Writer’s Portfolio Class Blog

No blog needed this time. Just look over the syllabus and do the homework that is due. Also, if you haven’t already made your portfolio advising appointments, you should very soon. And then you have your informational interview to set up, as instructed last week. If you have any questions, email me.

Identify three professionals, publishing houses, journals or magazines, etc. in Chicago that you would be interested in learning more about and gather basic information on those three places/people (website? what kind of writing do they do, publish, edit, etc?), what’s their audience, etc.

 Please post those three places and/or people HERE (name, company/mag/etc. name, website address, location) and then write just a very short bit about who they are and what they do.

For the next class, please journal about what you believe to be your strengths and weaknesses regarding work/writing. Below are a list of questions to help you get started, but feel free to diverge if I’m missing anything. Also, feel free to write in whatever form/tone you like (humor, sarcasm, seriousness, etc.). Feel free to imagine your responses in story form, if you like, as long as you address the basic ideas inherent in the questions below:

• Working independently: what strengths and weaknesses do you possess when it comes to working independently? Are you good at creating your own tasks? setting deadlines? meeting those deadlines without someone pushing you (or without having someone to answer to)? are you motivated to constantly seek new opportunities?
• Working with and under others: do you need structure in your work environment? do you work better if someone else is setting deadlines for you? Do you prefer to work with people (or by yourself)? when working with other people, do you tend to lead or follow? what are some of your pet peeves, when it comes to working with a group of people and/or under someone else?
• Writing flexibility: do you mostly write within one genre? or do you believe you have skills that enable you to cross over to a number of different genres? what are your writing strengths? weaknesses? Think about the various kinds of writing we’ve discussed in class and think about whether you would be successful at those differents kinds of writing.
• Atmosphere: what kind of atmosphere do you need to be in to write successfully and enjoy your work? Do you need complete silence and the ability to be alone? Are you able to write in areas that are busy and teeming with people? What kind of people do you like working with? People who are laid back, funny, intellectual, etc.?
• Financial goals: we would all like to make millions of dollars, but what would be the absolute least you’d settle for (and you don’t have to put an actual amount – but rather speak in terms of what you’d be happy with in terms of goals . . . i.e., “enough to rent a small apartment and have a few perks every now and then” or “I would have to make enough money to buy a house and travel”).
• Time: what amount of time do you need to dedicate to the writing that you MOST want to do?
• Interests: what do you like to do when you are not writing? movies? sports? comics? playing video games? hanging out with friends? Make up a list of activities that you most enjoy and be specific.

THEN, in list form, write out some of the potential jobs and/or freelance gigs you could imagine getting paid for (and being happy about), while pursuing your ultimate writing goals. Also, reflect on the kinds of jobs and/or freelance opportunities you absolutely are NOT interested in.

This forum is for my Spring, 2007 Writer’s Portfolio class. A category will be assigned for each week for journal posting and/or assignments, as necessary.

You are responsible for WRITING AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANTIAL JOURNAL REFLECTION onto this forum EACH WEEK, in response to your readings, portfolio work, assigned projects, events, etc.

Categories are also posted to this site for your reference, to help with your readings, class discussions, and general reflection, as you go through this course. You are encouraged to utilize this resource, as well as add to it and/or make suggestions for new resources as you come across them. * Adding additional resources will be looked upon favorably, when the time comes to turn in final grades, and could be particularly useful for those who may need an extra boost at the end of the semester (hint, hint). HOWEVER, adding websites and resources WILL NOT replace your required weekly journal responses.

If you are experiencing problems with this online discussion board, please inform me immediately.