Feedback…Ready Your Mind and Heart

Tags

comments, critiques, feedback, self doubt, thoughts, writing

Feedback. So necessary. And sometimes completely heart-breaking.

Comments for my MG are coming in.

We all know how to react, what to do. Read it. Step back. Let it all sink in. Calmly. Let your creative brain sort through the comments and figure out what helps the manuscript and what doesn’t. Logically look at what you’ve written and prepare to delete and add and change all the things.

And we know what really happens when you first read comments…

Before you can let them sit, before you can step back, before you put the wall around your heart.

Because WHAT AM I DOING WRITING A BOOK NO ONE LIKED IT AND THE WORDS DIDN’T DO WHAT I WANTED AND I AM FAILING I CAN’T POSSIBLE QUERY THIS IT IS AWFUL

Yeah, that.

I live there now.

For a minute…or two.

One person sent me feedback and I am a mess. And I know better.

I DO KNOW BETTER

Self-doubt is weighing me down at the moment. Writer-me is struggling. So many decisions. So many words. So many questions. Things I should do…am thinking of doing…choices I face.

I remember a time when my writing was moving forward…then it stopped, standing still, motionless…now I feel as if I am moving backwards, being swept away.

I struggle against the current. A force we all fight sometimes.

But we need feedback. We need to know how others react to what we do. Every time, we open the door for doubt, we unlock the fear of failure…possibly right after we got that sucker chained down.

But we don’t stop writing. We can’t. It’s who we are. It’s what we do.

Now I prepare to really think about this manuscript. Think about what I want it to be. Fix what didn’t work. Hopefully make it into what it is meant to be…because of the kindness of others who read it.

Beginnings AKA the Evil Spawn of Hell

Tags

beginnings, critiques, drafting, I hate beginnings, revisions, thoughts, writing

I am drafting. I like to write a first draft without going back to revise anything until the whole thing is on the screen. Get the story out kinda deal.

Well, it was my turn in my online writers group…The Walrus Writers, yes the name means something, but if I tell you I’ll have to kill you. So…yeah.

Anyway, I decided to send them my first chapter…and I did a bit of revising, because PANIC OMG I CAN’T SEND THEM THIS! happened in my head.

But really, there was nothing I could do to make it fabulous…it’s THE BEGINNING. Maybe I started it in the wrong place…maybe I left out some important information *cough*character’s age*cough*…maybe I should have added a couple scenes. I DON’T KNOW! But everyone’s comments made me think about all of that and more.

But I am drafting. So no going back right now. I’m going to let my creative brain sit on all the thoughts and maybe when I go back, I’ll have an idea.

Maybe.

But let’s be honest. Beginnings are the spawn of the Devil. They are evil. I hate them. I think I know where the story starts, then I QUESTION EVERY THING! I think I know my main character, then they change as I write the story.

So evil beginning, we will meet again. After I finish the draft. After I think on what I learned from the story. After I let all the thoughts marinate in my brain.

Will I ever start the story in the right place? IS THERE EVEN A RIGHT PLACE?

Will I ever get all the information I need into a beginning on the first try?

Will I ever not hate beginnings?

Nope to all the questions.

Nope.

Nope.

Nope.

Because that’s how the writing process goes. The manuscript grows and changes. It evolves. Then I can go back and make the beginning better, so it can set up the story the best way possible.

Maybe after one…or 75684948595 rewrites. Who knows?

I’m not going to fight it. I’m not going to sweat it. That’s how it is.

Beginnings will always be evil.

#SonofaPitch…Something Awesome this Way Comes

Tags

#sonofapitch, #TeamRarity, critiques, reading, Son of a Pitch, thoughts, writing

This week, round one of Son of a Pitch, writers are helping each other by giving thoughts and a bit of love to their fellow wordsmiths in preparation for round two!

But today I want to prepare everyone for what will take place here, on my blog next week. It shall be epic. Round two. *cleans blog until it’s shiny shiny*

On Friday those interested in feedback for their queries and first page of their ms will submit their entries, all info is on Katie’s blog. On Monday, the first 50 lucky people to enter will have their words posted on one of five blogs and will get feedback from those of us honored souls who get to read and share our thoughts.

