The little shacks of life

Entitled THE LITTLE SHACKS OF LIFE, this dissertation contains poetry, prose and an essay describing the methods and philosophy of the creative work contained herein. The title is taken from a quote by the African American novelist Edward P. Jones and refers to how Mr. Jones discovered he was a writer.1 Included in this presentation are 6 short prose pieces and 12 poems. The poems are all in free verse and represent a personal journey from death to life. The short prose stories reflect my curiosity with the small ways in which we deal with large events. All these written pieces were created within the last year (2010-2011) and represent endeavor in both artistic and technical enquiry. More importantly they also represent how this author found a new means of creative expression along with a vital practice and process. As imperative as it was to discover HOW to write and what form could best serve the creative process, it was also important to adapt any personal methodologies to achieve this dissertation in the relatively short time period. What I know about the rhythms of Japanese Noh Theatre and Shakespeare became unexpectedly helpful in formulating a creative writing life. After forty years of work in professional theatre experience, I had expected to write a play for this dissertation, so it was a surprise to find that my own ‘little shacks’ became the poetry and short prose contained in this dissertation. They were not just the vehicles for my own growth as a writer, but important temporary shelters along a new and unknown path.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

ma

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Eaton, Gillian

• PS Llenyddiaeth America

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:455