Yesterdays Writers Group

Was such a good group. Some of my favorite writers were there. And some of my overall favorite people. 

I came in with my post apocalyptic novel and didn’t feel to great about it. But, WOW. Is everyone super sportive. They all said the story was captivating. And in 1,300 words I really added “so many layers” to the world already.

I would say, they had mostly good things to say. The negatives were primarily grammar and spelling, which I expected as it was a stream of consciousness sort of piece. 

I so much loved the feedback they gave me, and I now think I’ll post a bit of the story here later today.

"You are a YA natural. You’re going to be a YA star!! Keep going girl! Stephanie Meyer, look out!!"

So here’s my day…

Printing a chapter out for writers group.

Eating at Panera and getting some writing in. 

Drinking a delicious peppermint white chocolate mocha at the Barnes & Nobel cafe while getting even more writing done.

Writers group! It’s the first time in two weeks that I have been there and I miss it!

Writers Group Feedback

I brought the opening to my contemporary YA mellow drama. It was well received, but no where near as my dystopian. At least, I  didn’t think so. That’s ok. The contemporary was reviewed with having real believable emotions. Someone advised me to get a short story version finished and submitted somewhere. Can’t say I disagree.

What this shows me is that the dystopian is where I should be spending my effort, but I need to have some side projects to test the waters with.   

Writers Group Feedback

I don’t know if i posted this feedback. And I am abandoning the number of feedback’s I have received. 

I brought a dream sequence to group last time, now three weeks ago. I was worried that a dream scene would pull the reader out of the story and disrupt the flow. But, I was told this scene was my strongest writing yet. I was told there was a confidence about it. I should include the scene, but I need to connect this later in the novel because “writing this good cant go away”. 

I love this group. I have missed it. I have nothing as of yet to share tonight, but I will be going with something.

Writers Group 3

So group went well today. Positive and negative feedback. I kinda want someone to rip my story apart. Not destroy it, but tell me very bluntly what I need to fix. Maybe it’s a good sign that no one has done that. I am really proud of this chapter so, yeah, I’ll take it as a good thing.

Writers Group Feedback 1

I had the first chapter of my dystopian read in my writers group last night. As it was being read I had my first feeling that this could be the worst thing ever written. It wasn’t actually the worst thing ever written, that was just my nerves caused by strangers reading and judging my baby.  

A few changes in word choice were suggested by the group. One gentleman said that there is the potential to have a lot more tension. So, I am going to work on heightening the mood. It was also suggested that I smooth out the transition from what the reader would see as our normal world to the dystopian world that the story takes place in. 

I was complimented on knowing my audience and accurately writing for them. That was the best complement I could have received. Everyone seamed very excited on finding out more about my main character and her world. I also was very pleased when someone said they enjoyed getting to know the main character and feeling like they understood her, before I revealed her sex or name.

What disappointed me was that some members of the group guessed quite accurately at what would happen next. I don’t know if that means those things are to obvious or the perfect fit. They need to happen, so no turning back. Luckily they aren’t massive plot points.  

Overall, I am motivated to tighten up the next chapter and excited for next week’s group.

Also, friend #2 has the chapter. So, hopefully I’ll just keep getting feedback. 

Nothing like…

Having a good night at writers group and stuffing my face with Chinese food.

Downside: They said my MC sounds whinny. (They were all guys and called it girl whinny.)

Blog Update and Writers Group

Updated my blog, going to start doing that weekly. Like a weekly review for those who like longer posts.

Writers group was fun. I didn’t show what I wanted to, because what I wanted to show wasn’t ready. 

I need to stop repeating words. “I” is the word I am most guilty of over using. I hear it every group. I just can stop. (If you can tell I have used I 10 times in this alone.)

Writers Group Feedback

I got some really fantastic feedback.  It was pointed out that in some spots it has a third person sound, which does not work for my first person novel. The comment came up again that I write with confidence and I know where I am going with the story. And that makes the mistakes seam all the less significant. 

I worry that I don’t have enough young adult readers reading my work. I want someone who loves the genre to point out the cliches and warn me when it takes fifteen chapters before the love interest is introduced. Not that my group isn’t fantastic, but they aren’t YA readers. 

I’m thinking I might bring in one of my plays next week to change things up…

Writers Group Feedback 3

Just got back from writers group. I took last week off, and thought I would bring in something new this week to freshen the pallet. Thing is, before I read a few in the group mentioned how they were excited to see what happens next in my distopian.

What I brought in is what I will call “The Middle Grade”, as the more I write the more I find the voice to be more of a pre teen than a teen. This short excerpt made a few people actually laugh. Most people said they liked the humor and the voice. One of the newer members said it had potential with a series feel.

Technical errors were pointed out, but an overall good week back. Hope work doesn’t keep me away again.  

Writers Group Feedback 2

So I just realized I never posted the feedback I got from my last writers group.

I now don’t remember a lot of it.

The positive I remember included: “You know your audience.” “Very creepy.” “Love the title.”

Sad news though, the only negatives I can remember are “Change tendrils. It makes me think of tentacles.” and “Your characters don’t have pants on. You haven’t mentions their pants.” Both are odd, but helpful.

I’ll post the feedback from this group sooner, for my memories sake.  

First Taste of Feedback

I just sent out my first chapter to a very dear friend today. He sent it back almost immediately. The note he gave me about a change was all valid and I agree with it. So that’s good. The other feedback was extremely encouraging. I know he is very honest, so I know he wasn’t nice for my sake. I am now freakishly excited on sharing the chapter with my writers group.