There have been so many good semesters (I've been happily teaching online since all the way back in 2002), and I hope this final semester will be a good one too, despite the pandemic and all the other chaos going on right now. I'm going to be a student in Myth-Folklore this semester, and I already have a project in mind: African trickster tales!
About those Tiny Tales books: these are free OER (open educational resources) which I started publishing last summer. It is the most fun and satisfying project I have ever worked on! You can see all the books here: Nasruddin - India - Aesop - Sufis - Anansi - Ramayana - Mahabharata. The Ramayana and Mahabharata books are reading options for the Indian Epics class this semester, and you'll see the Nasruddin, India, Aesop, Sufi, and Anansi books as reading options in Myth-Folklore.
These books are collections of "microfiction," specifically: stories that are just 100 words long. I started writing them for my father last year (more about that; he died in August...), and then last semester, we created a class Anthology of microfiction written by the students in both classes. It's really fantastic; you can find it here as a free book online: Tiny Tales of Fall 2020. Last semester, students just took that leap without being able to see what an anthology would look like; I hope this semester even more of you will want to participate since you can take a look and see how it works... there are so many different kinds of microfiction in there: 100-word stories, plus also stories that are even shorter. You'll see how that all works when you get into the writing assignments for class in Week 2 and beyond.
Also, for those of you who are aspiring writers and interested in self-publishing, I can highly recommend Pressbooks, which is the system I am using for these books. Their emphasis is on open educational materials, but you can also use their services for commercial book publication too. As someone who has published both with traditional publishers and also be self-publishing, I have to say: I am a huge fan of self-publishing. With tools like Pressbooks (there are more and more services like this now), it is easier than ever, and if you write for a niche market (I definitely write for a niche market, ha ha), then you can publicize your work on your own, without having to rely on a traditional publisher.
So, during the pandemic I've been writing a lot (A LOT)... but I also have a new hobby too: drumming. I've always liked to drum on my desktop or just clap my hands or whatever, but for my New Year's Resolution this year, I started drumming every day (with bongo drums, plus a djembe drum). Of all the instruments I've messed around with just for fun, the drums are clearly my instrument of choice. So, when May arrives and I retire from OU, I will be writing and drumming all day long. Did you get into the Jerusalema pandemic dance challenge? That's one of the songs I like to drum with. Here's a great Jerusalema video filmed at a rhino preserve in South Africa. Enjoy....... and I am wishing everybody a good semester ahead, despite all the chaos around us............
Hi Laura! I surely didn't expect your introduction to be loaded by the randomizer, but I'm glad it was so I could check it out!
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence that you began teaching at OU the year I was born, and now we are both in this class for our final semester together while you are just one state away from my hometown in SC. Such a small world!
Thank you for the extensive resources you've put together for this course, they have been very clear and helpful so far. I'm looking forward to reading and writing many good stories this year.
Hello Laura,
ReplyDeleteLike the previous commenter, I was born when you began at OU and am graduating in your last semester. The microfictions are very impressive to me. The idea of writing a story in 100 words seems so daunting. An English teacher once told me to emulate my favorite author in my writing and I took that advice to heart. Unfortunately, at the time my favorite was Victor Hugo, so needless to say my writing tends to lean on the wordier side (fortunately I did not adopt his tendency to rant about the Parisian sewer systems haha).
I do not play the drums, but I do have a clarinet. Unfortunately, I have had it since middle school and the years of marching band and parades have not been kind to it, so the padding on the keys need replaced. As you can imagine, finding a repair shop that is open and within a reasonable distance travel during the pandemic has been difficult. Although I am sure my roommates probably do not mind the lack of extra noise.
I look forward to reading and writing the many myths and legends this semester has in store.
Hello Laura!
ReplyDeleteI loved being able to actually see what you do for fun and what your life is like because there haven't been many opportunities for me to find out that much about my professors! I love that you have a Tiny Tales series and I'm happy you shared it with us; I definitely have to check it out. I think it's so important to see you actually fully taking part in what you love to do such as writing full time. I can see how passionate you are about it just by the way you talk about it! I think it's so important to find new hobbies and learn more about them so to see you enjoy drumming made me smile. There's so many different versions of it and way to do it based on all the different cultures, so it's great to know it wont be something you'll get bored of anytime soon! I hope by the end of the year you feel fulfilled with how far along your drumming has come. It was so great to read about you and your interests. I am so excited to have you as a professor for your last semester!
