How do you deal with criticism?

As I new writer I have done something that will probably have all you seasoned novelists covering your face and shaking your head in despair. I (whispers) showed my first draft to someone to get an opinion.  Not just someone either. My sister. Much as I love her she is always guaranteed to call a spade a spade. I knew that, but I did it anyway.

Attempting my first piece of writing over 100 words has been overwhelming. I love to read books but trying to create one, well, if you’ve tried, you know. I never thought it would be easy but, shrugs.

So I plotted, created characters and wrote and at 15,000 words broke into a cold sweat. Did this make any sense? Was it engaging? Could I do this?  Even though this was a rough first draft I guess I wanted validation that I had something worth developing, worth all the hours, the waking at 3 am to tweak the plot or finish the chapter.

I emailed it over to my sister. I knew I could rely on her to be totally honest with me. And she was. ‘It’s so depressing it made me want to slit my wrists and not carry on reading. Oh and I don’t like your language.’

Hmmm ok. Let’s not point out that I haven’t actually reached the really sad bit in the middle yet.

I know she is trying to support me and I appreciate her help. I will take her comments on board and am sure that when I have finished wiping my tears off the keyboard I will carry on. Next time I ask for an opinion I will keep the following words in mind: –

“Don’t let people’s compliments go to your head and don’t let their criticism go to your heart”.

So, how do you deal with criticism – constructive or otherwise?

Getting tense about tenses

I have realised over the past few weeks of trying to write that I get really muddled with tenses. What tense to write in was something I hadn’t really thought about until a lovely fellow blogger kindly pointed out my flash fiction piece started off in past and then switched to future.

Now on the short 100-200 word pieces I think I am ok now (amazing what you pick up when you actually read your work back)! I am appreciative of all the advice I have received and feel my writing has progressed.

The beginning of my novel is a complete mess though. Partly because I can’t decide what tense to write in and writing in one tense doesn’t come automatically to me (yet).

I started writing in present tense because that seemed to flow nicely until a fellow writer told me a shouldn’t do that, books should always be in past tense I was told.  Ummm ok. Queue lots of frantic googling and the reading of many blog posts on why you shouldn’t use present tense. I was shocked to find comments from readers stating they wouldn’t even buy a book if it was in present tense. I have never really taken much notice of what I read, I either engage with a book or don’t. I tried to switch to past tense but rereading what I wrote yesterday I am now flipping between the two.

I intend to tidy it up today. So I would be interested in any opinions on past vs present.

Thanks.

Soooo, writing a novel?

 

I have only been writing a few weeks, and flash fiction at that, but after gaining a place on the WoMentoring Project I thought why not throw myself in at the deep end and really challenge myself.

So, I want to write a novel. (It’s only been the last few days I can say that out loud without either a) laughing somewhat hysterically, b) breaking into a sweat or, c) pouring a large glass of wine. Often all three).

I am completely ignoring all the negative chatter in my head telling me I can’t because, I haven’t done any writing courses; My technical knowledge is zilch (I have had to google what exposition, protagonist and adverbs mean after receiving feedback); I am unclear on grammar (I am inserting semicolons with my fingers crossed) and I have never written anything more than 200 words before.

But (yes you probably shouldn’t start a sentence with that either), I have an idea, passion and after tentatively starting, fully intend on giving it my best shot.

So wish me luck, offer advice if you can and accompany me on my journey, I will appreciate the support.

Author Interview with Louise Walters

Louise Walters is enjoying well deserved success with the phenomenal reception of her debut novel Mrs Sinclair’s Suitcase. She found time in her busy schedule to answer a few questions about the writing process.

What was your starting point for your book? Did you have a firm idea of the plot when you started or an idea you played around with developing?

I had a few starting points: a suitcase I own with a label with “Mrs D E Sinclair” written on it; my experiences of working in an indie bookshop, The Old Hall Bookshop in Brackley, which my bookshop in the novel is based on; and a letter I once found in a book from a Polish squadron leader written at the end of WW2. I put them all together in my imagination, mixed them up, tweaked stuff,  and ended up, eight years later, with my first published novel.

How did you develop your characters? Did they evolve naturally or did you start off with a character sheet?

I thought about them for quite a long time and just tried to “see” them. Along the way I did a character questionnaire, similar to those that actors use, to try and sort the characters out in my mind. But that was quite late in the eight year process. I just had to get to know them first, and write about them and re-write, and re-write…. I regard them as real people, which sounds strange, but that’s the only way for me.

I see you graduated from the OU was that in creative writing? How important do you feel writing courses are?

My degree is in Literature but the last two courses were in Creative Writing. They were pretty useful, not least because they introduced me to new writers.

How structured are you when you write? Do you have set days and times. Do you set yourself word or time targets per week?

No targets. With five kids life can be hectic and unpredictable, as you know, so I don’t have daily word counts. I write most weekdays for anything from 1 to 5 hrs. School holidays are a bit different… then I switch to working in the evenings and sometimes at the weekends.

Not having an office at home I tend to have to room hop according to what my family are doing, although I do like it to be pretty quiet. What environment do you like to write in?

I can work pretty much anywhere as long as I have my laptop.

Could you please tell me a little about the drafting process, i.e. do you just write anything and then review it when finished or try to get it right as you go along?

Hmm. I try not to be too picky with a first draft, especially if I’m feeling “inspired” and want to get that story written down. But sometimes I edit as I go. The bulk of my writing on Mrs S was actually re-writing, editing, polishing.

