Books by Galia Alena
This post is way, way overdue considering the number of emails with copycat questions I've been receiving as the date of the eCourse approaches. It's a funny one this because there are really only four questions I keep getting. If you think of anything else, drop it in the comments or send me an email if you're a bit shy.
1– I am worried by the level of writing required for this course. I am not sure I qualify.
I must confess I saw this coming for ages, even before the course was up on the site. I am perfectly aware that some of the things that I have written about in the past may make some feel slightly intimidated. I love my rants about grammatical atrocities and lack of professionalism and I never felt the need to disguise it. But let me tell you this dear reader: I am like nobody else out there. Surf cyberspace for a while, and you'll come across countless sites that try to sell you something that does not exist, sites that harp on and on about the greater viability of self-publishing over traditional publishing (oh dear God... you're far more likely to be crushed by the self-publishing wheel than by a thousand rejections at the hand of Darley Anderson and Ed Victor combined and it will cost you money) and sites that hail to editing, proofing, blogging and copyediting as the solution to your cashflow problems whilst discounting the inane amount of work and the minute pay that you will get for such endeavours.
I don't sell hot air and you know it already. And this is the crux: you qualify for the course because the course is about you, not about what I can do for you. This course doesn't reveal the secret to writing success (spare me! Is there one?), it doesn't tell you what you should do and how you should do it. What it does do, it achieves in spectacular fashion, for it allows you to delve into your reasons for writing in order to let you embrace the process. It will give you the opportunity to read sub-texts into stories and movies by relating them to your experiences as a reader, a viewer and a creative person.
I won't even have to read one single line of what you will write on the course (although, I must confess I hope you will allow me to because otherwise... what will I do on the site for eight weeks?) but what I hope you will do is walk away with a renewed sense of purpose about what makes your writing yours, or indeed about why you write what you write.
2– I am going away for some time right in the middle of the course and I really want to do it. But... will I be able to?
This is my favourite question because it epitomises the issues I've heard about when this course was a live workshop. I never expected this to be the case but everyone would always speak of an issue with 'creating boundaries', with 'finding time to write' and with 'being creative to spec'. If you've been around here for a while you know my take on these things, especially on time. I also do not believe in productivity confined to the most auspicious situations, as I referred to here.
I believe that a commitment to creativity, and to writing in this particular instance, should be made amidst life as we know it, because we will never be able to write at all if we only do so when inclined. I always want to write, but I am rarely truly inclined to. Sometimes I put it off until the deadline is so close that I first go hysterical over it and then the adrenaline gets the words out. Odd for me to say but true. You don't have to do all the exercises on the course, you don't have to show up at every chat, heck, you don't have to say anything at all if you're shy. When I say that I consider myself an enabler of creativity, I really mean that; I like the idea that people can get the inspiration I provide and run with it.
3– You've got a reading list, is there lots I must read before the course?
There are only three books on the reading list, two non-fiction and one fiction. The fiction book is short stories, hence does not require a great time investment. The other two will support and enhance our discussions on creativity and writing. But don't worry about them, this isn't a book club run by the Spanish Inquisition! If you have the books, can borrow them from the library or wish to buy them, great, you will enjoy them, if not you'll still be able to do your writing exercises.
Above and beyond these three, I have included further short story collections and the two movies we will discuss. The former are provided in order to give you extra options if you wish to look around for other texts, while the latter are a reference. You won't need to watch the movies as I've already made videos with selected clips.
4– Where did you get the idea for the course?
Same place where I get all my ideas, everywhere. I don't exactly remember how the course itself sprouted in my mind, or indeed how the workshop before it first reared its head, but I do remember exactly how the whole Creative Identity site was conceived. It has nothing to do with the eCourse so I shall tell you next week instead!
Any other questions? Leave comment or drop me a mail!
You've got time until Wednesday 15 September
to book your place on the course!
Those who have already booked
will gain access to the site on Monday 13!
#1 concerned me (still does a little), but I am feeling better about it now.
Thank you!
Posted by: Lisa | 06 September 2010 at 12:34