The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Deep Meaning with Georgeann Swiger

For the Wednesday Writing Worktable, I have author Georgeann Swiger stopping by on her Blog Tour for the latest installment of the Trinity of Souls Series. She's sharing with us about the importance of symbols and creating a deeper meaning plus an interview with the author, an excerpt, and details on her awesome giveaway below.

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: A Thoroughly Thorough Critique

You've found a partner willing to exchange manuscripts or WIPs (works-in-progress) for critiques. You know what not to do in giving and receiving critiques. Still, your hands tremble as they hover over the keyboard. What do you write? What do you look for?

I prefer receiving thorough critiques, and unless told differently that's what I give. Some writers prefer tackling one thing at a time (i.e. story structure or plot or characters alone), but it's hard for the reader to keep re-reading the same story. Things tend to get overlooked when you've read it six times already. But if that's what they want, that's fine. Just be sure to know what your critique partner is looking for beforehand. Some people suggest not to critique grammar if you're critiquing a first draft. I try really hard, but I was an English teacher, it's not something I can turn off easily. So I say that's your call.

I'm not going to talk about the etiquette of critique writing. I did that last week. If you missed it, have no fear, go HERE. To read this series from the beginning, go HERE.

This is about the nuts and bolts of writing a thorough critique when asked for.

5 Ways to make your critique Thoroughly Thorough:

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Critique-ette Part 2

What happens if your critique partner(CP) starts off by saying, "Don't take it personal, but this needs a lot of work."? How do you handle a situation when your CP tells you that you should trash the novel? What do you say to a CP, whose work is better than you could ever write? How should you critique someone's work when you can't even finish reading it? It's time to apply your critique-ette.

Last week, we talked about 5 things not to do when receiving a critique. If you missed it, no fear. Read it HERE. 

This week is all about what not to do when giving critiques. (Of course, I'm going to follow-up with what to do in these situations.) I know I haven't yet discussed how to actually write a good critique. It's coming, I assure you. But would you go to a big, fancy dinner, where they have a thousand utencils and several glasses, without first knowing good etiquette? Maybe you would, but you might look like Pretty Woman, letting the poor snail soar through the air. It would be embarrassing for you and most likely the host. Chances are you wouldn't be invited to another dinner.

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Critique-ette Part 1

What happens if your critique partner(CP) starts off by saying, "Don't take it personal, but this needs a lot of work."? How do you handle a situation when your CP tells you that you should trash the novel? What do you say to a CP, whose work is better than you could ever write? How should you critique someone's work when you can't even finish reading it? It's time to apply your critique-ette.

Last week, we talked about finding that special critique partner. If you missed it, no fear. Read it HERE. 

This week is all about what not to do when receiving critiques. (Of course, I'm going to follow-up with what to do in these situations.) I know I haven't yet discussed how to actually write a good critique. It's coming I assure you. But would you go to a big, fancy dinner, where they have a thousand utencils and several glasses, without first knowing good etiquette? Maybe you would, but you might look like Pretty Woman, letting the poor snail soar through the air. It would be embarrassing for you and most likely the host. Chances are you wouldn't be invited to another dinner.

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: How to find a Crit partner/group

On the table today is all about critiques, specifically how to get critiques.

First, let me start by saying this: Critique partners and Beta Readers are two entirely different things.

A critique partner is someone who will look at your WIP(Work-in-Progress) multiple times. They will provide useful advice on the story, characters, grammar, etc. They will listen as you hash out trouble spots and work with you to make your story the best it can possibly be. They are more like editors.

A beta reader is someone who will only look at your nearly finished manuscript. They will read the story as a reader will and provide information and advice on your nearly finished manuscript. Mostly, they might realize plot holes, loose ends, flat characters, and minor grammar mistakes. They will give it a reader's perspective.

Today, we are discussing Critique Partners/Groups. How do you find them?

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Turn Your Book Into A Diamond

So you've written a book. Where do you go from here?

If you're like me, writing the book is the easy part, so to speak. It's so much fun meeting new characters and letting them take you for a ride. I love writing new stories. I'm not such a big fan of editing. Not because I can't cut or rewrite or am afraid of the hard work. I'm not. It just bores me.

I'm trying my hardest to change my mindset. Here's my new take:

Editing is like a gem.  When they first uncover a gem, it's a hot mess, right? It's surrounded by rock and is dirty and cloudy. Then they remove it and polish it. Bam! You have a beautiful diamond. Who doesn't love and appreciate a diamond. That's editing. Your first draft is ugly. But after much work and polish, you get a beautiful treasure.

