One of my resolutions for the New Year was to get real feedback on my writing. By real, I mean opinions from people who aren’t friends or family. I can check this one off because I’m swapping manuscript critiques with another writer. Checking it off doesn’t mean I’m finished with it for the year. It means that I’ve made the leap. And it’s a big one. Getting unbiased feedback is scary. But I can handle this. Becoming a better writer is important to me. Improving my story is important to me. That still doesn’t make it easier.
This morning my first chapter came back. I sweated over this chapter. I think I bled, maybe from an ulcer, over this chapter. No, I did not cry over it. But I rewrote it three times already. First chapters are so important to a story’s success or failure. So I was seriously nervous when I opened the email. But guess what? It didn’t hurt.
My critique partner nailed me on some issues that I hadn’t caught. She pointed out the weakness of my opening line. It’s weak. I see that now. She pointed out how I have stretches of dialog with no action. This I need to mull over. I agree with her point, but any action I add must be relevant. She also pointed out that there’s a long conversation that needs to be cut down. It’s already been cut down considerably, but more is going to be chopped. The comments apply beyond chapter one. My overall impression? This is good, and I have work to do. Also, I’m excited about that work. Right now, I have an I-can-do-this attitude. Hopefully, that won’t get lost along the way.
Decision time. Do I continue my rewriting from where I am, or do I go back and work on the first chapter now? I’m leaning toward continuing with the rewrite because I don’t want to lose my forward momentum. I’ll work on some of the other edits as solutions come to me and tackle the bulk later. One step of the journey at a time.
4 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 16, 2010 at 7:33 pm
vvdenman
I’ve revised so many times, I can’t even hear the words anymore. And each time I think, “O.K. Now it’s just right.” But then, someone else proofs it for me and there’s more work to be done. Fortunately, I enjoy revising.
How did you find a partner to swap chapters with you? I’m new to blogging and I’m still trying to figure it all out. It sounds like a great idea to me. So far, only friends and family have read my manuscript. Wow, they’ve been loads of help, though.
Thanks, and good luck with your book.
January 16, 2010 at 8:08 pm
abouttothunder
Hi! Thanks for your comment, and welcome to blogging. As you can see, I’m rather sporadic in my own blogging. But I’m working on it.
As for finding a critique partner, I was in the right place at the right time. An author I follow on Twitter was looking for beta readers for her second manuscipt. I offered because I felt it would be good experience for me and that I would learn more about the craft from the process. She liked my critiquing enough that she then offered to swap chapter for chapter.
January 16, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Lisa Iriarte
Eeek. Somehow I didn’t realize I was your FIRST critique partner, outside of friends and family, that is. Had I known, I might have been gentler.
However, if you can handle it, and it looks like you can, I strongly recommend getting several more. I have about 10-15 for each project. It’s wonderful because each has different strengths. I also have a three strike rule. If three critiques point out the same problem, I definitely try to change it. If two see it, I strongly consider it, and if only one sees it, then I use my best judgment.
I remember the first time I let someone outside of my household read my work. I was terribly nervous. However, getting critiques from outsiders really prepares you for the inevitable criticism writers receive from agents and editors. Best to get used to it now, from friends.
I wish you all the best with your writing.
Lisa
January 17, 2010 at 9:04 am
abouttothunder
No worries, Lisa! I found your comments direct, helpful, and not at all abrasive. Better yet, I agree with most of them. It will take some time for me to figure out all the solutions, but I expect to get better at that skill too. I like your three strike rule. I’ll be using that one.
This story means a lot to me, and I want to do the best with it that I can. I’m already looking for more beta readers, and hopefully my new critique group will take off. The pursuit of publication is probably in the future, but I won’t stress over that now. My biggest concern is finishing a second project. I need to fall in love with something.