hard time if you're worried the person will judge you or make fun of you.

Sarah: What kind of people can I talk to?

Jenny: It's simple. You should find a trusted friend, family member, teacher, or counselor to share your thoughts with.

Sarah: I see. But what if I can't find anyone to talk to about how I'm feeling?

Jenny: Well, just step away from the problem. Sometimes, all it takes is to step away from the problem. If you can, try going outside for a few minutes to truly get away. Plus, being outside can help lower your tension. Tell the people you're with what you're doing, if you'd like. You can say something such as "I need to take a break right now. I'll be back in five minutes."

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Of course. Not only you can take a physical break, but you can also try to take a mental break. If you can't physically step away, try mentally refocusing. Think about something that made you very happy. You can think of a person, like a friend or a family member, and the happy memories you had with them. Alternatively, try thinking about your favorite vacation. Focus fully on that thought for several minutes, trying to draw up as many details of the memory as you can.

Sarah: Does that work?

Jenny: It certainly does. As you're taking a break, try to identify what emotion is triggering your tears and why. Take a moment to think about what you're actually feeling. By beginning to identify what's triggering your tears, you can calm yourself down and stop those tears more easily as you are better able to notice when the emotion is beginning. Try to notice what's going on in your body. For example, anger may make you frown, feel red or hot, or make your muscles feel tense. Sadness can make you feel "down" or "slow."

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: Whatever you do, you should never berate yourself. If you find yourself tearing up, don't start beating yourself up, because you'll only make yourself more upset, and it won't help the situation. Instead, try being accepting of yourself. For example, if you feel upset, tell yourself, "I feel upset right now. That's a natural emotion. It's okay to feel that way, but I can control my response to that feeling. I don't have to cry."

Sarah: Does that work?

Jenny: Yes, it does. Using positive thinking works as well. It can really hurt when people are unkind to you, and it can either make you angry or cause tears to show up.

Sarah: I know.

Jenny: But you should remember to examine what people have said to you in a way that's kind to yourself.

Sarah: How?

Jenny: For example, if someone has made fun of your new haircut, it would be natural to feel angry or hurt. Try reminding yourself that others' opinions of you don't matter; what matters is how you feel about yourself. You could say, "I feel hurt that my friend made fun of my outfit, but I like it. I don't have to feel bad that someone else doesn't like it." Tell yourself nice things in the mirror every morning. This will help build up your self-confidence, which can help you keep those tears in check. Tell yourself that you're strong and smart, and you can do this.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: Once you've learned how to manage your stress and negative in the short term, try to manage them in the long term.

Sarah: How am I gonna do that?

Jenny: Allow me to explain. First off, you should learn to say no. Sometimes, stress and too much emotion can simply come from stretching yourself too thin. Learn to say no to some of your commitments so you can fully commit to the other ones. The best way to say "no" is to just keep it simple. That is, don't offer explanations, just say "No, I'm sorry, I can't do that." You don't have to justify why you don't have the time to commit to something. But you don't have to say no all the way. For instance, if someone asks you to bake cupcakes for a bake sale, you could say that you don't have the time to bake them, but you would be willing to buy some if that was acceptable.

Sarah: Okay.

Jenny: The next thing you should do is practice time management. Don't let a list of tasks overwhelm you. Make a plan to get things done. Start with what's most important, and schedule time to get it done. Once you've started completing items on your list, you'll feel stress start to melt off.

Sarah: So, being able to get things done reduces stress?

Jenny: It does. You should also take some time each day to write. Writing in a journal about what you're feeling can be very cathartic. Over time, it can also help you learn what makes you upset, which can take some of the sting out of the situation. If you don't know where to begin, ask yourself what moments you enjoyed and what moments you didn't enjoy in your day. Look at what emotions contributed to each situation.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: If writing your thoughts doesn't seem like enough, you should try practicing meditation. Meditation can be as simple as learning to listen to your breathing. It's taking a step back from the world, taking your focus from your stress and relaxing your body. For instance, one type of meditation involves repeating a mantra over and over. A mantra is a short word or phrase that helps focus the mind. However, your mantra can be whatever you want. Concentrate on letting your thoughts go, concentrating on repeating that phrase over and over.

Sarah: That kind of does sound relaxing.

Jenny: It does. You can also try a repetitive hobby. Hobbies such as knitting or even solving jigsaw puzzles help you step away from your emotions. They are like meditation in that way, helping you clear your mind.

