To make this fun I thought I’d play a little game and see if you can name the people in these photos. The person who gets the most answers right wins…books. I’ll probably keep the contest going until I get home!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. Please ignore the REALLY bad picture of me and concentrate on the person in the middle!

7.

Well, this will have to do for now. Internet connection is very slow!

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Creston Mapes

Todd and Jedd Hafer

Ted Dekker

TL Hines

Mike Dellosso

What do these names have in common? They’re the authors of the last books I’ve really liked. And I’m beginning to realize that some of my favorite books all have male protagonists and are written by men. So what does that say about me?

Not quiet sure yet, but maybe that I like suspense, mystery, thrillers and a plot that moves. These authors deliver all that.

Now there are female authors like Brandilyn Collins who rank up close to the guys and I still have yet to read her latest book Crimson Eve, and Lisa Samson always delivers, but when it comes to a guaranteed enjoyable read, it seems like I need to stick with the guys!

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No, not me or even a friend or family member…MY WIP!

I lost count as to how many HEARTs and BACKs are in my WIP. Between my the heart lurching, and jumping into throats and thudding against her ribs it’s no wonder my WIP had a BACK problem as well.

As in BACK THEN, instead of plain old then. And “she sat BACK down.” Instead of “she sat down.”

I’ve successfully added different visceral emotions to HALF of the HEART references, but I’m only halfway through the painful, yet fairly easy BACK surgery.

What are the unnecessary and repetitive words you use over and over and over again in your WIP?

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I’m almost there! I can see the finish line of my WIP, but will I have the energy to cross it? And when I do will I dare to be satisfied with it! I’m sort of a perfectionist, but I know that one day I’ll have to send it out. In the past I sent my WIPs out way before I really knew the craft and got rejected. So I don’t want to repeat my mistakes, and I’m being extra nit picky! I’m hoping that one day is soon, before summer! But we’ll see!

My proposal is just about ready to send off, but I’m trying to decide if I should send if off when the entire WIP isn’t squeaky clean. There’s still a missing scene and some holes to fill. What’s your opinion? Should I send it out or wait until the entire thing is ready to be mailed?

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I run a critique service called the Story Sensei, and I’ve also judged a fair number of writing contests through RWA, in addition to coordinating the ACFW Genesis contest. I’ve noticed a few commonalities in the manuscripts I’ve critiqued and judged, and Gina asked me to share. So here is:

The top ten mistakes I see in manuscripts:

10) Inadequate use of point of view.

I’m not talking about head-hopping. I’m talking about a very distant use of point of view that doesn’t get the reader into the character’s head or feeling the character’s emotions.

For a first chapter, especially, this is crucial. If the reader isn’t immediately sucked into the character’s mind and body, if the reader doesn’t care about the character, they’re going to put the book down. This leads to the next mistake:

9) Inadequate character emotions.

A distant point of view will contribute to distancing the reader from the character’s emotions. And if a reader doesn’t feel the character’s emotions, why should they care about the character at all?

What I especially like about Nancy Kress’s book Characters, Emotion, and Viewpoint is that she shows how emotion is very deeply intertwined with point of view. The deeper and more skillfully crafted the point of view, the stronger and more vivid the character emotions.

My suggestion is for writers to read up on viewpoint and emotion. There are lots of good books and workshops out there. One of the best is Margie Lawson’s workshop Empowering Characters’ Emotions.

A weak opening line.

When I see a strong, intriguing first line or first paragraph, I’m immediately hooked. Even if the story tanks from that point on, I will still stick with the manuscript for more pages than I would if the opening line were weak.

The opening line or paragraph needs to grab the reader. Something curious, ominous, intriguing, humorous, surprising, or alarming. Here are a few examples:

This was not the smartest way to die.

–A Soldier’s Family by Cheryl Wyatt

If there was one thing Josie Miller knew, it was the smell of a rich man. And whoever had just walked into the diner smelled like Fort Knox.

–Her Unlikely Family by Missy Tippens

At 1:33 a.m., nine hours and twenty-seven minutes before my wedding ceremony, my fiancé dumped me. By text message.

–Daring Chloe by Laura Jensen Walker

Make your opening line have POW!

7) No external goals.

I see this much too often. The main character will have no external goal to carry him or her throughout the story.

