Wednesday, March 20, 2013

On Becoming a Writer


I have been doing a lot of writing lately. A type of writing that extends my skills beyond the, "Hey, this is what I made..." or "Here is what we did..." kind of writing I do for this here little blog. But I am finding myself frustrated and in need of a little course in creative non-fiction to develop my ability to express what I see taking shape in my mind.

I don't come from a strong academic background. It would be safe to say that I squeaked by in high school and really, honesty my 18 year-old self had no idea why I was even going on to college. Most at the time said I was just there for my "Mrs." degree. The idea that I would find a husband at University was the last thing on my mind... as I look back I think I was hoping I would find myself.

After a series of major changes and failing grades, as a Jr. I decided to quit and join the Coast Guard. Seeing as I was extremely athletic, the only thing that had kept me in school up to that point, this would have been a great career choice. With my background in swimming and life guarding I set my sites on becoming a rescue swimmer. I was two weeks away from heading down to San Francisco to sign up when I met him. Yes. The man who would make all the naysayers happy by fulfilling the "Mrs." part of my "education." But it was more than that... He encouraged me to stay in school, he taught me study skills, and gave me "permission" to focus on building knowledge instead of just muscle. It was a turning point. I stayed in school and turned my failing grades into a spot on the Presidents List in the course of one semester. It was a whirlwind Senior year filled with writing and studying but I was still in survival mode. I was trying to learn everything I should have learned in high school and those first years of college in the course of a few semesters, while maintaining my course load. I did it but not much stuck.

After graduation I worked a series of jobs that did not require much writing. Even as a high school teacher the writing was minimal and "elementary" in terms of creativity and depth. So here I am knocking on 40's door craving direction and focus in my writing.

Last week on twitter I asked about resources for creative nonfiction and the resounding response from Amanda and Patricia was to read authors who write what you want to write. All kinds of suggestions where offered. I was writing them down, building a list. I felt like I was creating my very own class in creative nonfiction. I headed to the library online catalog and started requesting whatever I could find. Yesterday I came home with Dillard, Berry, and Pollan. My reading ticket filled with inspiration.

I started reading last night and as Patricia suggested, I am taking notes. I jot down the phrases, words or symbolism that I like, trying to tease out the things that make it all come together in a way that resonates with me, the reader. I am looking forward to this little course. And I am thankful to Patricia and Amanda for their contribution and direction.

I am also reading through Patricia's posts about her year of excellent essayists. It is an inspiring series not only about essayists but also about creating your own course of study designed to be exactly what you want it to be!

Beginning this process has, of course, made me reflect on our homeschooling. The kids gave me a laugh a little while back when after I told them about yet another class my mom was taking they responded, "Grandma is a homeschooler too!" I love that at almost seventy years old my mom is still learning and designing her own "education" around her interests. I love even more than the kids acknowledge that it is life learning... at seven or seventy.

When you want to learn something new or develop a skill where do you turn?



16 comments:

  1. i'm a bit of the school of thought that if you want to learn something badly enough, you will. you will sit down and apply yourself and do the research and reading and learn it. so if i want to tackle a subject, that is my approach.

    i love that you're doing this. i never want to stop learning. learning is growing and i hope to do that for all my days. i love that your mom is taking a class - when i was teaching French 201 as a grad student, i had an elderly man, late 70s/early 80s in my class and i loved his dedication and work ethic. he was a fantastic student and very driven, it was a privilege to teach him!

    ps: should you decide to venture into lamott territory, i have an extra copy of traveling mercies i'd be happy to send your way :)

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    1. I always loved when I had older people in my classes. They offered such a depth of experience and perspective beyond the years of other students. And they knew exactly why they were there!
      From the comments below it sounds like I need to bump Lamott to the top of my list! Thank you so much Amanda!

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  2. Yes, this is so good, Dawn! I love reading your story about almost leaving college, and how you turned things around. So, you've already set yourself an excellent precedent when it comes to learning new things!

