Controversial writer

~ Purpleanais

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Anyone who’s followed this blog for a while will know I’ve been studying for a Master’s in Creative Writing for the past 2 years.
Well, it’s officially over. On Monday I got the result of my 15,000 words on Freedom of Speech. I knew all along my chosen subject was highly risky in the current climate, but I felt compelled to write about it.

Monday was tough – the result came in a day early – I didn’t get the high mark I was hoping for. I should say I was hoping against all odds.

I’m one of those annoying people who is academic, who gets the A* and the distinctions, etc…it’s embarrassing to admit and it’s rather sad but on Monday when I saw the mark I was awarded I wanted to cry. I DID actually cry later on in the day. People were congratulating me on having passed and I was thinking: Nat, you’re a failure.
I did try to put a brace face on it for the benefit of others: “I kept my integrity and that’s more important than a distinction” I told them. But oh, how I wanted that fucking distinction!

So I mourned all of Monday. I did think WHY didn’t you pick a subject that wasn’t controversial?

By Tuesday I was over it. I knew what I was doing when I chose free speech, I knew the risk – someone said when I told them what I would be writing about: “striking in the heart of academia, it’s bold, I like it” – I knew I wouldn’t end the masters on a high, grade-wise, but there was genuinely nothing I’d rather have written about than Freedom of Speech. So now the mourning is over, I can honestly say I have no regrets and that integrity IS indeed more important than a distinction.

I’ve been fighting for freedom of speech for so long, it has cost me friends, lots of followers on this blog, it has caused me untold grief already but I will never stop because it’s something I passionately believe in and the assault on free speech has been relentless in the last couple of years.

But, anyway, I have a Master’s now – I guess that makes me a writer. An opinionated, controversial type apparently, but I wouldn’t have it any other fucking way.

Oh, And I’m in a selfie mood today –

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100 thoughts on “Controversial writer”

    1. Oh, I know. I was being sarcastic when I said I guess it makes me a writer – I’m well aware diplomas are just that. I don’t believe I’m a writer because of the Master’s or because I’m a qualified journalist – I’m a writer because I’ve been writing pretty much since I could hold a pen. And yeah, grades are subjective especially when it comes to writing. My tutor last year loved my stuff and I finished the year with a distinction, this year I had a tutor who wasn’t a fan at all of my writing even though I felt I was writing better than the year before…and she graded accordingly…what can you do – that’s the way it goes.
      Sweet lord, I’ve just gone on and on, sorry! And thank you! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. On est souvent déçu quand on est exigeant avec soi-même.
    Ce n’est pas de l’égoïsme, ni un défaut, mais plutôt une qualité difficile à vivre.
    Félicitation pour le diplôme, pour cette qualité et aussi pour ces beaux selfies que j’aime toujours autant regarder.

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  12. You should consider posting it here, Natalie… bet you’d see a few accolades. The speech issue within academia is alarming and crazy… I simply cannot believe how regressive things have become since my university days. If I went now, I’d likely be expelled in one semester. 🙂 Congrats!

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    1. That’s it, isn’t it? It’s regressive and very wrong – how are students meant to learn anything with this constant fear to be offended, the need for ‘safe spaces’ and so on. I’m going to stop right here because I don’t want to start ranting on about it 😉
      As for posting it on here, I’ve vaguely thought about it but it is 15,000 words so it would take some planning – many different posts would be needed!

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      1. you could consider putting it in something like google docs, and then post a link to within an introductory wordpress post? anyway, yes, good always to know someone else finds all this speech conformity offensive. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  21. The only result that matters is how well YOU believe you did. If you know you put in your best work (on the particular topic/theme) then you succeeded with Distinction. 🙂

    Universities reward most those people who think the way those who examine think, not those individuals who can think differently.

    Vive la difFrance!! 😉

    J’Adore, je salue! 🙂 💖

    So now who’s the Master?? 😉

    (Your Selfie’s are Kickin’ btw.) 🙂

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      3. Cheap? CHEAP?? Why I’ll have not a word of it, my Dear…

        .. they are Priceless! Above any cost! (and you know they would sent the ‘likes’ sky-high! 😉 )

        You gotta give the public what they want. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      5. It’s all about the ‘book-cover’ art today I’m afraid.

