IWSG: Changing Your Story

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

FEBRUARY QUESTION - Is there a story or book you've written you want to or wish you could go back and change?

MY ANSWER - I always think there could be room for improvement. The truth is, are any of us ever really finished with a piece, even after it's in print? I try not to regret a piece once it's been published. If there is something I realize I don't like after publication, I use that information while working on my future pieces. If I don't feel a piece is ready, I simply don't submit it (usually). There are times I reflect on older work versus newer and feel like "What happened? I used to be fairly good" and other times, I'm like "Wow, I'm glad that is no longer in print". Like any artist, I'm constantly changing moods, experiences, and issues. The quality of my work is often a reflection of this. So, yes, there are times I wish I could change something, but those feelings are generally more directed toward pieces that have not been published yet. If we let ourselves become too engrossed in wanting to change the past, we might not move forward. While it's impossible to live without any regrets, it's more likely we will regret giving up than any failed attempts toward "perfection". So instead, focus on changing your story as it is evolving now. Could you commit more time to writing, to editing, to submitting? If the answer is yes, make that change when and if possible. Everything has a season. I wish you all the best - keep moving forward!

How about you? Is there a story or book you've written you want to or wish you could go back and change?

IWSG: Letting a Manuscript Rest Before Editing

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

JUNE QUESTION - For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

MY ANSWER - It depends on my connection to the piece, my mood, and what editors are looking for at the time of completion. For example, one of the pieces I published with Chicken Soup for the Soul was actually a story I had written for another purpose some 20 years before, and edited multiple times. Another piece they published, I actually wrote and submitted a first draft to them  - and received an acceptance within a couple of weeks (this rarely happens). I have some manuscripts that have sat waiting in my desk, or computer, for a decade or more because I know they are not ready - and neither am I. Some manuscripts have been accepted almost immediately upon reception. I think there is a combination of confidence in the tale, your readiness to part with the piece as is, and an editors desires or needs, that determines how long until you edit, and how many drafts you need before publication.

How about you? How long do you wait before editing?

The Write Support

It's time once again for the annual southeast Texas The Write Support. You're all invited to attend this day of writers helping writers. ATTENDEES will include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry professionals.


The Write Support

June 24, 2017

10 am – 4 pm

Howells Furniture Conference Room – 2^nd Floor

6095 Folsom Dr, Beaumont, TX 77706

COST: FREE to all TGCW members. For all others, the cost is $10 at the door. Table space may be limited and will go to the first to reserve, please RSVP to Sylvia Ney. 

Schedule:

10 am – 1 pm              Bring your latest manuscripts and questions to share for honest feedback, and to encourage needed reviews. This is strictly time for critiques, edits, reviews, and general work on your manuscripts.

LUNCH                      On your own at your discretion. There are many restaurants within a five mile radius of this location.

1 pm – 4 pm                Come sell your books, and check out the work of others, ask questions, make connections, learn current industry news, or seek more critiques. This afternoon is geared more toward the publishing and purchasing aspects of writing, but anyone is welcome to continue to work on their own projects.

Hope to see you there!

IWSG: When is Your Story Ready?

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

The October 5th question - When do you know your story is ready?

My Answer - This question is almost impossible to answer because the truth is - I'm never really done! Even after a piece has been published, I'll find things I wish I could change. However, knowing this about myself, "How do I know I'm ready for someone else to read it?" might be a better question. My answer for this is:

1) Finish a first draft.
2) Take break - hopefully at least a week.
3) Self - edit. I usually give it at least four passes before I share with anyone else.
4) Share with Beta-readers or critique partners - these are free reviews and edits with a select group I'm comfortable working with.
5) Make my final edits based on the feedback before sending to an agent, editor, or publisher.

For more of my thoughts on this subject:

Working with Agents, Editors, and Publishers:
8 Ways to Annoy Literary Agents
7 Steps to Preparing Your One Sheet
Pad Your Resume and Wallets by Writing for Small Markets
6 Tests Before Publication
When and Where to Publish Short Stories
Then There Were Five
7 Tips for Pitching to an Agent or Editor
5 of the Worst Author Traits
Resume' for the Writer
Defining High Concept
Interview With an Agent
Speed Dating Pitch Session

How about you? How do you know when your story is ready?