Please read the collection of short stories by Margaret Atwood. You will discuss some of these stories with your workshop group during the next few classes.
Please check out Margaret Atwood's website and learn a little about who she is and what makes her tick.
On Atwood's website, she gives advice to young writers. Please read this section and post a question or comment about "being a successful writer." Do you think this advice is helpful?
Finally, please post a comment below about your reading so far. If you have questions for me about Margaret Atwood's writing, or want to make a comment about a story or Atwood's website, please include that also.
Posting a comment is worth class credit. Please do not forget to do so.
2 comments:
I was unable to find exactly what to read on Margaret Atwood's website. If you maybe wouldn't mind posting a direct link?
I found Margaret Atwood's "Road to Publication" article to be most helpful in offering tips to aspiring writers. Atwood describes "the rocky road to paper heaven," or the process of writing, revising, editing, and publishing. The article encourages writers to seek help from friends in writing, and also helps the young writer understand the competition in the writing world for agents and publishers. Basically, this article offers realistic, practical advice. Margaret Atwood does not hesitate in letting the aspiring writer know that the writing process is not always enjoyable. "Being edited," she says, "is like falling face down into a threshing machine. Every page gets fought over, back and forth like WWI." Atwood also lists the sorts of things editors look for (spelling and grammar errors, consistency, taste and judgment, voice, and structure).
So far I have enjoyed Margaret Atwood's "Wilderness Tips," though I am not very far in the book. However, the first story, "True Trash," is very intriguing, featuring several complex characters that I would like to know more about. Atwood's use of imagery makes her prose beautiful and poetic, showing a skillful use of imagery.
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