Day 3

Got up early, read 3 stories, and got some breakfast. Before the crits, we got a lecture on information flow in a story and plot devices. All useful information, even if I heard most of it before.

We critiqued 4 stories today, one of which was my Peacemaker tale, which I'm prepping for WOTF. I'd say I got a mixture of fair, useful, and unperceptive comments. On the whole, I got an idea of what to do with the next draft. It's true when they say writing is rewriting. But I'm on the right track with this story.

I've begun thinking about the second story I'll turn in for next week. I would've done more if I hadn't succumbed to a temptation to watch Casablanca with most of the others.

I knew how it ended, but I've never seen the whole thing till now. A lot of today's Hollywood execs, directors, producers, writers, etc. would learn a thing or two if they watched this film. I'd say Connie picked it to reinforce some points in the lecture, like "reversals," "character convergence" (when characters that mix like fire and oil come together, that is), "plot twists," and sundry other good storytelling things.

Great film.

But I still have to do some background work on my next story.

And critique 3 stories when I wake up tomorrow...

Later.