Writing about nature is an interesting way to go about creative nonfiction. Nature writing forces a writer out of their comfort zone and requires them to have a personal interaction with the world around them. Some nature writers travel for months at a time following a flock of birds, living in a wooded area, or experiencing different climates, all while taking notes and collecting research. What impact does this interaction with nature have on the writer? How does this help the writer grow? What are the limits of nature writing? Nature is an interesting topic in the field of writing that should be explored and discovered.
That's totally agree on. Bella Wick. Nature can be fascinating in oh so many ways. – WSSfan5 years ago
I couldn't agree with you more, Bella Wick. I'd like to recommend a particularly interesting book, Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees, by Roger Deakin (2007. Penguin Books. ISBN 9780141010014). Quoting from the back cover 'Roger Deakin's unmatched exploration of our relationship with trees is autobiography, history, traveller's tale and incisive work of natural history. It will take you into the heart of the woods, where we go to grown and learn'. Especially apt in a time when trees are being felled to make way for 5G. – Amyus5 years ago
I find this take very interesting Bella. I also think writing in nature also allows for the persons inner creativity shine through, it allows for their interpretation of what they are perceiving, all the while giving the reader the opportunity to step into the writers words and visualize and feel what they are seeing. You look at the great western writers such as Thoreau, and Muir, who steeped themselves in nature for an extensive period of time, they were able to get closer to the earth, a deep connection, and the actualization that they are a part of this beautiful spinning rock in the cosmos. I am so stoked for you to explore this topic if you do choose to do so! – thomasgoenczi5 years ago
You can't write about a penguin if you don't see it, you have to experience it yourself. – otohoanglong5 years ago
This is definitely an interesting topic. Recently, I had watched a small documentary about the importance of nature and the psychological impact this has on astronauts. Astronauts spend months in space and psychologists needed to take into account how much they miss earth as whole. The life and creation on earth as a whole is what they miss. Nature writing I think would definitely help with the mentality of these astronauts who spend months up in space with no interaction with simple things that we take for granted such as trees, animals and rivers. Perhaps, nature writing and taking pictures of nature could help them feel more at home? – JAbida5 years ago
It seems like pregnancy in fiction and other popular media tends to follow a certain stereotyped and predictable trajectory, which isn't usually very realistic. Usually what will happen is a woman will discover she's pregnant in an overly emotional scene after she's thrown up a few times, then will get bigger for a while until she gives birth to a beautiful, cooing baby in an unrealistically clean and idealized setting. Examples of this are too numerous to list, though one famous one can be seen in the anime movie Wolf Children. It's also common in fanfiction.
Sometimes, of course, the woman will die in childbirth; however, if this happens it will also be overly-dramatic and sanitized compared to what a death in childbirth would really look like. In the anime "Clannad," for example, Nagisa dies shortly after the birth of her daughter on a clean bed with a smile on her face, while her husband looks on in tears.
What do you think is driving some of these trends of unrealistic pregnancy in fiction? Are there any works that seem to do a more realistic job of portraying pregnancy and birth?
Very intriguing, however, try providing specific television shows or examples from different media. Also, the thesis is off a bit, maybe pin down your thesis more; is it offensive how childbirth is portrayed? Or are women being depreciated because of the depiction of pregnancy in media?
Overall this is really thought provoking! – Yasmine Allen5 years ago
I personally would love to see this topic turned into an article! This an issue that is so ingrained in our society it's hard to notice; childbearing is always glamorized and encouraged. It makes sense, from an evolutionary perspective, to encourage reproduction... but does it still make sense now? – Slaidey5 years ago
Interesting topic and definitely important to explore, but I also think there are a lot of great examples of realistic pregnancy/childbirth/parenting starting to emerge in backlash of these earlier unrealistic depictions (e.g. Jane the Virgin, Parenthood, later seasons of The Mindy Project). I think a lot has to do with perhaps a masculine gaze or male writers, not knowing or wanting to share the reality because it's usually not as dramatic or TV-worthy (water breaking usually just feels like peeing, for example, or labour being hours but only having a contraction every hour or so... not a quick process!). – sarahduignan5 years ago
For many writers, keeping a personal journal or a personal blog is a necessary creative outlet to keep work private. However, simultaneously they are creating content that is relevant to a wide audience and likely highly different than their personal writings. How do they manage these different voices for very different audiences while maintaining their integrity to who they are as creatives? Creativity does not happen in a vacuum, and it's important to be able to cater to a number of different audiences (with the self or future self being a potential audience as well).
