Insecurities

So, here's my concern: what if writing talent is like most talents, you either have it or you don't?

I am really struggling with the travel writing course, everyone else seems to be better than me? I'm no longer sure that I can actually be good at this. I love it and want to do it and know that like anything practise makes perfect. I'm just not sure I have it in me to be better.

I am researching continously ways to improve my writing. I am reading 'How To' books which include writing styles and grammar basics. I am researching travel articles to improve my understanding of good travel writing. Yet, every time I write something it just comes out all cheesy and flawed.

I suspect the problem is that I haven't found my writer's voice yet and combining that with my hard core impatience is making me feel insecure.

This is why my ambitions change so often; I give up as soon as I think I won't be good at something.

I am going to keep trying, I have to complete the course anyway.

Re-write Feedback (sucks)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's back to school I go!

Ok, so the feedback from my re-write submission was not good. The main issue? My appauling grammar!

So I've just bought two highly rated books on grammar and writing styles and plan to learn all the rules. Apparently this is quite common amongst writers so I don't feel too bad. It is really annoying though.

I refuse to be disheartened. I saw a great motivator the other day on the 'Proes before Woes' which definitely deserves a re-post:

This is so true. I refuse to give up!

I will let you know how I get on with the new books; 'The Little Red Writing Book' which apparently is similar to The Elements of Style classic but is more focused on writing style. Plus 'Improve your Punctuation and Grammar: Master the essentials of the English Language and Write with Greater Confidence',

The Degree Plan

As you have probably worked out by now, I am very busy at the moment. I am doing two courses at once, planning and arranging the necessities to go travelling in September and also trying to maintain some form of a social life!

I re-wrote the assignment which I am just going to give you a link to. I think it is way better but am now waiting for the feedback on it.

http://staceyelaine.matadoru.com/

I have started the art section of my OU course and it is actually going really well. It is a good memory exercise as there are so many terms to remember! I am used to hearing composition, horizon etc etc but now I am learning a whole new world of terms such as colour value, pictorial space and picture planes! Trying to use all of those in an essay is going to be an interesting and probably seriously confusing experience.

I haven't done many more writing exercises recently to be honest as I have just been writing in my journal quite a lot and finding that the travel writing assignments are good practise anyway.

Unsurprisingly I have considered changing my mind again about doing OU courses whilst I travel. At this point in time we genuinely have no idea how long we will be away for, it may be for 1.5 years or 2.5 years or longer if we decide to go to additional places. I have found in the OU study rules that I can still be eligible to do courses and pay UK fees if I am working out of the UK. This is only for a maximum of 3 years but still opens up new possibilities for me. I have worked out I can do at least 3 modules during that time which will aid my writing skills and do not have end of year exams. These are the compulsory arts past and present module followed by the two creative writing modules. It will cost a lot less money too and ensure I am still eligible for the cheaper fees if we decide to come back to the UK. I am still going to wait until I have finished my current OU course before I make a decision and I have until August before registration closes which gives me more time.

The other option is an Australian OU degree in Publishing and Journalism which would tie in well with my travel writing. One thing is for sure, I am definitely going to have a degree by the time I am 30! Here's to the 5 year plan :)