Friday, March 29, 2013

Naomi Musch: Putting Kick In Your Writing By Sharing It With Others

Everyone's Story welcomes author Naomi Musch. Not only is Naomi a multi-published author, writing generational fiction for the Christian market, but she's also a former editor at Port Yonder Press. What has all this experience taught Naomi? Join us this week as she shares great advice on a different perspective of editing. Have you struggled with editing? Any suggestions? Naomi looks forward to hearing from you. Plus, Naomi is offering a very nice Book Giveaway (see below). Enjoy!



Book Giveaway:
For one lucky commenter, chosen randomly, Naomi is offering a PDF copy of one (winner's choice) of her EMPIRE IN PINE series. These stories are described by Naomi as "historic, romantic, women's fiction--a multi-generational family saga of love and deception, hope and turmoil, and the rise of a wilderness empire. For convenience, please leave your email address within the body of the comment. The winner will be announced here on Friday April 5th between 4-6 EST.


Want to Really Improve Your Writing?
How Critiquing Others' Novels Will Put a Kick in Your Craft
By Naomi Musch

Feedback. Where would any writer be without it? If we, as writers, live inside our own bubbles, romancing our work and never exposing it until it's in the hands of an agent or editor, we might find a quick rejection. Why is that? It's because we haven't learned from critique. One set of eyes -- our own -- is seldom enough.

We don't take that plunge after a first draft, of course. Maybe not even after a second. We should apply self-edits and get our work as clean as we can before we turn it over to someone else to critique or even have it subjected to a hired editor's pen.

In the meantime, we can learn more about improvement by doing the same job for someone else.

When I sat down to pound out my first novel, I took it weekly, chapter by chapter, to my local writers' group for feedback. That eclectic, hands-on group questioned trouble spots, marked up passive tense, tweaked dialogue, made stronger verb suggestions, pointed out plot holes, offered ideas for tightening tension, and helped with a host of other new-writer issues. Sitting around a big conference-sized table, passing out copies of work which we read aloud, they offered me much needed advice, and I offered them the same type of feedback. Those early years in my experience were worth a college education. When other skilled writers and astute beta readers offer feedback, our eyes are opened to a myriad of plot snafus, grammar gaffs, and character issues we might have missed. Conversely, when we do the same service for others, we began to notice the weak points more easily in our own work. We gain the ability to look subjectively at our work -- at least as subjectively as is possible. We learn how to take criticism, and which criticism is worthy. This is all great preparation for the day our books are contracted with a publishing house where we might have to bow to an editor's decisions over our own. It also prepares us for receiving those book reviews we hope to garner someday. It's easy to bask in a 5-star glow, a little tougher to let a 1-star slide off our backs.

Years later, now that my list of publishing credits is gaining ground, I continue to grow in my own craft by helping others grow in theirs and by closely examining quality, published work as well.

As a staff writer and occasional proofreader for five years with a Christian newspaper, I learned more about various writing styles and techniques. Blogging regular tutorials for new and young writers on A Novel Writing Site, I helped judge and give personal feedback to entrants in our yearly "First 5 Pages Contest". Finally, spending a year as an editor for Port Yonder Press, I discovered there was more for me to learn as an editor, and there will always be more -- much more -- I will learn as a writer. Lately I've joined the board of The Grace Awards, which also offers a yearly contest. I expect the experience I gain serving others there will also provide facets of education to my writing experience.

Feedback is essential to receive, yes. But it is also extremely necessary to give.

If you don’t know where to start, think of a book you've recently read that's gripped you. Then begin asking why. What did that particular author have a way with? Was it the way they turned a phrase? Was it the short bursts of dialogue that created intensity in an action scene? Did they reveal their characters' motives in a way that created an immediate connection? If so, how? Study. Critique them.

What book have you set aside recently? What made you stop reading, and how can you avoid being guilty of making the mistakes that author did?

I occasionally even write Book Exams on my blog -- reviews of books that stood out to me, but focusing on an instructional twist -- ferreting out something a writer could learn from them.

Benefits of giving critique or edits:
·      Learning how to look subjectively at plot structure, scene structure, character arc, and methods to develop brilliant dialogue, heightened verbs, even improved voice.
·      Developing heart. It's frankly, pretty easy to be either hyper critical or blown away by genius. But if a manuscript needs more work, use your offer of critique to be kind while making suggestions. Consider that, in the serendipity of life, these things come back to you, so be tactful and gracious.
·      When you've met a cardboard character, you know it. They feel lifeless and flat and you don't care what happens to them. If you were the author whose work you're critiquing, what would you do to enliven that character? Suggest it, and then give your own characters the same surgery.
·      Making friends. You know you've found a kindred spirit when you connect with another writer. Your family might think you're off your rocker at times, as you walk around the house conversing with the imaginary population in your private downtown. But a fellow writer understands, and commiserates with your dreamed-up crises. Part of the fun of offering critiques and edits is the camaraderie you experience.

