. . . And This One's For Mary . . .

I've already talked about how the format for CWC has changed. We have one submission to critique for this month, and homework to bring in a short scene for everyone to mark up at the meeting.

And since Jenny won't be submitting--long story that she tells better on her blog--we're looking for things to do for February. I offered to lend everyone a cozy to read. They can read as far as they want, then write up what they thought, where they stopped and why. I want to get a discussion going about what the found fun, irritating, exciting, etc. I think this will lead to figuring out what's expected in cozies and what's optional.

The nice side effect of this exercise it that I got to go through the ones I've already read that I haven't loaned to Carrie the extraordinary hairdresser/first reader. Deb has kindly allowed the rest of us to adopt her if we want, and Carrie agrees, of course.

Anyway, as I went through the stack, there were books that I immediately identified as good fits for each person in the group. Ali will like this one with the funny protagonist, Shane should identify with the protag fixing up her house, etc.

Then I have to wait to see if I chose wisely.

So Why Do You Want to Write Cozies?

Mary asked me that question at our latest CWC meeting.

Jenny mentioned that she had visited the library and checked out three cozies. She took to heart my comment that there are certain genre conventions, just as there are in fantasy or romance or sci/fi, and it would be helpful to be critiqued by people who are familiar with those conventions. Her initial response was "Good writing is good writing." Well, yeah. But there are still certain things one expects when picking up a particular genre.

Anyway, Jenny was talking about some of the things that bugged her in the first book she picked up. I countered with my own pet peeves from a couple well-known cozy authors.

After listening to us banter back and forth for a few minutes, Mary asked her question.

My answer was immediate. I grew up on these kinds of books. When they're done well, they are a great escapist read. These are the books you take on vacation with you--to read on the plane, or the beach, or before turning out the light at the hotel. They're fast and light. And the best ones can still stay with you long after "The End."

Agatha Christie did them so well. And so do many of the modern cozy writers. I hope to profile some of them in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Jenny is blogging about her experience as a cozy newbie--and doing a great job of deconstructing what makes a cozy cozy. Check it out.

So, why do you want to write what you write?

December Goals

Deb just reminded me that I haven't updated my goals for December. Deb can be a real pain sometimes.

I've realized that I need to do some more research for HM. In particular, I need to know more about the history of mining in Colorado. But it's a made up town, you say? Well, yes, but I still want it to fit in with the real world. At least as much as I can.

Goals:

--Finish CWC critiques (1/1)
--Research CO mining history
--Play some more with story

What have you planned for December?

Flexibility

I received my first critique from CWC last month. The feedback was great. I got a lot of positives but also some good suggestions for improving what was there. But then I froze. Even with the positives, even though I agreed with some of the changes suggested, I couldn't write.

Many evenings of staring at the computer, unable to get even one word down, and I realized my problem. I was concentrating too much on the negatives. For example, one of the issues people had was the introduction of too many characters in a single chapter. Every time I needed to add a character, I stopped. I heard different members' voices "Does he really need to be in this scene? This chapter?" "Could someone else make the same action? Give the same information?" There were too many other people in my head, second-guessing my every move.

I talked to Deb about it. She had had problems with critiques on a partial manuscript. She wanted to go back to the beginning each time to make the changes. That was one reason she went on hiatus to complete revisions.

Our November meeting was Sunday evening. We all talked about what was and wasn't working for us. It ranged from not being able to perform to the deadline to feeling like some of the feedback might be counterproductive for that person. After much discussion, we decided to let each member decide the process that works best for him or her. Two will continue in the original format: 50-100 pages every other month. Four of us will only submit when we feel ready to do so. I know Deb will be submitting fulls. I will probably do the same so that I don't tie myself up trying to second guess what the others will say. We also agreed to speak up during the meeting about what kind of feedback we want.

I've heard of critique groups that have fallen apart when there were issues brought up, changes suggested. It's a testament to the members of CWC that they could calmly and rationally go about making the group something that will help rather than hinder each person's creativity.

I feel very lucky.

September Goals

Monday night was my first official CWC meeting. Fun. And intimidating. I knew these people didn't hold back when critiquing. Seeing it firsthand was amazing.

I did end up with more than 4 pages to submit. 30 to be exact. Not quite what I'd wanted, but I think the logjam finally broke. A four-day weekend should help get the word count up. I'd really love to have the whole thing done before I get feedback. It should be very doable (as Deb says).

My goals for this month are simple: 1) critique Jenny's submission and 2) finish the revision of HM.

That will set me up to work on D&D through the end of the year. I'm looking forward to writing something new again.

Playing Cards

All of the scenes from HM are now on index cards. I finished transferring from the manuscript to the cards over the weekend. It's interesting how the book changes when I move one or two cards around. I find it less intimidating to experiment with the cards than to cut and paste the actual manuscript.

It's also easier to play with new scenes. Write a few sentences to give an idea of what the scene will be and put the card in the mix. Then read through the cards. Does it feel like something's missing? Or that there's too much about a particular suspect/lead? Throw another one in or throw one out. Repeat.

The danger, I suspect, is getting too caught up in the shuffling process. As I said, it's easier to play with the cards. Eventually, though, the time comes to start the revisions themselves.

I believe I've reached that time. I have been invited to submit to Creek Writer's Council. I'll be submitting at the end of June. I want to have the revisions completed before I receive my critiques in July.

One more run through the cards. Then the rewrites begin in earnest.

Wish me luck.