Elizabeth Boyle Takes Inventory
The one thing that every writer needs to do periodically is to take inventory. An examination of their writing. I find that September is a perfect time to do this, as it always feels more like the beginning of the year than January ever does.
So what do I mean by an inventory? Well, start by an honest self-examination of your writing skills. When you write, what do you do best? Plotting? Emotion? Dialogue? Killer hooks? Characterization? And honestly, what do you suck at? Plotting? Emotion? Dialogue? Clunky hooks? Characterization?
If this exercise seems difficult, that could be because you don’t like to admit what you do wrong and some people just can’t and won’t acknowledge where they are lacking. That isn’t a failing—for some of us seeing the trees through the forest is tough. So that means asking your critique group or a trusted writing friend for that honest truth. Poise this question to them: if there were three things you could change about my writing, what would they be.
Then listen.
If you are thinking something along the line that because I’m published I don’t have to go through this humbling exercise, thing again. I ask this question annually of my agent and editor. And I take their advice to heart. That is the only way I will continue to grow and improve as a writer. I read reviews, ask readers would they like and don’t like about my books. I want to write the stories that will keep them coming back to my books, and only by taking inventory and working toward constant self-improvement will I get there.
Where there is, is anyone’s guess. But if you “there†is publishing, after you’ve gathered your inventory together, you’ll know what you need to do.
So what is next? Well, get to work. Consider this your September-December prep for starting 2008 as a better writer. Take classes, go to workshops, start an online group where you all work together to study some aspect of writing. Find how-to books that address your weaknesses. Don’t ignore your strengths either. They can shore up those weak points and make them less noticeable. Work to make those your shining glory. A few years ago, I went to a Donald Maas workshop that really showed me how to make my stories “bigger.†I’ve read more relationship books over the past few years to deepen my characters’ growing bond.
And then comes the obvious part—apply it. Work it into your writing with every word. Take your current project and turn it into your own mini self-improvement course. I try that with every book I write. Case in point: His Mistress by Morning. Three quarters of the book is written entirely in one POV. That wasn’t easy—but I wanted to see if I could do it and I had to do it, the device was necessary to the plot. On my just released book, Love Letters from a Duke, the weather played a factor in the story. Odd as that sounds, I’d never written a story set in winter and so I found myself trying to weave that setting element/theme into the story.
So, my question to you is: What are you willing to do in the next four months to improve your writing skills? What do you need to do? How will you apply your inventory to your current WIP?
Hi Ms. Boyle,
Great to have you here with us today!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
Hi Ms. Boyle,
Great to have you here with us today!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
My ver word is review, so here’s mine: LLFAD is one of my favorite books this year!
I used to think I revised as I went along. If I wrote, hit save, then every word was a gem. I have been disabused of this notion lately and am cutting things that were important for me to write, but not important for anybody else to read. I’m definitely in a more revision frame of mind, which might mean there’s hope for the two books under the bed!
Hi Ms. Boyle,
Great to have you here with us today!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
Tiffany
http://www.romancevagabonds.com
Can our love endure except through sacrifice, through not demanding everything from one another – Beethoven
Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers.
Hi Ms. Boyle,
Great to have you here with us today!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
Hi Ms. Boyle,
Great to have you here with us today!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
I seem to be finding I can plot like the dickens but the execution of the story is another matter entirely. And when asked “what is my character’s motivation” I start to hyperventilate. I have taken some online courses, will take more and have attended one workshop. But the most recent release of RWR has a great article on motivation that seems to have flipped a switch for me.
The best thing I can do in the next four months is to write. I’m easily sidetracked and RL smacks me around more than I’d like. But I’m going to make the time to sit down and just write. If this first WIP is the one that teaches me how to write (or one of many that does that…lol) but never sees the light of day, I think I’ll be good with that. But either way, I just have to write!
Hi Ms. Boyle,
Great to have you here with us today!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
Hi Ms. Boyle. Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
Posting comment on behalf of Tiff (who Wordpress is messing with big time…LOL!)
Hi Ms. Boyle,
Great to have you here with us today!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
Great to have you here with us today Ms. Boyle!
Your advice rings so true. And to tell us you take this advice of yours and apply it to your own writing is quite amazing. I guess you never really stop learning the ‘writing process’ even if you are a seasoned author.
