Something NOT To Do.

Sara: Oh crap! I'm FINALLY finished with this round of edits, but now my MS formatting is weird because I used two different programs while writing it. Half of my stupid em dashes reverted to regular old dashes.

*ponders*

Sara: Duh! I'll just do a replace all and change the dashes back to em dashes! 

*replaces all dashes with em dashes*

Sara: Problem SOLVED! Man, I amaze myself with how smart I am sometimes...

*sends MS to CPs*

You may be wondering why NOT to do what I did (though if you're less blonde than I am, you already know). Well, it's because there are these things called hyphenated words. So when a fabulous CP goes through your draft, they get to see LOTS of words like high—pitched, instead of high-pitched. Like self—conscious, instead of self-conscious; star—crossed, instead of star-crossed; hip—hop, instead of hip-hop.

Yeah, I definitely did that before sending my last draft to Alexandra and Carol. Now that I've finished going through their notes, I'm surprised they're still even speaking with me.

*begs forgiveness*

In other news, I finished this round of revisions and *think* I only have one (and possibly a half) more before I'm ready to skydive from that great query plane in the sky...

*dies of nervousness*

PS. Image, and more information about dashes & em dashes found here.

♥ Sara

Crit Partners Make the World Go Round

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If you don't have a crit partner or group--GET ONE.

Not to sound bossy or anything... but please (pretty please with a cherry on top) take my advice today!

Don't know how to find one? Well, if you're reading this--you're already off to a good start, because actively particpating in the writing blogosphere is exactly what opened the door for me. And get on twitter if you're not already.  Connect with other writers who are looking for the same thing. There are lots out there!

Don't rush into it. Take the time to get to know people. Because believe you me (says one vain insecure writer to the next) constructive criticism can be really hard to take. But when it comes from people you trust it's invaluable.

Here's a GREAT link for people looking for Crit Partners! CRIT PARTNER WANT ADS (Thanks to Calista!)

Here, in a nutshell, is how I look at it:

Good CPs will tell you honestly when a dress makes you look fat...
Then they'll introduce you to the fabulous world of spanx.

In case you couldn't tell, I received feedback from two of my CPs (and a beta as well). Their comments were insighful and honest. And wonderful. SHATTERED will be leaps and bounds better thanks to their input.

Lata gatas... I'm off start my next round of revisions!

♥ me

Giving Feedback

In yesterday's post, I mentioned how nervous I get about giving feedback to other writers' work. And in my comments section, I found an absolute piece of gold. I didn't want anyone else to miss it! Because it really is good advice.

Even better - the advice is from an award winning author. So you KNOW she knows what she's talking about!  (And now she knows we know she knows... Friends, anyone?)

Thanks so much to LK Gardner-Griffie, author of the Misfit McCabe series. Her website can be found here. And if you're in revision stages - I highly suggest you check out her editing tips found in her Young Writers Series.

Here is what LK commented on the matter:

...When I hand over my work to be critiqued that's exactly what I want - someone to tell me where I've gone wrong - even if it is the smallest detail. You don't want to be mean, but unless you provide an honest, frank assessment you are not doing the author any favors. Even if you absolutely loved the work & it did its job, there is always something you can comment on to help the author improve either the work in question or future works. In reading my own stuff - even after being "done" I always find things that need to be changed.

When providing feedback, you are one voice, one opinion that provides YOUR perspective. The author then chooses whether to act on your feedback or not. I have received contradictory feedback from different people, and then decide which feedback best applies to my work. Any feedback is good - even when negative - or maybe I should say - especially when negative.

I started off with a writing teacher who didn't believe in sugar coating, & I learned that lesson well. My husband frequently refers to me as Mrs. Simon Cowell (now aren't you all clamoring to have ME read your WIP's? he he)

See? Brilliant, right? I mean - it's something we all probably knew, but to see it in writing makes it really sink in! So for those of you who have asked me to look at your work - I promise to try not to be so nervous after hitting send on the docs back to ya!

Thanks for your words LK! Now they'll help more than just me :-)



♥ me