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About the author and blogger ...

Anne Goodwin’s drive to understand what makes people tick led to a career in clinical psychology. That same curiosity now powers her fiction.
A prize-winning short-story writer, she has published three novels and a short story collection with small independent press, Inspired Quill. Her debut novel, Sugar and Snails, was shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize.
Away from her desk, Anne guides book-loving walkers through the Derbyshire landscape that inspired Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
Subscribers to her newsletter can download a free e-book of award-winning short stories.

TELL ME MORE

Does a ‘first draft’ video reflect badly on my published fiction?

27/10/2017

17 Comments

 
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Since undertaking my desk time audit earlier this summer, I’m hyper-conscious of time spent away from fiction. It’s especially pertinent right now as I’m on a roll with yet another draft of my currently nameless WIP, about a brother and sister separated for fifty years. But with an event to prepare for recently, I thought it would be a good opportunity to make some videos about my novels. Was it?

Well, I’m not a natural in front of the camera, nor behind it unfortunately, so it took time to remember how to set up and use the equipment. Then there was preparing the scripts. Then the camera ran out of juice midway through the second video and I had to recharge the battery and start again, by which time the light was fading. Still, I got them done, even edited out the switching the camera on/off at the beginning/end, and uploaded to YouTube. They’re not great, but are they better or worse than nothing?

My concern is that publishing ‘first draft’ videos (apart from those filmed live at events) might suggest I similarly don’t take care to revise my writing. Or perhaps I shouldn’t worry, given they’re unlikely to be found among the multitudes online?

Thanks for reading (and possibly even watching). This is my 100th post this year. I’m now off to watch videos of choirs before a workshop on Handel and Mozart this weekend. A break from my desk I’ve no qualms about taking.

December’s challenge to write a 99-word story featuring a performance brought me back to this post. I thought I’d write about my own performance anxieties until I recalled a short story I wrote some years ago ”Yoko Sits Silently Onstage While the Audience Snips off Her Clothes”. However, when I went back to this, it wasn’t how I’d remembered it. Which is fine, affording me to approach the same material from another angle, incorporating the theme of another recent post on the ubiquity of misogyny.

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Yoko’s performance deconstructs the male gaze

Come, you know you want to! Haven’t you done this a thousand times in your mind? Forget it’s me up here, under the lights, with the power of my reputation. My name. Imagine a moonless night, a drunken stagger in a too-short skirt; she can’t remember where she left her friends, her bank card, her phone. She’s asking for it, can’t you see? As I am, now. Look how easy I’ve made it for you with the scissors. No need for savage clawing with your hands. I won’t struggle. I won’t protest. Won’t speak. Come, cut away my clothes!

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
17 Comments
Charli Mills
28/10/2017 12:09:38 am

Actually Anne, I would not consider either video to be first draft quality. Obviously much thought weren't into production -- carefully aligned books on the back shelf, the script, your poise and readings all show preparation and care. The books is the back is a simple and yet brilliant technique for branding. You have such a sweet and melodic voice and yet when you read harsh scenes it creates a juxtaposition with your depth as an author to tackle tough issues with dignity and intelligence. All this clearly shows through in both videos. You've added to your marketing output in a valuable way and you can use these videos in future campaigns. Well done! Enjoy your musical weekend!

Reply
Annecdotist
2/11/2017 05:36:20 pm

Thanks for that useful feedback and your kind words, Charli, and I’m only just catching up after my (highly enjoyable) musical weekend.
It is rather special I think when we have built relationships online to then hear each other’s voices, as I loved hearing you reading the stories for the rodeo. I was amusingly reminded of staying in a hostel with paperthin walls hearing a young American commenting disparagingly on my accent – I think she was very disappointed it wasn’t the kind of English accent Americans were supposed to like!
So I’ll keep the videos for now but Geoff has given me some useful suggestions for the next one.

Reply
Charli Mills
14/12/2017 04:30:12 am

I had no idea of Yoko Ono's work in this regard, and like Irene, it reminded me of Marina Abromovic work, which is disturbing. I don't know which aspect disturbs me more -- the invitation, the participation of other women, or the validation of the male gaze, which you address brilliantly in your flash.

And good tips from Geoff! Most Americans I know love a British accent and I don't think we're picky as to which one. I've often thought we hear the call of the Homeland.

Annecdotist
14/12/2017 05:54:10 pm

Thanks for that, Charli. I might have mentioned this before but I’m one of the rare creatures with an accent some Americans dislike. As I discovered several years ago now staying in a guesthouse in the Himalayas with paperthin walls hearing my accent being discussed next door. How could I say anything? It would have meant using my scratchy voice again!
I came across Yoko Ono’s video only by chance a good many years ago (again) in the gallery wrote about in the short story. It was/is quite disturbing, but then I’m someone who finds even the extremely fashionable tattooing disturbing. Why would someone harm their precious skin?