The theme is My Little Pony. Now as previous #TeamMaleficent and #TeamDarkSide…this is a little different for me, but who doesn’t love My Little Ponies. I had some as a kid.

I still have some. SOOOO…

Announcing #TeamRarity! You wanna join my team. You do.

 

She’s a little bit of a drama queen and all about fashion, so not really like me at all, but a super funny unicorn.

(Yeah, Rarity…but a little fighting is good. Like demons and stuff.)

Gorgeous white with a purple mane and tail, this is the perfect unicorn kid-me dreamed of meeting.

Still dream of meeting.

Next week…ten posts will go up, each one celebrating an entry and having my critique. Please DO NOT comment unless you are one of the participating Son of a Pitch critiquers or the author. I will do my best to monitor…I’ll be watching. So play nice, kids.

Disclaimer…I do not know everything. I will never know everything. My comments are my opinions only and can be disregarded. If it doesn’t work for the manuscript, don’t worry about it.

I will be honest.

I will give reactions, some of which might seem a bit odd, but just go with it. Kathy’s brain does silly things sometimes. But I do believe that getting initial reactions from readers is important, so we know how our words are/can be interpreted.

I love love love to comment. Everything and anything that pops into my head usually gets written down. It makes for great fun. Trust me.

If you want to rewrite and repost any revisions in the comments of your entry…DO IT! I will get to those too.

I will read through all of the entries.

At the end of the week, I will vote for my favorites. The voting will be done in the comments, so everyone will know. Voting is subjective. NEVER FORGET THIS. My brain will be drawn to what it is drawn to and has nothing to do with the words being “good” or not. I will have to pass over many fabulous things and choose.

 

I bit about me.

I love…

Horror. Love creepy! Love dark! Love weird! The right word choices can set a great tone and mood.

 

Fantasy. World building. World building. World building. Give me all the worlds!

 

Magical realism. Bring the incredible to reality. Oh yeah.

 

YA. Teenagers are my favorite.

 

 

Please find me on Twitter! If you are on #TeamRarity or not. Follow all the crazy fun on #SonofaPitch and #TeamRarity. I love to make new writer friends!

There it is. Son of a Pitch is so close now! I am taking the next few days to get my life in order and mentally prepare for the reading, for the insanity, for the FUN! See you soon!

 

 

 

 

 

#SonofaPitch…Thoughts and My Votes

Tags

Believing, critiques, fantasy, feedback, horror, Inclusion, Son of a Pitch, thoughts, Twitter, writing

As the second round of Son of a Pitch wraps up, I sit here smiling…tired and my mind a bit frazzled, but very happy.

I read 51 entries, which included a query and the first 250 words of the manuscript. I hosted eleven of them on this little blog! It was an honor. I read some once, others…after revisions were posted…twice, and some more than that. I gave all my opinions. I squeed at some of the words. I smiled at others. I gasped. I laughed. I sighed. From horror, to fantasy, to sci-fi, to romance, to women’s fiction, to literary…YA, NA, and adult…everyone brought something different to this event. Everyone came to learn. Everyone united to help.

Son of a Pitch is my favorite writing competition. Everyone gets feedback. Everyone participates. Everyone is involved. #sonofapitch has been my favorite hangout these last few days.

I am so proud of how hard the critiquers worked! I am so proud of how hard the participants worked to listen, to absorb, and then took the comments and revised! Seriously, some of these queries went from confusing or vague to clear, concise, and unforgettable. How many first 250 passages went from pretty good to HOLY WOW GIVE ME MORE PAGES NOW!

Today is the day we, the critiquer/judges vote. I will post my vote in the comments of my chosen five. Yes, five. And I get to pick two alternates, which will remain secret for tie breaking purposes. I am going to post my winners and links to them here. In a second…

For as I write this I still haven’t quite decided. This isn’t a whose query is better, who used the best words kinda thing. There’s no formula. This is all subjective. And I, being me, am drawn to certain things. The weird. The magical. The creepy. So even though plenty of words were pretty darn shiny, though so many queries made me want to read the manuscript, I will choose what I am drawn to. Everyone will. That’s how art works, an untamable beast.

