Realize Your Books Potential: Join (or Form) a Writers Group
Its a long road we writers travel between our initial ideas and a fully realized novel or even a short story. Few of us possess the genius to fully flesh out every aspect from character development and plot weaving down to the gritty details of setting and action which is one reason why the critics can point out flaws even in books that are considered to be classics.
Every writer has his or her own areas of expertise. Consider the benefits, then, of joining forces with others who are apt to have different strengths and weaknesses than you. This is what I find appealing and, sometimes, even essential about writers groups.
The first benefit of being involved in a critique group is the simple encouragement. If you and your fellow members agree to meet, say, one evening a week and each bring in NEW material to read then that keeps each of you motivated to write. Completing a novel can feel like such a nebulous goal. The end could be years down the road, provided we arent de-railed at any point between now and then. Its a much more feasible ambition to churn out another ten pages to read next Tuesday at your group meeting.
The input of fellow writers can be invaluable in pointing out strengths, weaknesses, and inconsistencies in our work. If youre a novelist, then youre probably aware of the degree of concentration thats necessary to hold a dozen characters and as many plot layers in your mind at all times and how easy it is to overlook smaller details in the midst of that.
Thanks to the feedback I received in my own group, I was able to identify the shin busters in my first novel like when I had a single character dragging a moose across the plains, or my heroines eyes appearing as differently colored between chapters three and eleven. Its best to find these problems early on before we submit our books to those less forgiving editors and agents.
For shorter works, like stories, articles and essays, the feedback we get from our group lets us know how effectively were communicating our basic ideas. If we can sell our argument to everyone in our group, well be that much more likely to sell the piece to a magazine or e-zine editor.
A couple of tips for running your group smoothly: (1) Stick to a time limit for each members reading and response time. When one person dominates the discussion for too long it can provoke the others resentment. (2) Discuss only what members have WRITTEN, not what they PLAN to write. This is a critique, not a collaborative writing session. We can talk about the merits of this idea or that indefinitely, but if nothing is put down on paper then its really just a fancy form of procrastination. Were here to help each other with revision, not brainstorming, and to motivate everyone to stay productive.
If youre still not convinced about the merits of this approach to polishing your craft, then consider these two works, now both blockbuster films, which sprouted out of a single writers group: The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia .
The Inklings , in England, once boasted both J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis amongst its members. Lewis space fantasy, which began with Out of the Silent Planet , was the result of a gentlemans bargain he made with Tolkien. And Tolkien acknowledged more than once in his correspondences that he would probably never have finished his own masterpiece if not for Lewis encouragement.
Consider that for a moment. The Lord of the Rings wouldnt exist if J.R.R. Tolkien hadnt belonged to a writers group.
For More Free Resources visit www.allfreereports.com
Related Articles:
iTaggit and Platinum Studios Announce Partnership to Fuel Passion for Comic Book Collecting
Companies Collaborate to Provide New Tools to Avid Collectors.
Bet's Books Announces "Aristotle: The Firefly's Message" Children's Book
Aristotle: The Firefly's Message is an endearing story about a homeless boy who wanders the streets of Ancient Greece -- lost, hungry, and afraid. Then, one fateful night, he comes upon a firefly with a broken wing, and though he has naught to offer him but friendship, the boy takes Aristotle, the firefly, into his care. When the firefly is once again strong enough to fly, he asks to be set free. What will the lonely boy decide to do? And what miraculous happenings await his decision?
Outskirts Press Announces Finding Jesus in the Old Testament (the Jewish Scriptures), the Latest Highly-Anticipated Bible - Study Book from AR Author
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Finding Jesus in the Old Testament (the Jewish Scriptures): Discovering the Jewish Roots of Your Faith by Ken Williams, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Bible - Study - Old Testament category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $9.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/FindingJesusintheOldTestament was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Pop Superhero Gives Girl Power to the Indie Bible Cookie Cutter Girl Graces the Cover of 2007 Musician Resource Book
Cookie Cutter Girl gives her Superhero Seal of Approval to the 2007 edition of the Indie Bible. Not only is the Pop Superhero pictured on the cover of this Internationally renowned musician's resource. Discover your "Inner Superhero," hear CCG's Girl Power Pop music & see her Pop Superhero comic book at: CookieCutterGirl.com. Indie musicians will get ahead of their competition by getting a "Super Deal" on the Indie Bible today at: http://www.indiebible.com/jul
"Cooking with Fiction?" Tony Canzoneri's Latest Release, Redneck Eats, is a Companion Cook Book to the Novel Cold Trail
Tony Canzoneri, has distilled thirty years of cooking into a collection of his favorites, and presented them in a way that only he can. Redneck Eats, will not only satisfy those hungry for good southern cooking, but those eagerly awaiting release of the next installment in the comedic thriller series.
Amherst Media, Inc Presents A New Book by Las Vegas's own Billy Pegram: Posing Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios
With detailed discussions and eye-catching, dynamic images, this guidebook shows professional photographers how to masterfully create beautiful images of a model to achieve any creative objective. Instructions illustrate basic poses as well as a host of subtle variations to provide photographers with an endless array of looks for editorial fashion shots, athletics, glamour or nude photography, and shots designed to show curves, reveal personality, or showcase the hands, hair, or legs. This comprehensive resource also provides expert advice on conducting a successful session, how to work with the model, how to work with a support staff of image stylists, and tips for designing a high-quality portfolio. Additional lessons provide a start-to-f...
Groundbreaking New Book Quickly and Succinctly Explains the Uses of Earned Value Management
EVM Demystified- An Easy Guide for the Practical Use of Earned Value Management by Ruth Mullany and Esther Burgess provides a simple approach to understanding key EVM concepts
Bash Dibra's New Book 'Your Dream Dog: A Guide to Finding the Right Dog for You' Will Help You Choose the Right Breed
Don't let the dog bought in the spring become a throw away at the end of summer.
'I Met Thomas Edison,' Says Twelve-Year-Old Boy in New American History Book for Kids
"I Met Thomas Edison," Says Twelve-Year-Old Boy in New American History Book for Kids. Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame Showcases Amazing Photographs of Boy's Journey Through Time; Teaches Lessons of History.
Outskirts Press Announces A Bull in a Glass House, the Latest Highly Anticipated Business Life - Inspirational Book From Marlton, NJ, Author Jose Asto
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published A Bull in a Glass House: A Former Marine's Manifesto on Surviving the Corporate Jungle and Taking Control of Your Life by Jose Astorga, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 paperback in the Business Life - Inspirational category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $11.95. A Bull in a Glass House is also available in its 5.5 x 8.5 hardback w/jacket edition for $19.95. The webpage at www.www.outskirtspress.com/abullinaglasshouse was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.