I love diamonds. Can't ever have too many? hehe How to get there? Many people finish their first drafts, but don't know where to go from here. I didn't just starting out. I wish I had a list like this. It would've saved me a lot of headaches. So, I'm sharing my experience with you.

What now?

10 Things You Need to Do:

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Why Everyone should Write and Read

Writing can improve memory? Storytelling has better retention than presenting bare facts? Reading is the best way to improve vocabulary? Writing is de-stressing?

This week I wanted to share some interesting information on the science of why writing is such a valuable skill and what that effect has on people. I think you'll be interested to read the inforgraphic below courtesy of Best Infographics.

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Get Off Your Butt and Write

So you have two weeks of writing under your belt, you may or may not be on target to finish 50k in a month. Something happens during Week 3 though. You may think the story your writing is crap, or there are holes that you've fallen into and can't escape, or you think you've fallen too far behind to meet the end of the month goal. It happens to all of us.

I'm here to tell you to GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND WRITE ANYWAY!

It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly.

- C. J. Cherry

If I were a lion tamer, I'd whip you until you wrote. If I were a personal trainer, I'd stand by you and tell you to stop whining and just do it. 

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Hit in the head by Your Writer's Block

Did the writer's block hit you in your head? Are you staring at a blank screen? Are you throwing things around, screaming at the top of your lungs, and haven't written a thing?

Yeah, then I'm diagnosing you with writer's block. It happens to everyone. It happens to the best of us. 

I'm telling you, it's not your fault. Blame it on your story.

Here are 5 of the most common writer's blocks and how to overcome them.

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: JuNoWriMo Week 1

I'm documenting my JuNoWriMo experience through here. I started off the whole experience with the kick-off at midnight on June 1st. I've been feeding off the energy of the participants and focusing my energy on this. I'm off to a good start. Not ahead of the pack, but definitely getting it done. 

At the end of Day 3 of JuNoWriMo, my total was 9,575 words, which is 19% of the goal of 50k. But, I'm reaching for more than that. I'm trying to actually finish my WIP, which will definitely be more than 50k words.

Here's some things that have been helpful for me so far:

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: JuNoWriMo Take-Off is Almost Here

Two weeks in a row, I'm working on my Sony Vaio Fit14.

Okay, this week is again on JuNoWriMo. We are days away from the Take-Off.

I'm hellbent and determined; I will finish this WriMo. :) So, what have I been doing?

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Preparing for JuNoWriMo Take-Off

“Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.”—Ray Bradbury

So, I came up with a new series for the blog beside the Finding Fantasy Friday. Yes, I know...more alliteration. It works for me. If you have other suggestions, I'm all ears. I have one other series coming soon, so you guys know what to expect throughout the week. Also, I've gone through the blog, labeling other works that could work in this series, so you can find what you want easier. Now, to the post...

My writing worktable these days is whatever digital device I have in my hands at the time, be it a phone, my Nook, or a computer. Today, I'm working on my new Sony Vaio Fit14, which I love b-t-dubs. Feel free to contact me on here or Twitter or Facebook if you have questions about it. ;)

I've done NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) to write book 2 for the Meridienne Drake Series two years ago. Geez, can't believe it's been that long. I didn't finish it then (only about 35k); I filed it away a few months and finished it in April of the following year. I can't wait until November to write this novel plaguing my brain.

Next month is JuNoWriMo (June Novel Writing Month). Yes, I know many of these are popping up. I know NaNo puts on another one in April. There is also a July one. I'm sure there's more. Why so many? Ernest Hemingway says it best:

"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life."

To follow or Not to follow?

Cliché, I know. Lately, I've been seeing a lot of posts on blogs about getting your target audience to follow you on twitter, facebook, pinterest, etc. I completely agree. You should always be focusing on this. Having your target audience is an unblelievably powerful tool.

With this though, I've been seeing some people say that they have stopped following anyone who wasn't their target audience, didn't have avid reader in their bio, or were authors. This is not a good plan for several reasons.

