When I first found my crit partner (I know I talk about this a lot) and we swapped pages I knew the feedback would be rough. I put on my big girl panties, strapped into my leather skin armor, and waited. The recommendations came and I wanted to cry, but I reminded myself that I wasn't perfect. No one is. This wonderful partner was here to help me grow, help me become a better writer.
I didn't think it would be possible. I didn't think I would get better. There were so many thinks to learn. Tell vs. Show, proper comma usage (I still suck at this), leaving the -ly words at home, making my dialogue read like actual people talking. Pretty bad, right? I'm still not perfect.
Side story: I used to be able to first draft an academic paper and nail it on the first try. A+ all around. This was the way it went in Elementary, Middle School, High School, and College. Hell, I wrote an essay on the state of Kansas in the 5th grade and my teachers wanted to know what books I used because they thought I plagiarized the descriptions. Poo on them for not believing in my flowery, flowing prose. So, to see how much my fiction writing sucked compared to my non-fiction writing was a blow to my very small ego. *smiles*
A year and a half later: My editing skills are better. I can write dialogue for real fictional people *oxymoron, I know* I can see the telling vs. showing. My commas aren't so misplaced. I've learned to write sentences without the typically-not-needed 'was' and 'that'. I'm still having a bit of trouble with passive writing, but if all the other things are becoming clearer I have hope for the future and my ability to clear out the passive for active.
I wouldn't be in this place without my critique partner. I wouldn't be so eager to let others rip up my work without finding someone I could trust to tear me apart. This readied my mind for the people I don't know very well to tear me apart.
Side story: The rip up, as I call the critique process, is something I desire greatly. I know now the importance of honest feedback. No matter how bad it is I want to know every little nit pick. Down to the possibility you hate my heroine's hair color. Recently, in a group crit session I got three critiques on the same pages. Two had barely any comments and some nice supporting remarks. I felt jipped because deep down I knew these pages contained errors. They had issues and I wanted a rip up. The last critique came in and when I opened the pages to red lines and comments everywhere the only thing I could do is smile. Aloud I said, "That's more like it."
The moral of the post is, even if you think critiquing and partners is a waste of time. It's not. It's essential. It changes you from the writer you were to the writer you will be. If we're not learning, if we're not getting better, then what the hell are we doing?
Showing posts with label Critique partner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Critique partner. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2013
Monday, October 22, 2012
Things Every One's Talking About: NANOWRIMO
Since people in the writing world typically post about the same nonsense over and over again. I'm going to join in the on the fun, especially when it's a topic I can get behind. So if I see a bunch of posts over a few weeks that deal with the same stuff I'll chime in. What the hey, right?
This week every one's talking about: NANOWRIMO
It's around the bend, 10 days away in fact, and people are blogging, shop talking and app downloading in preparation. Some do it for fun, some do it because they genuinely want new material to work with in the new year, and others just do it because they do it every year. Sounds like a new sexual position, but alas it's writing. Hardcore, labor intensive writing. You're expected to produce 50,000 words in a month.
To most this may not be hard, but factor in the Thanksgiving turkey stuff fest, the biggest shopping day of the year, and the bed binge afterward... 50K doesn't seem so easy now does it? If you're still saying it's easy then you're probably published or you don't care about the quality of what you produce. This is a creative juice fest for sure. It's about the fast draft and downloading as many creative ideas onto your word document as possible.
Will I Nano? Yes Mork! I will, Nanu Nanu. My goal isn't to start from scratch. I got a head start plopping 20k down on my current novel in 10 days. I figure this gives me a 10 day rest period if I need it. I'm also shooting for 80k or around about in there.
Will I post updates or use fancy gizmos for motivation? No, but there's plenty available. You can find all sorts of motivating apps and tools to help you gear up. From plotting outlines to Write or Die. I don't buy into those app dealies. I tend to use my critique partner for motivation. Every time we talk we experience a sudden urge to produce words. So it's a win-win!
So enough about me, what about you? Will you Nanu Nanu? What tips and stratagems can you offer?
This week every one's talking about: NANOWRIMO
It's around the bend, 10 days away in fact, and people are blogging, shop talking and app downloading in preparation. Some do it for fun, some do it because they genuinely want new material to work with in the new year, and others just do it because they do it every year. Sounds like a new sexual position, but alas it's writing. Hardcore, labor intensive writing. You're expected to produce 50,000 words in a month.
