It has snowed and snowed here in my small part of world. That means no school for the kids and a messy, chaotic house with little time to work or think.
In the middle of all this, I've stolen some time to work and have rewritten the first third of my novel. After giving it to several readers I trust, the feedback came in that the first third of the book was too fast and needed more information about the characters. So, for two weeks I was in fury writer mode, staying up late and getting up early to pour the story onto the page. I got the advice from one of my readers to let it flow and I have! The story is richer, deeper and more powerful.
For me, sometimes, I have a crisis of confidence. A sudden feeling that what I have to say is not worthy of someone actually taking the time out of their busy life to read what I put on the page. I take passages out that I worry are too detailed, too long, too emotional, instead of realizing that the magic of my writing is in those spaces. And that lack of confidence hurt the beginning of my novel. I was worried to keep the reader's attention and made it so plot driven that the essence and passion for the characters were lost. Fortunately, I have several friends who could articulate what was wrong and encouraged me that, indeed, my unique point of view is interesting and to let it flow, sister!
As I write, my two small daughters are watching television - The Grinch Who Stole Christmas - and I'm filled with mother guilt. But, that's another blog for another day. Happy Holidays, dear reader. May your days be filled with joy and void of mess!
Let it flow, let it flow, let if flow...and stop snowing already! Oh well, at least the song White Christmas has relevance for once ;)
Posted by: Katherine | December 24, 2008 at 10:56 AM