I Took Margaret Atwood’s Creative Writing Masterclass

I took Margaret Atwood's Masterclass on creative writing and here is my review! And I vlogged the process, my favorite parts, and my thoughts!
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#Masterclass #MargaretAtwood #CreativeWriting

[@infocan-immsolutions4753]

Each night before falling asleep, I start a chapter in one of the intentional books I would write sometime in the future...I am going to be 69 in a few months and don't have a whole lot of time on my hands....I have soooo many great stories, some of mine, but mostly of people I have come across as an immigration consultant, interpreter, translator etc. I need Margaret! have read ALL her books, not once, not twice, but several times over and over. From "Surfacing" to "Old Babes in the Wood".

[@teacupthestoryteller]

I love the part about how important it is to be in love with process, because you can never really controll the outcome... ❤ I was considering taking the class myself, so it was very helpful. Thanks! 😊

[@SaraLubratt]

Thank you! I love the part about the process not the outcome. I hope you enjoy the class if you choose to take it, I know I did!

[@kimberleylowrie7151]

Reading everything out loud when you are proof reading is important. I find when I read silently it uses the same parts of my brain or processes (hard to explain) that I used to write it but when I read it out loud it truly feels like the part of me that wrote it takes the back seat and I can review it with a "fresh set of eyes" so to speak.

[@SaraLubratt]

Absolutely!

[@bhsprinkle]

Most of my writing learning is by writing more often, stuff from my previous English classes, KZbin videos, and sometimes Pintrest tips. Also from other writers and some authors. I can't afford courses so it's not possible. I definitely appreciate seeing others take the classes and share the information.

[@SaraLubratt]

Writing, reading, Pinterest, and youtube videos are great ways to access all of the information you'll ever need to write! Classes like this are superfluous. If you want a free creative writing masterclass, Brandon Sanderson's lecture series here on KZbin is really good!

[@bhsprinkle]

@@SaraLubratt I actually just subscribed to his channel a few weeks ago. I haven't had much time to watch it but listening while I preform tasks might be helpful. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@erencanaslan7989]

I honestly don't know where my writing knowledge comes from. I learned English like this as well, lol. Now I'm afraid to start learning German because I don't know how to learn a new language :D

[@bhsprinkle]

@@erencanaslan7989 well we'll both struggle. If been wanting to learn more than a few words and phrases of Spanish. And to learn German also.

[@hermesnoelthefourthway]

"Unless it shoots out of you like a rocket, from your soul, don't do it, unless you're prepared to starve for it, don't do it" Bukowski, so you want to be a writer. If you haven't heard that poem I can't recommend it strongly enough. Genuine Literature is not a commercial endeavour, it is an artistic one

[@SaraLubratt]

I 100% agree. I'll have to check out the poem!

[@hermesnoelthefourthway]

@@SaraLubratt oh, my goodness, you're in for such a treat. There are filmed version on you tube of "so you want to be a writer" by Bukowski which are excellent. Please do keep in touch. I love literary people. Noel

[@RPWinters_Author]

We love a crash course in creative writing and I'm such a stickler for trying to be perfect first time! I've really got to learn twinkle twinkle little star...

[@SaraLubratt]

😂

[@sixofbooks3909]

Margaret Atwood is such an inspiration, love all her advice! "it was invented for you by God" LOL

[@SaraLubratt]

Lol right? This was such a fun class to take!

[@thewriterwithinme38]

That is so me 1:54 I have ADHD and I get distracted very easily, and it makes it super hard to write. I feel you 100%. I love that comment by Margaret Atwood, it's so true. If I could afford it, I would love to take her class, but NYC and cost of living makes that impossible. Maybe one day. Love your videos.

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

Same

[@ronyboylive6934]

Thank you so for much for doing this! I loved the snippets u shared! So helpful! Gonna start by buying a writing workbook and write all my raw ideas online! U r awesome! All the best for ur big project! ❤

[@mickeymiles9394]

Great video!! Love these reviews of the masterclasses

[@SaraLubratt]

Thank you!!

[@MediaAttorney]

Wow! She had really good bits of advice. I'm gonna check out that Masterclass. I'm glad you posted this.

[@SaraLubratt]

I thought it was great! Hope you enjoy it!

