We've finally launched our blog... *drumroll*
We are the Teen Writers Bloc at www.teenwritersbloc.com!
We already have our bios up and our first post. Woohoo!
In school news, we recently read Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. Really powerful book about a girl with an eating disorder. The assignment for that class was to write about a problem that occurred during our teenage years and our experiences during that time.
Not only was it so difficult to write about, but I felt so much anger when I was writing it too. I picked a time when I thought people were my friends and it turned out they were far from that. I have to say, after reading the news about Tyler Clementi and so many other students who have been harassed for coming out, what I experienced was bordering on being bullied. I was lucky because I had other people who supported me during that time.
I do want to point out that what I went through is far less severe than what you hear on the news, but when you're a kid, what your peers think of you and how they treat you is a big deal.
But, the point of our assignment was that, as a writer, you can't just write about the experience but you have to show the reader how it feels too.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
And we will be....
I can't tell you yet. :) We've decided on a name and two of my classmates are gathering bios and our first blog posts. I'll post the link to our collaborative blog as soon as we get the domain name.
I can't wait....
I can't wait....
Friday, September 24, 2010
Blogging is as blogging does
Our class decided to get together and work on a collaborative blog. How fun! We still have yet to think of a name but we decided it would be about our experiences in the MFA Creative Writing program and what we write about.
We already met up a few days ago for dinner. I have to say, this was the first time I really spoke to them outside of class (or having brief conversations before class started) and they're amazing people. Someone already has a book finished and is looking for an agent, another has already written several articles and almost got a movie deal on a screenplay she wrote, one is a former teacher and another is a librarian. The list goes on and on. The dinner was a fantastic opportunity to get to know everyone better. I really want to keep in contact with my classmates after we graduate.
As soon as we get our blog up and running, I'll post a link. I know it's going to turn out great!
We already met up a few days ago for dinner. I have to say, this was the first time I really spoke to them outside of class (or having brief conversations before class started) and they're amazing people. Someone already has a book finished and is looking for an agent, another has already written several articles and almost got a movie deal on a screenplay she wrote, one is a former teacher and another is a librarian. The list goes on and on. The dinner was a fantastic opportunity to get to know everyone better. I really want to keep in contact with my classmates after we graduate.
As soon as we get our blog up and running, I'll post a link. I know it's going to turn out great!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Lesson #1
Okay, it's not really my first lesson. I started school three weeks ago.
That being said, I got a chance to read my classmates' writings for our workshop. I am amazed at some of the creations I've seen. Almost everyone is in the process of writing a book. I've been one of the first ones to have my work critiqued and I've had to learn to figure out which suggestions should be let go and which ones are worth keeping. But I have to admit, it wasn't easy listening to people tell you what's wrong with your writing.
What I've learned so far is that I need to be more descriptive in my writing. Readers want to know what the characters think, feel and see. Also, my text is very dialogue heavy. I had always thought my writing was suppose to tell instead of show, but I guess I was taking that too literally. Lastly, I have to make my writing age appropriate. I'm in a Writing for Children class and even though my story involves teenagers, I still have to watch the language. *oops!*
I'm also taking a teen literature seminar. There are the classics, like The Catcher in the Rye, The Chocolate War, Lord of the Flies. And contemporary, which I love reading, The Clique, Tyrell, and Destroy All Cars. I'm fascinated by how we can discuss these books and everyone seems to be able to see a deeper meaning in these books; how Holden Caulfield asks about the ducks in Central Park when ever he doesn't have a designated destination, the groupthink you can see in comparing The Clique to Lord of the Flies, and how Jerry Renault "dares to disturb the Universe."
Fascinating....
That being said, I got a chance to read my classmates' writings for our workshop. I am amazed at some of the creations I've seen. Almost everyone is in the process of writing a book. I've been one of the first ones to have my work critiqued and I've had to learn to figure out which suggestions should be let go and which ones are worth keeping. But I have to admit, it wasn't easy listening to people tell you what's wrong with your writing.
What I've learned so far is that I need to be more descriptive in my writing. Readers want to know what the characters think, feel and see. Also, my text is very dialogue heavy. I had always thought my writing was suppose to tell instead of show, but I guess I was taking that too literally. Lastly, I have to make my writing age appropriate. I'm in a Writing for Children class and even though my story involves teenagers, I still have to watch the language. *oops!*
I'm also taking a teen literature seminar. There are the classics, like The Catcher in the Rye, The Chocolate War, Lord of the Flies. And contemporary, which I love reading, The Clique, Tyrell, and Destroy All Cars. I'm fascinated by how we can discuss these books and everyone seems to be able to see a deeper meaning in these books; how Holden Caulfield asks about the ducks in Central Park when ever he doesn't have a designated destination, the groupthink you can see in comparing The Clique to Lord of the Flies, and how Jerry Renault "dares to disturb the Universe."
Fascinating....
Monday, September 20, 2010
Hello World!
I would be lying if I said this is my first blog. I started on on Xanga years ago, but I abandoned it for Facebook. Somehow, it was just more interesting to see what people were doing in real time instead of reading about it after the face. I've said it before, Facebook is a time suck, but I still can't tear myself away. I've also tried writing another blog on Blogspot about the process it would take to find myself, but I lost interest. So I'm hoping the third time will be a charm.
I also wanted to start this blog because I just started my first semester in a MFA Creative Writing program. This is going to be a kind of record as I progress through the program as well as to practice my writing. I plan to write about what my classes are like, the assignments, and what I learn about myself and my writing. You are more than welcome, dear reader, to join me in my journey.
