This is to encourage discussion about the wrap-up exercise we did not have time to discuss in class today.
What similar ideas did you hear expressed?
What new ideas did you hear that you had not thought about before?
What else struck you are particularly interesting or useful about the ideas expressed in the wrap-up exercise?
Respond to any of these questions or others of you own as you wish!
I believe that, in general, the things we are taking from class are - 1) each author brought something unique to class for us to learn from, 2) there's a writer in each one of us, whether we know it or not, 3) authors must write from the heart, and nothing can stand in their way.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's in agreement when I say that there are many "small" aspects of this class that accumulate into one, big lesson - writing is a way of life, and each one of us can do it in our own ways. While some stick to "write what you know", I think other authors have emphasized the opposite, that is, write what comes to mind (and be good at it, but that always takes work, right?).
From this class, I've learned that
ReplyDelete1) It's vitally important to read: any genre, any author, good books, bad books, bestsellers, self-published, just start reading and keep reading. This is important for all people but ESPECIALLY writers, because that's how you learn what good (and bad) writing looks like. I know that as college students, non-school reading can get pushed down to the bottom of the priority list but I believe you can make time if you *want* time. Just shut down the computer for a while and start reading.
2) I gained a lot of appreciation for Albuquerque/New Mexico, for its many facets of culture(s) and natural beauty, from north to south, from past to present. Thanks to V.B. Price, I have decided to go on a trip to Chaco Canyon with my friends next spring or summer to go stargazing.
3) It was interesting to continually learn how and why certain people became authors in the first place, and what keeps them motivated. I was also particularly interested in Daniel Abraham's advice to stay flexible, to be able to write any prompt that comes at you with a paycheck, as a career writer, versus someone like Kate Horsley, who was writing down her soul and truth.
I noticed that a few people mentioned Horsley's advice to tell the truth, and although I hadn't ever thought about that, it makes a lot of sense. People can tell when an author is phoning it in for the sake of shock value or whatever reason. Even when you write the most fantastical fiction with outrageous characters, you still need to be truthful and honest about the storyline and the appropriate emotions and/or reactions that accompany it.
The three things I took away from this course are 1) adding truth to writing, 2) write what you like to write about, & 3) find time.
ReplyDeleteI think all of us agreed we learned a lot about writing from the authors, and that we want to spend more time writing and reading. I also like what you said Jaime that there is a writer in each of us. I know I generally don’t think of myself as a writer, but after writing my play I feel like I can write and will want to continue to write. I think we also agree on the beauty that New Mexico has and the different genres of stories that can be told here.
I think several people mentioned appreciating New Mexico more as well as finding Kate Horsley's advice useful (to tell the truth when writing). I think what Horsley said was great, and I did try to apply it to my own writing for my creative project, but I think there are plenty of authors out there who would disagree, and it works for them. So the biggest thing I learned is that writing is what you take from it.
ReplyDeleteI already knew that reading was essential, but I think I'm a bit more open to trying different books now. I will try to read more of different kinds of books from now on. My favorite genres are still my favorites, but I want to give other stuff a try now, too.