Norah Colvin link
28/10/2017 12:48:34 pm

Hi Anne, Your videos are great. It's so lovely to hear you talk about your novels and read from them. I pretty much agree with all that Charli said, so just imagine the dittos in here. Publishing the videos is a courageous step for we introverts who prefer the opportunity to rewrite and rewrite until we get the write right. While we may prepare for the recording, numerous takes are just too numbing to contemplate. They are not required here. You have done well. Coincidentally, I uploaded a video to my website this week too. I don't appear in mine, but I do speak. I always tremble with embarrassment when I hear my voice and wish I had the elocution of a BBC reporter. I've been listening to some podcasts about making videos and the consensus seems to be: just do it - a video is better than no video. Well done, you. You've got two; and surely two is better than one! The only reflection they will have on your books is to show their excellence. I think it's great that you've added the videos to the pages about your books (I noticed that earlier). You have also made some other changes here on your website which I'll have to check out another time. Best wishes. I hope your third novel is behaving itself. Enjoy the musical interlude this weekend. You deserve a break after our tough judging gig. :)

Reply
Annecdotist
2/11/2017 05:46:39 pm

Thanks, Norah, I don’t think anyone likes hearing the sound of their own voice played back [ha, I said PLAY BACKED and the damn thing started playing back, so got hear my own voice!] as it’s different to how we here with our ears. But I’ve always been impressed with your videos.
Thanks for sharing that feedback from the podcasts. It tends to be my philosophy (apart from my published fiction of course) to give it a go. I think how when I first started blogging I didn’t even want to share my photo, so hopefully my confidence will grow. It doesn’t have to be perfect although Geoff has given me some useful suggestions for the next one.
A lovely singing weekend although it’s not so relaxing – enjoyable but a lot of concentration though of course of a different kind. I’m only just catching up.

Reply
geoff le pard link
29/10/2017 06:45:19 pm

Splendid idea, Anne and you've prepared well. Like Charli the wall paper effect with the books is excellent and in a way you holding then up as well feels a touch distracting.
Dare I be a critic and say I'm not so sure about the performance. Knowing you as I do (a little!) I'd suggest you are too wooden. There's barely any animation beyond the odd nervous glance to your script. It takes a while to get any semblance of a smile or change in your expression. Charli is right in that you have an excellent voice - years of giving lectures maybe. It's melodic and nicely modulated and flows. In truth, listening with no picture is a really good experience - the story grabs quickly and it is easy to both concentrate and understand; your accent, hinted at mostly, is a bonus too, adding a slightly quirky feel for the listener.
I know nothing about this stuff so ignore my basic ignorance about these things but if you could maybe sit back a little from the camera, have more of you in shot and move more, of take a slightly sideways view of the camera.
There, hope that isn't too honest? We all love you too much not to want you to succeed massively; after all, one day, I'll be able to say 'Oh yes, I know Anne. From before she was famous and being interviewed by Kirsty Wark!'

Reply
Annecdotist
2/11/2017 05:53:32 pm

Thank you, Geoff, I really appreciate your feedback. I agree with you that the performance seems too tense and moving the camera further back would probably help and enable me to move about more, as I probably would if I were doing the same thing to an audience. So I’ll bear this in mind for next time – it’s unlikely I’ll find the impetus to redo these, although not completely out of the question.
Your final comments – very sweet of you, but what would really rock my boat would be Woman’s Hour with Jenni Murray! In fact, given that in my very limited experience of radio and TV broadcasts I’ve been excessively nervous, maybe I should do more videos to desensitise myself.

Reply
geoff le pard link
2/11/2017 10:58:14 pm

OO woman's hour! Yes, I'd die for a little of that, too. This week's book has me itching to get the Citadel on my kindle. In fact, i'm off there now...

Anurag Bakhshi link
11/12/2017 05:32:24 am

My God! Powerful stuff, and so relevant to today's times. Actually, unfortunately, it's one of those subjects which have been relevant since the advent of the homo sapiens. What a shame!

Reply
Annecdotist
13/12/2017 05:26:44 pm

All too relevant. Thanks for visiting, Anurag.

Reply
Liz H link
12/12/2017 02:26:07 am

Wow. And who among us had not felt as your flash expresses?

Just to comment on Yoko's film. I really found the background voices--comments and laughter--and occasional applause really disturbing.

Reply
Annecdotist
13/12/2017 05:30:50 pm

Thanks, Liz. I wrote the flash before revisiting the video and was surprised myself that the women were coming forward first – perhaps enabling the men. I wonder if there’d be differences between men and women if it was performed in single sex groups (perhaps it has been, I haven’t worked very hard to try to find out). I wonder how much of the laughter reflects discomfort/embarrassment at breaking a taboo in public. So much to speculate on – I imagine there will have been PhD theses dedicated to this work.

Reply
Irene Waters link
12/12/2017 08:50:00 am

The information and narrative were good (lovely hearing your voice) but I agree with Geoff that a bit more animation and eye contact would create a better relationship with the listener. Having said that I still think they are good enough to use.
As for the Yoko Ono video I found it extremely disturbing. I also found the performance art of Marina Abromovic disturbing as well. Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose is worth reading if you haven't. Like I found Yoko's performance disturbing so too is your flash but it is also very powerful.

Reply
Annecdotist
13/12/2017 05:25:19 pm

Thanks, Irene. I’ve read about the work of Marina Abromovic which has convinced me I wouldn’t like to see it/take part in it! I’m much more willing to be disturbed on the page than with visuals of any kind.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
14/12/2017 10:54:25 am

It was clever to draw us back here with your flash, Anne - certainly a post about performance. I was interested to read that your previous story was not as you remembered it. I would have to say that I experience the same about writing of my own. I sometimes don't recognise it, having no recollection even, of having written it. It's a strange feeling. Sometimes I even put my stuff into a plagiarism checker to make sure I haven't "stolen" it.
Both versions, and the video are grim, or disturbing, as Irene, said; but their message is powerful and needs to be heard. Things need to change.

Reply
Annecdotist
14/12/2017 05:47:16 pm

You made me laugh, Norah, putting your own words into a plagiarism checker! I’m often not sure if I’ve written something or just thought it and I do often come back to things I’ve written and I’m surprised, but I don’t think I’ve ever failed to recognise it as mine.
Well, having posted so recently about performance I didn’t forget this post and couldn’t have done another so soon. And I’m grateful for the extra comments on my own videos.

Reply



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