The Invictus Writers - Latest Comments

Re: So close I was to forgetting. So close I was to walking away.

Ambria Martin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:17:01 -0000

"I’m fighting through the pain to find something beautiful." Just keep that in mind and keep going friend. Writing is never easy, but it's about the journey. Also we're always here when you need us!

Re: second thoughts

Oliver — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:36:34 -0000

I just happened across this blog quite but accident, but I can tell you this: If everyone "saved the writing for the writers" there would be no great writing out there for us to enjoy. The process is what it's all about and it seems you’re well on your way to discovering that truth.

Re: second thoughts

Ambria Martin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:12:22 -0000

You're experiencing the same thoughts as everyone else... Don't think any of us have the upper hand in this process girl.

Re: There Is Hope

Laura Rose Allen — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:19:03 -0000

I went through a similar situation in writing my invictus story. Although no really persuaded me to tell it, or not tell it, I constantly argued with myself on whether it was the right story to share. I hated thinking about it. I hated writing about it. And for a long time I didn't even know what the story was really about! But for some reason I still felt compelled to share it, and ultimately that's what made me stick to it.

Maybe you're not ready to share this story and I understand that. I tried writing about my story for an English class my freshman year, right after everything happened, and it was horrible. I needed more time away from it before I could reflect on it.

But I do want to say this: writing my story for this project was THE biggest relief. It was very...freeing. So as uncomfortable as it was to put it in words for others to read, it was well worth it.

I don't know if that helps or if I just rambled for a few paragraphs, but I just wanted to share my two cents :)

Re: There Is Hope

Brad_King — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:42:21 -0000

This is your story, and you will write what you want + if it is good enough then it will appear in the book. That's the joy of writing. The freedom to tell the stories we want to tell.

That said, you haven't convinced me - or the group - of your point. Why: you gave up before you understand this process, and you gave up before you had time to understand what this story is about. You are still under the impression that story is about you and this other person. Because of that, it feels very much like you abandoned it because of fear not because it's not the story to write. Maybe it isn't, but you won't know because you never gave it a chance.

You sought the easy ground. This is why we aren't convinced :)

Re: “A Real Writer”

Brad_King — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:38:47 -0000

While nobody can tell anybody they are a writer (or a photographer...after all, I take pictures too), there is a deep and thoughtful skill set and history that separates people who write from writers. Sitting down without structure makes you a person who writes, not a writer in the same way that me snapping a picture with my camera is not the same you being a photographer.

Re: On Letting Go

Brad_King — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:41:32 -0000

You learned the lesson I would try to tell you whenever we'd write in public. Stop thinking and talking about it, and just write. Everything else is just...not writing. And there's only one way to the end. Just keeping putting words on the page.

Re: When failure is an option

Brad_King — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:59:44 -0000

If the only thing you have learned is college is that sometimes what you want isn't what you need, you will have received our educational dollar several times over. The world is full of fast-racing tides. They will pull and throw you in directions you can't imagine right now. When those tides stop, if you can look around and say: what's next, you'll be okay.

Aloha Laura Rose Allen

Re: That Thing Kelly Shea Has Done

Brad_King — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:34:12 -0000

I give credit to the people who deserve it, and your work on this part of the project -- while largely unrecognized - is what has turned our little project into a reality. I'm glad you are learning new things, and those things will serve you well in the future.

However, you still deserve your public credit for going above and beyond your job.

Re: That Thing Kelly Shea Has Done

Kelly — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:26:28 -0000

Haha thank you. THAT wasn't necessary either, but you seem to be on top of the "giving credit" thing.

I'm just trying to help get our thing out there, since we all toiled this year. And I'm probably the only one out of the bunch that is secretly thrilled by learning new formatting skills. Ha! Every nerd does his/her job...

EPUB coming soon, everybody.

Re: How we preserve our experiences

Dave Ake — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:44:11 -0000

Writers are not born. They are made. Fortunately I got Brad King's special "baptism by fire."

Re: How we preserve our experiences

Brad_King — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:31:51 -0000

Dave, I have a feeling when it's all said and done you're going to do okay in the world. You're writing has come a million miles since that first night in my class. I think you may have unlocked your code, brother.

Here endith the lesson.

Re: Why We Write/What We Write For

Kyle Hovanec — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:13:12 -0000

Ha, well I'm currently diving into the world of short fiction to enter a chance to be featured in a collection of short stories to benefit victims of the Japan Quake. After that... I have a few ideas. Nothing solid as of yet, but I have a good idea of what I want to do!

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Brad_King — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:58:21 -0000

I clarified: That was not an insult.

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Tigressreow — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:30:43 -0000

The more I read these students' writing, the more I believe Brad King is the crustiest, burnt marshmallow at the campfire. Yet he yields warm, tender, sweetness from them. The process isn't pretty, the results are astounding. The hard work, depth, and truth emanating from the writers is marvelous!

Kelly easily draws the reader in as she paints wonderful pictures with her words and conveys her thoughts and feelings. I look forward to the next creation.

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Brad_King — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:31:55 -0000

Rocky is never anti-climactic

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Kelly — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:50:20 -0000

I found out where my dad's phrase came from. He finally told me. It's a spin on an Apollo quote from Rocky III... I can't decide if that is totally anti-climatic, or totally awesome?

Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Brad_King — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:22:36 -0000

It's good to hear the things. I question myself at times even though I think it's for the best. Nice to see you all find value in it.

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Brad_King — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:21:38 -0000

It's worth noting, I think that is me talking about transmedia Indiana for a video. I am happy :-)

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Rick Broering — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:10:19 -0000

I remember that feeling. Brad was the first teacher I had that called me out on my slick talking cocky bull shit that gets me through life. It was a good feeling. I sensed learning on the horizon.

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Kyle Hovanec — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:59:50 -0000

A great read, and as always a reminder of where we all began and where we are now. Also I cannot get over that picture. Greatest. Picture. Ever.

Re: Finding Strength in Stories

Brad_King — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:54:42 -0000

Thats maybe once of the nicest things anyone has ever written about me, young lady. Thanks for that. I'm glad you stuck it out, and wrote for me.

Re: You Are Always Being Judged

Brad_King — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:52:44 -0000

If you're reading Kyle's work, you must be procrastinating on the book :-) so it begins...

Re: You Are Always Being Judged

Kelly — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:48:16 -0000

I was just laughing out loud reading this again. God, this is funny. Thanks for writing a blog on this, Kyle.

Re: You Are Always Being Judged

Brad_King — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:10:35 -0000

In fairness, I meant (when I said it to you) that you should worry about what those around you think, and not worry so much about those operating on the peripheral of your life. However, I'm glad this happened because it's hilarious.