No longer running in circles.

[veryblessedmom]

I'm taking a break from my current WIP. I'm trying to learn, to be teachable. There are so many ideas about what makes good writing and what makes it bad--I'm confused.

I took stuff out regarding my POV character's back story based on one edit. Told to give the reader something to figure out. I'm leading to a reveal. Now I'm told by another editor you have to put all info about character up front or no one cares.

One person wants more description another says they slow down action. Let the reader just fill in the blanks in their mind.

One set of dialog one editor told me needed to be made more believable but the rest was good. Another hated everything except what the first editor told me to rework. Loved that part.

Then I get notes that say "a person can't see color at 3 a.m." and "you forgot to have him turn on the lights. How is he seeing all that in the dark." This is after I tell them up front the POV character has superhuman abilities.

I live in South Carolina. Been here all my life. One editor told me southern accents are not nasal-- take that out. Depends on what part of the south. I live near the mountains. If you have heard Man of Constant Sorrow?, it's nasally southern sound. Not nasally like Chicago, but still a nasal sound. My cousins all sound like that.

Anyway, gonna work on a cheesy romance thing and try to publish that first.

[metalikhan]

Would you mind one more opinion?

When you offer an excerpt for critique or editing, keep in mind the reader has no idea what's gone on before or after. You also need to remember there can be as many stylistic preferences as there are readers looking at your excerpt. While you're writing your first draft, jettison the stylistic comments and go on with the story — you can consider them later to see if they apply. Recognize that your first draft (regardless of genre) is not the final polished one you'll submit for an editor to consider for publication. If you try to polish and rewrite and re-polish the same few pages to satisfy someone's preferences, you'll never get to the end of your manuscript.

Some readers are not very attentive or careful; they will voice objections that show they hurried through what you wrote. Also be aware that some readers are not able to critique an excerpt very well; they will want information that's covered elsewhere in the ms and they're not satisfied with only seeing part of a whole work.

I may be wrong, but I get the feeling you may be seeking critiques for polishing your ms too early. It might be better to finish the entire first draft so you're sure where the story is going; then as you go back to start polishing, look for someone to critique the story both in parts and as a whole. Try to find someone whose literary preferences as a reader are in sync with the kind and genre of reading and writing you enjoy. For instance, if you enjoy 3rd person, a reader who only likes 1st person may be less objective than one who also likes 3rd person. (Hopefully, you're not in 2nd person — that's one way of wandering into experimental fiction. Bloody hard to get a helpful critique!)

Because of the way you've mentioned stories come to you, allow me to make a suggestion. Have you ever considered writing your 1st draft in script format? You mentioned beginning and ending a story in 3rd person omniscient, which is a "camera's eye" POV. If you finish your 1st draft as a script (including sinking the story into the MC's thoughts and perceptions as internal dialog and description notes) you can pull it together in a novel form 2nd draft; but you will have settings, descriptions, dialog, and action in place as well as a solid idea of the story's pace, its themes and motifs, and the arc of the MC's development.

The main thing is finishing the story. You won't get it perfect the first time. None of us do. I'm sure there's a number of folks here who've done 3 plus drafts on any given work **raises hand** myself included. I'm currently on the 1st draft of a novel's sequel, 4th draft of a long-ish short story, and 6th (or maybe 7th — lost track) of an experimental short story.

Learn and improve your craftsmanship, yes; write to the best of your ability. But, VBM, remember your primary audience is God, your writing a form of praising Him. In His timing, He will bring the stories He gives you before the audience He chooses. Enjoy your fellowship with Him while you worship Him in the process of writing.

[veryblessedmom]

Thanks for the encouragement.
My first draft is complete. I'm working on my rewrite.

I had a published writer and professional editor at my writing group look at my first chapter to get it contest ready. Then all the notes back said I needed an editor. That same editor told me to give up on that story cause it was too weird and it would never be published.

I've had Jeff look at it and liked his take, but was really looking for someone close to home. That is so not working so far. This last editor hated all I changed per Jeff and loved what he told me to change as is.

I have my little cheesy romance and if someone told me to change the story, characters, etc I could--no problem. I made that story up. I have the authority to change any piece of it. It's just this other story, when I go to change a character or a scene per a suggestions a voice says, "but that's not what the story is about" or "That character holds everyone at arms length. If the reader feels like that, it's right." With the arms length thing, he does let people in, slowly as God forces him to deal with areas of his life he's ashamed of and avoiding.

I don't want anyone to think I'm just a difficult author. I know so little and that's why I need help. Many things editors have pointed out, I need and that's why I'm looking for a coach. They've pointed out where my description isn't clear or words I've used too much etc. And like I've said, the other story I'm the author of, I'm so open to ideas it could end up a different story and I would be fine with that. It's just my current WIP-- the story is what it is and the main characters are who they are.

