Archive for the 'Writer’s Life' category

Put Your Writing to the Test

Dec 17 2010 Published by under The Writing Life, Writer's Life

There comes a point when we must go beyond thinking that we are brilliant writers because:

  1. I am a legend in my own mind.
  2. My mother says I’m a great writer.
  3. My dear friend that doesn’t want to hurt my feelings says I’m a great writer.
  4. Seriously? Have you read this? I. AM. BRILLIANT.

Writing CritiqueThe real test of whether or not we are good writers begins when we allow other people - who do not feel obligated to smile and tell us we’re brilliant - to read our work and tell us what they really think. For me this was a very scary prospect.

I know what you’re thinking. The goal of being a published writer is to have people read your work. So it’s ridiculous to be nervous about posting your work online, joining a critique group, or sending out queries. Yet these necessary activities create anxiety – and sometimes terror – in many writers – including me.

I put a toe out in the water a few years ago when I visited a critique group back in Ohio. The experience was a good one, but I didn’t try it again for several years. Earlier this year I joined a local critique group with a wonderful group leader and dedicated participants. I remain a part of the group – though an intense travel schedule the past few months has kept me from participating. Things will be back to normal soon so I look forward to participating with the group more next year.

My primary focus early next year will be editing and revising a novel I finished earlier this year. I want to begin sending out agent queries for this novel by the second or third quarter. Early next year I will be looking for critique partners – a daunting, but essential task – and a couple more Beta Readers.

Dealing with rejection is hard. The disappointment of never achieving my dream of being a published author of women’s fiction would be devastating. I am no longer hiding behind my fears and insecurities. I am ready to commit to the dream 100%. This will be an interesting journey with lots of ups and downs, but I am ready for the ride.

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Jane Green on The Beach House and Promises to Keep

Jul 27 2010 Published by under Women You Ought to Know, Writer's Life

I adore Jane Green.

As a reader I’ve read several of her books. I love the characters that she brings to life and her amazing gift for writing dialogue. As a writer she is one of my Writing Heroines.

The last Jane Green book I read was the Beach House. It took me a minute to warm up to the style of this book which I felt was decidedly different from her books I’ve read in the past – Jemima J, Straight Talk, The Other Woman. The more I got to know each of the characters in this ensemble cast the more attached I became to them. Especially the main character – Nan – a spunky senior citizen who owns a beach house in Nantucket. She can no longer afford the home she’s owned for decades so she takes in boarders. As the summer goes on they slowly become a family.

I enjoyed the book very much. Today I ran across an interview Jane did on Good Morning America. Watch video of the interview about The Beach House and how the story and many of its characters are derived from events in her own life. Click here to read an excerpt of the book.

I stumbled across the video above while searching for the video for Jane’s recent appearance on GMA to promote her book Promises to Keep, which she referenced in a recent blog post on JaneGreen.com. Jane was interviewed by Robin Roberts – another remarkable woman who I greatly admire. Promises to Keep deals with the relationship between two sisters and how that relationship changes when one sister is diagnosed with cancer.

Check out the video below:

Who are your favorite authors and what do you admire about them most?

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Wannabe Writers #2: How to Write the Perfect Ending

Jun 07 2010 Published by under Wannabe Writers, Writer's Life

Wannabe Writers is a writing group for the un-published and anyone is welcome to join. It’s a place where future authors can ask questions, share stories, and get feedback. Click (here) to find more about how it works.

Yesterday I finished my second novel. I am thrilled about this, of course. However, I am now struggling with two major elements of a story. An engaging beginning and how to write the perfect ending. These will be two key elements that I will focus on when I am at the editing stage for this book. Honestly, I am very happy with how the book ends in general. I would like to tweak the last couple of sentences a bit.

Had I stayed on track with this series perhaps I would have gotten a few answers BEFORE I wrote the ending. Since I didn’t, I guess that’s what editing is for. :-)

Where I am in the writing process: A yet-to-be published writer that just completed my second manuscript.

My question(s) this week: What are the essential elements of a perfect ending to a novel?

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An Opportunity for Redemption

Jun 21 2008 Published by under JulNoWriMo, NaNoWriMo, Writer's Life, Writing Contests

I’ve participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) for the past two years. I failed to hit my goal both times. Not because it was impossible. Not because I didn’t have the time. Not because I didn’t have the inspiration. If I could point to the definitive reason I that I did not hit my goal, I would say it was because I told myself it was impossible and that I just didn’t have the time, which seriously affected my inspiration. The inspiration to put my buns in the chair and JUST GET MY PROJECT DONE.

Each time I’d begin with mad inspiration, fingers flying on keyboards, words tumbling out of my brain. I’d hit or exceed my daily goals each day until…. Until the first day I couldn’t write, for whatever reason. Then there’d be another day when I couldn’t write, or I could only meet a fraction of my goal. Soon, I felt like I was in a collapsing hole of my own making. One I simply couldn’t pull myself out of, so I’d give up.

Last year, at the last minute, I jumped back on the bandwagon during the last week of the month. I got so much done and I was quite proud of my work. Then I wanted to kick myself for not sticking with the challenge throughout the month. If I had done so, I surely would have easily met my goal. The guilt from my pitiful efforts the past two years has haunted me the seven months since then.

Over the past few months I’ve been focused on starting a new business and all of the ground work, marketing collateral, and product creation that accompanies such an project. I am nearly finished with the non-fiction book I am writing and had mentioned to my writing buddies at Endurance Writing that I wanted to commit to my writing project again beginning July 1st. How excited was I to read an email from a member of the group asking if we’d like to participate in July Novel Writing Month (JulNoWriMo) with her. It was my opportunity to redeem myself from those missed opportunities in previous NaNoWriMos. And the icing on the cake is that in this competition you can work on a book that is already in progress. So my poor, neglected, unfinished darlings can have their happy ending. And I can hold a finished novel in my hands. My first since my school days, many moons ago.

Namaste,

Copyright ©2006-2008 Samara Leigh
www.SamaraLeigh.com

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