Monday, March 28, 2011
Week 11: Great Hits!
Hello class You submitted some fantastic work last week. :-) Continue on with your reading and writing, and check out the following posts by your classmates. Week 11: Great Hits Jesse's "There's Always Money in the Banana Stand" http://cynicalgraycrayon.blogspot.com/2011/03/33-theres-always-money-in-banana-stand_24.html Jesse's voice in his writing is so familiar to us at this point in the semester, yet still so effective. His original, yet consistent, style allows for all of his posts to feel as though they are scenes from a single "movie" or book. I love this post. In it, Jesse describes a scene with a friend he'd rather not be seeing. Rather than coming off as a judgmental, Jesse creates a thoughtful persona which depicts well his own vulnerability in the situation. It's an observant, efficiently written, beautifully edited post about being the odd-guy out in an unsavory situation. Excellent work, Jesse! John's "Unusual Place" prompt response http://jasmit8.blogspot.com/2011/03/writing-prompt-33-unsual-place.html The richness of detail in this post makes John's "unusual place" come to life. And it certainly is unusual, if not for the fact that John's ability to guide us through this space makes it feel extraordinarily normal. He is a witness to our prison system. Writing about a subject like this one is not just interesting, it's important. I think of other effective guides in literature... Plato, guiding us through Socrates' dialogues, or Virgil leading us through Dante's "Inferno"... John has a similar presence in the prison landscape. You did a wonderful job, John. Katie's, "The Inescapable" http://xkatie-ann.blogspot.com/2011/03/inescapable-prompt-33.html I love the scene created in this post! It is accessible, especially for students, because nervousness before/during classroom presentations is such a familiar feeling. (I feel it, too... every time I teach. I tell students that their general facial expressions range between the looks of boredom and hatred in an effort to get them to lighten up. It doesn't really work.) I also love the introductory line: "Many things make me uncomfortable." Beginning with this type of opening paragraph allows readers to feel a sense of closeness and friendliness with the writer. This is a great feeling to create. This post is one of your best, Katie. Great work! Kayla's "Lunch Time and the Anxious Consumer" http://kbailey-danceintherain.blogspot.com/2011/03/lunch-time-and-anxious-consumer-prompt.html Like Katie's post, Kayla's is another scene that's accessible, familiar, descriptive, and loveable for those reasons. In it, she develops a considerate characterization about the anxiety of lunchtime. It works well for readers because the "you" address allows us to project certain personal anxieties into the scene described, and because it allows Kayla to get away with a gorgeous set of final lines: "You are the anxious consumer - I understand. Every lunch time, I'm right there with you." Thanks for sharing this, Kayla! This is a great post! Writing Tip of the Week What Helps You Write? Just as it's useful to reflect on craft, style, and topics as you pursue your writing, it's also tremendously useful to think about what helps you write. For instance, it's difficult for me to step away from my writing once I start, so I do best if I eat before I write. That way, even if I refuse to step away from my laptop, my eyes don't start getting blurry from lack of nutrients as one, two, three, or even four hours pass me by. One of my writer friends once threw his back out because he was sitting at his computer too much while writing a novel. Sometimes it's important to stretch, drink water, go for a walk, or otherwise. Think about what things help you to write. Does it help you to talk out an idea with a friend before you type anything out? Does it help you to take a shower, turn off your cellphone, light a candle, smell a peach, stare at a lampshade, or turn on the television? Does it help you to work in silence, or in a busy coffee shop? Creating the best scenarios for yourself as a writer will help to make writing feel less like work and more like the treat that it is. Happy Writing! :-) -AP
Monday, March 21, 2011
Week 10: Welcome Back from Spring Break
Hi Class,
Welcome back!
This week, you'll continue on with course assignments listed under the "Week 10 Checklist" on your course calendar.
Keep in mind that I'm available to assist you as you continue to write and complete work for this class... be in touch if you'd like to schedule a meeting, or if you'd like to check in on grades.
Happy writing!
-AP
Writing Tip of the Week
Don't Be Afraid to Write What's Real
Authenticity is one of the most likeable traits of excellent nonfiction writing. Readers love to feel that their writer is reliable, honest, and true-to-life in their depictions and persona. Because of that, it's important that you maintain a sense of who you are as you write about your life. There's no need to write like anyone but yourself, and no need to water down the language of characters that appear in your writing. Eventually, you'll learn to pare down excess on your own, or thanks to the advice of your readers and editors. If you do feel insecure about whether your topics, ideas, or language are offensive or otherwise problematic, feel free to check in with me and receive some feedback.