Sarah: Okay.

Jenny: But do you know what helps your mind and body other than meditation, writing, and taking up some new hobbies?

Sarah: I don't know. What is it?

Jenny: Getting some exercise. You should try to exercise more often, because exercise is a great way to manage stress. For one, you get lost in the motion, and it becomes a form of meditation, helping you forget what's wrong. In addition, it ups your endorphins, which make you feel better about life. Aim for 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week, if you're exercising moderately.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: The next thing is that you should confront your friends when you get upset.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Well, sometimes, it's not you that hurt your feelings. Sometimes, it's the people you hang out with that hurt your feelings. The next time you find yourself in a situation where someone makes you feel hurt, tell that person. You can't make the situation better if you don't say something. It may be hard to get the words out, but the words don't need to be anything special. All you have to say is, "What you [did or said] hurt me, and I would appreciate it if you don't do it again."

Sarah: Oh.

Jenny: You should also try to surround yourself with better people. If you're constantly feeling put-down by the people around you, you may need to get new friends. Of course, give the people around you a chance to change. However, if they repeatedly hurt you, maybe it's time to find some new friends.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: Now let's talk about how you can identify the cause of your tears. Are you listening?

Sarah: Yes, Jenny. I am listening.

Jenny: Good. Now, listen carefully. First, you should determine whether you are being bullied. Bullies, whether at school, work, or the playground, can make you feel like crying. Fortunately, there are people you can turn to for help if you're being bullied. Allow me to explain all the signs of bullying.

Sarah: What are the signs of bullying?

Jenny: Someone uses his or her power over you to control or hurt you. For example, a much larger kid at school pushes you around, or someone uses personal information about you to get you to do things you don't want to do. A bully might also isolate you from friends or keep you from getting to do things at school. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. Physical bullying includes things like hitting, pushing, and tripping. Verbal bullying includes things like teasing and name-calling. Social bullying includes things like leaving you out of things, telling other kids not to be friends with you, and intentionally embarrassing you. If these things happen to you on a regular basis, you may be being bullied. Talk to a trusted parent, friend, or counselor for help. Don't try to confront the bully yourself; you could put yourself in danger. Even your "friends" can bully you. Good friends will be kind and supportive. Teasing will be playful, not malicious, and real friends will stop teasing if you ask them to. If you generally feel bad when hanging out with your friends, it may be a sign that they aren't really your friends.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: You should try to push deeper. Sometimes, your surface emotions are covering up something much deeper. Push to see if some other emotion is below, and what is causing that emotion. Maybe you're crying when someone criticizes you, but what's really bothering you is something to do with your boyfriend or someone like that. If you can figure out what's really bothering you, you can take steps to improve the situation, such as having a serious discussion with the person.

Sarah: Really?

Jenny: Yes. Next, you should look for signs of stress. Being stressed can cause you to feel more emotions and act out on them more. For instance, you may find yourself feeling more anxious or irritable, and you may find yourself crying more often. You might also be more anxious in general and find yourself getting angry at people more easily. You could also have physical symptoms, such as not being able to sleep well, having headaches, feeling extra tired, and being more susceptible to sickness.

Sarah: Hmm, that seems to make sense, because I sometimes get teary-eyed when I feel sick or get really anxious.

Jenny: You should also pay attention to your cycle. Since you're a woman, your tears could be related to your menstrual cycle. Some women experience premenstrual syndrome, which can start a week or two before your period. It's most likely related to hormones. This syndrome can cause you to feel emotionally unbalanced while it is going on, including inducing tears.

Sarah: Uh...Do you really think that ears are caused by my menstrual cycle?

Jenny: Well, for some women they are. You should also watch for deeper causes. Uncontrollable emotions, especially if they are constant, could be a sign of something a little more serious. For instance, it's possible you could be clinically depressed or have an anxiety disorder. If you feel like you cry too much and you have other symptoms for long periods of time, talk to a doctor about it. Symptoms that could be more serious include pervasive anxiety, constantly feeling afraid or like something bad is going to happen, feeling detached from life, feeling continually sad, or always feeling bad about yourself.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: So, do you understand how you can control your negative emotions now?

Sarah: Yeah, I guess so. Jenny, can I ask you something?

Jenny: Certainly. What is your question?

Sarah: Have you ever gotten angry or cried over problems you've had in your life?

Jenny: No. Never. Not even once.

