2006 Writer's Resolutions

With 2006 coming, I guess it's time to make a list of Writer's Resolutions. Here are 6 that I aim to follow, and why.

1. Consult fresh eyes. Thanks to the fresh eyes of a new critique circle I've found, an upcoming Flogging the Quill post will reflect an epiphany I had regarding the openings of two of my novels (one finished, one a WIP) and how they affect a reader's feelings about the protagonists. I've had a number of people read both works, but a new critiquer's insistence on what he felt was a lack finally got through to me. As a result, I've changed how the novels open with, I feel, a much stronger effect.

I'm lucky, though. I have, through diligent recruiting, several pairs of professional, published author eyes. They truly understand the goals of a narrative and the techniques required to get there. And can be articulate about shortcomings they see, and volunteer good suggestions.

For many beginning writers, though, it's tough to find those people. All I can say is to search. Often asking about writer's groups at your local library can turn up good resources. There are critique resources online. Or you can search for an editor such as I to help out. Whatever you do, find fresh eyes. DON'T send queries out for your novel until you've gotten input from several astute readers and done lots of polishing.

2. Diligent pursuit and elimination of most (but not all) adverbs and adjectives from my narrative. I find that I have to be diligent -- it's too easy to just spill the words out on the page in a fairly professional way and let it go at that. I have to reread, reread, reread to find the spots where I've overdone it. Or underdone it.

I admit to being a "tweaker." When I've written a chunk, let's say 1,000 or so words, my tendency is to return to it several times before moving forward with the narrative. I rewrite, doing both trimming (of adverbs and adjectives) and expansion (of description and action). Once I feel pretty good about that segment, I'm free to move on. Because I'm a bootstrapper and not an outliner, my process also gives my back burner time to formulate more of what comes next.

3. Visualize from within character. Make sure I insert myself into a character's head and look around. I think many of us have a tendency, at least in the first draft, to describe things as if we were a camera. The result is information, and it can be eloquently expressed, but too often initial description falls far short of what we can achieve. You'd be amazed at how much characterization you can do via description if you filter it through your character's perspective -- her needs, desires, feelings, experience, etc.

For example, in my vampire kitty-cat blook, I took my kitty into a room where there was a fireplace. Perhaps it was easier to do this because I'm writing him in the first person, but I immediately reacted to the presence of a fire burning in it -- so my description focused on how he liked to stretch out on a warm hearth but, now that he was a vampire, he didn't feel heat and cold. And that was a loss to him. I didn't spend any time describing flames or what the fireplace was made of for a couple of reasons: it wasn't important to the story, and readers are perfectly capable of filling that in to suit themselves.

4. Keep at it.

5. Keep at it.

6. Keep at it.

Have a productive 2006.

Best,

Ray

Free edit in exchange for posting permission. You send a sample that you have questions about and of which you'd like an edit. I won't post it without your permission.

© 2005 Ray Rhamey

Comments

[Rhona Westbrook]

I am right there with you Ray. I think that one of the stupidest things I have ever heard of, is a new writer sending stuff off without having a profesional edit first. It is like deciding to become a rock star without the ability to sing. or going to practice law without a degree. I do not understand why so many writers think that to spill words out on a page should entitle them to the next spot on the bestsellers list. crazy I tell you!