• This Writer’s Journey . . .

    November 5, 2010 /


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    ~~~

    Previous Weeks:Nicole Baart ,Coleen Coble.

    Today we haveDiana Sharples.

    Remember when I’d mentioned I joined ACFW and jumped into a critique group? Well, Diana Sharples got to be the first writer to read my work.

    Poor girl.

    I look back now and shake my head wondering how she made it through that dribble. While reading my first chapters, she had to be thinking, “Oh my, this girl is clueless.”

    Yeah, well, I was. Heck, I didn’t even know what Point of View (POV) meant let alone how to do it.

    But you know what I’m most thankful for? That she took the time to read my work and make all the comments she did. It was the best critique I could have ever asked for.

    Goodness that girl knows the craft!

    Anyway, she was so supportive in her suggestions and feedback. But the fact that she stepped up to the plate and told the truth is what I respect.

    I won’t lie. It stung. I’m not a cyborg, impervious to pain, but her words spurred me on. I could have chosen to walk away thinking, “Oh, this is too big. I’m not supposed to be a writer. I can’t do this.”

    But I didn’t.

    I still have that crit to this day. I’ll never trash it, because it shows me where I’ve come from. And I’ve come a long way. I get better and better with each novel, and I’ve always kept Diana’s first critique in the back of my mind. When I help new writers, I often share my experience with them to let them know they, too, can move forward. Just need to be open to feedback and suggestions-well, and learning more about the craft!

    I thank Diana for her honesty and her wisdom. She’s so smart and talented. I’m happy our paths crossed.

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  • Let the edits begin. . .

    August 17, 2010 /


    Anyone following my facebook page might know this, but I jumped into some edits on my novel, Winged, this past weekend. I’ve got some wicked-awesome crit partners reading a few of my novels, and the edits are coming in.

    For those of you who are reading this and aren’t writers, we have critique partners read our novels to find mistakes on all levels. Typos, grammar, content, plot and so on. It’s really important, because we’re so close to our projects, we often can’t see what’s staring at us in the face.

    While working on edits for Winged, I got another set of critiques back on Caine & Lily’s story–doesn’t have a title yet, and the blurb isn’t even up yet–but oh. . . they were good.

    Lot’s to fix on that one, too.

    If you’re a writer and reading this, how do you handle critiques? Do you jump right in them? Read first, then take some time to absorb before diving in? **DO TELL** I love hearing how people handle them.

    I love reading them, no matter how “harsh” they might be, and then letting them sink in for a day or so before I start diving in. I treasure getting feedback that’s impartial and blunt because I know that when I rewrite, the story’s going to be that much stronger!

    So now I’m off to edit.

    WRITE ON my friends! Woo-Hoo!

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