As I was preparing to sign up for classes last semester, I knew I would need to sign up for a filler class in order to keep my scholarship. Technically, I only need 3 classes to graduate but I need 12 hours for my scholarship. So I signed up for Creative Writing (actually called: Form and Technique of Fiction). And when I learned that we would need to write a short story and read it out loud, a small part of me wanted to drop the class. But a bigger part of me wanted to see this thing through and to stop putting my creative writing career on hold. My biggest dream in life is to become a published author, but I’m not doing anything towards that goal. This short story would be the kick-start I needed to take this dream and make it a reality.
At first, I had no idea of what I wanted to write about. What genre? What age range? What character?
Luckily, my professor had us do a lot of writing exercises and one such exercise gave me the perfect beginning. I am so in love with this beginning. I am never one to toot my own horn, but I happen to think it’s pretty fantastic: it draws the reader in and makes them want to read on. At least that’s what I think!
The first time around, my story had a lot of holes in it. I didn’t particularly like the main character and she was very two-dimensional. The story didn’t flow in the right way and I was almost ready to toss the entire thing and try a completely different story.
Then I decided to test out a new character. And it all came together. The character was more likeable, the plot more believable. The story flowed so much better and I get this little flutter in my stomach as I read it through. Is it the best story to ever be written? Absolutely not. Will it win me a dozen awards? Nope. But it’s a piece of me, it took a lot of work to get it in the shape it is now and I know I still have more edits to do on it. Thanks to some harsh, but completely true, critiques from Kendra (whom I will be hiring as my editor when I become rich and famous, just so you know), I took a story that was laying on shaky foundation and turned it around into a story that can stand on its own two feet.
Writing this story was a lot of work. There were many edits, many changes, many freak-outs. But it was also incredibly fun. I can see myself doing this again and again. This short story gave me the spark I needed to get serious about writing my novel, to stop putting my dreams on hold until the perfect time comes. (Because, really, when will it be the perfect time?) I’m more determined than ever to get my foot in the writing world, no matter how hard it is.
Come Thursday, I will be ready to read my story out loud. There will be butterflies, but I’m pretty positive there will be more excited butterflies than nervous butterflies. I think I can handle any critiques that are thrown my way, because it’s all in the name of improvement. I’ve been worried that being critiqued on my creative writing will defeat me since I am very sensitive, but I imagine it will only serve to help me to another look at my story in a different way. And make it so much better.
If you want to read my story, let me know in the comments and I’ll send the file to you.
What are some dreams you’ve been sitting on for a while?
Good luck reading your story outloud! That is intimidating because you are sharing a little piece of yourself. But you have the right attitude – the comments/critique will only improve your story!
I'd love to read it!
Did I dream, or did you send it to me? I completely forgot until I read this post and then went scouring through my e-mails and it wasn't there. Anyway, either way, I'd love to read the new one too! I don't have it anymore (did I ever have it?) but if you wanted to send it to my Gmail account I wouldn't be opposed 😉
I'm so excited to hear how your reading goes!
Send the story to me please!!!
That's so exciting! I love that you had help from a friend with critiques, and that you're feeling more confident about reading your story aloud. I'm sure you'll totally rock it. I have no doubt in my mind 🙂 Will be sending oodles of good vibes your way this Thursday!
I'd love top read your story! This is awesome. I really struggle with fiction & am hoping to take a creative writing class soon that will help me sharpen my skills.
I want to read!
That's awesome Stephany! I hope you'll share your story with us when you're done!! 🙂
I'd LOVE to read your story! I love critiquing people's writing (especially when they're GOOD writers, which I can tell you are. Have you ever tried to critique a terrible paper? Ouch). Send it over, and I'll see if I can help you out! AshleyNKoch@gmail.com
Best of luck! I remember the first time they made us do this in writing class too and I felt physically SICK, but looking around and seeing the exact same expressions of total mortification on everyone else's face kind of made me feel like I wasn't alone in it. Reading aloud in front of a public bookstore though was another matter altogether! I know when you do this, you will feel SUCH a sense of accomplishment, and know that I will be sending you encouragement and positive vibes all the way from up here! Best of luck!
And there I was trying to be all not harsh. You should see what I say to my husband about his writing. 😉
I will absolutely be your editor when you are rich and famous. 🙂
Hmm. I guess all my dreams revolve around travel at the moment. And one day I'd like to be involved in a musical or a similar production.
Would love to read your story!!! So brave of you. I'm a good reader but hate reading aloud, public speaking, anything like that…and can't imagine reading out something that I had written myself.
Reading your work aloud never stops being nerve wracking. I've done it hundreds of times by now in my weird journo/writer "career" and I still have a small panic attack every time – doesn't matter if I'm confident in the story or not. But I'm so glad you stuck with it and used that small fear to improve on your skill! I'm sure it will be amazing.
Also, I'd love to read it!
Good luck! You'll do fab. Let me know if you change the ending.
How awesome! Good luck reading it in class on Thursday – I'm sure you'll do great. Also, I'd love to read it. 🙂
Good luck presenting your story!!
I've been dreaming for a year and a half of actually finishing the novel I started in NaNoWriMo 2009! I'm just soooo intimidated to even pick it up again. Good luck with your reading!
Wow, I am definitely intrigued. Would you send it to me?
I hope the "reading out loud" went well today 🙂 Can't wait to hear all about it!
Good luck reading your story outloud! That is intimidating because you are sharing a little piece of yourself. But you have the right attitude – the comments/critique will only improve your story!
I'd love to read it!