Fiction post

       Lamotts one rule for writing and writing well was to just write.  I've heard that more times than I can count, and I know it is a rule that works for people.  But to just write?  Wake up in the morning, sit down at a computer and put thoughts onto a page, simply to put thoughts onto a page seem.  That idea, though I've heard it more times than I really care to know, seems so foreign, so alien to me.  It isn't something I feel I would be able to do properly.  I can't see how just sitting and writing is supposed to help.  I understand that it is supposed to "train your unconscious to kick in for you creatively" but, why?  What good is it to kick in if there are simply no ideas there? All this advice seems to help me with, is writing thoughts that are in no way connected.

       I believe Lamott did bring up some excellent points though, especially in the Shitty First Drafts section.  It is best to write any idea you have down.  No matter what it seems like, or how bad you may think it actually is.  If there's an idea you need to write it and follow.  No one writes perfectly on their first try, even if they attempt to tell you differently.  Everything comes with patience and practice.  In this, I can see parts of Lamotts advice useful, and could potentially work for me.  When I write, I usually like to start off an idea that I had.  I write that idea down no matter where it will end up in the story.  I then work from that, I build backwards and forwards from that point.  When I feel that I have a proper base, I start from the beginning, and try and work my way towards that idea, and form an ending afterwards.

       As for the fiction story readings, I quite liked them.  They were short but entertaining, especially "Wallet"  by Allen Woodman.  Some were sad, and many of them had to deal with couples getting sick, and one of them dying, like "Survivors" and "Morning News".  Others were just peculiar, like the Mystery stories by Sharon Krinsky.  They almost sound like poems, but make a bit more sense.  I just find them all to be strange.  There was a hand shaking talking cat, a man deciding if he should pay for other peoples plate of strawberries, and someone thinking their discarded poems should be placed in a china cup.  They're short, and not entirely connected, but they don't feel out of place.  They aren't confusing, just short but complete thoughts.  I think I rather enjoyed the Mystery Stories.

        I really can't wait to get into the fiction writing.  Fiction has interested me much more than the poetry, and I really hope we get into some very interesting short fiction stories.  I'm curious as to what we will be studying and writing about, especially with such short time left already.  I hope its good!