Dear reader,
So, dramatic writing, huh? What an experience that was. Ya'know, I originally signed up for this thing because I want to go into game design, not because I wanted to be a writer or something like that. While I did have a passing interest in writing, I thought that some experience with storytelling would probably be useful so my games wouldn’t be as dull as a rock.
Honestly, I kind of regretted signing up for this class at first. I had this feeling, deep down, that I was a fraud. That in coming into this class without a true passion for writing, me and things I write would just automatically be inferior to the works of everyone else.
And that fear was only heightened by the fact that I’m not a very social person. I really struggle with getting outside my comfort zone and talking to new people, so learning that I would be spending the year in a class with people I barely know AND have to get in front of everybody and read what I wrote was just mortifying to me.
I mean, for our first feather circle, I was literally SHAKING at the idea of having to read what I wrote Infront of everyone when the talking stick made its way around to me. I vividly remember my first few attempts at trying to start, I kept trying to start reading but the words just wouldn’t come out.
But the magic thing about dramatic writing is that it doesn’t let you stay silent. If you don’t read, you don’t get a grade.
And so I read. I went against everything my body was telling me and read with everything I had in me. But, to my surprise, I didn’t completely hate it. No, on the contrary, I actually kind of LIKED it.
Without having to get in front of everyone and read like that, I don’t think I would have ever found a passion for writing. I no longer felt like an outsider after that, and I was excited to get back to writing.
And get back to writing I did. With each feather circle I grew to love the craft more and more, with my feelings only being solidified when we got to our 7th and final feather circle: teenage monologue.
That monologue was my absolute favorite memory from this class. Getting to get up there, put a dunce cap on the teacher and hear everyone’s laughter at each of my jokes just sent this rush through me that I ADORED. I was honestly pretty disappointed that we were done with feather circles after that.
Honestly, without this class I think I’d probably be in a much worse position. Without it, I wouldn’t have had that little push to teach me that stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing your work with others is actually fun. I think it’s going to be something I carry with me for the rest of my life. No longer will I make things and never let others see. No longer will I be scared of criticism. No longer will I be afraid to express myself.
So, I’m glad I took this class. With my newfound love of writing and willingness to share, I can’t wait to show the world what I make next.