I enjoy this topic, I struggle with this quite often. Finding the time to write, sometimes all I end up with is a journal entry and nothing polished or in proper story format. Although I know daily struggles are something people can relate to, I don't want to brand myself as that kind of writer when I want to publish short fiction. I write in very different voices when not in-character with a story. It would be a worthwhile article to the majority of people on this platform to read, and know whether it's beneficial cultivating a personal presence online as a writer on various platforms. – Slaidey5 years ago
Writers, as all humans do, come with their own intentions behind what they write. However, with editors as middle men, is the world shaped for the better as writers are forced to take on the advice of those trying to mold a final product for a reader. Sometimes a piece of writing can be made more interesting by this process, and a writers piece is molded for the better, which personal blogs miss out on having. Are they better off for that? – Elpis19885 years ago
Good topic to explore. I think it comes down to expressing oneself in stream of writing consciousness in a journal versus editing and being grammatically correct in one's published works. I don't censor myself in either realm. If I am writing a memoir most of what I write comes out naturally. However, there are lines that need to be drawn and one needs to consider one's audience and the potential to offend so I might change a name used or eliminate a specific word. I think this is really interesting because my journal and my writing are very closely linked, whereas there are some writers who insist that their characters have "nothing to do with them or their lives" and i think this is a lack of awareness on their part because EVERYTHING one writes comes from that individual's psyche and cumulative experiences. I only heard one author insist that her characters were nothing like her and she did not experience what they experienced and no interviewer really took her seriously but she maintains this position vigilantly. Not all writers explore the depths of their psyche and she is a good writer but not a great one because even though her characters are good it feels like their is something missing. I really don't know how one could be a good writer and not be connected to different parts of one's psyche as they are expressing themselves in a given character. I analyze and process things on a very deep level;some writers do not. I have always preferred the deep thinkers like Tolstoy and Cervantes whose complexity of characters is remarkable. – youngmollflanders5 years ago
Writing is an essential part of many people's lives, including my own; however, sometimes actually sitting down to write may be an issue. Whether it be due to limited time, lack of motivation, or distractions, writing may not come as naturally as we may wish it did. Perhaps it's the way in which we keep journals (or lack thereof of said journals), but what essentially would be a few techniques to keep you writing everyday? Is it simply writing whatever pops into your head, what you see, how you feel, details of your day, descriptions of your surrounds, and/or other details that you observe, feel, or imagine? What makes a "good" writing journal?
