ENGLISH 1A – 7PM

10/6/20

7-7:10pm:  How are you?  What have you been writing?  How are you going to approach the rest of the semester?  And yes, it’s time to start thinking that way, already.

7:10-7:30pm:  Your life as Literature..  Your moments are manuscripts.  What does this mean to you?

7:30-7:50pm:  Do you see your life as Literary?  Why or why not?

7:70-8:10pm:  Ever catch yourself overthinking?  What do you do to change, if anything?

8:10-8:30pm:  How can we use overthinking, rather than fight it?  This is entirely a writing issue…..  And it can go several ways, directions, climbs, and flights.

8:30-8:40pm:  Close…..  What’s on tonight’s page?

ASSIGNMENT:  Continue working on Sedaris essay.  Type a one-page story from your day, and email it to me.  Keep writing in your journal…. Record your observations and react to them!  Buy Samantha Irby’s book, ‘We Are Never Meeting In Real Life’.

185 Comments Add yours

  1. Michael Pearson's avatar Michael Pearson says:

    I like to think that I live my life like a book. In that you need to always turn the page to find out what is next. Good or bad the next page is always there to be written/read.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. beysaira abundiz's avatar beysaira abundiz says:

    Do you see your life as a Literary? Yes, I do because of everything that is going on in my life. I could write it and make a book out of it. Every day is a different day and in one day a lot of things could happen.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. duncankindopp's avatar duncankindopp says:

    I overthink a lot. I always found that a nice car ride to nowhere helped me clear my thoughts. Some Taylor Swift never did any harm either.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. kaylinromo's avatar kaylinromo says:

    I don’t over think the way I used to. My sense of peace, is just too important for me that I try to avoid over-thinking as much as possible. I find over-thinking to make an okay situation, into an awful situation. I can’t control everything that happens, but I can control how I react, and I’d rather take a step back and let everything happen naturally.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Your life IS literary. You can write it, if you want to. And it can be read. It should be read. Everyone can learn from your life. You have not lived this long for nothing.

    Like

  6. garinmccormick's avatar garinmccormick says:

    of course life is literary. Life is the very basis that literature mimics. The only difference between life and literature is on is written down or maybe hasn’t happened yet. Although some parts might be less interesting than others i’d say my life tells a story jsut as any other book. And if really looked into enough I think anyone’s story is worth reading. People are very interesting.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Aside from this, and the time prompts…. what’s on your mind? Everything going on in our world from covid to more fires… what is your mind’s manuscript?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. beysaira abundiz's avatar beysaira abundiz says:

      Just do what’s in my mind at that moment!

      Liked by 2 people

  8. ethonn's avatar ethonn says:

    I guess I could say I see my life as literary, or like a book like said before. There’s different moments or chapters, but it’s still being written.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Where we are, is literary. You, are a story. Be more a reader of YOU.

    Like

  10. duncankindopp's avatar duncankindopp says:

    I have been feeling lately that there is never enough time to do most of the things I want to do. Have had to make tough decisions lately but at the end of the day I have been pretty satisfied with most of them.

    Liked by 3 people

  11. beysaira abundiz's avatar beysaira abundiz says:

    Yes, I am always overthinking everything. I feel like that’s is my biggest problem. I am always overthinking before writing or before doing something…

    Liked by 3 people

  12. Michael Pearson's avatar Michael Pearson says:

    My mind is scattered and I find it hard to focus. Between the fires, covid and schools shutting down I have spent a lot of time just wanting to do nothing and yet not being able to. The one thing I believe I can say for sure is that 2021 will be better.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      And if it’s not, you use its body to further your presence… Just an idea..

      Liked by 1 person

  13. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Like I said in the last class… I’m over this overthinking address…. what else is on your mind. From the Sedaris essay, to the next book, your journal, your life, right now, ANYTHING.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Quince Wu's avatar Quince Wu says:

    I overthink all the time! I am a person with a very active brain, sometimes before one of my thought was completed new thoughts comes out. That really makes me hard to focus on one thing.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. In my mind, there are thoughts of when. will all this end, covid and fires, I need a timeline, but life doesnt work that way.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      You make your own “timeline”… You’re the author of your story.

      Liked by 2 people

  16. garinmccormick's avatar garinmccormick says:

    I think personally with the fires and covid and some other stressful things going on in my life i’m starting to get down. Just feel tired of it all you know? But i know this will b eover in time. Just trying to make the best opportunities for happiness i can.

