My original cunning plan: To use the workshop as an impetus to
finish and polish a new story for the final session which would then knock the socks off everyone with its perfectly executed prose, sharp images, sublime dialogue, complete control
over characters, wondrous world-building and multi-layered political-fantasy plot
– all this, and a dragon too!
What happened: In an impromptu rejig of the schedule, everyone
got to read the first, unfinished draft that I submitted at the second session two months ago (to show that I wasn’t cheating and was actually working on
something). It was basically a clunky foray into the raw landscape of an idea,
and most of it has been deleted, shuffled about or rewritten since then. *sigh* I’ve never ever shown such an
undeveloped story to anyone before. I’m thoroughly hardened to people critiquing a finished piece, truly, but to have a whole room full of people eyeing off one's fits and starts and dead ends was just plain embarrassing.
Of course, in the greater scheme of things, my sensitive writerly
ego barely rates a mention. I was actually a bit down on the train trip home. With
everyone making plans for the final workshop and arrangements for going out drinks
and a meal afterwards, and all the talk of Natcon panels and guests, it suddenly hit me that I
really am going to miss out on a great big chunk of life soon. Exciting and
interesting things will be happening in the world beyond, but I won’t be able to participate. I have
to get used to the thought that for the time being, plans are for other people.
But not to worry - I will get used to the thought. And I
will get through it all. And I plan to watch every HBO series and sci-fi box
set in the known universe as I do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment