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- Reading responses must be AT LEAST 250 words.
- Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
- From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
- Reading responses are due by midnight on the night PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.
This is my response
ReplyDeleteIn Gary Shteyngart “ Behind Closed Doors’’ was very short and it was sorta funny too. Do you ever travel and encounter these situations Gary talks about. Nether less to say it has happened to me and it its the most annoying thing ever. Like what makes them think no one can hear them? Also what makes you think it's okay to be so loud about it. I feel like this is also a story about being alone most of the time he’s on these trips. He talks about it in the beginning that he's alone, alone, alonnnneee. At the end I liked how he mentions he's not alone he's with his partner. Just enjoying the silence.
In Dinty Moore’s “ Red Light, Green Light: Tips for conquering Writer's Block” again Moore gives some really good tips. I have enjoyed all of these chapters thus far. He states something that really stuck with me, “ If you stop writing for the day, the week, the month, your entire life, then the bad voices have won”. I have had those moments in my life where I no longer wanted to write, and felt that writing wasn’t for me even though it was what I loved most. But with time I have developed in my writing profoundly. Moore mentions that the voices will come, but to simply ignore like okay yes i've heard that before, and just carry on with your writing. I always look forward reading the tips Moore gives us in his chapters.
In the Gary Shteyngart essay, I like how he compares his feelings to a galactic figure. In every feeling he has, he compares it to something that is out of this world “…make me feel like a dust speck blown across the earth (an alien dust speck that will never know the love of another human being again)”. Through this comparison we are able to see how alone he feels, even if he only is traveling afar from home. I think that at some point we all feel this way, especially if we are in a completely different place. I do the same whenever I am by myself in a different place, I start looking around, hearing the different noises and trying to intake as much as I can from the place. When I am with my family however, it is different because I am with people that I love and care. Shteyngart, also lets us see how if his significant other was there, he wouldn’t be paying too much attention to his surroundings because he would be focused in the arms of his loved one.
ReplyDeleteIn Moore’s essay, he makes us see that it is O.K for us to get writers block from time to time, the key is to keep trying to write our story no matter what. We shouldn’t give up just because we come across days where we don’t have a clue on what to write. I feel that this essay really helped me because, sometimes I will get writers block and just not go back to the essay, until the last minute, and that’s not good because my essay reflects my procrastination.
Celica Chavez
"Behind closed doors" was hilarious. I did wonder what my younger classmates would think of it's content, but as someone in my 30's who does a bit of traveling in the states, I found it very amusing. I liked the intended humor and the careful details he uses in this piece. Perhaps, the discussion in class has made me look for these details more closely, but wording like "even the deeply cynical Thai water but staring at me..." Is a line in which the level of absurdity is done purposely and humorous. I didn't feel as if he was trying too hard to be funny. The flow seemed pretty natural. The topic is not common and something I had never given much thought to, but have experienced and it is awkward to say the least. I liked how he characterized the individuals without knowing them, then placed them the following day with particular mannerisms. The details of the food, the type of bedding, this feelings at certain times, the specific locations, comparisons of the hotels, and the sarcastic word choice, was a very successful combination. If given a different topic, with the same style of writing, I would enjoy it too. I think I'm going to look up more of his stuff to see if Gary Shteyngart is someone I will follow.
ReplyDeleteMoore continues to be the angel on my shoulder. This particular chapter focuses on writer's block is relatable to writers are any level. Even having to write emails to classmates can be difficult if you aren't completely sure what your trying to communicate. I have several pieces that are left at 800 words, the introduction, the prewriting stage for various reasons. A lot of it may be because I lose focus on my topic or the direction I want to expand on. The voice Moore talks about is very my a way in which we allow ourselves to doubt what we are capable and taking into consideration of outside influences, maybe we just want to be accepted to a point where we induce levels of writer's block. Personal issues, work issues, relationship issues, food issues, life issues, all contribute to this mental environment that can cause us to space out. Moore, does a good job in not making this stigmata a taboo issue, but one that is as common as being stuck drinking cold coffee, or catching every red light when you're late. I appreciate that in his chapters and enjoyed his in sight on this chapter as well.