Without an external goal, the character is aimless, purposeless. It’s harder to follow a character who doesn’t know what they want, who doesn’t have a goal in mind.

Sometimes they have an external goal, but it’s resolved by the middle of the book. That’s not good either—it needs to be a goal that carries them through the climax.

If you’re not familiar with external goals, I can suggest Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell, Getting Into Character by Brandilyn Collins, and Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon.

6) Episodic writing.

Every single scene should have something that moves the plot forward. It is not good enough if a scene shows a character’s charming personality or their relationship with their dog or their tendency to spill drinks.

Each scene needs to move the plot forward. Something has to happen, another step toward the climax of the story.

When it’s just people talking in a coffeeshop, then talking over a breakfast table, then walking the park, it’s called episodic writing. The story is not moving forward—the scenes are meandering, without purpose or direction.

If you don’t have something significant in the scene that moves the plot forward, cut the scene. Be ruthless. If you need to show the heroine’s relationship with her dog, then combine that in another scene that is moving the plot forward. That way, you kill two birds with one stone.

5) Too much narrative.

Especially the first scene of a novel needs to have movement. The characters don’t need to be shooting at people or having a car chase or running from an exploding building, but there needs to be some sort of movement, action, dialogue.

This is not the place for a character’s thoughts to go off on backstory or on their opinion of the new mayor’s policy on front lawn watering.

Action. Movement. Dialogue.

Give the viewpoint character a scene goal and have them pursue it. This will give purpose and movement to the scene, because the character isn’t going to stop and smell the roses—he’s going to fight the crowds at the rally and convince the mayor to sign off on his petition. Or she’s going to find her batty grandma somewhere in the craft fair crowd and take the old woman home.

If you’re not familiar with scene goals, brush up on Scene and Sequel, which is mentioned in Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain, Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham, and Randy Ingermanson in his article, “Writing the Perfect Scene.”

4) Not enough conflict and tension.

You don’t need characters to be fighting or shooting people, but there needs to be some sort of conflict or tension on every single page. And before you think that’s going overboard, analyze your favorite novel.

I will take one of my favorite novels, Pride and Prejudice, which many people would think has very little conflict or tension.

That classic first line, besides being very funny, bodes ill for any single man with a good fortune. That’s tension right there.

The next pages detail Mrs. Bennet telling Mr. Bennet about Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet is over the moon at the prospects for the girls, while Mr. Bennet is being purposefully obtuse about it (conflict). Mrs. Bennet also wants Mr. Bennet to visit Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Bennet flatly refuses (conflict), besides which calling his daughters silly and ignorant (tension). The conversation goes downhill from there, as Mrs. Bennet gets more upset (tension) and Mr. Bennet has more fun teasing his wife (conflict).

Go through your manuscript and make sure you have conflict or tension in every single page, in every paragraph if you can do it. I highly recommend Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass.

3) Amateur writing.

I’m lumping passive verbs, excessive use of –ly adverbs, exclamation points galore, and too many dialogue tags under amateur writing.

There are lots of articles online about these small mistakes that nevertheless make the writer’s amateur status stand out to an editor. If you haven’t yet read them yet, pick up The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.

2) Cliches abounding.

I’m not only talking about clichéd phrases like “her heart pounded in her chest” or “he panted as if he’d run a marathon.” I’m also talking about clichéd characters.

Think of Scarlett O’Hara. Hercule Poirot. Indiana Jones.

They are incredibly unique, vivid characters that stand out from the rest. They are originals. They are definitely not clichéd or boring.

Your characters need to be that unique. Your characters need to be completely original. Your characters need to stand out from the other types of characters in the books on the Barnes and Noble shelves.

One of the only ways to make sure your characters are truly original is to read extensively. Know what types of characters are already out there on the shelves so that you can make sure your character isn’t like the heroine in the latest Susan May Warren romance, or the latest Colleen Coble suspense.

Your characters have to be UNIQUE. ORIGINAL. DIFFERENT.

1) Impatience.

I see too many manuscripts where the writers were too impatient to submit to editors or agents, and the writing is just not up to snuff.

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it a good impression.

Read up on the writing craft. Take workshops. Order MP3 recordings of workshops from writing conferences. Go to a few conferences.