[@sarahelisetemple8581]

Haha the ad before this video was a masterclass ad. Thank you for making this video I always wondered about that masterclass.

[@SaraLubratt]

Hahaha love that!! Thanks for watching!

[@johnhalbig-author7012]

I'm always impressed with the quality of these videos given how much else you have on your plate with writing, a job, and how often you post. Definite props! Atwood has some really great advice in here. The vocation bit is something that I full-heartedly agree with. I first looked up the term as well from hearing my favorite author use it (David Mitchell). I think a vocation is more living a life and trade that is true to yourself, whereas a career could be that, but it could also just be something you pick that never quite fits. I wish more people followed their calling in life :)

[@SaraLubratt]

Thank you! And I agree, a lot of people settle with where they are and never try to find or chase their calling or what they are passionate about

[@Yak1312]

That’s some really solid advice. I like these videos your doing, we get to see some insight on some of these masters classes. I’ve only ever watched Sanderson lectures-some of them.

[@SaraLubratt]

Glad you like them! More on the way :)

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Margaret Atwood makes some important points, including about seeing writing as a vocation and reading aloud. I have a text-to-speech program installed on my computer, and use this as part of my editing process. Great video, Sara!

[@SaraLubratt]

Nice! Thanks D!

[@silverowlthrifter]

Thank you! Excellent information!

[@SaraLubratt]

Thanks for watching!

[@BrookWrites]

First 😂😂😂💖 Also can we talk about how beautiful your kitchen is?!?! I can't wait to take this class. I love her so much. I'm inspired already.

[@SaraLubratt]

Lmao of course you're first! At this point I would be concerned if you weren't 😂. I love my kitchen! I think it's so cute! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the class!

[@nonolala9750]

If you feel like making more exercises in style, I'm all up for it ! I absolutely loooved those videos, and I felt like it was nothing I've seen before on authortube before (from creators I watch at least) 😍

[@SaraLubratt]

Well thank you! I really loved them and hadn't seen anything like it either but they really didn't do well compared to my other videos... maybe I'll try to see if I can title them differently or something so they perform better and I can go back to making them

[@BreeBuonomo]

Lol I died when your brain went, “ghosts” 😂😂 Atwood sounds like she has a lot of great advice, I want to try Masterclass one day so I’ll add hers to my list lol

[@SaraLubratt]

I highly recommend it!

[@beatrizayendemillet3363]

Love your videos. I'm old enough to be your Mom and I want to write a Novel. I think you are awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@SaraLubratt]

Writing is one of the amazing (and few) fields where age doesn’t matter!! I’m so excited for you to write a book. Good luck and happy writing!

[@TheLadyAli]

Thank you for sharing this, I was thinking of going through this class and now think I will. I'm going through Neil Gaiman's and loving it so far.

[@SaraLubratt]

It was a great class!

[@LilyGazou]

This is the first I’ve seen of your channel- I searched “creative writing” for something to listen to on my way home from work. KZbin must approve of you to be on the first page. Thanks for the honest review of the class. I’ve read two of her novels and discussed them with friends. But the mark of my regard for a book is whether I keep my copy- and I give hers away. I never had the urge to reread and savor them as I did for novels like, for example, Precious Bane or Housekeeping.

[@LilyGazou]

Just wanted to add a suggestion- you can remove it, I won’t be offended. If you listen to your video, notice the tendency to “uptalk”. It makes you sound uncertain of your statements when you turn them into questions at the end. I’m sure my videos are not to a high standard, I made them on a phone to keep me from losing my mind this year and to share a little of what I’ve learned. Best of luck with your channel and career. Maybe one day you will be doing a workshop at my mountain sanctuary.

[@SaraLubratt]

That's awesome! I think I have some good SEO and favor with the KZbin algorithm gods right now :) And that's a great way to decide how much you like a book, if you keep it or not

[@SaraLubratt]

I do uptalk occasionally, it is something I've been unlearning for a while. It was definitely worse in this video than it has been in other recent videos.

[@everythingexploration707]

Yip! Yip! HAPPY CAMP NANOWRIMO!😄😄😄

[@SaraLubratt]

Yay!! Happy Camp!!

