Jeremie+Reflection

1. What is your best memory about writing for this class? 2. What was the easiest thing for you to write for this class? Why? 3. What is the most difficult thing for you to write for this class? Why? 4. Which did you enjoy the most: writing on your own, small group writing or whole class writing? Why? 5. What do you think was your best piece of work this year? Why? 6. How did you improve as a writer this year? 7. Are you a procrastinator when it comes to writing? What do you try to avoid? What do you do instead? 8. What did you struggle the most with in this class? Why? 9. How did you feel about using the wikispace in this class? 10. Was Ms. Doughty (and/or Ms. Terrill) a teacher, guide, co-creator or project leader in this class? How did you feel about her being in this role? 11.Reflect about your character and region. 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? 12. What suggestions do you have for this course for next year? What could be done differently? What could improve it?

For me Creative Writing class has been one of the most enjoyable class that I have had the pleasure of participating in. I enjoyed writing, and I think this class has made me a stronger writer. I think I have sharpened my writing skills from being around other creative people. I was definitely a procrastinator in the class. Many of my assignments were posted late at night before they were due the next day. Often times, I underestimated how long it would take me to complete an assignment, and so I put it off until the last moment. This class may not have killed my habit of procrastinating, but I have learned not to underestimate assignments. I can't say that any particular assignment was harder to write than any of the others. However, I think my character biography was the easiest for me because it only required my imagination, and didn't have to be consistent with any outside material like a book comparison. I think that in terms of effort, the book comparisons took longer than writing documents like our quest story because of the time required to read the books. I must say that using the Wikispaces definitely beats having to print off assignments and pass them in. It is also great because it makes it easy to read other people's writing and share ideas.

Beyond the class structure, I will remember the enjoyable atmosphere in the class. I can't count how many times we have broken down into sidesplitting laughter. The good humor and positive emotions helped to make the class very enjoyable and educational. I think this is partly do to the fact you and Ms. Terrill joined in on the humor and didn't make the class a lecture, but the organization of the class was more like a conversation where ideas were shared and great pieces of writing were produced. I think I enjoyed writing as a group the most because everyone was able to share ideas and combine them to make something better. When I was writing on my own I was able to work at my own pace and develop my own writing. I think my best piece of writing this year was my quest story. Although Sic Semper Tyrannis reflects a fusion of ideas between Tyler and myself, I think it still is my best piece because of the creativity and effort that I put into it. I was satisfied with my character for a long time, but after a while my feelings changed. That's partly because I was thinking of my grandfather when I came up with Merrick who is stern, unyielding, but a great leader. Later on in my writing, it became difficult for me to have him express humor, but remain consistent with the character I had created. I wanted my writing to be light and appealing to the reader so I reinvented my character by introducing his brother. Unfortunately I didn't have enough to time for Derrick to fully mature as a character. Despite my desire for my character be less serious, I was very satisfied with my region. I think a diverse underwater kingdom with fish people was an excellent idea, if I do say so myself.

I have saved the hardest question for last. I can't think of many ways that this class could be improved except for maybe coffee and doughnuts every morning. Alright, maybe the coffee and doughnuts every morning are stretching it. I do have one suggestion for you next year. I found that when people commented on other people's writing, the comments didn't always improve the writer's work. Most of the time people would just say stuff like "watch your grammar." I think that you should break us up into small groups, and have us review our classmates' writing. Other than that I can't think of anything else I would change. Thank you for making this such an enjoyable and memorable experience.