Writing Class

For the past six weeks, I have been honing my craft -- in an actual classroom! That's right, I took a writing class called Writing the Young Adult Novel. What a perfect title?! It was at Story Studio Chicago and taught by the wonderful M. Molly Backes.

It is over now, which means it is time to reflect.

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I learned a lot. 

And no, no, no, no. Do not be fooled to assume that I improved my grammar. That didn't happen. Alas, I fully believe that one either knows where to properly place their commas or they don't. And half of the time -- I don't.

However, this class taught me some applicable lessons that I did learn from. Most importantly, it taught me how to read more analytically and to write more thoughtfully.

I love to read (duh). And in general, I either like a book or I don't. I don't spend much time really wondering why. It is usually just this feeling in my gut. If the feeling is there, I like the book. If I never get the feeling, the book is not my favorite. Now, I have started analyzing where that feeling is coming from. It resonates in a strong voice. In well crafted tension. In a fantastic romantic interest (of course). In skilled dialogue. And in the painting of a scene.

These are all obvious elements that I assume innately I was noticing, but now when I read, I really think about them. And since it was a class about writing not reading, these are all elements that when I write, I have learned to think more purposefully about. Instead of spilling words onto a page with no order or eloquence, I write (at least try to write) with deliberate strokes instead of haphazard splatters. I guess you could say that I used to be a Jackson Pollack and now I am a Van Gogh. (Of course they were both extremely talented painters -- I by no means am comparing my writing talent to their painting talent. Merely an analogy.)

Aside from how much I learned, it also felt good to be out there. Working on my writing. Growing as a writer. It was fantastic to talk with people who also write or want to write YA novels. And overall, it was extremely non-intimidating. And best of all -- encouraging. 

It was a toe dip into the writing world, and I discovered that the water is warm and inviting. 

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So...I am going to keep writing. Probably take more classes. Read books that make me think. And continue to do all of this, because I love to. And those are the things we should commit to. Those things that bring us happiness. I am happy. And -- I am committed.