End of Fences; Setting Up Your Blog Project; Welcome to Writing for Publication!

This morning, during period 3, please complete (or turn in) the homework you did over break and complete the Fences quiz.

Take a look at our last post from last week. Complete and turn in the Fences project (character sketch & analysis). You will be reviewing Fences on your newly created blog between now and next class, so if you haven't completed your reading of the play, you should do that between today and next class.

BLOG PROJECT: Setting up your very own blog

One of the most important marketing/writing skills you will need to succeed as a writer is having your own blog. Many authors have a blog where they can interact with their potential audience(s) and share the process of writing, or snippets of their personal lives.

First off, many of you are probably familiar with what a blog is, but if not, here you go--some important information:

A blog is a web log or web journal. A journal written online. Just like your physical writing journal, a blog can include ideas for stories, your own personal reaction to books/films/national events, etc. It can be a good place to publish your poetry, fiction, and plays before you eventually get paid for your writing. Some companies and media sources hire writers to set up and contribute to a company blog--and they pay you for it! For more info check here.

However, there's a lot to know about blogging. Check out the links below and read a little about blogs before attempting to create one.
5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Blogging

Here's a few sample writers blogs (with tips about being a writer)

• Sample Blog
• Sample blog
• Sample blog (writing tips)
• Sample blogs and types: Teen Blog #1, Teen Blog #2, Teen Blog #3, Teen Blog #4, Teen Blog #5.

To set up your blog:

1. Go to blogspot.com or (tumblr.com--please note you will not be able to access tumblr from the RCSD network). Some students like to use WordPress.com instead. I suggest blogger. You may use blogger (read link to set this up), this is Google's blog site and you can use your student Google email address. The district has provided every student with a Google email address. Use this one if you remember what it is. You may also use word press at this link. The choice is yours. 

NOTE: If you have already started a blog as a side project, or because you have already been introduced to the idea, I don't want to stop you from using it. Use your original blog site, but I will be asking that you write things specifically on your blog for our class. If this bothers you, start a new blog. No big deal.

2. You may take a quick tour to get information about the blog site you are going to use, if interested. Otherwise, create a new account.
3. You must enter an email account (if you have no email, use one from your family; if this isn’t working, use an email account from a trusted and valued friend.) You can set up a new email account at gmail.com. This is a free service. Your email account name will be your “username”--Write your password somewhere safe where you will remember it. You will need to keep track of this.

NOTE: Please send me your blog address in the COMMENT section below.

4. Create a password, display your name, look at terms of service, etc.
5. Log onto your blog. Follow the prompts to set up your page. Write down your address/passwords, etc. Again, I can't help you if you screw this up.
6. You may provide biographical info and so on. At some point, you will need to create a NEW Post. Each new post needs a title and you should edit it before you post it.

Today, you will need to set up your Blog and write the following posts:

A. An introduction to your website. Your first blog entry should welcome your guests and explain that you are a student @ SOTA, taking a creative writing course. This is important so that people know you are a teenager. Feel free to omit (leave out) your last name. You can also use a pseudonym if you'd prefer for privacy sake.

B. Write a review of the play Fences. What did you think of the play? Did you think the theme or the characters were worth your time? Why or why not? It's not enough to simply say whether something is good or bad--but explain WHY you think this way. We will be reviewing several other books, poems, and films as the course continues.

C. Write a short non-fiction entry about something you feel passionate about. You can rant, rave, etc. but remember that your blog is a public forum and other people in the world can access your writing. Don't embarrass yourself. Check your spelling and language so you don't come across as ignorant or unskilled. As always, it is important for a writer to think about his/her audience.

These three blog entries will be graded as participation credit. Please complete them today. The fourth post (see below) is due by next class.

HOMEWORK: If you did not complete any of these parts (or did not finish writing your blog posts in class today) do so by the beginning of next class. Add entries as you see fit to your blog. Post previous poems, short stories, essays, rants, whatever you would like. Have fun and publish!

Welcome to Writing for Publication!

While we won't completely leave performance, word, and text this semester we are going to focus on writing as a career. What does it take to be a "writer"? What skills do we need? What attitude do we need to cultivate? Let's find out.

• Top Ten Writing Rules Advice from Famous Writers
• What does a publisher do?
• How much will I make publishing a novel?

On your newly created blog, personally respond to the linked articles/videos above. Which of the top ten writing rules makes the most sense to you? Which ones do you practice? Which ones do you need more work on? Reflect on your own writing.