[@JulieJordanScott]

I loved enjoying Margaret Atwood with you! Now I want to watch it, too! I can see how speeding it up would help. She is such a blessing to the world! I’ve been using the read aloud method for years. I don’t know how I first heard that, but I also suggest it for my writing students. I would like the PDF for the quotes… and it is disappointing there weren’t exercises or additional helps. Ohhhh! I do like the “assignment” (I might have called it ‘field work). I appreciate your insights. Oh, one other thing, I started writing before I was literate. I would dictate to my mom and copy it in those wide crayons. Once I move to NJ in September, I’ll have more time to take master classes! This may be my first choice - I’ve wondered which were most applicable to be so I appreciate the shortcut!

[@SaraLubratt]

Oh I like "field work"!! I used to dictate to my mom as well! Oh that's so exciting, good luck on the move!

[@JulieJordanScott]

@@SaraLubratt I'm so excited to find someone else who dictated to her Mom!

[@SaraLubratt]

@@JulieJordanScott Yes!! My mom would type it for me and attach picture book pictures and print it out and I would color in the pictures 😂

[@groovi35]

Loved this, hate how this is underrated though. U deserve more subs

[@SaraLubratt]

That's sweet, thank you!

[@Ayyavazi13]

Thanks for making this. I tried this course a year ago and couldn't get into it. I didn't know 1.5x speed was an option either, so I might try it again.

[@SaraLubratt]

Speeding it up definitely helps!!

[@zaideys.8342]

As someone who is terrified to make the leap, what was it like to major in creative writing, was it expensive, and do you think it was worth it/it has helped you a lot? I want to go back to school and keep improving my writing but I am also dead poor and I don't know if there are cheaper alternative especially if I can't guarantee success lol (':

[@samkathryn4825]

I really need to get a masterclass subscription.

[@SaraLubratt]

The classes are pretty cool!

[@itstheremix1606]

love this :)

[@SaraLubratt]

Thank you!

[@jimmccleery5305]

It was dark inside the wolf!!!!

[@SaraLubratt]

Yes!!

[@jackjax7921]

Have you notice Margaret's wholesome laugh? 😂😂😂

[@SaraLubratt]

Yes! So sweet

[@I-am-a-unicornnn]

I took her class too. I loved everything about it. When I was a lifetime member, I took every class, including what you said of speed 1.5, I can't watch something unless it's sped up; sadly I did that with your video too :P Anyway, I didn't like she was so general and basic in her advice, but there were some tips I took away. That's it :)

[@SaraLubratt]

I agree that it was much more of a beginner class

[@ananyadutta1154]

Taking from your mention of your Bachelor's in Creative Writing, I will love to know what the road had led you to. I am perusing my graduation in the same filed, and will appreciate more guidance.

[@SaraLubratt]

I graduated with the English/creative writing degree, got a job in marketing, got a job working for an airline, freelancing and content creation took off for me so I quit that job a year and a half ago to write, create content (insta and KZbin), and freelance. I think it's all about what you want to do and whether you want to incorporate creative writing into your job or if you want to write on the side and have your job not influence or effect your creativity. I did make a video about jobs for people who don't want to be creative at their jobs lol: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZKymYqDeL6LeZo

[@andreamassone5478]

Very interesting video! 🥰 I was wondreing, do they give you a certificate for attending classes? Thank you!

[@SaraLubratt]

Nope, no certificate unfortunately

[@vanessaprestoncreative]

I've been wanting to sign up to Masterclass for so long ... this might just be the tipping point! Do you have an affiliate link you'd like people to use? Also, I'm super curious which assignment appealed to you. When I do the class I'll be trying to guess.

[@SaraLubratt]

I think it was either on page 32 or 42 :). Unfortunately Masterclass does not offer affiliate links but that's really nice you asked! I hope you enjoy the class!

[@Neil-writer-author]

I've also been writing since I was six.

[@SaraLubratt]

That's awesome!

[@castle_novelist]

Ha. No more floor vlogging. Must have felt good to vlog with your furniture now. Already took that class two years ago. Try Neil Gaiman next month.

[@SaraLubratt]

No more floor clogging! Or at least now it will be by choice :). I tried to take the Neil Gaiman class a few years ago and couldn't get into it but I should try it again now.

