%title Further Confusion Writing Workshop 2023 ## Workshop notes ### Friday --- Critical reading * Intro * Intro self (incl. "this is for MFA" spiel) * Allow others to intro * Ice breaker: what is your least favorite part of your favorite movie? * Lead into what is a text * Books/writing, sure, but also anything that tells a story --- film, games, etc * Thus, what is critical reading? * Intentional engagement with a text, especially with regards to the self * Back to ice breaker: how do you intentionally engage with your favorite film? * How do we intentionally engage with a text in furry? * What do we like in a furry text? What don't we like? * Notably, not asking what makes a text furry, that we are furries is what enables us to read into that context * Thus, how do we engage with a text that *we* feel is furry *as* furries? * What goes into critical reading? * Layers: * Mechanical: presentation, word choice, language usage, writing style * Subjective: emotional impact, plot effectiveness, evocative descriptions * Reading exercise: * Pick one of these two categories to pay attention to first and read, then read for the second * Critique tomorrow, but preview: we're not tearing a text apart, we're asking it questions: * How did we feel the plot worked? Was there a structure? Could we follow it? * What was told? What was left out? How did (not) knowing make us feel? * What type of language usage was there? Word choice? Style? * How about emotional impact? Was the story impactful? Did the mechanics help or hinder us? * Was it evocative? Was it furry? Did that work? * Be ready to summarize * 10 mins to read * ~~~ * Have someone summarize * Talk through the mechanical and subjective layers, drilling down into specifics * Talk through how the exercise felt * was it useful? Tiring? Enjoyable? * Tomorrow, we'll go through critiquing writing and actually workshop a piece --- one of mine that has already been workshopped and published, so just an example of critiquing for a present author. * Optional homework: * Write a short ~500 word snippet (or pick one already written) to go through a gentle workshop, think about what we talked through today while writing * Email it to me and I'll put it online for all to read in the workshop * Will be asking how it felt etc ### Saturday --- Critiquing in workshop * What is workshopping? * More important, what is it *not?* * Tearing apart a story * Tearing down the author (Maslanka story) * Editing a piece * Talk about your engagement with the piece --- remember list of questions from yesterday * Author: * Listen to feedback and take in the ways your work affected others * Will talk about writing for workshops tomorrow * Types of workshops and such * Silent author * How that works * Why --- active listening, no shaping responses * Participatory discussion * Better for pieces earlier in process * Feedback as to where to take it * The role of the facilitator * Prevent stalling * Keep on track * Pay attention to mood, etc * Tone * Talk to the piece, not the author --- some don't even use the author's name, pretend they aren't there (not particularly a fan, but also stay away from addressing comments to 'you') * Talk about yourself, your responses, your questions * Changing language * Stay away from generating shared values/taste * Imagine and invite change * We don't want to over-reward author because then it becomes less about creativity and more about writing for success * Sample workshop: * * 10 mins to read * Workshop discussion with silent author, then bring author in * Discuss how it felt * Tomorrow: writing to receive critique/actually receiving critique ### Sunday --- Writing to expect critique * * Writing and vulnerability * Vulnerability in creation * The terrifying ordeal of being seen * How to manage having one's vulnerability openly addressed * A lot is on the facilitator * Ensuring discussion stays on the work * Ensuring *uncomfortable* silence is filled * How silence feels * How to fill silence if it happens (ask questions) * Engaging with responses as author * Always good to thank, but overdoing can weaken your position in your own eyes * Maintain authorial vision ---- everything you get (even negative) is encouragement and opportunity to change, but not a demand * Friction and vulnerability: * Maintain openness (even physical --- half smile, willing hands) * Maintain distance * Feel free to maintain boundaries, facilitator is there to help, can guide/move on from topic * Take notes! Can be overwhelming, so read through and think before blithely implementing * Workshops: * One person summarize and lead in with discussion * Try one response at a time vs open discussion * Reflect on how that felt