Monday, August 22, 2011

It's Been Too Long & More

Before we start, I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone for your support when I posted about being in a slump. It was a great kindness and a help.


Speaking of the slump (oh, transitions), I'm thinking I was away from other writers (in person) for too long. I haven't gone to the Monday night meeting in a few months, nor have I made it to one of the Tuesday night Write Brains run by Pikes Peak Writers. Plus, the Pen Women take a break during the summer, so none of that either. I know that gathering with other like-minded individuals has been a great inspiration to me in the last year, so not having had that probably didn't help.

However, Friday I had a lovely lunch at the Blue Sage Cafe (yummy, for those in Colorado Springs!) with several women from the Pen Women. It was wonderful! A couple hours chatting with other writers (and artists) put me in a good mood and inspired me to jump back in, as these are all published writers.

On top of that, Thursday evening I received my critique back from the RMFW writing contest I was depressed about. The critiques were very pleasant and positive, and some things were pointed out to me that I think will be a great help. They had questions on a couple things, which made me realize I hadn't spelled some circumstances out as much as they probably needed. I now have an additional plan of attack for when I begin editing again today.

This critique cost extra beyond the entry fee for the contest, but I feel it was well worth it. If given that option in a future contest, I will most likely take it again. If you're ever waffling on a critique fee, I highly recommend you go for it, especially if you have your own questions on the manuscript. Despite the fact that it was a critique, I felt a lot more positive after having read it through. It opened my eyes to why it wasn't a finalist, and that was a big help.

I wanted to pass along something from the form letter on the front of the manuscript/critique return: "Keep in mind: writing is in the rewriting. Never give up."

The same evening I received a notification that Literary Agent, Rachelle Gardner had written a blog post entitled Writing and Rewriting. The John Irving quote at the very beginning: "More than half, maybe as much as two-thirds of my life as a writer is rewriting. I wouldn’t say I have a talent that’s special. It strikes me that I have an unusual kind of stamina."

Well, if that isn't message enough that it's time to get back to editing and rewrites, I don't know what is! Sometimes you just need a really massive arrow to point the way forward.


Or, when we're talking about writing, editing and rewriting, the arrows probably look a little more like this:


Before I wrap this up, I wanted to send out a quick reminder to anyone interested in Rachel Harrie's Third Writers' Platform-Building Campaign. Today is day one, so hop on over and sign up! Signups close at the end of the month.

May you find your Muse!

14 comments:

Carol Kilgore said...

I'm glad you're feeling better. Writing is definitely rewriting. Again, again, and again.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Pleased you are feeling better,

Take care.
Yvonne.

Memoirs of Me & Mine said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better.
www.rebeccabany.com

Shelly said...

Smiles and hugs to you! Glad you're doing better. I'm feeling a major burnout coming on.

M.J. Fifield said...

I joined a local writers' group and while I'm the only member who actively working toward publication, I still leave each meeting feeling re-energized. Makes me wish we met more than just once a month.

Mark said...

Very true about the rewriting. Although I've found that I often rewrite while doing my first draft as well, so that my first go through and subsequent revisions are beginning to blur together.

Julie Flanders said...

So glad you're feeling better. I love the Irving quote, that's perfect. :)

Shannon Lawrence said...

Carol, and again!

Yvonne, thank you!

Rebecca, thanks!

Shelly, aw, I hope it leads to positive. I think we all need a burnout/slump here and there .

M.J., yes, I definitely feel energized after a meeting. Glad you found a writers group!

Mark, so far I have been able to stick to not changing anything on my first writing. I note the possible change down in my notebook, though, so I can hit it when I go back.

Julie, it was perfect timing for that quote.

Amanda Leigh Cowley said...

Hello! Another campaigner popping by to join your blog :o)

Jen said...

Hi! I'm in your campaign group for Dystopias. Lovely to meet you! Let's create havoc!

Anonymous said...

Hi a fellow campaigner here, nice to have met you!
- andrea

Shannon Lawrence said...

Amanda, thanks for coming by!

Jen, the best kind of havoc!

Andrea, nice to meet you!

Robyn Campbell said...

Egad! I write and hit backspace, write and hit backspace. *sob* Once in a while I hit pure gold! Those times are absolutely SWEET! :-)

Glad you are outta the ol' slump. Love that quote and the arrows. Though my arrows probably look messier. :-)

Shannon Lawrence said...

Robyn, haha, well yes, I'm betting my actual arrows would be all over the place. But these ones are so neat and green and calming. I'm going to cling to them!