A fantastically simple yet useful topic to write about. I think coming up with a few different types of journals to talk about would be nice. As you mentioned, something which is just a list of events that have happened. Maybe a more structured journal with a formula such as today I went to _______ and felt _________ and I am grateful for _______. I definitely think a lot of people lack imagination and direction when it comes to journalling, so giving them some ideas and analysis of what could work would actually help! – walleaeaglehawk5 years ago
I think that there actually may be too many suggested guidelines when it comes to journaling. I had been trying different journaling techniques for years and was never able to find one that I could stick to for more than a few weeks. However, carrying a small journal around and writing whatever popped into my head is a tactic that has worked well for me. I think that journaling should be an act of self expression and a documentation of ones life. Too many formats and guidelines can stifle the creative aspect. – Raynee Hamilton5 years ago
When I first started journaling, I believed that what I was supposed to be doing was keeping a log of what I did daily but honestly that just made me feel worse when at the end of the day I had nothing significant to write down because I hadn't done anything significant with my day. Recently though, I've realized that journalling is more about keeping track of how you feel and it requires you to take a moment of your day to understand yourself and how you feel, and why that is. Everyone has their own motivation, and of course my journaling technique and motivation won't be the same as the next. But for me, it was about not forcing the words, but taking a moment to fully appreciate where I was, metaphorically and literally, and writing it down in a way that made me feel something, and left me much less anxious. Another thing that really made me committed to my journal was adding other aspects to it - I started drawing in my journal too. Somedays I chose to only draw instead of write, somedays I wrote a few pages, some days a poem, or other days I collected things like pressed flowers, tickets, and photos. To me this was the most important technique I found in staying committed to my journal - the continuous change made it so I was never tired of what I was doing, and I practiced new and old skills (I'm not very good at drawing) and the journal to me is a more full representation of my life because it is more than words but images and momentos. – chuard5 years ago
Many great writers never studied the craft. Today, more and more students are enrolling in creative writing degrees. Edward Delaney has written in The Atlantic, on 'Where great writers are made', about America's top graduate writing programs – emphasising the importance of time (money) and something to react against. Is that it? Lynn Davidson writes movingly in her article 'A roof over my head' for Text journal about structure, and being part of an ongoing conversation. How has the current long apprenticeship evolved; in what ways does it tap into a tradition of writing mentorships and creative communities and what aspects might be evidence that we are seeing a different model emerging?
My sub major is creative writing and I would have to say, if I didn't do the introductory unit to this course I would not have found my passion and love for poetry, writing and reading in general. I believe without studying it or practising creative writing you won't achieve the best that you can achieve. You won't get a lot out of it if you did it here and there. Studying it takes it to another level and I love that. In the end a writer should not write or get published just to earn money, my tutor told me if you are going about your profession this way then you are doing it wrong. You must do it because you love it and because you want your words to be heard and read. As I said earlier, I would not have found my passion for poetry and writing if I did not do this course. You can learn so much about different authors, writing techniques and to be honest you would be surprised how much you learn about yourself also. Of course, having a mentor or someone who knows creative writing well is always a good idea. Having support is so important especially if you want to get published one day. It can be challenging at times, I've been told you will get turned down but it is part of the job and the journey. – claraaa7 years ago
I love this topic. I studied creative writing and got degrees in it, which I definitely think helped get me published. Why study creative writing? My question is, Why not? – Stephanie M.7 years ago
It's always good to broaden your knowledge and hear from others, and writing skills be no different; but obviously there are people who have achieved great success without writing courses. It's really whatever works for you. It might also be interesting to look into the growing number of free online resources that emerging writers are using to train themselves. – AGMacdonald7 years ago
I think it would be good to also look at how creative writing degrees can impact the creative well. Personally, studying creative writing ruined my enjoyment of writing. It was all about seeking validation, being criticised for your work even if you believe you put a lot of effort in it. I seek freedom with my creative writing, so it would be good to look at how these structures impact the freedom that should come with creative writing. – Zohal996 years ago
I think it is also worth exploring the economics of creative writing programs. Some people leave with lots of debt and that can be destructive. That same price tag can keep promising writers out of programs as well. – Istickboy6 years ago
Creative writing is one of my favourite mediums of writing. The possibilities are literally endless, and I honestly see no reason as to why someone would reject it. – pamelaobeid6 years ago
