Critique me, baby

I recently had the opportunity to read an early draft of a friend's novel. This is the second of her novels that I've read. The last was about a year ago. Both were excellent, but reading them was such a different experience. The first time around, I was just dabbling in my own writing, working (somewhat) steadily on my first full-length novel, and I had next to no knowledge of the publishing industry. When I met with Jenny to discuss her book, she whipped out a pen and notebook and waited for my comments.

"Uhh...it was good? I liked it? Change NOTHING."

Yeah. Not exactly helpful. At that point, I wasn't reading with a critical eye. I didn't want to point out any flaws or holes, because I didn't want to make her feel bad, because, seriously, this woman is talented.

After finishing my own first novel last year and having a few critique partners go through it, I am realizing how valuable critical feedback can be. I am so protective of my work. I HATE revisions. It's like showing someone a picture of your beloved child and having them point out all the things that are wrong with him/her. Hey, be nice, I MADE that. My novel is perfect the first time around, thankyouverymuch. Except...it isn't. There are plot holes, there are awkward sentences, there are random storylines that make no sense. And they need to be pointed out, especially if I have aspirations toward publication.

I am only dipping my toe in the rushing river of the publishing world, and already I've learned that you have to have thick skin. That contest I entered? Didn't make it past the first round. Those queries I sent out? Not a nibble. Clearly there is plenty of room for improvement. And as I am not exactly impartial to my work, having honest and supportive critique partners is incredibly important...even when what they say may stab me in my creative little heart. I am simply too close to my projects to see the big picture at times.

Does knowing all this, thinking about all this, make getting feedback any easier? No, of course not. But I choose to use the critiques to improve on my child...errrr...novel. And I hope to be able to do the same for other authors looking to polish their manuscripts.

So this time around, I was better prepared to read the manuscript and make comments and suggestions. I was able to stop and make notes and jot down questions that may help my friend to see her story in a new light, from a different perspective. Does that mean she will take any of my suggestions? Of course not. That's what I love about writing...people can tell me what to do until they're blue in the face, but ultimately it's my decision and my baby. After all, it's my name on the finished product, right? And it is the same for every author.

With that in mind...I probably am still not being as critical as I could be. This is a case when having multiple (critique) partners is probably a good thing...each will see something different, and there is a whole crop of suggestions from which to choose. All I ask of my critique partners is this: be honest, but be gentle. I'm fragile under all this thick skin.

(PS - Go check out Jenny's blog. She's fantastic, and she is going to be a STAR.)

Nocturnal Narration

I write best at night. I don't know why. It's really annoying, actually. I can sit at my computer all day long, and write maybe a page of crappy dialogue. Then ten o'clock hits and I'm all, "Write ALL THE WORDS!"

Unfortunately, I have a day job. One that I can't exactly fake my way through. Maybe someday I will be able to stay up all night and sleep all day, like a vampire or a cat. That will happen when I win the lottery or marry Ryan Gosling. Either way, it feels like a win.

Until then, I suppose sleep is a good idea. At least my dreams are entertaining...

Jumping in

I haven't talked a lot so far about the querying process, mostly because I've only just barely dipped my toe in it. I have already experienced apprehension over watching my email inbox and the sting of rejection as certain phrases jump out of the query responses.
"I don't think I'm the right agent for your project."
"Your project is not the right fit at this time."
"You deserve an agent who is as passionate about your project as you are."

And always encouragement, though that doesn't make being rejected any easier.
"Remember, it only takes one agent!"
"Publishing is subjective, and I am sure you will find someone who is the right fit."
"Keep trying, and best of luck on your project!"

Yeah.

I haven't yet gotten the thrill of having a request. Now, possibly this is because I haven't had the opportunity to send out enough queries. By the time I was ready to submit my manuscript, it was December, and many agents were taking a holiday hiatus. When January rolled around, I found myself entrenched in craziness at work, which resulted in the inevitable Collapse of Exhaustion when I finally got home after a 9-10 hour work day, and getting up the energy/courage to send out more queries and deal with more rejection just wasn't appealing. I am only just feeling like I might be able to take a deep breath and jump back into that process.

