Thursday was our ninth meeting. A few minutes ago, I went through my folder and organized everyone's pieces. That's a lot of writing we've done- kind of impressive when you look at it all together. There's a lot of variety as well, and pieces in different stages of the process. I'm happy to have a reason to write, a deadline to produce, and a place to share my writing. It's still a big deal for me, accompanied by adrenaline and nerves; I always leave our group wired.
I want to be honest here. I always leave our group a little disappointed, too. Every month I try to figure out what I want that I'm not getting, and there's no blame on anyone but me. I understand that figuring out what kind of feedback I want as a writer is part of the value of participating in such a group, especially since the teacher and the writer are bound in me.
I wonder what you guys think. I started this blog to give me and you, if you're interested, a place to reflect and continue our conversation about our writing pieces, but also about our group: what we do, what we want to try, what works, what doesn't.
What do you think?
4 comments:
Hey Tracey - thanks for setting this up.
I appreciate your honesty - there is something nice about conversing on a blog. I have had a feeling that it wasn't going as strongly as it could. I feel like for me there is some work to do on the process - how I give feedback and what kind of feedback is needed.
At times I have struggled with a lack of purpose in my writing, and I think that impacts the feedback I can give and am prepared to receive.
One major issue for me is that in many respects I feel totally unqualified to comment, especially with purposeful criticism, on anyone else's writing. I usually can make positive comments - but I have a hard time finding something to give constructive comment on. I have found that, also, with the best writers in my classroom - I am not able to provide feedback that will challenge them to push themselves. In fact they are good writers in spite of me. I am great at providing the opportunity to write, and less good at supporting the writer after the initial drafting process is complete.
I had decided (after Thursday) to do a little research on being a writing group member, providing constructive help, and how to do it.
These are some of my thoughts at this time...I am open to suggestions if any of you have resources you think would be good!
I too have had a hard time figuring out how to give feedback on everyone else's writing. I agree with Ellen, it's easy to find what I like in a piece, a lot harder to pinpoint areas that need help. I wonder if it's because the writing has been about our own life experiences. I don't feel like I can comment on everyone else's memories. Does that make sense?
I'm visiting with a friend this week who is involved in a writing group. I plan to pick her brain a bit about her own group. Perhaps I will come away with some new insights.
On the other hand, I truly enjoy having a reason to write all these crazy thoughts that spin around my head. I always come away impressed with everyone else's ability to put words and thoughts together. I think the group has helped me become a better writer simply because it's made me write. For me, that's a good start.
I've been trying to think of ways to challenge myself. I came across another blog where the author starts with a quote and then writes a memory that connects to it. I thought that was an interesting approach.
Ellen, I think the issue you raise about purpose is a good one. Here's how Murray answers the question, "Why write?":
To learn to describe and therefore to see, to speak and therefore to hear, to entertain, to inform, to persuade, to celebrate, to attack, to call attention, to think, to make money, to promote, to advocate, to connect, to relate, to make, to share. But always behind each writing purpose is the secret excitement of discovery: the word, the line, the sentence, the page that achieves its own life and its own meaning.
The first responsibility of the writing teacher is to experience this essential surprise.
Mary, I appreciate your pragmatic approach to the questions raised. I'll be interested to know what your friend says.
"But always behind each writing purpose is the secret excitement of discovery: the word, the line, the sentence, the page that achieves its own life and its own meaning."
I love this part...for me I think this is stage one... write to see that you can...discover. Maybe after 9 months some are ready to move to stage two, whatever that may be. It sounds like that stage is different for everyone. I feel like, great, look at me...I'm writing now what to do with that? I have some things in mind I'd like to do, like attempt a piece of fiction, but it scares the hell out of me. It seems like too much, but maybe not so much with group support.
Everyone writes for a different reason. For some, it seems, that reason never includes a large audience. Figuring out ones own reason may help pave the way for the next stage.
Post a Comment