Amanda’s
Comments
(group member since Feb 19, 2009)
Amanda’s
comments
from the Goodreads Status Update Writing Contest group.
Showing 1-4 of 4
I've added Karen Masman's book to my "to-read" list! Thanks, Ann.
No way, Jennifer. I'm happy. I'm in love. I've simply gone through bad times and look for better days sometimes, just like everyone else.
Sure, Ann, I'm happy to talk about my story. When I first read about the contest, a few of Jessica's points stood out in my mind:
-It can be a story about yourself
-using the status update format as a tool
-and can be fiction or nonfiction.
So, when I first started writing, I thought to myself, "Well, Amanda... What are you doing RIGHT NOW? Sitting, staring out the window, waiting for something to happen." In that sense, the story is quite autobiographical--I'm a woman who experiences periods of despair at not knowing what to do with my dull, mundane life; a woman who hopes and questions what else is out there, thinking there MUST be something else.
As far as using the status format, I realize there has been some question as to whether or not I utilized the format to its fullest potential. I agree with many posters that Brendan's (about Red Bear) stuck most rigidly to the status format; however, I want to assure you that I DID consider the time stamp when posting my story. I specifically chose the noon hour as that time of day when morning slips into afternoon; when sometimes we say to ourselves, "It's noon ALREADY? What happened to the morning?" The time of day when, sometimes, we wonder what's happened to the lost hours of our lives.
On the subject of the fiction vs nonfiction aspect of my story, I used a bit of both. Obviously I've never shrunk down to one millimeter tall and gone for a swim around the pipes in my house. But of course, I do imagine an escape from my own life. And those times when I'm feeling it the most are the times when I'm almost tortured by knowing there must be something else out there, but never knowing exactly what it is or how to get there. And I think a lot of people go through times when they feel this way. The fact of the matter is, I'm a woman feeling the exact same feelings, hopes, and despair as a zillion other people feel. In that sense, I hoped that readers would identify with my story, and in fact, I've heard from several GoodReaders who say, "Woman, I know exactly what you mean," and I've made some new friends because of it.
Have people's reviews been helpful? Of course! I've learned what aspects of my writing style work and resonate. (Ann--the rising crescendo you mentioned, for one example. I did write that into my story deliberately and hoped that people could feel it as they read ). I'm learning to take criticism with a grain of salt and to improve based on the constructive aspects of the criticism. This experience has been so very rewarding from start to finish. I'm glad I did it. I'm grateful for the people who encouraged me. And I'm sure it's an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life.
I stated over in the poll comments that I loved reading all the other entries. And that's no lie. I read the other entries over and over again and was astounded and amazed by the vastly different writing styles of all the participants. I feel touched and honored and ever so grateful to have been included. Thanks to all. For sure...
I'll post mine Thanks in advance!
