Monday, August 27, 2012

I just finished a manuscript and submitted it to my critique group. I admit I was in a hurry to get it done. I had family coming and lots to do. I just whipped out the end, and I was finished.
Well, I don’t need to tell you it was a lame ending. The group told me it should be fleshed out a little. The scene left them wanting. They asked to know how the characters felt. I could go on and on.
Where was my mistake? My characters had a problem to solve by the end of the book. They did that, but it was without feeling—without much thought.
What do I need to do differently? I failed to put myself into the scene. It didn’t live through my words. My readers need to be there with me. How can they when I’m not there myself?
I took some time and went back to envision the scene in great detail. I sat in my character’s place and listened to their feelings.
Then I rewrote the scene. Was it better? I’ll know after my group reads it this week.
Sloppy hurried-up writing is just that. It never pays.
Will I remember this lesson? I hope so—at least for today.
Happy writing! Christy Monson

1 comment:

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Carolyn
I know just what you mean. I bet the revision is much, much better. When there is too much going on in my life I often can't write. I'm not sure which is better. Maybe getting something down but not submitting it as quickly would be the thing to do.
Nancy