Please welcome one of my critique buddies, Lois Sayers.
Lois Sayers lives in Pittsburgh, She has worked as an
interior architect & designer for over seven years. With her lifelong
passion for writing, she has transitioned from short stories and is now working
on her first novel.
First, let me tell you a bit about Lois. This woman has a
beyond-belief imagination and is working on her first novel, (a Tween fantasy genre) that takes my breath
away. It’s certainly different. When she has it ready to hit the published
list, I’m sure her novel will be a terrific smash.
Here are her thoughts
on the rewriting process. Go, girl!
On Rewriting
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
written a short story, inevitably wrapping it up at the end of the night only
to read it the next day and wonder who on earth has made such obvious mistakes?
Did someone come in to the house in the middle of the night, which is my
belief, and change my words to idiot talk? Did a child take liberties with my lovely
story and turn it into the mistake-ridden mess in front of me?
The
rewrite begins. Whoever has made a mockery of this story did so in vain. I sit
in my chair and there I edit and reword, choosing the perfect words to make the
story shine, to get my point across in a unique and interesting way . . . again.
I take my revised story, my gem, my
heart of hearts to my writing group, the peers who might now gaze upon my
masterpiece and declare, between their fits of awe, that this story needs no
edits. No edits. How I long for those two words.
There I sit, waiting to begin. My
heart is aflutter, I must tell you. Though, I’m a bit preoccupied with the
thoughts of having become such a good writer so quickly but I remain silent. I look
from person to person. Why haven’t they looked me in the eye? Why have they
taken out their pens? I look on the table, to the pages in front of them—copies
of my story and what is that on them? Red marks! Red marks marring my perfect
words.
I’m suddenly losing faith.
They
finally stare at me. One of them clears her throat. “I’ll start,” she says.
“You began three paragraphs with the same character’s name.
Why didn’t I see that? I want to
kick myself. Cut off my typing fingers.
Another one chimes in. “And I counted
nine ‘should’s and six ‘had’s. You’ve got to watch those.”
“You sure do,” the first one adds.
After the session is over and the errors
have leapt from the pages, I feel terribly deflated. They are right, of course.
The errors are so apparent even to this pitiable writer.
I go home with my red-marked copies.
I sulk because this was the story I was convinced was intelligent and well
written. Like salt in a wound, I go over each line correcting what someone else
has made better. I go to bed.
It takes me a week but I reread my
story. I see that it is at best mediocre but better now that my friends and
fellow writers have pointed out the errors. From a fresh light I begin my
rewrite for the fourth time. I’ve learned finally that the story is imperfect,
probably always will be. But, there might be a story, one of these days that
rises up (naturally, after my friends have dissected it and I’ve put it back
together). It’s that future story that might be better if not brilliant in its
imperfections, good enough for the publisher to say, “I’ll take it.”
I’d
like to say that’s why I write and rewrite. But it isn’t. To be honest, I would
write even if no one saw my words. Still, I strive to perfect my craft, to find
the story that is accepted.
Any advice for Lois? Any
thoughts? We’d both love to hear from you.
Make her feel welcome with your comments.
Welcome Lois. Thanks for being on my blog today and sharing your experiences, feelings, and hopes with the critiquing we do in group.
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrie, Thanks for asking me. As you know, the big W, writing, is very important to me. I enjoy it, it defines my mood for the day. When I write well, I feel good about myself, everything looks better around me. That's how tied into writing I am.
DeleteIt's difficult for us to see our own errors. When we read it, we know what's coming and it isn't easy to read word for word without the emotions that went into the script. I am an author, but also a composer. When I proof read the engraved copy prior to publishing, I learned quickly that we can't catch all the errors. I had five teachers and students proof read the pieaces, and still ended up with an error. I think words can be much the same.
ReplyDeleteWell, composing is another ball of wax, and one I can't even imagine doing so kudos to you. But your point is well-made and maybe that's where the 'craft' or 'detail' part of our work, which goes against everything we are as creative people, comes into play. I know that over the years I've worked hard at learning the editing process. I even think I'm pretty good at it with other people's work. Then there's my own. And you're absolutely right. We know what's next when we are creating so we can't see that other readers might not be following our path when we veer too far off of it or go the wrong way.
