Sunday, April 8, 2007

Words of Wisdom

I came across two quotes this weekend that I really like:

"Countless unseen details are often the only difference between mediocre and magnificent."--Anonymous

"Nothing you write, if you hope to be any good, will ever come out as you first hoped." --Lillian Hellman

Now, if my students would just believe me!

I'm constantly telling them that "the devil is in the details." And, of course, I try to make them understand that a piece of writing will go where it needs to if they let it.

But I think they think I'm making all of this up.

I'm not!

2 comments:

Candice said...

It isn't that we (your students) think you are lying to us. It is just difficult to let go. For so many years it has been about reading, studying, and responding with a specific format. Complete and total freedom is daunting. Suddenly, it is "Alright, let's see what you have to say?" What a scary concept. What do I have to say and how should I present it? You have to assume there will be an adjusment period for those of us who are over thinkers. I still am not completely over that hump, more likely straddling it really! It has been fun, most of the time. I will be taking more away from this English class than any other I have ever had. Thanks for that.

The R said...

After completing this course I am going to attempt to write a book about my life from my point of view. Of course, who else view would it be, any-who, concurring with "candice's" comment, you do have to open up. My classmates and myself wrote some very personal truths for the rest of the world to hear, and you know what it felt good to let others hear your story. That's why I am attempting this story of my life...