LITR 3731 Creative Writing

Online Student 2005

First weekly report (submitted Saturday, 5 February 2005)

Dr. White,

This is my report for the week. I will get on a much better schedule and have these reports to you in a much timelier manner. Since this is the first report, I’m not exactly sure what to include. So please let me know if you need more information.

            My experience in poetry and creative writing is quite limited. I don’t believe I have written from imagination and personal emotion since junior high, and I don’t think you can count that as true experience. I did take Dr. Gorman’s Poetry class in the summer. We mainly analyzed poetry and looked at difference techniques and fundamentals that are used. I have not written any poetry myself, so this class and assignment is quite intriguing and a bit scary; especially since I don’t have you right there guiding me. However, I’m anxious to see what my true abilities are.

Responding to Webpage and Questions Posted

            According to the webpage the class seemed to be a large focus on business. The reading seemed like a bit of a review from my summer class on poetry; however, I did find several things quite helpful. In the reading one particular thing I found helpful or maybe a bit of an “Ahhhh” moment was: Pg. 7: Simple vs. Sophisticated poetry

The idea of density of a poem is an idea I have never been able to put into words. I thought it was interesting that the book used Ezra Pounds poem In a Station of the Metro. This particular poem was one we spent several days on in the poetry class. I am struggling in my own writing to create a poem that provides such density and “lasting rewards” as the book describes.

The conflicts I have in my writing so far are the lack of ability to put my feelings and experiences into words and trying to stay focused and not fly all over the place. I tend to think of one thing to write about, start writing and brainstorming, and then think of something else. This is truly a holdback on finishing one piece of work, and not starting ten that never get finished.

My Work in Progress

Like I stated previously, I am having trouble focusing and finishing one piece of work, so this may just be a jumbled mess, but I want you to see what I am working on.

Lost in a wilderness of stone,

Suffocated by strangers. Alone.

Anticipation driving my thoughts

A caterpillar waiting to fly.

Then it happened

Devoured by emotion

He arrived,

 and I a twinkle in the eye.

I have a few others I have started, but I know you won’t be able to piece them together.

Dr. White, I hope you have a wonderful week. Please let me know if you need more on my progress or if this is sufficient. I am sending it to you late, because I was waiting to include a brief report on Dan's and my discussion. However I never received a phone call. Several of the students have emailed me drafts and I am doing my best to keep up with the comments that everyone is making and responding, however it is a bit overwhelming, not knowing what to say. Let me know when you want me to start taking quizzes. I am already reading.

Thank you,

Audra Caldwell