I know I'm not the first one who has asked peers to review their writings, but there is one thing that I am finding irksome about the idea of peer revision. In my college's writer's guild, we made sure to write in rules to prevent this. And that is...
Just saying what is wrong with the writing.
Whenever I have someone read my work, I don't just want to hear what I'm doing wrong but what I should do to fix it. This is how we can grow to become better writers, by learning from each other what our weaknesses are and how we can make them stronger.
Which leads me into my writer's tip
Whenever you read someone's work and they ask, "What do you think of it?" follow the "Good News / Bad News" style.
Good news - Tell the writer something they did good about the story.
Bad News - Tell the writer something they need to fix and how to fix it.
If you keep it simple to one or two bad news items, that's great. You don't want to overload someone with bad news and only have one good news item. Make sure they also stay equal (1 good news for every bad news). This will avoid overloading as well.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I write to allow my soul to live. I write fiction to allow my mind to live. I write literature to allow my body to live.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Spring is a time for growing
Hey everyone,
I haven't posted in a long time due to being busy with school work and such, but here's the latest update.
I am working on several stories yet again and tempted to pick up writing one of my novels yet again. I have been finding my characterization anymore is getting weaker due to the fact I'm trying to focus on the plot too much. So, I have been going back in some of my stories and bring some of the characterization forward, making it not just a plot story.
So, into the writer's tip...
Remember to ensure your characters are well rounded. If your character has reservations about killing someone and is forced to shoot someone, don't just fire the gun. Get into your character's head and let the gun shake in his hands a little bit. Each character you create should have a character sheet drawn up on them, telling you everything about how they look and what they do. This will especially help when you go to write the story and the issue comes up. I'd suggest freewriting about one character during a writing session; you may be surprised with what you come up with.
RANDOM SENTENCE OF THE WEEK
The market finally came to a close and Martin stood outside, sad to see the doors closed.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I write like I'm a detective. Sometimes my characters don't tell me everything I should know to write their life's story, but they sure do drop a lot of clues for me to write about.
I haven't posted in a long time due to being busy with school work and such, but here's the latest update.
I am working on several stories yet again and tempted to pick up writing one of my novels yet again. I have been finding my characterization anymore is getting weaker due to the fact I'm trying to focus on the plot too much. So, I have been going back in some of my stories and bring some of the characterization forward, making it not just a plot story.
So, into the writer's tip...
Remember to ensure your characters are well rounded. If your character has reservations about killing someone and is forced to shoot someone, don't just fire the gun. Get into your character's head and let the gun shake in his hands a little bit. Each character you create should have a character sheet drawn up on them, telling you everything about how they look and what they do. This will especially help when you go to write the story and the issue comes up. I'd suggest freewriting about one character during a writing session; you may be surprised with what you come up with.
RANDOM SENTENCE OF THE WEEK
The market finally came to a close and Martin stood outside, sad to see the doors closed.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I write like I'm a detective. Sometimes my characters don't tell me everything I should know to write their life's story, but they sure do drop a lot of clues for me to write about.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Rejection and Rebirth
So, I finally heard back from the Writers of the Future Contest for Quarter 1, and the news was not so good. I was not a winner in the term and there was no mention of honorable mention or anything.
Back to where I started years ago when I first submitted to them.
But, there is new hope for this. I have decided I'm not waiting around for Writers of the Future to make up their minds if I'm a good writer or not. I'm submitting my works as soon as they are finished instead of sitting around and waiting for them to say I'm good enough. It may involve a lot of rejection letters, but all a rejection letter means to me anymore is it needs one more revision.
Which leads into my writer's tip
In the words of a green wise man (since it is St. Patrick's Day and I feel like quoting Yoda)
"Do or do not. There is no try."
Therefore, in writing, there should be a similar feeling about it. Don't just try for one thing and see if it pans out for you. You must constantly submit to different websites and allow it to help you grow. Right now, I have three stories going out to publishers and one submitted to Writers of the Future.
Also, be sure to do it properly. I've been having to go back and change a bunch of stuff on my writings because they ask for things a certain way. You should be well versed in Manuscript Form whenever you submit to a publisher. I wrote how I wanted it to appear first, but then realized I needed to change it later on. And, believe me, it's harder to change it later on than to just learn how to do it the first time around.
Random Sentence
The wind blew Tyler around and around, making his head spin with possibilities.
Quote of the Week
"There is a major difference between a story and literature. A story will entertain you while distracting you from the fact Rome is burning around you. Literature will tell you where the fire extinguishers are located."
~Self
Back to where I started years ago when I first submitted to them.
But, there is new hope for this. I have decided I'm not waiting around for Writers of the Future to make up their minds if I'm a good writer or not. I'm submitting my works as soon as they are finished instead of sitting around and waiting for them to say I'm good enough. It may involve a lot of rejection letters, but all a rejection letter means to me anymore is it needs one more revision.
