Dear Boice,
I see that you wish me to monitor my emotions this week and, indeed, keep track of them. This makes me think I am going to need another version of myself (mayhaps in a little white nurses uniform, complete with starched hat) taking notes on how I feel as I write. I haven't ever tried this and I balk at the notion and even the rationale for it, but of course I am wondering how this might benefit me, besides perhaps some realization that I should get a prescription for anti-depressants before the good insurance runs out.
So, Boice, I don't know if this is something I am courageous enough to do, so let me set that aside on the back burner until I am in more of a fit mind to think of such tasks. Instead, let me glom merrily onto something you states in your next love letter to me, about asking for specific criticism. As usual, I read everything in this book in relation to my creative writing, and of course I have been in numerous workshops where my fellows and even professors give the most vague, vague, vague comments imaginable. And then go into arguments about who can be the vaguest. The winner is never me, alas.
In creative writing workshops one's voice is usually silenced (to keep up from arguing) but I always thought at a certain level we matured enough to be able to ask questions and not have to wait until the bleeding end when I'm overwhelmed and have forgotten what everyone has said. So you know what, eff that noise Boice, I am going to interrupt and be like "hey, you, clearly you did not read my story so shush. Explain what you mean. Point out where this happens. You smell like sausage and I don't eat that so meh. Meh!"
Things will rumble and shake.
Hugs and smoochies,
Alison
Alison, I completely understand what you mean about not being courageous enough to do that close analysis of your emotions. Especially since it's the end of the semester, I'm finding it somewhat frightening to observe my emotions that closely. Can't I just go through these two weeks in a cranky haze and then come out the other side happy again? Meh.
ReplyDeleteAlso, that's super interesting about creative writing workshops. I have 0 experience in one, so it was neat to hear about what it can be like. And, also a bummer: why do you think people don't want to give specific feedback? Is it to spare feelings? Allow the writer to have creative control? Apathy? Lack of reading? Hmmm..