LITR 3731 Creative Writing UHCL journal / portfolio sample submission 2005

LITR 3731: Creative Writing
Student Journal / Portfolio Sample Submission 2005

Andrea Cox

Journal/portfolio

1) Introduction

2) Account of poem

3) Poem-Teddy Bear

4) Account of fiction

5) Fiction-In too deep

6) Account of drama

7) Drama-Delivery

8) Review of previous students

Introduction

I took this class as an elective being a behavioral science major-I hoped that the creative writing class would help me with my writing skills. I had written poems in the early 90’s and many were dedicated to the soldiers fighting in Desert Storm. Many were published through the local newspapers to be read from pleasure.

Writing seemed to relieve a lot of my anxiety and was a way to relieve some of my thoughts concerning the hard times that were ahead of us. Even though I was a teenager I enjoyed the knowledge and entertainment my poetry gave to others. However, nothing comes from nothing. Poetry for me was not easy the only time I was able to write was in the early parts of the morning. For some reason I never felt confident regarding what I had written so even to this day all my work comes to me in the early hours; therefore the lack of sleep is what I give to my writing.

I took this class in hopes that it helped me strengthen my ability to write and help me feel more confident in my work. That way I wouldn’t lose so much sleep. Still my best writing seems to come to me while I sleep, then I wake up and write it down and then ask my peers what they think. Seems to work.

The class and my peers have helped me to finish many poems that probably never would have been finished, helped me develop a true story that I have wanted to write about for many years and showed me that anything is possible.

Now to give credit where credit is due. Dr. White deserves the credit for what I have learned in this class. The book was pointless for me due in part that a little over a year ago I was diagnosed with a comprehension disability and reading was not my strong point. If it were not for Dr, White I would not feel for more confident with my work or with future writing. I can not tell how many times I e-mailed him on questions, problems, or advise regarding writing, he always had an answer. To learn is to have a great teacher not just a good book.

Poem-TEDDY BEAR

The poem Teddy Bear was one of my first poems I had ever written that wasn’t related to hard times. The year was 1993, where my father and many others were fighting in “Desert Storm.” By that time I had published in newspapers many poems about the war and decided that Teddy Bear was going to be for entertainment purposes.

The original was not written in the present format, it was quite different from what students have read in class (See below for original). The first poem was written about a gift from a loved one who wasn’t always around. With the changes in my own maturity and the fact that there are people overseas wishing they had something of their loved ones I revised the poem to fit the circumstances.

After reading Teddy Bear to the class and sending it to Audra (online student), the students and Dr. Whites I used their input to make significant changes.

I had a real problem with using past and present tense within the same stanza. Therefore I revised the poem to be all the same tense. A suggestion was brought up about moving the words It’s to the far left to match to you from me; from me to you. The poem looks more organized and creative this way. The key to writing I have found out is to change the poem to fit the suggestions of the readers. They (the readers) know what they are seeing and are not bias toward the work.

Audra was sent all forms of this poem. After four times going form the original piece to the revised work that was read in class she stated, “Great poem! I think the revision is quite nice. I like the layout of the poem much better with the separations. It makes them more distinct from each other without taking away from the flow of the poem. There are several spots in the poem that have great alliterations as well. I think you are on the right track and don’t notice much that you need to work on”.

My Teddy Bear

Here is a Teddy Bear for all to see;

Filled with love from inside of me.

In those times that I am not there,

Mr. Teddy will take away all the despair.

Sometimes you hate me and I don’t know why,

But my teddy bear is always there when I cry.

I can be bitchy; I can be blue,

I can be moody and I always blame it on you.

So for all the times that you are not there

Filled with love is my teddy bear.

Guaranteed to listen and to understand,

Guaranteed to be there with the touch of my hand,

Guaranteed to absorb all of my tears,

Guaranteed to relieve all of my fears,

Guaranteed to never run away,

Guaranteed to be there night and day.

“For all those times when you are not there,

I hold on tight to my loving teddy bear.”

As one can tell this was written by a young person who was just expressing her ideas. With the help of literature classes, peer reviews, and great teachers, I have learned a little more about what is good work and what is great work. Neither in which have I excelled. YET! The revised poem shows a little more maturity and education but even with the help from my peers I am still revising and learning therefore the poem in another twelve years may end up being different from the one read below.

Teddy Bear

To you from me:

“This letter must be brief; so

I’ll not share with you my grief.

I sent you this teddy bear for the entire world to see;

It’s filled with love that comes from inside of me.

