Revisions on the brain

Last night I finished my revisions for my editor. (Which explains why I haven't posted for two weeks-gah!) My Invented Life will go into copy-edits after that. Woohoo!

Since I have a severe case of revisions on the brain, I'm going to talk revisions.

Most writers can pound out the first draft of a novel in a few weeks to a year. That range sounds large, but the real separation occurs during the revision stage.

The futzers and dawdlers (I'm one) can draw out revisions for several years. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (she says justifying her bad habit).

There are several approaches to revisions, and I will describe the one I like best. Don't try to make all the changes at once. Instead change one aspect of the story with each pass.

For example:

spiff up the quirks of a single character

tighten dialog

weed out passive voice

readjust one element of plot

add in a repeating joke

I know several authors who write 20 - 50 drafts that way. (Don't panic. You're first draft is nearly perfect, so it will only take you three drafts.)

Personal example:

I decided to look at the "bad" words in My Invented Life to see if they were needed and effective. The novel is set during the rehearsal of a Shakespeare play, and that gave me the idea to use Elizabethan curses in places where I'd used boring old b**** and a****** before. That was fun.

Aside: 

You can visit a cool Elizabethan curse generator at http://trevorstone.org/curse/

workshops

Years ago...when I just finished the second draft of my first novel, I started attending conferences for writers. Often the main attraction of these conferences would be a critique session with a real live editor from a major house, and with that the opportunity to make a sale.

Sadly, it didn't work that way for me.

Although these conferences taught me how editors think (talk about a diversity of working styles!), I recommend workshops over conferences. Workshops focus on the art and craft of writing, and each one I've participated in has helped me bring my writing up a notch.

Workshops are great for networking. I prefer multi-day workshops because you dig deeper and get to know the other participants better.

And the clincher...networking can be an effective way of finding a publisher for your work.

Happily, it worked that way for me!

Back from Malaysia

I'm back from a five week family trip to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Now that I've unpacked, done three loads of laundry, recycled my junk mail, etc., I can think about my experiences. I had many great adventures in Hindu temples, Mosques, outdoor markets, and the rain forest.

More important to me, though...I spent many hours hanging out with really cool people (my family), met other people from all walks of life, and was given the chance to reflect on my life from afar. In that way traveling is not unlike writing. When I write I get to hang out with really cool people (even if they are imaginary), explore places I've never been (a miniature golf course, say), and walk in someone else's shoes for awhile.

The word I'm looking for is...

perspective

well, perspective about all the little things that get to me, and gratitude for all the big things I can take for granted.

Persistence

Yesterday, I met with my critique partners. After toasting my success and listening to me blather on about myself, they mentioned something important.

I am where I am (debut novel coming out in 2009) because I put in the time.

This wasn't meant to imply I have no talent, and I didn't take it that way. I read somewhere that you don't come into your own as a writer until you write a million words. Yep, that's a one with six zeros after it.

Well...I haven't really kept track, but if you count drafts, Christmas cards, and each contraction I've ever written as two words, I think I'm getting close to that.

I read a story in Sun Magazine about a woman who spent 30 years writing a novel which never got published. Sad story in one way, but not sad in another. Inside forces drive writers not outside ones. Sure, many writers (moi included) want to be published, but do the piles of rejection letters ever make them quit writing?

I kept at it in the unpublished state for ten years, and can't imagine ever stopping.

A place to write...

Most writers have honed their skill of procrastination to a keen edge. I'll work on that novel when...

my house is clean

my kids don't need me anymore

all my socks match

Let's just say, that time never comes. I've also heard people say, "I'll start writing as soon as I have a place to write." But how many writer wannabes can afford their own office? Not many. So here are a few alternatives:

In a cafe--Cafes provide excellent atmosphere, low rent, and great people watching. Most places won't throw you out as long as you buy a small item every few hours. Warning: The cumulative effects of cappuccinos and scones may have a permanent effect on your personality. (But I was already like this before I started frequenting cafes, honest.)

A personal note: You become a sitting duck for all sorts of conversations in a cafe. Once a man approached me and asked if I could write his novel. (better than asking if I would have his baby, I guess). He sat down and laid out his concept, his characters, and plot ideas. (I'm very polite, so I kept a straight face the whole time.)

Outside in a beautiful spot--this varies by location. In New Mexico, the wind, snow, dust, and mud make this almost impossible for at least half the year.

In the bathroom--Don't laugh. John Nichols (of The Sterile Cuckoo, The Milagro Beanfield Wars, and The Empanada Brotherhood fame) told me that when his kids were young, he used to retreat to the bathroom to write because it was the only room in the house with a door.

Which brings us to...

Any room in the house with a door--All you really need to write is a computer and no interruptions. I write in my bedroom because I'm used to working while stretched out. On the Gaucho, I did all my schoolwork for 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades in my bunk because we had no desks on the boat.

So... no more excuses. Get to work!

Critique and critique groups part V

This is the very last post about critiques! I promise!

And it is a word of caution about showing your work to family and friends. It's very tempting to do this. For one thing, everyone wants to know why you spend so many hours a day holed up in a tiny room going clickety-clack instead of hanging out with them. They want to read your Pulitzer Prize winning novel-to-be.

RESIST!

Why? Because they have high expectations. They know how smart and funny you are in person, and they expect to be wowed by what you write. But chances are, your Pulitzer Prize winning novel won't see the light of day for a few more years. And your family and friends might be a bit disappointed in your starter-novel.

Friends and family have great sway over us. It's much easier to dismiss the comments of an obnoxious critique group member than of someone we love. Besides, critique group members submit themselves to critique each week, too, so they tend to be more careful about how they phrase things.

IF YOU MUST show your work to someone you love, have them read the Critique Group Code of Conduct in advance, and sign it in blood.

Have I followed my own advice?

Not really. (Which could explain many of my nervous tics).

Critiques and critique groups part IV

A noted published author in Northern New Mexico doesn't like critique groups. He once said, "Whenever I come home after going to a critique group, I feel like hanging myself."

Now I know what you're thinking. Lauren must be a terrible writer to have such a dark view of critique.

But in my defense, I have a very thin skin and a long memory. In fact, I remember every last negative things said about my writing over the past ten years, in rapid-fire chronological order.

But really, I'm not down on critique at all. In fact, without critique, I might still be the writer I was ten years ago (needs improvement). Several talented and diplomatic writers have helped me see how to take my writing to the next level. One critique partner recognized a Shakespearean angle to my story idea, and that sparked the current incarnation of My Invented Life. (Thank you Ellie, Kimber, Jean-Marie, Miriam, and many others for all that you've done).

If the whole group thing doesn't float your boat, consider one on one manuscript exchange with someone you trust.

I say go for critique, but consider all the feedback carefully, and don't take it too personally, DISCARD what doesn't feel right and LISTEN to the rest.

If I didn't dare put myself out there, I wouldn't have gotten an amazing letter from John Nichols after he read My Invented Life. I called it my "love letter" and read it over and over when I'm feeling discouraged about writing.