Laura! I am so excited for your journey writing your tiny tales, you deserve to write and play drums all day long :-) I think that it is so awesome that you've been able to teach on this format since 2002 and I believe things have gone a long way since then, but I am so excited to read more of your tiny tales. They have been so nice to read thus far and I really do appreciate all the effort you've put into them. I am also leaving OU this next semester ready to start a different path in life, so I wish you the best in that endeavor! I don't even know you, but you are so cool and I can't wait to hopefully hear you play the drums one day!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura!
ReplyDeleteMy mom has been teaching 6th and 7th grade English for 25 years, and like her, I see that you love teaching and helping students pursue their writing. I’m sure it can be exhausting at times, especially with Covid, but you have been such a wonderful instructor.
I will say that you have one of my favorite professors here at OU. You are very passionate about what you do, and it’s inspiring. I wish you well on writing full time and completing your book series.
Hi Laura!
ReplyDeleteI was not expecting your introduction to be an option with the randomizer! It is exciting that you are leaving teaching at OU to write full time. I can see why it would be nerve wracking though! I think this semester is definitely going to be chaotic, but I also hope it will be a good one. It is also my last semester at OU.
Good luck on your writing!
Cady
Hello, Laura. That's crazy you've been teaching since I was born--only because you seem so young and hip. I think you're an innovator with this class, and I hope others use it in the future. I'm sorry to hear about your father. That's really sweet of you to write for him. I know writing for those I love does them and myself well. Good luck with your future ventures!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura! First I want to say I am so sorry for your loss. Second, I cannot believe you started teaching when I was only a 1 year old (hehe). I have to say that your teaching technique has been by far my favorite since I have been at OU. I am quite sad to hear you are leaving, but I am thrilled that you are branching out and reaching new goals! I would absolutely love to read some of your work that you do later after teaching! Wishing you the best!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this is your last semester at OU... I am so glad I was able to join this class! I can truly say that you have helped me enjoy writing (which never had an inkling of a chance before) and remember my love for reading. It's easy to get so consumed in classwork reading that you forget to enjoy the process too. But reading FUN stories helps to bring it all back. Good luck with your full-time writing and drumming career!! Haha! That sounds so awesome. I will definitely look into your tiny tales more and share them with my mom (she LOVED the book from last semester). Finally, thank you for sharing that video! I hadn't seen it before and it was a great smile to end the night.
Hey Laura,
ReplyDeleteI love that you are joining alongside us as a student as well during your last semester here! I am sure it is bittersweet. That is amazing that you are taking writing full-time! I'm excited for your future and wish you the best in your writing and drumming :). Side note, I was a percussionist in high school and I was on the OU drumline my first two years at OU. Drumming is amazing and such a fun hobby to have. Djembes look so fun! I have never played one, but they look and sound great. I appreciate you writing one of these and it is nice to get to know you more! Thank you for helping me appreciate storytelling and learn more about myself, and thank you for all you have done and are doing for us students!
Laura,
ReplyDeleteIt's so awesome that you are not only teaching this class but also decided to take part in it by doing the coursework. I think that really shows how much you care about your career as a professor. I also love how passionate you are with your writing. One thing that I love about coming to OU is to see everyone majoring in things that they love. There are so many people at this campus that are so amazing at so many different things. Your love for writing and storytelling can definitely be seen and is infectious. Thank you for caring so well for your students, and I am so happy that you will soon being more of something that you enjoy on your next adventure.
Hi Laura!
ReplyDeleteI think it's SO cool that as our professor you're participating in this class right along with us! I've never had a professor do that before – it lets us see how much you're invested in our learning and how much you're passionate about the work! I'm honored to have been in this class with you as the professor (I guess I snuck in right in time)! How exciting is it that you're going to get to write full time now? I wish you nothing but luck in all you do going forward! Thank you for growing my writing knowledge SO much in this short semester – I have nothing but amazing things to say about this class!
Hi Laura!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that you are participating with the class! It makes a class so much more enjoyable when you can tell that the professor is enthusiastic about what they are doing. I have even read my parents some of your emails because they are so thorough and kind! I am sad that you are retiring because I was planning on recommending your class to all of my friends, but happy that you are leaving to do something you are so passionate about full time! This class has almost felt like a bit of a get away this semester since everything has been so stressful. I have absolutely loved this class and wish you so much luck with your full time writing!
Brooklin
Hi Laura!
ReplyDeleteWow! It is crazy to think that you started teaching at OU a little after I was born and I am also in your final semester of teaching at OU. You say that you started drumming as your new hobby, do you know any songs or do you make them yourself? I think that it is really cool that you have messed with a lot of instruments and have found your instrument of choice! I use to play the flute in middle school and I loved it but do not play anymore. Good luck on expanding your Tiny Tales Book series!