Comments on: WIP Wednesday: Answers on the Tip of Your Nose

By: MG Higgins

MG Higgins — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:10:14 +0000

Chatting with your agent over coffee. *Sigh.* Same here, it can be so energizing to come up with the answer to a sticking point.

By: Catherine A. Winn

Catherine A. Winn — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:28:14 +0000

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!

By: annastan

annastan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:23:26 +0000

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!

By: marcia

marcia — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:18:25 +0000

isn’t it encouraging to know the answer IS there to be found?

By: annastan

annastan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:17:32 +0000

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.

By: John Rea-Hedrick

John Rea-Hedrick — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:21:16 +0000

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.

By: Andrea Vlahakis

Andrea Vlahakis — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:11:11 +0000

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 )

By: Laura Pauling

Laura Pauling — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:51:40 +0000

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!

By: Karen Strong

Karen Strong — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:46:46 +0000

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.

By: Stina

Stina — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:51:53 +0000

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.