Fun story, this post isn't even supposed to be about querying! This post is about a contest I entered. I was told about this contest by my friend Jenny, who is also going through the process of querying. She is much more diligent about it than I have been able to be, and therefore knows about a ton of contests and opportunities that I might never have heard of otherwise. This contest is on Cupid's Literary Connection and is called the Blind Speed Dating event. Jenny got picked to go onto the second round during the first week of the contest. I ended up submitting for week 5, and guess what...week 5 starts today! Ack!

I don't know what, if anything, will come from this contest, but I know that if I keep slacking off and not putting an effort into my dream, I won't ever get there. Every contest, every query is an opportunity for feedback, for practice, and who knows? Maybe the next contest/query will be THE ONE. Hey, it could happen.

If you'd like to check out my contest entry, click here.

Priorities?

If I had my wish, I would write full time. I would have a beautiful office with a comfy chair at my desk in front of a picture window looking out on a large body of water. I would get up late, wander into my office with a steaming cup of hot chocolate (I don't do coffee), and spend the day (and probably most of the night) immersed in the imaginary world of my stories.

Unfortunately, this is not even close to a possibility any time in the near future, or possibly ever. If hopes and dreams and a good joke or two could pay the bills, I would be golden. But, sigh, I am forced to maintain full time employment to make ends meet. I work 40(ish) hours a week as a therapist in an elementary school. It's emotionally draining playing Ants in the Pants and Connect 4 multiple times each day, but the money's gotta come from somewhere, right? Plus, between paperwork and phone calls, lately I've been staying late just to keep my head above water. Let's just say that my top priority when I get home is not opening up the laptop to let the words flow effortlessly from my fingers so much as it is taking off my pants and watching some Ellen.

I also recently agreed to teach a second college course. Another one I will have to pretty much design from scratch. That doesn't start until March, but if I don't want to be scrambling and working through spring break, I'd better get started sooner than later.

And then there's my church stuff. I'm helping lead a Bible study starting next week, helping plan monthly events for our ladies' group (ggw4god.blogspot.com), helping to plan a possible teen girls' retreat for March, and singing with the praise band regularly. And I love it all.

Throw in socializing several nights a week, and I'm left to wonder...what about my writing? What about the time I need to spend editing and revising and researching agents and contests and webinars? How can I spend the time I need to make it to my dream, when there is so much else getting in the way?

One skill I don't have is time management. Like, at all. I will spend an hour playing Mah-jong and not even realize it. My days are so scheduled, I hate to schedule the rest of my life that way, Type B personality that I am.

Something I need to do is make sure to make writing a priority. I need to turn off my phone and disconnect from the internet, leave the TV off, and just write. Even as I type this I have had multiple texts and Facebook notifications, all of which probably could have waited.

So, if anyone reads this, hold me accountable. Ask me when my writing time is, and then text me to test if I actually turned my phone off. Ask me about my progress, or ask to read a snippet. I have found a couple contests I might enter...but don't ask about those.

Here's to continuing to do what I need to do and what I enjoy doing, but above all, WRITING!

Novel, go write yourself

I am so excited about my second novel. It's fun and exciting and completely different from the first one. There's more action and it's definitely got a different feel. I know where I'm going with it in general, though, as always, the characters sometimes take me on pit stops.

So why have I not worked on writing for over two weeks?

It's not writer's block. Like I said, I know where I'm going. I want to get there. If I sit down to write, I know the words will come. But I've been so LAZY lately!

I have always written for fun. When it ceases to be fun, I stop. But I think there's also a point where I have to look at my motivation for NOT doing what I really do want to do. I think a lot of times I get scared. Of what? I'm not sure.

I think I need to be a little more proactive in forcing myself to do things that scare me, even just writing another chapter, which puts me that much closer to finishing and querying and the inevitable rejection that comes with that.

Alright. Time to suck it up and jump back into the world of writing. Here we go!

