Monday morning blues

[eimarra]

I'm in the doldrums today. Just got a crit back, with some good catches and a lot of good feedback. I'm just frustrated because I feel I miss so much on my own. I've seen authors post on FM to the effect that using crits excessively is depending on a crutch -- a real writer needs to be able to edit her work into shape because she won't always have the luxury of sending something off to beta readers who will take their time with it.

And I'm worried because I know I'm nowhere near that level. I keep thinking I'm getting better at this -- everything from the mechanics of varying sentence length and rhythm to having more than the obvious layer in the story. But then I find out I'm still failing on so many levels.

My number one problem? I think I've made the protagonist's motive clear, or think that the root cause of the MC's behavior isn't important to have down in so many words. But even when I think I've spelled it out from the beginning of the story, my readers tell me they don't understand why X does Y.

I can't imagine giving up writing, but right now, at this moment, I'm really wondering if I'll ever be good enough.

(/end feeling sorry for myself)

Comments

[touch-of-ink.livejournal.com]

Pick someone you think is a "real writer". I'll pick Steven King. Steven King relies on crits before sending his work out into the world, and lets face it, he can get anything he wants printed. Someone (anyone) who tells you that you shouldn't rely on crits, is (IMO) telling you more about themselves than they are giving you good advice.

I much prefer the FM credo of "There is no one Right Way".

[eimarra]

Thanks. I forgot about the whole "no one Right Way." (slapping my forehead) I don't know how I let that slip my mind. I know it's true for outlines and plot-driven vs. character-driven and linear vs. non-linear writing, and it never occurred to me that it was true for the use of crits.

Thank you!

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

Amy Tan is another one. And I certainly wouldn't complain if somebody told me my work was like hers :)

Ooops, there I go again, starting a sentence with a conjunction. Until that FMer posted that question, I didn't realize how often I do it.

--bonnie

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

Ooops, there I go again, starting a sentence with a conjunction.

It's perfectly acceptable in fiction and informal writing. And you can tell them I said so.

*g*

As for crits... I know very few (I might even say no) writers who don't use any critique as all. Generally, as one gets better at this thing, one gets a better idea of what one needs from a critter, and starts cherrypicking people whose natural style covers your weaknesses.

But almost none of us really have a clear idea of what works or doesn't work in our writing until somebody else has a look at it.

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) I'm quite amused to discover that the starting-conjunction habit is a personal cliche of mine. I found one recent post where I started one out of every three sentences with and, but, or or. Colloquial is one thing, but that's excessive.

I like your sign, by the way.

--bonnie

[eimarra]

At least I've identified one of the major areas I'm still weak (showing motivation), and I do know critters who help me with that. So that's a step toward cherrypicking.

But almost none of us really have a clear idea of what works or doesn't work in our writing until somebody else has a look at it.

Oh. It's not just me. *great big grin* Wow! Thanks for saying that. I know I've heard it before, but sometimes just hearing something at the right time makes a big difference.