I really don't like "creative papers"

[Red_Dazes]

...So we are writing a Creative Non-Fiction piece for my 201 English class. It's a 4 page min. Which I breezed though. I forgot that it had to be double spaced... so I typed up this paper I was really happy with... then went "crap...double space"

....And it ended up being 18 pages long....>< I managed to trim out some stuff and get it down to about 16 pages. But everything else I feel is truly VITAL for the function of the paper. I just hate that it is so grossly long. It makes me feel like she is going to take one look at it and just roll her eyes. I mean, I even left out loads of details I wanted to put in... after all it's supposed to be written like a story, with lots of descriptive words and crap. *sigh*

Oh well... I've trimmed it down as far as I can... I just am not happy now. It isn't as descriptive as I wanted it... but if I make it longer I am unhappy about the length.

[Gerrinson]

I know how you feel. I'm very verbose in my writing, too.

If it makes you feel better, back in high school we had a creative writing assignment with a minimum of 2 pages. I turned in just a wee bit under 34 pages.

Oops?

I got a 98. 2 points off for being too long.

[AdminAssistant]

I'd take off a heck of a lot more than 2 points. Did your teacher give you a maximum number of pages? Because part of good writing is being concise. It took me a long time to master that skill, but I'm so glad I did. Also, yes, your teacher who was expecting a 4 page paper will be more than slightly annoyed at having to grade an 18 page paper.

I'm also confused as to how a 4 page paper single-spaced magically became 18 pages double-spaced.

[Red_Dazes]

The minimum was 4 pages, she encourages us to write longer papers than 4. So mine ended up being about 8-9 I believe. Which isn't a bad length for a paper... until you double space it. I realize I did not stick that in my previous post, I apologize. 4 pages didn't 'magically' become 18. 8-9 pages, plus a works cited became 18.
I'm also normally very good about papers. Give me a research paper and give me a minimum of 4 pages, the most I will type is 5. But with this paper she wanted creative writing, telling a story with vivid detail and LOTS of descriptive language. If I pulled it down it it's bare bones I would probably have about 6-7 pages.... and then I would fail the paper because there would be 0 description beyond 'I walked across the room' This is honestly the first time I have ever had a problem with making a paper turn out as long as I want it.

[AdminAssistant]

The minimum was 4 pages, she encourages us to write longer papers than 4. So mine ended up being about 8-9 I believe. Which isn't a bad length for a paper... until you double space it.

Okay, that makes more sense. One thing I always do, is before I actually start writing a paper, I get out the instructions listing the format requirements. Go ahead and set the margins, font, spacing, etc. Then I write.

[Broomjockey]

Heh. I don't think I met the minimum requirement for length once in my entire program. And yet I never got marks off. You ever need a paper shortened, lemme at it. I'll hack that sucker down to size!

[Red_Dazes]

I get out the instructions listing the format requirements. Go ahead and set the margins, font, spacing, etc. Then I write.

that's one of the biggest problems I have. I can't seem to write when the lines are double spaced... my brain loses track of what I am saying, so I end up having to write single spaced and then spread it out >< I've struggled with it for YEARS and can't figure out why my head does that. But you can see the difference in my work. all my A-B papers are when I wrote it single spaced and then doubled it when I was done... and all my C-D papers are when I tried it double spaced. Really pisses me off some times.

[AdminAssistant]

Hm...don't know what to tell you. Although, I will say that I had an 'oopsie' moment last semester. I had just gotten Office 2007 and still wasn't used to the format issues. I had changed the font to Times New Roman. I was typing and typing, but I just wasn't hitting the page length that I thought I should be. I checked...and the font size was still at 11. I moved it to 12 and I gained an extra page! It was very exciting. I told the professor, and she said she occasionally does that on purpose to help break writer's block.

[Red_Dazes]

I had changed the font to Times New Roman. I was typing and typing, but I just wasn't hitting the page length that I thought I should be. I checked...and the font size was still at 11. I moved it to 12 and I gained an extra page! It was very exciting. I told the professor, and she said she occasionally does that on purpose to help break writer's block.

Hehe, I do that alot, cause for my personal writing I like 10 size. So I am constantly resetting my computer settings for papers.

[Broomjockey]

So I am constantly resetting my computer settings for papers.

You might want to try setting up a template then. If your classes have different requirements, you can set up one for each class. Any word processor should be able to make a template, but the process can differ, so I won't bother explaining how right now. But I did that, since my classes all had the same. Set it up once, then just open the template, and margins, font, font size, spacing is all set up for you.

[42_42_42]

If you like, I'd be happy to read your paper and give any pointers/comments. I'm recovering from being in hospital, so I've got plenty of time on my hands right now. I graduated cum laude in English from Duke, so I sort of know what I'm doing, in theory, anyway.

[Red_Dazes]

You might want to try setting up a template then..

That is an absolutely wonderful idea... I can't believe I didn't even consider that one. >< Wow. Time to do that...definitely.

If you like, I'd be happy to read your paper and give any pointers/comments. I'm recovering from being in hospital, so I've got plenty of time on my hands right now. I graduated cum laude in English from Duke, so I sort of know what I'm doing, in theory, anyway.

I'd be happy to share the MONSTER with you if you'd like. It's due tomorrow though, so I don't know how much time I can really spend making lots of changes. At this point I have to settle with being happy with it and hope my teacher isn't too unimpressed by the length. I did manage to cut another page off of it today though, by structuring some paragraphs in a fun way.

[42_42_42]

Oh, okay. Next time you need a paper proofread or edited, let me know.

[Broomjockey]

That is an absolutely wonderful idea... I can't believe I didn't even consider that one.

Heh, don't feel too bad. I only thought about it because it's part of my job. Being an editorial assistant's fun, really.

[Red_Dazes]

^_^ Actually it does sound like alot of fun... except... you know, the crazies and stuff...Hehe. I was actually considering going into Editing as a career. But I'm just not sure I could do it... I can pick apart a plot and tell you how to make it stronger... but I can almost guarantee I couldn't catch half of the spelling or grammar mistakes in anything. I read way to fast. So I'm thinking about teaching creative writing instead.