Today, Candy Gourlay (see her site here & buy her great book here!) asked me an excellent question concerning editor Cheryl Klein's list that I wrote about on my last blog post: here
"So which one would you recommend to a writer who's a total newbie, and which one to a writer with one book under her belt?"
This was my response, which I'm posting because it REALLY helped me through revisions last month.
De-familiarizing your work is some of the best advise on the list. Whether you are just starting out, or have been writing for a while, stepping away from the familiarity of your book always helps you see things that you didn't before.
When I was working on revisions for The Life and Times of Cara Grimes, there were parts I had memorized. I didn't know it at the time, but when I read the final version of chapters one and two out loud at critique group, I actually started to read the old parts that were in my head, even though I had the corrected page right in front of me.
No wonder I had such a hard time seeing what needed work. I think sometimes we become old friends with our book and don't want to confront them about our problems. I mean, we're getting on fine, why go and upset things? After all, trying to fix it will cause me a lot more work and I'm almost finished. Believe me, this is crazy talk! We should never think of our work as 'good enough'. In today's market we just can't afford to!
So, I have said all that to say this. Fall in love with your work all over again, by going back out on a first date. Remember the good impressions we wanted to make. Remember how excited we were. Remember how it felt to fall in love only this time do it from a fresh new angle ;)Spice up the relationship. You will not only love your book more in the end, but (and maybe more importantly to some) an agent or editor just might fall in love with that book along with you!
"So which one would you recommend to a writer who's a total newbie, and which one to a writer with one book under her belt?"
De-familiarizing your work is some of the best advise on the list. Whether you are just starting out, or have been writing for a while, stepping away from the familiarity of your book always helps you see things that you didn't before.
When I was working on revisions for The Life and Times of Cara Grimes, there were parts I had memorized. I didn't know it at the time, but when I read the final version of chapters one and two out loud at critique group, I actually started to read the old parts that were in my head, even though I had the corrected page right in front of me.
No wonder I had such a hard time seeing what needed work. I think sometimes we become old friends with our book and don't want to confront them about our problems. I mean, we're getting on fine, why go and upset things? After all, trying to fix it will cause me a lot more work and I'm almost finished. Believe me, this is crazy talk! We should never think of our work as 'good enough'. In today's market we just can't afford to!
So, I have said all that to say this. Fall in love with your work all over again, by going back out on a first date. Remember the good impressions we wanted to make. Remember how excited we were. Remember how it felt to fall in love only this time do it from a fresh new angle ;)Spice up the relationship. You will not only love your book more in the end, but (and maybe more importantly to some) an agent or editor just might fall in love with that book along with you!
Back out on a first date - what a lovely way to put it and a good piece of advice!
ReplyDeleteActually found you through the 'tall tales' blog - I followed the links to a few people who entered the competition, as I am newly blogging and seeking to make connections with other YA writers! I have followed you ;)
Thanks VikLit!
ReplyDeleteI will swing by your blog and say hi :D