[@DreamDetective]

I liked the Neil Gaiman class.

[@SaraLubratt]

@@DreamDetective Good to know!

[@AdamFishkin]

A few years ago a colleague of mine emailed me the Aaron Sorkin class, but because work is always on my plate and my attention span has a tendency to spread very thin, giving the ... hold that thought, there's a very loud bird outside my window ... giving the class a necessary amount of focus never happened. The same can be said of anything similar. I struggled in school, especially from grade 7 onward. I've done better to pick up lessons in scattered bits and pieces and absorb them into the work process. Theatre is of course a different medium from literature, but writing plays has steered my approach to storytelling and craftsmanship in ways that are making novels easier than they otherwise would be.

[@SaraLubratt]

Oh wow! Well I'm glad writing plays has been so wonderful!

[@books_and_nerds235]

The part where you are surrounded by other people and get disconnected happens a lot. I thought it was just me being affected. I feel like I am in my zone, like in another world and then out of where somewhere is making a comment or asking a question, bringing me back out to present, I just feel so frustrated then.

[@SaraLubratt]

Unfortunately that is a thing for many of us but I hope that you can take it in stride and/or figure out how to make it work the best for you!

[@hermesnoelthefourthway]

Sara, you should try a bit of acting. You'd be very good at that. An actor/writer. I do it. Great combo. One art form inspires the other one. By the way this is an excellent video. At first I thought you were interviewing her. Seriously. She reminds me of Iris Murdoch. Noel

[@SaraLubratt]

I used to try and act but I really don't think it was in my wheel house at that point. Who knows now though!

[@hermesnoelthefourthway]

@@SaraLubratt perhaps it's your "wheelhouse, now?! That's a new one for a seasoned playwright and actor, like me.." my wheelhouse". Never heard that one before. Thank you. Noel

[@SaraLubratt]

@@hermesnoelthefourthway Seriously? Wow, it's pretty common in the midwest!

[@hermesnoelthefourthway]

@@SaraLubratt I once wrote a riotous comic/tragic play entitled.... Windy in a wigwam on the slopes of North dakota... I believe that's in the mid-West. The state not the play. I read it to a few friends. They said it was great. I then just put it into a drawer and forgot all about it. Although I did once send it to a theatre company here in London. They said it was too ambitious and would cost too much to produce. Then it went to sleep in the drawer. Then wrote another one, set in a remote farmhouse in the English lake district, entitled.. Grasmere cross.. It's somewhat of a masterpiece. A romantic tragi- comedy about frustrated hopes and failed relationships. That then went into a drawer along with the other one. I hope they're happy together. I may even perform them on my channel one day. Although that would be a big ask. As I'd have to play all the characters, and each play runs for about four hours. Although I do perform my poetry on my channel, well some of it. Noel

[@SaraLubratt]

@@hermesnoelthefourthway North Dakota is in the midwest so I guess it would fit right in!

[@hermesnoelthefourthway]

Never took a creative writing course in my life, and I write very successful stage plays and verse. I believe Shakespeare never even went to school. Individuality and originality are the ultimate. Innate or learned? Seems to be "innate" all the time. As Goethe famously said, talent is hitting a target no one else can hit, genius is hitting a target no one else can see. How do you teach that?! Thank you for your film. Best wishes, Noel

[@SaraLubratt]

Hi Noel! That's a great quote. I understand that genius can be hard to come across but it's still important to work that genius and practice!

[@miaschu8175]

Of course Shakespeare went to school. It was a local school, so he wouldn't have been educated to the highest standard, but he was educated.

[@antoniamcgregor3285]

I'm thinking of getting her masterclass I love her so much I write ideas down all the time but my struggle constantly is " is this interesting, is it eye catching etc " I've thought of both ideas which are romance and dystopian. Dystopian I feel is too relevant now and it's also very popular particularly now in the times we are living in but I've got an idea that I think would be really interesting - what if religion and spirituality was officially legally banned That's my idea but I don't know how to make it a believable world

[@SaraLubratt]

Oh that sounds interesting!! I'd love to read it some day!

