[ 3 / biz / cgl / ck / diy / fa / ic / jp / lit / sci / vr / vt ] [ index / top / reports ] [ become a patron ] [ status ]
2023-11: Warosu is now out of extended maintenance.

/lit/ - Literature

View post   
File: 51 KB, 467x700, 1308938346430.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1887001 No.1887001 [Reply] [Original]

I write speculative fiction. I am confident in my writing as entertainment, but I'd like to write something a little more meaningful.

What are the best college courses to learn about language, literary devices, etc.?

>> No.1887233 [DELETED] 
File: 32 KB, 604x453, 1307732593691.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1887233

mfw

>> No.1887283 [SPOILER] 
File: 20 KB, 370x370, 1296734127150.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1887283

Your posting in one right now!

>> No.1887290
File: 43 KB, 600x400, F.-Scott-Fitzgerald-An-American-Icon-1.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1887290

I wrote a few stories that were speculative fiction. What you have to remember about all fiction is that there should be no such thing as a story that doesn't have meaning in it. If it doesn't, then it's not truly a story.

A writer always must say one thing that's true. Even if it is only one thing.

>> No.1887296

>>1887290
Yeah, what this guy says. Literary devices and little writing tricks won't make the meaning of your story any better. Sure, it'll help your writing as a craft, but the real meaning has to come from your observations of the world and everything you have learned from life and from people.

>> No.1887299

>confident in my writing
>how do i literary device?

>> No.1887308

>>1887296
This.

>> No.1887322

>>1887290
I'm pretty sure what OP wants is to be taken seriously as a writer.

>> No.1887324

An introduction to poetry class would be good. It'll give you a stronger sense of the metaphor, the simile, and the image, as well as, hopefully, a basic understanding of the sound-devices that can help you make your prose more musical.
The device of imagery is extremely important to speculative fiction, as you are inventing anything from a new thing to a world. If you've ever read the great gatsby, you know why sound is important in a book.

>> No.1887328

>>1887324
I wanted to take a poetry class for that reason, but my community college wasn't offering it this semester.

baww ;_;

>> No.1887334
File: 15 KB, 220x281, 220px-Ernest_Hemingway_1923_passport_photo.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1887334

>>1887322
Many established writers are not even taken seriously as writers. Think of all the belittling and downgrading you see here on /lit/. 'Such and such sucks, and here's why...' etc.

Write from your gut, and only write what is true, and only write what you feel like writing. Because if you don't want to write what you're writing, it won't be any good.

>> No.1887360

>>1887328

You can learn anything you'd learn in that class and more from reading. Start reading some poetry. I suggest you start with a little Billy Collins. His recent selected poems, Sailing Alone Around The Room is good. He's a very reader friendly poet, and has a special talent for capturing the every-day and humor. He's by no means one of the flaming towers of american letters, but he's good for what you want to learn. If you can capture the hum-drum every-day in a beautiful way, it'll let you springboard much more believably, and pleasantly, into the fantastic. (Something which Collins does.) I'd also remind you not to forget humor in your writing, no matter how lofty. It can be very profound.

Sample poems: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/billy-collins

Also the poetry foundation has a learning center. Located under the tab called Resources. There's close readings of poems there, a glossary of literary terms (with examples of good use!) and some other things. Highly advised.

>> No.1887398

>>1887360
Noon-/lit/ must be when /lit/ is most helpful.

Thank you very much for knowing exactly what it was I wanted. I will be sure to check out this fellow and his work.

>> No.1887411

Classes have a few advantages: if your work is unpolished, you'll get some pointed criticism about it. You'll meet several other prospective writers, which means potential networking and future critique. You'll get some practice in having and meeting deadlines.

I concur with the "write from your gut" comments above, but it's not like you can't do that AND hone yourself in classes.

>> No.1887448

Poster of >>1887411 here. I was somewhat inaccurate in what I said. What >>1887360 says about network and critique, you certainly can't get from reading.

>> No.1887462

>>1887411
Lot's of people contend that academic writing classes actually pull you away from what's important by making you focus on minute details of language and composition and whatnot.

I'm not sure where I stand on it. I've been taking lit and writing courses for a year or so now, and I think it's actually given me writer's block by making me worry too much about tiny details.