Wishing all my amazing writing friends a fantastic 2012.
Without your encouragement and support, my 2011 would not have been so much damn fun. Here's to a whole new year of writing adventures!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Riddle me this
Why do we, as writers, get
overjoyed when we receive constructive feedback on a manuscript. We take in our critique partner's comments, pose some thoughtful questions, then dig into our revisions
with renewed vitality. But when we receive the gold stamp of approval, the
email that says fantastic job, voice was spot-on, pacing was perfect, and you hooked
me and kept me vested throughout, that we lose it? Sit at our computers, chin on
the floor wondering if they even read the damn thing because surely it can't be that good. Surely my manuscript has major flaws that need to be addressed. It is almost as if we are
so conditioned to rejection, so anxious to make our manuscripts better, that we become
stunned into immobility when we hear something positive.
Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe I use critique partners as my own personal form of procrastination, a way for me to continue editing, continue tweaking just a bit more rather then risk sending my manuscript off to my agent . . . to an editor . . . to an actual reader.
Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe I use critique partners as my own personal form of procrastination, a way for me to continue editing, continue tweaking just a bit more rather then risk sending my manuscript off to my agent . . . to an editor . . . to an actual reader.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Outside My Comfort Zone
I am in the midst of a revision to my YA Contemporary. My attempt to soften my MC has gone horribly awry, and I have accidentally transformed her from a cruel bitch into a whiny sod. It's easily fixable and can probably be accomplished with a few well-placed scene adjustments. Problem is, I can't quite pinpoint those scenes. I will, once I get some space from the piece. In attempt to do just that, I picked up a beta read this weekend, a quick critique of a novella for a long-standing writing friend of mine. Now beta reading to clear my mind is nothing new for me, nor is it outside my comfort zone.
Critiquing decidedly adult content, however, is.
What did I gain from doing this? Well, I've come to the understanding that there is a marked distinction between what some people consider adult romance and erotica. Hands done, this women is an extremely talented writer with a rather impressive list of publishing credentials, but when you take out the sex scenes, and you actually have plot . . . a well thought out, emotionally-driven plot with extensive threads. In well-written adult romance, the sex is used as a tool to enhance the connections between the characters as opposed to being the central theme of the book.
I learned that it is possible to create a fully-engaging, well-constructed story in under one-hundred pages. I couldn't do it. Don't get me wrong, I can edit the hell out of my own manuscripts, but ask me to tell any one of my characters stories in under 100 pages and I probably hurl something at you. There is not enough coffee in the world for me to even consider giving that kind of condensing a try.
Oh, and I learned at least thirty new ways to describe the male anatomy. What's that? You want me to share my new found vocabulary? Yeah . . . well . . .no.
How about you? Do you ever step outside your comfort zone when writing to critiquing? If not you should try; I guarantee it will make you a stronger, more balanced writer.
Critiquing decidedly adult content, however, is.
What did I gain from doing this? Well, I've come to the understanding that there is a marked distinction between what some people consider adult romance and erotica. Hands done, this women is an extremely talented writer with a rather impressive list of publishing credentials, but when you take out the sex scenes, and you actually have plot . . . a well thought out, emotionally-driven plot with extensive threads. In well-written adult romance, the sex is used as a tool to enhance the connections between the characters as opposed to being the central theme of the book.
I learned that it is possible to create a fully-engaging, well-constructed story in under one-hundred pages. I couldn't do it. Don't get me wrong, I can edit the hell out of my own manuscripts, but ask me to tell any one of my characters stories in under 100 pages and I probably hurl something at you. There is not enough coffee in the world for me to even consider giving that kind of condensing a try.
Oh, and I learned at least thirty new ways to describe the male anatomy. What's that? You want me to share my new found vocabulary? Yeah . . . well . . .no.
How about you? Do you ever step outside your comfort zone when writing to critiquing? If not you should try; I guarantee it will make you a stronger, more balanced writer.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Who is the Better Writer
I'm always amazed when some one asks me who is the better writer in our co-authoring pair. They don't ask what my strengths are as opposed to hers. They don't ask how our skills compliment each other. Nope, they simply, with a straight face and no sense of social propriety, want to know one of us is more talented. Okay, if they have the balls to ask, then I will cowgirl up and answer them.
ME!!! . . no so just kidding!.
The real answer is -- It depends on who you ask. You ask me, and I will say Lindsay. You ask Lindsay, she will say me.
Why is that? Simple, because like every author -- new, established, or award winning -- we all tend to be harsh on ourselves, question our choice of words, the placement of a scene, the consistency of our characters emotions. What one of us sees as useless page clutter, the other sees as literary genius.
That is not to say that we each don't have our own talents. I am good with description; Lindsay is good with emotion. I write strong dialogue but always manage to screw up the tags. Lindsay is a tag genius, knows exactly when the emotion needs to be spelled and when to pull back. She likes short, edgy sentences; I'm all about the comma :) In the end it is all good.
Oh yes . . . Almost forgot. Lindsay and I launched our co-author website yesterday!! yawriters.com I have never seem Lindsay so excited about a website in my life. She threw confetti and celebrated by tweeting everywhere about it. I had a stomach bug so I barely managed to get my head out of the toilet long enough to hit the publish live button. Check it out. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
ME!!! . . no so just kidding!.
