One of the classes I’m teaching this semester takes place entirely online.
Distance learning, you’ll hear lots of people say, is the way of the future.
It enables a whole host of folk to take classes when they otherwise might not, because of car costs, childcare, scheduling issues, and what not.
And it’s true, and I’m glad to help make that happen.
But.
(You knew there was "But" coming, didn’t you?)
It just isn’t the same.
The dynamic is drier than I’d like, the interactions less generous and less fluid.
If a round-table discussion is a peony in full bloom, an online discussion is more like a stem with the occasional bud.
I feel compelled to stir up as much energy and support and wisdom for my online students as my on-campus ones, but there are days I feel miles from acheiving that.
So, today, I’m asking for your help.
I’m inviting you to be guests in my classroom.
Help me liven things up a little!
And here’s how:
In my comments, will you offer my students:
1. Your favorite book on writing or process or creativity
or
2. Your top tip on writing poetry
or
3. Your top tip on writing prose
or
4. One way to get over writer’s block
or
5. One way to reckon with discipline and deadlines
or
6. One way to access the muse
or
7. Any other little snippet you think might inspire, illustrate, educate or awe my online writing students!
I’ll share all of your advice over the next week or two and we’ll light things a’fire!
Your reward will be my eternal gratitude.
Truly…
Did you like the Pavarotti quote I posted? That one inspires me and makes me feel better, both at once.
My top tip on becoming a better writer? Chose another art form—one that you’re not already good at! that’s important!—and learn all you can. This could be drawing, dancing, theater, calligraphy, the ukulele. What matters is that you’re such a novice at it that you experience beginner’s mind and all the freedom and joy and terror it brings, and your ego’s not bound up in your success, like it might be with writing work. Then take a bit of that back to the page.
I’m also a fan of buying yourself a cute little timer to provoke anywhere/anytime writing bursts.
Yes to Pavarotti. I LOVE that quote. And yes to being a beginner. And yes to cute little timers. Yes yes yes.
I’m in the middle of a six-kid zoo at the moment, so all I have brain enough to offer is my answer to #1: I have two favorite books on writing. Strunk & White, for its crisp elegance; and ON WRITING by Stephen King, believe it or not, for, well, everything. Actually that’s my answer to #4, too: a dip into the King book tends to get my wheels turning again.
Top tip on writing poetry is to read poetry. 🙂 Oh, but a cool thing Alan Shapiro used to emphasize in his poetry workshops in my MFA program–paying attention to how your syntax mirrors the complexity or simplicity of the thought. Convoluted subject or uncertain narrator can be paralleled by complicated sentence structure and vice versa…not a ‘rule’ but an important tool of the craft.
Stephen King. Well, I’ll be…
I cannot believe you could take the time out to type this, Melissa!!!!
Ideas from Karl Elder; http://www.karlelder.com
1. Your favorite book on writing or process or creativity
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
2. Your top tip on writing poetry
Concentrate on four things: economy of language, resemblance (tropes of all sorts), imagery, and making it new.
3. Your top tip on writing prose
Memorize this:
Idea Generators
How is X defined?
How is X perceived?
To what class does X belong?
What is the history of X?
What are examples of X?
How does X compare with Y?
How does X contrast with Z?
What is the cause of X?
Of what does X consist?
How does X work?
Who supports X?
Who is opposed to X?
What are the benefits of X?
What are the disadvantages of X?
What is the value of X?
What is the proof of X?
How can X be interpreted?
How effective is X?
Who appreciates X?
Will X ever change?
What is the future of X?
4. One way to get over writer’s block
Memorize the above.
5. One way to reckon with discipline and deadlines
Choose, like an adult.
6. One way to access the muse
Slap the bitch.
7. Any other little snippet you think might inspire, illustrate, educate or awe my online writing students!
Read, read, read.
Re: Ideas from Karl Elder; http://www.karlelder.com
Thank you, Karl. I will be passing these on, crediting your name and recommending your poetry 🙂 The idea generators are a lot like something I’ve used with students, but phrased differently. And I always like something that’s phrased differently. So thanks…