What I am reading: “Othello”
I recently revisited William Shakespeare’s Othello as part of the required reading for one of the units I am doing as part of my Master of Arts in Creative Writing course. It had been over 40 years since I last studied this play. I didn’t know how I would react to it after such a long break. I need not have worried.
I managed to read the play in two sittings. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The subsequent lecture and tutorial was quite stimulating with some excellent discussion on the many issues raised in the play.
The thing that struck me most forcefully in this study was the sheer nastiness of Iago. I had forgotten just how evil he was portrayed by Shakespeare. I am struggling to think of a more fundamentally evil character in English literature. The only character I can come up with is Hannibal Lecter in the film Silence of the Lambs. I am appealing for any readers to correct me in this; please leave a comment.
I was also amazed at the gullibility of Othello in falling for all of Iago’s manipulations. A major, tragic flaw in an otherwise outstanding character. Then there is Desdemona; her innocence is tragically only outweighed by her naivety.
Writing success – well, sort of
2 Comments »11th April, 2008; Category: Master of Arts course, Picture Books, Poetry, Writing for Children
Today is the last day of the first term of my time back at university. To refresh your memory, I’m doing my Master of Arts in Creative Writing. It has been 33 years since I’ve studied at this intensive level.
We have a two week mid-semester break from lectures. It might be just enough time to catch my breath – and to catch up on a little reading, not to mention starting on that essential planning for assignments due at the end of the semester. Whoever called it holiday has to be kidding.
Several weeks ago I presented my first tutorial paper. I was a little apprehensive about whether I had addressed the question adequately. I need not have worried. A Distinction was a little higher than I had expected. It is very encouraging and gives me the courage to keep on studying hard. This week I handed up two more major assignments.
The first was a major work in poetry. Normally I write little more than 15 to 30 lines for most of my poems; many are shorter than that. This poem had to be between 50 and 100 lines, the longest poem I had ever attempted. I even managed to write it in iambic pentameter. I also wrote it in blank verse; I didn’t have the mental capacity to make it all rhyme. I was very happy with the result.
The second assignment handed up this week was the text of a picture book for children. At about 700 words it may seem easy. Wrong. It went through six intensive drafts over quite a period of time. Every word has to count. It is a very delicate and demanding art. Again, I was quite pleased with the result.
Writing prompt #5 – Smelly Socks
2 Comments »9th March, 2008; Category: Master of Arts course, Poetry, Writing for Children, Writing prompts
One of the units I am particularly enjoying doing for my Master of Arts in Creative writing course is called Writing for Children. This is my main area of interest in doing the course. Our lecturer is a local writer who has many published books to her credit, including some award winners.
As a warm-up exercise in a recent workshop, Rosanne asked us to write down the title “Smelly Socks” and then asked us to write for five minutes about anything to do with smelly socks. Several students were asked to read out the results from this activity. Several were quite brilliant.
As far as I was concerned, the words “smelly socks” have a special rhythm to them which immediately suggested a poem for children. Here is the result of five minutes of writing. It’s not great poetry, but I sure had fun writing it – and then reading it to the class.
Smelly Socks
I hate smelly socks.
Smelly, smelly old socks.
They’re worse than a fox
That lives down near the docks,
Smelly, smelly, smelly, socks.I hate smelly shoes.
Smelly, smelly old shoes.
They’re worse than dog poos
And some terrible stews.
Smelly, smelly, smelly shoes.I hate smelly cats.
Smelly, smelly old cats.
They’re worse than my hats
And rotting old mats.
Smelly, smelly, smelly cats.(c) 2008 Trevor W. Hampel
As I said – it’s not great poetry, but I sure had fun.
Writing prompt:
Look around the house. Find a common object. Write about it for five minutes.
This is just a warm-up exercise to get you going on your major writing project for the day. Don’t be too fussy about the end product. Try not to edit or correct as you go – just get the words down. Write solidly for five minutes and then put it aside and get on with the main writing task for the day.
Don’t throw it away – come back to it in a few days and see if there is anything you can do with it. Does it lend itself to a non-fiction article, a poem, an essay or a short story?
Above all – have fun.
Good writing.
First impressions
No Comments »8th March, 2008; Category: Master of Arts course
I have read and heard on many occasions that first impressions are vitally important – and usually lasting. One doesn’t get a second chance to make that first impression. Then more recently I read that most people find that their first impression upon meeting someone is usually fairly accurate. There are exceptions, of course. I have met a few people who didn’t impress me on first meeting, but on getting to know the person I’ve had to review and revise that first impression. Most people deserve a second, third and more chance at showing who they really are.
Then there are those people you really have to work at to work out who they truly are. Most people are far more complex creatures than that first impression.
I’ve been attending Tabor College in Adelaide, South Australia, for three weeks now. That’s why the posting have been less frequent recently. I’m doing my Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing. Tabor College was set up some years ago as a theological college. It has since branched out into teacher education and has gained an exceptionally high degree of reputation in the process. More recently it has incorporated humanities, counselling and several other departments along the way. It is close to being accredited full status as the fourth university in our state.
My first impressions of the staff of the college have been very positive. I have found that the lecturers, tutors and office staff are extremely friendly, helpful and will do anything to help students succeed. Many of them have supplied personal email addresses and phone numbers, insisting that we contact them if we are having any difficulties. The pastoral care of the staff is wonderful. They genuinely want to help and see us succeed.
Even more pleasing has been the realisation that those first impressions were accurate. The care has continued. Staff members are frequently asking how we are getting along with our studies and how can they help. It is a genuine concern for our welfare. I like that.
On a broader scale it would be great if we all treated others in the same way – with a genuine interest in their welfare and a caring, loving attitude towards them. It doesn’t take much effort. It doesn’t take much to change the world, one kind, caring act at a time.
Less blogging and more writing
A few days ago I wrote about the studies I am doing over the next two years while I complete my Master of Arts in Creative Writing. Yesterday my wife (who is also studying) and I went to the college for Orientation Day. We had our mug shots taken for the student ID card and then had a whirlwind guided tour of the library and resource centre facilities. After that we were invited to afternoon tea into the section called “The Loft” where all the Humanities lecturers have their offices. This is a section right up high in the building just under the roof, hence its name. It’s a cosy, intimate and friendly part of the college and somewhere we can hang out if we need to talk to the lecturers.
During the afternoon tea we were given some extra information about each of the courses. We also received our reading lists and assignment topics. On reflecting upon the lecture topics and reading through the assignments I was rather relieved at the level of expectations. I can do this was my immediate thought, something that ran quite contrary to other thoughts or terror and panic racing around my mind at 5:30am earlier in the day! The writing assignments include the usual essay type activities, but the emphasis is going to be on the creative writing process and actually creating new works. That is exactly what I wanted out of this course. It will keep me focussed.
One of the three units I am doing will be less writing but more reading. It is called “Literature and the Christian Faith.” I’ve been saying for some time that I need to be doing far more reading. Now I have to make good on that resolution. It will be the most demanding of the units I am doing as it does involve that extra reading.
As a result of my year of study I will have to cut back on my blogging and do more writing and reading. One thing I will do, however, is to use this blog to reflect on my reading and studies. So don’t go away – I’ll still be around. It’s just that the frequency of posts will become a little erratic at times.
Meanwhile – good writing.