There are many writing craft books to choose from, and it can be overwhelming. But if you go to your favorite authors’ websites, they usually have a list of their favorite writing craft books. Many times, certain titles keep coming up because they’re loved by different authors.

If you haven’t read those certain titles yet, you’re not ready to submit to an editor or agent. If you haven’t yet done as much as you can to learn the basics of the writing craft, you’re not ready to submit yet.

Enter contests to get feedback so that your writing can be as polished as it can be. THEN start submitting to editors and agents. Make a fabulous first impression with your sparkling writing and professional craftsmanship.

Camy Tang is the loud Asian chick who writes loud Asian chick lit. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own…), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away five boxes of books and 25 copies of her latest release, ONLY UNI.

CONGRATULATIONS to Martha @  homeschoolblogger.com/martha  for winning Only Uni!

Stop back again every Monday this month for more great books and giveaways!

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For Interrupted Writers…who else!

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It’s 4 am in the morning, that’s right 4 am, and I would have been to bed hours ago after a pretty good writing session, but I’ve been searching for an illusive version to my WIP. I keep multiply copies on my computer, SAVING AS so I can have old versions of my WIP. I back up through a Yahoo group, Mozy and gmail and no where can I find the version where I rewrote the ending! I know I wrote it AFTER ACFW because I had a paid critique, and I had great ideas on how to up the stakes. I know I really wrote it! I even think someone might have critiqued it for me.

It was 180 degrees from what I originally wrote, and I don’t think I can muster up the energy to rewrite it and rewrite it as well, so please pray! I’m only 20 pages from the end, and I was getting my writing second wind, now I’m dead in the water (cliche alert) and through it all I have such a peace. No anxiety rolling in my belly (Maybe it’s the late hour, and I’m numb!)

I checked one of my flash drives, there’s a slight chance it could be on another one. But I really have no idea what could have happened to this version. The only thing I can think of is when I wrote it, it didn’t get saved or my computer died and it never got recovered.

This is really not a good thing to happen right now because I’m so far from being finished, and I’m losing steam! I really, really, really, don’t want to rewrite these chapters, and if I have to, I’m not sure when I’m have the mental energy! Definitely not tomorrow! I need some sleep!

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I’ve been stuck on editing the last 3o pages of my WIP for weeks. I was in the midst of the black moment and I ran out of steam. My words seemed dry and dull on the page when it was supposed to be one of the most exciting parts in the book. So I let it lie for a bout a week and did a little editing on the first part of the book.

Yesterday I picked it up, felt the creativity flowing, and got a little advice from friends. Now I’ve got a whole new plot twist and probably a couple more new scenes to add to my WIP! The thing keeps growing and growing, which is okay because I’m not quiet at 80,000 words yet.

But I’ve got renewed focused and some of my plot holes are filling up. Yesterday I was interrupted by Valentine’s Day parties at school so I didn’t get much writing done. But I hope to this weekend. My slump seems to be over and I’m so excited to be…excited about my WIP again!

So what are you working on this weekend?

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Margie Lawson taught the early bird session at ACFW last year and shared some wonderful insight into character emotion and powering up your prose. I learned so much and was so impressed by how much more there was to learn that I logged onto her website and bought her Deep Edits system lecture packet. Today you have a chance to win one of her lecture packets by visiting and commenting on her guest post at Publisher’s Weekly blog — today — on What’s Your Body Language IQ? http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288.html

Anyone who posts a comment on the blog has a chance to WIN one of her LECTURE PACKETS (a $20 value):

1. Empowering Characters’ Emotions — (I’m teaching ECE on-line in MARCH.)
2. Deep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and More — (I’m teaching Deep Editing on-line in MAY.)
3. Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors

Each Lecture Packet is power-packed with over 250 pages of lectures. To read full course descriptions, click on LECTURE PACKETS on her web site: www.MargieLawson.com

Margie Lawson will also be guest blogging at Writer…Interrupted on the 22nd second so be sure you stop by!

Margie will do the drawing tonight — probably 10PM Mountain Time and post it tomorrow on the blog!.

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Check it out!

A little something to warm you up this month
with some great posts in our
January 2008
Carnival of Christian Writers

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I know this is Sunday, and I should be posting on faith, but I’m there’s a lot of stuff going on in my brain related to faith and doctrine and such and it’s all because of this. So, until I sort it all out, here’s another taste of what I’m dealing with…

I’m 40 pages from the end of my first edits, and I don’t feel like writing.

