Way back when, the idea for HM came to me in a dream. Just pieces of it. The protagonist, his battered white pick-up, his daughter and his best friend. I also knew where it was happening. That was about it. But that was enough to get me started. And a first draft finished.
Jenny asked me, in jest, if I was going to write a series based on one of my hobbies. I really didn't think much about it. That was a couple months ago. Last night, I dreamt about the setting, who the protagonist will be, a few of the other people involved, and how it could spin from HM (I'd like any series I write to spin off from that). No murder victim, yet, but I didn't have one for HM right away either.
I've known a couple people who said they dreamed their novels, start to finish. Seems like a very long dream to me. Or a very short novel. Either way, it's not what has happened to me. An interesting character and setting is about it. I'll take it though.
How about you? Have you ever had a new character show up in a dream? Ever dream a whole story?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Four Pages
I know it doesn't sound like much, but it's 4 more pages than I had last week at this time.
And I'm happy about them.
Oh, and the red had to go. It hurt my eyes.
And I'm happy about them.
Oh, and the red had to go. It hurt my eyes.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Fun
That's what I was missing.
Jenny and Fleur both posted this week about the fun of writing. That it is supposed to be fun. And that we often forget that.
I certainly did. Especially where rewriting is concerned. I couldn't even get my note cards done. What a slog. How to make it fun?
The first thing I did was buy blue note cards. The ones I had were yellow. I don't like yellow. Then I curled up with some good music playing. I used a purple pen. And the cards started to pile up. A whole book's worth of cards.
Now to keep the fun going while I do the writing part of the rewriting.
Jenny and Fleur both posted this week about the fun of writing. That it is supposed to be fun. And that we often forget that.
I certainly did. Especially where rewriting is concerned. I couldn't even get my note cards done. What a slog. How to make it fun?
The first thing I did was buy blue note cards. The ones I had were yellow. I don't like yellow. Then I curled up with some good music playing. I used a purple pen. And the cards started to pile up. A whole book's worth of cards.
Now to keep the fun going while I do the writing part of the rewriting.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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.
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