Writing can be a difficult process, even when the writing flies from the tips of fingers. We may feel like, whoosh, I have written something beautiful and powerful; or we may feel shy towards sharing the piece – afraid that our ideas are muddy.
These are natural responses. Our egos are as delicate as hummingbirds, fluttering in the air. However, knowing this cannot get in the way of engaging in what we have written.
The hummingbird can and has existed on its own, but also lives in a world of other hummingbirds – and more importantly, human influence!
This is where workshop comes into play. Our feedback is just that – feed. We put out the seeds in the feeder, and the hummingbird chooses to eat what we are feeding, or it doesn’t. With either choice, though, the ego is given options. The ego investigates what the world has to say. The ego has looked outside itself for advice.
Workshop 1
We are going to switch drafts with each other. During this process, you are to read and respond to another writer’s draft. Remember, these are drafts, and the success of the workshop depends on your honest, but thoughtful response to their narrative.
We are not editing, but responding as inquisitive readers.
You are to write 1-page, single-spaced “Dear ____” letters, due Tuesday, March 3rd, to a peer whose draft you have read. In that letter, you are to consider and use the questions below as guides for your response. Just as you have with Beah’s text, picked out lines and responded and explained them, you may do use this same strategy in your letter.
The point of the workshop is to give the writer an outsider perspective, giving them another way to look at their narrative so they can consider your response when they revise. Give them something to consider in revision, as every draft will have things to work on.
Question Bank: Use these as guides to write your letter, but don’t feel obligated to answer them all.
1) Can you, reader, personally connect to this narrative? Explain where you connect, where you don’t. Suggest something they may want to do in revision that would allow you to connect more.
2) What are the best lines in the narrative in regards to sensory language? Explain. Do you feel like the use of sensory language could be upped? Too much?
3) Where does the writer, in their use of description, imply too much, and leave you to fill in the gaps with your own idea of what they mean? Are they relying too much on clichés and general descriptive language?
4) Are they spending enough time describing a particular scene? What would you like to see more of; ess of?
5) Is the subject of the narrative clear? The event, the setting, who is involved?
6) What keeps you personally engaged in the story?
7) What “throws you out” of the narrative? Where do you get lost, scratch your head?
8) Do you get a sense that you are being told how to take things, or do you feel like you are experience the story?
9) Does the story flow, or is too much time spent on some ideas? Does anything feel repetitive? How can they get beyond saying the same thing over, what questions do you want them to explore in regards to their subject?
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