Creative for me is something where you can be as creative as possible. Be it fiction or nonfiction writing or some poetry you would be writing on. The purpose of all the effort is that you express yourself. Whether you are expressing your thoughts, your emotions, or your feelings. – nathinjohn6 years ago
I think this is a clear example of educational institutions captializing on peoples hopes and dreams. Nowadays, if it exists, there is a course somewhere telling you how to do it right. – Gliese436B6 years ago
Creative writing is a wonderful thing to study and learn, and is often a way of expressing oneself that is even more spontaneous than speaking/lecturing. It helps people to really express themselves much more fully, as well. – mplo5 years ago
I think this is a great topic and could be very helpful to those who are on the fence whether to study their passion or not. I definitely would look at both sides in order to give a well rounded argument, but always come back to the bottom line that creative writing is a way to express yourself in ways that science and math cannot. – reschilke5 years ago
I study creative writing and love how it has introduced me to different styles of writing. I think it would be a great degree for someone who loves writing but doesn't know what they want to do. – evablandis5 years ago
Creative writing serves as a vassal for others to express themselves in a unique way. Being a creative writer can be challenging, but it is also a fun task. Writers can adapt their own techniques of conveying their tone of voice to a wider audience and, thus, adapting a new form of writing for others to follow. – jstibbetts5 years ago
I'd say with how education has been so fixed down to the formula that MUST be used to solve any problem, creative writing is an important factor for a student's development as it is a means of release and freedom. With creative writing, a student is able to express their thought, feelings, and ideals in any sense that they choose. In my creative writing course we would have to write a fiction or non-fiction story, have the rest of the class read it and each student had to write three notes for each reading whether it be their opinion on the story's characters, theme, or plot, or a question to the writer. By having others students look at another students work as well as giving input, it give the writer a sense of satisfaction in their work and the knowledge of where they need improvement. I think it also becomes more important when hearing thought from your peers rather than having a teacher critique your work, it gives a sense of equal standing. – Kevin Mohammed5 years ago
Studying creative writing has been helpful for me because it has introduced me to terms for literary techniques I had known previously only intuitively. I published my writing before I studied creative writing, but the writing process was difficult compared to now - I have new skills for turning ideas into prose without the torture of wondering so much how to do it. It saves reinventing the wheel in terms of understanding which technique suits your intention. – Bodhi5 years ago
Studying Creative Writing has allowed opportunities for my work to be given honest, constructive feedback in a "safe" environment. It has allocated time to read fiction and other disciplines to expand my knowledge of the written word. Unless someone is disciplined to study all of these things on their own, University programs can offer an opportunity to do all of these things. Not to mention most employers want employees to have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree (or higher). – Dena Elerian5 years ago
What is more important when writing: The Creative Process? or The perfection of structure, language usage, and grammar?
I think it would be interesting to approach this topic by examining the creative process in its entirety, i.e. the importance of creativity versus perfection when coming up with the idea in the first place, creativity versus perfection when writing a first draft and creativity versus perfection when editing. – PhoebeLupton6 years ago
I tend to agree with Phoebe's comments. In my case when I write the first draft it's very much in the 'stream of consciousness' vein, just letting it all flow out and getting the ideas down on paper (or screen) before they vanish. If we edit as we go then we tend to over-edit and be too self-critical. My advice is write with your 'right brain', then edit with your 'left brain'. Oh, and a good cup of coffee helps too :) – Amyus6 years ago
I agree with the comments above; the creative process and the perfection of structure complement each other and each act is more useful than the other at different stages of the writing process. However, I think that there's another interesting question implied by this topic: which draft features the writer's most sincere and authentic voice: the intuitive, free-flowing, and spontaneous first draft, or the meticulously crafted final draft? – Vertov.Isou6 years ago
Nice topic, but perhaps a bit too broad? I'd narrow in on a subtopic that deals with both creation and perfecting, such as how and when to make your inner editor be quiet. – Stephanie M.6 years ago
Forget perfection, you'll never write. I've seen colleagues over the years waiting to do their magnus opus and they still haven't written. Writing leads to better writing and better writing to even better writing. – Joseph Cernik6 years ago
This is a good question, I agree with Joseph Cernik that if you're aiming for perfection than you'll never write. You'd scare yourself off before you even pick the pen up. With saying that it is still important to always edit and re-edit your work. And Remember keep on writing! – Kylie276 years ago
intriguing, but i think im going to have to say create. polish is polish. – Glimmerkill6 years ago
I was reading Stephen King's 'On Writing' the other day, and cannot but feel that if the thing doesn't exist, it cannot be perfect. Much like Vertov.Isou's comment, the drafting process often contains the authors real and true intensions, their most sincere and authentic voice.
