Blog Assignment #9: Final Workshop Reflection

Through this course, I have indeed grown as a writer. I have challenged myself through the assignments, empowered my writing skills, and have thought about the subject of creative non-fiction intensely. I have created work in many genres, yet this course was able to help me grow as well as view writing through a different lens. I find it fulfilling to write creative non-fiction since you can turn true stories into an art form and create something successful. Through the assignments, I was challenged to contemplate on the things I wanted to write about and if they would be presented well through a story, since we had an outline of what was expected for that assignment.  As a writer, it is enjoyable to create voluntary pieces, but it is also a healthy challenge to complete a given task and be content with it. The readings were also a great element to the course since the writing of authors such as Joe Gould, Frank McCourt, Joan Didion and more taught me to become affiliated with some of the most acclaimed work. This is because they’re writing styles can pose as inspiration for my own work.  My favorite piece that I have written in this course is one written in reference to a music venue. Below is an excerpt from the assignment:

The room becomes silent and while the only source of white light disappears. You vigorously run back down its staircase and make your way back to the ground floor. As your excited heart begins to beat, the screams of the ones around you contribute its racing pulse. Synthesizers, drums and guitars begin to harmonize and trigger chaotic movement. The monochromatic atmosphere becomes a battlefield and keeping yourself upright becomes a challenge in itself. Movement is unstoppable as feelings of love and violence vary within the bodies around you. It becomes difficult to fixate your vision while each element of the music become dominating.  The sweat and tears become adherent to your body and despite the discomfort, this moment is what you have been longing for. The physicality is only a reaction to the intense nature of music and its intimate partners.

This piece was favorable to me since my description of this place, as well as its ambiance is one that I extremely content with upon reading it. It was a way to project an atmosphere to individuals that are not very familiar with the genuine effects of musicality. I have plans to write more pieces such as this one since I have come to realize my strong points through this course, description being one of them. This course was an effective way to learn more about myself and my writing. Each element displayed to me in this course was vital in molding myself as a writer and I will hold this importance to me throughout my academic career.

Blog Assignment #8: Authors Note on Personal Memoir

For assignment #3, I decided to reflect on an event that I attended in the past. This was something that I wanted to write about since it was a way to release my thoughts on the unexpected events of a night that was supposed to be enjoy-full.  It was a way to contemplate on the reality of how one wrongful action can become self destructing. This assignment was more of a release of emotions in the form of a descriptive story. There fore, it was a fulfilling piece to write. Below is an excerpt from the piece:

All balance was gone and it was a struggle to keep any sort of composure. The three are now attacking each other out of anger as well as protection, knocking over three large candles. As the flames begin to collide, the living room is now a present day hell. You can feel the heat rising throughout your body yet the fear keeps you paralyzed. A family member quickly extinguishes the fire just in time. Natalie grabs Max while sobbing and escorts him out of the front door. Her brother continues to follow the two, after a one minute intermission of breaking every glass frame in the house hold and punching his best friend on the way out. The trio is now outside of the house ignoring the various bystanders. The sound of police cars and fire engines ring throughout the horizon and her nervous brother pulls out a pair of car keys. He rips his car door open and begins to back out of the driveway to avoid trouble with authority. He begins to drive down the long block and the blatant sound of an accident is heard.

This genre of writing is one that comes easily to me. Therefore, this piece was not difficult to write. The only challenge was choosing what I wanted to write about for this assignment. I believe a piece is successful if you were able to reflect and make sense of something that caused confusion in the minds of others. I wrote this piece on a word processor on my desktop computer and revised its word choice as well as sentence structures. By writing this piece, I learned that it is best to challenge yourself by writing about something that you would normally bypass. This was an interesting piece to write and its process is one that will practice again.

Blog Assignment #7: Midterm Reflection

Throughout the course thus far, my definition of creative non-fiction has expanded. I have been able to learn more about the subject through my own writing. By challenging myself throughout the past few assignments, I have strengthened my ability to display my thoughts and ideas in my writing. In studying the writing styles of other authors, I have been exposed to take on different roles in my writing. My own writing style has strengthened because within each assignment, I have been presented a new method of creative writing. The process of becoming a creative writer has not changed for me, but instead it has allowed me to think more abstractly as opposed to writing the conventional essay.  Creative writing is not difficult in my opinion because the words I present are under my own discretion. There is no set of rules and no correct answer when it comes to the story I want to display. The blog assignments have helped me throughout the course because they have allowed me to elaborate on my own work, as well as the work of other authors. I am satisfied with the quality of my work so far, and I am looking forward to creating more of my best writing throughout the rest of the semester.

Blog Assignment #6: Author's Note- Writing About a Place

For my second assignment, I decided to write about a venue in lower Manhattan whose atmosphere delivers a sense of excitement, fantasy, and admiration. I was inspired to describe this place for my assignment because there are numerous elements that allowed me to elaborate freely as well as continuously. Whether it be emotional states, effects of music, or the ambiance itself it is a place of positivity. It allows individuals to appreciate music in an environment where the outside world is nonexistent. It creates a temporary place of escape. Below is an excerpt from this piece.