As we watch the same sunsets-although alone;

Please pray for my safe trip home.

In those times when you’re lonely and I am not there,

Here’s a gift to replace your despair.”

From me to you:

“Sometimes I want to hate you yet don’t know why,

but now you’re not here and I want to cry.

I know I can be bitchy and I can be blue,

I certainly am moody and always blame you.

Knowing this letter may never get there;

I will always cherish my loving teddy bear.”

IT’S…

Guaranteed to listen and to understand,

Guaranteed to be there with a touch of my hand,

Guaranteed to absorb all of my tears,

Guaranteed to relieve all of my fears,

Guaranteed to never turn away,

Guaranteed to be there night and day.

“For all those times while you are over there,

I will hold on tight to my loving teddy bear.”

Fiction-IN TOO DEEP

When a person is in the military there are many stories that are told and some that stick with you forever. This story is based on a tale that was told to me throughout my childhood about one of my fathers many military tales. The places and names are not the same but the details that are in it are simply the basic of the setting. I had intended this to be a fiction piece that one day would be published. That may take a while. Since the end of the story is not available for the class to read; the short true version is: Tucker’s nephew was accused of a crime (not the crime in the story) and the FBI thought for sure they had him until my father whose real name is Anderson Frank Curry (that’s where the names in the story come from) said that he couldn’t have done it and had proof that the kid was with him and the troop at that time, day all day everyday for the week (guard duty). He did do a crime just not that one that day. Tucker (the Uncle) shows up in a stretch limo a few days later and went looking for my father, thanked my father, and left with his nephew. Come find out the guy was the head of the NJ mafia. The kid was discharged from the military and Tucker still contacts my dad when he wants too. The thing with writing is that one needs help to develop a piece of work and the best help a person can get is getting someone who will be honest about what needs revised. Mary and Jennifer were the honest and helped develop my piece of fiction. They didn’t offend me and my paper flowed better in the end. We have communicated through e-mails and class for weeks and I think in the long run when this story gets published I will have to put everyone’s name on it so everyone gets the credit for it being a best seller. I am learning. Here are some things that were said as the chapters were written.

Andrea, sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I want to know what happens in the interview… It is a good story and kept my attention well. One thing I did see were several spelling and spacing errors. You might go over it yourself to correct these. Also in the later part of the story you say Agent Tucker, this was confusing because he isn’t a policeman or detective... so you might try Private Tucker instead. Also, I would like to hear more about the girls in the chapter. Maybe you could fit in flashbacks of what the detectives saw or bits and pieces of what they know. Good story hope this is helpful. Audra

Andrea,

What a great mystery!! Reminds me of CSI... I'm a fanatic for that show.

I'm sending you my critique of things *I* would change. You can definitely take them or leave them. It's up to you. :) Everything I changed is pink and highlighted green.

I had a little confusion at the beginning, though, because you talk about one girl getting killed and then talk about Megan's "body" and I was thrown at first, but I figured it out... I think my problem was that when someone says "body" I think dead. You weren't using it that way though... :)

About the "stood six foot six" part and the "stood 5'10" part... I'm not sure but I didn't know if "stood" was the right word... You'll see when you look.

This is your fiction you're submitting for class right? You definitely have to finish it. I want to know what happens.

I hope this is all useful information. I was really totally honest; I know I appreciate it when people are with me. I appreciated you telling me what you did before my fiction reading, so I wanted to help as much as I could. Please let me know if you have questions. Thanks for letting me read it! :) It's really captivating!

Jennifer

From: (Mary Kay)

I read the story and the content of the story is wonderful. This story wanted more, I felt as if you left me hanging and wanting to know what the outcome would really be. As with all good things there needs to be some minor little bad things. On pg 1 you should change freshman to FRESHMEN, talking about two or more. Also would you consider changing their to her, you may want to check the first paragraph.

In the 2 paragraph remember a police report cannot talk so instead of said use the police report explained. Spell out abbreviations so everyone knows what you are talking about. In paragraph 4 take out the general before hospital it flows better.

I am cutting down what she actually said and tell you that I need to work on my grammar and take out some of the “That’s”-thanks to Mary the paper flows better taking that’s out. She said “One factor that I learned while I was in the service, actually at my first duty station when writing a synopsis to my report take out the word THAT and see if the flow is any better and there is much more direct sentences and it just flows better.

