Journal Entry 1

My work so far has been participating in critique group with my Site Supervisor's Critique Group, doing research, and accompanying her to a convention where she spoke.  Participation in the Critique Group primarily means working on my own efforts in writing fiction then presenting my work before the group and providing feedback on other's work.  At first, I wondered about how much this was helpful to my organization, but I was informed by my Supervisor that my participation gives the group input from a new perspective.  The group is mostly older women and a younger male perspective has provided them insight that they wouldn't have considered without my presence.  My own experience with fantasy and science-fiction has been especially helpful in providing helpful input for my Supervisor, who writes fantasy since the other members of the group are not considerably familiar with the genre.  

My research has been focused on information relating to publishing and advertisement.  I have looked into information regarding different company’s policies on advertising newly published or soon to be published books.  As an independent author, she has to handle all of her own advertising.  This means getting reviews and ads on websites.  So far, my work has been mostly answering her questions for websites that she has used in the past to promote her books.  She is going to release a new book soon and I have been helping her to pave the way for the new release. 

During the first week of my internship, I accompanied my Supervisor to a convention called ConQuest, a gathering of science-fiction and fantasy authors and fans.  She spoke on a panel about the genre, Weird Fiction, and a panel about Man-Eating Monsters.  I offered support and gathered anything she needed, as well as attending panels that she thought it would be good for me to go to further my education.  I was there in case she needed anything, though, my presence didn’t amount to much more than being a conversation partner, pupil, and a person to carry things for her.  I found the experience most educational and enjoyable.  I had never been to a convention before and I learned some very interesting things.  There were panels on Critical Theory, Writing Combat/Battle scenes, and other interesting and informative matters.   

I think I am learning about the community of writers more than anything else.  By watching and communicating with members of the community, I have benefitted from their experience and have come to better understand how they work.  Though the work of this community is artistic in nature, their temperament is thoroughly practical.  They advocate for hard work, practice, and yielding to the demands of the consumer.  Even in their Theory, there is a sense of purpose that goes beyond aesthetics.  Science-Fiction emerged out of a time when character drama reigned supreme.  It is the contention of theorists that science-fiction performs a different function than the character drama.  Whereas the character drama focused on internal conflict, the science-fiction genre focused on external conflict to explore broader concepts of human nature and the issues of our advancement.  The genre has a purpose in warning us of the dangers that await us and speculating on possible solutions.  This sense of purpose seems to contribute to the practicality that characterizes the community. 

I think my future work will demand more research and will see me doing more work with my Supervisor’s writing.  This may entail doing some deeper research and editing or brain storming with my Supervisor.