Taking Their Crits with a Smile: Why Join a Face-to-Face Group?

There are so many great resources available online, have we forgotten to take advantage of opportunities for growth in our own hometowns?

As college students my husband (then boyfriend) and I spent hours sipping Caramel Macchiatos and analyzing the word choice of our poetry with two of my dorm mates. 

Over a decade later I rediscovered the lost (to me) art of the face-to-face critique group. 

This time it was slightly more intimidating.  I didn't have anyone to cuddle with over my Cherry Mocchachino.  My five pages weren't being critiqued by the friend with whom I had spent my high school summers biking.

Instead I sat staring into my Mocha praying that God would give me the grace to accept the critiques I was about to receive by a table full of complete strangers.

I rely heavily on the online community for help with my writing.  ACFW is a fabulous organization with many like-minded Christian writers and countless services available for the new and experienced writer.  Through this organization I found my invaluable critique partner.  I've also been able to take advantage of critiques offered by several authors.

However, I believe there are some special advantages offered by the face-to-face critique group.  I would encourage other authors to become involved in the local writing community, as well as the online writing community.

1) Multiple perspectives offered in a short period of time:
Where else can you have multiple people critique your story within a half-hour time frame.  I return home with a folder of marked up copies and several different perspectives.  Different editors have different strengths, it is wonderful when you can combine this in one group.

2) The ability to "hear" your word choice and dialogue.
Several times another reader read a piece of my dialect.  I immediately realized how unrealistic it sounded in several places.  I don't often take the time to read my work out loud and occasionally even when I do, the "wrong" word choice or dialect just slips past me.  Sometimes hearing your own work can be the most powerful correction.

3) Teaches how to respond with grace to criticism:
Let's face it, that little bug called criticism isn't something we always take well.  The online world gives us some time to process, then respond graciously.  There's something that seems easier about it, isn't there.  Its somewhat harder to smile immediately.  What a witness this can be, especially if we are involved in a writer's group with non-Christians.

4) Seeing our work through new eyes:
All of the people who have helped me with my writing online are Christian.  Many even write in the same genre I do.  However, a face-to-face group is often less homogenous.  In the group of four writers I met with last week, each writer has an entirely different profession.  Each is writing in a different genre.  And we each have differing strengths and weaknesses in our writing. 

Do you participate in a face-to-face group?  Are any available in your area?  What are some benefits you have experienced from a critique group?

Good Ol' Fashion Writing

Photo by bingbing

So, I have a problem when I sit down to write—my social addictions:

                                                   

email * facebook * blogging

My computer conveniently “dings” when I get a new email, and since some blogs and facebook are connected to my email, I am usually inundated with “dinging” as I try to progress in my wip. (And even if I hit the mute button, my lovely “mac” dashboard conveniently SHOWS me when a new email arrives.)
Usually, my time to write is precious, so I frustrate myself when I waste it on “social” distractions.

Self-control is not my strong fruit!

Photo by samthomsa

The other day though, I was rushing out to drop off my 4 year old at preschool, and then return a book to the library. Usually, I lug my laptop along with me and set up shop at Barnes & Noble or Panera to get some uninterrupted writing done (besides all the dinging and people-watching).

Well, I just didn't feel like it, so I grabbed my journal instead.

And I sat down in a corner in the quiet library, surrounded by books (actually the nook I was in was right by all the historical novels...convenient inspiration for my current wip!) and pulled out my journal and pen, and fleshed out some good ol' fashion writing without the distraction that my laptop brings.

It was so freeing!

I didn't have to depend on technology to assist my creative juice flow, I could just write, write, write, and get scene upon scene out on the pages.

Some may say, “well, now you have to go type it all in...” but the best part of this “extra” step is, I can edit during transcribing, and...voila...I have a more polished scene freshly typed in my wip!

Photo by JamesRoseUK

Do you have any tips on getting rid of the distractions that come with instant communication...emails, phone calls, i.m.ing during your writing time?