DeleteHi Lois, I loved the way you describe the torment of rewriting. It seems from what you write that your critique group is only finding small things to comment on, such as word repetition. These things are easy to re-write and aren't a major problem. From this blog post, I think you are a really imaginative writer. Writing is hard work sometimes, and you've really painted a vivid picture of a writer's frustration. I'm glad you are persevering and I would be interested to read your novel when it gets published (as I'm really sure it will). Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteWell, aren't you sweet! Thank you. The group I'm in is small but don't be misled by the examples I gave. For the sake of brevity, I named only one way of critiquing. Trust me, the fellow writers in my group turn every story on its head and find many ways to keep me on my toes as a writer.
DeleteAs an author and an editor, I know that it's easier to catch someone else's errors than your own. You've seen yours too often. After a while, you see what you want to see. You see others' words with fresh eyes.
ReplyDeleteI constantly write and rewrite and polish and go over everything until it resonates with me and I think it's right. Then I wait for my betas to tell me what I did wrong. lol
The important thing is to be able to accept the criticism of others, for without that you won't get very far. And to learn that even they are not always right and sometimes you have to go with your gut instinct. That's called experience.
Best of luck with your writing, and nice meeting you, Lois!
I agree Julie. And please, don't mistake my humor in the piece for my ability to accept criticism. I am very receptive to suggestions and take a great many of them, to be honest. Mostly, because I trust the people in my group and so I really weigh each and every correction they've given.
DeleteI learned to edit from, in my opinion, one of the greatest editors of all time, when I was at the University of Pittsburgh in the MFA Fiction Writing Program. He taught me that many stories don't begin where they should, something that I find to be true, especially with beginning writers. I won't name him though, because as good as he was in teaching and editing--almost taking it to wizard levels--he couldn't edit himself AT ALL. I always found that so profoundly sad. Great professor, though and quite a character.
Oh I didn't mean you, in particular. In fact, I can remember the younger me who thought her words were untouchable and quit writing for ten years because of rejections, back in the days when submissions were done through the mail because we had no Internet lol
DeleteI've improved since then, I'm happy to say.
Your teacher was right, sometime you can chop off the beginning and just feed it into the story in drabs and dribbles where it needs to be and just jump to the heart of the matter. Too many writers think they have to tell you everything about their characters before they begin.
You don't.
I agree with you Julie. The best lesson I ever learned about writing came from my workshop writing groups in college. I can't tell you how many times I drove home in tears when someone critiqued my story rather harshly. Well, after the second tear-stained drive that stopped, my skin grew tougher and I learned to well, learn from their words and listen. After that it was a piece of cake. I found that some in the group were excellent, most had something to offer and every now and then, some didn't but most importantly, I learned to use those tools, those people I didn't know to better my writing. Thank goodness.
DeleteI recently needed a break from the novel I've been working on for over 10 years. (Maria, I beat you. lol) The idea sparked from my sister getting a divorce, though my mind ran wild with it. I sat down and wrote two chapters. When I submitted to group, Lorrie suggested scrapping the first chapter. She thought the second was much better. At first, I didn't want to. Then she gave me her reasons. After about a week or two of thinking about it, she made very strong points, I started the rewrite. I like it much better. Of course, I'll use parts of that other chapter later. :)
DeleteExactly what I meant when I spoke here about the professor and his editing skills. We all need to listen, be willing to rewrite and have very open minds.
DeleteI find I can read and re read something and still miss it. Another person picks it up and they find it within in minutes. Great post.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I've found what helps me (and everyone is so different) is to go away from the story for at least two weeks. That seems to be my forgetting point, sadly. When I do that, I can see my story more clearly and that's when I say, "What in the world was I thinking?" I'm sure you've had those moments.
DeleteGo Lois! You're wise to have joined a critique group, and your attitude toward feedback means you're going to go far. Keep writing! I'll watch for your name on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteThank you Casey, yes I think joining that group was one of my wiser decisions. Lorrie taking me in might not have been though! Nevertheless, we have built a close bond between us and we all have gained a lot of trust and mutual respect. I know you hear those words a lot, but time and real effort does a lot for building trust and respect. Sometimes it can go the other way, if the group is bad and that's when you give it a couple more weeks, making sure it isn't your ego at work and if it isn't you need to find a new group.
