Thank you for taking the time to consider author Maya Angelou's ideas about how dreams play into the writing process. Please do a New Post on your blog with your answers to 4-6 of the questions on the pink handout I gave you. Your post should be a decent length (500 words) if you've provided thoughtful answers. Title the post Writers Dreaming. Also include an image (of Maya, of something connected to dreaming or an aspect of one of your answers) on this post.
If you're interested in learning more about Maya Angelou, her interesting life and her beloved works, you can start at her official website. I bought this t-shirt showcasing her autobiography (one of my favorite books) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from a little store downtown next to Maria's called 5# Apparel. Most of the proceeds the store nets are donated to charities around the world. You can also find the t-shirt and others featuring classic, challenged books (ones that have been put on banned books lists at one time or another) at Out of Print. Click the "Shop" link to get to the t-shirts--the site donates a book to Books for Africa for every purchase made. I'd like to do some thinking next week about books that have made a difference to us as people and as writers, and I wonder if you've read any of the classics featured on their other shirts...
I love that several of you have mentioned you "dream" of becoming professional writers. Leave a comment here telling us why you'd like/not like to be a professional writer and/or what kind of writing you see yourself doing.
Stephenie Meyer said on Oprah that she always heard that was an unrealistic, financially hopeless goal, but I hope that no matter what anyone says, if that's your dream, you go for it. Seems like you'd regret not trying more than you'd regret taking a shot at it...
Also, remember to turn in your Writer's Journal today with at least 20 full pages for our Mid-1st Quarter check. Wow, time flies...
I see writing as something more of a hobby and a release. If I'm in a position where it's my literal job to write, and nothing but, I believe I wouldn't find quite as much enjoyment in the craft that I would in doing it on my own, in my own time. It's special when I take that effort to put aside some time for myself to just write and makes every word more impactful and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteAs of now, I would not like to be a professional writer because I am so very uncreative. Plus, writing for a living would probably suck all the fun out of it for me. Maybe when I finally have something meaningful to put out into the world, I might pursue writing as a profession.
ReplyDeleteI would like to be a professional writer, but I wouldn't want that to be my only job. I really like writing, but I'd also want to teach. If I do publish, it will probably be LGBTQ+ novels or about other minorities and bullying. I really like writing about things that could happen in real life, but don't necessarily do. I will definitely try to publish, but it is highly unlikely.
ReplyDeleteI don't really want to be a professional writer because there are few jobs for the creative side of writing that I would enjoy, and the ones that do exist aren't very good at making money unless you get REALLY lucky. I'd enjoy doing it as a hobby but my hands still go through chronic hand pain and everything else makes it hard for me to really get anything good out.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to be a professional writer at the moment because i'm not that creative when it comes to writing, but if I was to be a professional writer one day I could see myself most likely doing love novels or horror because those are my higher favorite genres that I love the most other then the comedy genre.
ReplyDeleteMy dream is to be an aluminum welder for planes but if I were to become a writer id be OK with it I always dreamed of having my thoughts or stories heard it would be extremely exciting. Writing isn't my first choice but definitely one of them.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that I could be a professional writer. I really enjoy writing and I don’t think I’m half bad, but I think that if I started writing just for the sake to make money or to make fans happy, then I would lose all passion in/for my writing.
ReplyDeleteThis was mine, I posted from my phone :)
DeleteI don't think I'd like to be a professional writer. I love making up stories, but the stories I make up are usually on the fly and pretty stupid. They'd just have too much nonsense to be an actual story. If I were though, I would like to write some horror or action/adventure stories. That would seem like fun.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to be a professional writer, nor a hobbyist. If I were to pursue a writing career, It would most likely be horror or science fiction.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to be a professional writer because I think it'd be boring. Writing every now and then is cool but I'm not trying to be constantly writing.
ReplyDeleteI'd wouldn't be a writer because I wouldn't be able ton think of anything else because I feel like it would be hard and it would take up most of my time when I need the time with my family.
ReplyDeleteI dream of becoming a professional writer because I can't see myself being truly happy doing anything else. The horror genre has always intrigued me, and I would love to combine darker themes with mainstream fantasy and science fiction. I'm always coming up with stories in my head, so why not try to make a career out of them?
ReplyDeleteI'm incredibly surprised by the amount of people saying that they wouldn't want to be a professional writer in the comments. Personally, I would love to, but I don't think it's very realistic and don't think that I'd actually be able to make a career out of it. It's hard to get started as a writer unless you're that one-in-a-million. With school, I struggle to find time to sit down and write, which can be frustrating, so writing for a living would be amazing for getting the amount of writing that I want to do in. As for what I'd write, I'd write realistic fiction, non-fiction, or historical fiction. I think I would really struggle writing horror, thrillers, and science fiction.
ReplyDeleteI believe that writing is an important, fundamental process in stating someone's beliefs and expressing themselves. I would love to pursue writing, except that I might not consider it as a full-time career, only a passion. I know that most famous authors take years in building their skills as writing takes great effort and concentration. Otherwise, most "unknown" writers are either starting out, aren't as experienced, or don't know how to make connections with other influential authors. However, I know the career that I am considering to pursue, either in education or law, will involve significant writing. As for my favorite genre, I would see myself as a mystery, suspense, sci-fi, or nonfiction writer.
ReplyDeleteI do wish to become a writer some time in the future, my imagination love to run free constantly; however, with work and responsibilities in the way, I find it hard to express it. Once I have the time, I will definitely continue writing, it's been a dream of mine since I was little. I've been writing science fiction and fantasy throughout my entire life.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't like to be a professional writer because I don't enjoy writing enough and my future dreams are to work in the medical field. If I ever were to write a book I believe that it would be a narrative or about advancements in the medical field.
ReplyDeleteI would not like to be a professional writer because I am not good at writing as well as I do not enjoy it. I would rather become a GEO of a company. If I were to write a book it would probably be narrative about my life
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be a professional writer or author. Something that gives me real joy in life is creating real or believable characters, and connecting with an audience. In truth, however, I write also to connect with myself. I see myself writing fiction novels.
ReplyDeleteI believe I have the power to overcome adversity. I know because I try to be the least racial person there is.
ReplyDeleteShe said the cage bird sings for freedom. It means the bird is crying out for help. Yes I agree with her statement.