What's Up The Street For Next Week?

I think we would get an unanimous vote if I asked everyone if they are ready for spring.

And in utter defiance to the 19 degrees we had here this morning and the snow that fell yesterday along with the hail and sprinkles of sunshine, I am going to have pictures of my favorite spring flower on the blog.

Think it will encourage our weather??

THINK POSITIVE. It will! :-)

So, let's find out what is up on the Alley for this coming week. (sunshine pleaseeeee)

The laptop is a distraction, email, Facebook, blogging, what's a writer to do? Angie has suggestions, and one that might actually surprise you.

Julia is your hostess this Tuesday.  Her topic is "Writing is a Team Sport: Getting the Most from a Face to Face Writer's Group."


Need a Self-Editing Check list handy, you are sure to forget something while running through that manuscript. Sarah is starting her new series here on the Alley on Wednesday.

Ever find yourself in those moments between writing the new WIP and editing the last? Wendy knows just what you are talking about! Check out her post on Thursday for tips on that very subject.

Friday brings with it Cindy's sweet smile and writing tips on how to plot your novel and a list of steps to give your new ideas!

Alley Newstand

Ruth Logan Herne has been "Cold Called" on Casey's blog! Be sure and check out the post and submit YOUR question for Ruth to answer. :-)

The Genesis is now CLOSED! Did you enter? You still have time to enter The Frasier!

Check out the Seekerville contest update here

Margie Lawson teaches courses online to help you grow in your craft and Casey can personally vouch for her excellent teaching style. Check out her list of upcoming classes online now!

Details can be found about the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Conference here 

There are new details popping up all the time for the coming ACFW conference. Are you going??

Have a GREAT weekend from those on the Alley to you!

(And may Spring SPRING soon! :-)

How to Solve a Problem: AHA Moments

I hate it when I get stuck.

Book stuck... not like in the mud or snow stuck, or in a dead-end job stuck... but I'd hate any of those too.

Anywho, I've been trying to edit one of my novels for the past, uh, ever... (meaning I have no clue how long) and I've been royally stuck in chapter 4.

I've edited the book as a whole many times, but given some feedback I received on the edited version, I rolled up my sleeves and decided to make a few critical changes.

I rewrote much of chapter 1, then read it, and said, "This is pretty good!"

I edited chapter 2 and 3, not a rewrite, but some good tweaking, then read it, and said, "Not too shabby."

But then I got to chapter four. I edited. I rewrote. I deleted. I ate chocolate. I edited again. I deleted again. I banged my head against the keyboard causing something like oierytliehfldfhglosehrtgloaqhet to appear.

I stayed that way for oh... two months? Maybe more? Granted, given my current personal issues going on with my daughter (for those that don't know, she's in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant) I'm working much slower these days. But... two months trying to figure out one chapter... NOT FUN.

So the other day, I cracked my knuckles and decided that I HAD to figure out something to get through the wall.

I've heard many times that when you are in writer's block, kill someone. In your book, not in real life, just so we all are on the same page.

Well, no one could really die in my scene. But the basis behind this advice is to raise the stakes. Make things worse.

This is done best when it isn't a contrived moment. It isn't something that you just dream up out of the blue, but many times it starts out that way. It is something that is at odds with the current issue. Something that directly relates.

For me, my aha moment involved rain.

In a previous version, my chapter 3 ended with my heroine taking a walk instead of sucking up her pride and asking for a ride, even though she was in an unfamiliar town and wasn't really sure how to get to her destination.

Chapter 4 in a previous version had hero almost running over heroine in his car at night after heroine got a little lost.

My problems where the following:

• The town she was in, while new, is very small. It's hard to get THAT lost.
• Even if it were at night... I could see him not seeing her, but her crossing the road when a car is coming straight on? She's not THAT stupid.
• It was too coincidental. Not believable. Given their conflict in the previous chapter, that he just "happened" to almost run her over... we can ask readers to suspend a little reality, but it tipped the scales a little.
• It wasn't organic. It was... weird. I like weird in my books, but I think I stepped over a line here.

