So I stumbled in the door from critique group last night (or this morning?) just after midnight. For some reason, whenever I'm together with those ladies, the time just flies by and it never feels like we've been there all that long, and then when I look at the clock I think, boy I'm going to pay for this tomorrow. Yet, even though I have to get up early with the kids and I feel like a walking zombie, critique group is totally worth it in the laughs alone. (Fun fact for you: because of crit group I now know that when I read my book aloud, I laugh a lot in all the wrong places. I know, weird!)
Last night we eviscerated my chapters, my hero, and my plot. However, once the guts were on the table, we picked over them and figured out how we could put it all back together to make one working whole. That's why constructive criticism is so valuable because it helps me see where my plot is twisted and bleeding and helps me fix it. I know that my story will be stronger for it, even if the initial gut-ripping can hurt. (Is that too gory of an analogy? Sorry.)
I was also having difficult in finishing my finale scene. I'd rewritten it so many times that now it didn't have any direction and just seemed sort of lame. But after brainstorming and analyzing with my crit group, I am excited to get to it today. Yay for explosions and gunfights and utter mayhem! (Did I just give it all away? Sorry.)
So, while my word count was only 2400 words this week, I am ever so close to the final read-through of this puppy and then on to the next step.
How did you do this week?
I'm an award-winning romantic suspense novelist, but in my free time I love to review books and my fave TV shows, as well as pass along great book deals, and eat Canadian chocolate---not necessarily in that order.
6 comments:
LOL! Love your bloody descriptions. Sometimes this is what it looks like, right? I'm glad you have your book group for support. I'm looking forward to another adventure that only you can give me.
This week I did a favor for a friend who is just starting out in writing. He wrote his first short story, all of 26 pages, but my dear friend didn't know the first thing about dialogue, or, well, anything. You'd think that being a reader you'd naturally pick up on things like proper punctuation and taglines, but I clearly remember writing my very first novella and I didn't have the foggiest clue on those things. I would search my favorite novel and imitate it. That was how I learned. My friend, on the other hand, just winged it. I spent the past couple of days writing a "how to" pamphlet and editing his short story for him. Now he has his original story plus one that looks professional. Now it's his turn to learn from there.
I claim 10,624 words from my friend's edit. (I know that doesn't really count, but now my friend is super excited about writing. I love that idea.)
My own WIP, I was able to get in 2,569 words since last Wednesday.
I've gotten about 5600 in this past week. I've made it a goal to do three pages a day, and it's surprising how far I've gotten just by doing that little bit instead of a sporadic, huge chunk. I'm really loving this goal.
I'm really glad you were able to figure out your finale. And yes, explosions and utter mayhem are awesome!
I'm so jealous of your critique group. I need to put some effort into finding one. I used to do crit groups a lot in college. After that, I never bothered. I think I got away with it because my husband's an editor. Now that he's way too busy, I need to go back to having a critique group.
My word count was 6 pages, so I did well for me.
No writing this week, I've been focusing on revision, although I have been jotting down notes for a new story if that counts?
Debra, can I slip a $20 in the mail? You make me feel so good about my writing. I can't wait to read what you've gotten written! Your writer friends are lucky to have you.
Amy, I love goals like that. It can be so motivating when you're not feeling overwhelmed. I need to try that again.
Rebecca, that's awesome. I know what you mean about how hard it is to find a crit group that clicks. It's worth the effort, though. And congrats on the pages. That's awesome.
Sarah, I am so glad to see you! And of course jotting down notes counts. Although I would love to see some of your past stuff. We need to trade sometime. :)
I can't wait to read the changes you are making! I'm getting nervous for Tuesday!
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