Okay…I might have figured this out. Let’s not be shocked that my chosen are YA in the horror, suspense, and fantasy genres.

In no specific order…

From #TeamDarkSide…

ASHES, ASHES… Go read it here.

I chose this one, because I COULD NOT STOP THINKING OF IT. The premise just stuck in my head. The first 250 had me…AH, PEOPLE, THE WORDS. The revised query…really good! Chills. Baby. Chills.

 

From #TeamDarkSide…

LUCID… Go read it here.

Yes, another one from my team…I might be prejudice, so shoot me. But again, the premise! The query might still need help, but it’ll get done. The first 250 had me. I was so sad when I came to the end. The character Marlowe is super intriguing. She could be one of my favorite evil characters!

 

From #TeamRebels…

THE BOOKSHOP… Go read it here.

Dude. I am a sucker for a unique fantasy. And if you know me and what I have written, a sucker for ways into other universes. Again, the concept made me bounce in my little chair…or large sofa. The first 250 was intriguing and mysterious. I want the whole story.

 

From #TeamDarkSide…

NEFFERS… Go read it here.

Really, Kathy. ANOTHER from your blog? YESSIREE! I like horror. The idea of these Neffers, made my creepy, dark soul shiver. After the first line of the query…I WAS READY TO GO! The query has evolved, and is much clearer. The first 250 had so much weird! How could I not love this.

 

From #TeamRebels…

SILVER AND ICE… Go read it here.

The query was good when I read it, but the author has improved it. The idea of silvertongues…those who can control minds with their voices…YES PLEASE. The first 250 set up the mc, promised me a cool world and HELLO QUEEN WHO IS SO COLD ICE CRYSTALS FORM ON THE FLOOR. Dude.

I went back and forth on quite a few. Reread many queries and first words. But had to go with the ones that had left the biggest impression on me. Now we wait to see who makes it into round three and will get their chance in front of the publishers participating. *bites fingernails*

Just because the entry isn’t in my top five, doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. I liked a lot of them. We have done a lot of work over the past few days. Everyone should feel proud. I am proud.

It has been an honor to be involved, thanks to Katie for inviting me! I hope all my new friends keep in touch and tell me how all the words are going.

That is the end of my crazy Son of a Pitch week…or few days…or whatever. I have no idea what day it is. I had a great time.

 

#SonofaPitch…Welcome to #TeamDarkSide

Tags

#sonofapitch, #teamDarkSide, critiques, Darth Maul, Darth Sidious, Darth Vader, fun, Kylo Ren, Star Wars, thoughts, writers uniting, writing contests

Son of a Pitch has begun. This week the peer critiques are happening. Those participating have linked their blogs with their query and first 250 words to our fearless leader and creator of Son of a Pitch Katie’s blog here.

Read about the contest here. Read about the authors critiquing in the next round here. Read about the publishers jumping in for the final round here.

And yes, I am one of the lucky authors who gets to read and critique all (or as many as I can) the queries and first 250s then vote on my favorites. As well as being a critiquer, I am a host! On Monday I will post ten entries. Please do not comment unless you are a critiquing author! But feel free to read! Find the author on Twitter, tell them good luck! Follow #sonofapitch on Twitter for all the fun.

The theme for this event is Star Wars…I might have suggested that…maybe.

So I am choosing to be #TeamDarkSide.

And no one is shocked, I see. If you know me, you know I like dark.

I like creepy.

I like scary.

I like evil.

Give me a great villain and I’ll follow you anywhere. The most powerful emotions come from our fears and uncertainties. The darkness will show you the light. The white is brighter because of the black. Staring into the shadows, wondering what lurks in their depths, is pure joy. What good are fears, if we can’t face them? Words can bring all this to life, infuse us with power.

So hopefully there will be plenty of fantasy, dark fantasy, and horror entries to grace the screen of my little blog.

Give me the dark words!

I write YA fantasy and horror. I am a YA type of girl, though I will read adult and a good MG is always welcome. I am a fantasy and horror girl, hold the kissing, please…but I read all sorts of things and realize that kissing is hard to avoid.

