It's an honor to be quoted, Jeannine. Here's a fun fact. My birth name is Jean-Anne. My Mother was a teacher and School Principal who wanted to combine her husband's name, Gene, with her Mothers', Anna, so she feminized it and did it with a hyphen. Almost no one gets it right, especially the government and health insurance companies.
Oh! That's so interesting! My mother's name is Georgeanne, and she was named that way because her mother wanted or expected a boy, who was to be named after my mother's father, George. And as for my name, not many people get my name right, either, even though it is more common. People mostly drop the second "n," so when spelling it out over the phone, etc., I often say, it's like Jean Nine.
What Monica wrote is evidence of how WITD transforms and elevates the craft of our writing. Also, I love that she wants her students to create art, not write papers—the ripple effect of what we are creating here.
And this semester that want is turning into actual assessments. Their writing prompts mix the creative and the personal and the sociological. Their final paper is not a paper but a zine, that they can make solo or with others, where we will be in class with magazines and objects and fabric and glue sticks and sharpies, putting our stories into sociological context, and then sprinking some glitter on top before copying and binding. :)
Yes!! I felt that same way too about the art instead of papers--it feels like a concrete manifestation of the work we do here to live in the world--not just on the page-- as artists
" the ears of my memory" this really spoke to me. I'm going to ponder my somatic responses to my own memories in my writing in my hotel room this evening
I have so many books I could recommend (including my own, pedagogies of quiet, which is strongly grounded in pedagogies of compassion, of love, ala bell hooks and paulo friere and the like).
All so beautifully true and when I soon start a second draft, I know it will be the richer for WITD, or the making of it. And thank you Polly for feedback to me - in your one month's membership and to Emily for such prodigious feedback over the past year or two! Let alone Jeannine, who triggered a novel I never thought I would write!
Yay Monica! Beautifully written in penmanship and perfectly expressed truth. I have introduced many of my writer friends without MFAs to WITD — and when I do, I always recognize that my MFA taught me many things — but WITD takes everything I’ve learned to a whole new level. WITD is going down down down, layer after layer — and so with or without the MFA background, WITD is “edge-ucation” that meets you where you are and takes you further than you knew you could go.
I joined I think a little over a month ago and the support I have gained already in this community is invaluable. I imagine MFAs, if they're anything like music schools, offer incredible lessons and opportunities and in-person community, but at such a high cost. Membership here is such a steal! I'm very cautious with my money, but this is the best investment I have made in my writing in a long time.
Friends—couldn’t agree with all of you more. Writing in the Dark is MY very own perfectly timed, perfectly framed MFA and I couldn’t be more delighted to have you all as my classmates in writing and life, led by our compassionate, wise, talented guide and teacher Jeannine. I have been a creative writer for most of my 65 years but it’s these past two years of intensive, joyful, playful craft in loving community that have made an extraordinary difference in my life. I feel like I am finally the writer I was always meant to be. It wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been writing alongside all of you.
Thanks Jeannine. My heart, aching a little I have to say, will be with all of you at CAMP. 🏕️ I just know our paths will cross one day in person so I can thank my (better than a ) MFA professor in person 💗
Love what Monica wrote and echo her words. So agree with the thought that the first draft is instinct, just streaming my mind onto the page. But the second, the third, and more, those drafts are chosen, words become liquid and morph into what she hopes her students create: art. Jeannine, I have been overwhelmed by life lately and so miss spending more time in this wonderful space you’ve created. Can’t wait to join you soon at Camp.
No matter what happens with my writing, at least I’ve got my handwriting! And seeing my bio from the Harper website makes me realize I’d like to update it 😂
It's an honor to be quoted, Jeannine. Here's a fun fact. My birth name is Jean-Anne. My Mother was a teacher and School Principal who wanted to combine her husband's name, Gene, with her Mothers', Anna, so she feminized it and did it with a hyphen. Almost no one gets it right, especially the government and health insurance companies.
Oh! That's so interesting! My mother's name is Georgeanne, and she was named that way because her mother wanted or expected a boy, who was to be named after my mother's father, George. And as for my name, not many people get my name right, either, even though it is more common. People mostly drop the second "n," so when spelling it out over the phone, etc., I often say, it's like Jean Nine.
