Never Be Afraid To Try Something New

Print from Melimba's Etsy Shop

At my critique group the other night, my good friend, Emalee, suggested I make a drastic change to the beginning of my novel. 

DRASTIC. 

As in, completely write new pages for the beginning. 

As in, maybe this wasn't the right spot to start the story. 

As in, a whole lot of pulling completely new stuff out of my brain.

Wha?!

We had talked about how I was struggling with my MC. How I wanted to make him more likable to the reader and not come off as a whinging crybaby. 

(Yeah, whinging crybaby = not so much fun to read about or connect with) 

Emalee had an idea. 

Well, at first I thought Em was completely off her rocker. I mean, really? What was she talking about? I'd have to write completely new first pages! I'd have to imagine a whole new scene! Oh! The time! The pain! The trouble!

I'd worked so hard to craft THESE pages. Of course, they were where I was supposed to start the novel. 

I nodded and smiled and said, "Yeah, that could work." But, of course, I'm thinking, "Pppfffft. As if."  (alright, I didn't have that mean of a thought. I love Emalee....but you get the gist)

Then, as I was driving home, I started really thinking about this idea. This new way for my readers to get to know my character. Maybe....what if....

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And even though I hated the idea of trying something and then realizing it had been a waste of time (and....yeah, yeah, I know...anytime writing isn't really a waste of time, but you know what I mean...there's not a whole lot of that time stuff around here these days), on the way home I decided to give it a shot. Why not? Let's see what happens. 

AND.....

OH. MY. 

I can't believe the change. 

She was spot on. 

It was just what the beginning needed, just what my character needed. Emalee will get a giant hug when I see her next. She was so so so incredibly right. 

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So, the next time your critique partner, editor or random Joe on the street gives you writing advice (although if you're soliciting advice from a random Joe, you should probably get a critique group), don't immediately dismiss it, even if you think they're nuts. 

Give it a chance. 

You just never know where it could lead! 

Has this happened to you? Ever received writing advice you were sure was wrong, but you gave it a shot and it worked? I'd love to hear about it!

What I Learned From Pub Club Tonight

#1: I have the best critique group ever. One that brings me gifts. Score! I love them all....especially the fuzzy socks. I adore fuzzy socks. With a deep and burning passion.

#2: I missed meeting with them. So. Much. We haven't gotten together for almost two months! And I knew I missed them before tonight, but after we got together and started critiquing and such....I realized just how much I missed those chickadees.

#3: I realized I am a better writer when we get together regularly. And not just because they're critiquing my chapters and telling me what stinks and what rocks (Alright...they don't really say anything stinks. Although they could!) but because I'm reading their words and when I see where they can improve and what they are doing so well....I can better see my own flaws and strengths. Not to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure The Pastry Pub's food is fuel for my right brain. Seriously if you're ever in Cedar City....you have got to have their Asian salad or their roast beef sandwich on a cheese bagel with honey mustard sauce. Or their Caramel Tiger Cake (although I'm currently boycotting it. Don't ask. It's a sensitive subject. I'm thinking there might just be some kind of protest. Maybe a sit in.....yeah. That's the ticket.) Divine!

#4: I still can't tell the difference between my good writing and my stinky writing. Yep, once again I was sure I had sent them a cruddy chapter. And actually, I accidentally sent them not only one chapter but two! I meant to send just the one I'd revised and not the additional one I hadn't gotten a chance to shine up. But lo and behold! They had great things to say about them. Great and encouraging words! (Although they did see how the second chapter might need a bit of smoothing out.... heh)

#5: Beware of talking heads. We had a bit of trouble with that tonight with some of our manuscripts. But isn't that a hard issue? I rack my head trying to think of different things for my characters to do while they're talking...fold their arms, stomp their feet, raise an eyebrow, pace the floor, sink into their chair, have thumb wars, bite their toenails, floss their teeth, give a saucy wink, pick their nose....yes, yes...all good options. But I'm running out of good ideas....

#6: Apparently some of my thmacksnicket sentences don't frotenmoo make any sense whatsoever pickletipple top. Where did they get that idea? It's absurdibunt! The nerve...

