writingforyourlife

“Hard writing makes easy reading” —Wallace Stenger

Exactly how important are editing and proofreading to a story?

Let me tell you about one of the first short stories I ever submitted to a magazine.  I had a fabulous idea, which I thought was very Woody-Allen-esque.  It was a brilliant set-up and clever in its dialogue.  I read it, re-read it and re-read it again.  Then I got up the courage to let my husband read it.  He thought it was great too (or he just didn’t want to tell me it was otherwise…)

Anyway, I finally sent it off to a short-story magazine absolutely sure that it was going to be accepted.  I mean, why wouldn’t it be?  It’s fun!  It’s witty!  It’s engaging!  What more could an editor be looking for?

So, imagine my disappointment when it was immediately returned to me, covered with red marks.  I think the editor had only read the first few pages, because that’s when the marks stopped, with a very decided “TOO WORDY!” scrawled at the bottom.

I was heartbroken.

And of course, I spent the next week going over my story and wondering what on earth the editor was talking about.  But after I had some time to cool off and I could look at the manuscript objectively, I recognized just how many words I was including in my sentences that simply did not need to be there.

Now, don’t sit there thinking, “Oh, I know your kind.  You’re one of those ultra-verbose writers who tries to fancy-up their work with extra adjectives.”  That’s wasn’t the problem.  The problem was I wasn’t being concise enough.

Although I was upset at having my story rejected, I was actually quite fortunate to receive the comments on my manuscript at all.  Other things I’ve submitted have come back with no feedback whatsoever.  In the end, I’m grateful for any constructive criticism I can get from a professional.

So, if you ever receive one of your pieces covered in red marks, pay attention to what the editor is saying.  Just remember, they’ve done you a favour.

 What’s the best constructive criticism you’ve ever gotten?

Lately, I’ve become more and more certain that my most creative times happen first thing in the morning.

As soon as my cup of steaming hot coffee is poured and my laptop is fired up, I can write for a couple of hours without hitting the wall (that is, without having to start organizing breakfasts and ironing shirts and making lunches…).  The house is absolutely silent, pale light streaming through window illuminating my writing place, the computer fans ever-so-gently warming my legs…. and now burning them… But oh, it’s a great time to write.

I’ve had a few evenings alone at home recently, and I was so looking forward to the peace and quiet I needed to write.  Funny thing was, I felt completely uninspired.  I started to think I would never finish this novel.  I don’t think I wrote more than a handful of words.

But this morning, here I am again, fresh and ready with a mindful of ideas bursting to be typed.

So, I’m ready to accept it.  I’m officially a morning person (only with writing—don’t expect any pancake breakfasts).

What time of day do you feel most inspired to write?

My last post covered what’s been happening with National Novel Writing Month over at the NaNoWriMo website.  Writing 50 000 words in a month sounds like the ultimate challenge for any writer.

“Pffff!” you might scoff.  “Any sissy could do that.  In fact, I bet I can write a novel in 3 days.”

For all you ultra-confident writers (of which I am not one), you can prove yourself by doing just that.  The 3-Day Novel Contest (www.3daynovel.com) offers writers the chance to tear their hair out for three days in order to produce some semblance of a novel.  Each year, they publish the best entry they get.

Here’s the breakdown:

Hmmm, it could be a toss up:  risk free writing frenzy over a month with intellectual benefits, or ultra-frenzied, high-stakes frenzy over 3 days with possible publishing?

If you’re thinking about the 3-Day Novel contest, you have some time to make up your mind.  The contest doesn’t run again until September 2009.

I suppose, since they run at different times of the year, one could always attempt both contests…

Anyone here up for the challenge?

After another blogger was kind enough to refer me to the NaNoWriMo website recently, I decided to check it out.  Last night, I looked through all the rules, regulations and FAQ’s.

For anyone who doesn’t know what it’s all about, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is basically a “contest” you can join that encourages you to write a 50 000 word novel in one calendar month.   You are permitted to have an outline and plot notes ready before the start of the contest, but you are discouraged from using a piece that’s already started.

At the end of the month, you upload your 50 000 words to their word counter.  If you meet the minimum word count, you are a winner.  There are no prizes, but I think you get an e-certificate to link to your blog.  There is no entry fee.  Basically, it all comes down to self-motivation and the enjoyment of putting yourself through torture purely for your love of writing.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

To be honest, I’ve been tossing the idea around in my head.  I’d like to try it, but there are very good reasons on the website for why you shouldn’t use something that’s already in progress.  If I were to take my current project and try to expand another 40 000 words on it in 30 days, it would either come out being absolute crud, or it just wouldn’t happen.  They suggest you also care too much about what you’ve already written to throw caution to the wind and just write like mad.  Probably very good points.

And the thought of abandoning my current piece for a month and writing something totally different—Well, I haven’t totally made up my mind yet.  I’ll probably give it a try.  There’s nothing to lose, I suppose.

In any case, if you haven’t already, check out the NaNoWriMo website and see for yourself.  They have a long list of people who have had their novels published after taking part.

If you’re someone who is taking part in this insanity, please leave a message!

There’s nothing to writing.  All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein. 

~Walter Wellesley “Red” Smith

Since starting my novel, I’ve struggled to be consistent with my narrative.  I find myself naturally drawn toward using present tense in some scenes, and half of the time I don’t even notice I’m doing it.

Present tense narrative has gained popularity in recent years.  It seems like an easy way to make one’s writing sound edgy or contemporary.  “The wind shakes loose a hail of burnt-orange maple leaves, and  I bend to lift one from the grassy boulevard,”  as opposed to “The wind shook loose a hail of burn-orange maple leaves, and I bent to lift one from the grassy boulevard.” 

However, I think present tense narrative can sometimes be used as a method of trying to make one’s writing sound more literary than it really is.   Perhaps I have been guilty of this in the past, which is why I find myself unhappy in my tendency to drift toward it.

In truth, I think most people are more comfortable reading novels written using the past tense.   It’s what we know.  It’s what we’re used to.  And it’s still the most popular for a reason.

I started my project in the past tense, drifted to the present tense, and now have forced myself back into the past tense.  I think, in the end, the past tense is the right choice for my novel.  This is not to say that present tense narrative has no place in any story, because I believe it does.

I’d be interested to know if other writers struggle with the present tense/past tense issue.  Please let me know your thoughts, and any insights you’ve gained in your own writing.