February's Fiction Writers Workshop Class

Over the last few months during the holidays and my move, the Fiction Writers Workshop had been on hold. We started it up again and are meeting for the first time in three months. 

The subject of this class was “Plot”.

The class had started the exercises on plot before the holidays, but since this is such an important subject, we agreed to spend more time on it.

We decided to stay on this subject until next month, then we will continue on to the next chapter of Point of View.

We will probably stay on that subject for several months, until we have time to fully grasp it and have done a number of the exercises.

The fact that at present the workshop is small works to our benefit. It allows flexibility in allowing more time in doing the exercises. 

What happened at the workshop class:

The subject of “plot” is quite interesting. The Fiction Writer’s Workshop book by Josip Novakovich gives us plenty of writing exercises. Some of them upon first reading I automatically rejected. 

Then after challenging myself, I managed a few of the exercises.  

 One is a plot line of a strange situation that begs to be explained. They gave an example. 
 Another exercise was to write a parody of a movie or book.

Surprised was I when a plot came pouring out of me as I wrote the exercises.  I had a clear vision in my head and will have to write those out so that I can complete the short stories. 

I also have to admit it was quite fun. 

Writing the first draft is always fun, it’s the most creative because the story is unfolding and your fingers are typing away as fast as they can go.  Afterward, when the writer is working on the revisions does the hard work come into play. We, in the Small Writers Group, have found this out the hard way. This is where the true art and hard work is done.

It is also the most rewarding part of the process. 

I was able to read both of my plots and I was proud of them. 

My classmate Cynthia Seeley read her plot of a strange situation that begs to be explained. 

She read it and I was dumbfounded. It was extremely well written and chilling.  Well done Cynthia. The plot, when written out completely, makes for a very good story. 

Cynthia never would have know that it was good unless she received the valuable feedback for the class, or her peers, such as in the main writing group. 

This is how important and needed both the class and the critiquing group is. 

Do you want to be a better writer or do you just want to publish a book just for the sake of it? I’m getting off the subject here but it remains to be said.  It is all part of the journey to get to the main goal, write, critiquing, revisions, writing more and critiquing more. 

There really is no way to get around it. Wishing is not going to get you your dream. 

So challenge yourself to write strange plots with different scenarios. Then come to the next Fiction Writers Workshop or the Diligent Writers Critiquing Group and get some feedback. 

If you are scared to read talk to someone on a personal level and get his or her individual feedback.

The Diligent Writers Critiquing Group next meeting is March 10, 2012.  To find out more check us out online.

See you there.  Write because you love it. 

Rhonda Marsh
Host to The Diligent Writers Critiquing Group.