But... I still liked the preface. That she went for a walk and he finds her later and is like, "Why didn't you ask me for a ride, you beautiful Moron you?" It works well in the story and originally was pretty funny.

But just seeing her walking down the road is, well, boring.

What's a writer to do? I couldn't have her almost run over.

So, what's something believable that could happen that could be funny that I could use to torture my heroine and let me hero be, well, a hero.

Then the other day, it hit me.

Here is my last line of chapter 3 in heroine's POV:

She could do it. It was probably only a mile or so.

And here is my new first line of chapter 4 in hero's POV:

Stupid rain. Rueben flicked his wipers to a higher speed. Just a half hour ago it had been sunny and bright before the dark clouds marched in as if they owned the town.

Yep... I didn't kill anyone. But I did bring in the rain.

Discussion: Have you had any "aha" moments in your WIP? And if bringing in the rain is still a stupid idea, I'm open to suggestions! 

My Contest Experiences with "The Frasier"

I have entered very few contests in the years I have been writing, mainly because I wanted to learn my craft before jumping in head first into a shallow pool, which is what it felt like when I entered such “big” name contests like the Genesis.

But don’t take this as me against contests, I’m not. In fact I want to share with you a contest I entered last year and found extremely helpful to not only my knowledge on the subject of the writing craft, but also encouraging to my future in writing.


Last year, Susan May Warren launched her first annual writing contest with My Book Therapy, called The Frasier. There were no genre restrictions, just craft. The first 1500 words of your story and a 500 word synopsis that would be judged solely on craft, voice, mechanics, etc. I didn’t hesitate, I just entered.

And was extremely thankful.

I didn’t place, didn’t even final, but when I opened that email from The Frasier coordinators I was handed gold. So often when you get a contest result back, it’s still dripping the blood of your story and you are left with the aggravating task of figuring out what in the world this judge meant.

The first think I saw was a message written by Susan. I still have that email. And it is just as encouraging then as it is now. The truth of the matter is, you can’t take everything a judge says is "wrong" and apply it at once and certainly not the moment you read the comments. It can’t be helped, contests are going to be subjective, but what I loved so much about the Frasier is it has a “wholesome” feel—I guess I could say. Their goal is to help unpublished “Voices” become published “Voices” and to do that, you have to learn the craft. You have to know what you are doing wrong.

This contest doesn’t just point what is wrong with your work and then expect you to go fix it, they point out strengths and weaknesses, you can feel that they are really taking the time to be tough, but understanding of the journey you are on. Their comments are constructive. And one of things I loved the most is that though they told me the things I needed to work on, they make marks directly on my manuscript, you can see exactly what they are referring to. And then at the very end they say what they liked best about your work. The question last year was, “ what is your favorite line in the excerpt?”

What a boost!

The Frasier goes beyond just mere fix-it mentality, they give constructive criticism and praise with comments that actually inspired me to get back down and work on my WIP—even when it came to the hard work I had to do to get better.

I plan on entering The Frasier this year, hoping it will be an improvement over last year’s excerpt I sent in. :-)

It’s exciting to think of the possibilities and the strengths that have been added and the weaknesses that most likely need more work.

For negatives there were positives, for every remark the judges made about my craft, they did in a way that didn’t carry the sting of rejection and hopelessness. Susan has trained her judges, they know what to look for and treated me as I am I sure they would want to be treated.

Go ahead, enter, I think you will be pleased, no matter the outcome.

Do you have any other questions for me about my experience with The Frasier? Please feel free to comment, I always reply!

Confidence and Courage

I'm a complex person. Aren't you?

Set me in front of a group of third graders and watch me regale vast knowledge in their language.

Tempt, much less encourage me to enter a writing contest and watch me fizzle into nothing. "I can't. It's not good enough. Look at the competition. Who am I?"

