Big Gunns

First: Congratulations to John for winning the 2-month writing contest and to all of the contestants. Great job, gang.

Deb always says, "Listen to your Tim Gunns." Meaning, when you ask for advice from experts, pay attention to it.

Over a year ago, I asked my local experts--the Pirates--to read HM and give feedback. Which they graciously did. I listened to the feedback, read the notes and thanked them.

A few months ago, Deb offered to let me take her spot in CWC while she concentrated on revising her book, MMG. She didn't have anything ready for submission and didn't want to stop revisions in order to write something new. So I agreed. I had 60 days to get at least 50 pages of HM revised. No problem, less than a page a day.

I jumped in and wrote index cards for each scene, with all the changes I wanted to make based on the critiques I'd received. Then I sat down at the computer with the original prinout and the cards. And I sat there. And sat there. Staring at everything, waiting for my fingers to start typing. But I wasn't feeling it. Not that I didn't feel like writing--I did. Not that I felt like being somewhere else doing something else--I didn't. But the words weren't coming.

Finally, I figured out why. I wasn't changing enough. Over time I slowly let go of almost all of the suggestions. And, I realized in the last week, the ones I chose to ignore were the ones that would involve the biggest changes. I had to age Shannon from 12 to 14. Two years doesn't sound like a lot, but it's huge with preteens/teens. I had to change some of Sloan's background and some of his personality. Big huge changes.

So now I have nothing to submit to the group this month. Last week was nuts at work, and I was helping out some friends in the evenings. This weekend was already booked solid. I feel horrible not making my first deadline with CWC. They've been very gracious to allow me to sit in for the next few months. And I've let them down.
Moreover, I've let myself down.

In my case I listened to my Tim Gunn's, but then I discounted what they had to say. At my own peril. My next opportunity to submit will be August 30. I WILL have my 50 pages plus. Because now I know where I'm going with the book.

And from now on I'll not only listen to my Tim Gunns, I'll make sure that if I choose to ignore some of their advice, it will be for very good reasons.

I Write Like?

Deb and I got the same one. Which is really strange, because she and I write in different genres. And I don't think either of us write like him.

I write like
Chuck Palahniuk

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Summer Reads

I've always read a lot more during the summer. I think a lot of people do. It must be something about the longer days.

Maureen Corrigan from Fresh Air with Terry Gross gives her list of summer crime reads.

The Christian Science Monitor has it's own list.

Have you read any of the listed books? What did you think?

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.

Reading One's Own Work

It was an interesting exercise going back and reading HM after so long. There was a lot of it I'd forgotten. I think the pleasant surprises outweighed the cringes. In both cases I felt that moment of "Did I write that?" It is a strange experience.

I tried to read it without marking it, but could not help myself. I did keep the comments to a minimum. "More here" seemed to be the most used. I also made note where I wanted to move things or add things.

Deb uses index cards to write scenes on. Then she can easily move them around. I may try that. It seems less daunting then trying to keep track in the document itself.

I'm excited about HM again. I find myself thinking of things to add or how to fix a scene that isn't working.

It's a good feeling.

April Goals

This month I'd like to get at least 50 pages revised. It doesn't sound like a lot when you work with someone who can do that amount in a day.

I need to be realistic about how much I can do in a month. The frustration of trying to keep up with other people is one of the reasons I took a sabbatical. Slow and steady.

It is a little easier each time I sit down to write. That's what I'm holding onto.

March Already

February seemed to fly by, even for a short month. I did manage to accomplish my two writing goals. Neither of which involved actual writing.

This month I plan to go through a "clean" copy of HM, adding in all the comments others have made. Then I'll start the rewrite process.

I know this is going to be a long process. Deb seems to be flying through her revisions. She pointed out to me this morning that "It's not my first rodeo." She has been tweaking MMG for a few years now. I don't know if that makes me feel better or not.

In any case, working on the book again feels good.

I'll take that.