If you think of something that would fit in later in your book would you write it out of sequence or just make notes.

Whichever. I have ideas in the strangest of places and at odd times, I’m sure you do too! I do go back and forth in my editing too… I have a notebook full of stuff like “chapters 37, 40 and 42 too weak. Nothing happens. Add stuff.” That’s a genuine example from my current notebook for my Work in Progress (WiP).

How many drafts of your book did you do before you were happy with it.

I’m not sure I am happy with it! There are always things I think I could have changed – but it’s too late now. It went through several edits… I didn’t completely re-write, but changed enough things to warrant saving it as a new draft. I got up to 22 of those. Then I had further edits to do once I found an agent, and then a publisher. It can feel as though you’re going to be stuck editing for ever. But working with an editor was the best experience, and I learned a lot about writing from that. An editor really helps to whip your work into shape.

Thanks Louise, it has been really interesting to hear a published author’s perspective on the writing process, it has given me plenty to think about.

The WoMentoring Project

 

I have recently (and tentatively) entered the world of creative writing and subsequently felt slightly overwhelmed at times, both by the amount of words in my head and what I should actually be doing with them.

A fellow writer told me about The WoMentoring Project and when I checked it out and saw Louise Walters, author of the amazing Mrs Sinclair’s Suitcase, was volunteering her time as a mentor I couldn’t resist applying.  Ignoring the little doubtful voice in my head which was telling me not to bother, I will never be able to write a book, I pressed the send button.

Applying for a place on this scheme was a pivotal point for me. I was finally acknowledging to myself (even if I didn’t share with anyone else) that I was ready to work towards turning my dream of being a published fiction author into a reality. I made a conscious choice to no longer pay any attention to my insecurities. We are what we believe we can be, our thoughts create our world and the inner me is now offering a high five and a “you go girl”.

I was more than a little bit excited to hear on Friday evening that Louise Walters has agreed to be my mentor. Cue a celebratory bottle of wine, a take out and much happiness. It wasn’t really until Sunday that it suddenly dawned on me that I haven’t actually written or published anything yet. Best stop dancing on the table and crack open the laptop rather than another bottle then.

Yesterday was spent scrambling around trying to find discarded envelopes and old post it notes with odd ideas frantically scribbled on them (I really must develop a system). It was a challenge to say the least, trying to decipher my handwriting and attach meaning to random words, which I am sure at the time were integral to the story, but now make no sense to me. What I lack in a plot I make up for in enthusiasm though and a willingness to work hard, take all constructive criticism on board and learn a craft I have loved for as long as I can remember.

Whatever happens (and I am putting no pressure on myself or my mentor to produce something spectacular**) I am so grateful for this opportunity.

Wish me luck.

 

** I want to produce something spectacular 🙂

 

 

Are you sure you want to do this?

 

Setting up this blog two weeks ago was one of the scariest things I have ever done. I had moments of blind “what if no-one reads it?” panic but then an even worse thought occurred “what if someone does read it?” and either doesn’t like what they read, or, and possibly more anxiety inducing, what if they do like it and want to read more? The fear of “would I be able to write anything remotely enjoyable?”, and, if I did, “would I be able to recreate it?”, has put me off putting pen to paper so many times.

I have tried to make a commitment to write short stories various times over the past year but it just hasn’t happened. I would say life has got it the way but that would be a cop-out. It is me that is standing in the way, jumping up and down, waving my arms and shouting “you can’t do this”. “Better to not try than to fail” my subconscious has been whispering.

It was with much trepidation I set up a blog, thinking that maybe, just maybe, I would write something on it if it was there. I didn’t have any aspirations rather than a fleeting, this seems like a good idea at the time. No plan of what or when to post, best not to have any pressure I thought.

Writing my first couple of posts and nervously pressing the publish button with shaking fingers was terrifying and liberating all at the same time. I had spent the past few months reading blogs and you guys sure are a talented bunch. I felt out of my depth but prepared to give it a go.

When I started getting notification emails that bloggers had taken the time to both read my posts and to press the like button I was a tinsy bit excited. My ‘could I do this?”, “should I do this?” had transformed into “I am doing this”.

Then some comments came through. I prepared for the worst, took a deep breath and opened up my email. The first comment itself was positive but the last sentence “are you sure you want to do this”? totally threw me.

Do what? Write? Put myself out there for critiquing? Start to believe I can? Were they telling me, in a roundabout kind way that I was wasting my time? It was the worst thing they had ever read? I should try a new hobby?

Should I contact the blogger, ask them what they meant? Would that be rude? Did I really want to know the answer?

Momentarily deflated I sat and contemplated the question. I have always wanted to be a writer but, for many reasons, have never really given myself a chance to try. Do I really want to do this? I thought about why I had started a blog and what I wanted to achieve from it and realised I had no idea.

I concluded I wanted to follow my heart and write regularly but needed something to motivate me, some structure. I trawled through numerous blogs and posts until I found two challenges I thought I would enjoy and signed up for them. I then googled local writing groups and emailed one asking if I could join. Brave (for me) but spurred on by the question I felt it was now or never.

Confident I was now on the right road for the right reasons I decided to reply to the blogger. Opening up my emails I thought I would read the other comments first. Funny at the bottom of them all was the very same sentence “are you sure you want to do this?”

OK so I may have been a little slow realising that it was actually WordPress asking me if I was sure I wanted to approve the comment but I am grateful for the confusion. Yes, I am finally sure I want to do this. Thanks WordPress for the clarity.