Writerly Ways

Another weekend, another day of being too exhausted to put together a coherent post. I'm very glad that I didn't feel like this yesterday. I'm pretty sure I'm fighting that virus that's ripping up the school since I'm exhausted and feverish. At least I managed to get another lecture series done and got the next chapter of Like Stone up.

But I did get the edits done on my next chapter for my writers group and the words I said earlier this week came back to me, about being supportive etc. Twenty odd years ago I was in another writers group and there was definitely a pecking order. I didn't mind. I was in my twenties at the time, not as confident as I am now and to be honest, I was just starting my medical practice and had far bigger concerns.

Maybe that was the reason this group's leader didn't destroy me (and I'm fairly sure that was the motivation especially after the comment came in the editorial round after I had pointed out he was wrong about some of the science he used.) It might not have destroyed me but it stuck with me.

"In all the time I've known you, you've not grown one iota as an author."

Or maybe the reason this barb didn't make me quit (and I have seen people quit after one or two very critical comments) was that I knew it wasn't true and purely vindictive. Yeah I cried a little but I knew it wasn't true (and ironically I made my first international sale within weeks of that)

You haven't grown. It isn't true. I'm not sure it's true of anyone who puts forth effort (no effort, sure they won't grow). I have grown. Just looking at the chapter I edited today sure as hell proves that. I know I'm better than this clumsy thing I wrote years ago. I still think the story has potential. I do want to find an agent for it. That said, if I hadn't grown I wouldn't be able to see the 1001 flaws in this chapter.

So if someone tells you you or your work sucks, consider the source. Do they offer examples of what's wrong? (this guy didn't) then consider those points, see if there's merit. If they're just bashing (which is far more common), don't let it hurt you. Talk it out with someone if it helps (It does me) but know deep down, you might not be perfect but you aren't horrible either.

And now some links

From Betty: Turning Points in Writing

Unusual and Fun Punctuation Marks

Some Writing Advice (Plus a Porridge Recipe!) from Neil Gaiman

Happiness, Anxiety And Writing As A Second Career With Lisa Lilly

Creating Your Character’s Inner Conflict: Want vs. Need

Finding Your Story's Theme

PODCAST
240 – Fostering Tension

Five Ways to Handle Parents Without Killing Them (I had to deal with this in the above mentioned story I'm editing)

Social Media: You're Doing it Wrong

And from around the web

Metadata Optimization For Your Book: My Self-Publishing Experience, Part 5

Could Multimedia Storytelling Work For You? I would love to have talent enough for some of this, I would love to be able to draw and/or compose music for example