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Writers Retreat > Student Talk > Course Lessons > i need some help
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Angela LoPresti
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« on: October 20, 2008, 09:08:20 PM »
I AM ON ASSIGNMENT #2.  I AM THINKING ABOUT DOING NONFICTION.  IS IT OKAY TO BASE THE ASSIGNMENT ON A TRAUMATIC EVENT THAT I RECENTLY WENT THROUGH?  I REMEMBER ALL OF THE DETAILS.  I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. THANK YOU
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"In life there are going to be some things thats going to make it hard to smile. Whatever you do through all the pain and the rain you gotta keep your sense of humor. You gotta Smile." Tupac Amaru Shakur
ColoradoKate
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« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2008, 10:29:58 PM »
Angela, which course are you taking? In the "Writing for Children and Teenagers" course, Assignment 2 is fiction, and they make it clear on the first page that fiction is made-up--even if it's based on real events or real people, "the fiction writer alters these realities to create a story."

But maybe you're taking a different course?
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Angela LoPresti
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Rape victims do not have to be silenced1800656hope
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2008, 10:33:25 PM »
I AM TAKING THE SPECIAL PUBLISHING COURSE.
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"In life there are going to be some things thats going to make it hard to smile. Whatever you do through all the pain and the rain you gotta keep your sense of humor. You gotta Smile." Tupac Amaru Shakur
chippy
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chipilina Elferton: The Strange and Magical One!
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2008, 06:34:35 AM »
Angela, do you mean the Advanced magazine course?
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« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2008, 08:43:13 AM »
Special Publishing is the magazine focused beginning course -- it's similar to the usual beginning course only shorter and focused on magazines.

The nonfiction side of Assignment Two asks you to describe a setting, a place, in which there is action -- things happening. It should be a recent observation and it is to be very very very very objective.

I think the problem with using a traumatic event is that it would be virtually impossible to write it objectively. You would almost certainly tell us what you felt and give conclusions instead of details because that's how traumatic events imprint themselves on us...in very subjective ways. If you really believed you could describe the setting and event clearly and objectively, it would be allowed...but I think that would be blindingly difficult.

Actually assignment two (in a lot of ways) is about creating a sensory snapshot of a place. It's something I actually do sometimes when I go somewhere I've never been. I jot down all the sensory impressions I can of the place -- sound, smell, textures, sights -- so that if I ever create a scene in a place like that, I can pull out my sensory snapshot and there are all the details I would need to create a very specific "real" moment for the scene. So I have sensory snapshots like this of the Metro in DC, a grocery frequented by farmers in NC, an airport in the middle of a remodeling, Quincy Market in Boston, etc.

So you would be better served to go somewhere, record as many sensory objective details as you can aobu tthe place...then write the Assignment 2 objective description.
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chipilina Elferton: The Strange and Magical One!
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2008, 04:54:06 AM »
Thanks for the info, Jan.

Is it possible to list the various courses with a very brief description of each somewhere on the boards? This would help when questions like this are asked. We would all hopefully know which course is being referred to. Just a thought. Smiley
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Don't ever give up!
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E H R
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« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2008, 11:56:06 PM »
Jan you're so helpful! What would we do without you? I hate to even think about that. Thanks for all that you do!

E H R ~
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« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2008, 01:10:14 PM »

Jan-

thank you for always being there with good advice-

it's appreciated!

Tina. Smiley
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« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2008, 03:07:36 PM »
Aw, thanks guys.

As to a description of each course. I'm not sure I know what all the courses are. I'll ask about that and see what smarter folks than me have to say about it.  Grin
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chipilina Elferton: The Strange and Magical One!
« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2008, 03:31:13 PM »
Thanks Jan. It would make it a bit easier to know which one is which. But if you can't get them all don't worry about it. It won't be the end of the world. Smiley
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Don't ever give up!
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. Henry David Thoreau
I'm taking one step forward 1000 steps back, but I will win, eventually!!!
roundtuit2
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« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2008, 08:22:30 PM »
You said traumatic so I say write it even if you later decide not to use it get it down on paper it heals the soul simply to clean out these kind of things. I have used bits of personal trauma for a non-fiction that read like a story so it is possible. I think since it was a part of me it rang true for the reader.
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Angela LoPresti
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Rape victims do not have to be silenced1800656hope
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2008, 06:51:03 PM »
I was raped by some guy my "friend" let in while I was asleep.  I called 911 but since my friend wouldn't speak up it is his word against mine. He has criminal history and I don't and even with a rape kit and an order of protection he can walk.
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"In life there are going to be some things thats going to make it hard to smile. Whatever you do through all the pain and the rain you gotta keep your sense of humor. You gotta Smile." Tupac Amaru Shakur
chippy
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chipilina Elferton: The Strange and Magical One!
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2008, 03:30:26 AM »
Angela, I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible ordeal. I can't comment on whether you can write an article on a subject like that, but if I remember correctly its not a subject they want. Maybe someone else, or better still, Jan, could tell you. 

If nothing else, write about it anyway, whether you use it as a story or not. At least it is a way of releasing your feelings. I hope that things turn out well for you. Smiley
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Critique Group:  http://www.critiquecafe.spruz.com/
Website/Blog:  http://terriehope.com/

Don't ever give up!
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. Henry David Thoreau
I'm taking one step forward 1000 steps back, but I will win, eventually!!!
tina
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« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2008, 08:14:51 AM »

Angela-

That's awful and something I think every woman fears-

I don't know if you can write about that either.  to write about it

would probably be good for though.

take care.

Tina.
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« Reply #14 on: November 19, 2008, 09:44:37 AM »
it sickens me that there is such a war on women. You know what helped me was to hear from men that it was an awful thing to do to women to know that there are some really decent guys out there. My husband was one of them thiry years now. So guys what say you?
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