On 2/19 I had my first workshop in my Fiction class. I was so nervous going in. Workshops can be either really helpful, or, they can rip your soul out and leave you in tears. I was in the third group to go so I still don't have a great sense of which group my classmates fall into. So far, all the stories this semester have been about suicide. Very graphic sucides, disturbing suicides, not disturbing but about suicide suicides and yeah. My little soul was getting worn down from reading all the sadness every week. Like I've said, there's something about literature that seems like it always has to be sad and not inspiring…..
Anyways.
I was nervous because my story was not about suicide. It wasn't sad. And, it takes place in the Mayan times. But, we aren't supposed to do any genre fiction (sci fi, fantasy, historical) so, I didn't clearly specify what time period my story took place in. Also, this wasn't just some short story. This is an idea that I hope to turn into a book series. So, I turned in my story and waited a week to walk into the hot seat.
It went great. I didn't leave wanting to cry. I was able to laugh at comments and got a whole page of notes on how to improve my work and take it to the next level. And, two of my classmates whom I highly respect came up and told me that they could totally see this as a book series. They're both former military and men. Not that that means anything, it's just I always worry that my writing is too girly, will never find a huge audience. But they liked it and so did most of my classmates.
My favorite part by far was that they picked up on the sublet hints that I left that will be in the book. They weren't like, oh hey, this is so obvious. They said that there was just something not right and that if this was a book, then I should go this way or that. Which was more reassurance for me.
My first workshop in class went well. I only hope my poetry one goes just as well. ;)
If you're interested in reading my short story, let me know! Or, if you want to read what I have of my novel so far as well, I'm willing to share that too!
Anyways.
I was nervous because my story was not about suicide. It wasn't sad. And, it takes place in the Mayan times. But, we aren't supposed to do any genre fiction (sci fi, fantasy, historical) so, I didn't clearly specify what time period my story took place in. Also, this wasn't just some short story. This is an idea that I hope to turn into a book series. So, I turned in my story and waited a week to walk into the hot seat.
It went great. I didn't leave wanting to cry. I was able to laugh at comments and got a whole page of notes on how to improve my work and take it to the next level. And, two of my classmates whom I highly respect came up and told me that they could totally see this as a book series. They're both former military and men. Not that that means anything, it's just I always worry that my writing is too girly, will never find a huge audience. But they liked it and so did most of my classmates.
My favorite part by far was that they picked up on the sublet hints that I left that will be in the book. They weren't like, oh hey, this is so obvious. They said that there was just something not right and that if this was a book, then I should go this way or that. Which was more reassurance for me.
My first workshop in class went well. I only hope my poetry one goes just as well. ;)
If you're interested in reading my short story, let me know! Or, if you want to read what I have of my novel so far as well, I'm willing to share that too!
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