So, I'm working on my story for Fiction Writing class and I'm trying to decide which story I want to workshop. I've narrowed it down to two, but I'm not sure which to submit.
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The first is about two women - a 20 something office worker and her 16 year old sister. (Buffy and Dawn in my story Gotham Slayer you say? How dare you!!! But yeah... a bit.) Anyway, they have little in common and therefore not much to talk about, until one day a mysterious, gruff older man moves into their building. They begin to speculate about who and what he is. Basically, they are using the man, even though they have almost no actual interaction with him. Eventually it develops into a stalking situation as the gals need to keep “upping the ante” of their stories, trying to find out more and more about the man. Could work, but I'm not sure it'll hold my class's interest. The sisters' relationship feels awkward and strained at the beginning, which is the point, but still, it's a slow build. |  |
The second contender is about an eighteen year old guy spending the summer between high school and college with the biological father he hasn't seen since he was 6. The father is a manly, ex military type and the son a somewhat effeminate, not-quite-openly-gay intellectual. The guy (currently named Andrew because I write way too much BTVS fic) is very earnest and emotional, and his father's nihilistic humor ends up not only rubbing off on him, but also helping him get over being dumped and outed in small town USA (the traumatic experience which led him to agree to spend the summer with the father he hardly knows in the first place.)
Now, this one has the chance of going over really well as the dad tells a lot of awful bawdy jokes but is secretly a complete sweetheart who just wants to connect with his son who, I think, shows a lot of strength of character. Frankly, I love this story. Points against it, however, 1) it's about a homosexual character and I go to school in Idaho. I don't want my class to get so caught up talking about the OMG-GAY! that they don't get around to giving me any constructive feedback on my writing. Also, it's written in present tense (works better with the jokes) which isn't my usual style and ultimately I want to get feedback on my writing style, not just this particular story.
I'm torn.
Thoughts?
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Edited at 2011-03-29 03:03 pm (UTC)
Edited at 2011-03-29 12:27 am (UTC)
Are you allowed to have advice beforehand? Is that cheating? *shifty eyes* 'Cause I was gonna say if you're worried about not holding their interest, why not open up with an attention-grabbing line? Something like: She never imagined becoming a stalker, didn't even realize her actions could be construed as such until she found herself {insert stalkery scene here}, {blah blah a little more lead-in}. It started innocently enough. And then go into the less exciting set-up. That way, your audience knows something interesting is coming; they just have to wait a bit.
I dunno. Something like that. Or not. I'm just over-helpful sometimes and I've never taken a writing class, so take that as you will. :P
Good luck with it, at any rate.
This is my first writing class and it's been eye opening, mostly because I have a new found respect for fanfic writers. Seriously, the average fanfic writer, with a few stories under her belt, is head and shoulders above the English majors in my class. Turns out, fanfic -is- writing. Who knew?
Haha, I know what you mean. I've found myself reading a book that's supposed to be really popular for some reason and thought I've read better fanfiction than this! My expectations are so much higher than they used to be thanks to fandom spoiling me.
Personally, I'd be far more likely to read the second story. Oddly, from your description, I get the impression you have it better worked out in your mind. (???)
So...if that's the story you've got a better grip on, would you write it anyway? One doesn't want a good story to get in a snit because it thinks you're favouring a lesser rival. In my experience, if you keep snubbing the bunnies, they eventually hop off.
Edited at 2011-03-29 03:33 pm (UTC)
I've been dealing with closed-minded people almost my whole life and sometimes I just have to remind myself, "I can't please everyone."
Still, I hope that whatever story you pick to workshop you get what you need out of it. =]
I have to turn in a second story at the end of the term that just the prof. will read, so I might use story 2 for that. Thanks :)