“Write a story,” Robert Raymer, our trainer, says to the class.
I laugh inwardly at those words. This activity is what I look forward to the least in any creative writing workshop, which is why I’ve stayed away from these kinds of courses for most of my life until now. It’s not because I’m too lazy to think of those ideas, but because I’m not sure — or, probably, too scared — of how I should tap into the emotional parts of a story that makes a character or event feel alive, real, and relatable.
I glanced at the workshop participants as I write this, feeling too aware that these people are more serious about this course than I am. I talked to a participant or two, and eavesdropped on some others, and so far NONE of them told me they’ve signed up for this workshop for the heck of it. All of them seem to have some sort of story draft (or ten) locked up in their desks, ready to get published at any time once they’ve polished up their skills.
Instead, here I am, a casual blogger slash technical writer, who writes linearly, so used to exempting any emotional sense out of my writing, and having no objective of joining this course other than just to “have fun.”
I feel so out of place.
Going back to the task at hand, I’m suppose to think of some fictional elements of a character I can observe who is currently in this class. Or did Robert say it was necessary? (describe more about Robert and the workshop here; describe why you’re uneasy or scared to write blah blah blah)
With Robert Raymer, author.
So what do you think? I made up the story above in a span of 30 minutes as part of our hands-on exercise during a creative writing workshop.
Conducted by internationally reknowned author, Robert Raymer, the half-day workshop on 17 June 2012 was well-worth attending for those who seriously aspires to become a published writer. Robert not only covered the elements of sought-after story-telling concepts in writing, but also tips on making your transcripts more readable and acceptable to publishers and editors.
And, of course, he wouldn’t want to leave out the ever-important accurate use of punctuation and grammar. “Comma or full stop after a quote” and “punctuate within or outside quotes” seemed to be the most popular questions of that day. Robert even made sure everyone understood their usage by giving us some exercises.
Overall, I really enjoyed myself during the workshop, as evident (I suppose) from my rough story draft above. I’m not sure whether I’m pursuing creative writing any time soon, as I’m more of a direct, monologuous writer rather than an exciting, imaginative one.
Besides, there are ghost writers who are better at it than I am. I’ll probably hire one instead. LOL.
(note to self: will make time to read The Great Gatsby… I heard that’s a great story using the monologue, 3rd person angle)
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