Hello! Novice writer here. I'm applying for a writers workshop this summer. The application has a section that says:
"Artistic/Biographical Statement: Please tell us about yourself, what project you're working on, and why and how this program would be helpful to you."
I've NEVER filled anything like this out before so I'm totally blind here. What is the standard protocol for answering these questions? My instinct was to say something like:
"Grew up in Pleasantville...graduated with a BA in Psychology @ Pleasant University...."
"My memoir project is about abandonment, racism, unrequited love...
The intended audience are misfits, underdogs...
My style is satirical, humorous, suspenseful..."
"This program would be helpful because structuring a plot is my weakness and I hope to improve my technique during the workshop..."
Or should I be more specific? ("My story is about my mother's battle with cancer...). FWIW, my writing sample is basically a summary (or "trailer") for my memoir, so it feels a little redundant if I were to summarize it here, too.
Should the biographical part be dry and formal (almost like a CV or resume) or can it be informal ("It was difficult growing up as a Jew in a mostly Catholic neighborhood of Pleasantville..."). FWIW, there is a separate section of the application for publication history (although I have no publications).
Finally, should I try to write in a "voice" with some style, or can do you think it can just be informational.
Thanks for any advice!
"Artistic/Biographical Statement: Please tell us about yourself, what project you're working on, and why and how this program would be helpful to you."
I've NEVER filled anything like this out before so I'm totally blind here. What is the standard protocol for answering these questions? My instinct was to say something like:
"Grew up in Pleasantville...graduated with a BA in Psychology @ Pleasant University...."
"My memoir project is about abandonment, racism, unrequited love...
The intended audience are misfits, underdogs...
My style is satirical, humorous, suspenseful..."
"This program would be helpful because structuring a plot is my weakness and I hope to improve my technique during the workshop..."
Or should I be more specific? ("My story is about my mother's battle with cancer...). FWIW, my writing sample is basically a summary (or "trailer") for my memoir, so it feels a little redundant if I were to summarize it here, too.
Should the biographical part be dry and formal (almost like a CV or resume) or can it be informal ("It was difficult growing up as a Jew in a mostly Catholic neighborhood of Pleasantville..."). FWIW, there is a separate section of the application for publication history (although I have no publications).
Finally, should I try to write in a "voice" with some style, or can do you think it can just be informational.
Thanks for any advice!
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