Final Post

The Future of Audrey Lucille

The end is the beginning. I feel like I’ve only just started to tap into my “writer” psyche. I absolutely intend to keep writing after this class. I have always enjoyed it, but was never disciplined enough to continue it on my own. Luckily, and as silly as it sounds, exposing me to Twitter this term has sparked a new energy to continue writing on my own.

Do you know the feeling when someone posts a picture about you or includes you in a post on Facebook? There’s the slight panic about “Oh, no. What did they put on the web about me?” But there is also an excitement that someone not only thought about you, but published the fact that they thought about you to everyone they know. It’s thrilling. When someone on Twitter decides to “follow you”, replies to your posts, or reposts something you wrote it’s a completely different kind of thrill. It now isn’t about you and your friends, but about the words you’re saying and whoever else is looking for those words.  It’s a whole new game on Twitter.

I will likely continue some variation of my blog and use Twitter as a way to boost my exposure. Because it is strictly about the words, I’ll probably keep a pen name too. I might not continue to be Audrey Lucille, but I don’t want everything attached to my real name either. Without my real name attached, I can be free to discuss what I want without much repercussion in my academic, professional, or personal life.

ICM 506 Highlights and Suggestions

The greatest accomplishment from this course has been the work. I have the passion, I have experience and knowledge, and I have at least some of the skill to be a writer.  What I got out of this class was a boost in my confidence and direction in technique. As long as I try, and try well, others might appreciate and enjoy my work.

Two highlights in the course were my “Travel and Terrorism” post and gaining the Hanover Inn as a follower on Twitter:

My “Travel and Terrorism” post was simple, personal, and well received. I was proud of the post before it was even posted, but then to gain the positive feedback that I got was icing on the cake. I want the writing I decide to share to always feel like that.

Having the Hanover Inn decide to follow me on Twitter confirmed how effective my words were. Nothing of major significance was posted on Twitter; I simply stuck to the assignments. But the groups of words made me accessible. What I found most exciting was that Joe Shmoe didn’t find me, but an Inn did. This is exactly the niche I was aiming for. My words worked!

I wish there had been an assignment to work with the feedback we received and posted a rewrite. I know this was encouraged and discussed as part of the course, but it was not required and sadly, fell by the wayside for me. If I had been pushed to rewrite some pieces, who knows where it would have taken me. I would have liked that extra pressure in at least one assignment.

Farewell

I’m sad that the course is ending. But I am glad I had the opportunity to take this class. Thanks to my classmates for making this constructive and enjoyable. And I hope to see more of your work beyond this class.