Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Tuesday's Inspiration - New Releases #MFRWauthor #Releases #aminspired
I don't know about you but each new release inspires me to move forward and write something new. Sometimes the enw release spurs a sequel and sometimes something totally different. I;ve been re-releasing some old murder mysteries, books I've been very fond of and in going over and editing them again, I was inspired to begin a new one with the same characters as in the other stories.
What about you? Do new releases or revamped old ones being re-released inspire you?
What about you? Do new releases or revamped old ones being re-released inspire you?
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Tuesday's Inspiration - Words #MFRWauthor #aminspired #words
In Techniques of the Selling Writer, Dwight Swain wrote "A story is words strung onto pages."
Absolutely true. To be a writer, you need to love words and to consume their origins and their meanings. The English language has words spelled the same but mean very different things. Would and wound. On meaning to harm and the other to wrap something tightly. The good thing is that if we're tuned into language we will pronounce those spelled the same words according to what the writer means.
Having a love of words means, not using unfamiliar words scattered through the mss. When a reader has to stop and find a dictionary to understand what the writer means, the reader will lose interest.
I really enjoy words and I know many I wouldn't use in my fiction since I would have to find a way to show the meaning so the reader would continue reading. Another thing I love about words is looking them up in an Entomology book I have and use very often. Another way of finding words is to find a dictionary that tells you when the word was first used and also what a word meant and changed its meaning over the years.
So study words. Have a love affair with them. You will find writing becomes easier. After all a story consists of words that paint a picture of the world you've created.
Absolutely true. To be a writer, you need to love words and to consume their origins and their meanings. The English language has words spelled the same but mean very different things. Would and wound. On meaning to harm and the other to wrap something tightly. The good thing is that if we're tuned into language we will pronounce those spelled the same words according to what the writer means.
Having a love of words means, not using unfamiliar words scattered through the mss. When a reader has to stop and find a dictionary to understand what the writer means, the reader will lose interest.
I really enjoy words and I know many I wouldn't use in my fiction since I would have to find a way to show the meaning so the reader would continue reading. Another thing I love about words is looking them up in an Entomology book I have and use very often. Another way of finding words is to find a dictionary that tells you when the word was first used and also what a word meant and changed its meaning over the years.
So study words. Have a love affair with them. You will find writing becomes easier. After all a story consists of words that paint a picture of the world you've created.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Tuesday's Inspiration - Paint Bright Pictures #MFRWauthor #Aminspired
John D. MacDonald made this statement in an essay. "The writer must provide the materials with which the reader will construct bright pictures in his head."
When I thought about what this meant I realized those words meant the sights, sounds, taste, smell and touch of things. Describing those give the reader a way to associate with the story and build a picture of what the world you've created is all about. Think of writing about a house. Sure you can describe it as a rectangular box but then add the little details and you can make the house any house you wish. Let's give it a try.
The house next door is a Victorian. This does bring a hazy picture to the reader. But add something like this. The "Painted Lady" next door wore her coat of pale lavender with purple touches. Brings the house in clearer. Perhaps this house is different. The purple shutters on the Victorian house next door hung like limp fingers. Gives a different picture.
In other inspirations we'll look at the other senses. Sight is one used often by writers but the use is more like "She saw a tall man. Or she saw three children. Or he saw a car." I could go on forever but you get the picture. Without the little picture the reader will glaze over what the characters see and forget. He saw a sleek red convertible and envy filled his heart. She saw broad shoulders and wondered how his shirt remained intact. Of the three children, one caught her eye. The little girl's yellow curls resembled a dandelion making her wish to run her hand across the child's head.
Try sound for a change. The wind blew. The wind rustled the trees and moaned like someone in pain.
Play with the other senses and see how you can change your story and paint those bright pictures for the reader. Words are all a writer has.
Hopefully you get the picture. But using sight beyond the mundane helps the reader form a bright picture in his head.
When I thought about what this meant I realized those words meant the sights, sounds, taste, smell and touch of things. Describing those give the reader a way to associate with the story and build a picture of what the world you've created is all about. Think of writing about a house. Sure you can describe it as a rectangular box but then add the little details and you can make the house any house you wish. Let's give it a try.
The house next door is a Victorian. This does bring a hazy picture to the reader. But add something like this. The "Painted Lady" next door wore her coat of pale lavender with purple touches. Brings the house in clearer. Perhaps this house is different. The purple shutters on the Victorian house next door hung like limp fingers. Gives a different picture.
