Thoughts on the Narrative Project
I found this particular project to be easier than that previous one. I think this is mainly due to the fact that I wrote about a story that I have told and retold frequently over the years. So, basically I already had a revised story ready when I started drafting and recording.
With that in mind, there were a few things that surprised me. As I've said, this is a story I share a lot, but not one that I've ever really deeply thought about. During the writing process for class, I gave a lot of thought to what the story actually means, and why I tell it. It's a funny anecdote, for sure, but what it meant (if it meant anything at all), I had no idea until I started really examining it. This, I think, was the most beneficial aspect of this project for me. A little self reflection can go a long way, especially when the story is stripped down to the core.
Playing with the musical elements was interesting and even fun. I was surprised by how easy and naturally it all seemed to come together. Of course, when we listened to my draft in class, I noticed several things that I want to adjust, fix, or change outright in addition to the recommendations from the rest of the class. In spite of that, I am pretty happy with the way the piece turned out.
I find, I'm actually looking forward to the next big project and its challenges.
With that in mind, there were a few things that surprised me. As I've said, this is a story I share a lot, but not one that I've ever really deeply thought about. During the writing process for class, I gave a lot of thought to what the story actually means, and why I tell it. It's a funny anecdote, for sure, but what it meant (if it meant anything at all), I had no idea until I started really examining it. This, I think, was the most beneficial aspect of this project for me. A little self reflection can go a long way, especially when the story is stripped down to the core.
Playing with the musical elements was interesting and even fun. I was surprised by how easy and naturally it all seemed to come together. Of course, when we listened to my draft in class, I noticed several things that I want to adjust, fix, or change outright in addition to the recommendations from the rest of the class. In spite of that, I am pretty happy with the way the piece turned out.
I find, I'm actually looking forward to the next big project and its challenges.
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteI just posted a response to Britt (who was much less happy with the topic of her piece than you were) about how we choose material to develop when we have the choice. What struck me as I read your post is that you chose a story you've shared quite a lot. Why? I ask because I am often drawn to stories I haven't told, that have unsettled meanings, stuff that I may have shared but that I know have gaps, fissures, maybe even lies I've been telling myself. What was your thinking when you chose this story?
I'm also struck by your choice to retell something that you've told many times over the years, but not for BB's curiosity over why this story has meant so much. I'm struck by what an obvious (but maybe overlooked) method for success this is.
DeleteOne of the bits of feedback I received was that I should speak in my boss's voice more, especially in the room where she is fired, but I don't remember. I remember how things look, and certain feelings, but I've told this story only a few times in passing. I only wrote about it now because it popped up in one of our brainstorming activities and it had a clear SOFT. I haven't kept it alive over the years, which makes it hard to expand upon.
I was also told, outside of class, that it lacked the inflection of when I'm just storytelling. Your story came off as very natural. You had a practiced pacing to your delivery. I think that, even with a story like mine, this is something that can be practiced (and the more I think about it, the more details might resurface), but if there is a deadline, I think that telling the stories that matter to you enough that you frequently share them is a good way to tap into that energy that makes for compelling listening.
It's an interesting idea, telling a story that you've told many times before, and it's one that I don't know if I would even be capable of doing, since I can't think of any fun repeated anecdotes that I have. With that said, I definitely understand what you mean when it comes to reflecting on the stories that we've told others and ourselves many times before. Most stories that I write about myself, be they for this class or any other are stories that I've thought about many times before, or that I've told other people before once or twice, and then I go from there. It might be the English major part of me, but I really do think that there's something to learn about yourself or the world around you in every story, even if you have to stretch it a little. What specifically do you think that you learned from your story by writing about it and being essentially forced to find the "SOFT" in it?
ReplyDelete