            As you pay your price, you then find yourself anxiously walking down its white walled hallway. Glancing towards the merchandise booth as you glide by, the over priced t-shirts become a blur to the eye. Suddenly, the white lights dissolve into the dark. The further you follow the dimness, the closer you are to the place of importance. Walking into the performance space delivers the vitality that life needs. Stopping at the middle of its invisible floors, a sense of peace comes about. Being here becomes psychologically healing. It is an inviting atmosphere that does not know any strangers. You become immune to its comforting darkness and musical therapy.

Upon writing this piece, I have learned how fulfilling it can be to describe a place that you constantly associate yourself with. The reason for this is because you are able to take into account all of the things that you appreciate about it. It becomes exciting to execute an environment in writing to someone that has never been there. Each detail becomes important and you become determined to display that place as effectively as you can to others. I created this piece on a word processor and a genuine mindset of being in its environment. I will be revising this piece for my final portfolio by adding on to its description to intensify its tonality. Writing this piece has now allowed me to view all environments as a possible inspiration as well as a learning experience.

Blog Assignment #5: Responding to a Personal Memoir

Frank McCourt’s acclaimed work Angela’s Ashes is a memoir based the hardship and memories of his childhood in Ireland. I believe Angela’s Ashes has gained so much popularity because of its unique storyline, and intermediate writing style which appeals to a vast amount of readers. Upon reading an excerpt of the work, I have come across many points in the story that remain indistinctive in my mind. McCourt evokes the discomfort of living in Ireland during the 1930’s by writing” Your lavatory, missus? ...Sure, isn’t this the lavatory for the whole lane. You’ll see passing your door here the buckets of eleven families and I can tell you it gets very powerful here in the warm weather, very powerful altogether.” By successfully retelling the genuine poverty of this time, McCourt is able to present sensory details to his readers. In the work, McCourt is also able to effectively display the poverty his family existed through, and the small things they had to do in order to survive each day. McCourt writes” We find bits of coal and turf stuck in cracks on the road and ion the walls of coal yards. We find bits of paper and cardboard that will be useful in starting the fire again.” Showing that life at his young age was full of worry and lacked any sort of enjoyment and positivity.  I enjoyed the manner in which McCourt was able to present relatable truth to his readers while still being able to tell his dated story. McCourt explains “I know that big people don’t like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they like, How’s school? Are you a good boy? Did you say your prayers? but if you ask them did they say their prayers you might be hit on the head.”  McCourt’s ability to display his life while remaining aesthetically pleasing allows his readers to remain intrigued throughout this work. This is the reason why his writing remains effective as well as successful.

Blog Assignment #4: Writing on a Photograph

Upon viewing Edward Kelty’s photos of circus people, I have come across a photo that successfully displays aged circus life. This photo exhibits the excitement of an event that presents the unordinary to its audience. The photo is taken from an observant viewpoint; the photographer is overlooking the event as it is taking place. In the photograph, the audience is at full capacity surrounding the center of the event. The vast amounts of individuals in the photo become indistinctive. This event is depicted as a large gathering of intriguing excitement. Edward Kelty was able to evoke the importance of the event in the eyes of its large audience without dishonoring the focal point of circus life-its performers. At the center of the enclosed audience, performers are shown intentionally posing for the photograph.  A trail of elephants are shown abaft the large cast consisting of clowns, acrobats, musicians, officers and vendors. Kelty is able to present the admiration of circus life to its viewer through this photograph. Although the large amounts of spectators begin to dissolve into one another, taking a more concentrated look of this photo displays the circus as a place of happiness. Being under a white tent of eccentric performance shows that the circus is an event that is appreciated; considering its extensive audience. Edward Kelty’s photo is able to present this timeless event in the most efficient manner, as this photograph is a resource adequately exposing our past.

Blog Assignment #3: Authors note

For my vignette, I reflected upon a recent music event that I attended. It was a memorable event; therefore it was an enjoyable piece to write.  I became inspired to write this after the impact that the event had on me along with the intriguing and humorous elements that occurred. It was in my interest to reflect on this night because the emotions, language, scenery, and sensory details were still very apparent in my mind and I was able to deliver an effective reenactment of this night for my personal remembrance.  Below is an excerpt extracted from my vignette:

Taking notice of the vivid lighting and intense atmosphere, becoming more and more excited with each detail my vision throws at me. Taking into account that is finally the moment I have longed for. We make our way toward the stage, selecting the second row as our place for a portion of the night. I glance at the crowd around me curious as to who it may consist of, while interrogating the subject of what may be in store for the upcoming hours.  The lights dim as a signal of introduction, the first act was about to take the stage.  After an enjoyable forty five minute set of harmonizing vocals, thick guitar solos and catchy choruses abaft a psychedelic backdrop, adrenaline begins to take its course. It was our time, the reason we are here. A smile forced itself upon my face knowing my favorite band was seconds away from dominating every element of my soul.

In writing this, I learned that evoking your emotions to others, especially on a personal subject of admiration can pose a challenge since not all readers have experienced music in a similar manner.  Music is a focal part of my life, and was important for me to express this to others without being vague. I have reflected on music before, but have never created a short story based on a musical event. I created this piece on my desktop’s word processor with a genuine mind set of this night.  I will be revising this piece for my final portfolio by altering some word choice, and making my story much more forceful.  Writing this vignette was an experience I enjoyed as well as appreciated.  It instilled a lesson as a non fiction writer, and reflecting upon experiences such as this is something I will enjoy doing again in the future.