September, 2008
Hi Folks,
It's been a very busy two months for us at the Academy.
At last we have our 'core' subjects up and running, students arriving and teachers grading their classes into the wee small hours.
Our core is designed to take you from your first word to your first editorial response.
Core subjects:
A Fool's Guide to Humour.*
Beginning Your Novel.
Dynamic Critique and How to Survive It.
Editing and Proofreading.
How to make your Narrative Sing.
Lets Get Published.
Short and Sweet.
The Writer's Toolkit.*
Writing for Children of all ages.
*Work in progress*
We have 65 students studying 81 classes! That's a lot of homework flying around in 9 classes!
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From the desk of SageSyren:
I recently sat down with GuitarShank to ask him a few questions. Saying I sat down with him really consisted of a series of instant messages here on StoryWrite.
Anyways, it all started when GuitarShank was found under a lily pad in Virginia. Two gnomes were gathering cattails to build their new fence, when they noticed a submerged guitar. Its neck was barely visible at the surface. The two gnomes waded out...
Oh wait that was just a rumor. The real story of GuitarShank is way more complicated, but I've not enough time to write it.
Seriously though, GuitarShank lives in an apartment, which he shares with his girlfriend and roommate. He mentioned that this sometimes affects his writing. When further probed he admitted that with all the responsibilities, he finds writing sometimes gets put on the backburner.
I wanted to get the heart of the interview, so I decided to ask the tough questions. This being a Teacher of the Month interview, the most appropriate question I thought to ask was- why do you think you were picked to be a teacher?His answer -
“Well, I did write a column called ‘The Basics of Novel-Writing’ awhile ago. If I had the time I'd go back into it and rewrite it a bit after all the new things I've learned in the past year. Other than that, I think my desire to help people and friendliness probably had something to do with it.”
Besides writing the column, do you think you were picked because of your exposure on the site? I seemed to find your name everywhere.
“I'm on the site a LOT, so that may have had something to do with it as well. In fact, when I'm browsing through the internet, I usually have StoryWrite in a separate tab. I also have three toolbar shortcuts for different parts of SW"
And what was your reaction when you received the official note asking to become a teacher? His answer-
I'd been hoping StoryWrite would start classes up sometime for a while. There had been rumors about it having a ‘possibility’ of returning, but nothing sure. So, to find out that we were going to have classes starting up and that I was invited to teach one of them was more than exciting. Here he had a big grin.
Do you have any formal education in writing or teaching?
“I have a high school diploma and a total of three credits worth of college composition. I'm working on making that six, but my teacher this year is all about writing stiff, uncreative argumentative essays on politics, etc. I could go on, but I'll spare you the details.”
I didn't pursue that hook. We've all had teachers like that.
Most of us know GuitarShank as a very helpful and active moderator, so when I asked him if he enjoyed teaching, he replied,
"More than I thought I might-and my expectations were already high. I always enjoyed helping people in any way I can," confirming what I already knew, "and this is one subject I feel I'm very strong in. If the students are happy with my teaching, I'm happy with it too. And I can't wait to start making the next level of this class-which I need my students' feedback for."
I was curious about how he felt about his students.
"Without students, I’d really have nothing to do here. They all show very high levels of potential for writing, and I've read some ideas by them that made me want them to write the book faster so I could read it! Other than that, my students are very helpful in figuring out what areas of the class need improvement.”
And writing your class? Did you enjoy it?
"One thing I've learned is that if you're passionate about something, if you truly enjoy it, then writing about it just adds to the enjoyment. I love Writing and I've learned a lot about novel-writing from both books and personal experiences, and that made writing this class very fun. Besides, I've also learned that if you enjoy writing it, others will enjoy reading it as well."
Is there any part of your assignments that need improvement?
"Of course. There’s always room for improvement. Specifically Module Four, Outlining, needs some revamping. Nothing too extensive, just making it a bit clearer. And even more important than conciseness, I’ve been working on making an alternative to those who’ve never outlined before and are very strong in their ways without an outline.”
StoryWrite Academy is a new addition to StoryWrite; have you enjoyed helping get the school on its feet?
“Yes, I have! It’s been a great learning experience. I’ve had to learn how to grade everything fairly, how to make changes to benefit students more, etc. I feel we had everything planned out well enough in advance to keep the school’s opening smooth.”
Couple of things you might not know about GuitarShank.