In other inspirations we'll look at the other senses. Sight is one used often by writers but the use is more like "She saw a tall man. Or she saw three children. Or he saw a car." I could go on forever but you get the picture. Without the little picture the reader will glaze over what the characters see and forget. He saw a sleek red convertible and envy filled his heart. She saw broad shoulders and wondered how his shirt remained intact. Of the three children, one caught her eye. The little girl's yellow curls resembled a dandelion making her wish to run her hand across the child's head.
Try sound for a change. The wind blew. The wind rustled the trees and moaned like someone in pain.
Play with the other senses and see how you can change your story and paint those bright pictures for the reader. Words are all a writer has.
Hopefully you get the picture. But using sight beyond the mundane helps the reader form a bright picture in his head.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Tuesday's Inspiration - Reviews #MFRWauthor #reviews
Receiving a new review on one of my books always inspires me to think about what I'm writing. I received one the other day from someone who usually doesn't like the very spicy kind of books I sometimes write. She liked the book and moments of the review made me laugh.
Even the reviews I receive that are rather negative do inspire me. Not that I let them bother me but they can inspire me to write better.
What reviews do to me is make me know someone has read the book whether they love or hate what they've read. The only reviews that disappoint me are the ones who are lengthy and give the ending of the story away.
How about you? Do reviews make you happy, sad or angry? What you need to remember is that the review is one person's opinion.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Tuesday's Inspiration - Lemons #MFRWauthor #inspiration
There's this cliche I've often heard. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Now that does take a bit of work. First you need a knife to cut the lemons and either your hand or a gadget to squeeze the lemon. Water and sugar need to be added. Or you can open a can of frozen lemonade, or buy some in a bottle at the supermarket. One is easy and the other is hard.
Which do you choose? Let's put this in the mode of writing. You can reach a point in your writing when you think the story has become a lemon, sour and unappealing so you need to sit down and decide what to do. Of course you're going to make lemonade out of this story.
Maybe the plot needs tightened. Then give it a squeeze. Or the characters arne's the best you can add water to dilute those traits you don't like or add some sugar to make the character a more rounded one. Sometimes you need to slash scenes where you've gone off track. So you get out your knife and slash those scenes. You finally sit down and attempt to squeeze every bit of drama or comedy from your story and
Like magic, you have made lemonade from that sour unappealing story.
Which do you choose? Let's put this in the mode of writing. You can reach a point in your writing when you think the story has become a lemon, sour and unappealing so you need to sit down and decide what to do. Of course you're going to make lemonade out of this story.
Maybe the plot needs tightened. Then give it a squeeze. Or the characters arne's the best you can add water to dilute those traits you don't like or add some sugar to make the character a more rounded one. Sometimes you need to slash scenes where you've gone off track. So you get out your knife and slash those scenes. You finally sit down and attempt to squeeze every bit of drama or comedy from your story and
Like magic, you have made lemonade from that sour unappealing story.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Tuesday's Inspiration - A New Year #MFRWauthor #inspiration #newyear
Does the arrival of a new year inspire you? I always feel gung ho when the calendar changes to a new and unexplored year. What will happen? Will I have a best seller? Will I garner lots of reviews? Will I manage to keep my writing schedule and complete new books?
Starting a new year is like heading off into uncharted waters. One has to think of the snags and barriers to a forward motion that may occur. One must think of the smooth water carrying one to a new and unexplored land.
Each stor that flows from my keys is a new and unexplored land and I eagerly try to discover the hidden treasures lurking, perhaps in murky water, or in vast forests. So I always look on each new year with joy and always expect the unexpected.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - Reading a Great Book #MFRWauthor #Reading
Not sure if reading good books inspires other writers but they sure do inspire me. Not that I think I can write a book as good as the ones I've recently been reading. They mostly fit in the fantasy world, though some could be crossovers. Andre Norton's Witch World stories always inspire me. Though I write some fantasy, mine is quite different from hers but finishing one of her books makes me want to make what I'm working on better. Right now that's contemporary romance. Marion Zimmer Bradley is another author I've been reading Her Darkover books can be a cross between fantasy and science fiction. Now I do not write anything like them but reading these books has inspired me.
