“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison
Is there anything quite as beautiful as writing the first draft of a story? Every moment is primed with intrigue, wonder, and mystery. You just paint everything on the metaphorical canvass as you see it in your mind's eye. Ideas pour forth from you like a soda fountain filled with Mentos You pat yourself on… Continue reading Editing is the Worst Thing Ever
I experience a mixed bag of emotions when I'm rewriting a piece. One emotion is excitement because I'm fixing things I had problems with in the original draft. Another is trepidation because I'm worried that the things I actually did enjoy about my original draft will have to be cut out. Each thing you change… Continue reading Rewriting: Once More with Feeling!
I’ve put it off long enough. I must edit the third draft of my story. It’s been a while since I looked at this novella and, to be honest, I’m kind of terrified. Is it going to be better than I remember? Worse than I remember? I have no way of knowing until I reread it.… Continue reading Editing My Novella, or the Red Pen of Death
I am happy there is someone who is willing to give me their honest opinion of my work. It can be difficult to a) find someone who is willing to read anything, let alone something I wrote and b) find someone who will not pull punches when it comes to problems with plot, story, characters,… Continue reading Letting My Friend Break My Kneecaps, or Getting Constructive Criticism
It's not perfect, but it's done. After several long weeks, I finally finished that pesky third draft that has been plaguing my every thought. Remember how a few posts ago I wrote about how a second draft was like a forest fire? Well, this draft was like trying to put the forest back together after… Continue reading The Third Draft of Redemption
I'm notorious for jumping ship whenever a story becomes complicated. Friends ask me frequently how a story is going and my blood goes cold. "Oh," I think, "just imagine a sinking boat that suddenly catches fire only to be extinguished by a humpback whale, leaping from the water and crushing it into splinters with its… Continue reading Abandon Manuscript!: The Diary of a Quitter
Is there anything more horrifying than reading something you wrote years ago? ……Or two days ago? I’m pretty sure if a Boggart were to appear in front of me one dark and stormy night, it would take on the form of the manuscript I wrote in high school. It was your standard paranormal romance, only… Continue reading Re-reading Old Drafts
Dear First Draft, Remember how I said I needed some time away to think about our relationship? Well, I’ve given myself some breathing room and I’ve finally come to the conclusion that we should see other people. I know this must be heartbreaking for you. It’s difficult for me as well. In the beginning, our love… Continue reading Dear First Draft: a Breakup Letter
The Crooked Pen 