DeleteIt is so much easier to edit someone else's writing than to immediately see the flaws in your own. I do a lot of business writing and the same is true there. I am often asked to proof read, both business and otherwise, and obvious missteps can seem to jump off the page, and yet I will make those same obvious mistakes. So, Lois, hang in there, editors are there for a reason. Can't wait to read your novel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. It is a work in progress. You're right. I love editing someone else's work. It is like a math problem to me. I want to make it read and flow well. I'll work on it until you don't notice the sentence just consume the information. I used to write these fancy sentences, and sometimes I still catch myself doing that, but of late I've tried to make everything simpler. I have a thing for Hemingway, and he was the king of the simple sentence and keeping everything stark. I have been reading his work again, lately and am trying to go back to that more than I ever have. I don't know if it will work for me, but I think it is a good lesson. Thanks, Nancy.
DeleteWell, after the group smacks Lois upside the head a few times (kidding) we love her. She adds so much wisdom and great critiques to others in our group. She even smacks me upside the head once in a while and gives me great suggestions.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm a great punching bag, thanks, Lorrie. In all seriousness, Lorrie has taught me a lot about writing and to keep things simple, as I talked about on the comment (above).
DeleteYou share your fears with the rest of us. Some writers are paralyzed by the need to keep working and working on a story. Don't scrub it too hard or you'll lose the shiny finish. The standard advice is to set the story aside for a couple of weeks before re-reading it. You'll catch those little things yourself, but you're also lucky to have such a great crit group. I know Lorrie is MY savior with her great crits.
ReplyDeleteI know you are also hers! I hear your name quite often, Marva. And you're right. That is a fear of mine. I've gone over my story so many times, sometimes I look at it and wonder if it is still mine. Not that it isn't still my words, but I've taken out a lot of what makes it mine, which might also be what makes it a bad story. It is difficult to decide that and a fine line. I'm a layerer (not a real word, btw). I write in layers, so I HAVE to go over my story again and again to add layers to it. As my sister said when she read the very first edition of my story. "This is a really cool story. I can't wait to read it. The outline is perfect so get started." Well, it wasn't an outline--it was my first draft. But I learned from that. I'm not one of those writers who can sit down and write a novel in one draft. I'll never be that writer. I can do it in a short story with just a little tweaking afterward, but not this novel for sure.
DeleteOh, Marva, you're making me blush. I'm not that good. And you have also helped me out of some fixes I get my characters into. I look up to you with all those fantastic books you have out. And I've read everyone of them.
DeleteShe talked about your fantastic writing all the time, Marva. How about giving us two books: Your favorite book from another author and your favorite book that you've written.
DeleteLo: I know what you mean about layererers..ers. I try to just get the story down, but I also really start with an outline. Of course, that's only a serving suggestion as they say.
DeleteYou're putting me on the spot on the books. I have many favorites since I enjoy many genres. Can't compare apples and kumquats. Lorrie's Winnie Krapski stories are only now being put into book form, but I have to say for comedy/mystery, Winnie always entertains me. Now Lorrie is REALLY blushing, but I'm not kidding. I want to read a Winnie Krapski novel. I think Lorrie could smooth the stories into a novel with just a bit of adjusting around the edges.
My own favorite is the third book in the Witches of Galdorheim series, Scotch Broom. It's where I come closest to the layered look.
Lorrie: You're my steadfast and intrepid reader. No reason to blush at the truth.
I agree, LOVE Lorries Winnie series. See, this is what I was just talking about (below). I just copied your suggestion and now I'll read them. That's another way writers help writers. Thanks for the suggestions, Marva. Sorry to put you on the spot.
DeleteWelcome, Lois, A most interesting post. I'm sure your struggle is one every writer goes through.
ReplyDeleteLiving out in the boonies in Central Mexico, the luxury of a face-to-face writing group was not a possibility so I joined an in-line critique group---which was how I met Lorrie. That was six years ago and I'm still rewriting. And the same memoir! After that first shock when I realized my writing wasn't anywhere near the level I had thought it was, I got serious and started having fun with the rewrite. The process has taught me an amazing amount of, well, stuff. And I'm finally winding up to come to bat. Whether I strike-out or hit a home-run isn't all that important to me. What's important is that when I put the five asterisks at the bottom of that last page, it's the best that I can do.
So keep up the rewriting, Lois, but have fun with it. All the best.
And your favorite author?