Andrea,

What a great story. I am a Grisham and Patterson junky so murder/mystery is my favorite genre. Your story flows really well and it left me wanting more so if you are really writing a longer story, feel free to share! You have some minor grammar errors and typos but you may have already corrected these by the time you read this. If you want me to send you something, let me know. My only real question is what is Codas? I have an idea that it is some sort of crime lab but what does it stand for? You may want to spell out the meaning of the acronym with the first mention. Karen Daniel

LINK TO IN TOO DEEP

With the help of my peers I have made changes throughout the story, but after hearing from Dr. White who said…”needed more character description.” Since common sense said he knew what he was referring to I asked him where and how one gets that information. The only dumb question is the one unasked. I am not a literature major nor have I ever taken a writing class that helps with development of writing; therefore, after some research I have revised my characters.

Prologue

September 19, 1995

It was a hot sultry summer night in Florida. Emily Thompson and her best friend, Madison James, just spent it out on the town. Two nineteen year old freshmen at Florida State University, nice girls by all accounts, had no way of knowing one of them was enjoying the last night of her young life.

A truck driver found her. Her legs were sticking out from the edge of the woods along interstate A1, where she had been carelessly thrown. Emily Thompson was dead. The police report explained she was found with multiple stab wounds to her head, arms, chest, and back. The medical examiner pronounced her DOA (Dead on arrival), stabbed to death and sexually assaulted.

Fully clothed Madison was found within a hundred yards of Emily. Never mind the blood, bruising, and swelling on their faces, these were two beautiful young women. There was no apparent sign of sexual assault to Madison’s body, only the awful stab wounds in her arms, legs, and chest. As police officer Dayton bent down to examine the body, Madison’s right arm shot out and feebly grazed his chin. With a start of surprise Officer Dayton yelled, “This one’s alive! Get the paramedics over here NOW!”

Madison was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. Three weeks later the local and surrounding county newspapers reported, “Madison James has been discharged from the County Hospital, is receiving physical therapy and psychiatric help. Her family says that she hasn’t spoken to anyone since the day of the incident.

Investigators at the scene and at the hospital took fingerprints, hair samples and other evidence from the girl’s bodies, belongings and anything else that could be gathered and sent to the crime lab for analysis. Four days later, results came back leaving investigators with but one clue. Out of the evidence collected there was only one fingerprint which did not belong to either of the two girls. Located on Emily’s purse, and confirmed by the military database, the single fingerprint belonged to Private Tucker Mills stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. Investigators had their murderer.

Chapter One

Seated on a tree branch high above the wall separating the military compound from the civilian walkway which paralleled Main Street, a thickly built man with a marine style haircut carefully aimed a small camera in the direction of the airman he had been assigned to watch. With a few more clicks of his digital camera, the images he had been taking since Tucker arrived at his post at 22:00 (10:00 p.m.) would be stored and ready to download onto his boss’s computer. He had no idea what the boss would do with them and he didn’t care.

CLICK. Another shot. CLICK. He was recording it all.

As Tucker’s shift wore on, the assignment became tedious. Sitting in the dark on a hot summer evening, dressed in a pair of camouflage army pants and a dark green t-shirt, the man waited patiently for his target to come out of the guardhouse so that he could snap a usable picture. Unfortunately, that meant prolonged periods of inactivity as Tucker filled out his paper work for the afternoon shift. He would just have to sit back and wait.

At the end of his shift, the thick man observed Tucker as he came out, checked the perimeter, and walked to his car. After recording ten more pictures, the watcher opened a palm-size cell phone and dialed a number. Picked up on the second ring a voice said,

“Frank here.”

“He’s moving,” the cameraman said lightly.

“Got it.” The man on the other end disconnected.

The watcher knew he didn’t have to follow Tucker. Someone always knew where he was going and there would be another qualified person waiting. The truth was the man on the other end of the phone knew everything there was to know about Tucker. Everywhere Tucker went someone would be waiting, watching, and recording his every move.

Chapter Two

Pictures, as clear as any taken by a camera, flashed in his mind. Tucker could see the carnage; he could sense their pain. He wished he could do more, hoping that nothing else would go wrong.

“I am looking for Private Tucker Mills,” a male voice said from behind him.

Tucker turned and saw two men in suits standing in the doorway of the Army Emergency Relief Fund building. The guy who had who asked the question towered over him at, no doubt, six foot six. He wore a dark grey suit that had the top two buttons unfastened, probably due to the summer heat. He looked as if he made a point of keeping himself in shape. His looks and the way he dressed were that of the classic Italian lover: glossy dark hair, cool dark eyes, and a sensuous mouth. Yet when looking at Tucker his face showed that of pure hatred. Standing next to him was a man in the awful dark green military uniform that no one could miss. There was an expression of sympathy yet concern on his face that showed that what was about to take place was not going to be good. Tucker recognized this guy and had heard that he was one of those people who was perpetually good-natured. He was an effectively good military officer because he seemed to just go with the flow.