[@LilyGazou]

I think you have a good idea there. Spirituality may be already under attack- some say fluoride and other chemicals affect our pineal gland, our connection to spirit. As for religion, dozens of churches have been burned just in Canada. You might think- other people are already doing dystopian- but you can push it much farther and see what you can create. Who knows- maybe the angels will return like they did in WW 1 at Mons. Reportedly😉.

[@antoniamcgregor3285]

@@LilyGazou I had no idea about that I'll have to look that up wow interesting I actually wrote a premise of the plot a couple of months back and it's set in Manchester UK and this new regime took over the government they are the ones who banned spirituality and religion

[@jenhalbert3001]

Thanks, Sarah. I like the reminder that tpu need to do a bunch of writing to get good and starting out you'll sound young and untalented. I'm sure i will too, even though at 46. Yikes. And i completely agree that you should read things outloud, you'll catch things that way it's too easy to gloss over otherwise. My mom and i used to correct local news grammar when i eas iin high school, things make more sense when you're listening to them.

[@SaraLubratt]

I do like the idea of writing getting better the more you do it and just getting better and better with time!

[@t0dd000]

Vocation. Even a ton of well known writers can't live off of their writing alone. Just look at how many famous writers still teach. Not just because they want to, but because they have to bring in reliable income.

[@ingrossa]

I recommend listening to Tim Ferriss’ podcast with Joyce Carol Oats. She says getting interrupted and being distracted are the biggest enemies of a writer.

[@SaraLubratt]

100% but it's also completely realistic! I'll check out the podcast!

[@ingrossa]

@@SaraLubratt Just remembered another thing. Maybe a neat, helpful tool is a website called Natural Readers, where you can have your text read out loud by a natural computer voice. I've been using it for studying cause you can upload PDFs and go through them really fast, and reading + listening is amazing for focus. I've heard of others who use this to "proofread" their papers, to hear if everything sounds right.

[@ashaolupeter8048]

Please is there a way to get the pdf😥

[@SaraLubratt]

It’s only available through MasterClass, they don’t allow distribution outside of it

[@johnd.20]

ughhh YES! Interruptions are killer!🙄

[@SaraLubratt]

Totally!

[@bhsprinkle]

Definitely. I'm constantly interrupted.

[@wesleypatterson2989]

*sticks my nose up in the air* Im a REAL Sara Lubratt fan, I've been here since she was vlogging on the floor

[@SaraLubratt]

😂 lmao an OG!!

[@t0dd000]

"The wastepaper basket is your friend." Ha!

[@SaraLubratt]

Lol yes this was so great

[@books_and_nerds235]

Would you recommend taking the course?

[@SaraLubratt]

It's a very entry level course, but easy to digest, so if that's what you are looking for, yes!

[@t0dd000]

Indeed, twentysomethings ... just don't know humanity to the same depth as say a fortysomething. They just need to work with that handicap. It doesn't mean they don't have something to contribute.

[@SaraLubratt]

True

[@pronspronson9669]

I gave this video a thumbs up :)

[@SaraLubratt]

Thanks!

[@t0dd000]

I always read my writing out loud. You just can't complete your revisions without doing that. Can't be done. IMHO. :)

[@SaraLubratt]

I agree

[@t0dd000]

To appropriately honor this video, I played it at 1.5 speed.

[@SaraLubratt]

😂

[@miaschu8175]

This is all good advice, but it doesn't seem like a "masterclass". I hoped that more teaching and learning would be taking place on these courses. However interesting, which of course Margaret Atwood and the other great creatives are, I want to improve my craft rather than be entertained. So, thanks for the informative video.

[@miaschu8175]

You should leave your writing long enough so that you can see it anew when you go back to it for editing. That's why I agree with what Margaret Atwood said about Beta readers. If you use them too soon, your voice could be affected by their vision of your writing.

[@PeterMacansky]

[@SaraLubratt]

:)

[@BarbaraT.]

Since you started writing at 6 and you say this was never negotiable (and I liked that), it was strange that you had to look up the distinction between vocation and career. Anyway, I loved that passage by Ms Atwood. I've always felt that distinction very strongly within myself (in my case my vocation is not writing but another art form): it's a calling, not negotiable, as you yourself said. Thanks for uploading excerpts from the masterclass, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very curious about it but couldn't afford it. I wish you well in your writing endeavors!