I am an honest critiquer, pointing out what doesn’t work for me as well as what does work. And remember, my comments are my opinions. That’s it. Opinions. Things to digest. If what I say sparks some grand idea, GREAT! Run with what your creative brain tells you. If my comment makes you shrug…move on and forget it. For in the end, this is YOUR story. Go with your gut. Follow your heart…all those cliches.

What I look for…well, that’s hard to define. I want the characters and setting to come to life. I want to melt into the words and never come out. I want the world and characters to invade my brain.

Voting? Well, when it comes to that, I will mostly choose based on the first 250, on what taste those opening words leave on my mind. Let’s be honest, queries are weird.

Good luck to all participating. And welcome to the fun. Critiques for everyone and new friends will be made.

If you’re lucky you’ll get to be on #TeamDarkSide and I’ll see you all next week! Can’t wait to read all the words! When writer’s unite magic happens.

#Magicday… Writers Uniting in #sonofapitch

Tags

#sonofapitch, critiques, helping, magic, Magicday, writer events, writing

When writers come together it’s amazing! We support each other. We help each other in so many ways, like cheering on a friend who has a deadline and so many words left to write. *cough*GORENAAAAAAAA*cough* Get the words written and I’ll send you my little story to read and Theo gifs.

Theo believes in YOU!

And moving on…

Another way to help is through feedback, commenting in such a way that those words can spark all the ideas of what might be missing to make the story the best it can be.

I have had the honor of reading and commenting on so many words. It is one of my favorite things to do.

So I am helping in the #sonofapitch event! Again! You might remember this writing extravaganza from last summer when I had eleven entries on my blog that was drenched in Maleficent gifs. I had a great time!

#sonofapitch returns in February! All the details can be found here on Katie Teller’s (the creator of the event) blog. So if you have a ms, consider submitting!

This year’s theme is Star Wars. I might have suggested it, no idea why…I didn’t go see the new movie or anything. *cough*YESIDIDITWASWONDERFUL*cough* Can’t wait to pick all the gifs for my blog! You know I will chose the dark side. Mwahahahaha!

So many authors have offered to help. So many people to read and comment. We’re going to have a great time.

Stay tuned for the fun to begin next month! I will read so many queries and first pages, my mind will explode from the awesomeness.

Magic will happen. MAGIC.

#SonofaPitch…A Great Experience!

Tags

critiques, Son of a Pitch, subjective, thoughts, voting, writing

Last spring I was invited to help with a writing contest to be held in the fall, the main focus being getting feedback. I said “Sure!” really having no idea what I was getting into. But I tend to do that, jump in and figure out all the details later.

I am so glad I said yes!

The fabulous Elsie Elmore did a wrap up post…what a great idea! So I’m stealing it.

And #TeamMaleficent appeared wrapped in magical green flames!

Son of a Pitch has been a wonderful experience! I read and critiqued all 52 (I think there are 52) entries, which took me three days of pretty much constant reading, and thinking, and trying to word my thoughts so they would be helpful. Or I just added my reactions, because it’s fun to know what people think as they read your words. I apologize if my comments went a bit awry…I got tired and possibly ate too much chocolate…

So many entries. So many queries and first pages. So many unique ideas. So many well written pages. Dialogue, setting, description, character development, and those few bits of detail that MAKE ME WANT TO KEEP READING…it’s all important.

As writers, we love to come together to help fellow authors find what their words lack. To find the phrases that don’t make sense, the places where a little extra detail could amp up the tension.

I did my best. I made new writer friends. I think! I hope! And my wish is that they stay my friends, that they let me know how their publishing journeys are going, so I can share in all the joy and cheer them on during the frustration.

Well, I voted for five…who will hopefully continue to the final round. Voting was difficult. I looked at the writing–the entries were loaded with good writing! I looked at the query to see how the story was set up. Let me tell you how many well written, interesting stories I didn’t vote for because, well, I went with the age and genre I know. I’m a YA girl…I’m a fantasy/horror girl. So that’s where my votes went. How subjective is that? Incredibly subjective…as is the publishing world.

And I set my votes in the comments for everyone to see. If I seemed interested in your story from my comments, I WAS AND STILL AM! If I didn’t vote for yours, it DOESN’T mean yours isn’t good. I struggled to get my list down to five and to do it ended up eeny, meeny, miny, moe-ing…AS HORRIFYING AS THAT WAS THAT’S WHAT I HAD TO DO.

