Mackenzie Inman

Professor Furness

219 Creative Writing

4 December 2023

End of Semester Reflection

Look back at your midterm story. Compare it to your final story. How have you improved?

Support your answers with evidence from your work. (Or, to put it another way, point to

the differences.): My midterm and final stories are similar in my skill level. My final story is

longer and is set in a dystopian world that had to be hand-built. My midterm story is a short

prose that is heart-wrenchingly beautiful. I'm proud of both; they are the most extended creative

works I've ever completed. I see improvement in my revision process, noting areas that need

improvement. Overall, though, it's hard for me to compare the results in enhancements because

they are similar to me in that way; their differences are simply what they are about. One extreme

difference, however, is the flashbacks in my mid-term story, which supported the story's main

plot line, alluding to the truth. I felt very proud of those snippets. In my final story, I always kept

the moment present, and I enjoyed a little flashback moment as a writer and reader.

Tell me about your self-concept as a writer. How do you feel about writing? How has this

changed from the beginning of the semester?: I never knew myself as a writer. I came to

college knowing that I loved to read and write. A better way to put it is that I didn't think of

myself as a creative writer. Before college, I had previously written many analytical essays and

reading responses. I have always considered myself creative and enjoyed daydreaming stories in
my head. However, I never got around to taking the pen to the paper and writing them down.

When I came to college, I realized I might enjoy creative writing as a supportive career. Thus

leading me into this course.

Now, at the end of the semester, I see myself as a writer. Maybe not the best one, nor the

most passionate, but a writer all the same. The circular nature of this course and the challenges it

gave me pulled out a creative drive, and I wrote some incredible works that I was genuinely

impressed by. I would struggle more in this course than I did. Ultimately, I enjoy writing but will

not return to storytelling for a while. My mind is a little numb from the consistent drive to be

creative. I want to step back and read more creative work, specifically creative non-fiction.

How (and where and when) do you work best on creative projects? Describe your ideal

process & routine. Are there any changes or discoveries since the beginning of the

semester?: I work best on innovative projects in the comfort of my own space. In my area, I am

surrounded by my creativity, as my room reflects myself. I begin a project really with a to-do list.

That is just my mannerism; it helps me keep to a schedule and stay organized. My ideal process

is to sit in my room in silence with a clear tabletop to work on. I like to set times for myself to

achieve things, or at least try to gain. This is a method I would use in my writing. I would put a

timer or select a time to complete a page or section in my journal. After I have completed the

projection or reached a rut, I like to phone a friend for their advice on a read-through. I have

gone about this routine for a project since I was a young girl and had to work on my wax

museum project in the 4th grade. I should be alone with my thoughts before consulting someone

else. One significant change I have noticed from the beginning of the semester is that I can work

with noise if I am passionate about what I'm working on.

How do you think a "good writer" goes about writing? What does it look like for that

person? (How has your answer changed since you thought about this at the beginning of

the semester?): I used to think a good writer could sit down and write a whole book in one

setting. I suppose that thought changed when I was in high school and learned how long it took

Kurt Vonnegut to write Slaughterhouse-Five. It's always the first thought that comes to my head,

though. I picture an older man sitting at a typewriter for hours upon hours without moving until

their work is done. I have since learned that a good writer sticks to their routine and is always

looking for stories in the tiniest tidbits of life. Now, I picture a good writer at the art museum as

we just searched and wrote down all these stars for something great they could write. In return,

they may have a glass of wine once they're done writing a paragraph or so. I learned from Lydia

Millet that a good writer needs balance. At the beginning of the semester, I felt that I needed to

write every day, but I have come to know that is not the truth.

What's next for you—as a writer, a storyteller, a creative individual? How will you apply

what you've learned in this class?: I think what's next for me is a step back from the creative

writing field. I went into these and accredited myself as not a writer, and I will admit I was

wrong. I am a writer, and since taking this class, I believe anyone can be a writer if they try.

Through my words, I have enjoyed building my skills as a writer, storyteller, and creative

individual. It is not my driving passion. From the beginning, I have known that the direct

creative outlet was not my driving passion in my major of English. I wanted to be well-rounded,

having attempted all areas of work within the literary world. However, I would instead devote

my energy to others' works and helping them accomplish their publishing goals.
Next semester, I do not have any creative writing courses. I'm switching over to some classes for

my film studies minor and a professional writing course. Although the circular of these topics

will be different, I will be able to take my skills from this class and apply them not only to these

courses but to life itself. The techniques from the kickstarts will be door openers for many

creative outlets for me. The revision regimen will be applied to every piece I write from here on

out, regardless of whether it is a creative work.