Great Hits from Week 8
Alyssa's "The Art of Persuasion"
http://thebassyla.blogspot.com/2011/03/art-of-persuasion-prompt-27.html
Alyssa's tone in "The Art of Persuasion" created a sense of irony and satire that made this post delightful to read. The language in this post is objective and academic, yet the points themselves are humorous in context. I don't think we've seen satirical writing in this class yet, so it's exciting to read a first example. I especially love her point that persuasion is decidedly "Un-American". That claim is often thrown around in political arguments in ambiguous and emotional ways, so in this piece, it stands out as particularly satirical and funny. Well done, Alyssa!
Brandon's "Calm Persuasion: Don't Panic"
http://truthinessbroadcast.blogspot.com/2011/03/calm-persuasion-dont-panic.html
This post goes in so many directions that I had to re-read it three times... however, it's very amusing. I'd like to point out the potential that can arise out of this sort of unhibited freewriting. Towards the beginning of this post, Brandon reveals an opportunity to analyze the effects of the phrase "Don't Panic" in an original and associative way. Towards the end of the post, we are given an opportunity to meditate on the virtues of zombies. Where else do we get original topics like these if not through free-writing? :-) I could see Brandon taking any one of the ideas from this post and developing it into a quirky and fun final essay. Great work, Brandon!
Chelsee's "Hey Father..."
http://chelsee926.blogspot.com/2011/03/hey-father-i-can-always-give-him-check.html
A few weeks ago, we read Chelsee's story about meeting her biological father for the first time. In this post, she develops just one aspect of the previous story into a vivid scene. We can appreciate the further developed characterization, and even the great photo at the end of the piece. Best of all, we have an opportunity to "hear" voices. Reading dialogue spoken by Chelsee's father allows us to get to know him even more thoroughly. It's an enjoyable post to read. Thanks, Chelsee!
Jamie's "One of Those Talks"
http://flawedifnotfree72.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-of-those-talks.html
I'm impressed with Jamie's ability to turn dialogue into a sufficient story, with a satisfying beginning, middle, and end. Whereas the topic of the scene isn't necessarily original, her style of writing creates renewed interest. I like Jamie's lack of description as to context, character, setting, etc. There's a sense that the dialogue itself is sufficient, and that the reconciliation resolves the conflict of the piece enough to provide closure. Good job, Jamie!
Welcome back!
This week, you'll continue on with course assignments listed under the "Week 10 Checklist" on your course calendar.
Keep in mind that I'm available to assist you as you continue to write and complete work for this class... be in touch if you'd like to schedule a meeting, or if you'd like to check in on grades.
Happy writing!
-AP
Writing Tip of the Week
Don't Be Afraid to Write What's Real
Authenticity is one of the most likeable traits of excellent nonfiction writing. Readers love to feel that their writer is reliable, honest, and true-to-life in their depictions and persona. Because of that, it's important that you maintain a sense of who you are as you write about your life. There's no need to write like anyone but yourself, and no need to water down the language of characters that appear in your writing. Eventually, you'll learn to pare down excess on your own, or thanks to the advice of your readers and editors. If you do feel insecure about whether your topics, ideas, or language are offensive or otherwise problematic, feel free to check in with me and receive some feedback.
Great Hits from Week 8
Alyssa's "The Art of Persuasion"
http://thebassyla.blogspot.com/2011/03/art-of-persuasion-prompt-27.html
Alyssa's tone in "The Art of Persuasion" created a sense of irony and satire that made this post delightful to read. The language in this post is objective and academic, yet the points themselves are humorous in context. I don't think we've seen satirical writing in this class yet, so it's exciting to read a first example. I especially love her point that persuasion is decidedly "Un-American". That claim is often thrown around in political arguments in ambiguous and emotional ways, so in this piece, it stands out as particularly satirical and funny. Well done, Alyssa!
