“Fat Drafts”

Izzy Soto- 2^nd Blog entry

We have recently reached what is known as the “fat draft” deadline here at 110 Degrees. For us, fat drafts mean writing at least 2000 words if we’re are doing a personal essay and 1000 if we’re doing a photo essay. These fat drafts must also include 7-10 photos. Shortly afterward we turn our fat drafts in, we begin formal writing and photography critiques.

I feel that one of the high points of 110 is when the youth start critiquing each other’s work. For some of us, the critiques are especially interesting because we are working on personal essays—and the critiques allow us to reveal some of our most intimate experiences. Many of us are also shocked when we realize the extent of our fellow staff members’ talent and insight. But somehow, the critiques bring us together even more; we are in awe of each other and what we can do.

I recently had a conversation with one of the youth staff members, and she told me she loved the idea of the fat draft because she got to express herself as thoroughly as possible. Some writers find that as a result of the fat draft, they get a whole new story. But some youth also hate the fat drafts, and believe it’s unnecessary to write as much as possible when the writing is just going to be edited to fit the limited space that the magazine offers. Even with these differences of opinion, everyone seems to become so attached to the writing, because it becomes a piece of him or her. For the vets of 110, including myself, this attachment is no surprise.

Whether or not they hate the drafts, this is the time when the youth truly start to get a feel for their writing, and learning how to “paint a scene” by using as much detail as possible. I sense the sparks of enlightenment during this time, as the staff starts delving into territory they never thought they would go before. The youth are beginning to tease their limits and talent for writing.

I have asked a few of the youth if I could peek into their fat draft so I may get a perspective of what the fat drafts look like this year. Below are some examples of some of the youth’s work.

“So pure and cold; the snow outside and the paper clippings on the ground contrasted so nicely with the warmth of everyone’s smiles and the warm waxy candles being passed around from person to person.”- Arayah Larson

“It was an exhilarating experience to see people belonging to different colors, races, and nationalities. Kings, head of states and ordinary men from very poor countries all dressed in simple white sheets, praying to God without any sense of either pride or arrogance. It was a practical display of the concept of equality in Islam.” Roxy Alansary

“Crinkled, blue eyes gaze up and down the street searching for approaching vehicles. In confidence the man holds the stop sign high as he steps to the middle of the crosswalk often signaling it was safe to go. As you pass the man you can see his face clearly, though his strands of hair below his cap were withered his beard shows no sign of weariness.”-Reyes Suarez

“My eyelids began to droop and my stomach turned. I attempted to stand, but I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed, fixed onto my bed like a mouse in a snake’s jaw. The suffocating blanket of my own guilt covered me, tucked me in, and left me to the monsters of my mind.”- Melinda Phipps

These are examples of some of the beautiful descriptions that are included in fat drafts. They help me, as well as fellow coworkers understand how the youth view their experiences. And then, we are able to see through the eyes of the writer.