Joanci,
This reportage draft is pretty kick ass—just so you know.
Wonderful job documenting specifics with little “telling” language. You’re
definitely on the right track. In all honesty, I think it would be doing the
entry a disservice if you didn’t continue working with it (considering the fact
that it is set up nicely for revision). To help you start generating ideas,
consider a few creative calisthenics (Note: these won’t necessarily confine
your writing—but the calisthenics will certainly apply a little pressure with
regards to asking you to attempt a very particular style/type/method of
creative writing, though only if you’re willing.): (1) expansion and/or
contraction—or simply an overwrite, recycled from this material (*Imagine: you
write a freakin’ great reportage that has great potential. RECYCLE, hm?). I
find this exercise one of the most rewarding, because not only does it allow my
writing open-range but, almost by default, allows my writing to find it’s
subject, to find it’s own voice; (2) creative erasure—which I am also fond of,
for two reasons: I’m able to cut any baggy words while inventing fresh
language/imagery and pairing them in a new way (so I knock out two birds with
one stone); and (3), juggling—this is a neat way to introduce multiple
mini-subjects into a draft. However, juggling is fairly difficult to pull off
(even for an experienced writer); so I would suggest juggling two or three of
these mini-subjects first—that way the draft doesn’t become some kind of
unadministered chat room (the ones where so many (teens) are in one
conversation, and then someone who tries to join in medias res has no flipping
clue what the hell is being discussed or if there is even a topic of
discussion).
If you have any questions about the calisthenics (i.e., how
to use them or if you need more explanation and examples) don’t hesitate to ask
me. Also, Dr. Davidson and Dr. Fraser have an amazing creative writing book that
discusses all of these and much more, in great detail. I highly suggest
purchasing it (that is if you don’t already own a copy).
Again, awesome work, Joanci. Keep it up.
All the best,
Sydney
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