Some background info to start:
I'm not a professional writer. I've never had anything published, unless you count the newsletter I worked on for the Asian Students' Association in college. (Even that only lasted for two semesters. Then a new president was elected and the organization fell apart.) I wrote short stories here and there but not really enough to call it a hobby. The first time I ever considered doing any real writing was when I signed up for a class with Susan Shapiro called "Writing for NYC Newspapers and Magazines." She's already published a few novels and several articles. I liked her class so much I took it twice. I've never sent any of my pieces in but the class did inspire me to write.
I didn't even consider applying for a creative writing program until a month and a half before the deadline. That was because I didn't even know that something like this existed. Once I found out, I started contacting former teachers and employers for references, making transcript requests from my college and pounding out a Statement of Purpose as well as a writing sample. I will be honest, if I had to apply all over again, I would have done it the exact same way. It was the excitement and pressure of getting my application in on time that really pushed me along. I still have all 10 drafts of my statement saved in my hard drive. And when I read it now, nine months after I've submitted it, I'm always surprised at how well written it was.
For those of you who want advice when applying to an MFA Creative Writing program (or any graduate program), these are the things that I've learned.
1. Although spending only six weeks on my application worked for me, it's not for everyone. I would honestly say make sure you have enough time to get all the required materials. One of my reference letters came two days late, but I was lucky because the school I applied to extended the deadline by two days due to a holiday.
2. Follow the guidelines of the application. Don't make your entire Statement of Purpose about how Uncle Fred was your inspiration to become a writer when you're being asked how being in the program will contribute to your goals. Three quarters of my first draft was about how I wrote short stories as a kid and my love for reading, the other quarter was how I would benefit from being in a writing program. A co-worker who already graduated from the program read it and suggested that I turn it around, one part about my background and three parts about how I would benefit. Reading the application guidelines made me realize she was completely right and I made the changes immediately.
3. The first draft of your Statement of Purpose should not be your last. Give it to other people to read and be open to their critiques. And make sure these are people who can be honest. They can help you spot typos, grammatical errors or if something just doesn't make sense. I gave my statement to three people for critique: a co-worker who had already graduated from the same program I was applying to, another co-worker who was in a different graduate program, and my husband who had taken advanced critical reading and analysis courses in college. He did not go easy on my writing.
4. The same applies if you have to submit a writing sample. Make sure your sample is as perfect as possible. I submitted a short story about 14 pages long and I went through it several times to look for typos, grammatical errors and inconsistencies. For example, my main character finds a mysterious trap door underneath her bed that leads down a dark tunnel. But earlier in the story, I had written that her room is located on the second floor. That needed to be fixed.
5. After you've submitted your completed application, relax! You should be proud of yourself! Give yourself a huge pat on the back and know that you can rest easy until school starts.
I'm already in my third week of school, so my next entry will have some bits about my classes and what we're doing.
I also wanted to start this blog because I just started my first semester in a MFA Creative Writing program. This is going to be a kind of record as I progress through the program as well as to practice my writing. I plan to write about what my classes are like, the assignments, and what I learn about myself and my writing. You are more than welcome, dear reader, to join me in my journey.
Some background info to start:
I'm not a professional writer. I've never had anything published, unless you count the newsletter I worked on for the Asian Students' Association in college. (Even that only lasted for two semesters. Then a new president was elected and the organization fell apart.) I wrote short stories here and there but not really enough to call it a hobby. The first time I ever considered doing any real writing was when I signed up for a class with Susan Shapiro called "Writing for NYC Newspapers and Magazines." She's already published a few novels and several articles. I liked her class so much I took it twice. I've never sent any of my pieces in but the class did inspire me to write.
I didn't even consider applying for a creative writing program until a month and a half before the deadline. That was because I didn't even know that something like this existed. Once I found out, I started contacting former teachers and employers for references, making transcript requests from my college and pounding out a Statement of Purpose as well as a writing sample. I will be honest, if I had to apply all over again, I would have done it the exact same way. It was the excitement and pressure of getting my application in on time that really pushed me along. I still have all 10 drafts of my statement saved in my hard drive. And when I read it now, nine months after I've submitted it, I'm always surprised at how well written it was.
For those of you who want advice when applying to an MFA Creative Writing program (or any graduate program), these are the things that I've learned.
1. Although spending only six weeks on my application worked for me, it's not for everyone. I would honestly say make sure you have enough time to get all the required materials. One of my reference letters came two days late, but I was lucky because the school I applied to extended the deadline by two days due to a holiday.
2. Follow the guidelines of the application. Don't make your entire Statement of Purpose about how Uncle Fred was your inspiration to become a writer when you're being asked how being in the program will contribute to your goals. Three quarters of my first draft was about how I wrote short stories as a kid and my love for reading, the other quarter was how I would benefit from being in a writing program. A co-worker who already graduated from the program read it and suggested that I turn it around, one part about my background and three parts about how I would benefit. Reading the application guidelines made me realize she was completely right and I made the changes immediately.
3. The first draft of your Statement of Purpose should not be your last. Give it to other people to read and be open to their critiques. And make sure these are people who can be honest. They can help you spot typos, grammatical errors or if something just doesn't make sense. I gave my statement to three people for critique: a co-worker who had already graduated from the same program I was applying to, another co-worker who was in a different graduate program, and my husband who had taken advanced critical reading and analysis courses in college. He did not go easy on my writing.
4. The same applies if you have to submit a writing sample. Make sure your sample is as perfect as possible. I submitted a short story about 14 pages long and I went through it several times to look for typos, grammatical errors and inconsistencies. For example, my main character finds a mysterious trap door underneath her bed that leads down a dark tunnel. But earlier in the story, I had written that her room is located on the second floor. That needed to be fixed.
5. After you've submitted your completed application, relax! You should be proud of yourself! Give yourself a huge pat on the back and know that you can rest easy until school starts.
I'm already in my third week of school, so my next entry will have some bits about my classes and what we're doing.
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