“That’s me. What can I do for you?” Tucker said with some uncertainty.

As the gentlemen walked toward Tucker, the larger of the two took a quick professional glance around the spacious entry room.

“Who are you?” Tucker asked looking at the guy he didn’t recognize.

The big man reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small leather wallet, opened it, and showed his identification.

“I’m Special Agent J.D. Stryker of CID, Criminal Investigation Division, and this is Lt. Woodrow Wilson from Patrick Air Force Base,” the man with the insufferable expression said.

“What’s going on?” Tucker said perplexed.

“Place your hands on top of your head. You are coming with us.” Agent Stryker said.

“WHAT the hell?” Tucker responded surprisingly. “I don’t under-“

“Just do as he asks and this will be over more quickly.” Wilson said.

Tucker complied and stepped to the center of the room.

“Turn around.” Agent Stryker announced.

His heart raced and he felt his face flush. “There must be some mistake.” Tucker felt a hand seize his left wrist, a second later Tucker felt the metallic bracelet, heard the final click and a muted ratcheting sound.

“What is going on?” Tucker demanded in a voice louder than he intended. As he spoke, Agent Stryker turned the cuff so that it dug into his wrist and guided Tucker’s hand behind his back. Before Tucker could ask his question again his right hand was miraculously attached to his left.

“I demand an answer.” Tucker fumed over his shoulder. “What is going on?”

Stryker ignored him and shoved Tucker toward Wilson to be patted down. Carefully patting Tucker’s pockets, the captain reached in and pulled out whatever he found: keys, wallet, coins, and a piece of paper with a number on it.

“This has to be some kind of mistake.” Tucker said with fear and anger.

“I’m afraid not, Private Mills,” Wilson said. “We have a warrant.”

“For what?”

“We will discuss it in interrogation.”

“I want to know now!” Tucker demanded.

Wilson turned Tucker so they were facing one another. The compassion on his face was gone and was replaced by a professional stare. “No, and you are only going to make this worse if you don’t cooperate fully.”

“What could possibly be worse?” Tucker asked more to himself than to the two gentlemen.

“Get on my bad side and you might just find out. Isn’t that right Lt. Wilson?” Stryker asked nonchalantly.

“Yes Sir!”

“But this has to be some kind of mistake.” Tucker was getting more upset by the minute because he didn’t know what was going on and these gentlemen didn’t seem to be in any hurry to tell him anything.

“Tucker, I forgot-“

Tucker turned to see Sergeant Anderson (his boss) coming in the doorway of AERF building. He stopped short, his mouth hung open, and his eyes wide with disbelief at what he was seeing.

“Sergeant-“

“What are they doing?” Sergeant Anderson asked loudly. Turning to Stryker he shouted, “What the hell is going on here?”

Anderson charged at Stryker, which with his height and size was unheard of considering Anderson was only 5’ 10” at the most and weighed maybe 150 lbs. Anderson stomped right over to Stryker grabbed him by the shirt, pulled him down to his level and asked again, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?”

The whole base knew Sergeant Anderson had a mind of his own and everyone thought Anderson was just plain crazy. It was said around the compound that Anderson was known to injure the biggest of men if they didn’t follow his orders. No one crossed him. Lt. Wilson who had worked with Anderson before knew this and stepped forward to ease some tension between David and Goliath.

“Listen to me, Sergeant Anderson,” Wilson said firmly, fixing his eyes on Anderson. “We are here doing our job. This here is Agent Stryker from CID.”

“I don’t care who he is. I want to know why he’s here.”

“They think I have done something wrong and have a warrant for an arrest,” Tucker interrupted.

“That’s crazy,” Anderson said staring straight at Stryker. “What is he being arrested for?”

“That’s a very good question,” Tucker said facing the two men who were there to arrest him.

“Murder,” Stryker said angrily.

“Murder?” Sergeant Anderson and Private Tucker said in unison.

“It will be explained to you during your interview. It’s time we got going.”

Drama-DELIVERY

This piece was fun. I have never written a play before and the instructions were set for us. Use class member’s names and the setting takes place in the classroom. One of the students in the class this semester is pregnant and I thought it would be interesting if she went into labor during our final exam. That was not a real life event I wanted to happen just something that I wanted to use as a story. In real life that would actually be kind of scary. I am typically the student who likes to be different and after reading through precious dramas of the other class I wanted to use all the students in the drama. It had never been done and I thought it would make for an interesting piece.

