Authors:
Please email your classmates and me two days in advance of workshopping.
Put your story in a Google doc and place the link on the Canvas discussion board
Make sure that readers have "view only" access to your doc
Please revise the story based on my comments as well as your own instincts before you submit it for workshopping.
Note: you will lose points if you submit basically the same draft as the one you handed to me (unless I wrote otherwise in my comments on your first draft).
If you have specific questions for your classmates and me, please put them at the end of the story, not the beginning.
Make sure that you give readers "Viewing Access," not "Editing Access" to your doc.
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?
Note: you must make some substantial change to your story; you can't hand in the same piece of writing that I commented upon. Revision does not mean fixing typos and grammatical errors.
Please review the writing contract and make sure the mechanics of your story are in good working order (e.g. dialogue formatting, punctuation, etc).
Finally, please don't post your story earlier or later than two days prior to workshopping. Let's try to keep the order clear for the readers. Thanks!
Readers:
Please download the story and print it out prior to class.
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).
Make sure to read and comment on the story prior to class.
Also, don't forget to share your letter with the author or put your comments on the bottom of the story.
Also 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/commented copy of the story on Canvas so I can register that you've completed the assignment.
Instructions for letter to the author (100+ words):
You'll post your letters on Canvas:
Note: these assignments will be worth more than normal homework assignments.
Also, please get them in on time (as always, points will be deducted for lateness).
The reason these assignments are worth more is because your classmates need the feedback in order to do their final round of revisions.
Read the story with humility, curiosity, and a spirit of generosity.
Be respectful and helpful when writing your side comments and end comments/letter.
Ask yourself: How can I help the author achieve their vision of the story?
If it seems helpful, you might begin by stating in your letter 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 also useful:
e.g. “I’m curious whether Harper will finish the race or abandon it in pursuit of Jean?”
e.g. “What does Jean look like?” “Does Ernestine love Robin or Leslie?"
Give at least one suggestion you have for improving the piece.
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.”
Keep Maxwell Perkins in mind 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!
Note: these comments are longer than what you have to write.
Note: remember to be courteous rather than authoritative (think Perkins, not Lish). Err on the side of asking questions, rather than making statements.
Final revision assignment (instructions not yet revised, but basically will be the same): Instructions for Final Revision