How do they inspire me. One is in world building since all books of fiction must have worldbuilding. They inspire me to pay attention to the world I'm writing about. They also inspire me to hone my plots. For me the plot is vital to a good story.
What books have you read that inspire you? Let me know and I might want to give them a try. They can be in any genre. Good writing should always inspire.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - Reviews Good or Bad #MFRWauthor #reviews #inspiration
Always thrills me when someone leaves a review of one of my books. Problem is this doesn't happen all that often. I meet people who have read my books and they're always telling me how much they enjoyed this story or that one. But they never do this publicly. I was the same way but lately I've been reviewing many of the books I've read and though I don't write much I do mention my enjoyment. I'm not a person who can write paragraphs of a review. I'm always afraid of giving away something important to the plot and ruining the story for some purchaser who has just bought the book or is considering so.
But when I find a good review or even a bad one, I feel inspired not for the story reviewed but for the next one. Sometimes the less than stellar reviews point to a weakness in my story telling and that inspires me to try to get rid of this weakness in the next one. Sometimes the good reviews make me smile and think about how I can top this in the next story. Sometimes the reviews make me scratch my head. Did they read the same story I wrote. Then I am inspired to think.
So like all writers I enjoy having reviews. Maybe I'm unusual in that I even consider the bad ones as an accolade. At least the person reading that story and hating it, hopefully read the story.
But when I find a good review or even a bad one, I feel inspired not for the story reviewed but for the next one. Sometimes the less than stellar reviews point to a weakness in my story telling and that inspires me to try to get rid of this weakness in the next one. Sometimes the good reviews make me smile and think about how I can top this in the next story. Sometimes the reviews make me scratch my head. Did they read the same story I wrote. Then I am inspired to think.
So like all writers I enjoy having reviews. Maybe I'm unusual in that I even consider the bad ones as an accolade. At least the person reading that story and hating it, hopefully read the story.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - Cooler weather #MFRWauthor #Hibernation # writing
I've heard it said "Bears hibernate in the winter." I understand their metabolism goes way down and they enter a coma like state. Not this writer. I hibernate in the summer." During the heated days my brain grows sluggish and my writing speed slows. I don't enter a coma like state but something similar.
Then the change in temperature comes. The first frost sends electricity to my brain and I come up with words that were such a struggle during the summer. Mt pen flies across the page and the computer keys and it's almost like there was another person who emerged from a summer's sleep. Not sure this happens to other people. I know those who have summers off seem to have a lot of energy, I don't. I hibernate in the summer.
How about you. Does the cooler weather spur you to become more creative and able to think with flashes of inspiration coming at lightning speed? For me the cooler weather spurs me to create. How about you? Do you hibernate in the summer?
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - Honing Talent #MFRWauthor #Inspiration
Years ago, I wrote poetry, some of it not bad and some not good. I wasn't writing poetry to set myself up as a poet but to hone my use of words. The other day when I was looking through the dozens of books I have on my shelf, I found the book that I read then and practiced some of the techniques. What I learned was about rhythm and developing my writer's voice. I'll use this book to glean some of the things that inspired me back then. The book is The Poet and the Poem by Judson Jerome. In looking over the first bit of the book several things struck me that apply to both writing fiction and poetry.
One is talent. Talent is a must. The forms can be learned so can the grammar and things like that but there must be a spark of talent somewhere to cause the words to have an effect on the writer. A thought on talent. Talent can be honed. I've met writers who can tell a story but fumble with putting it on paper. There are other writers who can drown you in words. There are ways to hone these skills.
The second is practice. If one is going to write a story one has to write and often re-write. The overnight success is rare and perhaps nonexistent. There are people I know who think they can write a story but they never sit to put the words on paper or type them into the computer. There are those who write a story but who would revise their stories. Never them. Practicing is one way to hone a story and to learn the rules to go along with the talent.
A writer needs to write. Practice belongs with persistence.
Here's a quote. "The best prose is chaos threatening to become order."
And so often my stories start out chaotic and gradually become order. What about you? Do you enjoy making order out of chaos, searching for the form that best suits what you want to say?
One is talent. Talent is a must. The forms can be learned so can the grammar and things like that but there must be a spark of talent somewhere to cause the words to have an effect on the writer. A thought on talent. Talent can be honed. I've met writers who can tell a story but fumble with putting it on paper. There are other writers who can drown you in words. There are ways to hone these skills.
