A little add: So many Writers and public speakers, including seasoned pros feel they have to become Shakespearean in a public setting, and get the reverse result, sounding like the pedantry of a first-grade teacher.
I've always been fascinated with the parallel between writing and spontaneous narrative. I did live broadcasts for almost 50 years, and I would never wing it or show up with nothing prepared. I recall having to fill a half hour of news on Christmas when even the criminals take the day off, and NOTHING happens. Anyway, my medium was spoken, but I'd 'write' what I was going to say in my head while driving from home to Cambridge (MA). I'd keep musing over the most effective way to convey what I had in mind, making my words more specific as I went along. I'm convinced the best writing is conversational, but many writers formalize the life out of their compositions.
Recently, after submitting an assingment, one of my students wrote me a note saying, "I have no clue what I was doing here. But I believe with practice, I will get better." I ended up teaching his note for a large portion of the following class, explaining that most of us—professional, amateur, green, expert, or otherwise—feel exactly the same.
Love your comment of fear of writing only being secondary to fear of math! Not true for mathematicians, though. I've only taught writing to math majors (in a writing-intensive "History of Math" course they HAVE to take). Very stressful for many of them. For me as well - as their writing teacher - wish I'd had your essay to show them!
I've always wanted to do one of your writing workshops but overseas can be too expensive. I think one year you did one in Colorado? Any chance of one in North America somewhere? Northern California is beautiful country ....
We will be excited to see you in Bhutan.
Can't wait!
A little add: So many Writers and public speakers, including seasoned pros feel they have to become Shakespearean in a public setting, and get the reverse result, sounding like the pedantry of a first-grade teacher.
I've always been fascinated with the parallel between writing and spontaneous narrative. I did live broadcasts for almost 50 years, and I would never wing it or show up with nothing prepared. I recall having to fill a half hour of news on Christmas when even the criminals take the day off, and NOTHING happens. Anyway, my medium was spoken, but I'd 'write' what I was going to say in my head while driving from home to Cambridge (MA). I'd keep musing over the most effective way to convey what I had in mind, making my words more specific as I went along. I'm convinced the best writing is conversational, but many writers formalize the life out of their compositions.
Recently, after submitting an assingment, one of my students wrote me a note saying, "I have no clue what I was doing here. But I believe with practice, I will get better." I ended up teaching his note for a large portion of the following class, explaining that most of us—professional, amateur, green, expert, or otherwise—feel exactly the same.
Love this!
Love your comment of fear of writing only being secondary to fear of math! Not true for mathematicians, though. I've only taught writing to math majors (in a writing-intensive "History of Math" course they HAVE to take). Very stressful for many of them. For me as well - as their writing teacher - wish I'd had your essay to show them!
I've always wanted to do one of your writing workshops but overseas can be too expensive. I think one year you did one in Colorado? Any chance of one in North America somewhere? Northern California is beautiful country ....
I did one in Arizona for a while. None planned in North America at the monet, but stay tuned!