Donald Maass workshop
Well I just finished Donald Maass’s workshop and I have to say it was fantastic. I’m sending thoughts out to the Universe that each one of you finds a workshop or class that helps you in your writing, like this one has done for me.
It started Monday night and we finished Sunday afternoon. We had instruction for 3 hours, homework and then evening interactions with each other, such as critique groups, brainstorming, etc. When I came home, my brain shut off and I could barely mumble a word. But it was worth it.
I learned how to see my manuscript differently, by making the protagonist change roles with the antoganist. Boy, he hated every minute.
I learned to write the outline or scenes in the antagonist’s pov. Whew, this character loved being in the spot light and I had to reel him in.
I learned to write the ending as though the problem or antagonist won. I almost lost control over the plot at that point.
Donald Maass made us ask ourselves, how can things get worse, how can we find the unexpected in our manuscripts and how can we push the limits. In the last 2 years of being a part of the writing community, I finally was able to apply what I’ve learned in a hands on way.
I leave you with a few things to think about:
- How can you make it worse, make it worse, no worse then that
- If you don’t want to do something in a story then maybe you should
- If the antagonist won in the end and you found out the protagonist can come back and set things right, how would they do it?
- Adding more action doesn’t add tension.
- Tension is that which makes us wonder what happen
- Write down a list of all your character names. Close your eyes and strike a name off the list. Can someone else fulfill this role?
Those are just a few of the gems or nuggets of valuable information I received during this class. I met some fantastic writers who will always be my friends. And, now I hope I can write myself out of the flat scenes of driving in the car and serving tea to my cardboard characters.
Good luck with your writing and share with me a class that has helped you in your journey.
Isabella
