You might ask what does Orycon have to do with Philosophy? But, before that, you might ask what IS Orycon?
Orycon is the science fiction convention of Oregon. It is a fan convention, which means it is a place for fans to see and listen to their favorite speculative authors (science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic realism). It also has games (DnD, Magic the Gathering), a costume ball (this year's theme was Pirates), and lots of other cool stuff. This year they held their first Writer's Critique workshop.
I participated in the Writer's Critique workshop. I found it both painful and educational. I submitted one piece ahead of time which two established authors critiqued (Jean Lamb and Jay Lake). They gave me very good critique in that they pointed out some positive things about my piece and my writing. But it was also destructive in that they pointed out the many negative aspects of my piece. BUT THAT IS WHAT A CRITIQUE SHOULD DO. I was just hoping I was further along than I was.
I also participated in two ORCS (Open Read and Critique). An ORC allows writer';s to drop in, read a few pages of work, and have other writers critique it. Before I even read my second piece, I knew it wasn't ready and knew what the panel would say -- too much exposition. I can correct that, though. The second piece I felt more confident about. (Dare I say I thought it was ready to publish). But my listeners (not Jean and Jay) pointed out some difficulties with it but encouraged me to keep plugging along.
Overall, the experience was PAINFUL and I do not know if I will ever have three pieces critiqued in two days again. I won't say that I cried because I'm a man, but it was soul-rending.
However, I do what to THANK Kami for her organizational skills and dedication to bringing the writer's critique group to the con and for her comments on my work. I hope she does this again next year and that I participate again, because it is a growing experience.
Ok, so what does that have to do with philosophy? Hmm, how about the need we have to be in society with others? Or the need for writer's to have their stuff read by others? Or just the role of leisure and work in life?
Monday, November 19, 2007
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4 comments:
For whatever this might be worth to you, in my view you are approaching this process (including the painful bits) in precisely the right spirit. Keep writing, and good luck to you.
I'm impressed you put yourself through three critiques. That is a lot for one weekend if you aren't regularly undergoing critique sessions (or sometimes even if you are).
It is a painful process, but when you shoulder the pain eventually it becomes less bruising and more encouraging that another writer found the piece engaging to want to help improve on it. I find myself so often becoming invested in another writer's work simply because I joined in a critique of it. I want to see it succeed!
So do keep plugging away. It would be great to see you in next year's ORC sessions.
Carissa
What it has to do with philosophy? Both doing philosophy well and learning to write well are dialectical processes. In order to do good philosophy, you have to be able to both engage with the text sufficiently, and divorce yourself from your emotional attachments sufficiently, to see the structure of an argument and find its flaws, and then move on to sussing out how those flaws can be addressed. Receiving a critique on your fiction is much the same.
Or, as David Brin succinctly put it, "Criticism is the only known antidote to error."
Hi Jeff --
I also think that the ORCs were good sessions and we were all giving useful critiques. IMHO, a good critique should highlight both things that are working, and things that need work.
It's certainly tough to hear but if done in the right spirit (and I think we were all working in the right spirit). I remember the second piece - there was a lot there that was very interesting to me and I think that the main character and her wants, needs and journeys will carry you through the story.
Keep on trucking! See you at future cons!
- yeff
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