tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post6903703318743034431..comments2024-02-29T16:50:46.462-05:00Comments on Write What Inspires You! ~ Donna M. McDine: Your First Draft and CritiquesDonna McDinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-34528139598692033542009-05-28T10:21:28.251-04:002009-05-28T10:21:28.251-04:00Patricia: Thanks for stopping by. I am in complete...Patricia: Thanks for stopping by. I am in complete agreement with you and thanks for offering the quote. Oh so very true.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-71540447427120056612009-05-27T23:16:13.060-04:002009-05-27T23:16:13.060-04:00I am working on the final third of a young adult f...I am working on the final third of a young adult fiction novel and I feel -- having taken both approaches -- that a writer should focus on completing the first draft without perfecting each chapter along the way. I only go back and revise a chapter if it drastically changes the story, which is what happened to me early on. Since then, I have kept plugging right along. In the end you will probably end up with fewer revisions if you don't focus on making things perfect along the way.<br /><br />"Writing is like everything else: the more you do it the better you get. Don't try to perfect as you go along, just get to the end of the damn thing. Accept imperfections. Get it finished and then you can go back. If you try to polish every sentence there's a chance you'll never get past the first chapter." (Iain Banks)<br /><br />Patricia Shirra<br />Children's & Young Adult Author<br />Member of SCBWI<br /><br />visit my blog spot at ...<br />http://patriciashirra.blogspot.com/<br /><br />visit my website ...<br />http://home.comcast.net/~patriciashirra/psmainpage.htmPatricia Shirrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05791781261522275069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-77161862088598038342009-05-27T13:40:33.644-04:002009-05-27T13:40:33.644-04:00Beth: Thanks for sharing your process. I agree, it...Beth: Thanks for sharing your process. I agree, it would be amazing to watch our brain waves while writing.<br /><br />Karen: Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us your experience. Especially listening to our inner voice. Many times if we don't we kick ourselves in the pants later.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-81592893803692871282009-05-27T09:25:56.893-04:002009-05-27T09:25:56.893-04:00Hi, Donna,
I'm the co-moderator of a children's w...Hi, Donna,<br /><br />I'm the co-moderator of a children's writing critique group. What Margot mentioned about sending in polished (as best you can) mss for your group to critique, this is so important. It's time consuming to have to help with the basics.<br /><br />As far as my mss, I always submit my finished work. Then when I get the critiques I like to edit one chapter at a time taking into account each group members' suggestions.<br /><br />It's also important to remember to use your own inner voice as to which suggestions to use.<br /><br />Great topic!<br /><br />KarenKaren Cioffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492421057039326702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-6968720895498461612009-05-26T22:17:19.049-04:002009-05-26T22:17:19.049-04:00Donna and Beverly, I'm glad to hear someone else u...Donna and Beverly, I'm glad to hear someone else uses lots of sticky notes. I have them all around the house and whenever I think of something for whatever projects I'm working on, I write it down and stick on the appropriate page. <br /><br />I like to think that I just write it all down and let the words flow on the first draft, but the truth is, I edit a little bit as I go. Writing is such a fluid process, isn't it? It would be neat to watch our brain activity as we write to see all the synapses lighting up. LOLBeth Bence Reinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11514132087445363918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-5262235267574209872009-05-26T20:40:03.447-04:002009-05-26T20:40:03.447-04:00Sheila...yet another great approach. Hmm...life ce...Sheila...yet another great approach. Hmm...life certainly does get the way. Thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />Regards,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-89847564289186976912009-05-26T19:04:38.298-04:002009-05-26T19:04:38.298-04:00I go for the two steps forward one step back appro...I go for the two steps forward one step back approach. If I don't reread the last bit, I find my writing gets too disjointed (is that because I usually stop at the worst point because the phone rings, the son needs a ride, the husband needs his calendar checked... whatever?), so I read and edit yesterday's bit and keep going for today, then reread today's bit tomorrow.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-87593180038551421662009-05-26T17:04:15.916-04:002009-05-26T17:04:15.916-04:00Joe...having a network of writers who will give yo...Joe...having a network of writers who will give you feedback is instrumental in making your ms move forward and not get stalled. I like your idea of waiting to revise, that way you certainly can get a better outlook on your ms.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />Regards,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-59774901404241215532009-05-26T16:45:17.083-04:002009-05-26T16:45:17.083-04:00To Donna,