DeleteMaria, thank you for your thoughts. I hardly call Central Mexico the boonies, you're too modest--but I can imagine it has its challenges in finding fellow ex pat writers. I am on year two of my rewrite of my novel, so I sympathize. You bring up a good point, though. If you're serious, you find a way to get to the sources you need to write. Plus, I've found that though writers can be an odd lot, myself included, they are always interesting and usually loyal friends. Plus, who better to help a fellow writer? I've read some of your work and I'm confident your memoir will be a home run. And all the best to you, Maria.
DeleteMaria, How does living in Mexico influence your writing?
DeleteMy all-time favorite author? I read mostly travel memoir now so probably the one who has been most influential in my writing would have to be Paul Theroux. I keep re-reading his books to pick up tips and get caught up in the story yet once again and forget to look for tips. He's an arrogant SOB but I believe when you write like he does, you can get away with it.
DeleteAnd I have to say Mexico has been an even bigger influence than Theroux, considering that's a big part of what I write about. LOL
Thank you for the kind words about the memoir, Lois, but I can honestly say that it really won't matter to me if the book is a pop fly. Just trying out for the big leagues can sometimes be its own reward.
True enough, Maria. I still wish you all the luck of the world.
DeleteMarva, two more of my Winnie stories (The COD Club--Call on the Dead_) are in the publishers queue to come out. I don't know when as yet. I'm still working on the next. And yes,sometime down the line I intend to incorporate them into one book. I love all your Witches series. And Texas Boy has been a big seller for you.
ReplyDeleteYou have more than that. Can't wait for them all to come out. So, if you are reading this and you want a good laugh, know that there aren't just two books. There are more to come, so you can read these knowing more will be coming...
DeleteI say this because once I fall in love with a book (and Lorrie's are funny and loveable) I like knowing that more are coming. Especially when there is a demand, which there is, of course. Love those stories.
DeleteHey Chickie! :)
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard reading this. I didn't have to ask who Lorrie was and who I was. I'm the counter, of course. Those repeated words stick out like neon signs to me. lol
Lois has an awesome imagination. She creates not one but two worlds in her novel. I couldn't even imagine doing that. At one point I was afraid you were so frustrated that you were going to scrap the entire thing. I am so glad you pushed on.
I remember when I first submitted to group. I thought, like you, I had a masterpiece. When I got everyone's crits home, I was devastated and I think I actually did cry. I had a lot to learn. Boy, did I have a lot to learn.
Yes, you have summed up what rewriting is all about. lol You have great humor also and should try that next.
I can't wait to see your novel in print!!!
Thanks Darla. Yes, you know who you are. You are an excellent writer, really a natural writer, which is enviable. It has been a pleasure becoming your friend and learning from each other. You will be publishing SOON, I know and I can't wait.
DeleteI'm glad you both are pushing on. Your strength, determination, persistance, and dare I say wit? tells me for sure you are both going to be published--and soon. You both have what it takes to be an author. Rhino skin and a sense of humor. Plus the love of putting words to paper.
ReplyDeleteMe, Rhino skin? Serious? I don't think I'm quite there yet...but I'm getting close. lol I was talking to Gary this morning about my book and I said to him, "Oh My God! After this chapter, I'll be done soon." The butterflies have been fluttering away ever since.
DeleteYou are next! It is exciting. I'll be as excited as you are, I swear. As will Lorrie, i know.
DeleteOh those dang red marks. Reminds me of my sixth grade teacher, Ms. Oldaker, and her marking up my pages. Nowadays it's the editor using MS Tracker program to make the page look like a robot left crisp boxes and notes in red on my perfect, pristine writing! Hmmph!!! I suggest your sweet crit group use different colors of ink to mark up your page. In my group we each use different ink colors and the result is a festive page of orange, lime green, blue, etc. Of course the suggestions are still there, but not quite so in-your-face...LOL.. Loved your thoughts on re-writing. Yes, it's part of the process.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea!!! But since it isn't MY story up this coming week, I'll keep it to myself for now. ha Seriously, between the highlighting (one color) rewritten sentences (another color) repetitive words (another color) and then reworking area, suggestions, thoughts and the end summation, I (having just edited someone's story tonight) realize I do use a rainbow of colors. But your point is a good one. I am definitely going to be more colorful! Thanks JQ.
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