Modern Library Writer's Workshop

The Modern Library Writer's Workshop was one of the most helpful books I have read on writing. It addressed so many different aspects of writing, like getting started, characters, style, and producing a finished piece. The very first aspect of this book I noticed was the commentary from different authors. This was one of my favorite parts of the book. My favorite author, Ray Bradbury, was utilized numerous times throughout the book. For example, on page 8, Bradbury describes how he gets his writing ideas from free association. I think it is really interesting to see the process that famous authors use to write.

Chapter one proved to be a very helpful chapter for me. The biggest problem that I have with creative writing is getting started. I can never come up with an idea or topic that I want to write about. Chapter one gave some great advice about getting started with writing, for instance, find a story in your childhood. The author, Stephen Koch, says that if you have a good imagination you will move past the chosen event in your childhood and create something unique. This is a piece of advice I am definitely considering for my upcoming writing. I have so many vivid memories from childhood and I think that any one of them would make a great story.

There were two other sections of the book that I found to be really interesting and helpful. The first part was on page 159 when Koch talked about authors that were single drafters. I can not even imagine how an author can write an entire novel and have it ready to be printed without editing and producing numerous drafts. Kurt Vonnegut and John Updike were two of the single drafters mentioned. It's pretty remarkable that they are able to complete their work in one draft. I know I could never do that!

The final section I found really interesting was on page 174, "The 10-Percent Solution." Simply stated, this solution requires the writer to eliminate 10-percent of his or her work. It seems like a pretty easy solution, but for me, I think it would be difficult going back through my work and eliminating aspects of it. Luckily, Elmore Leonard created a check list that I find helpful. He says to go back through your work and cut out anything that makes your eyes glaze over or does not hold your interest.

Overall, this entire book provided valuable writing information. Whether you are a novice at writing fiction or an expert, I think that the book had something for everyone.

On another note, I read the link that Professor Kist sent to us this morning about the teacher in Australia using facebook. I found the article to be fascinating. I can honestly say that I was surprised that his current students had contacted former ones and asked them for help on an upcoming exam! I guess this is just something else that we as teachers need to keep in mind when we are using social networking in the classroom! I also read and commented on another blog entry that the teacher in Australia wrote about helpful iPhone applications for teachers. I never considered using a cell phone as a tool to help me manage things like my lectures (using a voice recording software).