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. If I need to bounce ideas I can, expand ideas, they are there to plot with me. If I just need someone to clarify where I put those apostrophes, someone gives me an example to follow for all them apostrophes I use from that point forward. (okay I admit, grammar not my forte, but it’s a lot better after writing as much as I have)
What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
(This is Tiff’s post – this is way wacky!)
I think my way of finding my weaknesses is by entering contests. Okay, small exag, since I’ve heard back from one, but the critiques I received made valid points, and pointed out parts of my writing that needed to be reviewed, or improved, that I just didn’t see before. So now I apply what they suggest to everything I have.
I’m also lucky to be a part of two critique groups, where the other writers are honest and helpful. What am I willing to do improve. Like you said above about using something you’ve never done (winter weaving :D
I like to take something I don’t understand, or just use my writing weaknesses and make myself fix it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but as long as I first attempt to tackle it, then improve it, well that’s accomplishing something and making me a better writer.
Also, I will be taking my first workshop on writing (in person) next weekend, I think that is a big step. Mind you I’m terrified to show people my work face to face, online is just so much easier, while I wait on this end of the computer biting my nails.
Thank you for the great blog!!! And I’m diving into His Mistress by Morning for the subway ride into work!
Hi Ms. Boyle.
to make a long story short, great blog, my commenting feature is flaky so I’ll make this short.
I started mistress by morning this morning… hilarious! Brilliant! And I love your advice.
Elizbo is in the house! Yay! Welcome! I finished LLFAD last weekend and loved it! Wonderful story and I loved the Frost Fair setting. It’s one of my all time favorites and you did such a wonderful job of incorporating it into the story. There’s just something sexy about the hero and heroine skating together–maybe it’s the mix of cold and heat and exertion, but it is so romantic
Great blog. Especially because I just finished the first draft of my first novel last week and this week is all about layering, polishing and craft. So, its definitely time for me to assess myself, which is not an easy task. I suspect that I need to work on setting and mood. I am a character driven writer so I sometimes have the empty room syndrome, where I concentrate too hard on dialogue and not enough on putting the characters in an actual space. I also have to work on my timeline for my story. While I was writing it, I just sort of guessed and made it up as I went along, so now I’ve got to go back and create a concrete timeline for the action to follow. I’m a hybrid plotter/pantser so I knew more or less where my story was going, but I didn’t have the whole route planned out.
So great to have you here! Thanks for a thought provoking topic!
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for the great back-to-school blog. After years in academia, September always feels like the right time to take stock of things. My biggest weakness is that I over-write. Long, flowing sentences that are as intricate and complicated as Victorian undergarments, and sometimes as hard to dismantle. It makes life tougher than it needs to be when I do revisions. Sometimes I feel like I’m writing a whole new book!
So, I’m reading self-help books on editing, and trying to incorporate those techniques into my first go-around. I’m also concentrating on reading authors who excel at their craft – reading someone like Loretta Chase, Eloisa James or Candice Hern can be like taking a class on writing. Of course, I have to read a little more deeply, instead of just allowing myself to be swept away by the story.
And Manda, huge congratulations on finishing your first draft. Great accomplishment!
Elizabeth, I just got LLFAD in my last Amazon shipment, and can’t wait to read it!
What are you willing to do in the next four months to improve your writing skills?
*listen to my writing group when they tell me to stop using the word “that” so often–and the hundred other writing no-nos I do
*scope out B&N’s latest selection of writing books–then see if the library has them
*probably take a character motivation or plotting class, or both. Dialogue, I can do. I can also be kinda funny–but plotting and motive are like way bottom of my list of “can-dos”. Writers are required to give their characters a reason for doing the crazy #*%& they are doing; however, people in real life rarely seem to have the same clear motive required. They just do it because it seems to be the thing to do at the time.
What do you need to do?
*Apply clear motive to my characters (and stop hyperventilating whenever I’m asked why my characters do that…Terri totally stole that from me)
How will you apply your inventory to your current WIP?