Brandon's "Calm Persuasion: Don't Panic"
http://truthinessbroadcast.blogspot.com/2011/03/calm-persuasion-dont-panic.html
This post goes in so many directions that I had to re-read it three times... however, it's very amusing. I'd like to point out the potential that can arise out of this sort of unhibited freewriting. Towards the beginning of this post, Brandon reveals an opportunity to analyze the effects of the phrase "Don't Panic" in an original and associative way. Towards the end of the post, we are given an opportunity to meditate on the virtues of zombies. Where else do we get original topics like these if not through free-writing? :-) I could see Brandon taking any one of the ideas from this post and developing it into a quirky and fun final essay. Great work, Brandon!
Chelsee's "Hey Father..."
http://chelsee926.blogspot.com/2011/03/hey-father-i-can-always-give-him-check.html
A few weeks ago, we read Chelsee's story about meeting her biological father for the first time. In this post, she develops just one aspect of the previous story into a vivid scene. We can appreciate the further developed characterization, and even the great photo at the end of the piece. Best of all, we have an opportunity to "hear" voices. Reading dialogue spoken by Chelsee's father allows us to get to know him even more thoroughly. It's an enjoyable post to read. Thanks, Chelsee!
Jamie's "One of Those Talks"
http://flawedifnotfree72.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-of-those-talks.html
I'm impressed with Jamie's ability to turn dialogue into a sufficient story, with a satisfying beginning, middle, and end. Whereas the topic of the scene isn't necessarily original, her style of writing creates renewed interest. I like Jamie's lack of description as to context, character, setting, etc. There's a sense that the dialogue itself is sufficient, and that the reconciliation resolves the conflict of the piece enough to provide closure. Good job, Jamie!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 8: New Writers' Groups
Hi class!
Midway through the semester, I'm amazed by the pages and pages of writing you've created. Your Writer's Journals are packed with reflections about great examples of published creative nonfiction, and your blogs are full of stories, memories, thoughts, and ideas. I'm also grateful that you've connected so well in group response! This week, you'll meet even more of your wonderful classmates. Congratulations: these are the folks you're lucky enough to work with through the end of the semester. Enjoy it!!
Writing Tip of the Week:
Choosing Great Topics
You may have noticed, while reading Susan Orlean, that nonfiction essays are not always personal to the self, or modified by personal opinion. Sometimes, great topics are the ones we discover, which have nothing at all to do with us. Having a certain degree of objectivity can give us an advantage as we write... whereas subjects we're close to can sometimes be harder to tell (because it's difficult to leave details out, or tedious to write all details in), it can be much easier to manage sufficiency of information and detail (without over- or under-doing it) when relating topics that are less personal to us. For instance, Orlean has also written about orchid hunting, taxidermy, and what the life of a ten year old boy is like. What are some topics you'd like to explore? Are there any that are, perhaps, less personal to you, that engage you all the same? Widening your field of possibilities as you consider topics gives you an opportunity to speak, without always speaking about yourself. This can be a relief to writers of personal essays!
WEEK 7's GREATEST LICKS
Here are some phenomenal single lines from your writing.
Alyssa: "[The bar] is like a good date: low-key, inexpensive, and care-free."
Brandon: "[When the gates open], it's like popping a balloon; all of the pressure is expelled and people walk freely to the security checkpoints."
Chelsee: "Arizona State University sold their bookstore to an outside company for many reasons that I am too low on the pay scale to know."
Jamie: "You think you've got freeways where you come from? You should see the ones we have here."
Jesus: "I hate social gatherings because whenever I'm surrounded by people, I imagine that everyone has come together to celebrate my accomplishments, and I always end up leaving dissappointed, no accolades to show for my exhausting efforts at socialization."
John: "This writing is supposed to focus on others per the assignment directions but I must briefly describe my heroic measures."
Katie: "Before me sat an old and rough looking man. Tattered clothes, dirt stains, and a rainbow of paint stuck to him."
Kayla: "We had just come from mini-golfing, and Mike had proven to us all that baseball wasn't the only sport you can strike out in."
Kimberly: "To offer a perspective of the size and scope of Comic-Con... the widely publicized 2008 Democratic National Convention, held in Denver, and the Republican Convention, held in Minneapolis... drew crowds of approximately 50,000 visitors each. Comic-con annually draws two and a half times this many visitors."
Nynn: "Now I have to admit, when I orginally though of NASCAR, I thought of rednecks and beer as well as Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights..."