The Writing Process (Blah blah blah)

Sometimes I'll peruse the blogs of "serious" writers, just to get some inspiration. It helps to read what others are going through and how they're doing things. Often, there is at least one entry on the "correct" way to write. Now, that's not actually fair, because most authors are pretty up front about that fact that it differs from person to person. But there is the occasional blog that will talk about how you MUST do things and you are NOT a writer if you don't do them that EXACT way. Well, that's a bunch of bull-hockey. I have no idea what bull-hockey is, but it sounds dangerous and painful and like a not very well thought out sport.

Anyway. So this is my entry on the writing process. Keep in mind that while I consider myself to be a dedicated writer, I would probably never put myself in a category with the word "serious" in it. Still, what follows is a fairly accurate description of my writing process. Time frame on a weekday: 4pm-12am Enjoy.

- Think about writing. Get excited about next chapter.
- Open computer.
- Open Facebook. Spend time sharing clever witticisms with the world.
- Check email. Move rejections to folder labeled "Nah."
- Open document.
- Play Mah-jong
- Look on instagram. "Like" photos.
- Read last few pages written.
- Check Facebook again.
- Play Mah-jong
- Send an email to Mom about how hard it is to write.
- Check G-chat for friends. Chat.
- Type next chapter heading
- Think of idea for new novel, write a chapter for that one
- Play Mah-jong
- Start a blog about writing
- Write Facebook status about writing
- Research agents and query process
- Write query letter
- Play Mah-jong
- Write (approx 11:30pm)

Yeah. Sadly, that's how I roll. I only make it to the writing if I can stay up that late. Of course, if I start writing, I usually get in the groove and write for a couple of hours, which makes working the next day sort of unbearable. However, since they pay me to work during the day, I can't really call in sick. Much.

As far as structure and planning...I have none. I know. It's terrible. I'm a terrible writer for doing it that way. But seriously, I don't even know what is going to happen half the time! I have a general idea, of course, but I don't always even know which characters are going to turn on the others. Sometimes it just happens. Because my characters are real people. In my head. More about that later...

Where did THAT come from?

It was a lazy Saturday. One free of obligations. The apartment was clean, the weather was dreary, and it was the perfect day to go to the movies alone. I arrived at the theater ten minutes before the movie was due to start. Ahead of me in line was a guy about my age, also going to see Red Dawn alone. At the concession counter, we ordered the same "single person special," and sat seats away from each other to enjoy the movie.

As the movie drew to a close, my bladder decided to make its presence known. With a vengeance.  With the credits rolling, I flashed a regretful smile at my new friend and rushed to the restroom. Stupid liquid. If only I had chosen dehydration instead of the large size drink, things might have been different.

I exited the restroom and made my way to my car. Checking my phone for important missed calls and texts (there were none), I was startled by a knock on the window. It was my movie buddy!

"I looked for you after the movie, but you disappeared," he said after I rolled down the window.

"Oh? What for?" I asked innocently, batting my eyes.

"I noticed you were by yourself. Did you want to grab dinner and talk about the movie?"

I thought for a moment. "Absolutely."

...

Or that's how it might have turned out. In reality, I will never see my movie man again. But it would be a cute meet story, wouldn't it?

People often ask me where I come up with the ideas for my books. I always tell them I really don't know, but recently it occurred to me that most of my ideas really come from real life. From situations, real or imagined, in which I find myself, or hear about from friends. (One of my books is basically a compilation of my friend's dating stories, and those of her friends.) Of course, when I actually write them, I exaggerate or create new dialogue and situations. Maybe I see something happen and I can picture what the interaction might look like in the future, or in the past.

If you've ever people watched, you have probably tried to make up stories about the people you see. That's what writing is. Starting with a random idea for a character and adding your own ideas to their personality, what they would eat for breakfast, how they might interact with their family or friends, how much money they have. And yes, I do use people I know in real life for my stories. Sometimes just their names, sometimes aspects of their personalities. I always fictionalize them. There isn't a single character in a book that is completely like a real person I know. Rather, they are bits and pieces of people, with random other characteristics thrown in.

There are countless stories all around us, just waiting to be written.

What's your story?