I hope you guys aren't sitting there at your computer thinking that in this class you are going to write a bunch of boring, nonfiction essays. Dry, hacking cough writing, writing that isn't very creative or interesting or honest or fresh. You aren't thinking that, are you?

Well, if you are, think again. I want you to be creative. Believe me, I don't want to read any dry writing here - I want all you have to say to flow like a silver stream across the page. I want to be quenched by what I read, not gasping for water. And I want you to feel the same way.

You'll be doing lots of different kinds of writing in addition to learning new skills. First, you'll write a poem (I know, I know, some of you are probably sticking your fingers down your throat, making some kind of horrible sound, but yes, a poem and you'll enjoy it, I promise). Then you'll describe a person, place or thing and its symbolic meaning. Then you'll write a story about something that changed you significantly. After that, you will explore a work of literature and respond critically. Finally, you will argue persuasively for something to change. And, all of this writing can and should be CREATIVE!

Most of you probably equate creative writing with fiction and poetry. Well, creative writing is all writing. I mean, if it's not creative and interesting to read, why would you read it? You don't have to be a poet or a fiction writer to be creative. You can be an English 101 student right in this class.

And you want to discover your own voice, your own way of writing the is uniquely yours. A want the way you write to be part of your identity, part of what shapes the person inside. Since we just learned about simile and metaphor in the previous module, let's use that here:

Let me give you an example. I want to write like the wind yaws and wails through the night. That's the unique voice I want in my writing: powerful, surprising, exciting, unpredictable, challenging. Actually, as I look over my list, these are the qualities I also want in my personality, these are the descriptors I'd like people to use when referring to me. So I guess what I am saying is that I want my writing voice to match my human voice. Or, to take a different look at it, maybe I want my human voice to match my writing voice. That might be a little more exact. And honest.

I want my own writing personality. I don't want anyone else to write like me and neither should you. Often students will ask me, "How do you want me to write? How should I write to get a good grade in this class?" Essentially, what they are asking me is "Ms. Smith, how do you write so I can write just like you so that you will give me a good grade." My response is, "Good heavens, why would I want you to write like ME? I want to write like me. If you write like me, I'll flunk you!" My intent as a teacher is not to have 27 other Cathryn Smith's out there in the world, all writing alike. My intention is to encourage and urge 27 new voices to emerge so we can listen to each different song. A wonderful, creative, jazzy book about writing called Writers Inc. puts it this way: "We are all individuals; who we are comes from a series of choices we make about ourselves. The same is true for our writing. Choose your words, your sentences, and nobody else's (Sebranek et all 4)."

So, first thing is to develop your own writing voice, the voice that will remain consistently yours in any piece of writing that you do. And the only way to find your voice is to start exercising it. That's why there is so much WRITING in this class. Ah, you say now. That's why so much writing! Yes indeed, I am hoping to lead you down your own path, one that will become familiar and safe to you. There is nothing more reassuring than knowing that the words coming out on paper are truly your words, your vision, from your soul, from a place of deep connection, of deep repose.