It’s really a first for me, the not feeling like writing part (and 50 pages from my first edits.) I’ve been feeling this way for weeks now.

The interruptions are great today, my husband is out running errands and even when I told my kids they’d be allowed unlimited game time and stressed to them the importance of mommy working today, I’m still being interrupted every 15 minutes. My 13 year old is the biggest culprit as he polices his younger siblings (who were doing very well without him) and tells me of their littlest infractions.

I’m so close and yet so far, growing very weary in this writing journey and counting the days, weeks, months when this WIP will be over, submitted, and I can take a break. I’m contemplating taking a really LOOONG break from writing if nothing comes of this WIP. The sacrifices I’m making in my family life sometimes just don’t seem worth it if this writing gig is going nowhere.

I know I need to reevaluate my writing schedule, or lack of schedule, and I may feel different about this later, but until then {SIGH} back to writing…

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I’m very squeamish when it comes to knives and blood. I especially don’t like those graphic images CSI is so famous for. So why in the world would I subject myself to viewing an autopsy on You Tube?

Only for research!

Through finger-blocked vision, I watched the first, second and third incision, noting the visceral response my body made. Faint flutter in my belly, cool shiver, nothing dramatic, yet it was all very distrubing. The heaviness in my gut contrasted with the hallowness in my middle and then more heaviness in my chest.

I opted to not watch the folding back on the skin, (just writing about it is getting a visceral reaction in my chest, though my critique partner keeps telling me my character has too much chest action going on

I stole a peak two more times before the video turned off, thankfully before they went deeper into the autopsy.

Though I am intrigued with the mystery part of forensic science, I really can’t stomach the reality. Neither can my character. And that’s the whole reason I did it!

BTW, 70 more pages until I’m finished with first round edits. And I’ve got a growing list of things I need to add on the next pass. I’m realizing if I had written a nice women’s romance or fun chick lit, the book probably would have been published by now. But no, I had to write a complicated mystery with more twists than your intestines (had to through in the autopsy analogy) and way too much stuff I had to research (archaeology, police procedures, doctors, paramedics, universities, etc.)

Maybe my next book I’ll write about something I really know, maybe a nice momlit. And I actually have one started and enough material to finish a series!

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Friday night I locked myself in a local hotel to edit the last 100 pages of my WIP.

I started by rereading and doing edits on the last couple of chapters.

I worked nonstop, staying on the computer past midnight, with only an hour break on Saturday afternoon to watch an archaeology excavation on the Discovery Channel. And another short break for dinner.

Now it’s Sunday morning and though I haven’t left my computer except for coffee and the necessary elimination of coffee breaks, why is it that I still have 100 pages to edit?

If you think you know the answer, leave a comment!

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I’ve got a great opportunity for you to start this year off on the WRITE foot! A proposal seminar by Terry Whalin, editor, agent, writer and marketer on Wednesday January 9th, 2008 at 4pm PT (7pm ET.)

Is one of your goals this year to get that book idea out of your head and into the world, so that other people can benefit?

If it is, read on about the exciting opportunity that will equip you to do just that.

My colleague and friend, Terry Whalin, is assembling eight publishing experts who will reveal insider secrets about what makes them stand up and take notice of a book proposal.

Among the editors are Joan Marlow Golan editor at Steeple Hill and David Lambert fiction editor at Howard Books/ Simon and Schuster. We’re talking about publishing professionals who are at the TOP of the publishing industry–people you would never have access to no matter how many writer’s conferences you attend. That’s because top executives never attend those conferences.

However, next Wednesday night, January 9th, you will be able to hear Terry Whalin grill all eight publishing gatekeepers–5 publishing executives and three top literary agents–on what publishers look for in their search for the next bestseller.

(Believe me, they are looking. And your book may just be that. However, unless you know how to present your idea in a way publishers look for, your chance of getting noticed–much less offered a contract and a five-figure advance–are close to zero.)

You can attend this rare teleseminar in the comfort of your own home… paying no travel, lodging, or food expenses.

I’m getting this to you just as soon as I can, because Terry is offering a great bonus (worth $47) to the first 200 people who sign up. I want you to get this!