[JenLenaMom]

If you read Jeff's tips remember that one of them is Know when to STOP being teachable. You can't please all of the people all of the time, lol. The editor that said it was too weird may not care for speculative fiction at all. You have to learn which SUGGESTIONS to take and which to leave by the wayside, and that's mostly by intstinct. If what the critiquer is saying seems TO YOU to enhance and improve your story, keep it; if not don't.

[lexkx]

I would recommend three books, all of which have different uses when it comes to craft. A fresh set of eyes is always helpful, and a good editor is a valuable thing to have. In some ways, though, writing a book is like raising an exceptional child. You nurse him, teach him to walk and talk and dress himself, and then one day send him off to school. Not quite the "real world," but certainly his first steps towards independence. Where the teachers come and tell you he's *different.* And while the teachers, guidance counselors, and licensed therapists are all professionals in their fields, YOU are his parent. YOU know him better than anyone else. YOU know best if someone is trying to fit your square peg in a round hole. Getting the right team of experienced professionals together is a good idea, but what it seems you most need to do is find a way to communicate accurately on paper what's going on in your head.

To that end, I would first recommend Strunk and White's Elements of Style. Old-fashioned book that helps shape the way you express ideas. Ten lessons, all of them useful. It's frequently a college textbook, so it can be found used for very little money. I do not know of a fiction writer, published or otherwise, who has not recommended or been encouraged to read Browne and King's Self Editing for Fiction Writers. This deals with modern publishing conventions and how to evaluate your own work. It's not gospel, but it is a good reference point for assessing how well you are saying what you mean to say. Lastly, Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel, in either the original or workbook form, is good for refining a work you feel prepared to sell--or at least ship off to a fancy boarding school. The workbook has a lot of secular examples that are not always appropriate for a sheltered Christian audience, but Maass is specifically looking at books that A) took the bookseller's market by storm, B) demonstrated a significant increase in the writer's skills, or C) crossed genres successfully.

You may have some of these at your disposal already, and none of them are substitutes for a professional in the publishing business coaching you. They are, however, craft-related books that will help you pursue excellence while you are searching for the right guidance counselor for your exceptional child.

[morganlbusse]

If I may, it also sounds like you could use some encouragement veryblessedmom. I think we as writers need at least one cheerleader, one person who believes in us and who, although our writing may not reflect it now, can see that spark inside of us.

For me, that person is my husband. He encourages me, assists me in anyway he can so that my writing can grow (paying for conferences and books), and is my biggest cheerleader. When I'm feeling stuck in corner with some chapter or feeling intimidated by the thought of wrapping up all the loose ends in my book, I first pray, then I tell my husband.

I'm not sure how to go about finding a cheerleader, I'm blessed its my husband, but when you do find one, knowing they are there for you and believe in you makes all the difference and gives you the confidence to continue on.

And of course, God is our biggest comforter. Sometimes I think he lets me sweat over a chapter as a reminder that I can't do this on my own, not if I'm writing for his Glory, and when I do finish the chapter, I can't take credit for it because he's the one who helped me unravel the plot knot (kinda keeps pride at bay when I can't take the credit, which is a good thing!).

[Christian Soldier]

*Gets out some pom-poms* You're right, Morwena. My wife is my Cheerleader, and she's good at it, too!

If I may toss my own two cents in, I recommend letting it sit, untouched, for a bit. Then read through it and edit it yourself, keeping in mind the comments others made. If, reading through it then, you agree with then, fix it. Otherwise, toss the advice and enjoy the read. When you're done, you're done. Send it off.

*Waves his pom-poms around and cheers*

Oh, and 'grats on the completed story, while I'm here!

God bless -- CS

[veryblessedmom]

Thank you all for the cheers. I can hear the rustle of the pompoms even now.

I do have a couple of great cheerleaders. My wonderful husband is the main one. Then I have my best friend. She is such a powerful prayer warrior. She suggested I pray Eph. 3:20. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

God is so able to do more than I can imagine. My devotion today was about God providing all I need to excel in every good work He has placed before me. And that I can stand secure in His calling and equipping.

I was feeling like I should step away from my finished draft for a while. Then something I read suggested the same thing. It was confirmation. But I am secure in stepping away as God is leading me. Just as I was confident in writing the ms when God gave it to me.
I'm not anxious about it anymore. It is a God thing. May He be glorified in my obedience.

[courageforever]

If I may toss my own two cents in, I recommend letting it sit, untouched, for a bit. Then read through it and edit it yourself, keeping in mind the comments others made. If, reading through it then, you agree with then, fix it. Otherwise, toss the advice and enjoy the read. When you're done, you're done. Send it off.

I would agree with that sentiment. I always, alway let my finished manuscript sit for at least a month before I look at it again. Gives your mind a chance to detach from it a little. Then when you pick it up again it is like you're reading someone else's novel. Often (thankfully) I'm surprised by how good what I've written is. (Sure, there will be some knots in there too, but that's what edits are for...)

[metalikhan]

I didn't realize you'd finished your first draft. Excellent! Congratulations!
I agree with all the folks advising you that it's time to take a breather from the story. (But you already figured that out!
What can I say? Enjoy your vacation in your other stories!