ISSUE 61 WEEKLY THE CEU
Creativing Writing ‘17
DO NOT TELL! SHOW IT! CREATIVE WRITING AT CEU
By Natalia Nyikes; Hungary; Instructor
The introductory course on the techniques and strategies of Creative Writing during the Winter Term focused on two genres, mainly on fiction and poetry. The aim of the course was two-fold: on the one hand, to familiarize students with creative writing techniques and strategies; on the other hand, to further enhance students` critical thinking. Understanding Poetry and Fiction is one thing, but writing is a different adventure. Creating vivid images of scenes by specific, concrete vocabulary and active verbs help the writer to show rather than describe. Students were constantly
challenged to play, experiment, and present their ideas with imagery evoking the five senses, so that they would be able to show their story. Students workshopped together, regardless whether they were inexperienced or expert writers; they learned from each other. My job was to create an environment in which the members of the group could write about topics that were of major interest to them. Our group of 14 have managed to create several masterpieces, which contribute to the diversity of expression in the CEU community. As voted by the participants of the course, the two best pieces are published here.
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER (A.K.A. CLOVIS COTTA GOES ROGUE) By Viktoriia Krivoshchekova; Russia; Medieval Studies Those who met Clovis Cotta for the first time thought he was a space pirate. But mainly because of the sinister eyepatch that he wore where you would normally expect to see a person’s left eye. Despite this threatening detail of his wardrobe, Clovis could not have been a more non-threatening man—he was a humble priest of the intergalactic cult of Meordeh the Prophet. Or maybe he was a bit of a rebel and an outlaw—somewhere so deep inside that no one could spot it. Did he not, after all, throw a timidly vexed “sod off!” in the faces of the entire Xoran branch of the Galactic Authority for Wholesome Devotion, when he was demanded to remove his ungodly headgear. After that Clovis’ relationship with the GAWD deteriorated quickly – over the course of that same day. But at least the eyepatch stayed where it was, covering what soon no cover would conceal. For in Clovis’ left eye a living and breathing galaxy was approaching a certain doom. “I’m telling you, it’s collapsing!” – Clovis’ right eye fixed desperately on Dr. Mierath’s thin disproportioned face. “With due respect, master Cotta, you do understand the seriousness of your statement, do you? A dying galaxy inside your eye is bad enough, but it’s our own galaxy that you are talking about. Are you absolutely certain that it is our Emeriss?” “It’s been there since as long as I can remember, so I had plenty of time to make sure of that! Look, you have to do something about it... I’ve been told that you’re the best in the field of transmaterial duality projection. You’ve got to help me—and everyone in this galaxy, for that matter.” “Right, let’s suppose you are not pulling the most insane joke on me—you are a priest after all—why didn’t you seek help before? Or have you been relying on your petty deity to deliver you from your... khm... condition? Didn’t the Great Prophet help you? “He didn’t even see it...” – was Clovis’ bewildered response. “Seems like the old All-Seer is getting short-sighted.” – The doctor sneered discreetly. – “Now, let’s take a look at that marvellous eye of yours, shall we?” Clovis removed his eyepatch. Dr. Mierath was manifestly fascinated by the sight. It was unbelievable yet clear as day. It was no larger than a normal-sized human eye yet it was as immense as a galaxy. Every single star and star system was on display, and Dr. Mierath could easily locate the Star Sprawl, a bright system conglomeration conveniently positioned at some distance from the galaxy’s core. At its very heart lay a familiar supermassive black hole – but now it looked very different from all depictions on the maps and models and from the neat little bluish accretion disk usually visible in the night Xoran sky. In Clovis’ left eye’s Emeriss, the once peaceful black hole turned into a burning red quasar expanding at a frightening velocity and devouring every star in its way like they were mere candle lights. It was only a matter of time until this brooding bubble of destructive energy got to the Star Sprawl. “This is quite remarkable what you have here” – the words Dr. Mierath finally uttered did not match his startled look. He took trouble to stick his head out of the window to make sure that the sky above the city of Suffarc looked as calm as ever. “A classic case of dual transmatter projection. The forward temporal deviation from the prototype isn’t out of ordinary, but I’ve never seen anything larger than a barrel of condensed milk projected in this way. And the consequences will be disastrous—just wait for reality to catch up with the projection, and we’ll bear witness of the world’s end, this time outside of your eye.” ...
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