I hate my workshop. Two weeks ago, our writing workshop professor asked us to hand in a copy of the comments we left on other students' papers so she could have a sense of what we were thinking about feedback and criticism. I suspect that my complaint about Cunty McCunterson's rude comments and illustrations in my paper played some role in this exercise. While I am not obnoxious, I also do not think I leave the most useful feedback in the world. I try my best, but sometimes I just don't know what to say. I hoped that the professor might have some useful tips for me.
Instead, she photocopied Cunty McCunterson's comments and handed them out to the class as an example of how we should all provide feedback. Of course, Cunty's comments were far more constructive when she knew that the professor would be reading them. Only an idiot would turn in something rude and insulting when she knew the prof would see it. Sigh. I knew this would backfire on me.
There's another woman in the class who didn't read anyone's work for two weeks, and yet we all workshopped her story last week. She also yelled at someone last night for using the word "analysis" to describe the analysis of film that another student wrote, insisting that "analysis" was too Freudian. (I wonder how upset she would be if she knew that I applied for a part-time data analysis job yesterday.) I watched the person whose piece we were discussing doodle in his notebook the whole time. I'm not sure he cared what anyone in the class thought.
That I am counting down until this class is over (only four to go...) is upsetting. It didn't have to be this way. I like the professor a lot on a personal level and tremendously value what her insight. But that two or three people have managed to make class so dysfunctional and unpleasant for six of us (I think one person is unperturbed because she is low key like that), infuriates me. I can't believe how much money I paid for this. I am getting things out of it, so it's not a total loss, but it's enough to make me apply for a part-time data analysis job. Ba dum dum cha.
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I feel you on this one. I had a class where we were supposed to work together to produce a magazine and there were 2 people in the class who were recalcitrant jerks and who made the whole thing a miserable experience for everyone.
ReplyDeleteRemember it is about your writing and what YOU can get out of it, not about them.
Ugh, sorry to hear it.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, it's utterly typical of workshops - very rarely is there is happy, nurturing atmosphere because egos get in the way every time. Writing is a solitary pursuit, period. I have yet to get anytime substantial out of the 10 or so workshops I've participated in (though, admittedly, they're extra, extra-useless for poets). But, I did always find people who were confused by parts of my writing helpful, it pointed out weaknesses in the text.
The best advice I can give is to muddle through the workshop requirements and let them go, don't give them any more thought than necessary - you'll doubtlessly encounter many critics, both good and (mostly) bad. Keep in mind, good writers are not necessarily good critics. And vice versa.
Everyone who publishes is voluntarily setting themselves up for such attacks, so workshops are a good place to develop a thick skin.
If all else fails, bring your book in and wave it under their noses every week...
Thanks for the good advice. I'm just griping. Plus, it was a good way to throw out my data analysis joke. People are crazy and idiots. That's definitely always the problem.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much easier when everything is handled by loans and you don't really know how much money you are spending.
ReplyDelete