In this way, the creative process is so much more important than the perfection of the writing. – Hodge5 years ago
Analysis of how the film Legally Blonde stereotypes the leading protagonist Elle Woods as a "dumb blonde". Perhaps look in to how the film attempts to distract from this stereotype yet continues to represent Elle as this character.
I think you might be missing the point/need to exit the very early 2000s mindset of what a woman should be. After movies like House Bunny (and other 2000s Rom coms) and the Marilyn Monroe figure became integrated into pop culture and eventually led to the hyper gendered misogyny and female stereotypes that still hurt us today. Legally blonde and mean girls and she’s out of my league are all riffing on that, Elle just happened to be one of the first women in recent media to prove that smart and pretty and sexy are all one thing, and her accomplishments were her own. (I count her final bf as eye candy). In the musical the song “so so so much better exemplified this) plus her friendship with her exe’s new girl and the salon owner provide examples of female friendship that are not based on clique mentality or appearance – chloedubisch4 years ago
All students experience what is described as "student's block", so they should not be unduly alarmed if they find that they have an essay to write and they can't even bring themselves to sit down and begin it. The time will come, nonetheless, when the deadline has to be met and if you have left your preparation to the night before you are hardly going to do either yourselves or the essay justice.
I like this topic---it branches away from what we normally see on The Artifice and displays an academic and practical side to the magazine. Be sure to include, possibly, some research relating to procrastination, common causes for "student's block," and speak with a constructive air. – Dominic Sceski6 years ago
Definitely a pertinent topic; also, one that tends to strike students, educators...everyone!
There's numerous insightful tips on how to combat writer's block. As a literature professor, I first advise students to not fall trap to the blinking cursor of self doubt and to get up from their laptop and take a mental break. Suggestions also include formulating the essay to match the thesis, not the other way around; encouraging the shifting of paragraphs; if one paragraph is not coming along, but the next point is bustling, just put the troublesome paragraph in a different color font to return to later; also suggesting switching the closing paragraph as the introductory paragraph tends to helps some students.
But, all of these suggestions detail the writing process, not the pre-game strategy. So, one of the best suggestions--I think--is to free write all ideas as they come to mind while disregarding sentence structures, spelling, but just jotting ideas as presented through a stream of consciousness. Hope this helps! – danielle5776 years ago
The topic seems to be good as these types of tips are given by the services providers which are banned in all over the world. – mohsinrafiq806 years ago
A good topic. How do you give advice on writing? For forty years of teaching I've been addressing this question and always feel frustrated with the advice I give. Basically, I try to get students to realize you need to write daily. Writing daily can consist of nothing more than a few sentences about what they are looking at while sitting there thinking about writing. The point is you need to see something on the page. You need to get students to realize they can play around with words and create different images. Writing is something that is not done infrequently. – Joseph Cernik6 years ago
I really like this essay topic because it’s a struggle I see often times in students I work with as a writing tutor. I advise students to think about the essay sooner rather than later. The deadline may give a student the pressure they need to get an essay done, but the stress isn’t worth it, especially when the student has multiple assignments for other classes, too. It’s important for students to remember that they don’t have to sit down and finish an essay in one sitting. It’s good to space out the writing process – maybe brainstorm today, pull out quotes tomorrow, and begin working on an outline or first draft over the weekend.
For myself, I try to brainstorm ideas for an essay as soon as I get the assignment – if not the day I get the assignment, then over the next couple of days. I also write everything that comes to mind. Sometimes I’ll think an idea is stupid, but if I decide not to write down one idea, who’s to say I’ll stop writing down all ideas altogether? Often times it can also help to look at materials from the class. I know that sounds obvious, but a lot of students I work with don’t think about looking at the book they’re trying to write about or they don’t think about class discussions that may spark inspiration. – Heidi6 years ago