A final suggestion is that you don't offer editing service for a fee unless you really have the credentials to back them up. Experience over time is a great teacher. Having your own work go through a publisher's or editor's gristmill will put you miles ahead. Stick with it, and don’t be discouraged. Everyone's work needs work. Other's eyes will help you find your story's flaws, just as your eyes will help them find theirs.

Author Bio:
Empire in Pine is Naomi's inspirational, historical series from Desert Breeze Publishing. First published in e-format, all three books are now coming to print beginning with Book One, The Green Veil. Naomi writes from the pristine north woods of Wisconsin where she and husband Jeff live as epically as God allows on a ramshackle farm near their five young adult children and three grandchildren. Amidst it, she writes about imperfect people who are finding hope and faith to overcome their struggles, whether the story venue is rich in American history, or along more contemporary lines.

She invites readers to say hello and find out more about her stories, passions, and other writing venues at http://www.naomimusch.com or to look her up on Facebook (Naomi Musch - Author) and Twitter (NMusch).

BUY LINKS:


Naomi's Ah-hahs to Tweet:

“…get our work as clean as we can before we turn it over to someone else to critique…” (Click To Tweet)


“Feedback is essential to receive, yes. But it is also extremely necessary to give.” (Click To Tweet)

“Other's eyes will help you find your story's flaws, just as your eyes will help them find theirs.” (Click To Tweet)



24 comments:

  1. I love Naomi's books and her writing style. I have all three. I can honestly say my writing has come a long way from being part of a critique group and from learning through editing my Desert Breeze novels as well as reading writing books. Blessings for success, BJ Robinson

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    1. B.J., welcome to Everyone's Story. You're a true inspiration!

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  2. Hi Naomi and Elaine :-) I have to say I've learned so much these past few months as I've gone through the editing stage with a professional editor for my 1st novel. I didn't realize there was so much to learn :-) For 1 year I was a part of ACFW's critique loop...so I have had experience looking at other writer's work. I would really like to be part of a small group for writers where we would look at each other's work...I know I learn so much:-) Thanks for sharing your wisdom and your books:-) I love historical romance...would love to win a copy of your book :)

    blessings, Lorna

    lornafaith at gmail dot com

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    1. Lorna, thanks for the visit. I'm glad things are working out for you.

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    2. Love stopping by your site Elaine...it's great to read about different authors, their books and their writing journey :-) Thanks for your encouragement Elaine ...great post as usual :-) I'm Tweeting!

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    3. Heartfelt thanks, Lorna. Easter blessings.

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  3. Thanks for dropping by, BJ. You're such a faithful reader! Love ya.

    Lorna, isn't that the truth, about going through those novel edits with a professional editor? The learning is tremendous in a scary/awesome way. It's new with each book. I think acceptable writing styles change over time too. I mean, if you look at old books, there's a lot of "telling". Lots of back story too. Those things aren't acceptable anymore. And nowadays we're learning more and more about Deep POV. So there are always new things coming down the pike to learn about. God bless!

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    1. You're so right Naomi...it has felt good and very scary having someone edit my book:-) I've been learning to do more showing, I think I do way too much telling. And she encouraged me to get rid of a lot of my backstory too. So I'm thankful that I can learn how to write so that it's, hopefully, a much better story.

      Have a Blessed and beautiful day :-)

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  4. I so agree with Naomi about crit groups. I've been part of the same critique group for almost 4 years, and we've all grown so much. Critiquing their work has helped me and their critiques have made my writing so much stronger.

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    1. Hi Pat! Sounds like a good critique group is similar to good friends: strength to rely on!

      Easter blessings.

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  5. Naomi, everything you have said is very good sense, but I have a question. Surely it is imperative to find the right person to swop critiques with or it could do more harm than good, preferably someone who represents your target reader. I would want someone who is more advanced than I am as a writer, but then could not offer the same standard in return. So how does one find a match? Has anyone any suggestions?

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    1. Welcome to Everyone's Story, Linda. You've asked a good question. I'm curious to see what Naomi suggests.

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  6. Thank you! I've been looking for this kind of critique for my own work and would love to be helpful to others by giving and receiving it.

