(no subject)

[readingredhead]

AAARGH.

I have a short story to revise by Wednesday. I do not actually like the story very much. I know how to fix some of the problems in it, but not all of them.

Specifically, I really don't have a clue who my main character really is. All I know is that he's in his late twenties working for a literary magazine in New York and he went to Columbia for journalism. I don't know anything about what makes him tick, and I'm beginning to realize that the problem is that I don't know where he is. I've never physically been to the places he's been to, they're just names for me. I'm so worried about screwing up New York, but I'm also worried about screwing up anything beyond Columbia-journalism-grad-twentysomething-literary-editor, because I don't know anything about who he is or how he got there. People ask me questions about him and I can't answer them. I don't know what your motivation might be to do what he's done. Or rather, I know what my motivation might be for something like this, but I've already gotten enough criticism about his character sounding too much like me (most of the criticism is entirely deserved).

And this was supposed to be a challenge -- a chance for me to write outside my comfort zone -- a chance for me to work on two things I never do: writing a short short story, and writing from a male POV. The two critiques I got most frequently? "It needs to be fleshed out" (aka made longer) and "He sounds like a girl."

Now, of course I was expecting this. That's what happens when you try to move outside your comfort zone -- it's not easy. But what annoys me is that they just told me these things weren't so good, and didn't really give me any useful advice about how to fix them.

I have a short story revision due on Wednesday, and no desire to ever touch the thing again. Maybe I should just get back to writing mammoth short stories about women my age (or younger). Maybe this out-of-comfort-zone thing has taught me something I didn't want it to.

Comments

[incaseineedyou.livejournal.com]

Hey, I know I've been kinda flaky as of late, but I just dropped a class and have lots of time; send it to me and I can try to help (emphasis on try because I dunno if I can write male characters either). I don't know if you gat my call about the poems, but I called you on Tuesday, although it was probably after you had submitted them... I'm sorry.
Call me later if you have time, or just send me the story?

[readingredhead.livejournal.com]

I got the message from you about the poems -- it was after I'd turned them in but that's okay, I figured things out alright. I left you a message in return...but I guess you didn't get it? No matter.

The revision isn't due till Wednesday. What I might do is pound out a first revision right now and send it to you tonight, because I think I know at least a little what's wrong with this draft and how I can go about fixing some of the small things about it...might as well clean it up as much as possible before inflicting it upon readers!

What class did you drop?

[itsumi-actius.livejournal.com]

I read the story, and I do agree that the main character needs to be fleshed out a bit. I don't know what to tell you to help with the fact that he seems a little feminine. But it might help if you present the situation to a couple of guys that you know and ask what they would feel/do/etc.

As an aside, I loved the way you wrote the antagonist. That character had some interesting texture. What if you bounced the main character and his antagonist against each other some more for characterization purposes? Perhaps another short scene could help you out. I haven't written anything in a long time, so please take anything I say with a grain of salt.

[readingredhead.livejournal.com]

Hahah, that was the *exact* criticism that I got from my writing class! I actually spent this afternoon talking with a guy about it though and I've got some good ideas. I'm glad the letter (and by extension the Jim Butcher stuff) got to you.

I think part of my problem is that I love the antagonist too much...he's s terrible, but in a really awesome way. As for another scene -- yeah, that's definitely part of the plans now, too. Thanks for the feedback!

[itsumi-actius.livejournal.com]

Glad I could be of some help!