The students of Students 2.0 would like to extend a warm welcome to Kaelie Giffel, our newest author. Please enjoy her debut post below.
Inspiration is a fickle thing. Sometimes it hits you like a truck, and other times it swerves off the road to avoid you. I know an art teacher who has a quote about inspiration on his wall as a rule: “Inspiration is lazy. Don’t wait for it.” That has been my inspiration, my drive to continue writing even through the stress of high school.
Writing in high school is like walking through a mine field without getting hurt—it’s difficult, but possible. I find myself making difficult decisions regarding how to spend my time. I have a constant homework load, because of my AP social studies class, and it isn’t something I can put off for a night. It always comes back to haunt me in a failing quiz grade. So, I use class time to write. It took me a few weeks to figure out that English class is the dead zone for writing (much like the dead zone for electronics in Siberia). American literature is bad enough for my brain cells, let alone my creativity.
Everyone in high school has some sort of creative outlet: music, books, writing, athletics, science. (The last two may not seem creative, but I’ve utilized both; they take a different kind of creativity.) Writing and music are the most common. In the middle of writing Tarot Cards and Black Roses, my first novel, someone said something to me that put a halt to the book’s production. She said, “You’re a writer? I am, too! We should share our work!” In that second, the cold truth hit me: I’m not the only teenage writer in the world.
It was an odd thought, because it sounded so general, but it in my mind it was specific. I didn’t mean bloggers, poets, or young journalists; I meant the supernatural writers who delved into the darker part of the world. The thought hurt. It really did. How was I so stupid? Why did I believe that I was unique? My beloved story became just a really big file on my computer that I refused to tend to.
I sulked for two months, trying to come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t as unique as I thought I was. At the end of the two months, I got my butt into gear. I wasn’t the only student writer trying to get published, but that was a horrible excuse to use for not writing. I needed to get over myself because the sweet seductress inspiration was calling to me. I was unique because I was fulfilling my dream. I could write a novel and finish it. I had the drive and the endless encouragement of my support network.
Never in my life has someone straight up told me I couldn’t do something. All my friends and relatives want me to be a writer. They think it’s a very good possibility for my career. My dad’s favorite question is, “How’s that novel coming?” Even my teachers have encouraged me. Except once. Early in the year, I told my teacher (in response to a question she asked) that I wanted a career in creative writing. The look she gave me said everything I knew she wouldn’t say aloud. It was a look that whispered, Abandon your dream. That’s not going to happen. That broke my heart. After that day, I picked up my writing with a vengeance.
The best way to motivate a stubborn person is to tell them they can’t. Because they will do exactly what you told them they couldn’t and they will exceed previous expectations. I continued my novel for one reason: to prove I could. That mindset is what propels me through the novel, even when my well of inspiration has dried.
I agree, because encouraging makes one self-sufficient.
vengeance method will only work for those who aim to be pro’s like you. Average student would just give up if discouraged.
My parents strongly disagree with my dream as a song writer; they want me to have a less-risky job. But who knows what will happen.
(again taking advantage of the time zone, i guess, i post the first reply)
nice imagery, by the way. could clearly see that you’re a writer (encouraging!)
But you’ve found a key to success: other people’s opinions are just that, opinions. THEIR opinions. I love that you decided to go on in spite of what other people say, not only because you should continue writing, but also because that’s a lesson that applies to everything. Use your best judgment, and ignore people who nay say.
I also think people who press on in spite of other people’s opinions will find that they’re quite in the minority. So, it turns out you are unique! ~for many things~
Keep on being stubborn. It will serve you well. In polite society, your stubbornness might dress itself up as “motivation” or “dedication” but we’ll all recognize that cheeky wink that signals its true nature.
Oh, and if you’re serious about your novel and getting it published, accept healthy criticism. Some of the best books have been gutted by editors, owing to the maxim: “Good editing is thoughtful removal.”
Don’t edit, though, until you’ve finished the first draft. Once you do, though, make those pages bleed with red ink.
Just some writing advice.
http://awaitingtenure.wordpress.com/
@Taylor: *grins* You’re pushing the unique thing aren’t you? I go one because then people will be like, “Well, she did it, I should too.” Just trying to make a difference.
@Diane: Inspiration really is something you have to chase. I worry about my stubborness looking stupid sometimes, but I’ve gotten over that. Being stubborn has helped me through so much.
@Benjamin: Yes, I had contemplated that, because she was an English teacher, but it’s a repeated thing. She has done it several times and even though she’s put me in high classes, I don’t think she really thinks it’s possible. She’s also a very cynical person. I have been adjusting to taking criticism because I used to be really bad at taking it, but now I understand most of it isn’t harmful. I can’t wait to edit, just because I really do want to make it bleed red ink. How cool is that going to look? To other people, not very, but it’ll make me feel great.
Why do you think that your Lit classes are a “dead Zone for writing?”
How would you change how you were exposed to literature? I teach AP Lit and American Lit and I’m always looking for ways to engage student like you who are clearly bright and creative but who I can’t seem to reach. Are you looking for more control over what and how you read?
My lit classes are a dead zone for my writing for a couple reasons. One, I feel trapped by someone else’s creativity. It sounds really wierd and confusing, but what it is is that I am listening to her talking about symbolism, allusions, and the writers style and my writing stops, because I think I have to throw all that stuff in there at that very moment. Two, the classroom is excruciatingly bright and the teacher is really loud. I write in dimly lit areas–which is actually the kind of lighting you’re supposed to have in a school because it helps students learn–and it’s usually quiet, even if I have music softly in the background. I’m good in all of my other classes, because the teachers keep some of the lights off the majority of the time. Not exactly education related, but it’s still a reason.
How would I change my exposure to literature? That’s a difficult question. I don’t exactly know if I would. Because I have liked some of the books from the American writers that we are reading right now, and some I have not liked. But, that’s how it is with my leisure writing. I usually stick to the same genre, but that doesn’t mean I will like it every time. One thing I would change, however, is to read more modern literature, because I’m not always interested in the books from goodness knows how long ago. I don’t necessarily need more control, but I would like more variety. It’s a lot of the same stuff over and over again. If you know what I mean.
Though, unfortunately, I would not be trying to pick up any of my past “creative outlets” because I feel that I should just be staying low for the rest of my life. Maybe the other people who have my similar creative outlet should be the ones who go ahead. Then I’ll be there to help them reach their goal.
Don’t ever stop writing because it will take you very far in the future. Don’t believe what others might say to tell you to leave writing ’cause there will be may who read your post and will disagree. Prove those who tell you to give up that you will succeed.
(I feel a little hypocritical telling you this when I myself do the opposite, but maybe thats my creative outlet. Helping others reach their goal first).
Keep writing.
@Jen: Thanks! I think that it’s great how you are helping people reach their goals. We need more people like you, because more often than not, we run into the people trying to “get us down”. Don’t feel like a hypocrite. You just followed a different path.
There is value in what you’re learning, but you might have to make it fit for you.
You are one of the unique few in High School who reads as a writer instead of just as a reader. That is the mark of a writer. That ultimate mark of a writer is that you have finished a major piece of writing. You have done it! Although, it never truly gets finished...it just gets published. You will published someday. It may not be the first time, or even the 20th, but you have to stick with it until it happens. Determination is a word that will carry you far into HS and beyond. Best of luck with you writing. Keep it up!