Nathan2012


 * 1) Which did you enjoy the most: writing on your own, small group writing or whole class writing? Why? **

I personally enjoyed writing as a small group the most, for at that point, you have the input of multiple people from several points of view. Whereas if I were to write by myself, I was afraid I was being narrow-minded, and didn't have enough input. You will notice my character was much different when it was just I writing for him, as opposed to when there were other writers to alter him slightly. The reason I don't like writing as the whole class, is because at that point there is too much input. There are a lot of leaders and few followers, or vice-versa. The worst part about writing in a small group though, is having to compensate for those who don't want to write. So how do we write the final battle at the end then? Or should we not have ONE big bad guy and just have multiple heroes defeating multiple villains?-Md

Well I think that we should still have the battle written as the whole group, but that we should incorporate more singularity and small groupings. Using all three methods is by far the most productive and has definitely helped me in my own writings. I just feel that a small group is the most beneficial to a writer's persona and the ego of their writing. It is important though, that we do keep a final battle as a class, but perhaps we should add some singularity to it, by having everyone write a paragraph or two (in third person) of how their character is feeling at that point, either before during or after the final confrontation. Just my thoughts on that particular issue.


 * 2) What do you think was your best piece of work this year? Why? **

I believe that my best piece of work was the Quest in Grieum. I think that this is so, because in this instance I had the input of my fellow writers and their characters in order to produce a pleasant result. I also like that quest because it changed my character dramatically. If he didn't completely one-eighty, then he definitely took a ninety degree turn. That was my favorite piece as well!--MD


 * 3) What did you struggle the most with in this class? Why? **

I believe that I struggled the most with starting a story. For instance once I got the stone rolling I was able to expose my character in a productive manner. Though starting the exposition process was difficult. I have always found it difficult to start a story, because where are you truly supposed to begin? At the beginning? --MD


 * 4) Reflect about your character and region. How did your character change over the course of the semester? (You may want to look at your original character ideas). Did you like how it came out? What could you have improved or changed? What would you have needed in order to improve or change it? **

My favorite part of this year was taking a character that I had in mind at the beginning of the year, and then noticing just how much he has changed. I felt that stories in which the main character developed as time went on were a large process in writing. I feel that, at least for me, the flow of time and the evolution of a character is a very natural process in writing. My character started out as a boy named Rex Fures. I mean really, Rex Fures? What a joke. I hated the name, so I changed it to Gerion Sha. While I'm not so crazy about the last name, I am positive that if my character had been named Rex it wouldn't have fit. Gerion is no king, despite what other people may think about him. In the beginning of his story, he was hesitant of others, angry, and downright despondent. Now even though he is no saint by any means, nor is he always happy or willing to show it, he has become free in a sense. The development of this character finally gave me something that I found hard to accomplish in the past, a full story. I loved how Gerion changed over the course of 6 months. Imagine what could be done with a character like that in a full year course! It's exciting to think about, is it not? --MD


 * 5) What suggestions do you have for this course for next year? **

Ultimately I would advise that there be more singular writing, and small group writing. Given the time constraints, we didn't really have the ability to write in those situations. Other than that though, I think there should be more influence in creative writing, such as reading a book or two. I realize that this was originally intended and due to the hype of the class it got left in the dust, but given a longer year I think it would give us time to analyze styles of great fantasy and non-fiction writing. That's the plan. Since it will be a fine arts course, there will have to be that element of history to it. (I'd love to have you guys read The Hobbit and then go on a field trip to see the movie!)--MD

I need to have a LOTR-fest. But that would be so amazing, to go see The Hobbit with a class. The book was certainly amazing. J.R.R. has a very interesting style of writing, don't you agree? I find that George R.R.'s own styles are very reminiscent of the scribe of Middle Earth. Though his scenes tend to be a bit more descriptive in their gratuitous violence, sex, and what have you. I do prefer the animosity of his writings though, as they portray a world that could exist, whereas the cleaner side of J.R.R. could hardly find its way into the modern world. Either way, I just babbled on about the similarities in two popular works when you suggested we go see a movie. How off track I get on this website.