Frequently Asked Questions about Writing Workshops

What are my responsibilities as a workshop reader?

We are all writers at various stages in our work. Unless we are writing in a locked diary, we crave an appreciative audience. So the first thing you can do is be that audience. Be a receptive reader, and let the writer know her manuscript affected you. For example: “I laughed here . . .” “I almost cried when. . . ” “I could just see this . . .” “You made this place come alive” “I identified completely with this person” are all phrases that are appropriate responses to written work. An interpretation of the piece can be very helpful to the writer -- “This is what I saw happening here -- ” “You made me hate this person when he said --”

It is important to be as specific as you can in your comments. “It was great -- I wouldn’t change a thing” is not a helpful comment. Neither is “I don’t like this kind of thing.” To grow as writers, we need to see where our writing is effective, where it achieves our purpose, and where we might improve it or try something else. So as a reader, you must be specific with criticism to help each other discover strengths and weaknesses, passions and purposes.

What if I don’t know what to say?

How can you be helpful to each other? This is a skill that takes effort and practice.

First, you may need to read the manuscript several times in order to find anything to say about it. When the time comes to discuss the piece, refer to the notes you have prepared to give to the author.

Second, observe how others respond and learn the vocabulary that goes along with writing workshops.

Third, take a chance and say what you think even if it might sound silly or wrong. You have to practice to get better at this.

What if I hate the manuscript?

Find something to like - - the subject matter, a metaphor on page five, the description of the setting, an image. In your written comments, try to begin with something positive and then move on to problems you see in the manuscript. As a reader, focus on the writing and the craft; do not judge the rightness or wrongness of the characters themselves or the morality of their choices.

What if the author is such a good writer that I can’t find anything to criticize?

Telling an author what she did that worked is as beneficial than telling her what did not work. Focus on responding as a reader, telling the author the effect the manuscript had on you as you read it, maybe giving an interpretation or summary of what is going on. Point out sentences or sections you especially liked, telling why specifically.

What are my responsibilities as a workshop writer?

Be prepared to listen to all the suggestions and criticism. If there is a question about something in the manuscript, consider that an opportunity for revision. If several people don’t understand a section, or a character, or a conversation, perhaps that is an area that needs to be clarified.

When the time comes for my piece to be workshopped, I’m afraid they will attack my “baby.”

It is not easy to have something as personal as writing criticized by a group of people. I’m not sure what advice to give here, other than it gets easier with practice. One thing that can help is if we are all gentle with one another -- not in the sense that we withhold criticism, but that the tone and manner we use to criticize makes it clear we are here FOR the writer’s success.

Do I have to take everyone’s advice?

No. As the author, you are the final judge of your manuscript. You decide whether to revise or edit, whether to take any of the advice your classmates or teacher give you. It is recommended, in any case, that you put your manuscript aside for a while, then go through it and see which of the suggestions feel “right” to you. You may end up not using any of our suggestions, but perhaps we have shown you something about your manuscript that you may not have considered before.

Remember, have faith in yourself and trust your own voice. Writing takes a lifetime.