The Writing Class: Questions

[The Stranger]

whats it all about, must i pm you a story and you will tell your oppinion or will you grade it. what will you do actually cuz youre not allowed to post in the writing class itself we might keep this to ask the questions in so your PM box wont be flooded

[shifty157]

The writing class threads have been made so that people can submit essays about the topics listed so that other members can read them and improve their writing in whatever areas may need improving.

[AntiochusIII]

And I think that since this thread is already started, it should also be used as a commentary for the writing class essays. (Possibly renaming the topic, as well?)

The Shadow One's first essay Choosing a Topic (or Why Write at all) is an excellent example of an essay for this "venture." I also think that it's a good inspirational essay for the new, the amateurs, and the doubtful.

[The Stranger]

what's a essay???? just a story or a Iliad type of story.

[AntiochusIII]

what's a essay???? just a story or a Iliad type of story.

An essay is "A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author." (dictionary.reference.com)

In other words, it's like you're writing an article.

[The Stranger]

oh oke. hmmm can you also submit stories???

[AntiochusIII]

oh oke. hmmm can you also submit stories???

I don't think so, unless, perhaps, you masterfully crafted the story into some sort of a "writer's fable of how to write." Or if you decide to write a story and analyze it bit by bit in the same article to present your point, it would work.

[The Stranger]

shame, i'm going to start Story Class, The Art of Story Telling. i'm going to wright it right now

[Monk]

Stuck for a place for people to ask general questions.

The writing class threads have been made so that people can submit essays about the topics listed so that other members can read them and improve their writing in whatever areas may need improving.

The exact thinking behind it.

[King Henry V]

While I like the idea of a writing class, I'm not sure wether with writing for pleasure there is any real mathematical-type formula. After all, almost evry story is different, as is every writer's style.

[Ludens]

While I like the idea of a writing class, I'm not sure wether with writing for pleasure there is any real mathematical-type formula. After all, almost evry story is different, as is every writer's style.

I am sure that most writers would agree there is no such thing as a mathematical formula (or any formula) for good literature. But the writing class will be an open resource. If you disagree with the viewpoint expressed in it, you are free to write your own essay and submit it to The Shadow One or to whoever will be assistant-moderator here.

[King Henry V]

What I mean is that writing well can really only come from yourself, you can't learn it like learning from a cookery book. I think the best way to improve one's writing is to just read as much as you can from good books, gradually and subconsciously absorbing a good writing style. That's in my opinion.

[The Stranger]

i agree with Henry...thouh you must learn from and not copy the style in the books

[The Shadow One]

Okay, rather than debate with Henry and Stranger, let me ask this:

Are these essays (or stories, if you think that's a better term) of any use to anyone?

I mean, I spent some significant time this week putting a few of these together so that I could post them this weekend. It was time I took away from work, my own writing, etc., so that I could post these here and make up for some lost time.

But if everyone here already knows this stuff, or if it's the general consensus that there is no value in my doing this, then I do have better uses for my time. I don't want to force myself or my opinions on anyone.

Let me just say this: I agree that reading (and writing) are essential to improving your own writing. If that's what you wanted to hear, then I've said it and this was easy.

I do not agree that passive reading without studying the form, style and technique of others (great authors or even mediocre authors) is an effective way of improving your writing. I can't learn to do brain surgery (or paint, or sculpt or participate in any art form) by merely standing in a room watching someone else do it. I sure as **** wouldn't want to be wheeled into an emergency room to have someone start cutting on me whose sole experience in the world of medicine involved reading his med school textbooks.

[SwordsMaster]

I do think your essays are useful The Shadow One, so please do not give up the idea. Your introduction tutorial made me do some brainstorming before I churned out the one I posted...

[The Shadow One]

Let me just throw out an apology to Henry and Stranger. I wroter my earlier messages just before lunch at work, and I'd just spent the morning arguing with a jack#%@ of a project manager who doesn't know squat about writing or how long it takes.

If my answer seems a bit tense or harsh, I'm sorry.

However, I would like to make sure these essays are of use to people. If not, I won't bother submitting them.

Thanks again and accept my apology.

[Greek Phalanx]

hey shadow ur essays are useful... I'm tryin' to read 'em right now... u could be a teacher with all u know, man!