100 Posts in 100 Days: Day 31

[zola]

Tired today.

I have gotten some work done but I want to get some more done, and it's hard when I feel all sleepy like this.

I'm thinking of walking up and down the driveway a few times just to try to clear my head and get the blood moving--it's really too late for more coffee.

In other news, I have joined a writer's group. I've been having a problem getting sufficient critiques for my story, and rather than nag people, I figured it was more to the point to join a group where people are actively writing and critiquing.

This has a good setup for insuring that everyone gets critiqued--you have to have a certain ratio of critiques to stories in order to get your critiqued. This month is already ending but I've been able to submit two critiques. I'll probably go over my story this weekend and then submit it.

So far I like the group. Yesterday I read a story that I truly hope the author follows through on because it's refreshingly original and quite funny. I find it good to be looking at stories again, I haven't done it for a while.

Comments

[cpl-hicks.livejournal.com]

Writers groups are very helpful, but be prepared for brutal criticism and honest honest compliments if your writing warrants it. Hopefully there are ground rules for expressing critical reactions in a tactful, while still truthful, fashion. It is not for the thin-skinned, but it certainly helped my writing when I was actively pursuing the creation of the Great American Novel.

[zola.livejournal.com]

There's some very strict rules about how to criticize properly, and the moderator *will* investigate any complaints. If you haven't been diplomatic, you lose credit for that critique.

I'm not particularly married to my own prose, so I think I'll be fine on that aspect. I just need a little better than "I like it" or inappropriately applied criticisms that sound like they are copied straight out of a "How To Write Good" book.

The thing is, I want to be commercially published in 2012. I want to come here and announce "Guys! I sold a story!" I realized that I needed to cultivate relationships with people who have similar goals, and the writer's group is a good way to do that.

Already I am finding my mindset shift to thinking about writing in a critical way. I'm working my way through a pile of Ace Doubles and enjoying the pulpy science fiction goodness, and I find that one part of me is beginning to analyze why the story is good in addition to enjoying it.