Literary journal: Week 9

This week we researched literary journals both online and print. We chose one that we liked and prepared a 2-3 minute presentation for the class. We discussed themes and trends in the literary journals by comparing 5 poems from IR and writing an essay on the similarities and differences they each contained. In class we did a workshop & feedback exercise as a class where we read two poems and gave constructive criticism to the author.

I enjoyed the homework this week. Reading the poems in IR and comparing them for similarities and differences was a good way to make my brain start thinking about the asthetics of a literary journal. It had not yet occured to me that there was any specific system or design to a literary journal. I'd just assumed that if the editors liked it and it was well written it was printed. While searching through the online literary journals I looked for one with writing that appealed to me. I chose Two Hawks Literary Journal which is produced by Antioch University and edited by writers who are enrolled in the BA in Liberal Studies creative writing concentration. I read through the entire journal and truely enjoyed all of the work. I plan to continue reading the journal for pleasure and creative writing clues.

While viewing my selection of literary journal for my presentation I began thinking about different forms of media and how they can work in combination with creative writing. For instance Two Hawks Quarterly accepts experimental video or mixed media submissions. These videos use written media as a jumping off point from which they combine some form of visual imagry to produce a stronger or more forceful message. It seems to be the basis of commercials and infomercials on television. Combining a well written message and visual cues provide the brain with a more lasting image.