#7: I finally figured out how to give my MC a sense of wonder instead of him being a whinging loaf of grumpy bread. (Don't you just love the word whinging? Or how about knackered? Yep. Love that British slang.)

#8: It's amazing how quickly you can see a sentence is awkward once someone writes the word awkward next to it in red ink.

#9: A little picture book I wrote a couple years ago has some potential. On a whim, I shared it with my gals (does that sound like we're in a gang? Yeah, we're tough like that. Don't even think of threatening our Caramel Tiger Cake....not that I'm going to eat any. Nope. Nuh-uh *be strong, Erin*) and they liked it. Yes, it has a major flaw, but it's easily fixed. And then I might start sending it out. I'll probably start with an editor who I email stories to every now and then. Nothing has quite clicked yet, but she always lets me know she'd like me to send more. Pretty cool, right? And I've never met her in person. We "met" through the slush. Ahhhh, sweet, right? Although she's rejected...erm....four of my stories so far. This puts a damper on the relationship. But not much. She's super kind and takes the time to tell me how I could improve the stories.

#10: I have the best critique group ever. I can't imagine trying to get better at this craft without them. I know some writers say you need to eventually leave your critique groups and do it on your own. I guess I'm a big wimp. Because I can't imagine ever getting to the point where I wouldn't want trusted friends to help me muddle through this crazy industry, to bounce ideas off of and to be kind to me when I'm feeling like the worst writer in the known and unknown universe.  I don't know. I guess when my books are on the NY Times Bestseller list, we'll see. (dreaming feels so good....like candy for the soul....)

Write On Wednesday: Put the Spray Paint Down

YES!  Another themed day. 

Alright, I'm trying to get find my lost writing groove, so I'm reserving Wednesdays for writing and book chatter.  Hopefully it will help get me busy.

Has anyone noticed that I've been doing a lot of crafts lately? A lot of crafts.

Anyone know what I've actually been doing as I've been wielding my glue gun and cans of spray paint?   And please no smart alec responses like "Making stuff!" Anyone know? Hmmmmm? Anyone at all? Yes, you there in the back...

Someone who looks very familiar says, "Obviously you are displaying classic avoidance behavior."

Ok. I recognize you.  It's my subconscious.  Thought I wouldn't know you, eh? Well, no sense trying to sound all smart.  Just spit it out.

"Fine! You're finding things to keep you busy so you don't have to think about writing your novel because you're struggling with the middle and it's really really hard!!" 

Yep. That's it. 

Last night I met with my awesome critique group, The Pub Club.  And I was instructed to "Put the spray paint down."

heh heh. 

Well, I can't promise to completely give up the spray paint or the crafting.  Come on! It's so fun. (And there's isn't a middle part that stumps me!)

But I am going to try to get back to my novel. I've ignored it for too long. 

I asked one of the girls at the restuarant to take our picture, but sadly it ended up all blurry (I turned off the flash...I hate the flash, but it was too dark and I didn't notice).  So, I'll have to settle for sharing a picture of what I order when we meet at The Pastry Pub, the Oriental Salad...

Mmmmm, it's so good. 

The meeting went really well.  I love Lana and Emalee.  We have the best time together.  And we chat about everything! They are brilliant.  

I was hoping our meeting would get me excited about writing again and Yay! it worked. I'm going to be pounding on my keyboard soon.

The Pub Club used to meet every two weeks.  We emailed ten pages of our work to each other a few days before meeting and then we critiqued and discussed.  But about a month ago we decided we each needed to get our current drafts done and then go back to the critiquing. We thought we'd just meet once a month and discuss how it was going. But we realized tonight that none of us have been writing much! We've all been struggling.  So. It's back to the every other week thing. 

I also picked up a piece of this bad boy...

Caramel Tiger Striped Cake. Mmmmmm. And because I love him so much, I shared it with my handsome cowboy. 

Now for my homework.  Every Write On Wednesday I'm going to set myself a goal and then next week I'll have to divulge whether I was able to accomplish it. 

So, my Write On Wednesday Goal #1:  Work on magic training and British dragon scenes (yes. I'm well aware this will only truly make sense to me. sorry 'bout that.)