Sarah: Really? You've never had?

Jenny: Not at all. In fact, I hardly show any emotion, and I'm always able to keep myself together in any situation.

Sarah: Whoa...that's so weird.

Jenny: It may seem weird, but it's one of the reasons why I'm mature.

Sarah: Jenny, how do you know so much about controlling emotions when you rarely show any emotion at all?

Jenny: Well, the reason why I'm calm and collected all the time is because I know how to keep myself under control. I've observed and read about some of the problems that people have in their lives and how they're able to solve them and control their emotions easily. That's part of what being mature is all about.

Sarah: Oh...so, it isn't as weird as I think it is.

Jenny: No, it's not. To me, it's perfectly normal.

Sarah: I guess so. Maybe I should be more in control of my emotions, both negative and positive. Jenny: Well, with the help of my advice and some time and practice, you'll be able to control your emotions easier. Sarah: You're right. I guess I will.

Jenny: Another thing I'm concerned about is your nutrition.

Sarah: My nutrition? How come?

Jenny: Well, it seems to me that you've been eating from too many fast food restaurants. You've been binging on foods that are fried, full of sugar, and full of fat for a little too long.

Sarah: I have?

Jenny: Well, yes, according to my studies. I looked at a few of some of those pictures of you in real life, and in those pictures, you don't seem to look like you're in good shape.

Sarah: Why?

Jenny: Because in those pictures, you look a little overweight. I believe the reason why you're not in good shape is because you eat so much fast food and don't exercise very often.

Sarah: Yeah, I am kinda fat, and I like fast food...so, what's so wrong about that?

Jenny: Well, I think it's about time that you started getting fit. Getting some exercise and having a healthy diet are some good ways to lose weight.

Sarah: Uh, Jenny?

Jenny: Yes, Sarah?

Sarah: I know I need to eat healthier, but I don't think that would be easy.

Jenny: Why is that?

Sarah: Well, to be honest, I don't think I'll be able to go for a week without having fast food in my diet, because I'm probably something like 95% chicken nugget.

Jenny: I see. That could mean that you're having a bit of trouble maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.

Sarah: Yeah, I guess so. So, how can I lose weight and make my diet a little healthier?

Jenny: Well, I shall explain. Are you listening?

Sarah: I am.

Jenny: Good. The first step to losing weight is by jumpstarting your metabolism.

Sarah: Okay...how do I do that?

Jenny: First, you should always eat a healthy breakfast. It might seem counterproductive to eat if you're trying to lose weight, but studies show that eating breakfast within an hour of waking up keeps your insulin levels steadier and your LDL cholesterol levels lower.



Sarah: I see.

Jenny: You should also take some time to decompress. Research indicates that the secretion of cortisol (a hormone your body that produces during times of stress) is correlated with an increase in belly fat. I'll explain some strategies for combating everyday stress. Most people need at least seven or eight hours of sleep every night. Stop using screens, such as computers and tablets, thirty minutes before bedtime to ensure the best quality of sleep. Set aside time to relax. Even if it's only fifteen minutes on your lunch break, find time to simply close your eyes, breathe deeply, and forget your worries. Keep anything that stresses you away from where you sleep as much as is practically possible. Keep your work space and bedroom separate. Resolve to leave your worries behind as soon as you step into your bedroom.

Sarah: Okay.

Jenny: You should aim to take 10,000 steps a day. In one study where men reduced their daily steps from about 10,000 to less than 1,500 (without changing their diet), their visceral fat increased by 7% after just two weeks. Try to walk everywhere within a reasonable distance. Walk to work, school, or the grocery store if possible. Get a pedometer and try to increase the number of daily steps you take. Take stairs instead of elevators, and walk instead of driving. Stand up and walk for thirty steps every thirty minutes. If you have a sedentary job, consider getting a treadmill desk or stand-up desk.

Sarah: So I should take a walk daily?

Jenny: Well, to put it simply, yes.

Sarah: At least 10,000 steps a day?

Jenny: That's right.

Sarah: Hmm, that doesn't sound too hard.

Jenny: It's not at all. The next thing you should do is switch out refined grains for whole grains. In a scientific study, people who ate all whole grains (in addition to five servings of fruits and vegetables, three servings of low-fat dairy, and two servings of lean meat, fish, or poultry) lost more belly fat than another group that ate the same diet, but with all refined grains. Whole grains are high in fiber, which makes you feel full longer. This will help you eat less, which will help you lose weight. Avoid white grains. For instance, eat brown wheat bread instead of over-processed white bread, and favor wild brown rice over white rice.