I’ve arranged for you to get a VIP discount of $79. This teleseminar would be well worth $99
to get access to these top publishing professionals, but it will cost you less than the price of a movie and popcorn for two.

Go here now and sign up for this teleseminar and get the details:

http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/?Clk=2223414

Wait until you see the lineup of publishing pros, and you’ll see why I’m so excited about being able to bring this call to you. You will never get this kind of information even if you were willing to pay 100 times that much–these people just aren’t accessible.

http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/?Clk=2223414

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I wrote this a year ago. I thought it would be a great reminder to myself and maybe an encouragement to someone else!

Ten months ago I placed my writing on the altar, realizing that publication had consumed my life and my writing had become an idol. Giving up writing was one of the most painful things I’ve had to do, but I embarked on this not writing journey, without knowing the path God would lead me down.

It’s only been about two months since I dusted off my WIP, but looking back on it now it was the best thing for me and my writing.

No longer am I obsessed to work on my WIPs. I used to spend most of my evening and well into the night, plus many weekends writing. But the draw to write, the addiction so to speak has been lifted. I still love my writing time, but it’s been put in it’s place, mostly on the weekends. Now when I do get to write, I am truly thankful for the time. It’s a feeling of “Yeah, I get to write” Instead of “I.have.to.write.” withdrawal feeling.

Leaving my critique group had its benefits as well, though at the time it was heart wrentching. It was so hard for me to keep up with critiquing and writing. During the week critiquing had taken the place of my family responsibilities like putting the kids to bed. When I gave up writing, I had to give up critiquing as well and that freed me up to be with family.

I also realized that not having critique partners for these many months has really helped my writing. Many of my numerous, well meaning partners often edited my voice out and in my own desperation to learn, and be published, I listened to everyone’s advice, changing everything they suggested until I didn’t recognize my own writing. I’m happy to say I’m finding my voice again, and I like the way I sound.

Not writing has given me a peace about publication. My anxiety to publish is gone. No more worries about everything being perfect. I now have a peace about God’s timing in my writing career, and I look forward to the times I get to write, instead of obsessing over having to write all the time! The true test of this came when a writing friend of mine recently received a contract. I waited for the green-eyed monster to rear its ugly head, but it didn’t. I was genuinely happy!

Even though I gave up writing, I’ve probably written just as many words as I did while working on my WIPs. Not writing opened the door for a new obsession. Blogging. After many months of pounding the keys and posting, trying to keep up with the Jones’ of bloggville, I’ve gotten back to the heart of blogging. Writer…Interrupted was started out of my own need to connect with other writing moms who don’t have the time to write. It has grown into something bigger than myself. It’s exciting to see where God will take all this, and to know I am not equipped to do it on my own.

Not writing has made me a better mom and homeschooler. I no longer look at my kids as interruptions to my writing life, but blessings that should be enjoyed to the fullest, now! I used to push my children away when I wrote, annoyed that they interrupted me. Now I push the key board away (after I’ve finished a thought, of course) and invite my four-year-old up on my lap to watch me type.

So I guess giving up writing helped me become a better writer, mother, and follower of Christ. I still have my challenges, and always will, but whether or not I ever get published, one thing I do know is that writing is something I will always do. Yet, if it ever becomes an obsession again, I know what I’ll have to do!

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To edit the heck out of my WIP! I have a fool proof plan to get three hours of uninterrupted writing each day during break.

Relax and read

Put some photos in albums, scrapbook… (yes, I’m being vague about this because as I type I’m not wanting to stress about the stacks of photos, cds, and albums that have been neglected for months…)

Clean up a bit (Okay, I’ll be more specific. How about get my desks in order. I think I have four and they’re all a mess so it’s a pretty big goal. An even bigger goal is keeping them clean.)

Enjoy my family

Spend less time on the internet

I think that’s a pretty good start!

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The worship song “I’m getting back to the heart of Worship” keeps playing through my mind, but with different words.

“I’m getting back to the heart of writing and it’s all about You all about You Jesus. I’m sorry for the thing I’ve made it. “Cause it’s all about you. All about you, Jesus.”

I don’t know how the words strike you, but they’re powerful to me. When I started on this fiction writing journey over fifteen years ago I was writing for Jesus. It was all about him, especially since I was writing the story of his life. A fictional tale of a boy growing up during Jesus’ ministry.

