Category: Info for New Writers

Improve Your Writing Through Editing

In a past tip for new and aspiring writers I discussed the importance of beta readers for your work. Getting feedback at all stages of your writing is crucial to improve your writing.

Another way to improve is to become a better editor of your own work. I’ve found that a great way to do this is to start with others’ work. Reach out to peers and ask them if you can beta-read their work. This is valuable for several reasons:

  • It shows you that everyone–even the best writers–have messy initial drafts
  • You’ll recognize weaknesses (punctuation, spelling, word choice, etc.) in others’ writing–and by recognizing this, you’ll learn to recognize it in your own work
  • You’ll begin to hone your “editor’s eye” and learn to improve your own editing

It is true that naturally, some of us are better editors than others. Some great writers are just not good at seeing the mistakes in their own work, including blatant spelling errors. Not every great writer is a great editor, but honing your “editor’s eye” will make your writing better. Another benefit: nurturing your ties with other writers means that they will return the favor and edit your work at some point.

I am naturally blessed with a decent “editor’s eye,” but when I began to edit professionally the experience enhanced my self-editing. I’d find myself writing something, and recognize the mistakes I picked up in my clients’ work. Passive voice is a still a huge problem for me, but I’m getting better at recognizing it as I write because I so often flagged it for others.

There are many tips out there that can help you become a better self-editor. Here’s a post that recently appeared on the New England Speculative Writers blog, courtesy of Morgan Sylvia. You can also google “self-editing.”

Now go forth and write (and then edit!)

 

For New and Aspiring Writers Who Parent

This week’s blogpost for new writers is going to be re-posting a something I wrote for New England Speculative Writers. I had a health scare this week and was in the hospital for a bit (I’m fine–false alarm but lifestyle changes needed) so I’m behind in life. I have a writing deadline to meet and a dance competition for my daughter this weekend.

This post is still relevant for new and aspiring writers, particularly those with children. It tells a bit about my path to motherhood and how that affected my writing. The good news–it’s never too late.

Here’s the link to the post. Please check out the excellent submissions from other writers in New England in honor of Women’s History Month.

 

Beta Readers–Yes, You Need Them

Beta Readers are Your Friends

Last week, I posted about the importance of finding a critique group. This week I want to discuss a related item–getting beta readers for your work.

A beta reader improves your writing in many ways:

  • They can tell you “what’s working” and “what needs improvement”
  • They catch spelling and grammar mistakes
  • They can catch plot holes and logical inconsistencies that you’re “invisible” to
  • They may catch inadvertent racism, sexism, ableism, etc.

If you’re a new writer, you’ll find that there is always a slight disconnect between what you think you’ve written or intend, and what readers will glean.

In the Eye of the Beholder

You may write what you think is the perfect fight scene. Perhaps you love fight scenes in books, and have read hundreds.

Once you give that scene to beta readers, you may find it’s not so perfect after all. One reader may tell you it sounds clichéd. Another may have weapons experience, and tell you that there’s no way your protagonist would have that kind of firearm on them. Another may note that the human body could not do the moves you described.

It is important that you be open to any feedback you receive. It doesn’t mean you have to take all of it, but you need to learn to put your ego aside and accept that your beta readers are picking up on things other readers might as well.

Finding Beta Readers

You will find that most people feel honored to be asked to beta read your work. Ask members of your household, classmates, friends. If you are a member of a writers’ group you have built-in beta readers there. You could also ask in a Facebook group devoted to your genre, if you belong to one.

Ideally, you’ll want another writer to read your work, along with one or two people who like the genre you write. Having an editor or grammar nerd is also helpful.

Now, go forth and write!

 

In Praise of Writers’ Groups

If You Are a New or Aspiring Writer, You Need a Critique Group. Believe Me.

For the first in my series of marketing and other tips for new writers, I want to start at a basic level–honing your craft.

The best thing you can do as a new or aspiring writer is join a writers’ group–sometimes called a critique group.

As a beginner, you’ll learn a lot from other writers. You’ll get tips on writing habits, where to find markets to submit to, and how improve your writing. You’ll also receive feedback on your writing.

All groups operate differently. Some meet weekly; other monthly or bi-monthly. Some groups choose to read one member’s submission each time, with other members giving a detailed critique. Others have all members submit a piece of a certain length in advance of a meeting, with members spending an allotted amount of time critiquing each piece of work.

There’s no one “correct way” to run a group–it depends on the personalities and commitment levels of the members.

via GIPHY

How to Find a Group

As a woman speculative fiction writer, I found my first group through my local chapter of Broad Universe, an organization supporting women writers and artists in the speculative genres. I joined their online discussion group, and after lurking for a year agreed to meet another member for coffee (shout out to my friend and fellow writer, Trisha Wooldridge.) It was wonderful to discuss our mutual passion and share our dreams. We became friends, and at some point after that Trish invited me to join my first critique group. We were all women writing speculative fiction, and our group lasted for several years.

While it’s not necessary that group members write in the same genre, many find it preferable. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable contributing, and get useful feedback. I’ve known of other successful groups that have a science fiction writer, a romance writer, a mystery writer, and a children’s book author. There’s no one “right” way.

Look Locally

Find organizations or groups that support your genre. Do be aware that membership in these types of groups can carry a small annual cost. Even a small cost can be too much for some beginning writers. Another tip is ask around your local bookstores, colleges, and libraries to see if a group is operating out of or meeting in any of these places. Can’t find something that fits the bill? Start your own group! Most libraries, coffee shops, and bookstores will allow you to post a flyer announcing your intention to start a group.

Next time, I’ll discuss another tip for beginners. Until then, please share your own experiences finding or joining a critique group in the comments. Have a question? Feel free to ask!