In reverse order:
We critiqued works from Zack (sci-fi novel), Jerri Lynn (memoir), Sandy (dramatic non-fiction), and Cynthia (memoir essay).
We launched Zack's email experiment in which he will forward copies of his latest chapter of The Dead Machine to members. Those making general comments on his ms ("I like the ending," "this character seems flat," "great dialogue," etc.) can make them on a separate sheet of paper. Those suggesting substantial changes can print out a copy and return it to Zack all marked up.
We changed next meeting's topic from More Common Editing Mistakes to Critiquing Basics. Kay will have suggestions from her research, but if you have been in other groups or have experienced other approaches, please contribute.
And now the best for last, a recap of our opening discussion on overcoming a writer's fears.
Among those listed:
- Research is more fun than writing. It's great learning new things, and the writing suffers.
- Digging deep -- hiding emotions and unscrupulous behavior from ourselves.
- Revealing too much -- hiding emotions and unscrupulous behavior from others
- Can't commit -- the work seems overwhelming, a novel too daunting to undertake.
- Pre-conceived notions -- approaching the writing with a particular viewpoint draped in the author's personality -- don't want to be too negative, too positive, etc.
- Afraid to Cut -- being too committed to what we've written, not improving the text, letting the story getting bogged down in details and tangents
- I'm not a writer.
Maybe that last one says it all, the six above contributing to the 7th below. But overcoming those fears can lead to a correction of that final conclusion -- from "I'm not a writer" to "I can do this" to "I must do this" to "I'm a writer." Hopefully putting these fears on the table will clear them from our psyches. A clean mind leads to a cluttered page.
Well, I hope!
See you in two weeks in our regular digs.
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