January 13, 2005
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There’s hope: I went to get help. I just got back from my first writing class. I’d seen this class, in the catalogue that came out a couple months ago, from the community college. But it was on such a whim that I went. I looked at the clock and it was 5:45. Surely class wouldn’t start that soon. I couldn’t remember what day of the week it was being offered. I went to find the catalogue and it said Wednesday at 6:00. If I hadn’t opened and read those first, few pages from that book, I never would have gone. The funny thing is that once I got into it I didn’t even really like her writing. But she had a good beginning, which taught me that it’s a good idea to snare the reader by putting your best character, your best foot forward.
Since I started writing I quit reading and that’s such a bad idea. I marvel at how you all seem to be reading all the time. Now that I say that I realize I am reading constantly, and learning, too, from all of you. But if you’re trying to write a novel, it only makes sense to read good ones and see what it is that makes them good.
I can’t tell you how exciting this is. I guess I thought this particular college was going to be a joke, but the teacher was great and there was this older guy, sitting in the back, who just blew me away. The assignment was to read a couple things by Poe and they were discussing them when this guy in the back launches into something the teacher suggested might be more typical of a grad school or doctorate program. The other cool thing was that half the class was older than I.
The best thing, though, was that this 18-year-old, Zoey something — My notes are in the car — who wrote “Don’t Kill the Freshman,” when she was 14, paid us a visit. She read from her book and talked about how she got it published. It was just like what we do here. She just kept a journal, and she called it a “chat book.” I’d never heard of that, have you? She also read something she wrote about Thanksgiving. Anyway, I found it encouraging.
Hearing her read aloud made me want to focus on what my words sound like. When he talked about how Poe used repetition to slow down the pace and things like “what was the resolution?” I immediately thought about my story. Do you all map out your pyramid before you write your story? I remember Pina_la_Nina talking about the pyramid.
You have no idea what a relief it is to have found this class. And to get to sit around with people and talk about writing — I’M IN HEAVEN! You know I just went back and read this and a real writer wouldn’t gush like this but I can’t help it. I’M SO EXCITED!
Comments (9)
Maybe I should take a writing course. I’ve learned that it’s always good to catch the reader with the first sentence if possible. You gotta grab ‘em. But I never map out what I will write, although I usually have a conclusion/resolution in mind when I start writing. If I don’t, my writing gets too sloppy. I need som kind of goal in mind…
wow
you make me as well wamt to take such a course.
I love your excitement here and I wish I had more free
time.
I think maybe the “girl” was referring to a chapbook
which is quite considered for your first write…
Your novel is going to be great for you already have the skills
to keep the writer spellbound and drawn into your words
this makes for a excellent writer and an interestd reader
u think?
I *smile*
looks like i missed a post here
will have to backtrack
‘to sit around with people and talk about writing’, sounds great. You already write so well.
I do not map out what I write. Sometimes that happens automatically.
A chapbook was a usually religious book of tracts, inspirational poems, moralistic short stories, all very basic. Interesting concept.
Wow, I’m so impressed! I’ve thought and thought about doing a writing class or workshop type thing and I keep holding back because I fear I’ll lose whatever originality I have a fragile hold on. I’ll start listening to someone tell me to write this way or that way or try this or that and I’ll forget where I was going on my own. Maybe if I was doing a novel – which is an amazing goal – I’d feel different. That’s super that you’re writing a whole novel. You go girl!
i have a timeline, character notes, sketches, research, and a plotline for all complicated stories… (i teach my kids to do story mapping and it’s worked for a few writers who’ve had continunity problems- we all do tho’…. that’s why we edit) and i don’t read novels when i write bc i am too influenced by writing styles, etc… i read like an insane person between stories and i do a ton of research reading- on everything from what crows eat to shoes so it feels real….
a writing class isn’t a bad idea- i’ve only taught them to kids in grade school, but a writer’s group is critical. i haven’t attended a real-world one more than once or twice for an assortment of reasons, but i depend on my online writers. they critique my stuff, discuss better strategies, and i do theirs. if you’re gonna be serious about writing- i recommend you find a writers group or make your own!
I am an avid reader here as well as just everywekend
I know when I have found someone that has a talent
I don’t think I would make my way here everyday
can’t you tell?
and the copyright was grey…it is now visible…
u are quite sharp for i always make it the color of the page
to blend in…
Thanks always for your comments…to me they mean the world
dorothea
Sounds wonderful. Kudos to you for going. It’s a brave thing.
The class sounds wonderful, sometimes you just need the energy of being with people who write and talk about it and question how it’s done. Had to think about the pyramid thing – you mean that story arc my 4th grade teacher insisted upon? That everything builds to climax and then resolves. I’m not sure how true that is in the modern short story. I don’t map before I write but during to keep all the plot threads in line, I found index cards wonderful for that so you can move the players and plot elements around until things click.