At first I wanted to have the drama be a serious event however upon hearing Jennifer explain that that may make Alissa nervous I turned it into a comedy.

The drama was actually fun and entertaining to write. Once I got started the whole thing came together with ease. The problem I had however was that as I typed it became longer with more scenes, more lines, more characters, and it tended to go on and on. So after two months of working on this piece I had to figure out a way to condense it. The outcome actually worked to my advantage. The parts that were taken out were added in a more discrete fashion that way readers were not lost on what was taking place and why. The revised version does not have many changes in the way of errors or additions but I would have really liked to have been able to add the entire two scenes that were taken out. First was the classroom setting preparing for the final before Alissa went into labor. Second, the more detailed aspects of the characters and their parts within the play. In the long run the shorter version still flowed and allowed the understanding I wanted to portray. Below is the revised piece after performing it in class.

LINK TO ORIGINAL DELIVERY

Characters

Karen-student (dumb blond)

Daniel-student/youth minister

Dr. White-creative writing professor

Alissa/Jamie-pregnant student

Mary Kay-student/retired military

Bonnie-sarcastic student

Tara-student

Alissa-student

Jennifer-student

Amy-student

Sherry-student

Lindsay-student

Devon-student

Micah-student and EMT

Andrea-EMT

Delivery

Concept: Can a group of diverse peers make it through a tough challenge set for them.

Theme: God gives people the courage to challenge fate and take charge.

[Students are in the hall pacing. Daniel and Dr. White have just returned from looking for help and have joined the pacers in the hallway outside the classroom. A very pregnant Jamie is laying on the table-knees up and shoulders and head supported by jackets, clothing, and book bags. Bonnie is wiping the perspiration from Jamie’s face glancing toward the door anxiously]

Karen: [Enters into the room] How is she? [Her face scanning Jamie’s swollen belly]

Bonnie: [stressed out] How the hell am I supposed to know? I’m not a freaking nurse.

Jamie: [Trying to look at Bonnie and Karen] She’s hurting like hell and lying on a damn uncomfortable classroom table.

Karen: [To Jamie] Just take it easy. The baby will arrive in its own good time and then one day you will be able to tell this story to your grandchildren.

Jamie: [Panting and sweating-she mutters between clenched teeth] Take it easy! I’m about to give birth to a baby on a classroom table without medical help and you want me to take it easy. [She whispers where only Bonnie can hear her] Please give me something for the pain. Anything!!

Bonnie: [Wipes Jamie’s face] Daniel and Dr. White went to find some help. [To Karen] Karen, SHUT UP! You’re not helping Jamie and you’re irritating the hell out of me. Go boil some water.

Karen: Where am I supposed to boil water?

Jamie: Your house!

Bonnie: And bring it back tomorrow!

[Karen stomps out]

[Out in the hall students are pacing and thinking. Dr. White is trying to get help using his cell phone]

Dr. White: [Cell phone to his ear talking standing among the group of students] Can you hear me? [moves away from the students] Can you hear me now? [moves further away] CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? [hangs up cell phone] Damn it! Does anyone have a cell phone that has more than one bar showing? [tries cell phone again] Hello! Good we have an emergency- [walks away from the students and talks]

[dialogues are private thoughts]

Amy: Man, am I starving.

Tara: Can we just go home?

Alissa: How long does it take to deliver a baby?

Jennifer: Does she have to scream like that?

Daniel: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Sherry: Where are the EMT’s?

Lindsay: What should I cook for dinner?

Devon: I wonder if this affects our participation grade.

Micah: I bet he still makes us take the final exam. Damn.

Dr. White: I need to get a new cell phone that has good service.

[End of dialogue. hear Jamie scream and everyone in the hall turns toward the door]

[In the classroom]

Jamie: I’m gonna die, the baby is coming. I can—[Jamie screams]

Bonnie: For God’s sakes you’re not going to die. You’re not the first person in this world to have a baby. Women use to squat behind a bush, deliver, and continue to work.

[Jamie tries to laugh]

Bonnie: Let me check and see if the guys have found anyone to help.

[Just then Dr. White peeps his head around the corner]

Dr. White: Help is on the way! [To Bonnie] Mary Kay said she can help. She has some military experience and Daniel said he could help if you don’t mind more people in here.