Matt: "The circus of vice was capped by an electric sky."
Miranda: "... as of late, [Rhianna] seems to be forcing her strength rather than actually finding it."
Nicola: "With my family there has never been enough men to do a lot of the hauling of the water or the chopping of the wood or gathering of the coal."
Rebecca: "Upon entering Rawhide, there is not much to see. One kicks up thick patches of dirt and first sees a board that is used for throwing knives, but never seems to be in use."
Skylar: "Not until I made this decision to grow up did I realize just how much I needed to grow up."
Leena: "From the eight row up, I can hardly see the teacher's aid and the professor, let alone what they choose to be pertinent information that goes up on the white board with a dying white-erase marker."
Great work, everyone!
Continue on with your calendar this week, and afterwards, have a very happy Spring Break!
-AP
Midway through the semester, I'm amazed by the pages and pages of writing you've created. Your Writer's Journals are packed with reflections about great examples of published creative nonfiction, and your blogs are full of stories, memories, thoughts, and ideas. I'm also grateful that you've connected so well in group response! This week, you'll meet even more of your wonderful classmates. Congratulations: these are the folks you're lucky enough to work with through the end of the semester. Enjoy it!!
Writing Tip of the Week:
Choosing Great Topics
You may have noticed, while reading Susan Orlean, that nonfiction essays are not always personal to the self, or modified by personal opinion. Sometimes, great topics are the ones we discover, which have nothing at all to do with us. Having a certain degree of objectivity can give us an advantage as we write... whereas subjects we're close to can sometimes be harder to tell (because it's difficult to leave details out, or tedious to write all details in), it can be much easier to manage sufficiency of information and detail (without over- or under-doing it) when relating topics that are less personal to us. For instance, Orlean has also written about orchid hunting, taxidermy, and what the life of a ten year old boy is like. What are some topics you'd like to explore? Are there any that are, perhaps, less personal to you, that engage you all the same? Widening your field of possibilities as you consider topics gives you an opportunity to speak, without always speaking about yourself. This can be a relief to writers of personal essays!
WEEK 7's GREATEST LICKS
Here are some phenomenal single lines from your writing.
Alyssa: "[The bar] is like a good date: low-key, inexpensive, and care-free."
Brandon: "[When the gates open], it's like popping a balloon; all of the pressure is expelled and people walk freely to the security checkpoints."
Chelsee: "Arizona State University sold their bookstore to an outside company for many reasons that I am too low on the pay scale to know."
Jamie: "You think you've got freeways where you come from? You should see the ones we have here."
Jesus: "I hate social gatherings because whenever I'm surrounded by people, I imagine that everyone has come together to celebrate my accomplishments, and I always end up leaving dissappointed, no accolades to show for my exhausting efforts at socialization."
John: "This writing is supposed to focus on others per the assignment directions but I must briefly describe my heroic measures."
Katie: "Before me sat an old and rough looking man. Tattered clothes, dirt stains, and a rainbow of paint stuck to him."
Kayla: "We had just come from mini-golfing, and Mike had proven to us all that baseball wasn't the only sport you can strike out in."
Kimberly: "To offer a perspective of the size and scope of Comic-Con... the widely publicized 2008 Democratic National Convention, held in Denver, and the Republican Convention, held in Minneapolis... drew crowds of approximately 50,000 visitors each. Comic-con annually draws two and a half times this many visitors."
Nynn: "Now I have to admit, when I orginally though of NASCAR, I thought of rednecks and beer as well as Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights..."
Matt: "The circus of vice was capped by an electric sky."
Miranda: "... as of late, [Rhianna] seems to be forcing her strength rather than actually finding it."
Nicola: "With my family there has never been enough men to do a lot of the hauling of the water or the chopping of the wood or gathering of the coal."
Rebecca: "Upon entering Rawhide, there is not much to see. One kicks up thick patches of dirt and first sees a board that is used for throwing knives, but never seems to be in use."
Skylar: "Not until I made this decision to grow up did I realize just how much I needed to grow up."
Leena: "From the eight row up, I can hardly see the teacher's aid and the professor, let alone what they choose to be pertinent information that goes up on the white board with a dying white-erase marker."
Great work, everyone!
Continue on with your calendar this week, and afterwards, have a very happy Spring Break!
-AP
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