Hi everyone, I'm Emily. I'm a professional writing major. Professional writing is part of Gaylord College and focuses on writing and marketing genre fiction. I'm minoring in religious studies because I've always found learning about different religions to be fascinating. I also think knowing about these different beliefs and practices could be helpful for world building in fantasy writing. I want to write fantasy novels, mainly urban fantasy. I prefer stories that integrate magic into modern society over the vaguely European, medieval-ish kingdoms of high fantasy. The best class I took last semester was Writing the Short Story. I learned a lot about how to plot and execute a good story and got some good feedback from my teacher and classmates. It also forced me to actually finish some stories rather than starting and abandoning a bunch of works in progress. I'm currently reading
It Devours, the second
Welcome to Night Vale novel by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. I'm enjoying it so far, but I liked the first one better. It had less of a romance subplot. My favorite book is probably
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. There's a BBC series being made of it starring David Tennant that I'm excited for.
(It Devours: A Welcome to Night Vale Novel.
Amazon.)
My copy has this cover-->
(Good Omens.
Amazon.)
I have two cats and two dogs, but my grandma has recently come to live with us and brought her dogs with her, so we currently have four in the house. They all get along pretty well, so it's mostly been okay, but it is a bit more than we're used to taking care of. My dogs are a Labrador mix of some kind (possibly part grey hound?) named Fiona and a Schnauzer named Tinkerbell (my dad insists it's just Tink, but it's Tinkerbell). My cats are named Han Solo and Scruffy. Solo is especially my cat, because I've been his favorite person ever since he was a kitten.
(Fiona as a puppy)
(Han Solo the cat)
I'm super stoked to see so many professional writing majors popping up in the blog feed! Half of the class is reading what other people write, so having a couple of talented hands on keyboards is going to make the whole class way more enjoyable! Also I love Han Solo! Pets with goofy names always bring me joy, and there's never a moment where saying "Han Solo come here!" won't make you smile!
ReplyDeleteOh, genre-writing: that sounds great, Emily! I hope this class can be a fun writing space for you to explore and experiment. Maybe you can use this class to learn about all kinds of magical traditions that might be of use to you in your future writing projects! If you are ever looking for suggestions about which reading unit to choose because you are in quest of stories with magical elements, let me know and I will see if I can come up with a suggestion (magic is a part of the folklore tradition that I am very interested in myself!). And maybe your pets will make an appearance in your stories for this class: you could even imagine a world in which the animals have magic too!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with Trey: Han Solo is a genius cat name. And it's also an excuse for me to share this fun poster: Star Paws (scroll down for the poster)
Hey Emily!
ReplyDeleteIt is great to hear that you are a professional writing major. You are in the perfect class to help improve your writing abilities! It is really interesting that you have chosen fantasy writing - I find that really fascinating. One thing that I always wish I was better at is writing. I have always had such a hard time putting my ideas into words, ever since I was in elementary school. So you are very lucky to have that skill, and I wish you luck for your future writing!
Also, your pets are adorable. I have five dogs in my house, so I know how much work it can be. But they are so rewarding to have around, so it makes up for it (in my opinion). I love your cat's name too!
Hi Emily! I also had a dog named Tinkerbell, she was a really sweet sheltie. I think a writing degree would be so interesting and it is awesome that you have such a specific idea of what you want to do with your life! I loved the pictures of your pets and I cannot wait to read some of your stories this semester I am sure they will be fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, nice to meet you! Wow, professional writing? That is awesome. I am not a writer at all so this class has been a little step outside of my comfort zone for me. I enjoyed meeting all of your animals through the pictures. I also am an animal lover an have four dogs that live with my family in Lawton. It sure does get a little crazy with that many animals running around. Do your cats and dogs get along? I know it just kind of depends on the dogs but I find it awesome when they do get along. I am wishing you a great semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I've always been really fond of reading and the occasional writing. I will have to look into this Good Omens that you mention. I'm sure you'll really enjoy this class if reading and writing is your thing. Also, your fur babies are beautiful! I'm kind of impressed that you've managed to make that many animals get along. I imagined the cats and dogs would be at each other's throats. I've only ever had dogs, but I'm hoping to get a cat someday. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I didn't know that professional writing was a major so that is super cool! I thought people who wrote novels just sort of... wrote them? I am pretty ignorant on that topic. I like to think I can write, but I don't practice creative writing in any way so my storytelling capabilities are weak. I bet with your major, this class will be a fun way to exercise your already existing skills!
ReplyDeleteHi, Emily!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're a professional writing major! I love literature and everything that goes into publishing, but it's not a field I can see myself pursuing, so I always think it's cool when other people do!
I love when favorite novels become series, for the most part (a few have been ruined for me). Over the break, I enjoyed HBO's adaptations of Big Little Lies and The Casual Vacancy. Hopefully BBC does justice to your favorite!
While I only own a betta fish right now (no pets in my apartment), I look forward to adopting a dog after graduation! Labs are one of the breeds at the top of my list!
