Writing Fiction!

I know everyone is very busy and still adjusting to online learning, but maybe you've had some time to work on a creative writing project: a play, a book, a series of poems, a screenplay you hope to pitch to Martin Scorsese one day.

A few years ago, I read this article The Guardian posted "Ten rules for writing fiction," which sounds like a boring title but it's really just a compilation of 10 rule lists from famous authors. And I wanted to share some of my favorite with you here, inspire you if you need it.


"Never use a verb other than 'said' to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking their nose in. But 'said' is far less intrusive than 'grumbled,' 'gasped,' 'lied.'" (Elmore Leonard)

"Cut (perhaps that should be CUT): only by having no ­inessential words can every essential word be made to count." (Diana Athill)

"Do back exercises. Pain is distracting." (Margaret Atwood)
"You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality." (Margaret Atwood)

"Do keep a thesaurus, but in the shed at the back of the garden or behind the fridge, somewhere that demands travel or effort. Chances are the words that come into your head will do fine, eg "horse", "ran", "said"." (Roddy Doyle)

"A problem with a piece of writing often clarifies itself if you go on a long walk." (Helen Dunmore)

"Description is hard. Remember that all description is an opinion about the world. Find a place to stand." (Anne Enright)

"Don't wait for inspiration. Discipline is key." (Ester Freud)

"Laugh at your own jokes." (Neil Gaiman)

"If nobody will put your play on, put it on yourself."(David Hare)

"Don't just plan to write – write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style." (PD James)

"Write a book you'd like to read. If you wouldn't read it, why would anybody else?" (Hilary Mantel)

"If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to ­music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don't just stick there scowling at the problem. But don't make telephone calls or go to a party; if you do, other people's words will pour in where your lost words should be. Open a gap for them, create a space. Be patient." (Hilary Mantel)

"Remember there is no such thing as nonsense." (Andrew Motion)

"Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea for ever."(Will Self)

"Protect the time and space in which you write. Keep everybody away from it, even the people who are most important to you." (Zadie Smith)

"Finish everything you start." (Colm Tóibín)

"Learn from cinema. Be economic with descriptions. Sort out the telling detail from the lifeless one. Write dialogue that people would actually speak." (Rose Tremain)

"Respect your characters, even the ­minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story; it is worth thinking about what your minor characters' stories are, even though they may intersect only slightly with your protagonist's." (Sarah Waters)

"Take no notice of anyone you don't respect." (Jeanette Winterson)

Parasite is now available on Hulu!

Day 1 and Counting

Hello students.

I hope to "see" some of you this week in the Writer's Studio. Casey and I will be available to help you with all of your writing needs. It will be a big adjustment for everyone, but I'm confident in all of you. Instructions for how online tutoring works are here, on this blog. Please contact the tutors if you have any questions. 

I thought I'd start the week sharing a bit of wisdom from two-time Booker Prize winning author Margaret Atwood (from her "10 rules to writing fiction.")

#5. Do back exercises. Pain is distracting.

Make sure you are taking care of yourself during this time, even if it's only stretching or going for a walk (with distance from others). You will spending more time sitting behind a laptop than usual. Make sure you are taking breaks and have a good pillow. There are presently A LOT of online exercises classes available on both Zoom and Instagram live. Living legend THEE Miss Debbie Allen has been doing dance classes on her Instagram every week. There is one today at 2 o'clock (EST) if you're interested in trying out tap dancing.

I'll come up with a list of other live classes, etc and put it up on the right side of this blog, underneath the Writing Resources. And as always, I'll be here if you need me.        

-xoxo Gossip Girl (aka Emma)                                                                                         

Student Instructions For Online Tutoring

STEPS:

1. Students will need to have a google account to participate in online tutoring. 

2. Students who wish to book an appointment will fill out their availability using the "appointment form" (right side of this blog under "Book Appointments Here"). 

3. Emma, acting as gatekeeper, will schedule appointments week-by-week, which will be published at the start of each week. You may use the booking form to give your availability for the rest of the semester.

4. Prior to appointment time, tutors will email a shared google doc to individual students. Students will upload their assignments and questions on this shared doc. 

5. At the time of the appointment, tutors will used this shared doc and gchat features to give a tutoring session in-real-time. 

WALK IN APPOINTMENTS:

1. Students who did not book an appointment but see an opening in the schedule may "walk-in" and hold a session, pending our tutors are available.

2. With walk-in appointments, student will gchat or email the scheduled tutor (gmails for Emma and Casey on this blog under "Meet Our Tutors") and create a shared google doc from there. 

Welcome to the Writer's Studio

Hello students of DCAD!

This blog will act as the sounding board for the official school online tutoring center. On this website, you will find instructions for how online tutoring will work, as well as a weekly schedule of tutor availability. This will also be a space for extra writing and educational resources.