Sarah: I see.

Jenny: Most importantly, you should drink plenty of water. Studies suggest that consistently drinking water throughout the day can lead to a more active metabolism, regardless of dieting. Drinking more water also helps your body flush out waste/toxins and improves your overall health. Aim to drink an 8-oz. glass of water 8 times per day, or sixty-four ounces total. Carry a water bottle so that you can drink whenever you feel thirsty. You need to know how to tell when you're sufficiently hydrated. You'll know you're drinking enough water when your urine runs light yellow or almost clear. If it's darker than a post-it note, drink more. Significantly reduce sugary drinks, like sweet tea, Kool Aide, fruit punch, fruit juice, Coke, 7-Up, and Pepsi, and carbonated beverages.

Sarah: The way I should tell I'm hydrated sounds kind of gross...but I don't think drinking plenty of water should be a problem.

Jenny: No, it's not a problem at all. Drinking water throughout the day will give you a more active metabolism and ill keep you hydrated.

Sarah: Hmm, maybe I should start drinking more water.

Part 6: Trying New Things
Jenny: What I'm also concerned about is that you're not trying anything new.

Sarah: Like what?

Jenny: Well, you're always listening to retro musicians instead of modern musicians. You spend way too much time watching your favorite movies and TV shows, making random videos on GoAnimate, and playing video games. You need to stop spending so much time staring at a screen. It's not good for you.

Sarah: It's not?

Jenny: No, it's not. You need to spend more time reading books and doing something creative than watching TV or playing video games all the time.

Sarah: How come?

Jenny: Because you need to exercise your brain. See, your brain is like a muscle, and if you don't exercise it by reading or doing something creative, it will get very weak and turn to mush. If you spend all your time watching TV and playing video games, you're basically going to be a mindless zombie for the rest of your life. You don't want that, do you?

Sarah: Um...no.

Jenny: Well, then you should spend more time reading or drawing.

Sarah: But, I don't think I'm very good at drawing, and the only books I read are fairy tales.

Jenny: Well, maybe it's time you learned how to draw and read more books than just fairy tales.

Sarah: But, what kind of books?

Jenny: Well, there are lots of books that can interest you. Mystery books, fantasy books, science fiction books, comic books, you name it.

Sarah: But Jenny, if you're gonna make me read a lot of books, how should I keep track of the books that I read?

Jenny: Well, the best way to keep track of the books you've read is by making a reading list.

Sarah: How?

Jenny:



Sarah: You mean, I can't play my favorite video games or watch my favorite movies, cartoons, and anime all the time?

Jenny: No, you can't. You must take a break from your favorite things from time to time and try something new for a change. You should try other things, or some things that are similar to what you like.

Sarah: Really?

Conclusion
Jenny: Listen, Sarah, I'm not doing this to be mean. I'm only trying to help you. You've chained yourself to childhood for far too long, and I want to set you free and enter adulthood the proper way. I want you to get better at working on wikis properly and improve your writing, while also maturing and becoming an adult. I want to help you the best that I can.

Sarah: You're right...I guess I do need help.

(Sarah gets up from her chair and begins to leave, but Jenny stops her as she's about to open the door)

Jenny: Wait, Sarah. There's only one more thing I want to tell you.

Sarah: What is it, Jenny?

Sarah: Is that all?

Jenny: Yes, Sarah. That's all I have. You may leave now.

(Sarah leaves the room)

Sebastian: Sarah, thank you for listening to Jenny. I hope you've learned a few things after having this discussion with her.

Sarah: I think I have. I'm still learning, but I hope she understands...because, I want to understand. I'm not in a big rush to grow up and advance toward maturity, but I guess Jenny was right. I think that, with a little practice and some time to try new things, I'll be able to hold on to the advice that she gave me for a long time.

Sebastian: Sure it does.

Postscript Notes
Sarah, now that you've finished reading this page, now might be a good time to have a look at some other pages I made for you.

First, take the test to see what you have learned so far.

Then, take a look at the list of things I want you to try.

Click here to take a test to see what you've learned so far.

Click here to see the list of things I would like you to try (It's a lot longer than this page, but it's still worth reading).

If you think that the page mentioned above will be too long to read, here's the shorter, more simplified version.