I have spent the last week since graduation working on projects. I created this website, got the ball rolling on a project for Deep Space Dojo, as well as continuing to unpack and organize our new apartment. While in school, I kept coming back to this idea of diving into "The Writer's" mindset. At university, my studies were all over the place. Japanese, Medieval Literature, etc. But, learning how to write was my main goal. I did learn a lot at UCI, but it was really just a foundation for further study. Graduate School is where you would go to really hone the mastery of a craft. Unfortunately, I don't have the time or money for graduate school right now.
Solution: Build my own curriculum, use the skills for study and research that I learned at university, and attempt to master the craft of writing on my own. I have already accumulated a small library of craft books by some really amazing writers and professors, some of whom I was able to meet and take classes with in person. It is not about finding out which technique or structure is "the best." I am a writer, and I truly believe there is merit in all structures and techniques. I want to know them, utilize them, and then decide what fits best with my style.
There are no deadlines, no assignments, and - best of all - no stress. Pure academic curiosity and personal growth. I am excited to get started, and anxious to really start learning and shaping my abilities as a writer. I am starting with The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri, and I follow that with an amazing stack of 21 more books ranging from overall structure, scenes, characters, style, and personal mindset of the writer themself (or YOU, I guess...or ME, since I will be reading them).
During my last spring quarter I came across a YouTube video about learning to develop your artistic style. One of their recommendations was a 90-minute-On/20-minute-Off structure to study. Your brain can only learn so much, so they say, so it seems reasonable to me. I will be reading, journaling about what I read, and then also keeping a notebook or "Writing Toolbox" of techniques I find along the way. I will also be utilizing what I learn by doing my own writing exercises. At the end of this journey I feel I will be ready to go out into the world and put everything I have learned - from OCC, UCI, and this post graduation project - to use.
Wish me luck!
- Jeffrey Hurley
Life Has Infinite Possibilities