What Monica wrote is evidence of how WITD transforms and elevates the craft of our writing. Also, I love that she wants her students to create art, not write papers—the ripple effect of what we are creating here.
And this semester that want is turning into actual assessments. Their writing prompts mix the creative and the personal and the sociological. Their final paper is not a paper but a zine, that they can make solo or with others, where we will be in class with magazines and objects and fabric and glue sticks and sharpies, putting our stories into sociological context, and then sprinking some glitter on top before copying and binding. :)
I would love to be in your class!
Yes!! I felt that same way too about the art instead of papers--it feels like a concrete manifestation of the work we do here to live in the world--not just on the page-- as artists
" the ears of my memory" this really spoke to me. I'm going to ponder my somatic responses to my own memories in my writing in my hotel room this evening
Beautifully stated, Monica!
I want my sociology students
To make art, not write papers! As a long time teacher I love that.
Am about to look up Pedagogy of Compassion — what a wonderful idea!!
I have so many books I could recommend (including my own, pedagogies of quiet, which is strongly grounded in pedagogies of compassion, of love, ala bell hooks and paulo friere and the like).
I loved that too--art instead of papers. Beautiful.
All so beautifully true and when I soon start a second draft, I know it will be the richer for WITD, or the making of it. And thank you Polly for feedback to me - in your one month's membership and to Emily for such prodigious feedback over the past year or two! Let alone Jeannine, who triggered a novel I never thought I would write!
Oh my, what happiness to know anything I did or said planted a seed for your novel. Yay!
Yay Monica! Beautifully written in penmanship and perfectly expressed truth. I have introduced many of my writer friends without MFAs to WITD — and when I do, I always recognize that my MFA taught me many things — but WITD takes everything I’ve learned to a whole new level. WITD is going down down down, layer after layer — and so with or without the MFA background, WITD is “edge-ucation” that meets you where you are and takes you further than you knew you could go.
"edge-ucation" -- that is so cool, Rochelle! Thank you for that!
Love this: edge-ucation
I literally just thought of it so thanks for the inspiration.
I joined I think a little over a month ago and the support I have gained already in this community is invaluable. I imagine MFAs, if they're anything like music schools, offer incredible lessons and opportunities and in-person community, but at such a high cost. Membership here is such a steal! I'm very cautious with my money, but this is the best investment I have made in my writing in a long time.
It means a lot to me that you invest your resources here. I do not take that lightly! And it is a pleasure to write with you!
It is a steal.
Friends—couldn’t agree with all of you more. Writing in the Dark is MY very own perfectly timed, perfectly framed MFA and I couldn’t be more delighted to have you all as my classmates in writing and life, led by our compassionate, wise, talented guide and teacher Jeannine. I have been a creative writer for most of my 65 years but it’s these past two years of intensive, joyful, playful craft in loving community that have made an extraordinary difference in my life. I feel like I am finally the writer I was always meant to be. It wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been writing alongside all of you.
Love love love writing with you, Amy!!
Thanks Jeannine. My heart, aching a little I have to say, will be with all of you at CAMP. 🏕️ I just know our paths will cross one day in person so I can thank my (better than a ) MFA professor in person 💗
What Amy said 👆🏻
Monica, Ioved what you wrote in your notebook, and learning more about smart, accomplished you!
Love what Monica wrote and echo her words. So agree with the thought that the first draft is instinct, just streaming my mind onto the page. But the second, the third, and more, those drafts are chosen, words become liquid and morph into what she hopes her students create: art. Jeannine, I have been overwhelmed by life lately and so miss spending more time in this wonderful space you’ve created. Can’t wait to join you soon at Camp.
Look forward to meeting you Steve.
Yay! Likewise, Monica!
MONICA!! Gorgeous.💜 And what an invitation to join in! Just beautiful. Thanks for this!
I can’t tell if I’m embarrassed or having a hot flash 😜
Hahaha
And isn't her handwriting gorgeous? I am jealous!
No matter what happens with my writing, at least I’ve got my handwriting! And seeing my bio from the Harper website makes me realize I’d like to update it 😂
Omg hahaha that happens to me every time someone pulls a bio for me off the web ... sorry, I didn't want to bug you!
Oh no worries ~ it helped me realize I wrote a book and it’s not in my bio! Haha.
TOTALLY