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    1. Thanks for joining the discussion, Laurie. What kind of writing are you working on?

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  7. Thanks for the input, Ladies! Patricia, how awesome that you've found a group with such stability over time. That's a real blessing.

    Linda, I think if you are looking soley for one critique partner, or a group of 2 or 3, you're going to definitely want to seek out those who are more kindred writing spirits - give or take their writing level. Someone who's interested in growth and learning so you can keep building off each other as each of you learn new things. But if you join a larger group, such as the one I was part of, you'll find all skill levels and eclectic styles. In that type of group you have to learn what to take, and what to let slide off, because there will be sci-fi writers who think your story doesn't have enough "Bang" factor, for instance, and want you to steer your story in one direction and romance writers who want to see the hero and heroine together in every chapter and will suggest you grow your plot in another kind of way. Even so, you can learn a lot (and begin sharing a lot) about things like pacing and character arc, grammar gaffes, deep POV showing vs. telling, passive and active voice, scene structure, and all the other things that are common across the board. You will find people who've learned something you haven't, and you will discover you probably have more to share of your own insights than you ever realized. Of course, you want to also feel comfortable and "safe" with your group, so it takes a while to get the fit right. I hope that answers your question. :)

    Laurie, I so hope you find someone to critique with! When I could no longer stay involved with my former group, I went online and found a lot of camaraderie at christianwriters.com. They had special loops for different genre interests. Of course, ACFW has similar loops. If you interact on any of the Christian writer & reader pages on Facebook, it's pretty easy to develop connections with like-minded writers there. Keep on the lookout. :) God speed!

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    1. Thank you, Naomi. I had a group until I moved last fall. I appreciate the much needed encouragement to continue the search, and your advise about looking on line.

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  8. Yes! Being critiqued and critiquing is invaluable. I'm in a group that has taught me more than I ever learned in school. While working on the nuts and bolts of my current WIP I haven't submitted it, but I keep critiquing my partners' work anyway. I've learned how to pick up things in my own stuff because of it.
    cbalmony(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Connie, thanks for the visit today. I always enjoy when you stop by.

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  9. That's great, Connie! That's exactly how it works (learning to pick stuff up things in your own stuff through critiquing exchange). Keep it up. I wish you well in the process and when you get around to submitting!

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  10. I agree - it's a simple truth but often overlooked. I discovered the same principle back in college when I took Intro to Accounting & everyone in the class was struggling. The professor had never taught before and didn't understand how to reword things when the students were confused. It was one of the hardest classes I ever took simply because I would go back to my dorm, work through the textbook and teach myself everything he was trying to teach but not covering adequately.

    When I learned an international student friend was failing, I offered to tutor him just because I couldn't stand by and watch him flunk the one class he needed to graduate. Next thing I knew, there were 5 students showing up every day to be tutored. And since I had to know what I was going to teach them, I had to make sure I taught myself well. I ended up getting to skip finals cause I had such good grades at the end, plus the professor was so appreciative.

    I also like your suggestion to ask why. I only recently started paying attention to why something in a book will rub me the wrong way. But once you start looking for it, (or for the spots that thrill you!) you really learn techniques!

    kawaii dot katers at gmail dot com

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    1. Kat, I'm happy you came by to visit today. What a wonderful story about the rewards of helping others, especially from the heart. Thanks for sharing.

      Hope to see you again on Everyone's Story.

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  11. Oh Kat, what an awesome analogy! I bet you were really thrilled when you didn't have to take finals because of all that effort. That would be comparable to a manuscript coming back from an editor with a note: "It's pretty clean. Not much to do here!"
    God bless in your endeavors~

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  12. Naomi, I'm sending you heartfelt thanks for being an awesome guest this past week--one of the busiest yet in viewership! Just today there were 17 hits from Germany, 12 from Russia, 2 from Turkey, and a new country to Everyone's Story--the West African country of Cote d'lvoire--let alone many from the US. I'm feeling very blessed and I know I couldn't do it alone without my fascinating guests and viewers. Bless you all.

    Thanks too, Naomi, for your lovely Book Giveaway...

    And the winner of one of Naomi's novels, in PDF format, is Linda. Yea, Linda! Both Naomi and I will be in touch with you directly via email.

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  13. That is AMAZING! Thanks for letting me know. The wonders of the world wide web never cease to amaze me. It's been a joy to be part of the discussion on Everyone's Story. Thanks, Elaine! Congratulations, Linda! Can't wait to get in touch!

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