-Amanda Gonzales
"Behind closed doors,” an essay by Gary Shteyngart, was comical interpretation of a man in his 30’s that views the world in a quite ‘unique’ way. Traveling across the states and encounter these situations in which he approaches as a bit of cynic. Taking into consideration what was discussed in class, I paid attention to the detail and found that what I found was something I could identify with. Gary is so sarcastic and absolutely loved it. It was with each specific location that he visited, that as the readers, we were given a humorous guide through such things as food, bedding, how he felt, comparisons of the hotels, and even giving himself up to a bit of a fantasy as if a galactic figure was experiencing something out of this world. This has got to be one of the best essays we have read all year, not having a moment in which I had to stop and see how many pages were left. I would go as far as to say that I would look into finding more of his work.
ReplyDeleteMoore had a lot to live up to after reading Gary Shteyngart’s essay, kidding of course, and I was not disappointed. Writer’s block is something I battle constantly, partly from the fact that I will never be satisfied with what I have written or what I headed toward. Writing is far more than just a passion, going as far as to be the one thing I could not see myself not doing. I dream of the day in which I can see my name in a magazine or on a shelf; I have fantasized about what it would like to see a movie with the words, “Based on a book by P.C Diehl” on the big screen. I am afraid that if I do not put something out that is not the best, I will lose whatever chance at reaching this dream I may have. IT is because of this that I am often afraid to write, expand on an idea and just flow because where it may go. I am caught between the rock known as fear and having backed myself a wall with my dreams.
- Patrick Diehl -
Behind close doors essay by Gary Shteyngart, was a unique piece of writing. At first I thought I was reading the wrong essay. I thought some kind of porn site advertisement had pop up. As I begin reading it made me realize that what he wrote happens frequently at hotels. One never stops and thinks about what he wrote, hotels puts travelers in the mood for sex. As a traveler himself he begins to see a pattern of sex and hotels. He compares several hotels in different parts of the world and relates them to the kind of sex travels might encounter. For example he writes about the W Hotel that some of the sex sounds are vaguely romantic, with occasional kind of laughter and even precoital Italian “Ti Amo.” He continued to write stating that the lustiest hotel chain in the world to his experience was the Hyatt. It was a very short and interesting essay to read.
ReplyDeleteI found Dinty Moore’s Red Light: Tips for Conquering Writer’s Block chapter very helpful. I liked what he states about the true definition of writers block, it is when the writer gives up. He continues by stating that writer’s block comes with negative voices in your head and takes our confidence away. He gives us a few recommendations for this, expect the negative voices and expect a lousy first draft. Just say to yourself, “oh yeah, I’ve heard that before,” and keep writing. Great piece of advice from this author.
-Luis Antonio Rodriguez
There’s several pieces left in my word folder and notes within Facebook that I’ve left to gather dust. I never viewed writer’s block as a voice saying that it isn’t worth writing this piece or it is terrible of a sentence or paragraph as Moore says in chapter 21. I just simply stopped “mid-flight” and created a distance from my pieces without forcing myself to do so. Unless the voice is within my subconscious, well, touché random voice, you’ve out done yourself. The fact of the matter is that I were to jump back to progressing any of my pieces, I would read over it first and enjoy it and either start rolling on the ball or be put back into its shelf. Usually the best ideas when focusing on one piece comes from either driving from the university back home or taking a shower or heading to bed. It’s weird that my “green light” just goes to rave mode in odd moments in my day. I wonder if others get this same light bulb moment, too.
ReplyDeleteDo I have to respond to this travel essay? I feel like most of my classes are combining everything to do with intimacy and sex. It’s not that its about 2 people getting it on, but as to the writer hearing their “fun time” next door and writing about it. But maybe this could be an idea that Shteyngart picked up during his own writer’s block and found this intriguing. It’s the little things within one’s travel that are ignored and never write or mention about, like sex. So, mental note, never go alone in hotels and pick a secluded hallway to sleep in. I need the sleep, not the noises and bumps in the night, please.
Hector Dimas
Behind Closed Doors at Hotels: Of all the essays we had to read this is by far my favorite, I wish it was a little longer though. I enjoyed that it was an easy read. It was light, funny, and conversational. The language that he uses flows well and adds to the ambiance of the essay. I also liked how figurative he was without trying too hard. There have been times when I am reading and you can tell that the personification was forced and this was so natural. I genuinely “loled” from “Even the deeply cynical Thai water bug staring at me pensively from the ceiling seemed to stop in its tracks, utterly shocked”. It is my favorite line in the piece. It is kind of funny and creepy for him to just listen to people having sex and analyzing and imagining who the individuals are.