    Liked by 4 people

  17. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    A thought for your page tonight…. Writing better is not the objective. Writing STRONGER is. Schools teach you to overthink writing and reading….. trust self, support all your ideas. Never forget your voice. Sedaris taught you that over and over in his book, and Irby will as well. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  18. olazoa28's avatar Anahiolazo says:

    I’ve been told I worry too much. I overthink everything! It’s an area of my life in which I feel the need of improvement because half of the time it’s not worth it.

    Liked by 3 people

  19. We can use over thinking as a guide, we can let it guide us to take another route when we find ourselves having those thoughts and instead of feeding into it we feed into our new route. Leading us to a much less stressful situation.

    Liked by 4 people

  20. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Anyone notice I have “7:70” on the timeline? Wow, I’m an idiot…

    Liked by 3 people

  21. We can use overthinking but analyzing, breaking down and respond accordingly to whatever we are overthinking about.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. kaylinromo's avatar kaylinromo says:

      I agree! Definitely find over thinking to be the reason we break things down, and analyze what is going. Similar to what one does while writing!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    This is a Composition class, and we have to keep ourselves composed enough to compose essays, entries, short reactions, poems, anything…. Keep the pen moving and have your perspective molded… We’re not just “in control” we’re already free, especially when we expect our own self-educating consistencies.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. kaylinromo's avatar kaylinromo says:

      How do we keep ourselves composed? Especially while over-thinking is taking place?

      Liked by 3 people

      1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

        You stop thinking… there’s a lovely composition to lawlessness and freedom. To MADNESS……

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Quince Wu's avatar Quince Wu says:

        Problem is that it is so hard to stop thinking!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

        Who says you “have to”… it’s just an idea. You’re the driver. Everything is a result of the way you turn.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. kaylinromo's avatar kaylinromo says:

        I really like this idea! Going to be more welcoming towards the madness.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

        The only people for me are the mad ones. -Jack Kerouac

        Like

    2. And this is why I love this class! You as a professor let us be free with still being able to put structure in our writing! I just keep on learning!Thanks!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

        You give me too much credit. I just offer ideas….

        Liked by 1 person

  23. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    One of my resolutions for combatting overthinking is to not think. At all.

    Liked by 4 people

  24. Michael Pearson's avatar Michael Pearson says:

    I do not tend to over Think, when I get over stimulated and overwhelmed I tend to shut down and do nothing. I often times have to force why way through that barrier. Normally in the past I would use friends or colleagues but that is hard to do right now.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      Yeah… you do what you can do.

      Like

  25. I do tend to overthink, majority of the time I do I feel like i’m sabotaging myself.

    Liked by 4 people

  26. aalexvillanueva94's avatar aalexvillanueva94 says:

    I have many things on my mind but I think the most important one for me at the moment is just trying to find balance in my life. I have been struggling to do this for a while now and I think that’s why I’ve been lacking sleep because I do tend to overthink even though I do try to keep my mind clear but it doesn’t always work out that way.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Right now, the madness of my two older kids teaches me…. Stop thinking so much. Why do so. Be free, creatively a sped spree..

    Liked by 2 people

  28. ethonn's avatar ethonn says:

    I do overthink about things quite a lot, but I kind of just tell myself that I am and it kind of helps.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      Whatever helps!

      Like

  29. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Our next author will show you, even more than Sedaris in my opinion, that every moment can be written. Can be a f/cking book.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. kaylinromo's avatar kaylinromo says:

      That’s exciting!

      Liked by 3 people

    2. garinmccormick's avatar garinmccormick says:

      im interested

      Liked by 1 person

  30. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Write something about where you are right now… not so much what you’re doing, but where you are.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. claudia alvarez's avatar claudia alvarez says:

    As much as I try to not overthink a lot, overthinking does play a huge part in some decisions I’ve made. It does get the best of me at times because instead of thinking positively, I think negative and always ask myself “what if.”

    Liked by 2 people

  32. For tonights page writing stronger is the objective.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I have written very little during the sudden week long break but how I would explain my moments as my manuscripts is how my habits that I indulge in make up my days from drinking a bottle of water as I wake up, making my coffee after brushing my teeth to finally sleeping at 3 or 4 am after I’m done with my priorities. I wouldn’t consider my life as literary because I don’t like to add or fake emotion which literary needs. I always do overthink every decision I make but showing it doesn’t help and if I can’t overthink myself to the answer then I just ignore it and do what I think on instinct.

