Tessa likes the toaster cover
Friday, January 20, 2012
Waning Moon
Snowy and cold
Most of yesterday was spent with students, commenting on work. I’m getting a little tired of feeling like I’m talking to wallpaper. If someone has taken classes with me for months, and I’ve given, repeatedly, the same comment on comma placement, I expect them to actually take the comments and do something about it. This refusal certain students have to learn the fundamentals of the craft is beyond irritating. When I say STRUNK & WHITE’S ELEMENTS OF STYLE is a required text, I mean it.
I discussed it with a writer acquaintance who shrugged and said, “Culls the herd. Dipshit can’t be bothered to learn craft, more open slots for those of use who do.”
Which made me laugh, but . . .as a teacher, I want my students to succeed. I want them to go off and live independent, successful, happy lives as writers. If I do my job properly, they’ll outgrow me, and good for them. So when they’re given the tools and REFUSE to use them, I get frustrated.
On the flip side of that, one of my best, most productive students has a new book out (she started working with me while she was writing it) and it’s getting great reviews. She deserves them — she’s talented AND works her butt off. And I’m happy in the wide range of topics that the 5 in 10 students are tackling. They’re taking some interesting chances, and some of them aren’t limiting themselves to a single genre. They truly are taking advantage of this opportunity to play and experiment out of their comfort zones.
Yoga was great yesterday, and then, in the evening, I went to a lecture on women’s health issues, was was both interesting and lots of fun. Lots of laughter AND lots of information, which is a good way to go. It’s also amazing how much misinformation is out there, especially as peddled by both insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies — for their own profit, of course.
It also confirmed something I know — I have to up my exercise ante at this stage of my life. I’ve been leaning entirely on yoga the last few months. I have to add the weight training back in, and, if I don’t run, I should at least walk. My mind doesn’t want to run, but my body’s craving it. I live in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. I can get out and walk a few miles a few times a week.
We had a little bit of snow — not much, just a bit. The owner’s coming to prime the fixed wall today. I’ve got a busy (and hopefully productive) weekend ahead of me. I’m spinning my wheels on a couple of projects, and I need to pull myself out of the muck and get down to it. A new client project comes in on Monday with a two-week turnaround, so there’s no room for any self-indulgence on my part.
I’m pretty happy with this batch of short stories I’m writing. They have a verve, an energy to them, that a lot of earlier work lacked. So at least I’m going in the right direction in some of my own work. Now, to get the novels back up to speed . . .
Devon
By Jenny Storm. A young girl fights to save her horse trainer father's reputation when vicious rumors could ruin their lives. Purchase from 
I’m smitten with Tessa.
Yoga has proven to me the same thing – I need to step it up in other areas, as well. I love walking (hiking up hills especially), and I’d like to run again, but not craving it enough yet. Just the walking and the exercising and the yoga. I have added dancing to my daily routine. It feels good to let loose!
Your struggle with students and ‘comments on commas’ reminds me of the time I was at my first schooling horse show.
This is like a dress rehearsal where you perfect your skills and get a chance to calm your show jitters. They are usually small, local, and the judge takes the time to make comments to help each competitor get ready for the “big shows”. I dully reported to my instructor that the judge gave me good marks on presentation and the quality of my horse but thought I was letting her be lazy and sloppy and advised I carry a crop to encourage her attention to my aids. As I was waiting for my turn in the next class my instructor noticed I didn’t have my crop. She sent me back to the barn for it with a bark; “If the judge bothered to take the time and effort to give you advice, you should show enough respect to follow it.” I came out of the class with a third place ribbon. Lesson learned.
Your acquaintance was correct, you will get through to some of them. Don’t give up.
Hoping you’re okay – either a deadline or a power outage as we’ve not heard from you!