So today I met SF at my office (ie: the coffee shop. Yes - it has a fireplace and leather club chairs!) in order to hear her critique of my wicked cool manuscript. (I'm still calling it that even though it has suffered a beating and is slightly less cool than previously thought.) The critique was wonderful, and hysterical, and thoughtful, and challenging. I have much to do. We are laughing in our picture not only because my favorite coffee guy Tim was forced to photograph us (Thanks Tim! He swore he'd read our blog now.) But also because SF found SO many problems in my manuscript that I couldn't help but laugh at times. And I think I could laugh some more at the idea that I almost sent this gem out before it was ready! WHOA NELLIE! Patience Katie, Patience...
Anyway, after it was all over, I was unexpectedly fired up to get back to work. In fact, I was secretly sad that the kids get out in one week (I'll take that back if you tell anyone), because I truly want to just sink into that leather chair and disappear into my computer for a few weeks.
THANKS SF! I LOVE YA!!!
9 comments:
You girls are SO cute!
Dang, what a critique, too. It made you laugh? Wow.
I know. It was funny. We kept laughing. I think because my book is fairly sexy, and sometimes I got everyone's emotions backwards. Or she would point out something that was so blatantly dumbo, that I'd crack up.
It helps to have your best friend critiquing it, 'cuz I know she feels comfortable telling me the solid truth, even if it's "Katie, this sounds ridiculous."
A lot of the time, she'd say, "This doesn't work." And I'd say, "Yeah. You're right. How do I fix it?" And she'd say, "I dunno." And it would crack us up. But the best critiques are that way. Where she points out the problems, but makes me think of how to fix them. I think it allows me to be MORE creative.
Anyway, I have been working on it for 6 hours so far today, with a few Facebook breaks :-) But so far, it's going GREAT!
Whew. So glad we're still FRIENDS!!
And, remember, you don't have to take ALL my advice.
Your book IS totally wicked cool. And, your first draft is exactly what it should be--something that has great potential and promise but has a few kinks. I can't wait to see it again--I miss Edwin already . . .
sf
aaawww... Thanks SF. I was "aaawwwing" over your missing Edwin.
I am crafting two more luscious scenes with him :-)
If it helps. YOu will go through tons of revisions. My book is totally different than when I first started and I love it more. It's a process. You have a great vice, a great premise. You'll get it. YOu take suggestions really well!
shelli
http://www.faeriality.blogspot.com/
Oh I'm so jealous that you two live so close and work so closely. I love the quote about how the author is the only one who can solve the problems pointed out by others. But having the problems pointed out is half the battle. Writing is REwriting as they say. Katie, keep up the great work. And SF, keep crackin' that whip!
OMG, I can so relate to the WHOA NELLIE. :) I was so thrilled with my first draft (first book I'd written that I felt like actually worked), I zipped it off to my now-agent... looking back, I am so embarrassed! I SO should have let it rest a while, then given it the attention it needed. (Agent agreed to represent me, but the editor she sent it to didn't offer a contract until after I had done one round of revisions...and of course I've done two more rounds post-contract.) Y'all are so lucky to have each other! Keep at it!
Great post. Nothing better than having a good friend who can critique your work!
Every critique should be so happy, filled with laughter, and full of agreement. What a novel idea!
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