Authors: Please email your classmates and me two days in advance of workshopping. Attach your story in a word document or send as Google doc and notify us.
Please revise the story based on my comments and/or your own instincts before you submit it for workshopping.
On Canvas, under the heading of your letter, please answer the following questions (instead of writing a letter to yourself):
What did you change in the piece based on either my suggestions or on your own sense of what needs changing? Try to be as specific as possible.
How much time did these revisions take you?
Please review the writing contract and make sure the mechanics of your story are in good working order (e.g. dialogue formatting, etc).
Finally, please email your story to your classmates and me two days ahead of time. Please don't email your story earlier or later than that. Let's try to keep the order clear for the readers. Thanks!
Readers:
Please download the story and print it out.
You'll need a copy of the story so we can comment on it in class (it's not okay to use laptops for workshopping).
Also, don't forget to print out your letter to the author.
Make sure to comment on the story in the margins as you read through it.
Also, remember to put your name on the print out so the author can ask you if they have questions about your comments.
Please post a copy of the letter on Canvas.
Instructions for letter to the author (minimum 200 words):
If it seems helpful, you might begin by stating quite simply what happens in the piece and what it’s about. Especially if the piece has a complicated plot structure, this can be useful.
Mention 2-3 elements of the story that you consider strong.
Be specific about these strengths (e.g. “you use fresh, surprising metaphors” is better than “you’re very descriptive).
Questions are good:
e.g. “I’m curious whether Craig will finish his list or abandon it in pursuit of Hilda?”
e.g. “What does Hilda look like?” “Does Paul love Michael or Robert?"
Give at least one suggestion you have for improving the piece.
Again, be as concrete and specific as possible in your suggestion and try to avoid judgment. E.g. “it might be helpful to introduce more conflict into the piece earlier.”
Think of Maxwell Perkins here: “Couldn’t you add one or two characteristics like the use of that phrase ‘old sport’?”
Tips On What to Comment On and Sample Letters Posted Below!
Final revision assignment (instructions not yet revised, but basically will be the same):Instructions for Final Revision
Block E Workshopping Dates:
Monday 5/1:
Maggie
Chris
Tuesday 5/2:
Martha
Grace H
Wednesday 5/3:
Meher
Grace L
Tuna
Friday 5/5:
Ethan
Ori
Monday 5/8:
Ruby
Amina
Will
Thursday 5/11:
Nick
Tara
Nathan
Monday 5/15:
Josh
Block F Workshopping Dates:
Monday 5/1:
Sammy
Anthony
Tuesday 5/2:
Brianna
Eli
Wednesday 5/3:
Grace
Zandra
Ashley
Friday 5/5:
Allie
Jack
Monday 5/8:
Jacob
Logan
Arnav
Thursday 5/11:
Gabe
Charlotte
Monday 5/15:
Lauren
Cora