The second is practice. If one is going to write a story one has to write and often re-write. The overnight success is rare and perhaps nonexistent. There are people I know who think they can write a story but they never sit to put the words on paper or type them into the computer. There are those who write a story but who would revise their stories. Never them. Practicing is one way to hone a story and to learn the rules to go along with the talent.
A writer needs to write. Practice belongs with persistence.
Here's a quote. "The best prose is chaos threatening to become order."
And so often my stories start out chaotic and gradually become order. What about you? Do you enjoy making order out of chaos, searching for the form that best suits what you want to say?
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration _ Reaching the End #MFRWauthor #Writing
Does writing those two words The End inspire you? This always does to me. For finishing a story sends me off searching for the next one to begin. Actually I generally have an idea blocked out, done during those times when the current WIP is resting. I also don't type those words until I'm ready to send the story out to my publisher.
Once those words are written the manuscript is sent via a download and I'm off and running again. You see the last bit of work before sending out the story is revision and that can be a boring or a challenging situation. Mostly finding those garbled words that aren't at all what I meant to say and those punctuation marks that have been omitted. Then I write the end and there is a need in me to create something new.
Hopefully I'm not the only one. What about you? Does typing those words inspire you to begin again?
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration My Father's Advice - Aim for the stars. #MFRWauthor #writing #fathers
My father was a steelworker who finished high school at night but he was a man who loved books and writing. When I published my first book, he was dying but he carried that book to the hospital and told all the nurses and anyone who would listen that his daughter wrote the book. Amazingly, I sold more books than the advance and actually made some money, also seeing the book serialized in a newspaper. Remember this was in 1972.
His advice is something I've carried all my life. "Aim for the stars but if you only hit the garden fence you've tried."
What does this mean for a writer? It's about dreams and possibilities. A NY Times best seller. A movie contract. A lot of great reviews. Any of these may seem like the stars. For me, it's knowing people are buying and reading my books. Occasionally there's a review from someone I don't know who liked my book.
I rather think while I've aimed for the stars I have hit the garden fence but every time I think that, I know my father's pride in me is one of the things that keeps me going.
It's also about working every day to put those words on paper and not giving up no matter how many rejection slips collected. So aim for the stars and know no matter where you land, you've tried.
His advice is something I've carried all my life. "Aim for the stars but if you only hit the garden fence you've tried."
What does this mean for a writer? It's about dreams and possibilities. A NY Times best seller. A movie contract. A lot of great reviews. Any of these may seem like the stars. For me, it's knowing people are buying and reading my books. Occasionally there's a review from someone I don't know who liked my book.
I rather think while I've aimed for the stars I have hit the garden fence but every time I think that, I know my father's pride in me is one of the things that keeps me going.
It's also about working every day to put those words on paper and not giving up no matter how many rejection slips collected. So aim for the stars and know no matter where you land, you've tried.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - Exercise #MFRWauthor #inspired #exercise
Three weeks ago, I began an exercise regime. Before that I started walking and found that boring, boring. Then the heat wave came and walking was only for fools. So I started doing some exercises. I'm gradually adding to the reps and so far of the three exercises I'm up to 3 reps of ten for each. I do look at the exercise bike and will add that to my groups of exercises.
Doing these exercises gives me an energy boost. Not sure it adds to my writing productivity but the added energy allows for longer periods of alertness. When you write, youhave to be alert and carry so many plots and sub plots in your head so you don't mess up the current work in progress.
Maybe I'll lose a bit or weight or some inches or fractions but that's not the reason to exercise. Just another way to keep the mind perking along.
Doing these exercises gives me an energy boost. Not sure it adds to my writing productivity but the added energy allows for longer periods of alertness. When you write, youhave to be alert and carry so many plots and sub plots in your head so you don't mess up the current work in progress.
Maybe I'll lose a bit or weight or some inches or fractions but that's not the reason to exercise. Just another way to keep the mind perking along.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - My Books On Sale #MFRWauthor #medical suspense #fantasy #Historical #hospital politics medical romance
This week I'm being inspired by the number of my books on sale for a limited time. I would be more inspired if the readers would leave me a slew of reviews.
First there is Searches - A fantasy for all ages and is the third book of Affinities.
Then there is the free book Heart Throb where age is an issue for the heroine and not so much for the hero.
Gemstones is the only Regency romance I've ever done and is on sale for a limited time.