Which leads into my writer's tip
In the words of a green wise man (since it is St. Patrick's Day and I feel like quoting Yoda)
"Do or do not. There is no try."
Therefore, in writing, there should be a similar feeling about it. Don't just try for one thing and see if it pans out for you. You must constantly submit to different websites and allow it to help you grow. Right now, I have three stories going out to publishers and one submitted to Writers of the Future.
Also, be sure to do it properly. I've been having to go back and change a bunch of stuff on my writings because they ask for things a certain way. You should be well versed in Manuscript Form whenever you submit to a publisher. I wrote how I wanted it to appear first, but then realized I needed to change it later on. And, believe me, it's harder to change it later on than to just learn how to do it the first time around.
Random Sentence
The wind blew Tyler around and around, making his head spin with possibilities.
Quote of the Week
"There is a major difference between a story and literature. A story will entertain you while distracting you from the fact Rome is burning around you. Literature will tell you where the fire extinguishers are located."
~Self
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Snowstorms Galore
Is it just me or am I going to rejoice in the end of winter?
This winter has been one of the worst I have ever remembered. Once things have finally warmed up, we end up getting another ton of snow. And it's on a day when I was going to be giving a presentation to our college's Writer's Guild.
WILL IT EVER END?!
I swear, I need to write a story about it. Then again, that doesn't make for a bad idea....
WRITER'S TIP OF THE WEEK
Inspiration, it's everywhere. When you get stuck, you need to look at events around you and find a way to exploit it into a story. For example, the snow I am getting up here could be made into a great story (and I'm formulating the idea as I write this).
So, for an exercise, try to write out what is happening in your life. Then, see if you can try to use each one as a title of a story. If you can't seem to get started with it, try writing out more details about each event and see what stems from there.
WRITER'S BLOCK HELPER
The snow poured down upon the ground, calling young James to bed.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"You fail only if you stop writing."
~Ray Bradbury
This winter has been one of the worst I have ever remembered. Once things have finally warmed up, we end up getting another ton of snow. And it's on a day when I was going to be giving a presentation to our college's Writer's Guild.
WILL IT EVER END?!
I swear, I need to write a story about it. Then again, that doesn't make for a bad idea....
WRITER'S TIP OF THE WEEK
Inspiration, it's everywhere. When you get stuck, you need to look at events around you and find a way to exploit it into a story. For example, the snow I am getting up here could be made into a great story (and I'm formulating the idea as I write this).
So, for an exercise, try to write out what is happening in your life. Then, see if you can try to use each one as a title of a story. If you can't seem to get started with it, try writing out more details about each event and see what stems from there.
WRITER'S BLOCK HELPER
The snow poured down upon the ground, calling young James to bed.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"You fail only if you stop writing."
~Ray Bradbury
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Busy, Busy, Busy
It seems like my life is getting full of stuff I have to do anymore. Between school work, volunteering, working on starting a Writer's Guild at the college, work, and writing, I am finding fewer hours in the day to work on everything I want to work on. 5 classes in 1 semester should not be considered full time here. It's filling up my life with a lot of work and I'm just hoping I don't burn out before the semester's over. I'm already about 1/3 of the way through. I just need to push on ahead and finish up.
WRITER'S TIP OF THE WEEK
One way which has kept me sane and on track with my creative writing is scheduling out time to actually write. I really suggest writer's do this every day so they can continue to improve their skills. Isaac Asimov took a 9-5 approach to writing and he had hundreds of books published.
My suggestion for breaking down your scheduled time should be this way.
1/3 for brainstorming
1/3 for writing
1/3 for revising
So, for the first part of your writing time, you should be brainstorming of new stories. This kind of stuff helps to not only build the number of stories you can write (and perhaps sell), but it will help prepare your mind to write and get the creative juices flowing. Then, working on writing will keep the creativity going while changing your focus to a more formal format. Finally, revision is key to ensure the story stays on track, so it goes at the end because there are times you can use new information you may have thought of before to make the story come alive in a different way.
RANDOM SENTENCE OF THE WEEK
The cloak surrounded the dark mage, almost seeming to engulf his very existence.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I wonder sometimes if the motivation for writers ought to be contempt, not admiration
~Orson Scott Card
WRITER'S TIP OF THE WEEK
One way which has kept me sane and on track with my creative writing is scheduling out time to actually write. I really suggest writer's do this every day so they can continue to improve their skills. Isaac Asimov took a 9-5 approach to writing and he had hundreds of books published.
My suggestion for breaking down your scheduled time should be this way.
