Creative Writing Class, Part 3

I am very behind in my posts, so I hope to post a lot more this week and catch up!

The first installment of my creative writing class ended the Wednesday before last. For our last session's first exercise, we had to pick a letter from a page in the book, and write a story using the letter as much as possible within five minutes. I picked B, and wrote about the beach. It was pretty nonsensical; some people had fun with it, but it's not the type of exercise I find helpful.

Most of the session was spent on another exercise from our pasts. First we had to make a list of our five most life-changing events, and second, pick one of those and write about it for five. Lastly, we had to pick a character from a list in the book (for example, an FBI agent, a six year old, a traveler..) and then write what their reaction might be to our life-changing event, for another five minutes. I wrote about not pursuing art in college, and chose the traveler who observed me in Italy, longing to paint what I saw on my trip. All of these little exercises produce "scraps" of writing that some of us may someday use in a story, or we may not. Mostly, they are designed to get us to overcome the blank page. I'm not a fan of using timers, but I can see how they help other writers, the idea being that you can do anything for five or ten minutes, and if you like it, you can keep writing.

The next sessions start July 1st, and will address things like plot, characters, and setting, which is what I really want to study. I've already signed up. I did speak to someone at the company where I had an interview. She told me they are behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances, but at least the position is still open. So I'm thinking I might as well take the classes I really want while I still have the chance! I struggle with enjoying my time off from work. I haven't had a summer off since I was maybe fifteen years old, am so happy for the break, but it doesn't stop me from feeling guilty.

I finally finished The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It is a twelve-week self-guided course, with weekly reading, exercises, an artist's date, and daily journaling. I took longer with some of the weeks, but it was a tremendously helpful study. I highly recommend it to anyone who is longing to be more creative, but feels a block of some kind. Sometimes you may know the art or craft you want to pursue, and other times not, but either way, this book works.

When I started the study in January, I felt empty because I wasn't doing much of anything creative, other than my knitting. But through the months, I did a little drawing, started to learn scrapbooking, and am now writing again. Slowly I realized how important it was for me to do things I used to do in high school and college, that I'd dropped when my life became too busy with work and taking care of a house and all that other necessary, but not necessarily fulfilling, stuff. Julia made it safe to start again, knowing my first efforts were going to be so rusty, and that it would be easy to just give up. But having finished the program, I feel much happier making creative pursuits a priority every day, even if it is writing or knitting for only ten minutes. Visiting museums last summer and fall was a part of this, and when I do find another job someday, I'm going to take art classes and more knitting classes. My friend L who taught the knitted ornament class last fall at my LYS is teaching a course on the Elizabeth Zimmerman method. That would really stretch my creative wings! The math terrifies me.

There are several sequels to The Artist's Way, including Finding Water and The Vein of Gold, and a separate book called The Right to Write. I want to read them all. But for the rest of the summer, I want to concentrate on the writing class and get into the habit of doing a little each day, maybe send some articles out and see if I can't get something published. And if it *ever* stops raining in New England, I really want to go to the beach!!

...And then one day, two people walked in to the shelter, and I just knew they were meant to be my people. So I walked right up and introduced myself: "Hi, I'm Rainy." I knew they wanted a chatty kitty. They could not stop thinking about me, so before they knew it, I had a new home! And we all live happily ever after. [Once they all stopped fighting! -- ed.]

THE END

Comments

[Robin]

I'm not big into "artificial" ways of sparking writing either. The blank page is never really a problem for me (and it sounds like it isn't for you either, from your previous posts.) I guess I can understand why people find them useful though.

I'm glad you found a practice that works for you in getting in touch with your creative side. I think repetition/making time for things every day is a great way to go about it.

[Kristen]

Don't feel guilty about your summer off. (I never do!). Look at is as a gift for pursuing all those creative outlets. You are putting your time to good use, and who knows where all that you are learning may lead?

[Chris]

I have Cameron's book The Writing Diet - I really need to work on the exercises in it, for multiple reasons. :) I am impressed that you've been all these good for you things!

[Dorothy W.]

All the creativity you've been fostering is wonderful! I'm glad you're able to take the classes and do some writing and that you are enjoying it so much. I hope your class tomorrow goes well!

[Sydney]

Don't feel guilty! Since you haven't had a summer off since you were fifteen, enjoy the opportunity you've been blessed with. You'll have a job soon enough.

I have Vein of Gold that I need to start someday. Somewhere I read that you shouldn't go to the next book for 6 months or a year or something. I did see even more progress after some time passed, but I just haven't gotten around to starting the next book.

[Brigitte]

Guilt won't accomplish anything but to stress you out. You may as well enjoy it!

Aw Rainy, you are so lucky to have such a wonderful home. And at times you may not think so, but having siblings is a good thing too!

[Sara]

Oh, I really hope you enjoy your classes - Being creative is really important for you and I am glad you are finding a way back to it...