Constructive Criticism

This week was spring break so had lots of time to study and write, not that I really used that time well or for that purpose necessarily, but it was there.

In writing world, Echoes of a New Earth (my latest novel attempt) didn't make it to the quarterfinals for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, but did get two free critiques of my first few chapters, both favorable overall, but suggesting where the writing could have been better. I probably shouldn't have rushed to submit, but in a way I'm glad I did, because the advice is definitely solid.

I'm revising a short story I wrote a year ago and using some good advice that was given on my initial draft of that as well. That story was written shortly after my mother's death and essentially was my way of channeling a lot of feelings into one place. It is called The Glass Figurine and is about ... a glass figurine. Eventually, I'd like to revise another short story on which I received some really good advice and submit that to a horror/dark fantasy venue.

And then - there's that phrase again. Good advice. I've been procrastinating as a writer for so long. But for the past few months, even since NaNoWriMo (which felt like jumper cables to my writing battery) have been so blessed by writers' groups and editorial comments. Not only am I writing again, but sharing what I've written, which forces me to try to write well and relevantly.

This is hard. But I'm so grateful for it, for those who often without realizing they're doing it, continue to press me to speak up, to find my voice. It's really good to not be alone in any of this, but especially humbling when some put so much work into their craft AND pause to help others with theirs.