“Well, when I was around seven years old or so, I remember one time at the YMCA. I was in the daycare while my mom worked out, but I didn’t want to take a nap (I couldn’t go to sleep on a whim like that). My mom came back and she got mad or something ( I don’t remember all the details –12 years ago is a long time) and she gave me the key to the car and told me to go wait there. In the car-I remember it to specifically be a Bronco-I got bored. So, I took the key and turned it on. Some guy came up to the window and asked me if my parents were there. Dumbly, I gave him a description of my mom with first and last name and everything. She was out in less than five minutes.
-“So, yeah. She didn't actually end up laughing until years later. Funnily enough, I work at that specific YMCA now.” When asked about a funny scenario from childhood.
Final thoughts about StoryWrite Academy? Teaching? SW in general: Answers-
“While still in its early stages, the StoryWrite academy is a very good tool for those willing to learn more about writing. All of the teachers are very talented and skillful in their areas, and they are very much a delight to work with.
“I've learned that like many things, teaching is only as much fun as you make it. If your students are satisfied and happy with what you are doing, then no doubt you will be too.
“Possibly the best thing I've found about StoryWrite is its active community. Whereas on other sites one may simply read stories, comment, and hope to receive reviews, here people actually communicate and make friends. The friends you make here all have a similar interest in literature—an interest which is rare to find on other sites—and they help very much in giving support to other striving writers.”
I want to thank GuitarShank for taking the time to answer these questions and Elisabeth for giving me the opportunity to ask them.
Tune in next time as I rope and kidnap DoozerDan for my interview. I'll probably have to leave out the gags though.
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Our First Graduates!
Ghost of a Siren - Beginning Your Novel. by GuitarShank.
Yoshi97 - Teacher Level 1 (pilot). by Elisabeth
SageSyren - Teacher Level 1 (pilot). by Elisabeth
Dreamwriter1989 - Beginning Your Novel. by GuitarShank
Descending-angel - Beginning Your Novel. by GuitarShank
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From under-the-desk at Solidarity's place.
You've probably heard the big news already. Blue is the new black. The Storywrite Academy, with its blazing blue trophies and great course offerings, marched onto the scene, taking even the hardcore critics by surprise.
"I never knew that an Academic outfit could be so chic," reluctantly admits the head of We Bash Novelties and New Ideas Inc (WBNNI)
What's this? It's the Storywrite exclusive, the sister-in-arms of the Allpoetry School, albeit wielding a pointy-prose periperiu.
But wait! I'd hazard to say that a lot of you are staring skeptically at the screen. You have just gotten home from school or work, and now here is the spectacular offer to do spiffy activities like...er...homework?
It's true that the Storywrite Academy is a School. But that's only because our Director vetoed the name "Awesome, Nifty Place Of Writing And Figuring Out How To Write". She felt the acronym of ANPOWAFOHTW was a bit cumbersome, though personally, I've started a petition to bring back anpowa-
- ahem. Sorry about that. I just got a glare telling me to get back on topic.
So, though the School sounds like some horrible flashback to a room full of giant, man-eating textbooks, it's nothing like that. All the classes are do-at-your-own-pace and interactive. You will get feedback from the Teacher as you look into a subject of interest.
It's also perfectly free. Think about it; the teachers have an extensive background in the subject they teach. Where else are you going to get volunteers teaching you what you want to know for free, all at your fingertips? (Don't answer that.)
You also get points for it, did I forget to mention that? You do.
Improvement, intelligent feedback, free? No wonder the critics are raving. Just yesterday, I heard a rumor that Hollywood's planning on making Storywrite Academy into a movie. (But before they do, please, sign the petition to change the name to anpowaf -
- ow! Okay okay.)
In short, there's no reason to be shy or hesitate, and every reason to grab your muse by the ear and hurry over to the classes. That's it for my reportage for today -- I'm off to get me some sushi and mull over my dastardly plans to take over the capitals of today's major nations.
Now for a Public Service Announcement: With the USA election coming up, all responsible citizens of the US of A have a duty to make their voice heard. VOTE SOLIDARI --[User-disconnected]
*Editorial Note: Feel free to IM Solidarity with any typos or other errors you may find.
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We welcome suggestions for new classes, so please nominate a couple that may interest you, below.
It takes approximately a month to produce a new class useful to you. We 'peer review' all classes before we include them in the public listing.
Thank you all for reading our first issue, we hope to keep you informed on what's happening in our corner of Storywrite.
See you next month,
Elisabeth, SageSyren and Solidarity.
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