MMWUC - I'm a Meany
I'm a meany. I have an account on the Internet WritingWorkshop (IWW), one of the 101 Best Writing Sites and one of the oldest critique
sites on the web. I've been submitting my latest novel chapter-by-chapter for
review for several months now, trying to work out the kinks. I'm a great story
idea guy, but some of the writing mechanics fail me in spectacular fashion, so
I need help. I flog the readers with many chapters per week. Still though, like
an army recruit, they keep yelling, "Yes, Drill Sergeant. Can I have
more?" And I deliver.
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| Carole's Vision |
Now, the end is in sight. Only four chapters remain. I
worry about them--not the chapters, the readers. What will they do with the
rest of their summer? When autumn arrives, will they find themselves running
inside from work or play, from family and friends, from the onslaught of
raining leaves only to remember they have already read THE END? Will there be
enough chocolate cake for them in the local bakery to ease their depression?
And what gloom does winter hold for them? Sure they have
their own novels to write, edit, revise, and submit for critiquing. But after my
story, what magic will the holidays hold? Will they be able on New Year's Eve
to pop the cork on a bottle of champagne or just sit there like Lieutenant Dan
and wonder what's it all about?
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| Please, sir. can I have more? |
Do I have a point? Yes, I do. If you are going to
self-publish, get thee some mentors and some honest sounding boards so you
don't delude yourself into writing something that only your twelve cats,
family, and sixteen closest friends will like. If you have a story worth
scribbling 60,000 or more words about, make it the best it can be. I want to
read those stories. I can think of no better place to excise your own writing
demons then IWW. Writing is almost always a solitary activity; revision doesn't
need to be, and for most writers, shouldn't be.
Posts
6 comments:
Congrats Rick!
Reaching the first round of revisions must be awesome- I've yet to complete my first round lol.
Awesome job :)
Are you going to query or self-pub?
Probably self-pub again. I don't want to wait until 2014 or 2015 to see this book come out. I have other stories on the shelf for agenting. Thanks for dropping by.
I must admit I've worried about 'Secrets' winding up. Opening my inbox and not finding the awaited next chapter will be a let down. For me, your talent has stepped it up with this one and taught me many lessons as well along the way.
Thanks for the publicity on the cover, but that was never a finished product, lol. There are other Secrets floating around in my digital files. The story was impelling from the start and you haven't disappointed throughout. I hope my meager suggestions have played a small part along the way, I've certainly enjoyed the trip.
It should be a hit!!
One assumes you will regale us all at IWW with another novel, no?
Thanks Carole for all your help.
Michele...The problem isn't will I; the problem is which one.
* another Stark mystery
* a book prominently featuring Sydney
* something else?
First things first. SECRETS has much work left to it...and then BATHROOM READING. OMG! My mother is going to be so embarrassed.
Stay tuned; same batty channel; same batty station.
You are just a writing fool, aren't you. JK. I'm your fan for sure.
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