Blogging Around

The first blog I responded to was Jamie's. She talked about Growth, in an intellectual sense. She spoke of how we, at earlier points in life, frequently dismiss things because we think we've gained all there is to gain and there's nothing else that could possibly fit its way into our head, because there's simply "nothing more to learn" from it. Looking back, after having read Michael K, she realized that this was not the case, and she's grown to appreciate what she previously dismissed, to which I responded:

"Alright. So. Jamie Tolmatsky could kind of, sort of, be my hero in this blog's case.
Why?
Because (switching to speaking to the writer, now) you 1) acknowledged the fact that at many times people (and especially teens) overlook things because they think they can see everything to be taken from it and find there's nothing to learn, and
2) You've personally recognized that particular ideaology and chosen to move away from it (I never find enough people who think like this and it literally made me incredibly happy to see. It was refreshing, to say the least.)
Oh, and 3)--You actually connected that ideology with something we did in English class. Personally, I can't remember the faintest thing about the "Stone" poem and I'm sure some of the lessons from Michael K, though he's been my favorite character, will wash away over time in the tide of my brain. So the fact that you can make these connections that're required of us and make an actual, valid, (and, if you continue to think this way throughout your life) life-changing distinction from it is...awesome. Keep doin' what you're doin', a'right?"

My second comment was in response to Leanne's Metacognition blog, which showed her frustration with writing a story that felt forced and not entirely hers, hoping for the best in the end. Hoping to clear things up, I responded, saying:
Dear Leannaaa,

In a way, I agree with you. I understand that it sucks to not be able to finish the story you originally intended to write, only to be told to rewrite most of it in another direction, whereupon you feel you've lost that creative drive and you miss your voice.
It's like being given a chance to do something you'll enjoy and then, once you've had a taste of it, someone takes it, alters it, and tells you to enjoy what you can out if it, because they know it'll be better in the long run...somehow.
Now, here's the thing.
I really, really think you should write out the whole story as you originally planned it (if you're still interested in it as it first was). Write it with all the language devices you can, with all your specific twists and turns, with whatever you thought was significant to you, and be able to say that you finished it. You finished YOUR story.
Then, I think you should read it aloud. Read it aloud, find all the awkward sentences and phrases (and no, not "awkward teenage dialogue *chuckle chuckle*", but sentences that just...don't seem right) and try to fix those. Use everything that you've learned so far in all your English classes to make it seem as professional as possible. Because, at least for me, how comfortable we are with our story is determined by how good it sounds, how well it stands up in the boxing ring of criticism against published bigwigs. Of course we may not be necessarily good enough or experienced enough to be published as proifessionals yet, but it's a good thing to base your writing on. In the end, you have to be comfortable with it, to be able to read it and not grimace at what sounds strange or juvenile.
You've got to be willing to be your own critic, I think. Very few people like to be criticised by others who think they have a much better idea of how THEIR story should be written. And that's a valid dislike. In the end, the critic represents the public. So, right now, we have that in Mr. Allen. It doesn't take a genius to see that you're not happy over the laborious revisions, that you want your story to be told, and not a teacher's.
So refresh yourself. Being tied down by criticisms and rules and regulations while writing a story that isn't even yours has GOT to be inhibiting you and your creativity, and that's the last thing anyone wants. So again, refresh yourself. Step back, shake your head violently, and re-write. (Nah, you probably don't want to do this now. But the summer can get kind of boring some days. Maybe try it then :].) And write out your story. Read it aloud, coax the awkward out of the first -draft sentences, and think about all the ways it could be done better. If you enjoy storytelling, and feel like it's worth it to start and finish something so that you can truly call it YOURS (and that feels gooood), then try that out. And no matter how good it may be for the public, it won't really matter; it's your story, written by you, for you. Written freely, happily, and with an open mind.
And, you know...you always have that other "school" one to fall back on ;].
Capice?