*Work on being funny. Learn to distinguish when I’m funny and when I’ve gone too far with it (something my critique group says I need to learn); polish my dialogue–which is far too clever than any two real people could keep up for 400 pages…but there you go…
Elizabeth,
On the topic of taking courses and workshops, I agree you need to study your craft but is there a time when you need to let some of it go? What I mean is taking courses can sometimes be a bad thing in that it gets me all tied up in knots trying to implement everything I learned right away. I took one little workshop and it tied me up for over a week until I just decided to let it go.
The thing with some of these workshops and courses is they often preach a giant list of what NOT to do. It’s like someone hands me a 100 pound bag of dirt and then tells me to stand up. I just can’t do it!
Since I have spent nearly all my life geared to the academic calendar, I agree that September is the ideal time to take stock.
Ah, my weaknesses! It pains me to enumerate them. I too am a character-driven writer and reader. One of my mentors once told me that my best poems were “people poems,” and I think my fascination with character is why I write. Plotting is difficult–sometimes nearly impossible–for me.
I also over-write, both in back story and in the prose. I cut at least two words for every one I write.
I also battle constantly with my inner critic, who sometimes manages to paralyze me for days.
My strengths are my characterization and the clarity of my prose, at least the prose that eyes other than mine see.
What I need to do between now and December is write. I am a world class procrastinator, and one of my favorite ways to procrastinate is to read craft books, check out all the advice published writers have to give, work on various exercises. For me, these good things easily transform into just another way to avoid completing my wip. That’s my goal for the fall: to be able to write “The End” by December 31.
Welcome Elizabeth! Thanks so much for joining the gypsy caravan. LLFAD was wonderful – I love a good mistaken identity plot, and Felicity, Thatcher, and Frost Fair made it so much fun!
Sometimes I’m a little too good at taking stock – worrying about what I need me from doing keeps me from making enough progress. But I’m trying to evolve a system of layering as I revise – I don’t think anyone does it right the first time.
Can you tell us more about what’s next in store for the The Bachelor Chronicles? Both for the story and what new aspect of your inventory you’re hoping to tackle?
Thanks Elizabeth for joining us today! And count me as another fan for LLFAD!
What are you willing to do in the next four months to improve your writing skills?
Read Debra Dixon’s Goal, Motivation, and Conflict when it finally arrives — I can do abstract motivations/goals but for some characters, it’s harder to pinpoint a clear motivation on why he/she wants their goal. I don’t think because he looooooooves her (my response to a CP) is a strong enough excuse.
What do you need to do? How will you apply your inventory to your current WIP?
1. Listen to the rejection letter and take the advice to apply it in revisions; which I’m happy to say that I am doing. But at the same time, trust in my voice more and don’t rely on other people’s opinions/thoughts too much about my writing.
2. Definitely write and edit more every day.
3. Limit my “slightly” and “that” and any other filler words.
I need to learn that chapters should not be ten thousand words. I also need to learn how to write the beginning of the book without it taking me six months to get it right. My dialogue could be more zippy. I’ve been told to take an improv class, but the thought of standing on a stage in front of people makes me feel faint. lol. I need to learn that starting a chapter out with six paragraphs of pure thought, it not helping the character or the reader. And I need to transition better between chapters.
As you can see, I have a long list of stuff to work on
Great blog Ms. Boyle. It gave me a lot to think about. Thank you!
OMG! You guys are overwhelming!!! This was my first chance to get back to the computer—1 kid to school, 1 kid with appts all morning, online wasn’t working, and I have ants in my kitchen. Arrg. I hate ants. But other than that, you all made me smile from ear to ear with all your kind words. So here goes the replies:
Maggie, I used to revise as I went along and gave that up years ago. Now I write the entire draft page 1-300+ and try not to stop for anything. I do a little bit of tinkering along the way, but endeavor not to waste time on revisions until I have the entire story done and mapped out in front of me. As for my books under the bed—they are there to stay! ☺
Terrio, there is another way to look at motivation, and the best book to do it from is Donald Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel. Actually, I recommend this book to everyone. Get the book and the workbook and read it from cover to cover. You’ll be glad you did! You’ll get motivation and never worry about it again. Promise.
Tiffany, thanks for dropping by! So glad you like HMBM. I have to confess that book is one of my favs.
