Creative Writing Intro

Creative writing is one of my biggest passions (I was fortunate to have a 3rd grade teacher who cared and wanted her students to find their own voice). I hope that the work we do during this unit will help you find (or build) on passion that you have. And at the end of the day, the best way to show you truly understand something is to create! So we're not just going to read Noah's memoirs, you're going to tell your own stories.

Framing Our Creative Writing

"But Mr. Hitch, I'm not good at writing or I don't have anything worth telling..."

See that quote? Take it to heart! Ignore any of that pressure or that voice we all have in our heads tellings us we're an imposter, or a fake, and shouldn't even bother to try. It's going to get in the way of all of the excellent thoughts and stories that you have. It's going to block that voice that only you possess. That only you can develop to become even more powerful.

We'll talk about this later but also know that is a "safe laboratory".

"But Mr. Hitch... I'm not creative!"

Are you sure? At the least, you were once. Think about little kids. They're finger painting. And thinking of inventions. And making up stories. And asking questions constantly. They don't have doubt, they just are creative and curious.

We were all like that once. Someone or something took that away from some of us. When did you stop feeling creative? Who tricked you into thinking that you weren't? Or that creativity wasn't valuable and essential?

I agree with Ken Robinson (we'll check out his TedTalk later). Schools/society have trained most of us into thinking that we're not creative and/or that it's not worth spending time honing and improving. Don't believe it!

Look back at history and realize that telling stories is one of the most human things we can do. It’s what separates us from animals. We crave stories. Even when you go to lunch and gossip all you’re really doing is telling stories.

My writing philosophy: I will share my own work with you. Creative writing is a very personal and vulnerable activity. If I'm not willing to do that, why should you be? Sharing writing requires trust to build a safe space and writing community.

My own teacher shared his work, and it meant the world that before I was asked to do anything, the person I trusted was willing to go out on a limb first.

Let's get it out of the way. Do NOT PLAGIARIZE. Don't do it for any work, but please please please, really don't do it for creative writing. This is the stuff I get the most excited to read but I have really limited time. If I take the time to read your stuff, and then realize it's not your stuff I am (rightfully so) pretty upset with you.

You're only selling yourself short. Get after it, compete with yourself, and explore and experiment to get better!

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