Hey Emily. That's a really cool major! One of my roommates is also a creative writing major, and I'm always shocked at how calmly he can say that he has some huge paper due. He once told me that he wrote a twenty page paper without even really thinking about it. I hope you have as much fun with that major as he does, and good luck in the class!
ReplyDeleteEmily.
ReplyDeleteI love the focus on magic in literature! I always found that the stories I enjoyed the most growing up involved some kind of "realistic" magic... the "So You Want To Be a Wizard" series always got to me. Neil Gaiman is also one of my favorite authors, so I'm glad to see him on your list as well!
Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, your major and minor sounds very interesting. I didn't even know that Gaylord offered a professional writing degree. I guess I imagine Gaylord as just PR and communication majors, but I know it's much more than that. Your minor also sounds interesting, I also have a love for different religions and its cool that you get have a minor in this. Your minor and major will go hand in hand and better your writing career. I also loved the pictures of your pets, I'm a sucker for dogs, and yours are just so adorable!
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of your major, it sounds so neat! I bet this class will be super enjoyable for you and I am lookig forward to reading your stories! I love that your cat is named Han Solo, are you a Star Wars fan? or did someone else name him? also, your dog is adorable, I am personally a dog person so having 4 in the house sounds fun! But I could see where it could get overwhelming. I am looking forward to reading and following your blog!
Hey Emily! I am also pursuing a religious studies minor (but through the Medical Humanities program), so that is super cool! I think it's awesome that you want to write fantasy novels. I love those types of stories as well. Also, I LOVE David Tennant so I will have to check that show out! Good luck with everything this semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI haven’t found myself envying other people’s majors so much in a while! Your focus sounds incredible and like it would be a blast to write and to read! I’d love to read anything you’ve written, from what you describe, the kinds of stories you write are the exact ones I love to read! I love Welcome to Night Vale, but I’ve never read either of the novels. Your pets are adorable! Great names, too. You seem like a really cool and fun person! Good luck with your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! It's nice to meet you. That is awesome that you are majoring in Professional Writing. Are you planning on making your Myth-Folklore class project into a short fantasy novel? That assignment is probably great writing experience for you since your plan is to write fantasy novels in the future. Also, I love the pictures of your pets. They are adorable!
Hi Emily! I am a creative writing major, so it is cool to see a professional writing major's take on things. I am sure you are really enjoying this class as both a writer and an avid reader. I have heard of the Welcome to Night Vale book series and I really should look into it. They sound awesome!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI'd be really interested to hear more about professional writing as a major. I know myself too well to think that I'd really be able to do it without really working on my motivation, but I love coming up with story ideas and writing! If you have any collections of works from your time here at OU (or even just stuff you've done on your own), I'd love to read them! Urban fantasy is something I really enjoy; Fate/Stay Night is an interesting visual novel (well, a little more so in concept than in execution in many ways) where spirits of past legendary heroes get summoned by modern mages to fight in a war for a powerful magical device. It doesn't focus too heavily on the way that magic fits into modern life, but it has an interesting split between normal daily life and the magical war occurring.
That's a lot of animals in the house! Four dogs and two cats makes for a crowded household, so I'm happy to hear that they get along. I can't imagine what six unhappy animals could get up to.
Hey Emily!
ReplyDeleteI'm in Gaylord too as an Advertising major! I think it's really cool that you want to write fantasy novels because it's so unique and interesting! You don't really hear of anyone doing that and I think it's awesome that that's your passion! I am a huge dog fan but four dogs sounds like a lot to deal with! My parents can barely handle the two that we have! I'm excited to read more of your stories this semester! Good luck!
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI'm low key jealous of your major as creative writing is such a great way to expressive your creativity! I took a creative writing class senior year of high school and loved it! I thought your minor in religious studies was interesting as I too find learning about other religions very fascinating! I never thought, though, to incorporate it into story telling. I really look forward to reading your stories!
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI also have a religious studies minor. It's really interesting to learn about the religious drivers behind people and societies. I am really excited to read your stories since you have actually taken classes about how to be a good writer. I also love a good urban fantasy book. Dystopian society books are my favorite, I'll have to try your current reads.
Hey Emily!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! I thought that I have maybe met everyone in the class by now, but I guess not. This class seems like it is right up your ally, which is a great thing! I am looking forward to reading your stories and seeing the different things you include in them. Also, I love the picture of your dog. I am such an animal lover!
Hey Emily! I think that it's great that you are a professional writing major. This class should be right up your ally then! I think that I'll have to pick up Good Omens if you like it so much. I have read some Neil Gaimen before and loved it so I'm taking this as inspiration to pick up more of his books.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily,
ReplyDeleteYour major sounds really interesting! World building is my favorite part of the books I read. Have you ever read Name of the Wind or A Wise Man’s Fear? I just finished those books recently and they’re easily my favorite fantasy books I’ve ever read. Highly recommend. And that really does sound like a lot of animals in one house! I had enough issues with me single miniature pincher back home (he sometimes tackles the back of my knees and takes me out).