ReplyDeleteRed Light, Green Light: Conquering Writer’s Block: One of the reasons I love to write is because it is hard. Not just anyone can do it. When I get writers block it feels like I am trying to reach for something and someone just extended their arm and placed their hand on my forehead and I can’t move. No matter how much a wave my arms and run I can’t move. It is one of the most discouraging things I have ever experienced. There have been so many times where I slam my laptop shut and walk away due to my frustration. I just wish Moore gave us better tips on how to push past getting writers block, usually ill just start a new paragraph when I get stuck.
Jessica Guzman
In “Behind Closed Doors at Hotels” I found it funny, awkward and short. At first I didn’t understand what this whole short story was about. Was it about the different sex noises you hear at the different places you stay at. I was confused until I read the endings, I took it as love isn’t all about sex or that being with your partner doesn’t mean you have to do it. You can lay in each other’s arms quietly enjoying one another company without being intimate. I can’t say I understand or agree with him when he says that the sex noises are different wherever you’re staying because I’ve never heard that before when I stay at a hotel. I’m a heavy sleeper so I usually knock out right away so if there is a couple being intimate then more than likely my brother and parents would’ve heard it.
ReplyDeleteIn Moore’s essay I found it relieving that I’m not the only one who has “writers block”. I agree when he says that the true meaning to writer block is when the writer gives up because it’s true. I also agree when he says that we get stuck trying to figure how to write all those sentences in the correct way. I found it helpful when he goes into detail about the two things you should expect when writing. When writing your first draft its always difficult deciding if you should change certain words or sentences and you’ll end up doing towards the end. He explains how your first draft is always sucky I would know that since I always struggle with it. Also about making it a habit to try to avoid the negative voices in your head, that’s something I would consider to try.
Monika Gonzalez
Moore's chapter was very inspiring. I agree with the idea that writer's block is the writer giving up. It's all just an excuse to not produce anything else, and that hit the nail with the way I approach writing. I believe taking his advice will undoubtedly help with our writing. If we put the ideas out there, even though they may not be the best right off the bat, it will serve its purpose sooner or later. The first draft is always the worst, so we should never settle with it. As Moore mentions, there are times where we can’t write as fast as our thoughts are manifesting in our minds. When I have a muse like that, I produce writing I’m happy with. The mistake I make is always having this unrealistic expectation of perfection with my first draft. We can’t rely on (or force) that muse to come to us. Even when it does, there is always room for improvement! Otherwise, we really sell ourselves short, even a few revisions here and there will improve it enough to make a difference. Revision is what makes writers learn, then grow; it's just an entire process we must go through to succeed with our work.
ReplyDeleteBehind Closed Doors at Hotels was unpredictable. There was just so much contempt about the sex happening around him, it made him seem like he was miserably single. That’s why I enjoyed it, he played us all. It was humorous, I caught myself laughing out loud. His cynicism was translated exceptionally through this short story. He says so much with little words, like when he says state secrets are being extracted by men having sex in hotels (made me think of political figures engaging in love affairs). You never really think about sex in hotels being vastly different around the world, which is why I believe this is a unique piece of literature!
Damaris Cantu
I really liked “Behind Closed Doors at Hotels” by Gary Shteyngart, I honestly really wanted to read more. It really had my interest. Especially the ending, I thought that was sweet and it added a great twist that I honestly didn’t see coming to story. I thought this essay written really well with lots of detail that could really help you imagine and feel what he was going through. I would honestly really like to read more from this author, I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI also felt like I could really related to Dinty Moore’s essay “Red Light, Green Light: Conquering Writer’s Block” because I have felt this feeling many times, but I really like his advise about to just write anyways, even if you think its dumb or its bad, just put it on paper and fix it later or take it out. I couldn’t agree more with this because just writing things down a lot of the time can get you past this “writer’s block” even if its unfinished sentences or bullet points. Anything. I don’t know how many times I have wrote down, “I don’t know what to write” and then next thing I know ideas are popping into my head like crazy. I like when he talks about if you quit writing for a day or a week or a month then you let the bad voices win. This automatically made me not want to let this happen, because I’m very completive and I don’t like to let anyone or anything win.
Jessica Young
ReplyDeleteShteyngart’s essay, “Behind Closed Doors,” was hilarious. In mosttravel essays, you constantly hear about what they see outside in nature but never what goes on during their down time (i.e. Hotel room). Although there were a lot of funny aspects, I sensed a bit of heartache in the beginning. At first I thought he had just gotten out of a really bad relationship. The reason I thought this was because he made a note saying, “If you had recently broken up with someone and are feeling particularly blue, do not stay in hotel Naples, Italy.” Plus he always kept stating how alone he was. The last sentence in the essay threw me off, the part where when he mentions his partner. It really didn’t seem like he was with anyone because of how alone he felt. But even then, I really like the ending because it added such a positive note.