I always love my first draft as it come...To Donna,<br /><br />I always love my first draft as it comes out of my head. I enjoy the twists, turns, and surprises as a writer. Then after it is written, I need to wait to revise unless it is far beyond the word limit. In that case I can cut and slash right away. Getting feedback on the piece is very important. I have a number of writer friends that I trust. When I know that I am making it better I am ecstatic.Joe Sottilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06895840811863044857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-88855441063116886862009-05-26T16:02:43.532-04:002009-05-26T16:02:43.532-04:00Cheryl...that is what I was doing until I had my "...Cheryl...that is what I was doing until I had my "DUH" and realized I wasn't moving forward. Best wishes with your critique group.<br /><br />Regards,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-66252462256171798152009-05-26T16:00:02.612-04:002009-05-26T16:00:02.612-04:00I almost always write first and edit later, but no...I almost always write first and edit later, but now that I am part of a regular critique group it is a bit harder because I like to read their suggestions and it makes me want to start editing right away.<br /><br />CherylCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-26558852305919057372009-05-26T15:49:47.993-04:002009-05-26T15:49:47.993-04:00Hi Margot...your insights are valuable. I especial...Hi Margot...your insights are valuable. I especially like your advice on a fairly well polished chapter. Makes a lot of sense. The way your critique works is terrific. Especially for the more seasoned writer.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing.<br /><br />Best,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-86506547890994375602009-05-26T15:05:52.563-04:002009-05-26T15:05:52.563-04:00I can offer insights as a writer and a professiona...I can offer insights as a writer and a professional manuscript critiquer.<br /><br />Donna, your "Duh Moment" served you well. Get those ideas down ASAP: tweaking, pruning and reworking it can come later.<br /><br />I also think it is fine to ask your crit group for advice, suggestions, or input regarding a particular chapter or paragraph while still working on your story. However, requesting a critique before you have ironed out most of the wrinkles is asking a lot of your group. <br /><br />As a professional at the crit game, let me say that the more time I have to spend "fixing," commenting, and offering examples, the higher my fee - so it pays to send an MS that is as good as you can make it.<br /><br />And in my own crit group, we love helping each other with knotty individual plot or character problems, but do not appreciate having to comment or fix basic writing chores. We only ask for critiques of chapters that are fairly well polished.<br /><br /> Manuscript Critiques - My Books! <br /> http://www.margotfinke.com <br /> http://margotfinke.blogspot.com/<br />:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br />BUY any Autographed Book from my website, and <br />receive a FREE LINK to me READING that story!Magic Carpet of 16x Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13145090220955463862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-78069883300521969942009-05-26T15:03:03.312-04:002009-05-26T15:03:03.312-04:00Hi Beverly...I use post-it notes too. I believe I ...Hi Beverly...I use post-it notes too. I believe I keep the post-it company in business. I've often wondered how your background as a teacher goes into your editing. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Regards,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-83377331183813513652009-05-26T14:51:02.909-04:002009-05-26T14:51:02.909-04:00The teacher in me is always looking for the misspe...The teacher in me is always looking for the misspelled word, the punctuation mark, the sentence fragment. I tend to edit as I go along and it takes me forever. With my latest story, I finally sketched out the last few chapters so I could get to the end. Now I'm going back to the beginning. Along the way I make notes on sticky notes that I need to add something here, or take out, or whatever occurs to me as I'm typing.<br /><br />I've enjoyed reading everyone's method of writing. I'm trying to do better on the first draft. It's not easy, going on when a thought pops into my brain.<br /><br />Bev<br />http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.comBeverly Stowe McClurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176195451841801819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-46177322692123389152009-05-26T13:58:08.612-04:002009-05-26T13:58:08.612-04:00Carolyn...love your advice to sweat the details la...Carolyn...love your advice to sweat the details later. Need to incorporate it. Thanks!<br /><br />Regards,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-56284280601919304432009-05-26T13:36:47.077-04:002009-05-26T13:36:47.077-04:00This is such a great topic. When I teach creative ...This is such a great topic. When I teach creative writing, I always tell my students to just write and write fast. Ignore the grammar and don't worry about the typos and punctuation. (-: Find advice for an editor, huh? But the idea is be creative. We can sweat the details later.<br />Best,<br />Carolyn Howard-Johnson<br />Author of the multi award-winning The Frugal EditorCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-62748303228354797072009-05-26T13:17:19.508-04:002009-05-26T13:17:19.508-04:00Diane...thanks for stopping by and contributing to...Diane...thanks for stopping by and contributing to the conversation. I certainly like your take about not making a chapter until the work is completed.<br /><br />Regards,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-10968351769123773472009-05-26T13:04:40.127-04:002009-05-26T13:04:40.127-04:00I do both! I'll write, then a little editing, writ...I do both! I'll write, then a little editing, write, little more editing. It never holds up forward progress though, and I certainly don't try to make a chapter perfect until I've completed the work. <br /><br />L. Diane Wolfe<br />www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com<br />www.spunkonastick.net <br />www.thecircleoffriends.netL. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-12753400666583563422009-05-26T12:51:53.880-04:002009-05-26T12:51:53.880-04:00Kim...I love our little voices from within us, tha...Kim...I love our little voices from within us, that give us a good kick in the pants! I know for one, I need to start listening to mine a bit more.<br /><br />Shari...your approach in evaluating as a whole makes a lot of sense. I agree there is no right way. I find it changes from ms to ms.<br /><br />Lori...congratulations on finishing your first draft. Quite the accomplishment. Good luck with your editing process.<br /><br />Maggie...good luck with your continued edits. The muse must have been with you to write the first draft in one sitting. Good for you.<br /><br />Mayra...sound advice of shutting down your inner critic. I love it!<br /><br />Vivian...your approach on cohesion makes a lot of sense. One I need to keep in mind.<br /><br />Karin...your approach with the summer vacation for many students now upon us, makes a lot of sense. Good luck.<br /><br />Elysabeth...your approach is yet another way. Good luck with your edits. <br /><br />Katie...your technique definitely paid off for you in the end. Good luck with your release this summer!<br /><br />Sliding on the Edge...I have felt like this many times too. Good luck with your process.<br /><br />Best wishes to all for your continued success!<br /><br />Warmly,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-38604490938735680302009-05-26T12:22:53.100-04:002009-05-26T12:22:53.100-04:00I'm all over the place with this critque/editing ...I'm all over the place with this critque/editing process. Sometimes I just plow through to the end, writing badly and accepting that I'll have to wait to "get it right" later.<br /><br />Then I'll get hung up on a chapter or a scene and become a Dirvish-going around and around, trying to find exact word or tone. I think this happens mostly when I don't where to go next in the story.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-22141899714760575682009-05-26T12:17:43.001-04:002009-05-26T12:17:43.001-04:00With my book, "Guardian," I had eight versions bef...With my book, "Guardian," I had eight versions before I finally sent it out - like you, realized I could edit it forever. <br /><br />I "tried" to finish a first draft, but as I was going along, kept thinking of plot twists. I could not write more of the book without adding those in, because they would dictate what I would write from that point on.<br /><br />Still, I had a finished version by the end of three, so I think I did okay. <br /><br />The hardest thing was to send the ms. out to the pubisher, because I knew I could come up with more things to change!Katie Hineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279118592523922756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-9837342993516163642009-05-26T10:44:27.732-04:002009-05-26T10:44:27.732-04:00Since I don't write anything but short stories, I ...Since I don't write anything but short stories, I usually write through and then do my editing and then send to a couple of friends to edit and then take to critique group if I have the time or I'm still seeking something to make the story better. I haven't been to critique group in a while so mostly I finish, do a read through and edit what I catch (found some missing words recently in my draft of State of Reservations while finishing it up) and then send to a friend or two to edit. When it's fixed up from their suggestions or edits, I send to Vivian to do her thing and go from there - I can't really edit as I go along because then the story wouldn't really get written on my part.<br /><br />Nice discussion - thanks for sharing, Donna. - See you all in the postings - E :)elysabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07052446855668120700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-28832925802319444962009-05-26T10:37:36.002-04:002009-05-26T10:37:36.002-04:00Great discussion, Donna! I think too it is so eas...Great discussion, Donna! I think too it is so easy to get caught up in all the editing and perfecting along the way and lose sight of just writing. I tend to get focused on editing too often and, before you know it, my writing time is gone for the day and I've not written a single word. My mission, for the summer at least with the kids home, is to just write, write, write and worry about the perfecting and editing later. <br /><br />KarinKarin Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09940279659364365138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-67628706776710633382009-05-26T10:04:19.776-04:002009-05-26T10:04:19.776-04:00As I'm writing, if I think of a change, I make it ...As I'm writing, if I think of a change, I make it then. I edit sightly (yes, sightly - if I see something jarring, I change it so I don't forget) as I go, but I don't do in depth editing until the end. However, I do print out the material after I've finished a section and look it over. I do the general editing as I go so that coherency isn't lost. <br /><br />I've read books that had a lack of cohesion or lack of comprehension because the author made a change in the first part of the book, after the manuscript is finished, that wasn't changed or adapted later in the book. <br /><br />I don't usually look for critiques until I'm finished. <br /><br />So far my method has worked well for me.Vivian Zabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.com