Choices also on sale for a limited time involves hospital politics
Code Blue has my favorite villain causing havoc in the hospital and is on sale for a limited time.
Finally Healwoman - a convoluted fantasy that involves three dying women and how they find themselves in another world where they must combat evil.
How about you? When your books are on sale do you scurry to finish your current work?
First there is Searches - A fantasy for all ages and is the third book of Affinities.
Then there is the free book Heart Throb where age is an issue for the heroine and not so much for the hero.
Gemstones is the only Regency romance I've ever done and is on sale for a limited time.
Choices also on sale for a limited time involves hospital politics
Code Blue has my favorite villain causing havoc in the hospital and is on sale for a limited time.
Finally Healwoman - a convoluted fantasy that involves three dying women and how they find themselves in another world where they must combat evil.
How about you? When your books are on sale do you scurry to finish your current work?
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration Sixth Sense #MFRWauthor #inspiration
I've used the five ordinary senses to show how they can help a story, characters and setting become more vivid and alive. Those of us who write paranormal stories often use the sixth sense which is a number of things gathered under the term ESP or Extrasensory perception. There are times when a touch of this sense helps me when I'm writing a non-paranormal story.
Some people might call this an aha moment but for me it seems like the idea is pulled from the air. Could I be sensing someone's spoken words or is this because a scent or a touch triggers something that is known deep inside us.
Tapping into the sixth sense can be eerie. There have been times when a dream has led me to a story that has no reality but the dream seems real. Perhaps there are no thought readers or people who can tell the history of an object just by touch. But sometimes when writing and digging into our unconscious there really seems to be a sixth sense out there. Writers often seem to work in a trance and are so deep in their story when they are called into this world they feel as if they've been awakened.
So sixth sense or not there are moments when the writer just knows something and that knowledge is translated into words. So delve into your unconscious mind and find those nuggets that seem to appear from the air.
Some people might call this an aha moment but for me it seems like the idea is pulled from the air. Could I be sensing someone's spoken words or is this because a scent or a touch triggers something that is known deep inside us.
Tapping into the sixth sense can be eerie. There have been times when a dream has led me to a story that has no reality but the dream seems real. Perhaps there are no thought readers or people who can tell the history of an object just by touch. But sometimes when writing and digging into our unconscious there really seems to be a sixth sense out there. Writers often seem to work in a trance and are so deep in their story when they are called into this world they feel as if they've been awakened.
So sixth sense or not there are moments when the writer just knows something and that knowledge is translated into words. So delve into your unconscious mind and find those nuggets that seem to appear from the air.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - The effect of cooler weather #Inspiration #autumn
For me the end of the summer heat is an inspiration, not only for my writing but for other parts of my life. I now can leave the house without blasts of heated air to sap my strength. Sure in summer there is air conditioning but that air is artificial.
Cooler weather inspires my writing. No longer are those times when I would rather sleep. Some people are called to hibernate during the cool seasons of the year. Not me. I feel charged with energy and that energy often takes the place of putting words on paper.
Does one of the seasons spark you into writing more than usual. Over the summer I was lucky to write one page a day. Now It's advancing to five or six. What about you? Is there a single season or a kind of weather that inspires you. I would love to hear about them.
Cooler weather inspires my writing. No longer are those times when I would rather sleep. Some people are called to hibernate during the cool seasons of the year. Not me. I feel charged with energy and that energy often takes the place of putting words on paper.
Does one of the seasons spark you into writing more than usual. Over the summer I was lucky to write one page a day. Now It's advancing to five or six. What about you? Is there a single season or a kind of weather that inspires you. I would love to hear about them.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration _ Writing When There Are Other Things To Do #MFRWauthor #Inspiration
I belong to a critique group. Some of the members keep writing every day while others don't and they wonder why they never have anything to read or seldom have words to read. There is a trick since an author is called on to do more than just write books. Even the book has several layers of tasks. The thing is to multi-task but not the way some people use this clever way of keeping on top of everything.
The first is to make lists no matter if they are just in your head. You need to think about what needs to be done. There's writing, editing, typing and promotion. Each one of these takes time. Now if you have a full time job, writing time is hard to find. Some people skip lunch and take this time to write. Some people get up an hour early to get some writing in. There are those who forego a favorite TV show. The decision of how to find the time is yours.
