And here I thought writing was something I could do in my PJs, curled up on the couch with only the dog and cat as an audience. Was I ever wrong! I've been going to a couple of critique groups and they have been amazingly helpful. I think I can write a good story. But to make it better, to make it great, I need other minds to hear it and comment on it.
So, on Saturday I drove up to Portland and read my story, The Worry Warthogs, aloud to six complete strangers. My palms got sweaty and my hands shook and I stumbled over some of the words I thought I knew by heart.
And I got great feedback! These are authors who are trying to write in the same genre, picture books, as I am and it is really hard! Word count and page turn and show don't tell and on and on. So it was incredibly nice to talk to people who speak the same language.
They told me what worked. And they told me what didn't. Which is what I need to hear so I can make my story better. Best.
I stepped outside my box, and it was good. After a little editing, the story is better, and now I focus on the illustrations. In between farming. And bookwork. And Alice. Sigh.
Peace, Chris
So, on Saturday I drove up to Portland and read my story, The Worry Warthogs, aloud to six complete strangers. My palms got sweaty and my hands shook and I stumbled over some of the words I thought I knew by heart.
And I got great feedback! These are authors who are trying to write in the same genre, picture books, as I am and it is really hard! Word count and page turn and show don't tell and on and on. So it was incredibly nice to talk to people who speak the same language.
They told me what worked. And they told me what didn't. Which is what I need to hear so I can make my story better. Best.
I stepped outside my box, and it was good. After a little editing, the story is better, and now I focus on the illustrations. In between farming. And bookwork. And Alice. Sigh.
Peace, Chris