Next class done. Creative Writing.

[icarus]

Whew.

Hey, guess what? My Creative Writing teacher fully supports fanfic, and thinks more people should do it! You know why?

He told me, "You're the most advanced fiction writer in the class," *Icarus buffs nails, then cringes at the first draft that I just turned in - whoops.* "and I think it's because of all that fanfiction you've done."

So he had me do a presentation on fanfiction, to encourage other people to write it. He loved the idea of beta readers in particular, and also said "one of the hardest things for an author is to find an audience. This seems to solve the biggest problem for new writers."

I turned in my writing portfolio just b-a-r-e-l-y under the wire. I got started on a story and couldn't stop. I'll be posting both at after_fanfic shortly.

I didn't get as much done on my creative portfolio Tuesday and Wednesday as I hoped, so today I:

1) wrote a literary analysis of 'Sister Fire, Brother Smoke',
2) wrote a story about a poetry reading I attended,
3) added two pages of description throughout the first chapter of a novel-length story,
4) wrote a five page short story,
5) selected and copied 17 pages from two of my writing journals.

*whew.*

One class left. Two short papers, one extra credit and one research paper due by the 17th.

Comments

[opprobrium.livejournal.com]

That's pretty awesome....and rare. Not too many writers hold tuck with fanfiction. Totally cool, man.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

He's a great teacher. I really like Rick Clark. I wish I could go to his next class, but I think I have to do English 101 before English 102. Sigh.

Icarus

[kijikun.livejournal.com]

Congrats! Wish I'd had your teacher for creative writing. Mine didnt even understand the concept.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I'll tell him you said that. When I gave the presentation, a few people in the class were confused by the idea at first. But they got it.

Icarus

[tartanshell.livejournal.com]

That's so cool! I wish I'd been into fanfic in college; I so would've tried to convert others. ;)

(But it really is amazing how it helps us all become better writers. I love it.)

And, randomly and just for the record, you rock. :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I didn't get to do college 15 years ago, but I think I'm doing better than I would have when I was 20.

So good to see you back in action! Did you read the two assignments I cranked out?

Icarus

[mark356.livejournal.com]

Fabulous! I'm sure you really are one of the best in the class, and I'm glad that your teacher is so terrific and understanding, and good luck with your presentation!

[sofialayne.livejournal.com]

I had a conference with my English teacher this morning, and she told me that I have a very strongly defined writing style (I'm three weeks from turning sixteen, so this is kind of uncommon). Also, she "complained" that I turn in my pieces basically finished - our class works by having everyone revise his papers a bunch of times. Apparently I turn things in essentially done the first time, and she has trouble picking out anything to critique.
Writing fanfiction helped me cement a style and just plain learn how to write well, but, most importantly, it got me writing in the first place.

So, yes. Everyone should write fanfic.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. The presentation went pretty well, but I think the students were a little doubtful about the whole concept. I don't think I sold them on the idea.

Icarus