Evaluation

1. The most helpful thing that helped me in this class was the fact that we read so many essays and other pieces of writing. I think that seeing what is out there and what you like is the first step in becoming a good writer. I saw some styles that I really liked this semester and I have tried to put some of their influence into my own writing. Also the rush writes were very good. They got me writing just whatever came into mind since we were working with such a limited time. This helped me deal with worrying about everything I write. Now I find myself being able to write more easily.
2. Simply, I can continue reading what is being published out there. In my creative writing class, someone said that before you write in a specific genre you should read at least 40 pieces in that genre. If I want to write essays, I should be constantly reading essays. My ultimate goal would be to finally finish/publish my fantasy novel but before that I believe I need to read more to see what is being sent out right now. I can also continue using rush writes by keeping a writers journal, which I have started doing.
3. I don't know why, but I really enjoyed Rooster-Fish. I learned from all the readings what exactly are essays. I have never really read much of the genre but now I find that I like them a lot. I like the style and the skill it takes to write a good essay. Rooster-Fish taught me about how to put personal experience into creative writing. Good writing needs to have that personal touch to it or it just comes of as pedantic and preachy. Personal touch gives the reader a connection to the writer.
4. My writing process is unique for me, or I think it's unique. For a week, I just think about what I am supposed to write. I'll jot down a few ideas that pop into my mind and before long I have quite a collection of ideas. After I look at my list, I start thinking about how I can weave the ideas together into something resembling an essay or writing piece. After that, I just sit down and put down all my thoughts onto paper and it is decently close to the final product. Very rarely do I do any rarely revisions unless something is just not working (like my fragmentation style in my research essay).
5. The blog has kept me writing on a regular basis even when it's hard to find time to. The second biggest reason the blog was helpful was the dynamic blogs we had to write. They were always changing. I got to experiment with a lot of different styles and genres. Before this class I was usually pretty narrow in my writing, I stuck mostly to fantasy but the blog changed that. Now I've dabbled with poetry, short essays, style mimicry - all of which are vital for good writing.
6. My favorite assignment was easily the first essay I wrote, the personal essay. I had a lot of fun writing that essay. It had been a very very long time since I had written anything I had thought was so funny, even though others may not think that it is funny. From that essay, I decided that I will write for myself and not for others. If I write what I think is funny, I'll always laugh. If I write for other people to laugh, I won't think it's funny. That's what I learned.
7. My favorite part of the class was the writing exercises that we did during class. This got my creative juices flowing and got me in the mentality to write my class projects. I just like writing short little things that are either really descriptive or that fit my sense of humor and most of the creative writing exercises fell into either of those categories.
8. It is nice to see everything put together and to see where I've gone this semester. I like to see what I've done and what I'm capable of. It is also nice having to revise again without having length restrictions. It is strange having to write with the mentality of my work being bound. This makes me want my writing to be the best that it can be before I bind it together and finish the portfolio.
9. Like my portfolio, sending works to a public sphere makes you choose words carefully and make sure your writing is really polished. I don't want to look like an idiot for having blatant errors in my publicly submitted essays. Submission makes writing better I believe.
10. I would keep the work days for sure. I think they were very very beneficial for getting my essays done and I got most of my good ideas while writing there. It was also nice having you there while we wrote. I would get rid of the beginning of the library days where the aids just talked for about 40 minutes. I know this is a really strange thing to complain about, but it was very annoying having to waste time when I wanted to, and already knew how to, do research. I needed a lot of research but I had to listen to them explain how to put things into search bars. Obnoxious? Yes!
11. Good things take time. That's what I learned from these essays. I could try to just slop down some words and call it an essay, but it wouldn't be good. This work effort can apply in my career, in my mission, in everything I try this will be beneficial.
12. Good writing is the ability to draw in the reader with voice, humor, sensory details, and personal touch and style. These things keep writing interesting and not boring. A good example of this is, I think, the Sundering Trilogy by Richard A. Knaak. Even thought it's not an essay or even that famous a series, I love every page of it. I can contribute to this sphere by introducing my story into this sphere. My creative writing teacher says there are only two stories "someone new comes into town" and "someone leaves their home." I want to show my interpretation of these stories and hopefully it will be considered good. .
13. I really loved the class and I am glad that this was my first college English class. I have nothing but good things to say about this class.