tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post2938318190780267971..comments2023-09-13T00:53:08.478-07:00Comments on Laura Howard: Surviving Your First DraftLaura Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094120603422425142noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-42349153277262013052013-02-06T19:59:56.156-08:002013-02-06T19:59:56.156-08:00I don't know about you, but I NEED validation ...<i>I don't know about you, but I NEED validation from outside sources. I NEED people to say, "You've written a great story! ... Having that support network is crucial to keeping one's sanity.</i><br /><br />Yes. This. My writing group encouraged me through 90,000 words. When I wasn't certain that my words were any good, that my plot was weak, they managed to point out the good things. They'd remind me if I slipped a cliche in, needed to tighten up narrative. They understood what I was going through, and they made me want to keep writing. They wanted to hear THE END as much as I did. <br /><br /><i>Revising takes twice as much time and concentration. </i> <br />Don't remind me... I just finished the rough draft of my 2nd novel. I have so much work ahead. I have struggled with one of my MCs throughout this draft. I think I finally know him - his thoughts, feelings, goals are so much clearer. But I dread rewriting him, almost afraid I'll still have trouble showing the reader who he is and how he changes. Help me Obi Wan Kenobi...Char Newcombhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02112085381384680954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-29133768226183144922013-02-06T19:37:59.225-08:002013-02-06T19:37:59.225-08:00I am right there at the moment. I just self-publis...I am right there at the moment. I just self-published and I'm in the middle of my blog tour, and the pressure is on to get the next instalment in the series out. I'm breaking under the pressure, but then I think I'm the one putting the pressure on myself. Today I made the conscious decision to just step back and work on something else for a while. Thanks so much for this post; it's really helped me gain a little perspective.K. A. Lasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02289258780351316515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-37350319034776438782013-02-06T19:36:53.465-08:002013-02-06T19:36:53.465-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.K. A. Lasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02289258780351316515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-58435905598515456502013-02-06T10:50:35.892-08:002013-02-06T10:50:35.892-08:00Hi Faith! Thanks for stopping by.
A writer's ...Hi Faith! Thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />A writer's life can be very isolated (a particularly prickly job hazard for many), and it's easy to fall into self-deprecating modes of thinking when you don't get much contact with the "outside world." The constant questioning is what does me in. Do readers like what I wrote? Why aren't they talking about it? How come Miss Prissy Pants Author can sell a million books, but I can't? Why do I suck so badly? It's enough to make you batty.<br /><br />I don't know about you, but I NEED validation from outside sources. I NEED people to say, "You've written a great story!" But not everyone will feel that way. To make it worse, the negative voices are always the loudest to me. I could get 20 great reviews and one bad one. Guess which review sticks with me the longest? It can become a downward spiral very quickly if you let it.<br /><br />Having a few close, trusted writing pals helps me a lot. They're my safety net. I can turn to my author friends when I'm feeling down. They'll listen without judgment. They understand what I'm going through and don't feel the need to fix everything like my husband does. HA! Having that support network is crucial to keeping one's sanity.<br /><br />Congrats on publishing your book, and best of luck with sales!KendallGreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02029447701416121956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-31027887071357205062013-02-05T08:14:54.782-08:002013-02-05T08:14:54.782-08:00Kendall, what a great post. I think I've gone ...Kendall, what a great post. I think I've gone through every emotion you mentioned. Thanks for helping me feel I'm not alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-69885910531539300642013-02-04T19:25:08.427-08:002013-02-04T19:25:08.427-08:00Hi Dana! It feels kind of good to know you aren...Hi Dana! It feels kind of good to know you aren't alone when you're ganglia-deep in the water torture of your own brain, doesn't it? ;-) So many doubts seep in and make us question ourselves. Quitting is the easy way out, but it doesn't usually leave us creative types very happy. Sticking with the book through the good times and the bad, and being willing to do what's best for the story (even when it's not what we want) are two qualities that separate dabbler WRITERS from published AUTHORS.<br /><br />You can do this, Dana. Rock that manuscript like nobody's business!KendallGreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02029447701416121956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-80080682363286751202013-02-04T18:38:50.329-08:002013-02-04T18:38:50.329-08:00I'm saving this post. It's just what I exp...I'm saving this post. It's just what I experienced with my first book. Now on my eighth-or-so rewrite. Thanks for the encouragement to wake up and write another day.Dana McNeelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16229101816569121305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-1968958667676553832013-02-04T13:30:57.918-08:002013-02-04T13:30:57.918-08:00BookCupid, I joined Romance Writers of America and...BookCupid, I joined Romance Writers of America and found some crit partners through one of their special interest chapters. I'm certain you could find CPs that way if you're an RWA member. There are probably a lot of other sites outside of RWA too. It's just a matter of searching. Yahoo Groups might be another place to look. The trick is to find someone who has more experience than you and who will be honest without being mean. You may have to go through several people until you find the right match. And there's nothing wrong with saying, "This isn't working out" if that's the case. Good luck!KendallGreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02029447701416121956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-69246256984167986772013-02-04T12:19:21.807-08:002013-02-04T12:19:21.807-08:00What are the best places to find a critique partne...What are the best places to find a critique partner?BookCupidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11285664033853752409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-12301368812430439392013-02-04T08:14:55.683-08:002013-02-04T08:14:55.683-08:00Marilyn, I've found that if I don't just l...Marilyn, I've found that if I don't just let go, the book will never get written. The old adage "You can't edit a blank page" is *SO* true. Sometimes just pushing past the self-doubt and finding a way to spit the words out -- no matter how ugly they are -- is the hardest part. But once they start flowing, it becomes so much easier. Best of luck with FISSURE!KendallGreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02029447701416121956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305781781926228329.post-49901688874561422982013-02-04T07:50:28.255-08:002013-02-04T07:50:28.255-08:00Oh thank you for this! I'm currently rewriting...Oh thank you for this! I'm currently rewriting my second book and I've felt like this. Paralyzed by Fear, panicked over the most minute of things... and then finally, freedom came in the shape of a swift kick in the butt courtesy of one my friends. <br /><br />The best thing I've done so far with Fissure is to let go. I'll worry when my editor gets to read it LOL. Marilyn Almodóvar_Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06080403389670068217noreply@blogger.com