Critiques

Welcome to Writers’ Corner. Over the past several weeks, we’ve discussed how to hook your reader, redundant words, tag lines, dialogue, show/don’t tell, and point of view. If you’re new to this blog, check the archives for these previous posts.

We’ve also discussed the revision process and the importance of feedback. Published writers don’t write in a vacuum. Writers must seek and accept feedback to grow.

This doesn’t mean you’re obligated to revise your WIP (work in progress) exactly the way someone else instructs you. As you become a seasoned writer, you’ll discover your voice and learn what advice to discard and what is spot-on.

Feedback can be painful. But look at trees pruned in the fall. They come back even more beautifully shaped in the spring. Critiques are subjective, but good critiques offer constructive criticism that enables growth.

If you’re having trouble finding a critique partner or a group locally to be involved in, American Christian Fiction Writers is a great solution. An important aspect of ACFW is their critique groups. Peruse their website for additional member benefits.

Meanwhile, it’s time to give away another free critique!

I will randomly select one person to receive a critique based on the following rules:

1.      Leave a comment on this post of a few sentences describing your WIP. Feel free to briefly introduce yourself, as well. If you’ve been following Writers’ Corner during the last few months, tell me how (or if) the posts have helped you.

2.      Winning WIP submission must be 2,000 words or less.

3.      Most people reading this blog don’t need to be told this, but I’ll state it anyway. Entries cannot be erotic, vulgar, or blasphemous. For example, please do not give God a last name or slander Him and expect me to critique your work. I reserve the right to reject the entry and reselect based on these rules.

4.      You must agree to have rhino skin. Think “American Idol.” I promise not to be Simon Cowell. I’m more of a Jennifer Lopez when it comes to feedback. (That's where our similarities end-LOL.) I’ll find positive aspects of your writing and give encouragement, but I’ll also point out your errors.

5.      The critique is not exhaustive. Most writers have to ascend the writing ladder one rung at the time. That’s difficult to do if your writing has been ripped apart on all fronts. Better to tackle a few issues and learn. When doing so, you often discover other areas of your writing that need improvement.

Understand that I’m not an expert. I’m not ashamed to say I’m still learning my craft. My feedback is designed to aid your goal of becoming a published writer. However, publication is neither guaranteed nor implied, if you follow my advice.

I look forward to reading about your WIP! Winner will be announced on next week's Writers' Corner post.

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Redundancies

Wow! What a busy week! I’ve been working on a book proposal and preparing for a writer’s conference next weekend. It’s already Thursday and time for another writers’ corner post.

We’ve discussed revising our manuscripts. One way to tighten a manuscript is to rid it of overused or redundant words.

For overused words, simply do a “search” for the particular word on your computer (the F5 function key in MS Word). Either replace the word with a synonym or delete it. Many times, the word isn’t needed when you look at the context of the sentence. When I first started writing, I discovered my Southernisms creeping into my writing. Searching for particular words like “just” helped me to realize “just” how much I used them.

Have you ever noticed how many times in writing and talking that redundant words are used? We all do it.

“It’s déjà vu all over again.” ~ Yogi Berra

Here are a few more common phrases you might read or hear:

They have a new baby. Is there any other kind?

She folded her two hands. Does she have more than two?

The police questioned him because he lived in close proximity to the crime.

The little boy wanted a frozen ice cream treat. As opposed to a non-frozen one?

Oh my, what an unexpected surprise!

Her cheeks were red in color.

It’s been my past experience that gas prices go up in the summer.

One of the basic fundamentals of writing is good grammar usage.

Now, take a look at your WIP, and see if you can spot the redundancies. Leave a comment, if you’d like to share a funny one you discover.

Writers' Corner Launch

Welcome to Writers' Corner. If all goes according to plan, this feature will appear each Thursday, so please plan to return. Maybe even become a follower!

Join me as I share my journey to publication, rejection, and writing tips. Some weeks, I’ll hold a Q&A session where writers of all levels are welcomed to comment and ask questions. Occasionally, I’ll host a guest blogger who’s a colleague in the writing industry.

Whether you’re published, a newbie, or someone plugging along in the middle, everyone needs encouragement to stay the course. That’s the purpose of Writers’ Corner.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Encouragement flows both directions on this blog. I look forward to our journey together in becoming better writers and getting to know everyone.

I’m a published, agented writer who’s still growing and seeking God’s plan in the literary world.  I write fiction and non-fiction, basically whatever God lays on my heart. I encourage you to explore the pages above, my profile on the right, and the archives to learn more about me and my writing.

One of the many lessons I’ve learned since embarking on the journey to publication is—no matter where you are on the path, no one “arrives.” Well, unless you’re Stephen King, Jan Karon, or JK Rowling.

Even so, most published writers are part of a critique group or have a critique partner. If not, their agent or editor serves this function. I assure you the manuscript handed to the agent is not what ends up on a retailer’s shelf.

In order to become published (and I think it’s safe to say that’s the goal of every writer), you cannot write in a vacuum. The mythological hermit tucked away in his cabin churning out bestsellers is just that—a myth. Writers have to seek and accept feedback as crucial to growth.

This doesn’t mean you have to revise your WIP (work in progress) exactly the way someone else instructs you. As you become a seasoned writer, you’ll find your voice and learn what advice to discard and what is spot-on.

Feedback can be painful. But look at trees that are pruned in the fall. They come back even more beautifully shaped in the spring. Critiques are subjective, but good critiques offer constructive criticism that enables growth. I’ve been fortunate to have some fantastic writers and editors in my journey give me sound advice and feedback.

Last year, I joined the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) large critique group. From there, I moved to a smaller group of published and/or agented writers. Both groups have been vital in crafting my fiction manuscript and pushing me to the next level.

So this leads me to the first giveaway of Writers’ Corner. You guessed it! A free critique.

I will randomly select one person to receive a free critique based on the following rules:

1.   Leave a comment on this post of a few sentences describing your WIP. Feel free to briefly introduce yourself, as well.

2.   Winning WIP submission must be 2,000 words or less.

3.   I feel certain most people reading this blog don’t have to be told this, but I’ll state it anyway. Entries cannot be erotic, vulgar, or blasphemous. For example, please do not give God a last name or slander Him and expect me to critique your work. I reserve the right to reject the entry and reselect based on these rules.

4.   You must agree to have rhino skin. Think “American Idol.” I promise not to be Simon Cowell. I’m more of a Paula. I will find the good and give you encouragement, but I will also point out your errors.

5.   The critique is not exhaustive. Most writers have to ascend the writing ladder one rung at the time. That’s hard to do if your writing has been ripped apart on all fronts. Better to tackle a few issues and learn. When doing so, you often discover other areas of your writing that need improvement.

6.   Understand that I’m not an expert. I’m not ashamed to say I’m still learning my craft. My feedback is designed to aid in your goal of becoming a published writer. However, there is no implication of publication hinted at or guaranteed, if you follow my advice.

Okay, now that we’re all on the same page, get to commenting! I will announce the winner next Thursday.