The Value of a Critique

I am in two monthly critique groups. One is in-person and the other is a video chat. In each, we read about 50 pages of the others’ works and provide feedback. I joined the in-person one about ten years ago, and it took some courage to submit my work the first time. I actually waited a couple of months before dipping my foot in the pool.

But I learned quickly that the feedback from these groups is invaluable. These are readers and mystery lovers who help with structure, plot holes, typos, and writing issues. All writers want to hear how wonderful their baby is, but sometimes, a detailed critique is worth it’s weight in gold as you try to make your manuscript the best it can be. Here are some of the things I’ve learned through the years.

1. Find a group that understands your genre. It helps that the feedback focuses on what you’re trying to write. Both of my groups are made up of mystery writers/readers. I read other genres, but I want my writing focus to be on mysteries.

2. None of the members knew each other when we started. I think this was helpful. When people are friends, there’s often a tendency not to be open and honest about the writing because you don’t want to hurt the other’s feelings. You can give a positive critique without being brutal or covering every page with red ink.

3. We also set the rules up front, and there is a moderator in the larger group to keep us on task and watch the clock.

4. The writers in my groups are at different stages of their writing journeys. That brings a variety of perspectives. They also come from different backgrounds and experiences, and the wealth of knowledge is amazing.

5. Everyone in the group has committed to read and provide comments on the submissions. I read theirs; they read mine. They help me talk through plot holes or weak areas. I believe in sweat equity. Everyone is contributing.

6. I learn as much from the discussion of others’ issues as I do with the one centered on my work.

7. There are a few folks in one of my groups who don’t write frequently or just want to be readers. But they read a lot of mysteries. Their comments often help me judge reactions to tension points and characters.

8. Read the feedback and decide what you’re going to change. If multiple people had the same reaction, you probably should take a look at it.

9. The monthly deadline helps me stay on track with my writing. I am more productive when I know I need to get my pages ready for my groups.

The goal is to get your work published, and you need to make your WIP the best version possible. For me, the writing/revising part of the process is key to improving the work. This takes the most time and energy. I’ve been alone with my manuscript for months, and the critique groups provide me a way to introduce it to readers and get an honest reaction. Invest in your writing and find a group to help you.

When You Think You're Done Writing...

There is no other feeling like typing, “The End.” You have worked and worked on your manuscript, and now you’re done. Take a break and celebrate.

Now the work for the next phase begins. You need to polish and revise this to make it the best that it can be. If you’re going to query it to agents and publishers, you only get one shot.

• Go through your manuscript and remove all unnecessary or overused words. Use the find/replace feature. (Mine are “that,” “just,” and “a few minutes.”)

• Reread your manuscript and make sure the plot flows and the events move your story forward.

• Make sure that your main character is likeable and human. They shouldn’t be perfect. If they are, then, there’s not that much conflict. (Make sure that your reader knows who the story is about. You don’t want confusion.)

• Create a document that summarizes what happens in each chapter. This will help you see plot holes. (You’ll also need it later as an outline for a synopsis.)

• Make sure that you didn’t leave any minor story lines hanging. Readers will want to know what happened to something earlier in the story.

• Find a critique group, beta readers, or a writing partner to read your whole manuscript and provide you with feedback. (Parents, friends, and spouses are great for feedback, but you need someone who is going to tell you about the good, the bad, and the ugly.)

• Look over your feedback and make revisions. Sometimes, this means rewrites.

• Print a copy and check for typos, misspellings, and any other inconsistency. (I probably do this three or four times before the book is ready to send to an editor or agent.)

• I hire an editor to go through what I think is my final version. Then I go back and make the changes and proofread the book again.

Then take a few minutes to celebrate all the effort that it took to get your book ready. Now, it’s time to think about marketing and promotion.

What I Learned from Literary Agent Paige Wheeler

Literary agent, Paige Wheeler of Creative Media Agency, spoke to my Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia chapter recently about mysteries. Here’s what I learned from her presentation:

• Publishing is a business

• Publishing is all about the sales numbers

• Print is still alive and well

• Write your passion

• Know your readers

• Your book needs to be excellent

• Your writing needs to be fresh and unique

• Your work needs to stand out

• You need a unique marketing hook for your book

• Discoverability is important

• Authors need to be nimble and adjust to the tastes of the time

• Your query letter needs to spark interest

• Don’t be too wordy in your query letter

• Your sample pages are important

• Show how your character is transformed

• Focus on the whole story in your query

• Your query letter content is not back cover text

Why Can't I Finish My Book?

