“The writer’s job is to use the tools in his or her toolbox to get as much of each one out of the ground intact as possible.”
~Stephen King
I asked for feedback on a few pieces recently, and the advice I received said the same thing in so many words. “Dig Deeper.” These are wonderful writers, and I value their insight. I am not a whiner….
Okay, maybe I whined once, to my better half. He raised his eyebrows and said,”Sounds like you have work to do.” He’s a great guy, and in the end I’m always glad he doesn’t coddle.
I ate two five Cadbury Eggs, and sucked it up. I took a moment to review all the awesome things they said about my writing, then I read the suggestions for change once again.
Dig deeper. Go further. Clarify.
Sometimes, writing feels like one of those bad dreams in which you show up naked to school. For a moment, I felt like I’d gone to an excavation without my heavy-duty shovel. Instead, I brought along my mincing, passive, plant-the-tulips spade. Whoops. Color me embarrassed.
But I’m a corn-fed midwestern girl. I know how to roll up my sleeves and put on my big boots when the manure gets deep. I took a hot bath to wash off the malodor of self-gratification and soak in my main character’s motivations and back story.
I love my fellow writers and I imagine at least one of you are in the position of standing knee-deep in the crud of revisions(It’s okay. I checked around and revisions are like that.) and realize your tools just aren’t enough. Take a deep breath, bring your shovel, and continue reading.
10 Tips For Getting Dirty:
1. Ask lots of questions. First, ask them of yourself. Why is this story important to you? Is it still important? Often, which is my case, we have trouble connecting to our characters. Interview them. What impact does your main character have on other characters in the story? This is a biggie. There should be a contingency of influence.
2. Writing prompts are gold. An image may be the conduit to better understanding of not only characters, but theme and voice. Many writers use photos of models, actors, etc. who resemble their protagonist.
3. Write a scene from a different point-of-view. Give someone else the reigns, a voice. They may illuminate a few grey areas.
4. Read within your genre. But read critically. Another author may have had a similar problem. How did they handle it?
5. Create back story. This doesn’t need to go in your book, but the connection is worth the time.
6. Write it out. I’m a free-writing junkie. But the act of writing(and not just revising, editing, etc.)alone reminds me why I put my knee-high waders on in the first place. This also helps to organize your various tools, make room for the heavy-duty shovel.
7. Character sketches aren’t for pansies. Does the reader care that Evie likes the color purple and her favorite band is Deathcab For Cutie? Maybe not so much, but this is like back story. It’s another opportunity for your sub-conscious to wrap itself around the world you’ve created.
8. Focus on what you’ve done right and write to your strengths. Sometimes, we just need to build a little muscle before we play with the big boys.
9. Step outside of your comfort zone. This one gives me the willies. Give me a Snuggie and a box of chocolate covered cherries. I like comfort. But change is good, and fun. If you’re a plotter, try pantsing. Vice versa. Or start small-if you write at home at your desk everyday, grab a notebook and head to the park. Then there are the lovely bits I call “creative rest.” Pick up a craft book, or watch a movie you’ve never considered.
10. Get personal. This is the part where I forgot to put clothes on, much less pack my utility belt. I wrote about subject matter close to my heart, but I backed off. Readers know when you’re hiding something. My readers did. I’ve changed my perspective. I’ve mapped the terrain, and it’s not a scary place. Think of it more like a seductive veil dance. Find your rhythm and be unafraid of what’s underneath. Everyone has vulnerabilities. Sharing them is not a sign of feebleness.
How do you unearth your booty of unwritten gold? Do you use any of the aforementioned tips? And please, share your experiences from the mining shafts.
Happy digging!
image:http://www.morguefile.com/
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
Courtney Koschel
March 2, 2012 at 9:28 am
These are all great tools! I just scrapped about 18k words of my WIP, but for once, I’m not freaking out about it. It was necessary, and truth be told, not all that hard. I wasn’t able to work with what I had. In this case, a clean slate was best. The rewriting is going to much smoother this time around, and I would’ve saved myself a whole lot of time if I would’ve done this to begin with. But oh well
Love these tools. They’re helpful, insightful, and they work.
