Writing Resources for Student Writers
Have a look at the resources above for ideas and exercises.
Remember, the focus for tonight's assignment and each weekly assignment is to make you a better writer and that may mean taking risks, trying a new style, aiming for a new type of plot, showing and not telling, discussing topics close to your heart.
If the writing does not excite you, it's not ready to be submitted.
Find a topic you are interested in and enjoy the writing.
Two more pages of your story due Thursday. Two more next Thursday and then a good copy by Monday of our last week before Xmas break.
Tomorrow: Bring the poem you plan to read to the class so that we can practice and prepare for recitations, Friday. See last Friday's blog for all of the criteria. Think a combo of Gabe Lunn (UVic student), Carla Funk, and Jeffrey Renn. Take the best of these performers' attributes and apply it to your poem.
In the introduction to your poem, give the audience something to listen for.
For example,
The first poem I'd like to read today uncovers a topic close to my heart--my dad. I know it may not be cool to talk and write about your dad but I love this guy.
That's all you need. Don't talk down to the audience. Don't try to be cool. Don't try to be liked, accepted, respected, revered.
Don't try, Yoda, said. There is DO or DO NOT.
Just be yourself.
Pass the potatoes, please.
You do NOT need this audience's approval.
If you have prepared. If you love the poem. If you are enunciating, pausing, expressing your heart out, how could you err? So, the key to any successful performance, Mr. Plant, assures me, is PREPARATION.
la la la
To err is human, to forgive? Divine.
