Journal MCWS7 290308
First drafts are in and this group of writers is talented. A
Vietnam vet has written about his experience with PTSD, an older Vietnam vet
has written about his experience on a cruise to serve in Vietnam, a Korean
Conflict vet has written about defending a sailor during a court-martial, an
Iraq vet has written about her experience in camp, a two-year marine has
written about why she enlisted, and a Cold War vet has written about his
marine-son's first convoy and experience under fire in Iraq.
Our first draft workshop was productive. I handled it a different
way this time. Rather than putting participants together in smaller groups, I
distributed manuscripts willy-nilly and we talked as a group about each work.
This method seemed to work better than dividing the group. Writers didnÕt get
to everyoneÕs work, so excitement is mounting about pieces that have not yet
been read.
These are all fine writers. I found it difficult to critique first
drafts, but it wouldnÕt be CWS unless I challenged the writers. As I read, I
watched for creative opportunity: where scenes could replace summaries; where
an additional story line might add something; where too many story lines
required refining. And of course, I reminded the writers that the author has
the final say in deciding how the material is presented, what is added, deleted
or re-worded. We had a blast!
Second drafts are due to me for manuscript exchange on Wednesday.
I can hardly wait!