The real answer is -- It depends on who you ask. You ask me, and I will say Lindsay. You ask Lindsay, she will say me.
Why is that? Simple, because like every author -- new, established, or award winning -- we all tend to be harsh on ourselves, question our choice of words, the placement of a scene, the consistency of our characters emotions. What one of us sees as useless page clutter, the other sees as literary genius.
That is not to say that we each don't have our own talents. I am good with description; Lindsay is good with emotion. I write strong dialogue but always manage to screw up the tags. Lindsay is a tag genius, knows exactly when the emotion needs to be spelled and when to pull back. She likes short, edgy sentences; I'm all about the comma :) In the end it is all good.
Oh yes . . . Almost forgot. Lindsay and I launched our co-author website yesterday!! yawriters.com I have never seem Lindsay so excited about a website in my life. She threw confetti and celebrated by tweeting everywhere about it. I had a stomach bug so I barely managed to get my head out of the toilet long enough to hit the publish live button. Check it out. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Expanding Our Social Network
After much chatter this weekend, Lindsay and I have decided . . . been pushed into . . strongly advised to (you can pick the phrase you like best :) expanding out social network as co-authors. Although we both maintain active blogs and are mildly obsessed with twitter, we decided to expand on that social platform. Lindsay got tagged with developing aco-author facebook page; I got assigned website development duties. Between me, you, and I guess the entire blogging universe, I think I got the short end of that damn stick! LOL just kidding . . . not.
So while the website won't go live until sometime mid-week, Lindsay has finally gotten around to creating a Facebook page dedicated to our co-authored projects. We would love for you guys to stop by. Maybe if you're feeling benevolent (it is the holidays:), you'll "like" us and get us that much closer to being as connected as we'd like to be. The content is still being tinkered with, so be aware that there will be more and more information regarding our first co-authored novel, SILO as well as our brand-new project that has been turned into the hands of our agent. We will be sharing quotes, snippets and more as the weeks go by, so come on over!
Trisha and Lindsay on FACEBOOK
On a side note, Happy Monday!
So while the website won't go live until sometime mid-week, Lindsay has finally gotten around to creating a Facebook page dedicated to our co-authored projects. We would love for you guys to stop by. Maybe if you're feeling benevolent (it is the holidays:), you'll "like" us and get us that much closer to being as connected as we'd like to be. The content is still being tinkered with, so be aware that there will be more and more information regarding our first co-authored novel, SILO as well as our brand-new project that has been turned into the hands of our agent. We will be sharing quotes, snippets and more as the weeks go by, so come on over!
Trisha and Lindsay on FACEBOOK
On a side note, Happy Monday!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Knowing Your Limits
I am pretty good at setting limits in my day-to-day life. I know exactly how far I can push myself before I snap and have made sure the people around me are aware of my breaking point. For example, the guy who graciously gives me my caffeine fix each morning knows to keep the chit-chat to under ten words until I am at least two lattes deep. I know never to start the laundry after 10:15 at night because there is no way in hell I will be awake long enough to switch it to the dryer. And my friends know never, never to ask me to meet them for breakfast. Suffice it to say, I don't play well with others first thing in the morning.
When it comes to writing . . well let's just say I have a tinsy problem finding my limits. I love to beta read and frequently, as I do now, have five or six beta projects going on at one time. I enjoy giving back to a writing community that has helped me achieve every small milestone in my journey to publication. Unable to limit myself to just one niche, I write cross-genre -- Sci-fi and YA contemporary. I also can't stick to one manuscript at a time. Since I started writing, I have always had two manuscripts going at once, toggling back and forth between them as my muse sees fit.
My inability to set reasonable boundaries in my writing life has been more of a blessing than a curse. It has allowed my to forge some amazing friendships, forced me to write outside my comfort zone, and given me the pleasure of being the first to read some of the most amazing manuscripts. So, in at the spirit of expanding my "no limits writing theory" into my every day life, I will engage in a twenty-word conversation with my barista tomorrow. I will start a load of laundry at exactly 10:20pm (then spend the morning swearing at my too damp to wear clothes,) and I will consider, consider meeting my girlfriends for a late, very late brunch.
When it comes to writing . . well let's just say I have a tinsy problem finding my limits. I love to beta read and frequently, as I do now, have five or six beta projects going on at one time. I enjoy giving back to a writing community that has helped me achieve every small milestone in my journey to publication. Unable to limit myself to just one niche, I write cross-genre -- Sci-fi and YA contemporary. I also can't stick to one manuscript at a time. Since I started writing, I have always had two manuscripts going at once, toggling back and forth between them as my muse sees fit.
My inability to set reasonable boundaries in my writing life has been more of a blessing than a curse. It has allowed my to forge some amazing friendships, forced me to write outside my comfort zone, and given me the pleasure of being the first to read some of the most amazing manuscripts. So, in at the spirit of expanding my "no limits writing theory" into my every day life, I will engage in a twenty-word conversation with my barista tomorrow. I will start a load of laundry at exactly 10:20pm (then spend the morning swearing at my too damp to wear clothes,) and I will consider, consider meeting my girlfriends for a late, very late brunch.
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