My Writing Professor by Nicolette Dane

Author:Nicolette Dane [Dane, Nicolette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-09T23:00:00+00:00

*

“All right,” said Harriet, passing Erica’s story to the student sitting nearest to indicate that the critique was over. The rest of the class began passing their copies of the story back to Erica who looked a little beaten up from the workshop but all the wiser for it. The writing critiques were certainly difficult on the creative person, but they ultimately made you a better and more thoughtful writer. “That was a good critique, everyone,” continued Harriet. “I think we could all take something from it in regards to a compelling plot that moves the story along. Your readers want to see something happen, not just read the musings of an introspective main character.”

The class all seemed to agree with Harriet’s summation, simply nodding or muttering “yes” without anybody firmly speaking up to interject. After a moment, however, my friend Minju spoke up with a change in subject, something we were all thinking.

“Congratulations, Harriet,” said Minju. “I read the National Book Award nominations today online and your book was on the list!” A few people in class clapped, somebody made an excited “woo!” sound, we all smiled.

“Thank you, Minju,” demurred Harriet, looking away, obviously a bit bashful about the accolade but excited nonetheless. “It’s really a nice honor.”

“You deserve it!” said Minju. “Your novel is great.”

“Thanks,” said Harriet once more. “That does bring up a logistical issue actually for us here in class,” she said. “There’s a reading for the awards in New York in about a week and a half that I’ll be going to. So not next Tuesday but the following Tuesday there’s a good chance I’ll miss class.”

“Will class be canceled?” asked Bernie.

“It doesn’t have to be,” said Harriet. “You all could meet without me and run the workshop yourselves. Let’s just think about it and address it next week.”

Everybody began standing from their seats, packing their bags, and started shuffling toward the door. I felt my heart beating quicker as I imagined approaching Harriet and talking to her, perhaps accompanying her out after class. It had only been a day since I saw her but I was eager to spend more time with her. As Harriet packed her things, she flashed me a coy smile.

“Isn’t that so flippin’ cool?” Minju said to me in a whisper. “Harriet’s book is nominated for a National Book Award. That’s a dream.”

“It is really cool,” I admitted. “It’s pretty jealousy inducing.”

“I’m glad we get to learn from her,” said Minju. “And it’ll definitely look great to people to say you took a class with her.”

“Hey Penny,” said Harriet, creeping up on us and interjecting into my and Minju’s conversation. “Can I chat with you for a minute?” Minju’s eyes went wide and looked at me with surprise, as though she were saying ‘what’s this all about?’

“Sure,” I said. “Minju, I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

“Are you going to go to the Barcelona afterwards?” asked Minju. I looked to Harriet and lifted my brow in questioning and she shrugged.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.