Tuesday, January 19, 2010

EEEKS! My work out in public, sort of...

Steph Bowe did it. She coaxed me out of the dark corner I've been hiding in...

I have been working on my novel for a while. Quite a while. Like, this is probably year 4, or maybe 5 depending on when you started counting. Now, I know we're supposed to write that first novel and then throw it in a drawer and write something else to submit to publishers and agents, but I just like this story too well to diss it like that. I'll finish polishing it up this year, and then I'll start querying again, and we'll see what happens.
As far as the length of time it has taken me, well, the whole first 3 years of that time I really don't count, except for the part where I won a fellowship, because that part was awesome :-)
I was just such a newbie to the craft of writing in those early days. I've always written, of course, but this time it had to be good enough for others to read, and that meant 3 years of writing, and learning, and writing some more.
No information dumps, get rid of your adverbs and passive voices, don't get too flowery with adjectives or dialogue tags, keep your eyes on the end of the story and move your MC toward it in every scene, get rid of too-familiar tropes, show don't tell, simplify.
Three hard years of making all these mistakes and more, and then revising each time I realized that one of these things was bogging down my story... and finally this year, though I have much more to learn, and always will, I feel like I am finally proud of my story! Even if it never sees the light of day, or if I have to revise it a few more times, I'm still proud of it.

Which leads me to explain the title of my post. For the first time, I'm happy enough with my story that I've actually posted the first few paragraphs of it where people can see it and critique it. I'm really excited to hear people's feedback! Eventually I will post a bit of it here as well, but right now you can read it on Steph Bowe's blog, where she's put up a 250-word "share what you're writing" post. She's making comments on everyone's pieces, and encouraging others to give feedback as well. So go, post a piece of your own, and if you want, tell me what you think of mine too!

PS, My piece is posted in two comments, one below the other, because it wouldn't all fit in one. Thanks to Valerie for pointing out that this could be confusing :-)

11 comments:

Elana Johnson said...

I think that's something a lot of aspiring authors forget about: the fact that THE CRAFT takes time to learn just like anything else. Great reminder. :)

Valerie Geary said...

Yeah yeah yeah!! I'll head over there this afternoon!! Also Elana's comment is spot on... I get so impatient sometimes and I have to stop myself and say: you're practicing, you're improving, you're progressing... what more can there be? Margaret Atwood's genius didn't happen over night... or did it???? Ack!!! Okay... I'm on my way to Steph's page.

Southpaw said...

Oo, I'm going over there right now.

Aubrie said...

Okay, I read the first two paragraphs and it really caught my attention! I like the wording and the mystery you set up about what that Madame lady does down in the cellar.

ann foxlee said...

Thanks Aubrie! And thanks Valerie and Southpaw for your comments too!

I'm getting to the point where I just want to be done with editing so I can start queying it and see what the agents think...

Must.Be.Patient!

Must.Not.Rush.The.Process!
argh...lol!

Stephanie Thornton said...

I'll head on over! You should post it here on your blog too.

And you're so right- everyone has to learn the craft and you can't do it overnight. Writing a novel is like building Rome- you can't do it in a day.

ann foxlee said...

I keep consoling myself with the fact that the NEXT novel I write will go a bit easier!

I'm sure I'll find a whole new set of challenges, but at least I'll have the basics under my belt :-)

Catherine Denton said...

Great premise! (on your story) I'm sympathetic to Ren already. Thanks for sharing with us in spite of your fear.
Winged Writer

yokohamamama said...

I don't think I've read the revised-re-revised first chapter, so I'll go read a bit at Steph's blog. And then be frustrated...(so...what comes *next*?!). Did you leave in the best sentence? The one mom likes, too? It had adjectives in it, but they were good adjectives. (hey--I almost said your real name, oops--who took that photo of you? It's really cute!) love, ao

ann foxlee said...

Hee hee, sadly that sentence (I know which one) is out at the moment, but it is saved for a spot later on, because I HAVE to use it!
I'll send you all the re-re-re-re-revised stuff tonight when I get home, although since I'm still editing, there will be some weird breaks or sentences cut off here and there that didn't finish getting tweaked :-)

And yup! closet physics junkie here(raises hand) I shoulda known you would be too-- we're pretty identical...can twins be born 3 years apart? :-)

yokohamamama said...

It's so weird how we start talking and suddenly realize we've been reading/thinking about the same things...

If you don't have Jennifer Hecht's "Doubt--A History", run don't walk. You'll LOVE it--it's one of the most interesting books I've read in I don't know when. How many history books would you describe as "a page-turner, stayed up all night reading it" ?
love. a.