Writing. To Create.
Kalynn Hawkins' Writing Capstone Portfolio
Finding my way || What were you trying to say..?
My developement as a writer has changed in more ways than one. I have grown academically through my courses and understanding of different genres and themes. I have learned a lot about fiction vs. non fiction, and fiction & non fiction on a creative realm. I have been exposed to the reality that is a short story. And I have seen the importace of revising and remediating my writing individually, as well as collectively in peer writing workshops. The tow main topics/questions that I have tried to answer through every piece of my writing have been: "finding my way" & "what were you trying to say"? I see these two pieces of information as ways to recreate myself in understanding my writing, as well as being understood. The three pieces below are my reflective writing pieces that I have worked on as an upper-classmen in the MIW Program. These pieces not only show the growth in the how of why I write, they also show the growth in the why of why I write.
I think I’ve embraced the craft elements of authenticity, emotional truth, self-exploration/discovery, and turning oneself into a character. I’ve learned a lot about these literary forms and languages and can express them in my essays thoroughly.
These style points have shown me one main viewpoint: to be more direct in my writing. I think that a main issue I face as a writer is my passive word choice and my indirect meaning. I write how I talk as well as how I read which may not be helpful for the readers who don’t do this or better yet, don’t understand what I’m saying when I think I’ve explained my point thoroughly.
So as I dive into another piece, tweak past pieces, and close my laptop case, I can say that I through this process, I’ve learned to appreciate my stories just as much as other writer’s stories. I’ve learned that I can be open and transparent through my abilities to write poetically, portray visually, create short stories and create creative non-fiction.