I read the first chapter yesterday of the biography I've just begun to my long-time writing group (23 years). It was the WORST REACTION I EVER GOT FROM THIS GROUP.
I kind-a like the chapter, and so did the only other person who has read it.
The most encouraging response I got out the meeting was: well, you always make it work in the end, so you'll no doubt do it again.
WHAT THEY HATED: the way I used PERSONAL MATERIAL as well as the stuff about my biography subject. One person wanted me to turn it into a novel. They also didn't like most of the references to the sources of the information I got; instead wanting me to just tell the story, without interruption, and put footnotes as needed. (That makes a sort of sense, but I'm always interested in THE UNDERPINNINGS OF A STORY.
Also, I started life as newspaper reporter, so I'm inclined to attribute.)
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO: Let it sit for a few days then see how it looks to me. What I now expect is that I'll stick with the approach of including my own piece of the story, and perhaps go a little deeper into one piece of that, hold some of it back until a later chapter, and then make the reason for my own WEIRD FASCINATION with the bizarre artist who is my subject part of the discovery process for both writer and reader.
EMOTIONAL RESPONSES:
1. Well, shit...how inconvenient that I need to take time to think about their reactions, to figure out how to make the story widely accessible without abandoning any of my purposes in writing it
2. Refreshed...this is not a healthy response, my being so kneejerk rebellious that I feel energized by opposition
3. Grudgingly glad to have early notice of what I'm up against in meeting readers' needs with the way I present this project
4. Startled by the vehemence of some of the reaction
5. Wearied by the knowledge that I've taken on something complicated. (My psychologist husband Bob has always said that I like "Great Wall of China projects.")
IN THE SHORT-TERM: I got my car washed this morning. This felt very pertinent, somehow. I also once again have the impulse to paint flowers on it.
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4 comments:
Getting your car washed makes me think: "getting your vehicle shined up for forward motion." Prelude to what will come with your chapter, I'm sure...
Thank you, thank you. I've been sort-a enjoying telling people all weekend that my group hated my chapter. I'm not sure what that's about.
It's an odd sort of brag. On the other hand, people at last night's get-together, who of course hadn't read the chapter, inevitably were in support of my way, my vision, etc. It was a bunch of therapists--maybe that made some difference.
I think it is a good sign that your chapter got such an overwhelming negative response - Peggy - I'd be more worried if they loved it. You're pushing the envelope, an innovater. All great writers are misunderstood, until later, go with your instincts!
Thanks for your encouragement, JBR. At the same time, I do enjoy being published in my lifetime, and there's such a narrow set of market requirements now. It's very hard to get through without meeting those.
My policy is to make the necessary compromises. The trick is, in each case, figuring out what's necessary.
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