Manda, isn’t the Frost Fair the coolest thing ever? I would love to go back in time and see one! And congrats on finishing. That is a huge accomplishment. I usually spend about 6-8 weeks revising and polishing my manuscripts—I go through it once for cleaning house, plugging holes and getting the story all straight. Then once for the romance and relationship—writing the love scenes and really working to weave in the sexual tension and then a final time for just cleaning it up. As for timelines, I usually figure that all out before my last run through. ☺ As for senses and place, I had an old critique partner who always wanted to “smell†a scene. What she was saying was, that I hadn’t used all the characters’ senses to set the scene—so look at a scene and see if you are using all your senses, touch, taste, hearing, smell, sight, and whatever else there is.
VanessaK, oh I hear you on writing long. I’ve really struggled with that one as well. I try to look over what I am writing and say to myself—what of these big hurkin sentences and paragraphs could be done in dialogue—and then make the change. It brightens the pacing and involves the reader.
Hellion, try the Donald Maass books! They will really help. And your goals and inventory sound like you’ve put some thought into it or these were things you already knew. Good luck with them as they all sound positive and well worth the work and effort.
Terrio, I don’t know that you ever let go of learning. I might not do as many workshops as I used to, but I like to find one or two a year that will just give me a new perspective. Try to come up with the “rings my bell†factor from a workshop. If when the instructor says something that “rings your bell†then maybe it is something to listen to and apply. But if you get it home and it doesn’t work, toss it out and don’t worry about it. It took me years to realize I would never use a character chart if my life depended on it.
Janga, overwriting, especially backstory is a hard habit to break. But you must do it. I keep a file called “Bits and Pieces†for every book I write and I used to I end up with 80-100 pages in them because I would start stuffing the story with all that stuff and then realize I wasn’t writing a romance but a character history. So I’d hack it out and start over again. I’ll still have to hack at my story but as not as much as I used to. And that inner critique? Kick that bitch to the curb. Vote her off the island. Send her packing. What does she know?! Then when you are all done with the first draft, make her caramel latte, invite her back in with some Godiva’s to tempt her and go over your manuscript with a critical eye.
Elyssa, good book to work from! And always trust your voice. Sometimes very tough to do, but necessary. And writing every day is essential. You’ll find that you write more and faster when you write every day. As for eliminating “That†I hardly see how that is necessary if that is your problem. ☺
Sin, you cracked me up. I write a book every 6-9 months. I spend nearly half that time writing the first 4 chapters. So acknowledge that is how you write and embrace it. But definitely cut the narrative—always ask yourself, “How could I do this in dialogue.†Then do it. Speaking of dialogue—go through the book and try to tighten your dialogue. That usually helps snap it up.
Whew!!! Hope I got them all. Anyone else???
Hi Elizabeth!
I’m so excited to have you join us!!!
I finally got my hands on a copy of LLFAD this weekend. I haven’t delved into it yet (moving stuff going on), but I’m soooo wiling away this weekend reading it.
I suppose over the next 4 mos to improve my own writing, I’m going to say that I’m going to apply myself to it. I seriously have dropped the ball on it in the last couple of months and used all this moving nonsense as an excuse. Well, no more, I say!
It’s so great to have you with us, Elizabeth! (Maybe I’ll sneak in some reading tonight after I’ve finished my lesson plans for tomorrow.
)
Élodie
Wow! Elizabeth you did a great job answering all those questions. I will definitely find that book. I don’t in any way mean I think you should let all the lessons go but I have to be careful. My chapter did a short one hour workshop on past vs. present tense (or something like that) and I spent the next few days trying not to write the word “was” on a single page. I got so stuck I completely gave up and went back to just writing. I do keep in mind to watch the wases but I’ll have to catch the rest of them in the second pass through. LOL!
Thanks again for all the advice. And congrats on all your success.
Terrio–that is exactly what I do–use the 2nd, 3rd and 4th pass through a book to worry about getting it right. When I write a first draft, if I catch it as I am writing and it is a no brainer fix, I make it, but for me, I want to be just writing. BTW, I tend to write my first drafts entirely on my Alphasmart, rather than on my computer, which I use for editing. The Alphasmart forces me to write and not edit, since it really isn’t designed for editing, but just typing. I find it frees my creativity for getting the story down. I leave the editing for the standalone where I can see a whole page at a time.
Good luck to everyone on your books!!!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! This has been like a mini-master class. I love hearing about different authors writing processes. Yours sounds eerily familiar