To most this may not be hard, but factor in the Thanksgiving turkey stuff fest, the biggest shopping day of the year, and the bed binge afterward... 50K doesn't seem so easy now does it? If you're still saying it's easy then you're probably published or you don't care about the quality of what you produce. This is a creative juice fest for sure. It's about the fast draft and downloading as many creative ideas onto your word document as possible.
Will I Nano? Yes Mork! I will, Nanu Nanu. My goal isn't to start from scratch. I got a head start plopping 20k down on my current novel in 10 days. I figure this gives me a 10 day rest period if I need it. I'm also shooting for 80k or around about in there.
Will I post updates or use fancy gizmos for motivation? No, but there's plenty available. You can find all sorts of motivating apps and tools to help you gear up. From plotting outlines to Write or Die. I don't buy into those app dealies. I tend to use my critique partner for motivation. Every time we talk we experience a sudden urge to produce words. So it's a win-win!
So enough about me, what about you? Will you Nanu Nanu? What tips and stratagems can you offer?
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
And I'm spent...
The last 2 months have been a bit insane. I got roped into this crazy submission call, originally proposed by my critique partner. The submission call involved fairy tale retelling with *drumroll* zombies!
I know what you're going to say next: "But Landra you hate, and I mean despise with every ounce of your being, zombies."
I'm also aware of this fact, and... did I mention I was dragged into this by my critique partner. The conversation went a bit like this:
Her: This is insane but, Entangled has a call for fairy tale retelling zombie romance short story/novellas for Halloween. It's got my creativity flowing.
Me: What's this crazy idea you're having? I like it.
Her: We should each write a story for submission. It's due by July 31st. Doing it together will act as motivation.
Me: But we have less than 2 months to write it.
Her: That's right. 1 week to brainstorm, 1 week to plot, 2 weeks to write, 2 weeks to edit, and 1 week of wiggle room I think we can do it.
Me: It would definitely be an experience for deadlines and writing short stories.
Her: So you're in?
Me: Uh... yeah.
Alright flash forward about a week later and she texts me.
I told her as long as the good guys get to win I can do this.
Then things got crazy. I brainstormed, plotted, and then lost my touch. It took about a week to get back in the groove. Then I wrote (kickin' and screamin' all the way) until I thought everything was crap. I wrote some more, and sent the pieces of the story to my lovely CP to rip apart. In between the power outages, heat waves, monsoons, and random disasters I managed to finish the story and begin edits. The last 4 days were probably the worst, and then I had to write a query.
Bottom line of this crazy rant: I. Did. It. I submitted the story. I'm ready for rejection. I learned a ton of things through writing and editing, which I'll include in another post. But regardless of what happens this is a learning experience and even if it does go beyond a standard form letter telling me to try, try again I know that I can.
What this means for you, dear reader, I'm back. Give me a week to recover, but after that be ready for review time. If you've emailed me be ready for a response.
I know what you're going to say next: "But Landra you hate, and I mean despise with every ounce of your being, zombies."
I'm also aware of this fact, and... did I mention I was dragged into this by my critique partner. The conversation went a bit like this:
Her: This is insane but, Entangled has a call for fairy tale retelling zombie romance short story/novellas for Halloween. It's got my creativity flowing.
Me: What's this crazy idea you're having? I like it.
Her: We should each write a story for submission. It's due by July 31st. Doing it together will act as motivation.
Me: But we have less than 2 months to write it.
Her: That's right. 1 week to brainstorm, 1 week to plot, 2 weeks to write, 2 weeks to edit, and 1 week of wiggle room I think we can do it.
Me: It would definitely be an experience for deadlines and writing short stories.
Her: So you're in?
Me: Uh... yeah.
Alright flash forward about a week later and she texts me.
I just remembered something: You hate zombies. Like they seriously creep you out. How are you doing with this?
I told her as long as the good guys get to win I can do this.
Then things got crazy. I brainstormed, plotted, and then lost my touch. It took about a week to get back in the groove. Then I wrote (kickin' and screamin' all the way) until I thought everything was crap. I wrote some more, and sent the pieces of the story to my lovely CP to rip apart. In between the power outages, heat waves, monsoons, and random disasters I managed to finish the story and begin edits. The last 4 days were probably the worst, and then I had to write a query.
Bottom line of this crazy rant: I. Did. It. I submitted the story. I'm ready for rejection. I learned a ton of things through writing and editing, which I'll include in another post. But regardless of what happens this is a learning experience and even if it does go beyond a standard form letter telling me to try, try again I know that I can.
What this means for you, dear reader, I'm back. Give me a week to recover, but after that be ready for review time. If you've emailed me be ready for a response.
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