Now if you're retired, there are other things that keep you from accomplishing that first item on the list. There are the grandchildren who want your time or the children who think you would be the perfect sitter for their children. There can be the husband who is also retired and can't figure why you would want to spend time in front of the computer when you could be out and doing things, often things that are more his ideas of fun than yours. Sometimes you have to say no.
So is there a solution for all these distractions. You need to set a time every day that's your writing time and make sure the family knows this is your time. After awhile they are more likely to notice when you don't follow your routine. Another is planning your book so that when you sit down to write you waste little time moving along. Know what your next scene will be and suddenly you will sit down and the words will come quickly.
I'll try to inspire you on the other areas in the time to come.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - Road To Writing #MFRWauthor #Sidney Sheldon #Writing
Was reading an essay by Sidney Sheldon and one thing struck me as interesting. He began writing scripts for movies and drama for the stage. Then he had an idea that wouldn't translate in these mediums. There was too much introspection, something that suits the suited word better than the spoken. This led me to think about the convoluted path I took. I'm sure many writers never sat down and said I'm going to be a novelist.
My path began in nurses' training and what they called the care study. On everyone of parts of our experiences at the hospital, we had to write a study of a patient and their experience with the disease. I began with the technical aspects and definitions, talking about the tests and their meaning. Then something in my head said this story isn't complete so I added a part about the person as a character in my study. I even visited patient's homes and talked to their family. The papers were always longer than my instructors wanted. They also told me I didn't have to turn every case study into a story. But they were true stories, I told them. They shook their heads and gave me a grade.
Next I began writing short stories and had a few purchased and published. Poetry took over and I had some of these published and was paid. One of my short stories came back with a comment from the editor. "This sounds like the synopsis for a novel." That's when my life took a turn I'll never regret.
How about you? Did you sit down and say I'm going to be a novelist or did you take a path different and learn and practice other skills before you became a story-teller?
My path began in nurses' training and what they called the care study. On everyone of parts of our experiences at the hospital, we had to write a study of a patient and their experience with the disease. I began with the technical aspects and definitions, talking about the tests and their meaning. Then something in my head said this story isn't complete so I added a part about the person as a character in my study. I even visited patient's homes and talked to their family. The papers were always longer than my instructors wanted. They also told me I didn't have to turn every case study into a story. But they were true stories, I told them. They shook their heads and gave me a grade.
Next I began writing short stories and had a few purchased and published. Poetry took over and I had some of these published and was paid. One of my short stories came back with a comment from the editor. "This sounds like the synopsis for a novel." That's when my life took a turn I'll never regret.
How about you? Did you sit down and say I'm going to be a novelist or did you take a path different and learn and practice other skills before you became a story-teller?
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Tuesday's Inspiration - Listening #MFRWauthor #Inspirations
I belong to a critique group and we read our selections aloud rather than pass pages around. Yes, reading can find some mistakes and see some flaws in the story but listening opens a new view. Now some people are great readers and they can't help putting expression into what they are reading. At times just the flow of the words blinds us to the problems that are there.
Listen when in a critique group takes two forms. One is listening to what the reader has written in an oral fashion. For me somethings jump out. Others find different flaws. Listening can be hard and time is needed to rain the ear to hear. For me at times it's in the dialogue for things like the characters sound the same. Either of them could say what is spoken.
The other part of listening comes after you've read your pages. This can be hard and the first thing coming into most minds is they're attacking my wonderful story. Maybe they are but usually they aren't. You may. One rule I have for this. When three people give the same critique about a section, you need to look more closely and see what you can do. Now some of these people will make suggestions that don't fit your story or your vision of the characters. They are in essence re-writing the story. But you listen and there might be a grain there that sends you on a different track.
So listen whether you critique or are the critiquer.
Listen when in a critique group takes two forms. One is listening to what the reader has written in an oral fashion. For me somethings jump out. Others find different flaws. Listening can be hard and time is needed to rain the ear to hear. For me at times it's in the dialogue for things like the characters sound the same. Either of them could say what is spoken.
The other part of listening comes after you've read your pages. This can be hard and the first thing coming into most minds is they're attacking my wonderful story. Maybe they are but usually they aren't. You may. One rule I have for this. When three people give the same critique about a section, you need to look more closely and see what you can do. Now some of these people will make suggestions that don't fit your story or your vision of the characters. They are in essence re-writing the story. But you listen and there might be a grain there that sends you on a different track.
So listen whether you critique or are the critiquer.
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