Monday, March 2, 2015

Writing Class

I wanted to do something more fun and creative this year, so I went ahead and enrolled in a fiction writing class.  I'm so glad I did.  The people in my class are so unique and in some cases quirky, I'm getting such a kick out of it. 

To give you an idea of the level of intellectualism in my class, when the instructor asked us what our favorite book was, most people said something like "Wuthering Heights" or "Ulysses."

Really?  Before my turn came, I was seriously debating whether to just say "Jane Eyre," but while the book represents great literature, it's by no means something I would have picked out on my own (it had been assigned to us in high school, and was one of the few books that I liked...not loved, but liked). 

Rather than being pretentious and/or a literary guru to match some of my fellow classmates, I picked something more recent that was an NYT Bestseller, and which had kept me up all night.  A true page-turner.  Felt good being true to myself.

The first in-class assignment was mentally stimulating, and I just completed my first homework writing assignment of 150 words.  It may not be the best, but I had just fun brainstorming, drafting it, and finally snipping it here and there and making it a concise 150 words.  Can't wait to share it in class, and hear what the others come up with.

The best part about this class is that this appears to be all about creative writing.

The instructor asked us to start observing people and places in every-day life, and jot them down.  I thought it appropriate to start-off with an entry below:

Today while waiting in line at Starbucks, a 30-something year old blond-pony-tailed mom was in front of me with her 5-year old high energetic son.  He took in the baked goods display, and selected a cake pop.  His mom asked him which he wanted - he said the chocolate with the white sprinkles.  However, when mom placed the order (and at this time the son was busy talking with another kid about something), she asked for the caramel one instead.  Then the mom noticed that if you buy two, you get them cheaper.  I held my breath, hoping she would get the chocolate-covered one for her son, but no, the cashier took the strawberry one.  Oh well.  I guess there will be a debate or a tantrum outside.