I decided to revise the fiction and non-fiction pieces for my final portfolio. It wasn't so much because I was happy with the poem that I wrote as I was unhappy with the final product in my two short stories.
I have not gotten to the non-fiction piece yet, but I do understand that there is a lot to get done with it. I wish to make it more descriptive and emotional, but I don't want the thing to drag on, as it is about me walking in the snow for a very long time. I will get more creative with it, it's just a difficult thing. I want to be able to control the emotions of the reader with that piece, and it is always difficult to do that without taking to many liberties with what actually happened. I'll figure it out, though.
The fiction piece is one of my favorites that I have ever written. Not in terms of the finished product, but as far as story goes. I have elongated the beginning and put some back story in. I am contemplating whether or not I want to keep the back story though, because it makes the story seem less effective in my mind. I would very much like to get more descriptive with this piece as well. David's critique of my first draft made me realize that sometimes my blunt writing has a tendency to be counter-productive because the power of some of the text is overshadowed by less significant text. The parts that were confusing towards the end are being cleared up and I have started to find a more cohesive and enjoyable story within the piece.
D. Ryan
I like how you put into context your reason for revising the pieces that you chose, "It wasn't so much because I was happy with the poem that I wrote as I was unhappy with the final product in my two short stories." I have to say that I have chosen to revise the piece that I have because I think that they are good stories and because we have to, but I would like for my stories to be great stories. I feel that my writings can really get a point across and that the audience will be inspired by but if the story is not greatly described then they will miss the point. I have to also say that one of the piece I am revising I love the story background of it and believe that it is one of my favorite writings. I just want to eliminate unnecessary parts of my story and add more relevant and defining parts.
ReplyDeleteJaaziah Bethea
I'm still not positive whether I'd like to choose the poetry or nonfiction to edit. I'm definitely going to revise the fictional piece I wrote because I'm more well versed with fiction. I know where I want to take the piece next and how to change it. Nonfiction may actually be a bit easier in that perspective, I know what will happen & I have an idea of how I want to write it. In that respect, poetry would be the most difficult. I've never revised my poetry, I've never really wanted to revise it. And, if I were to revise it how would I still get the intended meaning across? The structural disparity between poetry and nonfiction is a strong cause for choosing nonfiction over poetry if one is more versed with prose.
ReplyDeleteI think it's smarter for you to choose to make weaker pieces strong rather than a piece you regard as strong stronger. I highly advise sticking true to your objective and instincts as an author, and you should also look over the piece after having left it alone for a while and see what impedes those goals. Is the characterization strong? The style consistent?
Nitesh Arora