Susan's comment on my last post got me thinking.
Every so often you still hear the cliche: Those who can't, teach.
Not true.
I know so many accomplished writers who teach not because they need the money but because they enjoy teaching or they feel teaching allows them to give something back.
Sure, teaching can be a drag. But after an all-day class like the one I taught today at UC-Irvine, I remember how much fun teaching can be. I have such respect for my students who could have been doing so many other things on this beautiful summer day but they chose to be sitting under florescent lights progressing their writing. There was gobs of talent in the classroom today, so much so that I felt invigorated.
This goes for all of my students. I'm lucky I get to help them along their path.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
10 comments:
Hey, I was in your class today at UCI and you already have a note about it here! Indeed, it was a beautiful day, and lovely to hear your words of wisdom. This blogging stuff -- what a funny and cool thing. I find the word mysterious. Is it: Be-Logged-On-Going? Or simply, The World's Sweetest Frogs? c/o: Dr. Seuss. Anyway, I have officially lost my blog- virginity to this posting.
I like your definition more than the actual definition: Web log = Blog.
(Is it Dina who posted this comment?)
I hope you continue to teach. You do very well at it and obviously care about your students. Surprisingly, that is not always the case.
I also have to say that you are doing the two things I want to do in my life; teach and write. Hopefully I can achieve just as you have. *smile* 8)
"Those who can't teach"??? What? Try telling that to Joyce Carol Oates!
oh, got it, WeBlog ... I will put that on my word list! I did some reading of your book today ... and I wrote down a few first lines. I put them on little labels so I can peel them off and stick them on a blank page. ;)
hi, yes, it's Dina
You've been a delight, Charity. (Post your blog address here, if you like....)
And Dina, I knew that was you. It was your voice.
Yes. Fun. I'm not teaching per se but I did start a mini workshop. We have assignments out of Janet Burroway's book "Writing Fiction" and critique each other. We free-write from word tickets a la "Poem Crazy." Question from one in our group that I could not answer: What is the difference between a memoir and an autobiography? Or is the former just a hipper word, the latter more antiquated, like me?
Awww, stop! I'm blushing! And, if you insist...8)
http://versweetrealm.blogspot.com/
I think an autobiography is more or less ordered by a timeline (chronilogical) whereas a memoir is theme based (with time being relative to when the *thing-in-regards-to-the-theme is happening.)
A memoir is more about a time in the life and autobiography is the life.
Post a Comment