Tonia Marie Houston
March 2, 2012 at 11:37 am
I know I’ll have at least a few thousand words to scrap…okay, maybe more. I read that the rough is more of an outline. I’m using these tools to not only dig deeper, but navigate the mines a little. Thankful for critique partners who aren’t afraid to hand me the shovel and say,”Get to work.”
bwtaylor75
March 2, 2012 at 9:51 am
Hey, we’re in the same boat, or cemetery. I’m going through another round of edits based off of some really awsome beta feedback. I find that most often you simply have to look at your work from a different angle. That’s where an excellent beta-reader becomes priceless. My beta-reader gave me suggestions on one chapter that helped me see everything in a new light. Once everything clicked, I got to work on the rest of the manuscript because I could see what needed tweaking.
My favorite from your list is number nine. Sometimes you have to let yourself go to the dark side, and that will most likely be out of your comfort zone. Stepping out of your comfort zone can also help you see what you’re really made of, and may even help you to grow as a writer.
As for me, I tend to write extensive character bios and outlines before I start a new manuscript. That makes it easier to go back and flesh things out.
I’ve got to say you ladies of the Hugs + Chocolate Blog have put together an excellent place for writers of all degrees (from new to not so new) to share and grow. I find myself coming back here time and time again. Great job and keep up the good work.
Vaughn Roycroft
March 2, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Really great post, Tonia. Re: #5, I actually wrote an entire manuscript to explore backstory, and it gave me amazing insight. Agree with bwtaylor about (at least) two things: First, you have to let yourself go dark sometimes. I have, and it’s definitely taken me outside my comfort zone, but it’s made me better. Need to continue to stretch. Second, the ladies of Hugs & Chocolate ROCK! You guys just keep getting better and better. Keep up the great work!
Tonia Marie Houston
March 2, 2012 at 12:20 pm
bwtaylor and Vaughn: Wow, I’m blushing. I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you. bwtaylor has it right with the dark side comment. My story is about a dark subject, but I danced around it early in the story. I did a little back story and character sketch work before I began, but I now have more questions and dead bodies to dig up. I’m one of those rare readers who enjoy backstory. A good example is Robert Jordan’s New Spring. But perhaps it’s my writer’s mind, always questioning characters’ motives. Thanks, guys, for your input.
Stacy S. Jensen
March 2, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Great tips Tonia. It’s funny, when I write a children’s picture book manuscript (about five to six pages) I find it easier to change POV. I think with larger work I don’t want to, but it’s not about want sometimes. I need to remind myself of this. I hope to be digging into a draft next week. I’m enjoyed the posts here. I’ve just been reading and running away, but hope to be part of the conversation.
Tonia Marie Houston
March 2, 2012 at 3:52 pm
I’m happy to see you,Stacy, whether it’s a read and run or not.
Good luck with your draft next week!
Jamie Raintree
March 2, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Pure genius, Tonia! I’m in the middle of preparing for a major overhaul of my novel and I’ve used or want to use all of these tips! Right now I’m throwing a lot of questions at my MC (she’s about to start avoiding my calls) and doing some free writing. With my last novel, writing from the other character’s points-of-view was a MAJOR help. I’ve just started hunting down books that are similar to what I’m writing, which is not an easy feat but I think it will help immensely if I can read them critically and nail down some ideas on structure and my main character. I think, more than anything, getting personal will help. My main character is probably more like me than I think (or would like to admit) so not being afraid of connecting to her will help more than anything.
Great post!
Tonia Marie Houston
March 2, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Thank you, Jamie! Getting personal is the hardest part. I don’t know about you, but that kind of exposure frightens and excites me at the same time. As for genre reading, I have a sizable tbr pile. Best wishes with your overhaul.
Heather Reid
March 3, 2012 at 8:09 am
Tonia, this post is amazing! You’re amazing! It’s hard and scary to dig up those dead bodies, but totally worth it! I’m still cleaning dirt from beneath my fingernails from my last rewrite. Your tips are spot on! I’m going to print them out and hang them on my wall as a reminder. In fact, I might print a picture of a shovel too!
I know you can dig deep, you’ve got the courage. I can’t wait to see what you unearth.
Tonia Marie Houston
March 3, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Wow, thank you,Heather. That means a lot coming from you.
Rebecca
March 4, 2012 at 12:00 pm
These tips are going into my writer’s toolbox.