A Learning Continuum
Written By Asia Howe
“Responsibility for learning belongs to the student regardless of age.” — Robert Martin
Seated in a rolling chair, his arms planted on the armrests, Dr. Mark Panek, professor of English and author, discusses his English 431 fiction writing class. “Along with everything that has to do with instruction on how to write a compelling and interesting story,” he asserts serenely, “people are prepared for the type of feedback environment they’ll encounter both in graduate creative writing programs and other professional writing circles. They’re constantly enacting the type of behaviors that professional writers do, from going through the types of interactions writers [have] with one another and so forth, to formal submissions [and] publications.”
Dr. Panek’s discussion was incited by an inquiry about former English 431 student, University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) alumni, and rising author Daniel Paul. The fall 2014 graduate and English major’s repertoire of creative writing classes includes nine credits of fiction writing in addition to a three credit novel writing directed study supervised by Dr. Panek. At the moment, Paul has had two fiction stories, “Playing with Stuffed Animals” and “Amy’s Panther,” published in the UHH art and literary magazine, Kanilehua. A third, “Side B,” is set to be published in the forthcoming Charon Coin Press horror anthology, Paying the Ferryman.
UHH alumni, English major, and author, Daniel Paul. Photo courtesy of Daniel Paul.
“The class’s [English 431’s] lessons,” the alumni writes, “on getting inside your character’s head and workshopping your stories with a writing group have been invaluable. More than anything, it made me realize how important it is to have a group of writing/editing friends you can share a work in progress, pick it apart, and put it back better than before [with]. In addition to the lessons, and the fact that you produce three stories in the class, that’s where I found my writing group.”
Although Paul admits he found the news of his approaching publication to be “anti-climatic,” the English major emits a quiet happiness. “I shared the news with my writing group over Facebook, and that was it. But I felt happier about it later. And when the anthology with my horror story … hits the shelves, I’m going to tell all my family and friends that they have to buy a copy… if they
really love me, that is.” Paul will be paid for “Side B” once Paying the Ferryman debuts.
The cover of the upcoming Charon Coin Press horror anthology, Paying the Ferryman. Photo courtesy of ericwrites.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/The-Boatman.jpg
“Daniel was a true professional,” Dr. Panek goes on after poking fun at Paul’s behavior, “a good classroom participant. Any writing project involves being willing to make mistakes and then making revisions. He was always willing to do that. His feedback on other students’ work— which is one of the biggest components of what folks are expected to learn in a class like this—it was really good when he began, which suggested that he had been preparing himself for a career in writing long before he got into my class.” His face solemn, the professor finishes thoughtfully, “He’s a phenomenal writer because of his attention to the [fiction writing] process.”
“Don’t get discouraged,” Paul responds when asked if he has any advice for students who have yet to see the connection between their major and the real world. “The problem with lightning-in -a-bottle success stories is that they make such good stories. We love retelling them again and again until they somehow become the standard for our dreams, when ordinary success looks a little less like a heroic drama and more like thousands and thousands of hours spent working hard at getting good at something. But don’t worry, those hours can be an adventure too, so find
a few good companions and keep at it.”
The alumni hopes to go to graduate school and become a teacher. He plans to write fiction as he accomplishes these goals. Students interested in English 431 can find the class description here.
