I'm going to a creative feature writing (newspaper) workshop tomorrow. My friend (and part time boss) has a brother that teaches journalism at a college in Philadelphia, and he's flying in tonight to do the workshop tomorrow.
He sent us several features to examine before the class. Some of the stories were written by Rick Bragg.
All the stories he sent blew me away - he knows what's good and he wants to help us get better.
Take a look at this story if you have a moment. If you have any doubt about the power of words, I dare you to read it.
The more I learn about writing, the more I realize I don't know squat, but this much I know -- I want to grow as a writer, and be the best I can be.
I've written several features in the past several months that I mentioned here in this blog. In the next day or so, I will post links so that you can read them if you like.
There are so many fascinating stories out there, and we need to write them down.
Enjoy your class!!!!! And thanks for the link to Rick Bragg story - I have it already bookmarked!!!! Take care
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Rick, to paraphrase you, "The more I learn about Life, the more I realize I don't know squat". That's why I'm in this class - Life 101.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post. I gave up on myself and the craft of writing years ago and just shut myself up and stopped trying. The stress of my career (which pays the bills) zaps my ability to pick words carefully. Lately, reading excellent blog writing (like yours) I feel a nudge toward working on it again.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at the class. Honestly, I think the single most exciting thing about writing is that it's a never-ending learning process. We'll never master the art, which means that we can only keep growing. Love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat space and wud love to see more over here... !
ReplyDeleteI read the first story, poignant. I'm taking my first writing class, EVER! Of course, on food writing. I have to write a food memoir and I keep procrastinating! Check out my post "I Hope I Can Find The Words" and read how the Yankee Magazine writer described butternut squash when you have time. I think it's hard playing with words, but the challenge is fun. Enjoy your class!
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful and moving piece of writing. There are writers and writers and then there are award winning writers.
ReplyDeleteMs Soup