Rise From The Ashes!



Photograph by Gabor Dvornik



Okay, so here's the thing...you often hear as a writer that you need to develop a 'Thick Skin'. This makes sense because in order to survive the constant 'suggestions,' criticism, and rejection that comes with this business, you need to be able to shrug off the words that hurt.

On the other hand, criticism that is constructive is something you do not want to shrug off, you want to embrace it. 

Over the years, I've participated in several critique groups and writer's circles and one thing I've learned is that everyone's knee-jerk response to criticism is to defend your work...MISTAKE.

In going on the defensive and explaining why we made our particular choices, we might miss out on some great insight into our own work.  

This can be hard though, especially if you've struggled with a particular piece and then it gets shredded by the 'poetry guy' over coffee and cookies.

Here are some tips from the book, The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell on using critique to your advantage...

When You Get Criticized:

• Take a deep breath and DO NOTHING for about a day.  If it means screaming in the closet or binging on gummy worms then so be it...just let it sink in for 24 hours.

• The next day you have distance...NOW consider the criticism with a cool head. Was there anything in it that totally hit home for you right away? If you find that you agreed with a comment immediately, then there may be something there.

• On the other hand...was any of it aimed at you personally...if so, then disregard the critique AND the critic.

• Get specific. Was the criticism aimed at your character development or your dialogue? Find out exactly what needs work. If possible, ask the critiquer directly.  Don't settle for vague answers. Was it your pacing, are your characters cliche'd or predictable or unlikeable?  The more specific the feedback, the more helpful it will be to you.

• Finally, go about figuring out how to fix it.  If your weakness is plot, then work on it.  Writing prompts, books on technique, a class and reading your favorite author for tips on how their writing works are all easy and effective ways to improve.

• Rise from the ashes like phoenix and write on!

I hope that all of this was helpful to you. As a member of a few critique groups, it helps to know that unless they're a jerk...most people genuinely want to help you.  Think of the critique as the gift that it is...someone took time away from their own work to help you get better. 

Until next time...Go Write!

W is for What the French Toast!?!

This is the last week of the Blogging from A-Z Challenge over at Arlee Bird's Tossing It Out Blog.  I've been blogging and commenting for the past month while trying to run my finished manuscript through critique circles for feedback.  As a result of all the contradicting comments about my novel, I decided to appeal to the ether for feedback...

Some people have said that my character is too emotional and that someone so sensitive would not be in her line of work, at least not for long.  Others have said that she isn't emotional enough...that the physical manifestations of emotion (shaking, sobbing, etc) are not enough and that I have to  "Say" what she is feeling as in...anguish squeezed my heart.

I think that there is a fine line between sensitive and an emotional train wreck and I'm afraid of crossing over. Then again, critique circles are supposed to help us by challenging our writing and helping us to grow in our craft.  Sheesh!  I'm going crazy trying to figure out if there is really something wrong...or I'm just getting opinion.

My question to you is this: How do you wade through all the comments and suggestions to find what is relevant and what is not?  Do you find critique groups helpful, or discouraging?  I'd love to know what you think.  Until next time...Go Write!

Photograph by Ben Werdmuller von Elgg, Uploaded on March 9, 2009.

5 Bad Habits of Writers

stress
Originally uploaded by greg westfall.

