WIP Wednesday: Answers on the Tip of Your Nose
Posted by annastan on March 24th, 2010. Filed under: WIP, Writing Rants.I’ve been busily working on revising one of my WIPs, trying to make the main character more active. Overall I feel I’ve been achieving this, but there was a part at the end of the story, the climax in fact, that didn’t seem to be working. The protagonist has a skill that he uses throughout the story, but at the pivotal scene, his skill wasn’t playing a large enough role. Yet I couldn’t figure out how to make it work.
Cut to yesterday afternoon when I was chatting with my agent over coffee. I was telling her about the changes I’d made and then mentioned my struggle with the ending. We thought about it for a couple of minutes, and then she came up with a solution. A perfect one. One I should have thought of on my own because it was SO obvious! But for some reason my brain just wasn’t putting the pieces together.
Some
times the answers are on the tips of our noses but we’re just too close to our writing to see them. That’s when talking things out with someone who knows the story can be super helpful, because they can see connections that you haven’t made on your own. Now I’m excited to dive back into revisions and finally make that ending work!
How are you all doing with your WIPs? Have any answers come fluttering your way?
March 24th, 2010 at 6:11 am
I am amazed at how much brainstorming really helps. This past week I crossed a hurdle thanks to brainstorming with a friend!
March 24th, 2010 at 6:23 am
Drives me nuts when I miss something that obvious! You’re absolutely right, that’s why it’s so helpful to have writer friends to talk things over with. But I also wish I could get a bit better at keeping an eye on my nose. =)
March 24th, 2010 at 6:27 am
I am loving my revisions. I love that you were “chatting with my agent over coffee.” Words I really hope to utter some time in my life!
March 24th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I have a writer friend who’s great for doing the same thing. She can give me insights that weren’t so obvious to me. Especially helpful when you’re stuck.
March 24th, 2010 at 7:46 am
I love it when a breakthrough happens. Yes, sometimes you need another person to show you what can be done. This is one reason I love critique group — they always have ideas that I’m too close to see.
March 24th, 2010 at 7:51 am
I’m outlining/plotting and the answers and ideas are coming piece by piece. Glad you could chat with your agent and figure it out!
March 24th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Another pair of eyes is so important–no matter how much we think we’ll figure it out ourselves because we’re too close to the ms and the story. My crit partner working with me on my MG WIP picks up things that were so obvious when she pointed them out. (I try not to be embarrassed by it. LOL )
March 24th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Anna,
This makes perfect sense, but…
The emotional part of me knows my WIP is not yet my best work and so it keeps me from wanting to share it even though the logical part of me knows my WIP will only get better if I’m willing to entrust it with a few close people.
I’m only just beginning to consider letting others see larger portions of my WIP. But it’s a start.
March 24th, 2010 at 10:17 am
PJ, I feel like the longer I write, the more I depend on brainstorming. Congrats on getting over the hurdle – I hope it’s smooth sailing for you the rest of the way!
Anne, I know! Why can’t those obvious things flap their wings a bit more? Then we’d have no trouble noticing them.
Heather, I’m so glad your revisions are going well. I’m super lucky to not only have an agent, but one who lives close enough that I can actually see her sometimes. I’m excited for you to start querying!
Stina, what would we do without those trusty brainstorming buddies? I know some writers like to figure things out on their own, but that only takes me so far.
March 24th, 2010 at 10:18 am
isn’t it encouraging to know the answer IS there to be found?
March 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Karen, critique groups are the best. I feel like no matter how frustrated I get with a project, I just have to wait until our next meeting and everything will be okay. They can always get me back on track.
Laura, I’m glad those answers are cooperating, even if they are coming in pieces. Good luck!
Andrea, I feel embarrassed to sometimes when there are things I should have figured out on my own. I like to think we’d come up with those answers on our own eventually, our crit partners just help speed up the process.
John, it’s scary to show your work to people for the first time. I started with only one or two people I trusted. Even now I only let a few select individuals read it. Feedback can be invaluable, but it has to be at the right time and from the right people. Good luck!
Marcia, it is encouraging! I was starting to think I’d have to completely change things around in the WIP. Thankfully there is a much simpler solution!
March 24th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Having a critique group or another reader is great! Putting it away for a while also helps like it did for me today. Thanks for stopping by!
March 24th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Chatting with your agent over coffee. *Sigh.* Same here, it can be so energizing to come up with the answer to a sticking point.