Working through Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones" has been an interesting experience to say the least. For the most part, it seems that she's of the opinion that no thoughts should go into writing at all. In fact, I shouldn't even be thinking about what I'm writing here. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't work that way. I was hoping to hear another approach by now, especially since we're starting to get into some of the more meatier parts of the book. Perhaps with practice I'll be able to fall into line in how I should be writing.
As for the chapters that were assigned for this week, I believe that there's one major theme. DETAILS. I'm not sure how many times she could elaborate on the use of details, but I get the idea. Maybe I should go into more detail, but I am willing to risk my grade for the sake of making a snarky paragraph that states how the author of the book we're reading wants us to go into detail, and then not personally go into detail... At least not in this paragraph. I hope that the Irony (and humor) isn't lost on my readers.
For the Poetry Packet, I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of poetry in general. Generally speaking, I like to think that I have a fairly accurate command of the English language, at least for someone on this side of the pond. For most of the poems we are reading however I find it difficult to actually determine what they're talking about. Perhaps that's the point however, or I'm just looking in the wrong place. The ability for a piece of work to become personal to every individual that reads it, a majority of the time being something completely different, is probably what makes poetry so moving.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Readings for 21JAN10
Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones" so far has been interesting to say the least. Reading the first couple of chapters, I get the idea that I'm probably reading the correct book to help with my writing. The author's demeanor is not the same as if she was going to be writing a text book, and for this I am thankful. I found the story about her waiting in line at a buffet extremely humorous, also she brought up a good point. Why is it that whenever we study some kind of literature it's written by someone who's dead? I suppose it's simply the amount of time that the book has been out for it to gain some kind of following, or something.
I like her approach to writing, or I should say, her approach at getting me to write. The overwhelming block that you have to leap over before actually writing something is huge. Luckily she's able to pacify it with a simple answer... just write. It doesn't matter what you're writing about, or who you're writing to, just that you write. The idea that writing is something like a sport, one that requires practice, is probably the best point that I've heard to this point. The time spent simply writing is a practice event, and it really doesn't necessarily have to be the next War and Peace. What it does is loosen that person up to be able to write the next War and Peace when the time comes.
As for the Sonnets, I honestly believe that they were the most difficult read that I've faced in quite some time. I'm not a fan of poetry in of itself, considering that it leaves open so many blanks. I've heard the expression of comparing the written word to a painting and how they're both works of art. I understand completely and actually perpetuate that imagery when I speak of the written word. To me however, poetry seems like a modern art masterpiece (Even though it's been around for a long time) in that it's just a blank canvas that leaves the viewer (In this case reader) to fill in the space. Perhaps I'm missing something, but I would rather have that person tell me a story, not have me put what I believe the story should be into some kind of Mad Lib interpretation of what the story is.
I like her approach to writing, or I should say, her approach at getting me to write. The overwhelming block that you have to leap over before actually writing something is huge. Luckily she's able to pacify it with a simple answer... just write. It doesn't matter what you're writing about, or who you're writing to, just that you write. The idea that writing is something like a sport, one that requires practice, is probably the best point that I've heard to this point. The time spent simply writing is a practice event, and it really doesn't necessarily have to be the next War and Peace. What it does is loosen that person up to be able to write the next War and Peace when the time comes.
As for the Sonnets, I honestly believe that they were the most difficult read that I've faced in quite some time. I'm not a fan of poetry in of itself, considering that it leaves open so many blanks. I've heard the expression of comparing the written word to a painting and how they're both works of art. I understand completely and actually perpetuate that imagery when I speak of the written word. To me however, poetry seems like a modern art masterpiece (Even though it's been around for a long time) in that it's just a blank canvas that leaves the viewer (In this case reader) to fill in the space. Perhaps I'm missing something, but I would rather have that person tell me a story, not have me put what I believe the story should be into some kind of Mad Lib interpretation of what the story is.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Personal Information
My name is Adam Dreher, and I was born here in Ypsilanti. I know that a lot of people going to Eastern usually come from all around the state (In some cases World) but I'm one of the few that have been here my whole life. Well, except for a short stint in the Army. I spent 7 years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout. A fairly exciting job... if you're in to that kind of thing. I completed my time in March of 2008.
I started at Eastern Michigan University in the Summer of 2008. I am a Political Science Major, with a Philosophy Minor, or in other words, the cookie cutout of what a pre-law student should be. I know of all of the studies indicating that other majors actually perform better at law school, or at least teach skills that allow students to perform better, but nonetheless it's still the path of most of the law school candidates.
I'm interested in Creative Writing because, unlike Political Science and Philosophy, it allows me to express what I think about, not what other people (people whom are smarter than I ever will be) think and applying it to some kind of argument. At least, I think it does. I'm hoping that it will be a nice excursion away from what I'm used to. Plus I've had a couple of ideas for books that I'd like to write, and it couldn't hurt to see if I actually have the talent to put those ideas to paper.
At Eastern, I'm currently involved with various Student Organizations as well. I am the Commodore of the Sailing Club, President of the United Nations Student Alliance, Vice-President of the Student Veterans of America, as well as taking part with Eastern's Mock Trial Team. If you'd like any information on any of these groups let me know, as I can probably talk your ear off about all of them.
As for after Graduation, I hope to attend law school. Probably because I have seen too many episodes of Law and Order (I attribute G.I. Joe and M*A*S*H as my reasons for joining the Army). From there, who knows. One thing is for sure however is that I will stay in the State of Michigan. My time in the Army did teach me one thing, and while I might sound a little like Dorothy, there's no place like home. Besides, from my understanding, the state needs me.
I started at Eastern Michigan University in the Summer of 2008. I am a Political Science Major, with a Philosophy Minor, or in other words, the cookie cutout of what a pre-law student should be. I know of all of the studies indicating that other majors actually perform better at law school, or at least teach skills that allow students to perform better, but nonetheless it's still the path of most of the law school candidates.
I'm interested in Creative Writing because, unlike Political Science and Philosophy, it allows me to express what I think about, not what other people (people whom are smarter than I ever will be) think and applying it to some kind of argument. At least, I think it does. I'm hoping that it will be a nice excursion away from what I'm used to. Plus I've had a couple of ideas for books that I'd like to write, and it couldn't hurt to see if I actually have the talent to put those ideas to paper.
At Eastern, I'm currently involved with various Student Organizations as well. I am the Commodore of the Sailing Club, President of the United Nations Student Alliance, Vice-President of the Student Veterans of America, as well as taking part with Eastern's Mock Trial Team. If you'd like any information on any of these groups let me know, as I can probably talk your ear off about all of them.
As for after Graduation, I hope to attend law school. Probably because I have seen too many episodes of Law and Order (I attribute G.I. Joe and M*A*S*H as my reasons for joining the Army). From there, who knows. One thing is for sure however is that I will stay in the State of Michigan. My time in the Army did teach me one thing, and while I might sound a little like Dorothy, there's no place like home. Besides, from my understanding, the state needs me.
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