What if someone told you that your writing was offensive? Reading is very subjective so your writing may very well offend someone. Each reader comes to a story with a specific set of morals and values and this can affect their response/reaction to your writing. It can be awkward to say that least. I was once in a critique group where this became an issue. One writer felt that she couldn't even bring certain material to the group because it was deemed "offensive." In the end, she had to … [Read more...]
Writer Friend Inspiration
August 9, 2011 Read Comments
Last Friday night I was excited to attend a book launch party for one of my dear writer friends Vicky Alvear Shecter who is the author of the Cleopatra's Moon, a fabulous YA historical fiction novel. Here is a picture from the party at the Little Shop of Stories bookstore where Vicky is holding the infamous Drag-Queen Cleo. The novel focuses on Cleopatra Selene, the only daughter of the renowned queen of Egypt. Being a lover of all things historical, I loved the way that Vicky … [Read more...]
Novels are Fluid
July 21, 2010 Read Comments
I remember my early critique days. I would get all of these suggestions but I was closed off to them. I would say, "They don't understand!" or "This is the only way this story can be told!" or even "What? I'm not doing that!" It took me a while to realize that my novel is not something rigid. Novels can change. Novels are fluid. I believe in order to grow as a writer, you have to be open to the different avenues your novel can take you during the creation process. You have to be … [Read more...]
Receiving Critique Feedback
February 3, 2010 Read Comments
So this is the final part of my Critique Group blog series. In the first part, I talked about what makes a good critique group. Last week in the second part, I gave a few tips on how to give critique feedback. This week, I'm going to talk about how to receive critique feedback, which can sometimes be the hardest part. And I'm going to cheat just a little because just last week, I read an excellent post about receiving critique feedback by Jennifer R. Hubbard, author of the YA novel, The … [Read more...]
