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.

Blog Assignment #2: Joan Didion's "Letter from Los Angeles"

In Joan Didion's "Letter from Los Angeles" she begins her work by describing a favorable day in Los Angeles, stating that "There can be about these hours spent in transit a seductive unconnectedness." She begins her work evoking the desolate, everyday nature of Los Angeles which is considered to be a "good" day in this city. This phrase is effective since it  uses irony to describe a good day in L.A., which is actually depicted as a place of misconnection. Didion successfully uses description to display the lackluster attributes of the Los Angeles she finds herself in. " Such tranced hours are for many people who live in Los Angeles, the dead center of being there, but there is nothing about them to encourage the normal impulse toward recognition, or narrative connection." Didion uses description to administer a reference to the reader of what it is like to live in a place where an unknown absence is present. She then goes on to talk about crime in LA, and a 1983 murder case. This crime reference shows Didion's curiosity as well as interest in this field since it is an element ultimately creates a personality of her city. Didion’s main intent in her work is to showcase the "genre"of L.A. to her readers. “There is a definite narrative here, but not a sentimental one, and not one that many people outside Los Angeles seem to hear.” By using description as well as a transition of simple word choice to an elaborate style in her writing, Didion is able to effectively characterize her city. I chose to write about Joan Didion’s “Letter from Los Angeles” because I was intrigued to read more of her work as her style of writing appeals to me. Her descriptive writing is able to conduct her reader through a vast amount of realistic tones, which makes her technique favorable.

Welcome to Stephanie Hernandez' Creative Non-Fiction Blog

Hello all. Welcome to my blog, dedicated to my Creative Non-Fiction course. I am looking foward to sharing my thoughts and ideas with you, as well as being able to learn more about myself in doing this. As a writing/literature major, I am eager to enhance my knowledge in this field, and challenge myself as much as I can.  I hope for positive outcomes, and successful work to come.