I really liked chapter 21 in Crafting the Personal Essay. There were so many times throughout this chapter where I caught myself nodding in agreement. There are many times when I feel like inspiration hits me and I want to write but then I get those voices in my head that tell me I can’t do it. For the most part, I listen and then end up never writing anything or getting anything done. But this chapter really put things into perspective for me. I just need to keep reminding myself that the first draft will never be good but that’s okay.
-Raychelle Altamirano-
Shteyngart has an intriguing yet nosy view in his piece "Behind Closed Doors at Hotels". He captures me from the start with his diction, very alluring for the nature of the topic. He brings every possible emotion he has to life. I was a bit confused as to where he was going with it at first, I though man maybe this guy checks into different hotels to categorize them by the naughty nights he suspects behind these closed hotel doors. I feel as to he rants a little about what goes on behind these doors, as if I might matter to anyone other than those behind the doors. Throughout the whole essay I'm thinking this man is a single man traveling alone, he even makes a comment about relationships. He then surprise me with "when I travel with my partner, there is complete silence in the rooms next to us.". It's true as they say you see and hear what you're looking for. All in all this piece was about him missing his partner when he travels, and he also leaves you thinking with how private hotels really are.
ReplyDeleteRed Light, Green Light. Moore here is coming with analogy that seems to make sense, patience young grasshopper he claims. I feel as though, yes we all experience a time where there is lack of motivation and high amounts of doubt. Moore is claiming that what we call writer's block it truly just the point in time in which we give up on our writing. He offers a very stoic approach at solving this situation. When the voice inside of us becomes our own worst enemy he says hey, "you don't have to obey". We are in charge of choosing how we take our own criticism. Ultimately he is right, we decide how patient we are and how much we invest. A solution he advises is to be enthusiasts of revision, that is how we will greatly prosper in writing. Sure, he has a point, with classical conditioning all is achievable.
-Elizabeth Diaz
I find it interesting how the topic of Gary Shteyngart’s “Behind Closed Doors at Hotels” is about overhearing people having sex next door at a hotel, I realize that the topic for an essay is unlimited, but it seems pretty random to choose this out of a million other possibilities. However, because of its unique conversational topic, I had a hilariously wonderful time reading about the narrator’s reports on the various couples and the culturally different kinds of sex/aftermath. My favorite aspect about this essay is when Gary complains about how listening to the sex next door feels like a constant reminder of how alone he is, yet at the end of the essay he finds his position to be a tad different when he has his lover with him, “Needless to say that when I travel with my partner, there is complete silence in the rooms next to us... Enjoy the silence, it says to me. Someone loves you. Now love her back.”. I feel that this would be the first essay this semester where I want to complain about how short it felt, I would love to be able to read more about other hotels that Shteyngart has stayed at with loud sex shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this chapter was a lot shorter than I expected, reading Dinty’s advice on overcoming writer's block makes a lot of sense to me within those few pages. A huge factor with my writers block is just lack of inspiration, but I’ve also had times where I struggle to finish a story because I feel that it’s not worth continuing. The lack of self-confidence truly puts a dent into your time and effort, so I will heed Moore’s advice and practice breaking the habit of giving into the discouraging voices.
-Iggy Perez
“Behind Closed Doors” by Shteyngart was actually, and to my surprise really funny. It’s only like the second time I laugh during one of the readings in this class. It’s about a man that interprets the world in quite a weird, or different way. His prose is full of satire and wit, which I honestly envy. If there’s something I wish I was gifted with, is with the ability to be wittier. Though I do actually consider myself to be sarcastic, it often comes out more of a douchebag type of way. I really enjoy this type of writing, I’m also a huge fan of Oscar Wilde, which is world infamous for his witty epigrams. Furthermore, I will probably look into more of Shteyngart’s work, because I really enjoyed this piece by him.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, writers block is surely to hit you sooner or later, and it sucks. Moore says that writers block isn’t the inability to write something, but it’s actually, when you as a writer, give up. He gives us tips on how to overcome writers block. Surprisingly I didn’t find alcohol on that list. Also surprising, that whole, “Write drunk,” Hemingway shit is, well bullshit, I tried it once and what I ended up writing was actual garbage. The important thing to get through writer’s block is that you literally have to force yourself to write, create something, even if it is amidst a drunken stupor. It’s important to get past that first initial wall of writers block.
Jesus Garcia