    Thank you for reading my series. I hope it's helpful. It's one of the most personal projects I've done on my blog, and for the most part it gathers dust in the sidebar. But for me, it was one of the best projects I've ever undertaken. I dug in, stuck with it and learned so much. Scott Russell Sanders--another essayist you'd probably enjoy--actually came by and left a comment on his month!

    And *absolutely* about how your own learning has everything to do with your kids and their homeschooling. I wrote an essay called Homeschooling My MFA which is all about my own goal of teaching myself to write, and how I came to see those homeschooling connections too. (If you're interested, you can find it in my published stuff in the sidebar.)

    Another vote for Anne Lamott! Her writing is radically different from the authors you picked up at the library, but it's beautiful and raw and, as you probably know, very funny. I assume you've read Bird by Bird. Even if you have, consider picking it up again. Her advice to write sh***y first drafts is the best writing advice ever. The book is excellent advice coupled with fantastic writing. My favorite writing manual, hands down.

    Go, Dawn, go!

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    1. Thanks Patricia!
      Now I am going to jump ahead to your Sanders post! ;-)
      I will looks at the MFA essay as well.
      I did check Bird by Bird out from our library in Nova Scotia but never got the chance to dive into it... I will see if we have it here. From your review I might I have put it on my wish to own list!
      I can envision you in your Cheerleader/Supermom costume cheering me on! So fun!

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  3. You have a desire to stretch yourself! That's good and brave, and I bet you'll not regret it down the road. I also want to stretch myself a bit beyond writing for "just my blog" although that can be a good place to try out some challenging creative writing, too. I saw Patricia's comment and I have to vote for Anne Lamott as well. I love her writing. She does fiction and non-fiction equally well. And Wendell Berry, too. Of all his fiction, I liked Jayber Crow the best. It is simply good writing. Barbara Kingsolver is another author I've only recently discovered, although I knew of her. She is an author who writes the kind of books I'd like to write. And finally one more- Annie Dillard. My blog is named after a book of hers- Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. My family and I live by the same Tinker Creek here in western Virginia, and I love her notes on the natural world. Hope any of this helps!

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    1. This is great Lisa!
      So true about blog writing. It has been such a great way for me to "just write" almost every day.
      That is wild about Tinker Creek. How neat to have that connection.
      Thanks!

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  4. I was taught by my father that as long as you are breathing you should be learning. Your post today was a joy to read.
    Amanda is amazing isn't she? My reading list has grown so much from her over the past few years. I must second Lamott, she is wonderful.

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    1. Thanks Tracey! I love what your father taught you. So true!
      Amanda is amazing indeed. I love how she has inspired so many people to read, write, take beautiful photos and more...

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  5. I do just what you're doing. With respect to writing, I agree that the best advice is to read the writers you want to emulate. Great advice I found in Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist. He's not an essayist, but I loved the wonderful advice in his little book. You might think about adding it to your "syllabus."

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  6. When I want to learn something I just jump in. It might mean taking a class, or doing my own research, either way it works for me.

    I love that you are stretching yourself, can' wait to hear more.

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  7. I like Kim just jump right in. I am a just do it kind of person and learn along the way. I learn best from experience. For example I wanted to learn how to sew clothing. So I just began making clothes for S. I got books about garment construction and sewing techniques and just went for it.

    Love this post! I'm so glad to hear your teaching yourself something new!

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    1. Thanks KC!
      I was the same way with knitting and sewing... I don't know why it has taken me so long to focus on my writing!

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  8. this is excellent and exciting, dawn! i can't wait to see where your latest "homeschooling" project leads you. i had to laugh at how our paths are opposite in the sense that, as a college student, i was obsessively studious. but now, knocking on 40's door, i'm obsessively building muscle.

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    1. Thanks Molly!
      I was just thinking about that same thing the other day. Funny how we are at these opposite ends of the spectrum of life. I love it though!

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