It's been a great first week here at iggi U. I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I have.If you're just joining us, check out the iggi U page. It has lists of past posts as well as a link to our registration post so you can join the fun and be included in our contest!
So, how did this week go for everyone? For me it was still a bit on the crazy side but I made a good bit of progress on my WIP so the first round of iggi-tinis is on me!
Recap of this Week in DIY MFA:
Saturday: Five Stages of Writer's Block
This post discusses five stages of writer's block: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. The idea here is that for writers to break through writer's block, they must first identify what stage of writer's block they are experiencing.
Sunday: Who You Gonna Call?
Creative blockbusting is all about identifying the different blocks and taking steps to counteract them. Here we discuss risk-taking, chaos, idea incubation and flexible thinking.
Monday: Building a Reading List
The first step to approaching literature in a pragmatic and scholarly manner is to put together a reading list. It's important to include books from various different categories: books similar to your WIP, books that inform your WIP, contemporary books in your genre and general must-read "classics."
Tuesday: Writers on the Interwebs
In this post, I tell the story of how I got involved with online writing communities and share links to some of the sites and blogs that have helped me along the way. Oh, and there's a group project too so chime in!
Wednesday: A Question of Character
This first post on craft focuses on character and describes two tools I've developed to helping me keep a handle on all the information I collect about my characters.
Thursday: Critique Groups 101
6 important tips for participating in a critique group. Also, a link to a great blog post that discusses how to run an effective writing group.
Final Note: This past Monday's post on reading lists got some great comments and I was so thrilled to see you all really thinking about your DIY MFA plans. For real, when I first cooked up this idea, I never thought anyone would take it seriously! You guys made me so happy. iggi's doing a happy dance.
DIY MFA is all about you building your own writing plan, so it's great that you guys are really invested in implementing this project. At the same time, though, keep in mind that not all the DIY MFA posts will be relevant or useful to every writer. The whole point of DIY MFA is that the onus is on you to decide which techniques to implement and how closely to follow them. While I really do believe that the 4 threads of DIY MFA are each essential, how you choose to put each thread into action depends on what your individual goals are. My job is to present options and help spark ideas. What you do with these options and ideas is up to you.
That's all for this week! But before I go I'm dying to know, how did this week go for you?
9 comments:
This week was busy busy busy, but I'm in the process of creating my reading list. It's really hard to find some of the stuff that I should read that informs the books that I write. I've been planning for a summit, so I haven't really had the time to get super involved, but next week will be better.
Now what will this involve, a different arrangement of old cat hairs, the placement of new cat hairs, purrhaps a paw print? Hmmm...needs thinking about and this week has been a furry busy one!
Can't believe we're a week in already. I'm sticking to my goals, so yay me ;)
Thanks Gabi, it's been a really informative week.
I'll second that thanks! Even though I haven't done much with my actual writing (crazy week . . .), I've managed to write down some concrete goals, start a reading list and even begin reading some of that list. All around a good start in my book.
Thanks for helping to provide a bit of structure to a (formerly) very schedule!
I hadn't even realized this was part of a program when I first visited. Now I'm wiser. :)
Hi there! good stuff around these parts ;--) off to click around!
Hi! I hopped over from Writer's Ally to check things out and say hello. I'll be back!! :-)
Hello everyone!
To those who are just joining us, welcome! Feel free to catch up on past DIY MFA posts under the iggi U tab.
To everyone who's been doing DIY MFA this week, I'm glad to hear things are going well for you all.
I learned a lot this week and during the orietnation week, and I really changed the way I think about my writing—I'm much more organized and structured now! DIY MFA is amazing : )
Post a Comment