I've also been reading some of the writing books i have on my shelf, Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon and The Art of Romance Writing by Valeria Parv.
My goodness, just reading these and then reading through someone else's work is helping to sharpen my own writing! I have picked up things my friend is doing, thereby helping her by drawing her attention to it so she doesn't do it again (I hope!) and noticing that i do it myself!!
I highly recommend getting yourselves some craft books and even helping a friend by editing or even reading someone else's work in the editing stage. It really does help your own writing!!
It's certainly useful! And another giant THANKYOU for working on my MS. I know how much work it is. Though I would point out that I won't use all your suggestions - so don't be offended *grin* But you are wholly responsible for the new beginning which has then led into the new re-write which I'm SUPER excited about :) Can't wait to finish it ;p
ReplyDeleteAnd some rules are definitely made to be broken!!
Nicole, i so don't expect you to accept all my suggestions, that would make you a...i don't even have the word for it! :)
ReplyDeleteBut it's not you!
It's your work, i'm mearly drawing your attention to what, as a reader, doesn't work for me, and as a writer, what i think should be done differently. And of course we would have different opinions. It is expected and totally accepted! It makes like interesting!!
And , your most welcome!!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteOh lordy, the risk of risque - editing others' works!
Rather you than me: recently had my fingers burned for suggesting change to first few paras of a chapter that didn't work at all!
It was written 3rd person POV, it said it was raining, it didn't say whether it was man or woman getting wet nor whether it was summer or winter, ie; warm, chilly, freezing, wet feet puddling sidewalk, grass or mud "q" clues: barefoot/shoes/ define male/female etc.
The character (if one could call it a character with no persona ie; male/female, began rambling in head about another nameless personage, and basically by para 4 it was hard to define narration from character thought mode.
It wasn't until half way through 1st chap that the character turned out to be Billy (I blame Billy Piper for Billy-girls in novels) and could quite easily have been boy throughout whole chapter, simply because the author forgot to present tiny clue (at least) to female ranting on about a bloke, who equally could have been female because he had no ID as to maleness.
SO, I got burned with ranting e-mails etc, and then finally apologetic e-mail claiming I was right all along and that someone else had said pretty much the same as myself! Hence, between three of us the first chapter presents re-defined characters and sensible logic to unfolding scene of heroine walking in the rain thinking through self-doubt etc.
But, but, never again am I going to critique another's work!
best
F
but Francine, you have critiqued by first chapter of Ten nights and i think you have done a great job! don't give up, i think some people just need to realise to take it the right way it is meant to be taken.
ReplyDeleteTo help!
Hi Kerrin,
ReplyDeleteThe first novel is always the hardest - thereafter it gets easier because the basics of the writing process are already embedded!
Re: To Help! (?)
Yeah, but some people don't actually want help, they want luvvie feedback! Trouble with "luvvie feedback" - it often as not gives false hope and conviction of good job done and, go on send it off regardless. The latter often witnessed within critique groups where one or two writers have just made it to publication!
To be honest, Andre (award) pointed out the error of newly published authors thinking of themselves as professionals and therefore better able to give advice on writing. In fact until a writer is at least five novels down the line of category romance publication they are still within the realms of student learner and may not maintain output beyond three or four novels = burnout. Being a published author is as much about committment to ouput as it is to seeing one's name on the front cover! A category romance novelist who can only pump out one 50,000 wrd book a year is not as viable a proposition as one who can churn out three or four! Publishers such as HM&B will look kindly on a first-time author subbing to them who has more than one novel on offer, which proves committment to the genre and the writing process in general.
Too often one sees enthusiastic people within critique groups, prolific in their posting on the group, but all the time they're faffing around praising others and seeking like in return, which is time lost to their manuscript! Dedication to the writing process is far more important, because too much group/blog activity can stifle the creative flow necessary for success in writing. Not all people are the same, a few (stress few) can keep up the pace on daily group/blog activities and still kick their ms into touch and end up with a publishable ms! Most can't! And most published authors have less active blogs than unpubbed. Fact, not fiction!
With that I'll get back to writing!
best
F