On Writing Friends

If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you know I studied creative writing in college. Well, when I graduated, several of my former classmates found me on facebook and asked to stay in touch. We have a massive facebook group where we just post stuff we're working on and ask for feedback.

It. is. awesome. 

So last fall, I posted on there asking if any poor soul would be willing to read completed manuscript #2. I know it is a little short and it needs more detail, but I didn't know what to add. I was too close to the work and I needed perspective that wasn't mine.

Now, I didn't actually think anyone would take me up on that offer. It's long, we're all busy, and I was asking my friends who had only ever read maybe 14 pages at most from me to suddenly sit down and read 230 pages. However, two lovely friends accepted! 

After they finished reading, we met up during spring break and discussed the book. We sat there for hours talking about just about everything. Here are some reasons that this was a great experience:

1. Hearing other people discuss your work is FUN.

No one had ever laid eyes on this work before (other than me, obviously). It was all still in my head, even though it was recorded on a computer screen. But hearing other people talk about my characters, my setting, the plot, and so on was really fun. Watching them geek out over the romantic scenes, vent over the irritating characters, and laugh over the funny moments was fun. It made the whole thing feel real. 

2. Writing friends have a unique perspective.

I've discussed this before, but writing friends are totally different kinds of friends. They understand the convoluted process in your brain. They know the struggle, the persistence, the frustration, the self-hatred, the excitement, and the nerves that are a part of writing. In this particular case, these were also friends that knew my writing style because I took several classes with them. There's nothing like friends who understand exactly how you feel and what you're trying to do.

3. They see things in a new light.

I've also discussed this before, but new perspective definitely helps. One of them suggested completely restructuring my novel format to better tell the story and avoid lag time. Her suggestion made me bristle initially, but the more I thought about it, the more ideas I got for exactly how to do it. While I'm still not sure exactly how I'm going to do it, she gave me a lot to think about. They also point out your weaknesses that you know are there, but they offer suggestions for how to fix them. They even point out weaknesses you didn't know were there. I thought the time setting was clear, but they were confused. This is invaluable information. 


I haven't actually started revisions on this yet because I'm a teacher and the end of the year was CRAZY (yes, that is my excuse), but I am so excited to start. I know the manuscript will only get better with this feedback. Consult writing friends! They are the best!

Go to a Writers Conference (Yes, Seriously)

Hello all!

So last month I attended a writer's conference at a local university. 

Let me be honest here: This was my first writers conference. I know, I know, I've heard all the advice from literally everyone in the writing/publishing world about how you should go to writers conferences, but I never really thought it was necessary. I didn't see what I could possibly gain from going.

But then the school I work for offered to let me go and take students with me (side note: I run a creative writing club and they thought it would be a cool field trip). So I did. I took students with me and we went. It was a two day conference and let me tell you something:

It was worth it.

I say that as possibly the biggest skeptic of those kinds of things. I couldn't see spending hundreds of dollars on a two day event to hear everything I've already learned from research. And I did hear a lot of repeated information, but I also heard a lot of new things.

It was fun, first of all, just to talk with other writers. It's very affirming to feel like what you love matters (because it does) and getting to share that excitement with people who feel the same way. It's also cool because you get writing prompts and learn new tricks for writing. I met some pretty cool professors and local authors who are "living the dream," so to speak. I made contacts I didn't think I could ever make until after I was published.

And I had fun. 

This conference was modestly priced and I don't think I would attend one of the pricier ones simply because I don't make enough to throw money at stuff like that. But I would definitely go again. I got so much inspiration about my completed novel, my WIP, and some new ideas. I heard some things that I had learned be reinforced. I chatted with groups of people who gave me new insight on old problems. I got to watch my students soak up every minute and talk excitedly about it afterward. I also felt affirmed as a writer.

As a result, I can now add to my creds that I attended a writers conference. I joined a writers organization during the conference (also on my creds). And the major breakthrough I had with edits for my completed novel cannot be understated. 

So as a major skeptic of writers conferences, let me tell you: 

Go to a writers conference.