It took me about five years to write, edit, revise, query, and get my first novel published. I thought I was a slow writer, and there was too much going on in my life at the time to focus. I work full-time in IT, and everyone has commitments and responsibilities. Two years ago, I tried an experiment. I wanted to see how productive I could be if I put some focus on my writing time. (That year, I finished two 73,000 word novels, one 15,000 word novella, two 4,000 word short stories, and one 3,000 nonfiction article.) Here’s what I learned…

1. I always put important things on my calendar, but my writing time wasn’t there. I would always tell myself that I’d fit it in. I scheduled some “office” time for writing. And I stuck to my schedule.

2. I realized I was watching too much (bad) TV and movies. We still watch our favorite shows, but we DVR most everything now. I watch it when I have time (and I don’t have to sit through the commercials).

3. Look at where you spend your time for a week. Are there things that are big time wasters that you really don’t need to do?

4. I can’t sit at my desk for hours. I get restless, and it’s not good for you to sit so long. Schedule little breaks, and do other tasks (e.g. load/empty the dishwasher, put laundry in the washer or dryer, fold laundry, sort the mail). After a little break, I’m recharged and ready to get back to work.

5. Determine when you are most productive and schedule your writing time then. I’m a (very) early morning person. I’ve never been productive in the late evening hours. Learn what works for you.

6. Figure out tasks you can do at other times. I use my lunch time at work to write, proofread, or revise. That gave me 5 hours additional writing hours a week.

7. I also print copies of work that needs to be revised. I take these with me when I’m waiting at the dentist, hair dresser’s, doctor’s , or DMV.

8. If you find yourself spending too much time on your social media sites, find ways to schedule your posts. It’s a more efficient use of your time.

9. When we do sit down to watch TV (We are football and college basketball fans), I use my tablet to scan through my social media feeds. I get to do two things I like, and I’m not spending hours on each.

10. I try to write something every day. It does make a difference. When I’m working on a novel or novella, I keep a PostIt note on my desk. At the end of each session, I write down the date and the word count, so I can see my progress. Some people are very formal, and set up spreadsheets with daily word counts. Do what works for you. If you miss days, it will take you time to catch up, and that time could be better spent on other tasks.

11. With my first couple of books, I got stuck in revision paralysis. I would revise and revise, and then I’d put it down for a while. Then I’d pick it back up and start over. I would also start revising before I finished the manuscript. Now, I write the first, sloppy draft. I don’t do major rereads or revisions until the first draft done.

12. Find a good critique group, beta readers, and writing partners. These people will help keep you on track. If you have a monthly commitment to provide pages for the group to read, you’ll do better at staying on task.

13. Learn how to say “no” nicely. You are constantly bombarded with requests for your time. Figure out what’s important, and say “no” or “not now” to some that you really can’t commit to.

Writing - Individual or Team Sport?

I never played team sports as a kid. I wished that I had. There are some life lessons that are gained from working (winning and losing) as a group. Writing is mostly a solitary endeavor. I research, write, and revise by myself. But I believe that authors need others, and here’s why…

• Relationships are key in life. You need those special people who will share your celebrations and help build you up after a bad day.

• You need a sounding board to ask questions or bounce ideas off.

• Others are in different stages of their writing careers. They can give advice or ideas.

• They can help motivate you and keep you on track.

• Authors who help promote you are invaluable. Treasure these people.

• You need some trusted early readers to give you honest feedback about your work.

• Find a writing group. The relationships you build are important. You will have access to information, people, and opportunities. The contacts are invaluable. I got my first mystery writing credit from my group’s anthology. And I can’t tell you how many contacts have led to book signings or special projects.

• It reminds you that you are not alone.

The best decision I made in my writing journey was to join a writing group.

Detours and Roadblocks in Your Writing Life

I drive the back roads through southside Richmond to my day gig in the mornings instead of taking the toll roads. This week, unexpectedly, I hit a roadblock when a downed light pole blocked the main road. I’m familiar with the way that I always get to work, but I was on my own in the dark yesterday in a neighborhood that I wasn’t familiar with (at 6:30 AM). (And if you’ve ever been to RVA, you’ll know that the streets often do not run parallel. They tend to meander.) With the help of GPS, I was able to navigate neighborhood streets and get back on my path.

Our writing life is often like that. We hit roadblocks and detours. It’s inevitable, but I believe you will be more successful along your journey if you can react and navigate around them.

