We didn’t measure the results of the week with any test scores or exit slips, but the many hugs, smiles, and tears we saw each day were probably sufficient markers. Or maybe I could mention the throng of students that surrounded writers afterward to ask another question or to get a book signed. Or I could add that many students continue their conversations with writers through email or Twitter. One of our favorite presenters, Mary Fons, reported that one student, after hearing Fons last year, started writing; another said she finally addressed some pressing personal issues that were hurting her.
Not sure video can capture the week well either, but our tech department worked their own magic and streamed the entire week live to the world. You can catch clips here:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/fremd-writers-week-2012
If you’d rather rely on words to understand WW, you won’t do any better than from my good pal, Gary Anderson. Check out his blog: http://whatsnotwrong.wordpress.com/
Another colleague and another Anderson, Russ, will probably weigh in too: http://imteachingenglish.wordpress.com/
Yet another colleague, Jaclyn DeRose, has embarked on her own blog, which I highly recommend: http://arrangewhateverpiecescomeyourway.com/
You can also visit our Website: http://fremdwritersweek.ning.com/
Or visit Twitter: #ww18
My highlights:
1) Students baring their souls. Writing tributes to moms, dads, nieces, teachers, and friends. Sharing joy, grief, tribulations, and funny stories. Making sense of the world through their words, through their point of view, which we adults sometimes stifle or obscure or minimize or simply don’t take the time to understand. Their courage is inspiring.
2) Generous faculty members braving it out, revealing sides of them that usually remain private. Thunderous applause greeted each one, which doesn’t happen in class, though this would be welcome, albeit, distracting.
3) Wildly talented guest writers, some of whom should be household names. Many of them never forgot what it’s like to be young and fearless and ridden with anxiety about the future and in love for the first time.
4) A selfish highlight. The best English department in the world honored me with a lovely presentation, full of joy and camaraderie and love. My gratitude is boundless. I am a lucky man.