Have you seen the chatter on FB, Yahoo writing groups, and blogs across the United States announcing:

The Genesis is coming!  The Genesis is coming!

The dream of a lifetime sat in my computer. 

Two weeks ago I sent encouraging notes to all who heralded they'd pressed the mighty send button and whisked their baby through cyberspace to the gates of Genesis. 


"What courage. Well done."  


In my heart I had, and still have, such respect for those brave souls.  And then I thought: someday, someday that will be me. I can't wait.

Last week a treasured friend sent me her first chapter to critique. She had put a few finishing touches on her work and wanted a fresh opinion before sending it off to the infamous Genesis land.  I read her practically perfect-sure-to-win work, sat in awe for a few moments then emailed: "You better send this one in, for sure"

        --along with a question....
                                 "Ummmm--would you read my first chapter? 
                                                         It's OK if you say 'no'. 
                                                                                         Honest. 
                                If you have the time, could you--would you--do you think it might--possibly--sorta be good enough to think about sending to Genesis--say a year from now?"

A day later she, emailed super fab suggestions. Each one a golden treasure to improve my story.  I couldn't bring myself to open the attachment, though. It had to have been splattered with corrections, suggestion, ideas, etc. Perhaps one or two words passed inspection. Gack!

I walked away from my computer and frumped to bed seeking to soothe my anxiety with someone else's well-written, published book.

At 5:00 am the next morning, my heart, mind, and fingers had been drawn from the clutches of my warm blankets, to my computer. God basically had a talk with me. "Open the attachment. Learn from what she said."  So I did--slowly. 


To my amazement, there was little red!?!  And many of the tracking notes had words of encouragement: "Good word" and "This works".

Granted my quite less than perfect chapter had many improvements and corrections noted as well, but the encouraging words she shared durng her precious free time meant the world to me. 

I sent her a thank you. To my surprise she responded later that evening:  I think you should enter the Genesis. 

This year? Really? But the due date is moments away! March 4. That's Friday! No! Dare I?

Choosing to take the risk, I scrambled to make the corrections she suggested, rewrote the whole chapter, burned the midnight oil to write a synopsis-

and

             pushed

                                 send.

I did! 
I push SEND Tuesday, March 1 at 7:15 pm Mountain Time.

Have you? 

If not Genesis then what about a different contest?  Maybe you need the courage to finish your WIP, send it to a publisher, find an editor, or start a new work. You can do this. We, here at the Alley, are your cheerleaders, an ear, and your supporter.  

What will you leap out and do--starting today?

Joshua 1: 9  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”



Photo Thanks to http://pixdaus.com

Bell's Pyramid of Plot

I've been reading Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell and it is an excellent resource. Not only does he give you ways to ways to generate plot ideas. He shows you want to do with them. You've got to narrow them down and the way to do it is with the Bell Pyramid.

There are three layers to the Bell Pyramid. We'll start at the base and work to the top.

Passion: A novel takes a long time to write, so you must be passionate about the plot you choose to write about. Rejections abound in the publishing world and many times it is because the work presented is "cookie cutter" work. Writers will follow the crowd and write what is selling instead of writing the book in their heart. You must feel passion about your plot to sustain your writing through the lenth of time it takes to write it.

Potential: You have to consider the possible reach of your plot idea to an audience. The way to do that is to put yourself in the shoes of an invester. Would you want to invest thousands of dollars in a book about cleaning a fish? Hhhmmm. You don't need to write to the largest possible audience, but you do need to focus on a specific audience and write a passionate story to that audience. You want to write romance? What kind? Historical, suspence, contemporary, etc... It is not a rule, but a guideline as you write what you are really passionate about.

Precision: You've found what your passionate about and think the potential is there for a readership following. Now you must trim away anything that is not in line with that potential. If you are writing for suspense, don't get distracted from that focus. You don't want anything to distract from the potential.

How do you decide which idea is the one you run with?