The concept of writing a story as "stories within the story" is one with which I can identify. The battle of determining what voice your character is going to have and whether or not the story will be told in first or third person can sometimes boil down to personal preference. What I am finding out more and more on my writing journey is that a writer must pick the narration style that best suits the delivery of the message within a work. First person come more naturally to me, but when I start one story in the mind of a three year old it doesn't really work. So, do I switch to third and then shift to first when my character comes of age? What Prose and pretty much every other book about writing will tell you is that you can do pretty much anything you want. That's the beauty of writing - freedom.
We also learned about interviewing strategies fir our author interview paper. I was very excited to learn that my undergraduate professor, Susan Hubbard, has agreed to let me interview her. I am currently putting together the questions and can't wait to see what she has to say. She is an extremely gifted writer and has the ability to create character driven stories versus plot driven stories. I am really looking forward to the interview.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
What a bad Friday!
This is entirely unrelated to the class, but it's been a not-so-good day. I made a boy cry this afternoon. He was goofing off in the hall and I have warned him several times to stop. I caught him today and finally gave him silent lunch - for a middle schooler a death sentence would seem like a bargain in this case. I went over to him and explained why he was there and that I was disappointed in his behavior and the tears started welling. I feel TERRIBLE. Even though he deserved it - I don't like to see little boys cry. :o(
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Francine Prose: Words & Sentences & Paragraphs, OH MY!
What is there to say really about words, sentences, and paragraphs? Paragraphs are made up of sentences, and sentences are made up of words. In order to write literature that speaks to the reader the steeping of words into sentences and eventually paragraphs can make the difference between a page-turner and a total dud. Writers that are able to manipulate the English language and literally make their work "sing", are the authors that will continually be studied and admired.
In addition to the importance of words, sentences, and paragraphs, it is also important to read closely. By closely, I mean paying attention to what is really being said; the actual language and its construction. Too often, finishing a book becomes a task, but it should be something to savor and enjoy until the very last drop (or word, I guess). Close reading is a technique that most younger readers do not employ. They see the next book as a notch in the reading log for their Language Arts teacher - no appreciation exists. Oh, say it isn't so. Unfortunately, it is the cold hard truth.
In addition to Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer, we also checked out the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All you writers out there - run...run fast. If you plan on owning a private jet one day - unless you are Dan Brown - the odds are not in your favor. Certain jobs, again if in the right place at the right time, can be lucrative (such as screen writing, ghost writing), however, you already have to have some sort of reputation established in order to break out. Screen writing, for example, is an endless game of query letter after query letter. Unless you win a Nichol Fellowship or some other big script contest, it is pretty difficult to get noticed.
One great aspect of having a degree in an English related field is that you can always teach. But only if it's something you enjoy. There is nothing worse than a "jobber" who shows up for the pay check and really deep down despises the job - trust me - kids are smarter than that and can smell the BS before you get out of your car in the parking lot.
In addition to the importance of words, sentences, and paragraphs, it is also important to read closely. By closely, I mean paying attention to what is really being said; the actual language and its construction. Too often, finishing a book becomes a task, but it should be something to savor and enjoy until the very last drop (or word, I guess). Close reading is a technique that most younger readers do not employ. They see the next book as a notch in the reading log for their Language Arts teacher - no appreciation exists. Oh, say it isn't so. Unfortunately, it is the cold hard truth.
In addition to Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer, we also checked out the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All you writers out there - run...run fast. If you plan on owning a private jet one day - unless you are Dan Brown - the odds are not in your favor. Certain jobs, again if in the right place at the right time, can be lucrative (such as screen writing, ghost writing), however, you already have to have some sort of reputation established in order to break out. Screen writing, for example, is an endless game of query letter after query letter. Unless you win a Nichol Fellowship or some other big script contest, it is pretty difficult to get noticed.
One great aspect of having a degree in an English related field is that you can always teach. But only if it's something you enjoy. There is nothing worse than a "jobber" who shows up for the pay check and really deep down despises the job - trust me - kids are smarter than that and can smell the BS before you get out of your car in the parking lot.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Blog Post 1 - Test Run
Surprisingly, I have never blogged before - seems like something everyone should have done at some point in this new age of technology, but, alas, this will be my first blog. If it's anything like I think it is (stream of consciousness about XYZ topic) I will probably enjoy it. I will be posting my thoughts about the Week 1 readings shortly; just wanted to give this a test run before typing it all up and having it disappear into cyberspace.
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