I’ve just finished implementing a round of notes on a completed second draft, so thought I would talk a bit about dramaturgy and working with feedback in today’s episode. I cover:

- Dramaturgy as a way to bring your project closer to your vision for the work.
- Closing the gap between your intentions as an author and what’s coming across on the page.
- The difference between the feedback you hear and the feedback that is actually given.
- Why I always record feedback and note sessions.
- Being asked good, dramaturgical questions forces you to articulate yourself in ways you haven't before, and this can reveal a new depth and new intellectual or emotional connections to your project.
- Taking the time to give yourself notes as if you were a writer you were working with. This can change how you approach the feedback you give yourself and force you to be more specific and thoughtful. Give yourself the best of yourself.
- Reading your own work at the same time of day you prefer to write in, as the mood you’re in and your energy levels can affect how you perceive the writing.
- Organising feedback and prioritising notes by asking, ‘Which changes will impact the story the most?’ Start there, rather than going for quick wins.
- Breaking feedback down into achievable sections.
- Typing directly into the draft when making changes can have a weight of expectation, so I like to copy the section I’m working on into a blank document and make any changes in there to stay playful and open to new discoveries. 

References:
Episode 5. Rewrites and Revision - for my process on rewrites and writing new material.

This episode was originally recorded in May 2021. You can watch the video diary here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPcogHwHc1A

You can learn more about my work on my website http://www.emilysheehan.info or say hi and ask me a question via @emilysheehan__ on Instagram.