Creative Writing

I went out recently and had beers with several of the Creative Writing staff. These are authors, real authors with published books of poetry and fiction, and I am privileged enough to call them friend instead of Professor. Our staff is pretty unique in the country, there are many books they have published between them, and they are the recipients of many writing awards. All of this is wonderful, except I have not taken full advantage of them. They have taught, and I have listened, but I have done nothing out of class to help me become a better writer. Before a guest speaker (and favorite former professor) left the bar, while I was a little tipsy, I shook his hand, and said, "I want to thank you for coming and reading, and for being a professor of mine. You always make me ashamed of the things I have not done, and I appreciate that. Thank you."

I have no idea how he really took it, how crazy he thinks I am, or if my words affected him at all. I do know that it made me keenly aware of what I have not achieved, and what I might possibly achieve.

Now, it falls to me to do something productive with myself.