Jamie: [to Dr. White] I don’t care who the hell’s in here just as long as you get this thing out of me!

Bonnie: Get them in here now if we have to wait for help from Clearlake we may be here awhile. [To Jamie] With their help you would surely die.

[The girls’ chuckle] [Dr. White (head) exits. Enter Daniel and Mary Kay]

Mary Kay: [To Bonnie] How is she?

Bonnie: Why does everyone keep asking me how is she? [raises her voice] Still pregnant! I DON’T KNOW.

Jamie: [To Mary Kay] She is ready to kill her husband for getting her in this situation and this table isn’t getting any softer damn it.

[A series of contractions comes swift and hard. Jamie screams. Mary Kay checks Jamie’s progress]

Mary Kay: It’s okay Jamie. Everything is under control. I learned about this sort of thing in the service.

Bonnie/Daniel: [simultaneously] Thank God. Now we’re getting somewhere.

Jamie: Were you a nurse or one of those Corp man people?

Mary Kay: No, I worked in the motor pool, but I saw this happen in a movie once.

Jamie/Daniel: [simultaneously] God help us all.

[all became silent and then Jamie’s sudden scream tore through the classroom and the hall]

[Outside in the hall]

Micah: [to Karen] I bet it’s a boy.

Karen: Nah, it’ll be a girl.

Jennifer: It’s going to be twins!

Dr. White: The janitors are going to have a time at cleaning up that mess.

Lindsay: Daniel shouldn’t be in there. That is no place for a man to be.

Micah: From the sound of it. It’s not a place for a woman either.

[Inside the classroom]

Mary Kay: Holy mother of---

Daniel: Mary KAY!

Mary Kay: The baby is coming.

Bonnie: I can’t do this. [turns to leave]

Daniel: [grabs her arm] Don’t you dare let her down. We need to help Mary Kay anyway we can.

Bonnie: [to Daniel] How can you expect me to help deliver this baby?

Daniel: Mary Kay said she had some experience.

Mary Kay: From watching television, you idiot, and besides in the movies the baby seems to just pop out like jack in the box.

Bonnie: I’m outta here. [slaps Daniels hand to release her]

Daniel: Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee…

Bonnie: Okay! Okay, I’ll help her but shut up.

Jamie: [grabs the table edge] For God’s sake help me or leave. [screams, leans forward and grabs Mary Kay’s shirt] On second thought don’t leave.

Mary Kay: [positioning for delivery] Here we go. [to Jamie] Push with all your strength. I can see the baby’s head. It’s coming.

Bonnie: [to Jamie] You’re doing just fine.

Mary Kay: One more time. One more push. [Baby arrives]

Mary Kay: [cleans and hand the baby to Jamie] You have a beautiful baby girl.

[Bonnie goes to the door and announces the arrival of the baby]

Bonnie: [to the hallway students] It’s a girl.

Karen: [looks to Micah] Told you! I must have ESPN.

[Everyone rushes into the classroom-including the arrival of the EMT’s]

EMT’s: We got a call that someone was having a baby. Where is she?

Jamie: She is here. [to the group] I couldn’t have had better doctors. Thank you!

EMT’s: We better get you to the hospital to be checked out. [they get Jamie prepared and leave]

[class is standing around chatting with one another]

Mary Kay: Oh, Thank heavens that is over.

Bonnie: I couldn’t agree with you more

Jennifer: You both did a great job.

Lindsay: [to Mary Kay] I bet you, Bonnie, and Daniel get to go home while we have to take the final.

[Dr. White claps his hands to get everyone’s attention]

Dr. White: In light of what has happened. There will be no final exam-Class dismissed.

Review of student pieces

To be honest I read over more than three pieces done in a previous class (ALL IN FACT) and what I got out of the portfolios is how to organize mine. Since everyone has a different reasons for taking this class, has different learning techniques, and has different aspects of what they learned or expect to learn, all it showed me was what others have learned and why. I learned about backgrounds of others that I have never met and know what they are attempting to accomplish with their literature degree or if they were not a literature major why they took this class. I learn on a visually bases so when I was lost as to how to do a portfolio looking to past students work helped. I have not prior to the journal reviewed others work because I wanted my ideas to be my own and sometimes when a person reads something and begins working on a piece other peoples ideas become part of your work. The statement-is this piece your original idea or did it come from somewhere else, is a statement that is hard to answer. When one reads so much and then writes did the idea come to you as an original idea or did you get it from something else. I like to think that the idea was mine but in reality it was probably someone else’s.