I’m not sure how the final round goes…like I said, I’m flying by the seat of my pants here. But the final round happens next week!

I certainly hope all the authors participating found something useful out of the experience. Remember…this is one step on a long journey.

Find your power. Find your dark magical strength and never give up.

 

#SonofaPitch…My Host Post #TeamMaleficent

Tags

critiques, Maleficent, Son of a Pitch, Twitter writing contests, writing

Once upon a time…

In a far away palace of shadows and magic, an author waits…

For words.

To read.

To critique.

I’ll set aside my cauldron, put down my wand, and read the words…pass on what little wisdom I have gathered, and, with a comment or reaction, spark ideas that could help writers make their words better.

With my magic. Dark magic.

Words are fabulous. Writers twist and weave them together, creating art…characters, stories, and emotions. True magic. I am honored to be a part of this community.

So a bit about me…

I’ve been writing for twelve years. I’m a revision nut…like OH MY GOODNESS IT’S NOT PERFECT I MUST REVISE AGAIN!

Procrastination is my super power. I’m not proud, but there it is.

My first story was published back in 2008, and a few other stories have appeared here and there since then. You can see a list here.

My debut YA fantasy DOORS has been signed with Reuts Publishing, and I am waiting for my turn for edits. No release date…YET!

I’m drawn to anything creepy, magical, or weird.

I love to read fantasy…the darker the better. Take me somewhere fantastical! Set my imagination soaring!

Or show me what exists in the deepest, darkest recesses of the human (or not so human) mind.

Horror is my favorite! 

A bit of magical realism always makes me grin.

So I would, of course, love #TeamMaleficent to reflect my need for scary and weird. So be on my team! Feel the power!

I am new to Katie Teller’s Son of a Pitch event, but am happy to join in the fun. So many writing contests, but this one focuses on feedback…from other writers, unpublished and published. Feedback is the most important thing. Though it can be overwhelming, focus on the comments that make sense, that send your creative mind sailing, and ignore the rest. And always remember… it’s your story…YOUR WORDS!

Go read about the contest here.

Go read about all the blog hosts and authors who will be critiquing here.

Come September I will post queries and the first page of Son of a Pitch manuscripts!

We shall be #TeamMaleficent! All eyes will be on us.

 

 

That Time I Left my Rut and Lived

Tags

critiques, first drafts, thoughts, trying new things, writing

I am a creature of habit.

My rut is well worn.

I don’t like to leave my happy, well-known places. Dude, it’s scary out there.

BUT…

Life required me to deviate from my master plan of never changing. There wasn’t much of a choice. And I did it with little anxiety… color me shocked!

And, it was okay, well, actually it might be my new happy place.

In my eleven years of writing, I NEVER let anyone see a first draft. Never. The thought made my eye-balls bleed and my body go into convulsions. No one should see that terrible first draft, the vomit draft… you don’t want to show people the vomit. Truly.

So, I would draft, then revise about three hundred times, THEN let people read it. This has worked for me.

Well, here I am writing a first draft. Slowly. But writing it. And my turn for critique group pops up. But…

Ummm… I don’t have anything.

Haven’t you started that sequel you’ve been world-building and planning?

Yes…

Send us that!

Ooooo…kay. BUT IT’S TERRIBLE AND A FIRST DRAFT AND I NEVER LET PEOPLE SEE THOSE!

Oh, Kathy.

Anyway, that horrible first draft has now been critiqued by two different groups. And WHY DIDN’T I DO THIS SOONER? All those years I spent revising in my little bubble, digging a deeper and deeper hole stuck in all my thoughts about the manuscript. Then when finally I get feedback, I don’t know what to do, because I am staring at this thing I don’t know how to change.

When I get feedback for a book I am in the middle of drafting, I can make notes, and keep writing, using all the light bulb moments that came from comments to make the following chapters better.

Forget all the terrible sentence structures. Forget the way I repeated a word five hundred times. Forget the passive voice. I can fix that a heck of a lot easier than reworking the plot. Critiques are less painful when I am not so invested in the words. It’s a first draft… WHO CARES!!! Seriously, I was less jittery and sweaty.

