Writing Tuesday - Improvements!

[emeraldsedai]

Brilliant critique group today! Everyone's submissions showed evidence of real story-structuring and genuine improvement.

The ladies all approved of my heavily revised Restraint Chapter 1, and while that was nice, what I really loved was that we all knew why it was better. Not just, Wow I like this, but Wow, this really moves, it has an arc, I

Comments

[happytune]

Sounds like such an amazing group!

[emeraldsedai]

It's turning out to be. I'm glad I've stuck with it.

[roxymissrose]

First, let me say I'm very happy for your progress! I also must confess I burst into tears for Tristan and John. Silly, I know, because they'll always be there, but I'm hiding behind the fabulous excuse of being old. That gives me permission to be overly-emotional! ;D

[emeraldsedai]

I burst into tears over John and Tristan too. Every damn time I review the ending of the story. Seriously, if it ever gets published and I have to talk about it in public, I'm in trouble.

John and Tristan will still be here. Different last names and slightly altered appearances, but still handsome, perfect John and tall, hot Tristan. I believe in the original story and have no intention of changing it fundamentally. The same plot arc, the same overarching conflicts, the same less-than-HEA ending--I'm keeping all that. I'll also fight for the stately pacing and the Austen-era diction, and will self-publish rather than let a "real" publisher change these things.

Really, this process is more liposuction and a chiropractic adjustment than big face-changing cosmetic surgery. Slim it down, line it up, get the story flowing faster. But it'll still be a big, juicy, terribly-romantic novel. Just, maybe 600 pages instead of 800.

[twasadark]

Woo hoo! I'm glad you are getting some value from your group. Mine is turning out to be pretty helpful, as well. Now if I can just ramp up the writing ...

[emeraldsedai]

I know just what you mean. Having to submit something once a week has done two things for me: first, it prompted me to just get a scene written, any scene. Then, when I began to see the power of working structurally, the ONLY project I could legitimately bring to group was the finished novel, one rewritten chapter (or half-chapter) at a time. So I'm really not doing an "new" writing at the moment.

I'm starting my new, second group--the Super Hardcore Editing Group, SHEG (we're "sheggers")--on Friday morning. This one's by web conference, no printing or red pens, and with more experienced writers. I'm a little freaked out because I've got this sweeping historical social drama with gay characters, and the other two (so far) members are both editing Middle Grade contemporary kids' adventures. I feel a little sore-thumbish. Hopefully non-judgmental editing will win the day!

[twasadark]

Yeah, it's pretty time consuming because you also have to give feedback to others. I've found it difficult to write but I'm working on it. Sort of. :-)

Go you for doing the Super Hardcore Editing! I'm impressed! Let me know how it works for you. I need that for my historical, too. Well, actually, I need to just rewrite the dang thing but I keep putting it off. So much effort ...

Anyhow, stories are stories - the other members will likely see that, no matter the length or gayness. :-)

[emeraldsedai]

I expect I'll be writing up notes about Super Hardcore Editing Group (to be known henceforth as SHEG, its members "sheggers"), so maybe, if we find we're really onto something useful, other people can emulate it.

I hope that happens, anyway!