Snow Day Writing Journal (tee hee hee)

I have a snow day!!! Finally, time to write. I just compiled cuts from my first thirteen chapters (125 pages) and I hacked 11,500 words. I replaced about 7,000 of them with tighter prose and fed the rest to the word eater (see Ninjadillo on twitter).

I’m working on: My first real edit of Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend, the first book in my trilogy.

I’m listening to: The soundtrack from Beowulf

I’m happy because: Snow day equals time to write.

The devil on my shoulder says: Let wifey sleep. She’ll try to make you clean when she wakes.

Editing, Rewriting, Learning, Oh My!

And I thought I knew how to edit (laughs at self). The truth is that I had no idea. I was afraid to cut words and rewrite and instead focused on being grammatically correct and proper word choice (which I still wasn’t too good at). Now I know better.

Ten chapters into my latest edit (two months of work) I have cut and rewritten at least 1000 words per chapter. If this trend continues I will have rewritten about thirty-seven percent of the novel. Add in a reader edit and a final polish and I could easily rewrite forty percent of a story I thought was complete a few months ago. A few tips if you are interested:

1. Read a good book on editing or fiction writing in general. Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell is a good resource (his book on plot and structure is also recommended). Thanks, But This Isn’t For Us by Jessica Page Morrell is also a fun and enlightening read which explains the major reasons for rejection.

2. Read your favorite book(s) in the same genre and compare your amount of description, dialogue, internalization, and action. Notice the flow, the emotion, and how quickly it reads and compare it to your story. (I read The Lightning Thief and The Sorcerer’s Stone again)

3. Take the reader with you by SHOWING them the scenes and connecting them through the characters and all five senses.

4. DON”T be afraid to cut the extra words and unnecessary information.  You’re scared of harming your baby, I know, so save your original story as is and then start a new file with your cut story. This was my biggest stumbling block, but I took the plunge and so far my story is the better for it.

Good luck and take your time.

Writing Journal

I’m working on: Another edit of Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I’ve learned a lot since the last edit (wrote the second novel) and I’m literally replacing 30-40% of the words.

I’m listening to: Owl City: Fireflies

I’m happy because: Thanksgiving break means time to edit this week…sinister smile.

The devil on my shoulder says: There is nothing wrong with full bodied coffee at 9:30 at night.

Other News: I updated my website with a new novel excerpt, added music, and a new (still being developed) book trailer. See Links.

Writers are Exciting People: Meet Kelsey Timmerman

The cliché that writers sit locked up in their writing space, introverted and alone is so far from the truth. Writers are some of the most exciting people to hang out with. I had the pleasure of critiquing with my writing group and a special guest, author Kelsey Timmerman.

Timmerman lives with a humorous punch and writes with one, too. He even adds many “lol” moments when writing about topics that activists go crazy over. In his book Where Am I Wearing he travels to the countries from where his favorite clothes flow. But he wasn’t there to investigate the many wrongs in the form of child labor and sweatshops. Nor was he there to write a dry academic account. He went to meet the people who made the clothes and spend some time in their world.

His story and writing are as enjoyable as his company which is saying a lot.

Recommended: Where Am I Wearing

Write or Sleep?

Schedules. Schedules. Schedules. I need a new one and I need it fast. I love my wife so I have to give her attention (no complaints with this one). My dog needs love and exercise (again not a problem).I also have to help around the house (slight grumble). I have to plan to teach middle school and grade papers (excessive groans, especially the grading). But, I also need to write.

Here is the dilemma. There aren’t enough hours in a day to do all of these things and write as much as I want to. So, do I add more hours to my day by sleeping less? I have to think that I could condition my body to six hours instead of seven or eight (sometimes ten or twelve). I will be adding grad courses soon and within a year (or two) a baby to the family. I’m only getting busier and sleep seems the only element that I can control.

Do I write at the expense of sleep? Time to crunch the numbers (maybe the student’s papers too).

Writing Journal

I’m working on: A major overhaul of my first novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I will end up cutting and rewriting 50-75 percent of the original.

I’m listening to: Celtic Thunder: Heartland

I’m happy because: I’m finally learning how to write fiction.

The devil on my shoulder says: Murder every word, sentence, paragraph, and scene that isn’t 100 percent necessary. That’s right, I said murder.

Writing Journal

I’m working on: A major rewrite of my first novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend.

I’m listening to: The soundtrack to the movie 300.

I’m happy because: It is the weekend and time to write!

The devil on my shoulder says: Take a weekend off of school and just get this novel up to par.

Find your voice through critique

One might think that the act of writing helps one find their voice. You know…the way one puts words on a page and sounds like him or herself in actual conversation (although a bit more formal). I have found a better way to discover one’s own voice. The secret: critique other’s work.

It doesn’t matter if that critique is based on an already published book or something from a critique partner at a workshop or writers’ group. Trust me there are plenty of books out there that are written poorly and you can help yourself by reading through and deciding which words and phrases you would have tweaked.

Personally I’ve found that I tend to write action and dialogue over internalization. I am always looking to raise the stakes in a scene, and I discovered this by suggesting such in others work.  In reality it may not work for them, but by attempting to help, I have done myself an immense favor.

I found my voice.

Writing Journal

I’m working on: Another edit of my first novel Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I received some great feedback recently on how to improve the writing and the story. It’s amazing how a “finished product” is far from complete even after a professional edit.

I’m listening to: Heavy metal tonight, Disturbed: Indestructible.

I’m happy because: Monday is almost over.

The devil on my shoulder says: More chocolate-chip cookies.

My Critique Group (aka call to action)

Work can get us all down at times, draining our energy and provoking us to the couch upon arriving home. This has been me for the last three weeks. My writing has been down (reading up however). My creative muse has disappeared. My conscience screams “help, this can’t happen.” Then comes Thursday night.

My writing critique group has pushed me to write and edit even when the rest of my being is trying to sloth on the big comfy couch. Critique groups are invaluable. Every group has an Irene (crazy/fun lady) that makes even a slow meeting peppy like popping corn.  If you are a writer without a critique group, you need to get one and fast.

It will improve your writing!