        Gone are the days when you could rely on intelligence alone for ratings!

        Unless you’re (the Ex) Stephen Hawking! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Congratulations! I love the fact that you chose not to play the game – that you wrote about something you believe in. There’s a certain glee in knowing that some of the faculty involved would have had to grudgingly pass you, while silently seething 🙂

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  23. To risk an important part of who you are for such a worthy subject as freedom of speech in an era of lies, and condemnation.of values, ethics, integrity, and morals is the mark of someone with the warrior etnos. To take on the political correctness that serves only to destroy freedom of speech is a brave thing to do, but not without consequences. To bear those consequences with dignity and grace is the hallmark of what makes the human soul Devine. By the way, you are beautiful to the bone and back out again. That’s an old saying we have in the southern colonies to tell some one of our respect and admiration. Fight on. Be loud and proud. And congratulations.

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    1. Oh, thank you SO MUCH for this! This is actually one of the reasons I stuck with my risky subject, because I felt I was writing on behalf of lots of people who feel the same as me, people who are being demonised for having an opinion, people who don’t dare speak their minds because the PC culture is censoring them. Consequences be damned, the truth has to be spoken.
      Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

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      1. Sending you thanks and big ole cyber hugs 🤗. Eternity remembers those that stood for the rights of others, while only graves remember those that would idly watch the death of truth and justice which cannot exist in societies that don’t support free speech and the rights of all citizens. It is not a singular event but a continuous struggle. Be yrue to yourself amd your convictions. There may be many tears but your mirror will always reflect a brave and artistic soul.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I’m glad you were able to decipher my message with all the errors. My fingers were never made for these tiny phone keyboards. I’m honored and deeply appreciate that you truly understand the fight and sacrifice to hold true to one of humanities fundamental rights. Free speech is how we evolve to a better existence. The noble rise above mediocrity starts with conversation freely expressed. I will always want to hear what you have to say. Another hug 🤗 with respect.

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      4. “. The noble rise above mediocrity starts with conversation freely expressed.” Agreed 100%
        Without freedom of speech a man simply isn’t free – it’s that simple and yet we are now having to fight for something we thought we secured long ago (in the western world) – it’s madness. Thanks again for your thoughtful replies – they are much appreciated 💜

        Liked by 1 person

      1. 😉 – I have my moments! 🙂

        80’s Huh? The decade of bad hair! ;-)..and some good bands/artists too.

        Mine would span the late 70’s early 80’s

        Call me Disco Stu! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      1. 😀 😀 😀

        Naughty things!

        (‘Intense’ ‘passionate’ things! – i have a good memory) 😉

        Naughty but Nice! (work that one out Santa?)

        Like

      3. I love jokes… Nothing to apologise for! 🙂

        Next time i see him i’ll have to ask him for your address! 😉
        (of course, i may need to borrow his sleigh and a couple of reindeer as well?)

        Why doesn’t Santa allow smoking in his workshop?

        It’s an elf-azard! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  26. Congratulations, Nathalie. Your courage and determination reflects what higher education used to represent. Now, it’s mostly a place of groupthink conformity. And , as always, I adore your photos😍😘

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  31. Congratulations on getting your degree! I write, but I’m nothing special. I look forward to reading your work.

    Don’t become down about your score. Sometimes, it really is just the instructor. We can’t do anything about their opinions, but we can continue with people who want to help and see us rise.

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  32. A selfie mood is good. For us. 🙂 And for you: love yourself.
    Grades don’t really matter, do they? Freedom of speech is under so much attack these days, it’s good
    someone stands up for it.
    (I’m reading terrifying accounts of a Graduate student at Columbia in Le Point…)
    Congrats on the Master’s though, it’s all that counts.
    And I do hope we will read at least some extracts of your 15,000 words.
    Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année. (Je pars en Colombie Dimanche et je ne blogue pas bcp en voyage…)
    Biz.
    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Well, grades do matter but then they don’t really – as ‘they’ like to say: it’s complicated 🙂
      I’ll think of putting some of it on the blog at some point. But thank you, it’s all over and I did my best. I also stood up for something I believe in – it’s all good 🙂
      Bonnes fêtes en effet, et bon voyage aussi 🙂 biz

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