Around the same time that I entered the UK Songwriting
Contest, I also entered a short story contest. When the results were announced
I found I had to keep reading them just to convince myself that I hadn't
imagined it and that my name really was listed as the winner.
Reaching the semi-finals of the UK Songwriting Contest gave
me hope that my lyrics had potential, winning the short story contest inspired
me to be brave and do something I’d only ever dreamed about. I signed up for a
creative writing class.
Now I know in theory attending a course shouldn’t be
something that requires courage. I’ve attended many courses over the years,
however they were always work related. Well, apart from my brief attempt to
learn Spanish, which is probably best forgotten, just like my Spanish
vocabulary has been. Although perhaps it
would be more accurate to say that it was never remembered in the first place.
The writing class however wasn’t in a field I worked in, and
it wasn’t just something that was a passing thought of ‘wouldn’t it be nice if
I could…’ This was something I longed to do, and not just do, but do well. I couldn’t hide behind a spreadsheet and
loose myself in a complex formula to ensure I came to the right answer. Writing
is subjective, and right answers are as elusive as my self-confidence.
Of course there are technics, there are skills you can learn
and develop. I realised this, that’s why
I wanted to join. What scared me was the fact that all of this would draw upon
one source for imagination and ideas. Me.
What if my idea of humorous and exciting is actually dull and
boring? Wait, what if I have no ideas…?
Freaking out about my own abilities, or lack of them, wasn’t
even the scariest bit though. Part of the learning experience of the course was
to read our work aloud to the rest of the group. However, my stage-fright wasn’t
limited to being on stage. It made an appearance at any event where public
speaking was involved. Now here I was signing up to yet another course where I
would come face to face with my fears again. Was I mad? Possibly, but I signed
up anyway.
I joined that class with two objectives: 1, to learn a
little about how to improve my writing, and 2, to avoid making a total fool of
myself in front of the rest of the class with my complete lack of talent. What
I actually got from the course was so much more.
The tutor, a published author, was eager to share her wealth
of experience and knowledge with us. The
rest of the group, whilst not quite at the same level of trembling self-doubt,
were hesitant and uncertain. The
combination was the creation of a weekly haven for creativity and hope.
That’s not to say it was easy. The course was challenging,
not just in terms of developing our skills but also because it made me face my
fears once again. Each new topic and technique that was introduced to us, was
followed by an exercise to encourage us to put our new knowledge into
practice. Each exercise was followed by
an opportunity to read our creations back to the rest of the group for
feedback.
I waited my turn as the tutor progressed around the room
calling out names for who should read next.
My heart raced, my hands grew clammy and the room started to dip and
sway as though we’d suddenly set sail. I forced myself to pay attention to my
classmates as they read their work and not indulge the overwhelming urge to flee.
I tried to find the courage to have confidence in my opinions and give
feedback, without shying away full of self-doubt as to the value of my input.
Eventually it was my turn. I could have declined to read my
story. I could have shrunk down in my
seat and let the opportunity pass me by. But I didn’t. At least not often. What
would I learn from taking the easy way out, other than how to fail? So I took a
chance and read my work. I fumbled my
words. I laughed nervously when I lost
my place. And I probably made everyone’s
heads spin with the speed that I discovered I could speak at. But I did it.
I would like to say at this point that the staggering praise
I received afterwards, filled me with such confidence that I overcame my fears
in an instant. However, that wasn’t exactly the way it was.
Thankfully there was praise. Sometimes. But there was always
encouragement. I might not have created perfection in my five minutes of
freewriting, but often there was a germ of an idea that held potential to be
something more. The tutor and class responded with enthusiasm and eagerness to
know more. They laughed, thankfully only
when they were supposed to. They asked questions. They made suggestions. They prompted me to delve deeper into my
characters psyches and examine the story’s weaknesses.
I learnt so much from that course, much more than I can fit
into this blog. I learnt to listen not just to others work, but to their
opinions of mine. I learnt to be a better critic, a fair and encouraging one,
but one who isn’t afraid (or at least not as afraid) to ask questions. I learnt
to share my work and take criticism and praise.
But mostly I learnt to be brave, face my fears, and have a little faith
in myself and my dreams.
Two of the short stories I wrote as part of this course, The
Art Of Conversation and Cinderella Shoes, have now been published. Each acceptance was accompanied by squeals of
delight and disbelief in equal measures, as I took another step towards making
my dream come true.
Everything I’ve learnt over the last 18 months since I took
my seat on the first day of the writing course has gone into rewriting my
novel. Finally I have reached the point where I am ready to face the next
hurdle and start my quest to find a publisher.
Whatever the outcome, I’ve come a long way from that 11 year old who
vowed never to take a chance on her dreams again.
Comments
Post a Comment