by Keri Rozansky | Sep 11, 2024 | Blog
Different writers have different ways of setting their mood for writing. Various intensities and colors of lighting, soothing music – or a playlist that reflects the theme of their story or characters, with their favorite blanket wrapped around their legs. Others prefer the hustle and bustle of the local coffee shop or another public space. Still others prefer a quiet, unadorned space that allows creativity to take any form.
I count myself in the last group. When I lived in Arizona, my little writing nook was about the size of a closet. It was just big enough to fit my desk with a little room on either side. My tall bookcase of writing supplies, notebooks, writing books, and all the rest was in a different part of the room! The thing you may have found odd about this space, however, is that it was part of the living room of our apartment. My husband’s workspace was kitty corner to mine all the way across the room. But I was content with my little space, facing the stark white wall. I could glance up over my monitor, lost in thought with my imaginings taking place on the blank slate that it was.
Eventually, I added a mechanical keyboard to my setup, and it’s clicking soothed me into a rhythm that kept my pace flowing and the story building with every keystroke. Apparently I’m a fast and accurate typist, since my husband’s friends heard it through his headset microphone and commented on how smooth and quick my typing was.
Fast forward several years to where we live today. We still share an office space, but it’s a separate bedroom rather than the living room. I had started with my workstation facing a blank wall so I could stare and imagine once more. But the cold took over and we switched spots in the room. Still, my daydreaming lives on. I can look up and stare at the wall across the room from me and imagine the words that need to come out next. The downfall though, is that this is a window wall. When the shades are open, I can see what’s going on in the back green space of our apartment building. Kids playing, dogs running, people coming in and out of their patio doors. It can be a distraction. No writing gets done.
The shared space also means my husband takes phone calls and participates in Zoom meetings within the same space. I either switch gears to another task that doesn’t require so much focus, or I put on my headset and crank some classical music up as loud as I can stand. It has to be classical, without lyrics, otherwise I won’t be able to focus on my own words. I’ll get lost in the lyrics and singing along and lose my focus once again.
What’s a task you need complete quiet to focus on? What can you do even if you’re surrounded by noise and confusion? Let’s talk about it on Facebook!
by Keri Rozansky | Sep 4, 2024 | Blog
When I started college, everyone was encouraged to get a degree in the tech field – computer science, engineering, etc. But I was more interested in English and writing. So I made English my major and minored in computer science. Minoring in computer science was a huge mistake. I was truly out of my element, and either failed or close to failed a couple of necessary lower level classes. Rather than continue to beat a dead horse, I considered other options.
At that time, I really wanted to become a teacher. My minor had to be a “teachable minor” meaning something that would be found being taught in a typical K-12 classroom environment. That could have been computer science. I chose another love at the time: physical education. It was called “movement science” at my school. I loved it. I learned about the science of movement, human performance, and took physical classes like gymnastics, swimming, and lifeguarding. This was what I’d do with the rest of my life. Until it wasn’t.
Because there was such a push for STEM, the school of education was admitting students with lower overall GPAs but sticking to higher standards for arts students. Had I been able to master computer science, I would have gotten in, but due to the poor performance in those classes, it hurt my GPA to the point of no return. I would be spinning my wheels, taking classes that didn’t matter in order to increase a number that would never increase enough to make a difference. I cut the education portion of my degree and went for a straight Literature & Language degree. Perfect.
But I’ve a lot of criticism or negative curiosity when I tell people what my degree is in. They find it either easy or not of value in the same way some STEM degree might. If I went back to school for the teaching credentials, I’d have a job in no time. Teachers, and English teachers, can be in short supply because everyone is still focusing on STEM. Some in-school experiences have taught me that teaching isn’t for me and never will be.
Instead, I’ve put my degree to good use in a number of different fields. Those STEM fields? They need English or writing experts to write their handbooks/instruction manuals, edit, and write content for their company website. I’ve written and edited content for a radio newswire, I’ve edited and posted building requirements, I’ve written a blog about LED lighting, I’ve edited legal documents for an international law firm, I’ve written blogs and website content for a number of property management companies, and I recently started blogging for an architectural design firm. Through all these experiences, not only have I sharpened my writing and editing skills, but I’ve learned about these other industries as well. Had I stuck in the classroom, I’d be teaching the deeper meanings behind classic literature or guiding elementary school students through the basic mechanics of writing and spelling in the English language.
I’m not saying the call to teaching is a bad one, but it can be very limiting. Even if I’d emphasized in ‘creative writing’ that could pigeon-hole me into something as well. I’ve looked at requirements for creative writing degrees, many of which go over the mechanics you already know, but force you to explore genres you’re not even interested in. Not only that, you’ll be learning your teacher’s way of thinking and doing – any other way will be ‘wrong.’
Continue to hone your writing and editing skills. An English and language degree is a valuable thing, even if people tell you it’s not. Pair it with a skill in the STEM field, or law, or even culinary school, and you’ll be unstoppable.
by Keri Rozansky | Sep 2, 2024 | Blog
Happy Labor Day everyone! Kids are already or almost back to school, and summer is ending. Be safe and have fun with your last summer adventures!