Every time I sat down at the computer to write I felt God’s presence. Researching Biblical history drew me closer to Jesus, and I not only grew in my relationship with Him, but I saw his life and sacrifice from a whole new perspective.

(For example, did you know the Romans crucified people without their clothes on. No loin cloths. Completely in the buff! Did you also know that to a Jew one of the biggest forms of humiliation was to be seen naked? Now apply that to the sacrifice Jesus made by dying on the cross.)

Jesus was the reason I started writing, but some where along the way (when Biblical fiction had no chance of selling) I lost my focus on the reason I was writing and set my sights on the prize. Publication.

If you’d like to read all about my journey from publication drivenness read my first post and go from there. It’s been an amazing deliverance for me from obsessing about being published to having a completely relaxed attitude about it and reliance on God’s timing. I hate to say it, but sometimes in trying to learn my craft and getting deep into edits and going to conferences and talking with agents, I lose my focus.

It’s that time of year again for me to refocus on why I write. It’s all about Jesus. What’s it all about for you?

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Things have been slow going on the writing front. It seems that now that my kids are in school I have less time to write. I used to hire a babysitter to come and I’d have her do the laundry while I wrote for a couple of hours a week. No babysitter, no writing, endless laundry!

I designated Tuesday and Thursday (days Grace is in Kindergarten) as writing days. But the boys get out early for school on those days leaving me a little over three hours to write. Not a whole lot of time. And lately, say the entire month of October, I’ve been going on field trips once a week on those designated writing days. I know I don’t have to go on field trips, but it’s one thing I love to do, plus being the control freak I am, I want to be involved in my kids’ lives as much as possible and have photos to prove it and scrapbook, eventually. But truthfully, I just like to go and be apart of the field-trips, and I’m the class mom for two of my four kids!

Then early this week an amazing thing happened. No field-trips scheduled on Tuesday or Thursday. So Monday night I was all psyched to have a full six hours to write these week. I was going to get a lot of writing done, right? Wrong.

Early that evening I felt a stomach bug coming on. It hit me like vitamins on an empty stomach, and kept me up most of the night, and in bed the entire next day. My writing day. I was so wiped out and still slightly nauseous that I couldn’t write or even read! My whole day wasted in bed! I recovered after 24 hours, but on Thursday I overslept because of my whacked body schedule from the “bug” and I woke up late (hubby took Grace to school) and only had two hours to write.

Fast forward to Saturday. I planned on writing all day. I woke up and exercised for the first time since the “bug” and then took our seven year old out for his birthday breakfast ( five months late, but it’s a long story!)

After the Golden Corral breakfast buffet (I didn’t eat much for the last several days and made up for it at GC) I was full and zapped of energy. I managed to lug my computer to the library where I felt like falling asleep instead of writing. But I managed to do some editing and some reading in “Writing the Breakout Novel,” yet nothing highly creative.

So getting back to the title of this post, am I under attack or what? I feel like I’m staring in my own novel, where the writer is throwing obstacle upon obstacle my way!

Not sure what’s going on here, but I’m anxious to get back on track physically, spiritually and writerly!

Thanks for listening!

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I’m on a vicious cycle right now, writing and rewriting my first couple of chapters.

After getting my critiques back from the Genesis contest in the Spring, I went to work, perfecting and cleaning up my writing. Then I got busy writing the synopsis and proposal for the ACFW conference. When I finally returned to do edits I wanted to fall asleep at the words I had written. It was BORING! And I fell into my old trap…editing the voice out of my work.

Several people/agents encouraged me to deepen the characterization and add more chutzpah to my character. So I dove in and “voiced” all over the pages. I “voiced” so much I think my writing has gotten hoarse and now when I look at it what once was brilliant and witty yesterday seems like purple “pukish” prose.

So what is this perfectionist to do? I’m way too insecure and embarrassed to show it to any of the agents that requested it, so I sent it off to my critique partners hoping the can wade through the mess I just made!

ACK! Maybe it’s time to shift gears and work on cutting my synopsis from six pages to three.

In the meantime, anyone one have any words of wisdom???

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Check out this great post on the differences between blogging and writing!

It reminds me of a post I wrote on whether you’re a blogger or writer!

What are your thoughts?

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