Teaching – Author | Laura Valeri

Why Would You Even Want to Be a Writer?

When I first started teaching creative writing, most of my students had the impression that publishing a novel would immediately lead to instant fame and money, and that it would be easy to become a world-famous novelist. The toughest part about teaching back then was to lower their expectations and to balance the bummer pecuniaryContinue reading “Why Would You Even Want to Be a Writer?”

Agent Search 2.0: Getting Your Agent/Editor Through Pitch Parties

Selling your manuscript in the age of Social Media isn’t done the same way it used to be in my days…I can’t believe I’m actually old enough to say, “In my days…” In my days, searching for an agent was a pretty straightforward deal. Author looked up potential agent in Big Agent Book (writer’s market orContinue reading “Agent Search 2.0: Getting Your Agent/Editor Through Pitch Parties”

Those Who Teach, Can – A Formal Reply to Ryan Boudinot’s Post on Teaching

Earlier today, my FB friends, most of them writers and teachers, had a lively debate over Ryan Boudinot’s post in the Stranger.com: Things I Can Say About MFA Writing Programs Now That I No Longer Teach in One Since I had the privilege of completing two MFA programs, and also teaching creative writing at theContinue reading “Those Who Teach, Can – A Formal Reply to Ryan Boudinot’s Post on Teaching”

Those Who Teach, Can – A Formal Reply to Ryan Boudinot’s Post on Teaching

Washington Post Acknowledges Value of Writing and Liberal Arts Education

I came across this excellent article on The Washington Post regarding the value of liberal arts education in a STEM-obsessed educational environment: Here are some highlights: Our culture has drawn an artificial line between art and science, one that did not exist for innovators like Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs. Leonardo’s curiosity and passionContinue reading “Washington Post Acknowledges Value of Writing and Liberal Arts Education”

An Alternative To Shitty First Drafts?

To be straight: I revise. I revise and revise and revise and revise and revise and revise… You get the drift. And if you’re mathematically inclined, just add an exponent and use the alef. When do I stop revising? When I look at the thing and feel like vomiting. Seriously. But I have had theContinue reading “An Alternative To Shitty First Drafts?”

Creativity, Education, and the Economy

I’ve been an educator for almost fifteen years. When I was a student, school teachers and professional administrators emphasized that my college education was meant to expand my mind, make me a global citizen, and teach me nothing if just the ability to teach myself. However more and more, as an educator, I see bothContinue reading “Creativity, Education, and the Economy”

And Art Will Deliver Us

There are some people who, when the world gets tough, put their faith in God. Me, I put my faith in my students. Now, if you don’t know me and you’re reading this, you may think, what? She’s a creative writer. What exactly does she think she’s got to offer the future generation? And myContinue reading “And Art Will Deliver Us”