Writers Cramp

[tudorlady]

Spent three hours writing the opening of the notes and prompts for a lecture class I'm giving next Saturday. I am *maybe* one-fifth done with the narrative, and have 15 pages. My original notes ended up being >25 pages. I have crossed off the topics on two of those pages. You can see where this is heading. To about 190 handwrtten pages.

I need to finish the narrative, scan the material for the slides, teach myself how to use Power Point, write the bibliography (since there is no 'class handout'). All in time to drive to Tacoma on Friday to get there in time to get a decent night's sleep.

I've informally titled this the 'boring git class'. I'll be talking about a subject and process that fascinates me (and that I assumed everyone else went through in selecting visual items for research [to recreate an item of period dress]). I have since found out that no, this is not an intuitive process for most people, in fact, it's pretty much not on their radar. Which could be why there are people using a description in a novel as a basis for an item, and their research doesn't go any further than that (and they wonder what's not working for them at A&S)..

However, I have the nagging fear that either (a) I'll be too abstract to make any real sense and people will be too polite to tell me, or (b) once I explain the topic a little, people will say "What the hell? Do you think we're fucking morons that you need to tell how to do something that's as natural as breathing???" and be all insulted. (b) Worries me the most.

Nagging fear #2: Most clases at this shindig are hands on. You get to make something and take it home with you. That has a great deal more appeal than listening to a boring git go on about how to look at things. Ergo, people will be singularly unimpressed.

So. I'll be checking in with you while I'm writing and putting together the rest of this nonsense. help?

VTY,
Consumed With Doubt

ETA: Crap. It's after 10:30, and I still haven't done my before-bed stuff or taken my meds yet.

Comments

[officerjudy.livejournal.com]

Sngos, you're worrying for nothing. Remember that feedback from someone who'd taken one of your classes that said you were the best SCA teacher she'd ever had, or something like that? (Can't remember exactly.)

You'll do fine.

[cleothyla.livejournal.com]

I'm taking your class because it is something that I need to know.

[krazyfiberkat.livejournal.com]

Take your meds, go to bed and don't worry about it. You will do awesomely! If you need help with the PowerPoint just let me know.

[tudorlady.livejournal.com]

Icon: Look, I'm on a horse.

[krazyfiberkat.livejournal.com]

But you aren't backwards;-)

[tudorlady.livejournal.com]

Hey, that guy wasn't backwards on his horse, either!

[farmleaf.livejournal.com]

Oh dude! You coming up to the ithra here in Dragon's Laire? I hadn't planned to go but if you're coming up, I just may have to rethink this. :)

[tudorlady.livejournal.com]

Yes! Please sign up! And bring your friends, for the love of the Deity! Only four people have signed up so far.

[ornerie.livejournal.com]

four people is fabulous! good for you!

[farmleaf.livejournal.com]

What exactly is the class about?

Class Description and registry info

[tudorlady.livejournal.com]

http://ithra.antir.sca.org/idisplay.php?topic=classes&it=5562#I32091

Please let me know if the link does not work, or takes you to the wrong place.

Re: Class Description and registry info

[farmleaf.livejournal.com]

OMG, 9 am. *gulp* I am very, very lame and full of suckitude but I might get there around lunch. :( I will begin now to hang my head in shame for being the loser that I am. :)

That sounds like an interesting class, though.

Re: Class Description and registry info

[tudorlady.livejournal.com]

Well, you're welcome to sign up for it. Unfortunately, by lunch we'll be done :(

[ex-theglaiv.livejournal.com]

I like to include a small hands on patterning bit at the end of my talks. In paper. In miniature. You'd be surprised how much fun that is and you can cut a length of A3 paper into 4 lengthways strips stickytaped together to be your starting "roll" of fabric. Seriously, more funt han it sounds. Don't over worry part B. People will be interested.

[daf9.livejournal.com]

Knowing nothing at all about what you'll be talking about, I'd like to say that in my experience when people talk about something that fascinates them, they are rarely boring. So enjoy yourself; I'll bet you blow their socks off!

[tradarcher.livejournal.com]

I am sure you will do fine. The fact that you are teaching a class is courageous.

[countess-e.livejournal.com]

My dear. I take pen in hand to point out that I teach a not dissimilar class, though not as extensive and obviously well thought out as yours, and had people who have been playing as long as I have come up to me afterwards and say "My Gawd, I *never* thought of that!" I really think that our shared cultural matrix gives you and me an advantage that a lot of our comrades, even those extremely smart and talented, just have never stumbled on.

It is *not* an intuitive process for most people. I mean it. I have a lot of experience with boring gits and believe me, this won't even come close. Really.