Novel Revision Retreat

I had the most amazing weekend: my first SCBWI regional retreat.  If you ever get the opportunity to attend Darcy Pattison's Novel Revision Retreat, do it!

In Pattison's book Novel Metamorphosis, she breaks down revision into smaller, manageable chunks like characters, plot, and setting.   At the retreat, she gave us mini-lessons in each of these areas, providing us with several examples from published novels and picture books.  

Pattison is a strong supporter of whole manuscript critiques.  Before the retreat, each participant exchanged completed manuscripts with three others.  We didn't do line-by-line edits; instead, we looked at the "big picture" for inconsistencies, strong and weak chapters, and good examples of characterization, setting, and language.  I stayed with this group throughout the retreat as we discussed each of Pattison's mini-lessons and how they pertained to our own manuscripts.  It was so helpful to receive input from three other people who knew my manuscript.  

Another suggestion that Pattison gives is to use a shrunken manuscript.  She describes this more in her book, but it's a way to visually represent your entire manuscript in about 30 pages to look for places where your conflict, dialogue, and scenes may be weak.  I'm a visual learner, so seeing my manuscript this way was amazing!

I admit that my brain hurt when I left Idaho and headed back home.  But it was a good hurt.  I have so many ideas of how to revise my manuscript.  Now I have a summer project: to make my novel better so I can start querying by the fall.  Of course, there's that other WIP that I'd like to finish.  It's going to be a busy (but productive) summer!

Thank You, Thank You (Awards)

OK, you know you're an official member of the blogosphere when you start to get awards.  In the past week, I've earned two, which really made my week.  Once again, it's the little things that excite me!

My first ever award cam from Angie Paxton at Answering the What If.   Thanks Angie!

I'd like to pass award to these wonderful bloggers:

1. Charity Bradford at My Writing Journey

2. Jennifer Daiker at Unedited

3. Terry Lynn Johnson

4. Sandy Shin

5. E. Elle at The Writer's Funhouse

My second award came from Anne Gallagher at Piedmont Writer.  Thanks Anne!

I'm passing this award onto these fabulous buddies:

1. Andria at My Meandering Musings

2. Crystal Cook at Write Because You Must

3. Roland D. Yeomans at Writing in the Crosshairs
4. Angie Paxton at Answering the What If

Thank you everyone!  I started my blog about four months ago, and I'm almost at 100 followers.  Yes, that's right: a contest is on the horizon!  I'll give you more details when I get a little bit closer, so stay tuned ...

Last Lines Blogfest

Note to self: Do not sign up for a blogfest until after I make sure I have a piece to submit!  I get so excited when I learn about new blogfests that I forget to think about whether or not I will have time to put a piece together.  The Last Lines Blogfest, hosted by Lilah Pierce, was more difficult than I anticipated.  

Some of my best "last lines" occur during crucial plot moments that I'm not ready to share yet.  So, rather than posting a significant cliffhanger moment, I've chosen a lighthearted scene between my main character and her friends.  It's from Again, the novel I'm currently revising. 


[Excerpt has been removed to protect my work.]

Moving Past the Negative

Why are we so willing to believe the negative and forget about the positive?  We could receive a dozen positive reviews about our writing, but it just takes one negative comment for us to break down and cry or to begin doubting our ability to write.  

So how do we overcome these bumps in our confidence?  Here are a few tips (trust me, I have to remind myself of these on a daily basis):

1. Writing is subjective.  There will never be a manuscript that 100% of people will love unconditionally.  We all bring our own experience (background knowledge) into what we read.  I may like someone's plot because I connect with it, but someone else may hate it because it seems ridiculous.  Don't even get me started with characters (just think Team Jacob vs. Team Edward).  So it's unrealistic to think that everyone who reads my manuscript will like it (as much as I wish it were possible).  We can't get upset when someone has different taste than ours.  

Similarly, we all have our own strengths and weaknesses as writers.  Sometimes we're more attune to our weaknesses and tend to look for them in our critique partner's writing (maybe because it's at the forefront of our minds when we write).  Make sure to take the time to focus on your strengths too.

2. We don't have to give in to every criticism.  Just because someone thinks you've done something wrong doesn't mean that you have to change what you've written.  As the writer, you ultimately get to decide what your manuscript looks like.  If a suggestion makes you feel uncomfortable, don't change it.  This even applies to suggestions made by agents and editors.  Of course, you run the risk of losing them as agents or editors, but you shouldn't let anyone force you to make changes that you don't want to make.

3. Don't give up!  Most writers, at one point or another, have allowed their self-doubt to creep in and make them wonder whether or not they should continue writing.  Maybe you gave up a job to become a full-time writer.  Maybe you're sacrificing a couple hours of sleep each night.  Maybe you've spent oodles of money on a writing workshop or retreat.  Don't let one negative comment derail you from your purpose.  Instead, take a step back and use it as a learning experience.  How can you use it to improve your writing?  

What other tips do you have to add?  What do you do to get past the negative?

In My Mailbox #2

During the past three days, the students at the high school where I teach participated in a poetry slam.  We were fortunate to have some local authors donate their time to help judge: A.E. Cannon, author of The Loser's Guide to Life and Love; Kim Williams Justesen, author of My Brother the Dog; Ann Dee Ellis, author of Everything is Fine; and Carol Lynch Williams, author of The Chosen One.  Thanks again to those wonderful judges!

Two of the authors gave me a copy of their book, which I will place in my classroom library for my students (as soon as I reread them, of course!).  They are the first two books In My Mailbox, a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. 

Everything is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

I also took a trip to the library yesterday to pick up books that I'd put on hold awhile ago.  I haven't finished reading the books from my last In My Mailbox post, but my hold was about to expire. 

Balancing Acts by Zoe Fishman

Breathless by Jessica Warman

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Now I just have to find the time to read all of these interesting books ... without sacrificing my writing time!

Body Language Blogfest

I admit that I nearly forgot about the Body Language Blogfest, hosted by Harley D. Palmer at Labotomy of a Writer.  Thanks to Roland D. Yeomans for reminding me!  

Below is my excerpt from Again, the Young Adult manuscript that I'm currently revising.  I haven't spent much time revising the chapter that my excerpt is from, so please understand that it's still a work-in-progress (the self-conscious side of me needed that disclaimer).  It was so hard to eliminate all the dialogue and only use body language!

[Excerpt has been removed to protect my work.]

A Rep to Protect

Writing is a roller coaster ride of emotions.  It's easy to succumb to its ups and downs.  We love the thrilling rush of writing the perfect scene, a snappy exchange of dialogue, or a blush-worthy description of our character's first kiss.  

Yet we despair at the constant feelings of insecurity: Will our novel attract an agent or editor?  How much rejection is normal?  Should we give up? 

So how do we prevent our bi-polar emotions from discoloring our online reputation?  

Any interested agent can instantly peruse our online presence through a simple Google search.  Every comment, every post is up for immediate viewing.  Have we displayed ourselves well?

Here's my question to you: What would you consider inappropriate to list on your blog?  Or comment about on another blog?