Making a commitment! I am going to do a writing workshop in January with Tanya Witon! This will test me for sure! I loved the challenge when I did my degree program. The nervousness. It is about writing effective dialogue in fiction and memoirs. The events are through Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. I feel I am in the right ballpark! Now to pitch!
MWPA’s has a Writing Critique Match-Up Program. I feel a need to bone up critiquing. I am sure they will tell us what to expect. I believe I have some Great Courses lectures about literature and critiquing. I know the following things are likely. Reading carefully, and perhaps reading out loud to catch punctuation issues. Critiques are not about judging; you should talk about what is working well. Positive feedback is more useful. Talk about how you interpret the story. This may help the writer because whoever reads a book understands the book according to their own experiences. It could help in developing the train of thought. The last bit is to apply constructive criticism. I think it will be like doing an art critique in that you do it respectfully. This allows the artist or writer to examine their work, and if it feels right to them. The writer should only make changes when he or she see the need to do so. I know the feelings, where my art or writing feels precious. Chances are it will be explained to both writers that it is not a time to be defensive of what the other writer says. It is an opinion. Maybe a question or two? Something notices like a gap in a trap of thought? That is not complete?
I think it will help me to look at my work with different eyes? Mindset? My hunch is it has to be a good thing, other writers do it! LOL And it is for all levels so to be matched with someone you can learn from! OK
We are to offer something we are writing. I have a children’s book project for this. About Ruby Luna. I will work on this between now and the time to turn a copy over to the other writer.
Anisette Studios & Shibui Fine Arts 