I often hear people call writing the solitary life when they should call it the sedentary life. Most of the work I do is on the computer and in my head, so moving isn’t really a top priority. I woke up the other morning and had a huge kink in my neck and I knew it was the four straight hours at the computer the night before that did it. I’m not as young as I once was and this writer’s lifestyle was starting to put a damper on my style. I decided to revamp the way I do things and to do that; I need to figure out what I’m doing wrong in the first place. I came up with five habits that writers engage in that can lead to problems down the road. I researched healthy alternatives and practices to counteract those habits and I’ll share them with you.
• Number one on the list is bad posture. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt a know in my neck or on my back from sitting incorrectly at the computer. A good chair goes a long way, but resting your feet on a small stool and sitting up straight really make a difference in the way you feel. I’ve also invested in a wrist pad and some ergonomic pillows for my back. These minor adjustments help to reduce the stress on your back, neck, and shoulders, minimizing headaches. Protecting the angle of your wrists lowers the risk of carpal tunnel issues later.
• Another bad habit that most writers admit to is unhealthy snacking. You know who you are! We drink way too much coffee, gobble easy to grab pantry goodies, and tend to meet at coffee houses…enough said. This type of eating can cause sluggishness and that’s never a good thing if you’re writing. I learned recently that healthy snacking, or grazing, helps to improve brain function. This is something I can’t’ afford to pass up. I try to have pre-cut veggies, nuts, and fruit next to me on the desk now and I have to say…I feel better. Another thing that helps alertness is water. Try substituting some of your favorite drink for water flavored with a sliced lemon or orange. Keeping in pre bottled in the fridge helps me when I’m feeling lazy.
• Not sleeping enough is the habit I am most guilty of. I tend to write at night, because that is when the home schooling is done, and my kids are in bed. I often don’t go to bed until after midnight. One solution is to make sure to set aside a realistic time to type and then step away from the computer. Sleep is not only restorative to your body, a properly rested person is more creative, alert, and has a better recollection than a tired counterpart. Want to improve your efficiency? Get some sleep.
• Not exercising is a huge problem for people that work at a sedentary job because the gym may be the only time we go outside. You computer types know what I’m talking about. Fortunately I have some freakishly healthy friends that motivate me to get off my chair and go to the gym with them. Not only do I physically feel better, I am also mentally relaxed and that bodes well for the characters I write. When I’m cooped up and nihilistic, people tend to get blown up or eaten by strange creatures.
• Finally, there’s the tendency to STRESS! This can be the worst of the five because a stress can affect both mind and body. From deadlines, to equipment malfunction, to just too many distractions…stress can derail anyone’s goals. There are some great tools out there to help the writer get control of their task. Software, classes to improve organization, even taking an hour to make a list of your goals that day help to keep stress at a minimum. Set aside time to write, and then honor it – both by starting on time, and walking away when the time is up. Finally, find a critique group and complain to people who truly understand what you’re talking about. Some support and understanding often make a huge difference.

I hope these tips help make your writing time more fun and efficient. Until next time…Go Write!

Networking

Coffee
Originally uploaded by SomeDriftwood

Okay, so here's the thing...I'm part of this critique group called the Sunday Morning Romance Writers. We get together every other Sunday and go over selections of our novels that we've traded and pre-read. I give my opinion on whether or not Lord Stunningly Handsome would realistically fall for Lady Shy-But-Gorgeous. I get to hear about why my characters are too prickly, or not prickly enough for their profession. Its all very motivating. Only thing is...there's just two of us that show up. Me and a woman that writes Regency Romance. I've learned a lot about corsets.

Our numbers are, as of yet, on the small side. Sitll, one great perk is that the eople watching is so great during this time. I can't tell you how many study groups, mommy groups, old people that read the newspaper and don’t talk groups, seem to keep our exact schedule. I’ve taken to jotting down the weird quirks for my characters. There’s a guy, who I think is learning to be a phlebotomist that smacks his Splenda packets against his thumbnail exactly five times. Every packet, every time. He takes like twenty in his giant cup of coffee. He apparently also hates raisins with a passion.

I wondered how one coffee shop attracted so many unusual people until I realized the other day, that if the authorities were watching my friend and I, we’d be in trouble. She talks about daggers, sabotage, and usurping the throne. I’m constantly asking her what she thinks the weight threshold in an air duct is, or if she knows how to pick a lock. Easily misinterpreted stuff.

All this to say that even though right now its just me and another dedicated writer showing up for our critique…semi-circle, that’s okay. I know that this is what I am supposed to do. I have faith. We’ll both make it. Until then, though our network is limited, it's definitely valuable to me.