After a week of classes, plus reading, I’ve already learned so much, but intimidation is casting its dark shadow over my enlightenment.
Three years of focusing on journalism and I finally have the time to broaden my focus. I’m taking Reading and Writing Fiction with John Keene and Reading and Writing Creating Nonfiction with Brian Bouldrey, and so far, they’ve been two of the most enjoyable classes I’ve taken at Northwestern. And after only a week, with one of my fiction classes being cancelled, that’s a tall statement. They’ll also be the most useful; I can feel it. I definitely think learning the mechanics of writing and exercising the creative side of my craft will bring more depth to my writing in whatever career I choose to pursue.
Even though I’m excited about what I’ll learn and what I’ll write this quarter in these classes, after reading one essay on syntax, one on the familiar essay, and a few nonfiction and fiction pieces… Boy, do I have no clue what I signed up for. The mindfulness and the intention behind every sentence, every word of every great writer that ever penned anything worthwhile; it occurred to me that I have no idea how to do any of it. Every other lit whore in the class seems to get it, let alone the mastery of the accomplished writers we were reading for the class. I feel like the black sheep. I can’t even consciously juggle all of it at the same time: diction, syntax, parataxis, hypotaxis, satire, rhythm, meter, and that’s only one week’s worth. What’s a girl to do.
My first assignment is due on Thursday, and I have to write a familiar (personal) essay on something I love that everyone else hates. My writer’s block is so huge, my brain automatically stops thinking about it when I even begin to consider brainstorming for it, eradicating the remains of the thought. I end up spending a few hours on sites like this.
Any ideas?
love, esther
P.S. That last question was not rhetorical (not that they ever are, but especially this one). I’m stumped. Help a poor girl out!
P.P.S. Here’s a picture because this post was incredibly wordy, and if you read the whole thing, you deserve a treat :).
Aren’t the colors stunning?? I would like a sweater with all of these colors, please. I took this the summer I went to Jerusalem. Which reminds me, I should write a post on that, too!
