This is one of those posts and today was one of those studios where you can’t write it down to explain what we did or happened. That misses what we did, but also confuses the teaching and learning with a lump of content that can be described and digested. So treat the dot points as reminders.

Writing and making is a craft practice. There are ways to do things but in all craft there is this deep implicit knowledge (way of doing) that is integral. It is known in the body and in the doing, not outside. You can only learn it by doing it, and what counts as good is not really up to a literal list of right and wrong but more an attitude. A simple rule like “don’t use alliteration” is seductively silly since it often has its place. For example. Context, intention, use, each of these is local, individual and different (if nothing else the point of some of the theoretical work this semester is to realise that generalisations do not apply to the particular – which we sort of know – AND THAT EVERYTHING IS ALWAYS PARTICULAR).

To wit:

• The script is for listening to, not reading, so the writing should be orientated to the ear, not the page.
• Less explanation, more slow description.
• Stop feigning certainty in your choice of words and phrases.
• Don’t pretend it is something that it isn’t. If it is boring, it is boring. Say so.
• there is no need to make generalisations, be specific, particular and individual