1/3 for brainstorming
1/3 for writing
1/3 for revising
So, for the first part of your writing time, you should be brainstorming of new stories. This kind of stuff helps to not only build the number of stories you can write (and perhaps sell), but it will help prepare your mind to write and get the creative juices flowing. Then, working on writing will keep the creativity going while changing your focus to a more formal format. Finally, revision is key to ensure the story stays on track, so it goes at the end because there are times you can use new information you may have thought of before to make the story come alive in a different way.
RANDOM SENTENCE OF THE WEEK
The cloak surrounded the dark mage, almost seeming to engulf his very existence.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I wonder sometimes if the motivation for writers ought to be contempt, not admiration
~Orson Scott Card
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Progress!
Yes, progress indeed. I have finished up the rough drafts of two more stories, making 4 short stories now in the revision process. This should be interesting if I can get them all finished by March (I won't know what to submit to Writers of the Future by then). But, at least I am breaking through the barriers of writer's block and working on getting several of my short stories finished. On the other hand, I don't want to get so back-logged it makes revisions into a damned pain.
Which leads me into the writing tip of the week...
Get organized
Yes, I hate to admit to it since I am one of the must unorganized people around, but you need to at least set a game plan on writing and revising them. Without that, you'll end up with tons of rough drafts and an overwhelming revision ahead of you (believe me, it's not fun).
So far, I'm trying to bang out each story's revisions every week. If they need more than one, they just go to the end of the list. Rotation between stories will also help because they will allow your mind to remove itself from the story and, once you get back to it, have a fresh perspective.
Random Sentence of the Week
The cold wind seemed so inviting to Richard, calling him to shut his eyes.
Quote of the Week
"I don't try to describe the future. I try to prevent it."
~Ray Bradbury
Which leads me into the writing tip of the week...
Get organized
Yes, I hate to admit to it since I am one of the must unorganized people around, but you need to at least set a game plan on writing and revising them. Without that, you'll end up with tons of rough drafts and an overwhelming revision ahead of you (believe me, it's not fun).
So far, I'm trying to bang out each story's revisions every week. If they need more than one, they just go to the end of the list. Rotation between stories will also help because they will allow your mind to remove itself from the story and, once you get back to it, have a fresh perspective.
Random Sentence of the Week
The cold wind seemed so inviting to Richard, calling him to shut his eyes.
Quote of the Week
"I don't try to describe the future. I try to prevent it."
~Ray Bradbury
Monday, January 31, 2011
Snow Coming to the Midwest
So it looks like my area is going to be dowsed in snow for the next couple of days, so I figured I would end up writing my blog today instead of on the usual Tuesdays. It will probably keep me home for a few days instead of going to class, but I know at least being snowed in will get me caught up on homework but further along on my other stories as well. Currently, I wrote down all of my short story ideas and found I have 30 potential sales (amazing since I have only one which I felt was ready for reading by the WotF judges for this past quarter).
Which eventually leads me into my writing tip for the week. I hate to sound like my High School English teacher in saying this, but this is very true...
DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR FIRST DRAFT!
It is easy for us authors to see what we have created and say, "I love this because it's like a child to me." However, we need to remember we need to help raise that child into maturity as well. This is why I always tell other authors there is one important rule in writing. Revision, Revision, Revision. It is here where you hone your ideas from the "Idea Sheet" I posted last week.
As for peer revision, it's a good idea, but do not rely on it too much. If you keep on tapping one person to help you edit your work, it will not be your work but their work as well. You can do it if you're a young writer to find what patterns you fall into (like my long-windedness and telling not showing). However, ultimately you need to be in charge of your works, making the final decisions on what rules to follow and, more importantly, what rules to break.
BTW, last week's sentence caused me to write a few paragraphs on Arthur being the reincarnation of King Arthur and seeing flashbacks of his death with the rain. So, here's next week's sentence:
As the general stood upon the hill, he smiled at the senses which surrounded him.
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.
~Isaac Asimov
Which eventually leads me into my writing tip for the week. I hate to sound like my High School English teacher in saying this, but this is very true...
DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR FIRST DRAFT!
It is easy for us authors to see what we have created and say, "I love this because it's like a child to me." However, we need to remember we need to help raise that child into maturity as well. This is why I always tell other authors there is one important rule in writing. Revision, Revision, Revision. It is here where you hone your ideas from the "Idea Sheet" I posted last week.
As for peer revision, it's a good idea, but do not rely on it too much. If you keep on tapping one person to help you edit your work, it will not be your work but their work as well. You can do it if you're a young writer to find what patterns you fall into (like my long-windedness and telling not showing). However, ultimately you need to be in charge of your works, making the final decisions on what rules to follow and, more importantly, what rules to break.
BTW, last week's sentence caused me to write a few paragraphs on Arthur being the reincarnation of King Arthur and seeing flashbacks of his death with the rain. So, here's next week's sentence:
As the general stood upon the hill, he smiled at the senses which surrounded him.
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.
~Isaac Asimov
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