Ronnie's+Reflection

Creative Writing 3A, has been a most enjoyable and enlightening experience. I've learned many things about my writing and myself as a person, that I would not have learned other wise. I feel as if I have had extensive growth, that will carry over to improve my writing in other courses. I got very well acquainted with my fellow classmates, and teacher. Both of which were excellent to write with and to learn with.

1). With the class being as fascinating and amazing as it was, it is hard to pick just one favorite part. If I am made to choose, I would have to say that the Small Group Writing was the best part of the course for me. What made this writing stick out from the others, is the opportunity it provides. In a small group of 2-4, it is easy to bounce ideas off of each other, and not disagree about which better. The writing doesn't get to jumbled, but at the same time you have each other for support. I am particularly fond of much opportunity there is to write your characters' growth in a small group. In a larger group it is much harder for everyone wants to get their piece in. You might think "Why, then do you favor a group write above, a solo write for character growth," the answer is simple. Support. With the group you get help on your writing to make it more in depth and clear. You get to interact with characters that you don't know very well, thus putting your own character in situation they are not accustomed to. In short, I found the Small Group Writing to be my favorite of all we did in the class.

2). I think my best piece of work in the class, was by far my part in the final battle. It was at the point that my writing skills had improved the most and that I knew both of my characters the best. It was the climax that I had been planing for more than half the year, and that I had spent the most amount of time planing. It also happened to be my first piece that I didn't get bored with half way through writing. The words had flowed together. I think it went so well, because it was what I was most excited about writing.

3). I would have to say what I struggled most with in the class, was time management. I would keep making all these grand ideas that I wanted to work with, but when it came time to actually write them I would put off all the work until the night before the due-date and my work would come out with half effort that was very obviously rushed. I think I that I grew better at this over the year, especially when I started to like my own writing. When I became excited for my next assignment, I would do it. It then became more play, than work.

4). I did so much less with my characters and regions than I had originally had planed. It is still bothering me, I wish I had gotten my act together and just written what I wanted. I did so little with the Apål and even less with the U.R.A. to places that had infinite potential. I did better on developing my characters. Not great but, better. Walles for sure had major character development. He changed his views many times throughout the story and well yes he was constantly battling other people's wars, he was always at war with himself. While Charlie on the other hand didn't get any character development. It was my own fault, I never took the time to expand on him. If I were to improve this, which I should, I would need time.

5). Something that might be good for next year is stronger connections with characters and regions. I felt as if people knew each others character for little to no reason. I felt as if some of the writing had gaps, that could be punctured with a simple question of "//how?".// Other than that I felt as if the course was very well put together and was run exceptionally well.

6.) I loved how Ms. Doughty ran the class. I really loved how she not only taught us in real life, but how her character taught ours. I think that the way how Ms. Doughty's character is the spider that weaves us all together, is an excellent way to do it. With the role that she takes as teacher of the class, there would be little point in sharing a world with everyone. Without her there would be no collective story, which is what makes the class so fun and unique.

7). I would love to see more group writing and work-shopping in the coming years. I also think that perhaps time could be taken aside to work on specific mechanics as a class. A really great example of this would be, the workshop we did in Creative Writing Camp on writing a fighting scene. As for things that I want to see less of, I would have to say the bickering and teasing. I am as guilty as any other, but there is a point where is crosses the line from friendly banter to just rude. I think in the Quest to the North, we may have heart someone's feelings, and I know that's not what the class is about.

Realistically I was not impressed with myself in the slightness. Laziness was my down fall. If I had the chance I would got back and write everything I didn't. I would give Walles, Charlie, and Tesla the stories the deserve. Maybe some day in the future I will. Until then, I will just strive to do better in the coming year.