It has recently come to my attention that certain people or persons feel that this class (creative writing) is a farce because I have, how was it? "a fascination for non-fiction creative writing," and that non-fiction isn't creative writing because if we write about things that already exist, how could we be creating?
Valid point. But think about this: the perception you have about things that have happened is not the same perception others have about things that have happened, so by writing in such a way to help a person see your perception, well, isn't that creating a moment? And isn't that writing? Can't we call that "creative writing"?
Also, what about your own life? We go through life, and we all have experiences good or bad. We all have pain, some more than others, and we all have joy, again, some more than others. The human race has a fascination with things that happen in their lives, myself included. For generations, the biggest question on the collective human mind is this: "What does all of this mean?" And humans go to the greatest length to find meaning. Don't believe me? Let's just look at a few examples of people who have dedicated their lives to find meaning:
1. Scientists
2. Theologists
3. Teenagers
4. Song writers
5. Poets
6. Dr Phil
The process of looking at our lives, of writing them out in beautiful ways for ourselves, or others to observe and think about is a process practiced for hundreds ofyears. It is an effort to create sense of life, to create meaning in life, and to create the sense of self that is critical to becomming a productive and happy adult. This is creating. And when you use writing as an outlet for these creations, it is then called creative writing.
Besides, if you have a problem with non-fiction being a field of creative writing, don't take it up with me. Jog on over to Harvard or Yale and have a chat with the big wigs there.
Also, 90% of the students in this class are students that had creative writing last semester. We covered fiction (which, I am assuming this person is looking for, since his narrow interpretation of "creative" involves only things that are made up.) What we are doing is learning higher level writing skills (Grammar B), and I am simply using non-fiction as the vehicle so some students would at least be exposed to that type of writing.
That being said, my final shot is this: If you don't like, get out. I'll help you!
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4 comments:
Are we allowed to comment? Well, I am going to.
A certain teacher of mine (let's call her S. Bingham, no, let's call her Mrs. B.) has told us over and over and over--and over: we are going to be doing whatever we very well please after we've learned how to use it. (It being whatever you want it to be, but I thought of it as Grammar B, the skill of writing in general, etc.) Besides, what are you going to do when you get to college? Or in a job of anything besides fictional novel writing? Sorry to say, but dragons and elves don't have all that much to do with the Great Gatsby, Lord of the Flies, why you should be admitted to college in the first place, any Red Sox game, or Jennifer Love Hewitt's latest movie/scandal (they usually come in pairs).
P.S. No, I'm not brown-nosing (is that hyphenated? I think not...oh well) and I'm not who you think I am, whoever that may be, and, just my luck, my name will be posted in big bold letters above this comment. If said event occurs, please ignore it...it was probably wrong anyway.
Nice. I really hope you understood the sarcastic theme throughout my blog, Mrs. Bingham. I can't tell if you thought I was serious or not. The posts on my blog I'd like you to read are:
"I've got the Universe backing me up."
"Socialist Education."
"About You."
Enjoy and grade generously:)
P.S. I have no problem with the class or its title. One long, dragged out joke. I'm sorry if you were genuinely offended.
hey could you update the creative writing page you your my.uen.og page?
thanks in advance
-Aaron cranford
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