Learning New Tricks

I'm taking another writing class. I know, it seems as if I'm a perpetual student these days. Well I am, and I hope I always will be.

It's thrilling when something you've been struggling with suddenly clicks into place and makes sense. I love that feeling whether it's art related, writing related or simply life related.

The class I'm taking this time is Uma Krishnaswami's Advanced Workshop for Children's Writers. I love the format of this class. It is exactly what I've been looking for.

These days, I've been using workshops as much to "get things done" as to learn new things. When I take a writing workshop that involves critiques, I HAVE to sit butt in chair and write something. It's just like a deadline for an illustration project.

The format of Uma's advanced workshop is perfect for this. It's not based on weekly lessons or lectures, it's all critique based. We take turns posting work (picture books, mid grades, YA, you name it) two participants at a time.

The best part is Uma's critiquing method. It's unlike any critiquing method I've ever used and it's just brilliant. It's a very high-level first look.

The idea is that we're looking at the big picture. We're not worrying about whether this word or that word works best yet. We're making sure the story arc, the characters, the voice, the point of view, etc. work before we worry about the things that might change anyway.

The way it works is that you use the symbols +, *, and ? to make comments. The + denotes things you like and that you think are working, the * is used to talk about things that aren't working for you, and the ? is for asking questions and making general comments.

For instance, I might read someone's ms. and then in a separate post, I'd write:

+ I think you've got a really strong story arc here.

+ I absolutely love your main character.

+ Your dialog seems very authentic. I especially like it when your main character uses slang.

* I'm not feeling your main character's motivation. It doesn't seem as if she REALLY wants to get the golden egg.

* I think your rhythm worked really well until we get to the part where the goose falls asleep. I lose track of it from there and can't seem to pick it back up until the last few stanzas.

? How does your character know that the first egg isn't the right one? Is this something that will show up in the art?

? I'd really love to see your mc fall into the batter. That would be so funny, and it would be just the right spot to interject some humor.

I brought this method back with me to the Junkies and we immediately adopted it. I think we've had really good results with it so far.

In short, I'm very pleased with Uma's workshop. I will be taking it again and again. I've written three manuscripts in the first 7 weeks.

You really can teach an old dog new tricks.

Related Links:

• Uma's Website
• Uma's Introduction Workshop
• Uma's Picture Book Workshop
• Uma's Advanced Workshop
• Writers on the Net Classes

Comments

[kim]

That sounds awesome! My SCBWI critique group uses a system similar to this when we critique. (-+?) But, I like that high-level story arc/character/voice idea! Three mss in seven weeks? Wow! That's the kind of progress I hope to make come September. I'm glad the class is working for you!

[wynlen]

This sounds like a great workshop. I really like the way to comment - it makes it easy both to make comments and to understand the comments you get.

[donna farrell]

I also like that you focus on the big picture first. What a great way to stay on track.
Thanks again for sharing,
Donna

[Janee]

It just makes so much sense to get the big picture working before you get down to the nitty gritty. I mean what difference does perfect grammar, spelling, and word choice make if the structure of your story is flawed?!?!? It's kind of like adding salt to a stew in which you used rancid meat. It just isn't going to help. :-)

[monicalee]

Thnaks so much for the info, I am going to look into it...I have taken weekend courses and it forced me to write more. Maybe this will too!