Lessons from LB

She’s the one who compelled me to create this Multiply account for the purpose of a daily “literary blog.”

I’m the insignificant student in her two classes for two consecutive semesters, who regularly receives her sharp and unpretentious critics.

She’s the cause of the frustrating tears I let go during my last sem in college.

I may not have left a mark in her life, maybe just my name written on her class lists for Eng106-G and Fil150-U a year ago or my average literary pages littered somewhere on the dusted corners of the Humanities building.

But surely, it was during her classes that Prof. LB directed my eyes on something more than her long and colored fingerclaws she deliberately sway while speaking. I discovered these, her words, quoted in my notebook, which I would want to share as well:

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“For a child, the world is never literal.”

“Metaphorical world – losing this makes you close to loneliness.”
”A good writer listens even to those which are not said.”
”Every writer is actually explaining the world.”

“… Learn what needs to be improved with your writing to be able to come up with acceptable pieces.”

“Your fidelity should be to your craft, not to fame, not to yourself.”

“…understanding your own sensibilities, because your craftsmanship would employ a lot of your sensibilities.”

“Be serious about this course!”

“We’re trying to help each other here!”

“Readers are strangers.” (Dapat may hints—para makapasok sila sa pagsusulat ko.)

“Writer’s block? No! It’s unpreparedness.”

“Okay lang maging post-modernist. But if you really want longevity, be a formalist.”

“Kahit ano pa ginamit mo, dapat may organic unity—everything that you included in the writing is essential.”

 

 

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I hope you caught them and find them useful for your own writing, too.