Why I'm a Creative Writing Major

So, for my Principles of Literature Studies class our final project involves us writing an essay. The topic: "a movie, a television show, or a coherent collection of song lyrics. The movie, show, or lyrics you choose must have made a significant impression on your interpretive imagination, so that you can compose an inspired essay in Creative writing". I chose a videogame, with the permission of my professor.  In fact, he seemed quite interested in my choice of media--probably because he already knew my obsession with them.

Creative Reading, as my professor puts it, bridges the gap between creative writing and literary analysis. In our contemporary literary world, as we are learning in the class, the distinction between creative writers and literary analysts has been effectively deconstructed through the work of a number of good writers/readers. This is an attempt to fuse together both English Literature and English/Creative Writing majors, and create one unified English major--the ultimate English major, if you will. Of course, we have yet to see such major make a presence at any university, but it's a nice idea. My professor likes to title this major, UNIFLEX, and is based off of the idea of creative reading, which he defines with the three principles:

1.) The meanings of any literary text emerge from a reciprocal process of co-creation carried out by the writer who produces it and the readers who interpret it.

2.) Although traditional literary scholarship often represses its creative, personal elements, every vigorous act of interpretation is necessarily personal and creative.

3.) Although traditional creative writing often represses its interpretive, analytical elements, the making of any fictional or poetic text necessarily (if unconsciously) involves interpretive engagement with other texts.

The videogame I chose is Final Fantasy X. Now, many of my friends know that this game holds a special spot in my heart. Some of it has to do with its high quality graphics and the voice acting. But most of all, it's the story. As I've said in previous posts, I see videogames as another form of narrative (given that they're not racing, shooter'em all, or fighting--although some fighting games have a bigger story to them...like Dissidia Final Fantasy). Anyway, one of the things I'll be talking about in my essay is the character of Sin. For those who don't know, Sin is this giant whale-like beast that plagues Spira (the fantasy world of Final Fantasy X). It is a mindless beast that lives only to destroy, and immediately specifically targets areas with high population. But while I was searching for things about the game, I came across something interesting. The game alludes to a Japanese myth involving Susanoo and Yamato-no-Orochi:

"Susanoo (Tidus) is banished from his home in the Heavens (Dream Zanarkand) and trying to win back favor to return home. He comes to the mortal world (Spira) and comes across two earthly deities who are weeping because they have to sacrifice their daughters (summoners) to the evil Yamato-no-Orochi (Sin) to keep it from destroying their home. They wish to save their eighth daughter (Yuna) from being devoured, so Susanoo comes up with a plan that involves getting the dragon-snake drunk with wine ("Hymn of the Fayth") and killing it in its drunken state." -- ("Sin" Final Fantasy X wikia page)

This may just be me, but I find that amazing. To be able to produce a great story from this myth--and not only that, this story is original. It's a work of its own...it can stand alone. And in relation to the title of this post, this is why I'm a creative writing major! I want to be able to pull upon other works and create stories like this.

Anyway, I had to write a post on this because I was so excited at my finding.

Here are links to the pages on the game.
"Sin" - http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Sin
"Final Fantasy X" - http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_X  

Keep Writing, Keep Reading

It's a question that every author will encounter during his or her career.  There is always going to be that one person--whether it be a child, teen, or adult--that asks, "How do I become an author?  What do I need to do?" And every time, the answer is the same: keep writing, keep reading.  People must not believe that, since the question keeps getting asked (children don't add to the count because they don't know any better).

The worst thing a writer can do is not write: if they have a project they're working on, not writing is absolutely the worst thing you can do.  In my writing classes, I do everything I can to make my writing meaningful to me.  This means that many of my projects are related to ideas that have a good chance of becoming an actual book.  So far I have taken two workshop classes.  Last fall I took screenwriting, and this spring I am in a class that explores the form of the novella.  The writing projects for both classes tell a story that is related to the book I am writing on my own time.  I am exploring the form of the novella by adapting my screenplay into one (although based on my page count, my professor has said that it has turned into a novel--a pleasant surprise).  This is not only an interesting way to play with different forms of writing, but again, it makes what I write meaningful to me.  The story that the screenplay and novella tell follows a character that appears in my book--this is the same book I plan to use my entire senior year to review, revise, edit, etc--and it provides this character's backstory. 

And then the best thing happened to me whilst taking the novella class.  While I was writing and developing the story, I came across key events that basically lead into my book series.  Those events get the ball rolling for my book (a backstory for my story?  I think most people just call it a prequel...).  Any questions, doubts, and concerns of why I was writing the book in the first place were answered.  It was a very happy day for me.  So, by utilizing these writing workshop classes, I was able to make a huge discovery for my book.  This same book, that I plan to try and get published towards the end of my senior year of college, now had more to it than I could have ever imagined.  There is no doubt that the workshop classes helped--but I did most of the work.  Most students, I find, write their pieces for the sake of having something written for the class.  While I find no problem with that, because at least they're writing, it does add a lack of seriousness for the writer and their piece.  Again, make your writing meaningful to you.  The story doesn't have to reveal your most precious memories (you're just asking for trouble with that one), but it has to hold some form of meaning--whether it involves your career as a writer, or your just wanting to tell a good story.  Why are you telling this story?  Why should we care about YOUR story, and not someone else's?

The point of this post is, yes, the only thing you can do to be a better writer (or a writer in general) is to just write.  Read and write, to be more specific.  Let's be honest, in order to sharpen your skills and craft you need to read the craft of others--no matter how good or bad the writing is.  You will always learn something from the examples of others.  I would also add, that to be a better writer, you should keep returning to the things that you enjoy and that inspire you.  For me, videogames and animals are a heavy source of inspiration.  If I'm experiencing a writer's block, or if I'm in one of those moods where I don't feel like writing, you can bet 25 cents that I'll either be on my PS Vita, GameCube, Wii, or some other console playing a game, or I'll be somewhere surrounded by animals and nature.  As I allow myself to be absorbed into these enjoyments, I am constantly taking note (and reviewing) how and why I found them to be inspiring.  It gets my mind working--much like reading does. Videogames especially, because again, I see videogames as just another form of narrative.  Additionally, they're more interactive than a book and/or movies because you (the player) are in charge of making the decisions (although I'm not saying it's better than reading, just another way to get a story).  You are the active force!  MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Okay, enough of that.  I hope this post inspires you to go write, or at the very least inspire you to do the things you enjoy (gardening, horseback riding, dancing, composing music, etc.--I don't know what hobbies you all have).  Until then!