zk/writing/workshop-packet/packet-2.md

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%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:
* <https://makyo.ink/jump>
* 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
* <https://makyo.io/fcww23s>
* 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