[HPFGU-OTChatter] Fanfic Ideas and the Creative Process... (was Quidditch!Ron)

[Amber]

--- Ebony Elizabeth Thomas <ebonyink at hotmail.com> wrote:
> BTW, I am THRILLED to be teaching high school Creative Writing next
> year. I just came from a meeting downtown... my new school was just
> selected for a Pen/Faulkner Writers-in-Residence grant sponsored by
> Ford Motor Company. That means that *six* times next year, a number
> of *really* famous pro novelists will be teaching half-day classes in
> fiction to my creative writing students.  People like Maxine Hong
> Kingston, Frank McCourt, Amy Tan... and the writer confers with the
> creative writing teacher before and afterwards... *faints from
> happiness*  

Bah, where was this when I was in high school? Ebony, this sounds like
a wonderful program and I am green with jealousy (actually
emerald...the same color as Harry's eyes). Although, I was thrown to
see the words "thrilled to be teaching high school" in a sentence. My
mom had some *horrendous* experiences teaching grades 9-12. Thank god
she's teaching elementary right now. But with Creative Writing, you
should be teaching students who *want* to learn. Anyways, much luck
with that; tell us how it goes!  

> Which begs another question.  How many OT-Chatter members are
> aspiring creative writers?  Narrow is the road that leads to
> publication, and few are they that find it... how has *your* journey
> been?  Please share your tales of triumph and tribulation... both are
> part of the writer's lot.

I am and I'm not. I blow hot and cold about this issue. At times I'm
certain that I won't ever get anything published because I don't have
anything creative or original in me, just regurgitation. Other times I
think I might get one piece published, a piece that manages to hold my
pure voice. I have no desire to be a professional writer, though. I'd
rather write exactly what I want to and not satisfy the desires of a
market. Which means my chances are practically nil.

My journey has been a very lonely, bumpy road. Right now I'm writing
more than I have ever in my life because I'm out of school. It's great,
but I would trade one of my toes at the very least for a Real Life
Writing Group to be a part of. Feedback is the most precious and
helpful thing to any writer and live useful feedback is doubly
precious.

No successes in getting anything published. Unless you count a horribly
written poem that got published in a struggling poetry magazine. I
shudder every time I look at it. I submitted some truly trite fantasy
stories to the Marion Zimmer Bradley Fantasy Magazine (not being
published anymore since MZB died) which recieved some polite
rejections. Until she passed away, my goal was to have something
published in her mag. Alas, now that's a goal that will never see
fruitation.

Gah, listen to me babble like a brook. Just smack me, I'll take the
hint and clam up.

~Amber


=====
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Just another crappy homepage...updated 6/2/2001

" 'I think it was a bit of an overreaction,' said the serpent. 'I mean, first offense and everything. I can't see what's so bad about knowing the difference between good and evil, anyway.' "
 - N. Gaiman and T. Prachett, "Good Omens"

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