Vision Boards

I haven't come up with a title to book 2 of the Meridienne Drake series, but I am in it about 15K words, and that's almost a quarter into it. Being a cheerleader coach, I have less time to write. I usually get to write around the clock starting in March, so I think I'm on top of things for the time being.
Yesterday, another author posted in her blog about having pictures to help see what you want to write. This technique really does work. Let's  face it, we all need to be visual at times! So I finally put together my Vision Board to inspire me to write more when I'm at my computer in hopes to stop any and all distractions. A vision board is a collaboration of pretty much anything. If you have a goal, you would like to achieve such as traveling. You would put pictures of all the places you want to go so that everyday it is a constant reminder of what you are working towards.
My vision board is for the Meridienne Drake Series. Back during Book 1, I collaborated from all over the internet pictures of people, places, and things that inspire my book. The trouble is having to pull up pictures for one takes time and second pulls you away from the screen where you are writing. Yeah, yeah. I know with Windows 7 you can split your screen. But I like a full screen with my writing program open. Even my task bar goes into hiding. I was definitely the kid that saw pretty buttons and wanted to push them. So, having my vision board is wonderful because now I just need to slightly turn my head and can see every picture. :o) It helped me so much yesterday that I sat down and wrote almost 4k words. No lie! That's right I was at 11K words before yesterday.
So, how do you make a Vision Board?

• You can use anything as your actual board: Cardboard, cork board, metal sheet (Because I know we all have that lying around the house), fabric board, canvas, even a wall will work. Mine is a fabric board with Ribbons stapled at every intersection and a button glued over it. It used to be in the kitchen to hold Christmas cards and lists, invitations, etc. If you look closely at the pic below, you'll see two buttons missing. :o)
• After you find your pictures, print them out. Your pictures can be about absolutely anything. I have clothing styles, rooms, landscape, different people to use features I like about some to make up one complete person, houses, cars. Anything.
• Then, you just use push pins, magnets, tape or whatever you need to hold the pics. I used tape to help hold in some places that I didn't think the ribbon would suffice.
• I also left room to grow as the book progresses. I'm thinking when the series ends though. I may have many more or possibly an entire room.

And, Voila! You made a vision board and can start your path of focus. Simple, right!

Lots of <3,
Jess

P.S. Get more on how seeing the picture can help bring your characters to life by visiting "This Writer's Life..."

Writing Papers

This is kind of off topic for me to write about. But I'm getting questions daily, so I thought this would be a great place to direct those questions, and you won't forget the info. :o)

I know students are really starting to get in the groove in their English classes right now. That being the case means the ever-anticipated papers. Isn't writing papers so much fun? Okay, I know it's not, but one thing it shouldn't be is hard. Teachers give you plenty of time to write a paper, so don't save it until the last day. If you have less time than this, that's okay just combine weeks. It can be done!

Making Papers Easy:

• Week 1: Create a thesis: This in all honesty should be the hardest part. A well-constructed thesis can make or break your paper. Before you begin writing your thesis, you need to do a simple outline of your paper. Just write down what you want to talk about under each body paragraph and before long you will see where you need to go with your paper.
• To write your thesis: Rewrite the topic of your paper and include a brief summary of each of your body paragraphs. If you will have a five-paragraph paper, then you should have three short statements in your thesis. (This is very basic Thesis Writing.)
• Example: Topic is describing apples. In each body paragraph, you will talk about the colors of apples, the taste of apples, and the health factor.
• Thesis: Apples can be described as colorful, tasty, and nutritious.
• Week 2: Write the Rough Draft. Spill your guts. Say anything and everything you want to say about your topic. Even if you stray off topic, that's okay. When you notice you have strayed, just get back on topic. The goal is to just get words down on paper. When you finish with your rough draft, put it away. Don't reread it right away. Tuck it in the back of your folder where you won't look at it for awhile.
• Week 3: Pull out that Rough Draft. (Hopefully, you didn't forget where it was.) Read it. Now, clean it up. This will create your first draft. Move around sentences that are out of order. Remove sentences that are off topic. You may need to change a body paragraph completely, and that's okay. You will most likely have a lot of damage control to do, but when you finish, you will begin to see what you want your paper to be. Just like with the rough draft, when you are finished put it away and don't look at it again.
• Week 4: Take out your last Draft and reread it. Now, tweak it. For your Final Draft, you should just be making minor changes. You may have more drafts if you have felt it necessary before you get to this stage. But at this stage, it should be minimal changes. This stage is making sure there are transitions from one sentence to another, grammar and spelling errors are handled, and the order of every paragraph is in the order to create the most impact on whoever is reading your paper. When you are finished, read the paper out loud. If it doesn't seem awkward in any way, shape, or form. Then, you have done the very best you can do and should be proud to turn it in to your teacher.

Another aspect that helps with writing papers is peer editing. As many eyes as possible reading your paper, can give you an advantage as long as your peer editor doesn't try to make the paper sound like something they would have written, because then you lose your voice. My next post will talk about a program that is great to use when you either don't have peer editing, or your peer editor is lacking abilities. 

Lots of Love.