On Creative Classes and Group Critics

Yesterday I started my third week in my Creative Writing program. If you've been around this blog for a while, you'll have noted my posting rate went down. It isn't a coincidence. There is a lot to read and a lot to write. I'm super busy.

The good part? I have never loved being buried under a pile of schoolwork this much. I'm having a blast!

I'll say this: most of the general writing advice I've received are things I've heard on the interwebs before. Watch out for the "feel", "realize" or "see" in the texts. Don't step out of the POV. Have a strong opening paragraph. Show don't tell (though this one was phrased nicely. My teacher said "Remember, you have little to say but a lot to show).

I expected this. I've been digging the internet for writing pearls for at least two years now. Not that I've heard it all, but I believe I have a fair grasp on what I should do. It's applying it that is difficult. I came to the program to write texts and be critiqued, to receive personalised advice.

This week I had my first taste of critique groups. I loved it.

I was insanely nervous at first, in no small parts because the first texts to be critiqued wasn't my favourite. As in, I was exhausted when I wrote it, and the structure was all wrong, and I was certain there'd be a dozen other things that failed about it.

It went well, and I was relieved. Then came the Novel Writing class, in which I presented pages I was really proud of.* And guys, I received lots of great comments. But not just that. They picked on everything that was wrong despite the praises. They found my real first sentence, trimmed the extra fat, pointed out the repetitions. Everything I'd missed, or just about.

And I discovered how some are great at finding overall problems while others will find your spelling mistakes. It's great to have a good range of readers, both strangers and writer friends. I feel like I've learned more in the last two days than I have in months. From receiving and giving critiques.

I'm aware critique groups aren't for everyone, or that not every group will fit every writer, but in the chance you get an experience that is anything like mine so far, I encourage you to seek other writers and try this group thing.

Also, related but not quite the same, my teacher loved my novel pages. *happy cloud*

---


Don't forget that next week is the Superheroes of Science Blogfest!

Three Little Gifts From Me, To Me

I'm a student, and it's a well-known fact that students don't have that much money to go around. At the end of this holiday season, though, I found myself with a little extra, and I decided to give myself a little something.

Three books on the craft of writing.

It should be understood I can't pick those books at local libraries. They have a limited english selection, which does not include anything on the craft of writing. Plus, there are very few of these books that are translated. When I checked a few 'classics', all I found was King's On Writing, which I promptly devoured.

So what do I have now?

• How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy, Orson Scott Card
• Write Great Fiction : Plot and Structure, James Scott Bell (apparently I picked "Scott" people ..?)
• Writing the Breakout Novel, Donal Maass

I'll be starting with Maass. He's by far one of the most often recommended book I've seen around. Hopefully I'll learn something from all of these before I jump into the (fast-approaching) next draft of White Echoes!