So I am a changed person. This ms will be critiqued as a first draft, as I write the thing.

And it will be great.

I think.

Maybe.

SMAWESOMENESS! #nestpitch

Tags

#nestpitch, #TeamEggsellent, critiques, Twitter writing contests, writing

#NestPitch is coming!

Yes, another Twitter pitch contest. Another chance to get eyes on your words, possibly the eyes of agents. I have said that I never had good luck with these contests, but many have. So this year, I’m going to come at this adventure at a different angle.

I am going to be a slushie! When they asked, I couldn’t say no. Sounds like fun. A chance to help writers, to be a part of something that could very well launch a new book, bring a new face into the crowd.

And I get to read all the words. That’s my favorite.

I’ll give a quick run-through, but for the full list of rules and the list of all the teams PLEASE visit our fearless leader Nik Vukoja’s site here.

April 1^st (submission date).

The submission consists of:

1. 35-word pitch

2. Answer to this question: If your MC was an Easter Egg, what flavour would s/he be? (no more than 15 words please)

3. 1^st 300-words of your manuscript*

*1^st 300 = if you have a prologue, then your 1^st 300 starts from your prologue.

Finish at the end of a sentence. This is 300-word MAX, so your last word is 300-words. If your sentence finishes on 292-words, submit that. If your sentences run into 30 or more words, then rethink the length of your sentence(s). Broken sentences do no one any favours.

So, the first page… Hmmm… You judge a ms on the first 300 words?

I don’t think it’s completely possible.

So what do I look for in a first page?

Character.

I can leave that page knowing whether I want to get to know the main character, to go on whatever journey they are about to take.

I will get a sense of the writing. Is the page full of passive voice? Filter words? Are there little brush strokes of details that bring the opening to life? Or am I confused?

I’m not going to get the big question… what the book is about. That’s a chapter one, not page one, thing. I don’t necessarily want a wham bang opening action scene, unless in that scene you give me character, voice.

I would LOVE to give EVERYONE feedback, but having never done this before, I am not sure how possible that will be.

My critiques are honest and meant to be helpful. I do not want anyone to finish reading a crit and feel terrible. I want them to feel inspired. I want their minds to spin with ideas on how to make their words the best they can be. Critiquing is one of my favorite things to do as a writing and I would do it all the time, except I would never get my own words written and have been told that is unacceptable.

Do you have a finished manuscript? Has it been through the hands of your critique partners and you think it’s ready? Then enter. If you’re thinking of entering, just do it. You may get nothing and that’s okay, because you can still query all those agents on your list. (Seriously, my ms Doors never got into Twitter contests, got no feedback and months later I signed with Reuts Publishing, so… yeah.) And you might get to work WITH ME AND MY FABULOUS TEAM AND WE WILL HAPPY DANCE INTO ETERNITY!

And you can make new friends! Follow me on Twitter. Tweet strange things to me in ALL CAPS with lots of !!!!!!! and gifs (I like gifs, can you tell?) and we’ll be buds. Unless all my rambling here is scaring you, then RUN… I am a bit weird.

Now for my team!

Oh… we’re not scary!

That’s better.

#TeamEggsellent  (cause we are)

Stacey Nash – Mentor

Twitter

Blog

Author of YA & NA (HarperCollins), and fellow Aussie, Stacey is also part of the blogging Team at AussieOwnedAndRead. When not writing, Tweeting or Facebook- ing, she can be found spending time with her family.

Kathy Palm – Slushie

It’s ME! Magic-wielding, TARDIS-traveling, stay-at-home mom, and YA fantasy/horror writer Kathy recently signed with REUTS Publications, her debut DOORS to be released in winter of 2016. She loves chocolate and all the weird, creepy, and fantastical words.

Twitter 

Liv Rancourt – Slushie

Liv writes romance: m/f, m/m, and v/h, where the h is for human and the v is for vampire…or sometimes demon. She writes funny, not angst. When not writing Liv takes care of tiny premature babies or teenagers, depending on whether I’m at home or at work. She decribes her husband is a soul of patience and her dog as the cutest thing evah(!)

Twitter 

 

So… will I see you there? Keep watching for more details.