CW10 again

I have to comment the stories I've handed in to CW10.

Story 2
Sam wasn't half as scary as I first thought it would be - well. it wasn't scary at all. I think it was the frame of mind I disliked, rather than the story itself.

Story 1.
I got feedback two days ago. I glanced at the papes once and quickly shoved it into my bag. Later on I pulled it out (carefully) and eyed it again. I've known criticism to be scary. This criticism wasn't. It was constructive. And hence the state of writing limbo. When showing people examples of my writing, there are two things that will definately make me stop dead in my tracks and not write one more word. "It's bad" and "It's good." Donna just went past all that and told me to move home after reading one of my things, but since she's always telling me to move home, I didn't quite take it too seriously. I didn't continue writing either.

But here comes a piece of constructive criticism, and for the first time in a long time - it felt like "Heeeeeeey. What. Is This?" Hence the fear of rescuing my paper from the bag I'm keeping it in. It is useful. Which means that I now have the oppertunity of rethinking & reconstructing my form of writing. Because if I do, I might just have a shot at doing something kinda good. And that's what I want, isn't it? It is.

I suppose it feels like I've got my dream - or at least the seeds of one - sealed up in that bag. The only question left now is - do I have the courage to open it?
Hum.

In other news, that which was discussed in the class I missed was "benifits writing in first/third person & limitations." I suppose it depends on how you look at it. Third person view gives you the writer this omnipontent overview of his characters. On the other hand, it limits your own personal views, even if you have your characters express them. Or I suppose it depends. Writing in the first person form demands that you put yourself in a certain frame of mind - the mother, the father, the serial killer - which might also force you to limit yourself. You're seeing through eyes that aren't yours. And you are seeing other people from a very limited first person perspective. Which also means that there's a greater risk of falling into the trap of focusing on this I and failing to describe the surrounding environment - like I seem to have a tendency of doing. It's a delicate balance.

So why do I opt for writing in first person?
Writing in third person presents a greater responsibility- and skill. You have to be able to make many people come alive in a way that I haven't been able to do - it takes time, and patience, and caution, so that you don't let your opinions influence the different characters in such a way that makes them all run together in a gray messy mass.

But no, I'm sorry. I do not see any benefits or limitations with one as opposed to the other. I don't want to make a pro's and con's list. It all depends on your style of writing, skill and dedication. And personal preference, of course. as a writer, you control how deeply under the skin you want your reader to go, regardless perspective.