      Like

  33. claudia alvarez's avatar claudia alvarez says:

    We can use overthinking to create new ideas, usually when I overthink new ideas or opinions come to mind.

    Liked by 3 people

  34. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    For the rest of the semester… try not to just find happiness and comedy, but FREEDOM in what you read, write….

    Liked by 4 people

  35. aalexvillanueva94's avatar aalexvillanueva94 says:

    personally i have found that overthinking is an indication that maybe its time for change or time for you to take control of your story. We always have the power to change our stories but i think sometimes we forget that, and sometimes we just need that little push. and as i said overthinking can be that thing that gives you that push.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      So true. Sedaris taught us that, I found. And Irby just has a free decree about everything she does and writes..

      Liked by 2 people

  36. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Did Sedaris teach you anything about overthinking? Happiness? Or humor?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, he made it ok to do but also made it a point to move on and live, to be happy no matter what and to laugh at those moments that weren’t so great.

      Liked by 2 people

  37. Physically i am in my room, finally after a week, mentally i’m in believe it or not Christmas mood!

    Liked by 2 people

  38. olazoa28's avatar Anahiolazo says:

    8:10-8:30pm: you can uses it to your advantage because if you overthink a situation, you prepare yourself for the worst, therefore the worst will never happen.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      I like that, so much. Cheers.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Sedaris taught me that its ok to have a dark sense of humor, even though most people wont get it

    Liked by 2 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      Example? Something you used in your essay?

      Like

      1. It was. in the last essay, where he got his colonoscopy and his father called to ask how it went and he told him he had cancer, doing this can go either way, some people might get offended since its kinda taboo to poke fun of that

        Liked by 1 person

  40. beysaira abundiz's avatar beysaira abundiz says:

    I am in my kitchen after a week of not being at my house!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

      Expand! More details. Characters. Voices. Objects.. sounds…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. beysaira abundiz's avatar beysaira abundiz says:

        Sit down at my table on my computer read everyone’s comments and its very quiet because the baby is sleeping!

        Liked by 1 person

  41. kaylinromo's avatar kaylinromo says:

    I’d definitely say Sedaris taught me not to overthink. I feel like based on his stories, it’s more about being observant and curious. Some things really are just funny. And sure, some times things suck and go out of plan, but why overthink it when you can just laugh, write about it, and maybe even make someone else laugh about it too!

    Liked by 2 people

  42. ethonn's avatar ethonn says:

    I think we can use overthinking as a way to think of different outcomes and try a whole bunch of different things and just see how they go. When I overthink it’s usually just wondering if something’s going to go one way or the other.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Quince Wu's avatar Quince Wu says:

    I think we just have to be very quick and efficient at gathering our thoughts ignorer to use our overthinking for something positive!

    Liked by 2 people

  44. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Be interested in your topic… that’s the best weapon against overthought.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. kaylinromo's avatar kaylinromo says:

      I really like this. I feel like I focus too much on everyone else being interesting in my topic that I forget about being interested in it myself!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. This!!! On my page tonight for sure!!

      Liked by 1 person

  45. beysaira abundiz's avatar beysaira abundiz says:

    I think we can use overthinking as an example to do what we things is right!

    Liked by 1 person

  46. Michael Pearson's avatar Michael Pearson says:

    I am in my bedroom. Hot peach tea by my side, the sound of clomping kids feet running around, with just the feint hint of the tv being on.

    Liked by 2 people

  47. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Was pulled away by the newborn… sorry. He’s so cute…

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Newborn stage is amazing!

      Liked by 2 people

  48. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    For tonight’s page… intensify, amplify, and diversify your efforts. In everything. Not just for this class.

    Liked by 2 people

  49. mikemadigan's avatar mikemadigan says:

    Excuses are great. As excuses. They contribute NOTHING to credibility nor composition. Just produce and write, and do so MADLY. And lovingly.

    Liked by 2 people

  50. beysaira abundiz's avatar beysaira abundiz says:

    What’s on tonight’s page? No matter what you write if it’s short or long!

    Liked by 2 people

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