Blog Assignment #6- Midterm Reflection

       When I registered for ENG-274- Creative Non-Fiction, I was excited for the opportunity to hone my writing skills and improve my blogging. I  considered creative non-fiction to center around journaling, blogging, memoir, etc. I never thought about it's journalistic aspects and how important this skill would be to someone like Michael Pollan, who's trying to change the way people view and purchase their food. I certainly didn't think about Truman Capote, and his ability to engage readers with wild but true events. While we hear over and over again in class that there is no solid definition for creative non-fiction, my explanation of it has certainly evolved! Now I realize creative non-fiction is more or less an umbrella genre that encompasses reporting true events while injecting personal (and sometimes fictional!) anecdotes.

       My favorite aspect of this course is that it forces me to write more often. I love writing, but it seems as though making time for it is a luxury that I'll put off when my to-do list gets long. But when blogging and writing creative pieces becomes a required task, than I make the time, and I love every moment. It's certainly improved my writing. It's become easier for me to be clear, effective, and economical. It is always hard for me to trim the fat, but since each assignment is required to be a certain length, I've learned how to say what I need to in fewer words, with greater accuracy.

My background in acting make this a relatively easy genre for me. Fiction can never compete with real life, and adding dramatic personal touches comes naturally to me. My struggle is in avoiding melodrama and sentimentality.

This course has definitely improved my reading comprehension. Having to blog about some of the passages we have read has forced me to explore what I really think and have learned from them. Also, it has given me the opportunity to critique my own writing. I like looking back and expounding on the process of my writing, and seeing how I can improve.

I appreciate the blogging aspect of this class, not only as an outlet for my own thoughts, but also because it gives me insight into the other talented writers in class. We don't have a lot of opportunities to read everyone's work, so the blogs are a nice chance to see what other people have been working on. I only wish people were blogging more often!

I hope to grow exponentially in the second half of the semester. I would  like my clarity to improve, my style to become more defined, and my pieces to be entertaining enough to be published!