6/6: Off to the British Library! (But first, some notes about workshop)

You'll be uploading a revised Creative Response (either one you've turned in, or something inspired by one of the prompts we've tackled in class) on Monday, 6/10. Please do so by 11:00 a.m. Your CR for workshop should be preceded by an Author's Note, in which you explain to your readers what inspired the work, what you think is succeeding in the piece, and most importantly, what you are struggling with.

A sample Author's Note looks like this:

Dear Fellow Classmates, 

            I am really proud of this chapter. I focused much more on Jason’s feelings and really allowed the reader to get to know him in this chapter. I feel like there’s much more description and overall concrete setting throughout. The relationship between Natalie and Jason is definitely heightened a way in this chapter that is both a deeper progression of their bond as friends and a progression of their romantic relationship—without being obvious at all from Natalie’s end and being subtle from Jason’s end. I wanted to make it seem like not even Jason realizes how he feels about her yet [did I accomplish this?]. 

            Also, I’m proud of myself for undertaking a scene of violence between two men. But this is also an area of concern—is it too much? Is the description confusing? Is it trite? Mostly, my concerns lie in how the chapter ends, as brought on by the scene of violence. 

            And again, pace is always an issue for me. I feel like this chapter is well paced, but I am biased because I, of course, wrote it and it also therefore is on a slower pace for me.         

   

            Are you all feeling comfortable with the romantic relationship between Natalie and Jason even through they’re not-blood cousins because she’s adopted? [For a clue in—I revised the first chapter in a way that portrays Natalie as a recent adoptee of 13 months to Jason’s family.] 

            Thank you for reading and I appreciate your constructive criticism. 

            Fondly, Alyson

For Tuesday, we will be workshopping the following people's work:

• Kate 
• Caroline
• Ellen
• Scott
• Cara
• Melissa
• Mallory
• Carson
• Morgan

For Thursday, we will workshop:

• Angela
• Marjorie
• Allie
• Haley
• Patrick
• Tyler
• Zach
• Jill

In preparation for Tuesday, please read the CRs of the folks listed for that day, and leave a thoughtful comment for each writer.

A good comment looks like this:

Emily,

Once again, your story has set up a fun and loveable tone that I’m sure parents and children alike will adore. It’s very cutesy and I love how you are starting to add more depth to each of the characters with their different interactions. Good work!

I want to see more interaction with Laurel and her grandparents. We got such a strong feeling from them in the first chapter and here in the second there is hardly any interaction. I felt like the grandmother whould have reacted when Laurel came downstairs wearing the weird clothing because she doesn’t approve of the kids.

Again, I wanted to see more interaction with the cat. I want the cat to get Laurel in trouble or to cause an awkward interaction/situation between Laurel and Lennon. Maybe kitty starts cornbreading on Lennon’s pants and rips holes?

The scene in the sheep pasture was very well written. You involved almost all of the senses and I felt like I could almost taste the morning air tainted with wet sheep and poop. Beautifully country and awesome. Keep up the descriptions like that!

I enjoy reading what you write, it’s nice to have a story where all the kids aren’t bent on proving they are damaged and hurting. I like the innocence.

Looking forward to discussion! Thanks for sharing your art.

Best,
Cary

Remember that you receive a grade for workshop participation. This includes uploading your piece on time, writing a thoughtful author's note and thoughtful comments for each of your classmates, and verbally participating during the workshop in class.

Also, take note that your short story first draft is due on 6/11. This could make for a very busy and frustrating Monday evening for you if you find yourself composing/commenting. To that end, I'd get that draft done before Monday morning. Just a suggestion.

Your CR #3 will be a revision of the CR you will workshop in class. You'll write a new author's note for me, detailing what you changed/kept, and how the workshop affected the revision. You'll print out the revised CR and author's note and turn that in on 6/18.

As for the British Library today, we'll be viewing some of the literary treasures there, then taking time to work on our short stories. You can write quietly, share your work with a peer and get some feedback that way, find me and chat about the piece. Any of these options are fine. I do hope the library inspires, and provides comfort, if not "strange comfort." ;)