Hatrack River Forum: Nervous...Having a Story Critiqued Today

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Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :

So, on the first day of class, the teacher laid out some rules. No body count--she was sick of stories that took the easy way out that involved dramatic death scenes. No genre, such as Sci-Fi and Fantasy--she said that after I introduced myself as a Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan. I agreed, stating that I was interested in stories above all, and besides, it would be too difficult to create a whole world in a short story. (For me, anyway, at that point in my writing.) So, last week, I handed in a piece that probably would qualify as fantasy. As the semester has gone on, the rules have become more of a guideline, as the teacher intended, I think. If we have a good idea or want to take a risk, we can break the rules--we just have to be good at it.

So, I have this novel idea. It's a fairly good basis for a world, or system of worlds, I think. I've put a lot of thought and planning into it, and there's still some more to go. I wasn't planning on writing anything with a fantasy bend to it for this class, but after weeks of coming up with NO ideas but ones involving my future novel's world and characters, I deciding to write the "preface" to my novel. It's about my main characters' mother and the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy with them.

There are things that happen to and around the mother that are not explained--they can't be explained--until revealed in the novel. The characters are not supposed to know, so I didn't tell the readers either. As the story in the novel progresses, the reader will start to figure it out, I'm sure. But a preface story is WAY too soon. I told the class that it was a preface to a longer work (somehow, I couldn't utter the word "novel"--not sure why.), so that they wouldn't waste time complaining that they don't know _why_ certain things happen.

Anyway, I'm nervous. There's something missing from this story, and I don't know what. It's driving me crazy. As far as I can tell, it's not mechanical... it's not really the lack of descriptions--because they're sparse, but they're there.. I think it's content.. or maybe caring--do we care about these characters enough? That probably is the problem..

So, I'm hoping I get some good suggestions, and plenty of information on what I managed to do in this story. That's always what I'm most interested in from my critiquers--whether or not they got what I was trying to do.

So wish me luck. I am deathly afraid that my story really is pure trash, and I'm not looking forward to this at all...

Edit: I forgot to mention that this story takes place in pretty much the "real" world. Magic is involved, but it is never called magic--just power or talent. It is an unexplained phenomena at this point. So, it's really "light" fantasy.

-Katarain

[ April 19, 2005, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: Katarain ]

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

I've recently been in a situation like this, although we were all largely anonymous. Expect a real critique and you won't be surprised. Good Luck! I'm sure you'll get tons of excellent suggestions. [Smile]

Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :

Thanks Teshi for the luck.

I am expecting a real critique..this class is actually really good at them. But I'm worried, justly or unjustly, that they'll deviate from the norm because my story just stinks so bad.

Which I know it doesn't.. It's not a bad story. I need to make my characters more rounded (that's what I've decided the problem is so far, anyway), but I can do that before I turn in my portfolio of final work.

I'm just paranoid, I guess--and nervous about turning in a "genre" piece. Less than an hour to go....

-Katarain

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

Have courage! If you know what some of the issues are in your own writing then you're doing well. I'm sure the fact that it's sort of a genre piece will not cause that much trouble. And I'm also sure it's not "pure trash", as you say! [Wink]

I'd love to read your story when it's done and polished!

Posted by Beanny (Member # 7109) on :

I know how hard it is trying to expose something you created and then expecting harsh critizism. I wish you luck, and whatever your teacher tells you - don't give up on writing!