A lot of it is attitude. If you hit a disappointment or a pitfall, allow yourself some time to react. Scream, cry, mope, or eat chocolate for a little while. But then figure out how you are going to get around the obstacle. Sulking doesn’t fix the problem. Bad reviews, cancelled contracts, and rejection letters hurt. You can give up, or you can make a new plan.

Always have a plan B. It’s helpful to have a strategy for what you’re going to do if you hit an obstacle. It’s often easier to deal with if you know you have a backup plan.

Get organized. Keep your files straight (and backed up). Know where you put things. If you cut down on the clutter and the junk, and you can work efficiently, you’ll minimize  some of your self-made roadblocks.

If you mess up, own it, apologize, and do your best to fix it.

Other people are going to disappoint you. They’re going to back out of commitments, forget to do things they promised, or say mean things. You need to decide what and who you’re going to spend your time on or with. Figure out what is important to you, and let go of what brings you down.

Make sure you take care of you. Eat right and exercise. You need to have a balanced life. Make sure you have some fun. And hang around people who make you laugh. My day gig is in IT, and it’s often serious. I love that the new PMO manager moved in the office next to me. She is fun, and she laughs a lot. (The crew nicknamed her Giggles.) I love that I can hear the laughter through the walls. It always makes me smile.

It’s almost a new year. And that’s always a great time to make resolutions or plans. I challenge you to make a plan for your writing life in 2020. It’s a new year and a new decade.

Me and My Post-it Notes

I love office supplies. I get excited every summer when the school supplies come out. And besides gel pens, sticky notes are probably my favorite. I use Post-it notes for everything. I’m an 80s girl, and that’s when my addiction to these sticky notes started. I love the neon-colored ones. The ones with little sayings are fun, too.

The adhesive was invented by Spencer Silver in 1968 at 3M, and the actual notes were invented by Arthur Fry in 1974 because he needed bookmarks for his hymnal at choir practice. When he used scraps of paper, they would fall out of the book. He needed something to stick to the page, but not damage the paper. He knew of Silver’s invention and tried it on some of the scrap paper in the lab. (Legend has it that the original Post-its were yellow because that was the color of the lab’s scrap paper.)

Here are my favorite uses. What would you add to my list?

• A handy bookmark

• Sticky tabs for reports and documents that need review/signature

• For plotting mysteries - You can move them around on a wall or white board

• For jotting notes (duh!) - I have them stuck to my monitor, laptop, desk, and refrigerator - I even stick them to the dashboard of my car when I really need to remember something. (My purse is always full of balled up notes/lists.)

• Keeping character traits organized when I’m writing

• I like the Post-it flipcharts when I’m brainstorming or facilitating meetings

• Lists (usually for shopping, but they could be honey-do lists)

• I daisy chain them together when stuff is related and I need more space to write

• Tally sheets to keep a running total of my WIP’s word count

• I mark issues or plot holes in my writing with them. It reminds me to tie up loose ends.

• Marking stopping points in editing/writing projects - It helps me pick up where I left off

Always Be Professional: Tips for Writers

In my day gig, I work in the IT world in Richmond, VA. Even though it’s the state capital, it’s still a small community, and it’s not a good idea to burn bridges. It’s the same in the writing world. Here are a few ideas that will help along the writing journey.

1. If you commit to a deadline, ensure that you meet it. Someone is counting on you. (Now, if you’re sick or it’s an emergency, that’s another story, but give the person plenty of time to reschedule or come up with a plan B.)

2. If you’re asked to do something and you can’t, be up front and say no. You can say “I can’t do that right now” in a professional way.

3. Strive to be on time. Again, someone is counting on you.

4. If you can’t make an appointment or commitment, get in touch with the person as soon as you can. (When I book something, it’s usually by email. I always make sure I have a contact number for emergencies.)

5. Be prepared. Do your homework and be ready.

6. Be present. when you’re at a meeting or event, participate, listen, and be part of the conversation. Don’t be that person who can’t put his/her phone down.

7. Treat your writing as a business. If you go into partnership with someone or hire someone for a task, make sure you have a contract or formal agreement.

8. Pick your battles. We’ve had new writers on anthology projects who refused to be edited. If you choose not to follow the rules/guidelines, you’ll need to be prepared not to participate. And think twice before you fire off that email or text in anger. It could come back to haunt you.

9. Avoid social media battles. It’s okay to have a good conversation, but trolling and attacks will earn you a reputation. And even if you delete posts, there still out there somewhere. You are your brand, and you need to think of that as you build your social media platform.

Writing is a solo activity, but you do need to interact with others. It’s always best to be the professional who is easy to work with. Your reputation (good or bad) will always precede you.