Untitled & stuff

[december_solstice]

I have this one extremely ambitious student in my non-fiction workshop.

And now? I’m 100% committed to this class and to this student. I have to give 100% because they specifically came here to write. I need to help them do that. They came here to improve, to workshop and to receive feedback. My job is to inspire. I want to leave a lasting impression on these students, you know? The thing about writing courses is (artistic expression that is taught)...the teacher really makes or break that spark, that fire, that sense of magic, you know? As an instructor, my job is to provide the structure (rules) without putting out the fire. I mean, the entire idea is for me to provide a space where writers can get the support they need -- where they can act on their inspiration.

Truth is, we’re all helping each other. Being an instructor gives me accountability. It is motivation for me to keep working on my own writing even when I think it’s trash, it won’t go anywhere, no one will publish it. But bottom line is, it makes me feel good to lead an environment where we are all getting work done, we’re all improving, and we’re all one step closer to presenting our work to the world.

I feel like everyone is born with ambition. Like, tons of it. As you go through life, little bits and pieces of ambition get chipped off. It could be from failure, or discouragement from others...or a million other things. I want to be that person that refilled the well, you know? When it runs empty, someone needs to refill. Ambition is good for the world. It washes away complacency. But, it's a group effort.

Comments

[ringlat.livejournal.com]

i'm like that too - if someone comes up to me and wants to learn x language i go "oh yeah, that's right!! i want to teach this shit!" but if i'm sitting here working "for myself" i get lazy and do nothing....

if you can make it seem easy, no matter how weird your teaching methods are, that's best. easy = fun and fast improvement = self-motivation. it can really require a lot of work on the part of the teacher but then what do you do? gather together everything you've ever taught anyone and publish it in a compilation book.

[outerspace-bae.livejournal.com]

Accountability is really helpful! Just having people who can encourage you.
I really wish I had more people in my life who are writers. Even more so, ones that are I guess doing it "professionally". For me, I find it hard sometimes. There isn't that many people who are interested in what I do LOLOL No one I know appreciates writing at the same kind of lvl I do and consider it their life's work.

I teach, and that really helps me a lot in regards to staying on top of my own writing projects and also just being mindful of writing in general...but outside of the classroom...I don't really have anyone in my personal life who I can talk about writing with.

TBH, there aren't many people in my life who I can talk about anything career/work/business related. I guess what I'm missing is a mentor? I dunno. I want someone to bounce ideas off of..but be a 2 way relationship. I help them. They help me.

[ringlat.livejournal.com]

I don't know anyone who does what I do either.... I used to write tons of fanfic and now I write tons of nonfiction (language lessons).

For fiction, that ushobwri comm is pretty good, everyone there is always writing WAY more than me and when I see it on my f-list it guilts me into at least THINKING about writing even if I never end up actually writing haha...

edit: how embarrassing, i wrote "dashboard"... well i've also spilled stuff 3 times today eventhough it's only 15:00 >.>;

[outerspace-bae.livejournal.com]

I didn't even notice you said dashboard XD

I really should tag this blog tbh. At least then I can, like you said, find shit Lol

I'm totally going to join this community

[ringlat.livejournal.com]

i was just pointed to this comm today - this would be inspiration for how, err, not to write: weepingcock

[outerspace-bae.livejournal.com]

LOL that name tho