Hi friends & writers,
Some writers have requested a place to share their Tuesday prompt writes with others. Feel free to post them as comments on the Tuesday Writer blog, thetuesdaywriter.blogspot.com. Also, Critique Circle (http://www.critiquecircle.com) has been well-reviewed as a great place to swap manuscripts.
Have fun!
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PROCESS: EDUCATING YOUR EDITORS
If you have a piece of writing that feels mostly finished but needs a second pair of eyes, it is time to find a good reader. But wait! Even the most trusted friends cannot always be counted upon to offer the best kind of feedback. Look for someone who is well-read in the field in which you are writing, and someone whose judgment you respect, but at the same time someone who does not have the power to break your interest in your story if their response is lukewarm. Most importantly, teach your editors what you need in a critique.
The goal is to decide what the piece of writing, in its ideal incarnation, is trying to accomplish. Try asking your reader these three questions: “What do you see this piece as being about? What works in helping it succeed in this mission (i.e. what can stay)? What are the challenges it still faces (i.e. what must change)?” By avoiding open-ended questions such as “What do you think?” or “Is it any good?” a writer and an editor can have a useful conversation about improving a work of art. You as the writer should always “host” the conversation so you don’t end up feeling assaulted by well-meant but irrelevant advice.
Try this: Use this model – 1) What is there? 2) What works? 3) What challenges remain? – to address specific parts of the manuscript: structure, scene, character, dialogue, language.
FEATURED VENUE: GENERATIONS
Generations seeks literature and art on the topic “coming of age.” Be sure to read instructions carefully before sending work, as they have strict rules for keeping personal information off the manuscripts. Accepting work until May 15.
Submission Guidelines here: http://generationslitmag.org/Submissions.html
PROMPT
“Thirteen ways of a looking at a ____.” (13min)
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