How do you write for a writing class when you don't want to share?

Is participation required for your course grade? If it is, then there’s no getting around it. I used to be incredibly protective of my writing, but had to shake off any reservations I had in order to adjust to my major.

Is there anyone you can read your writing to outside of class as practice? Against his better wishes, I often read my essays to my younger brother. He’ll tell me whether it sounds okay or not, but mostly I’m adjusting to saying the words out loud (because you never know when a professor will call on you.)

@papayalily Pretend you’re on fluther and write away!

@muppetish Yes, but I can participate by slamming others work. But there are 2 2-page essays due on Friday, plus the larger essays due throughout the semester, and that’s just what she assigned the first week.

@MissA I tried that, but I couldn’t forget that people that know my face and name will be reading this.

Two words for you. Do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoqDYcCDOTg&feature=related

C’mon do it, just do it. :D

I mean really if it is going to hurt your grade in that class,well I would just do it.You will only make it easier for when you have to share things again in class or other classes.

When that pops into your head, @papayalily, force yourself to simply be at your best and keep going.

Your uncomfortable place will be where you find your light.

Perhaps you can write as if you are someone else entirely, rather than from your own viewpoint or experiences. Maybe it would be easier to share the writing when it’s not sharing you, you know?

@augustlan I understand in theory, but how do you apply it to assignments like “write about a time something meaningful happened to you”?

If you’re a very private person, no doubt you know many ways already to participate in conversation without disclosing too much. Just do that. Write about things that don’t go too deep, that don’t expose too much.

The reason for assignments that call for personal responses is typically to force students to do their own work and to take the burden of research out of it by treating the subject they know best.

@papayalily Make it up out of thin air, if necessary! How will your professor ever know?

@Jeruba So is there a way around that? I’d much rather research thirteenth century herbology than write about my own life.

“Something meaningful” could be something like a big family event where many relatives who rarely assemble were all together at the same time, and it was so meaningful to you because you could see your roots and feel the tie that binds, etc.; or a time when you had an experience that taught you something useful—like not to be afraid of such and such (something innocuous like a dentist appointment or an interview) because you learned you were tough enough after all; or when you learned to handle an important responsibility. I’m sure there are plenty of things in your life that could satisfy this kind of request while keeping personal matters to yourself.

@Steve_A But it’s not like getting a vaccine for me, it’s like being raped. If I could “just do it”, I wouldn’t be asking for help on Fluther.

I’ve read your threads @papayalily…the potential is there. We need to help you find your way.

@MissA Thanks. But again, the whole “know my face and name” thing. It’s sooo much easier here – you guys don’t really have a way of knowing where I live or what car I drive or how to take me to court.

Is this a very small school? What are you concerned about with regard to someone pairing your writing with you?

@MissA No, it’s actually a large school, but our names are on it.

Then, my dear, you are but a name. I have faith in you. Give it a whirl…do you best. If it doesn’t pan out, you can exit the class. But, that sure would be a terrible waste.

Is it necessary that you be entirely factual in your writing?

@Nullo I’m not sure, but I think it would be a good idea to stay in the she-cant-prove-its-not-true area. Which then rules out unicorns.

Just make something up.

@papayalily Out of the mist, a wondrous creature appeared. I was amazed to see that it was a unicorn. He nuzzled my hand, and all of my fears fell away. He was so lovely, how could he be anything but a harbinger of good fortune? We shared a few moments of companionable silence before the harsh sound of my alarm clock broke the spell. When I awoke, I was at peace. I look back on that dream, and realize it was a turning point in my life. blahblahblah…

Where this is a will, there is a way. :D

@augustlan That was lovely, but I have to disasgree…
“Where there’s a will, there’s a family.” ~

@augustlan @MissA You’re both wrong, where there’s a will, there’s an -ard or a -iam.

@papayalily Let us not forget Willene…but, that is not this morning’s debate (it’s at 4 a.m…what am I doing here????) Now, what about that writing class?

@MissA What about it?

I may have something. Ish. An ish of an ish. Sliced in thirds and diluted with water.

@papayalily I’m waiting to read…‘night.

@MissA Night night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.

@augustlan Auggie, you’re a mother fucking genius. Anyone ever tell you that? I can just write dreams!
I’ve actually got one of the two essays done because of that. I love you sooooo much.

@papayalily Oh yay! That’s awesome. :D

Just create a life that’s different enough from your own so as to feel comfortable writing about it, yet close enough that you can write about it convincingly from your own knowledge base. Keep it bland enough so as not to attract scrutiny. Stay away from controversial topics. Write in that persona, then throw it away at the end of the course.

wear something really hot, so they wont look at your face or hear a thing you say.

daisy dukes, cleavage, or a mini dress

presentation is everything

The dream writing gives you much more freedom. Go for it!!!

You don’t have to share anything factual. Create for yourself a fictional persona who lives an entirely different existence from yours, and let him or her do the talking. Last year for a short time I tested an alter-ego on Fluther and let him or her express views and life experiences completely different from mine… or maybe Austinlad is the alter ego.

@Austinlad Have to be careful of those online alter-egos though. They can get away from you and blow up in your face.

@JubalHarshaw, we both agree.

@jazmina88 The teacher is a woman with a husband.

Your best bet is to withdraw from the course, since you’ll have to do two things you dislike every day. If that’s not an option, you can either adopt the alter ego as @Austinlad suggested, or try to write impersonal, humorous fluff pieces.

@lonelydragon It’s not really an option, since it’s a prerequisite for almost everything else.