Final Class Evaluation Blog

1. The blog definitely was the most helpful in the development of my skill as a writer. Although I didn’t complete all of the posts, it helped me to free write rather than writing over periods of time. I was able to sit down and write until my time was up or until I hit 500 words. I never knew I could write 500 words in 25 minutes! I’ve definitely learned how to be more fluent and how to take criticism (the comments on my blog posts) and really utilize it to strengthen my work. Blogging was a great way to improve my writing weekly.
2. I suppose I could be a weirdo and continue to blog by answering the supplemental prompts… (no offense to anyone who plans on doing this). No, I think I will just free write more. Write whatever is on my mind and share it with anyone who will read and critique it. Maybe I could write my own prompts and then write to my own guidelines?
3. The reading in this course helped me to learn different writing styles and also that it’s okay to be a part of your writing. I was always told I needed to keep myself out of my writing and so the reading in this course taught me that it really is acceptable to engage myself in my writing. I loved “Roosterfish” by VanAuken, “The Knife” by Selzer, and “Black” by Alexander Theroux. I loved these pieces because the authors were all really passionate about their subjects. I love how much research VanAuken and Theroux did to include in their work and the information was interesting and the authors made it more engaging. Selzer’s writing captivated me because it reminded me of Edgar Allan Poe, who is my favorite poet because of how dark his writing is. I love writing that has true emotion in it, but more specifically sadness, anger, depression, frustration, etc. In my opinion, writing that has those kinds of emotions behind it is some of the best work that can ever be done because I think those emotions bring out our true selves. These pieces taught me that I should be passionate about what I’m writing and willing to take the time to doctor it and really let it grow. I should do research and incorporate it in an interesting and engaging way, rather than just through quotes and facts at my readers.
4. The writing process I found most beneficial was simply sitting down and writing everything on my mind about the topic. I can’t write over periods of time I have to write start to finish, which is probably a major flaw, but I think it gets the job done when I’m writing a short essay. I think I could improve by using an actual writing process, such as doing a pre-write, brainstorm, first draft, second draft, etc. I don’t edit my essays nearly as much as I should.
5. The blog has been beneficial to me because I’ve been able to open up more in my writing and show that I can write, though I may need help at times or need to be guided to the right path. It’s showed me that I can write on the spot, I don’t have to think about what I’m going to write beforehand and that I really should just start writing rather than putting it off or overanalyzing. It’s hard to explain how it’s done this for me, but I’ve just learned to be more carefree about my writing rather than sticking to the stupid high school rules and having fun with my writing; exploring my mind’s true potential.
6. My favorite assignment of the semester was the essay we wrote on a quotidian topic. I really enjoyed writing about the connection I have with books and how books have freed my formerly tortured mind and soul. I was able to open up more and it was like a release for me, really.
7. My favorite parts of the class were the times we did workshops. I liked discussing my classmate’s writing with them and I truly loved editing their work. I may not always be the best writer but I do know that I can edit almost anything and be content with what I’ve done and I think that workshopping helped me to realize my editing potential.
8.The final portfolio will be beneficial to me because I’m actually going to have to sit down and edit my work even more (which I dread). It will help improve my essays/blogs and it will also help me to learn that revision can be good. I think differently about my work because of the final portfolio because I realize that I have to re-vamp all of my work; everything must be improved and possibly extended. It’s caused me to reflect on what I’ve written also and ask myself whether or not I need to go back and look at every comment anyone has ever given me on that piece; mainly thoughts on what needs to be done and how much work I have ahead of me.
9. Submitting my work to a public audience is beneficial because I can receive feedback on that work and also share my thoughts with others. Getting feedback will only help me to improve my writing (unless the feedback sucks… then it won’t help at all).
10. If I were to take this class again, I would do my homework. That’s all I’d change.
11. I have learned that it is okay to be personal and that there should not always be rules to writing (as far as format and creativity go). This will help me if I decide to keep on writing, but it will also help me in daily conversation. It’s taught me to let my guard down sometimes and let people have a glimpse of my thoughts.
12. Here’s what I wrote for class today:
· Engaging/relatable
· Flows well
· Good topic – one that hasn’t been done before
· Not cliché
· Not always a happy ending – CREATIVE
· Invent new things
· Voice is apparent
The elements that I wrote that make up good writing are characteristics I look for in a book I’m going to read. If the subject is lame or just something that has been done over and over again, I won’t read it. I like books that are engaging, but I don’t like reading books that are always happy. Who wants to read a book about how perfect someone’s life is or how wonderful and amazing the main character is? A series that comes to mind is the Series of Unfortunate Events books. I love those books because everything always goes wrong! They’re creative and unique rather than a cut out of the perfect life and the author has a voice! The author is in the book the whole time, as the narrator. I love it! It’s exactly how I wish I could write and maybe I could someday write that way. I’d like my writing to have these kinds of characteristics because I think that it will make the things I write more memorable. There are so many princess stories that it’s hard to keep track of them all. I want to write inspiring things, things that make the reader think, things that make them cry or angry; I think my list of skills can accomplish this. I think I really struggle with showing that I have a voice and that I’m a part of whatever it is that I’m writing. If I can work on that, I think I will be much better off and I think I can practice this by just starting out writing strictly about myself and then moving outward more to broader things.
13. I love rush writes, sometimes. The end.

Kara Lohberg
1,306 words (in case anyone was wondering...)