My Writing Goals Oct

I have no idea where this month has gone… or how close NaNo truly is now.

Get a regular writing gig either print or internet
You know, after all the self development work I’ve done and read, you’d think that I’d have it clear in my head the right way to set intentions and ensure they have clarity.  Nup. All this year, I’ve been whining about getting paid work in print or on the internet for my writing.  Not once did I specify what sort of writing, nor did I have a time frame or any other details about it.  The universe delivers what you ask for – just sometimes its not what you thought you asked for.
A friend whose workmate from about 10 years ago had started a training company asked if she knew anyone who writes and would like a contract…I contacted this person and within a week was sitting in front of the directors with my resume in hand… and now (tonight) have been sent my first writing job.
TLC is, as I said, a training company – it delivers online courses in both diplomas and certificates ( in line with aust educational standards) in childcare, business, aged care, food and first aid. Basically they have unit outlines and needed writers to write the “textbooks” or learning guides which are sent to students… which is where I come in. As part of the work, I need to ensure there are assessment opportunities and linking to practical work as the student progresses.   As an ex-teacher, its fairly basic stuff in so much as its stuff that I’ve done before when writing curriculum – just some research and thought into creatively presenting it. It’s on a contract basis – and only for a short time- probably for the next 2 months or so especially as they have students waiting for the material as soon as its done.
Full attribution is given to the writers at the front of the books (which is kind of nice) and the pay is fairly ok ( hell fantastic given I get paid NOTHING at the moment) they suggest a unit takes around 40 hours or so to write/research/ edit and its expected that the booklet is around 70 pages long.  For this you get paid $1000.  Its something I can do at home, in my own time – so perfect!
I think next time, I’ll be reframing my intentions to where the paid work comes from.. but for now am pretty pleased.  I’ll be invoicing the work through Adrian’s company and will use whatever money I earn towards paying the company back for my new apple mac.

On another note about writing – Type A Mom has changed their google adwords policy – so now instead of getting .000001c every whatever, I’ll get .000002c… or whatever.. groan…. Am not planning to get rich from writing for that site.. however, am starting to collect articles to be put into an ebook on self defence tips.  I’ll be leaving the editing etc till the new year for this one… have FAR too much work on to do it now.

Fiction Friday every week

I have submitted every week this month ( one week there wasn’t one due to NaNo prep)
I’ve continued with my self challenge of writing in a different genre each week, so it gives me some incentive to read other styles and research things.

Enter 4 short story comps this year.

I suck.  I just haven’t looked at comps this month. Got to enter 2 more before end of year.. pressure is on.

Read one book a month

Got in three this month.

Breath  by Tim Winton – Both at Byron and Brisbane Wrtiers Festivals, the author Tim Winton had been mentioned numerously. I’m not afraid to say I’d never heard of him till then – just shows how disconnected I’ve been with current writing. I read Breath and was literally gobsmacked. It’s the story of two lads in 70s with the ferocity of the environment behind them the surf scene and the testosterone fueled angst of teenage years. Incredible ability to mirror theme in so many angles and evoke such emotion in a number of ways.
Essays by Issac Asimov – just getting into some thought processes behind science fiction, the progression and development of the genre through the ages and clarity on the effect it has on human kind.  Was both entertained and educated with reading these.  What a remarkable and witty gentleman he must have been to listen to.
Short story Collection - Nebula Award form 1974 ( Best Science Fiction Short Stories)  Old style Sci Fi with newer style ones integrating fantasy and a little softer styles. Some stunning entries in this edition.

Participate and complete NaNoWriMo

This is my second NaNo and I now have come to appreciate all of the in-jokes and after re-reading Karens ( from Write Anything) Workshops and other information to prepare for it, shake my head and smile at how wide eyed and ‘innocent’ I was last year. I am unsure if where I am now is a better place though and long for that innocence – that unknowing of what its all about. There were days last year I roared through the

chapter and did more than the ‘alloted’ number, there were days I struggled and it was like pulling teeth to reach it.
I won’t lie – I was extremely proud to have ‘won’ and like Paul in his post last week,  annoyed at those who put it down or discredit what NaNo is all about…. to write… for the sheer love of it… perhaps it will be published down the track , perhaps it just needed to be written.. no matter – its the act which is celebrated.

This year I am in a quandary (still) as to what to write – I have two fictional plots, and several characters desperate to air their views within them, as well as a non fiction piece which has been hanging round for literally years begging me to start to write it.  I’m also concerned as I have this writing job….can I actually write that AND my novel??  Will I ever actually get sleep in Nov?

I’m stressing ……..as last year I was very organized – done a lot of characterization research etc, this year… a few scant notes on each project.

I have, however mapped my month out with realistic days I can write. .. its 16.. nearly half a month….thats 3125 words a day….With a major milestone birthday (and its subsequent celebrations and family holiday where I am banned from taking even a pencil) as well as a milestone wedding anniversary( bla bla bla) I could be forgiven by some to say – sod it – don’t enter this year – its not worth it…. but now – as Paul said.. its a goal – not a target, I have 16 days dedicated to writing (at least one) of these manuscripts. I shall honour at at least with my best efforts and fullest of hearts

Attend Byron Writers Festival as well as at least 2 professional development workshops

I reckon this is kicked down – looking forward to next years round… maybe I can travel to some other places – other than Byron and Bris??

Giving Constructive Criticism

This Article First Appeared over at Write Anything.

One of the most valuable and often painful ways to improve your skills as a writer is to seek constructive criticism on your work. Gaining good quality feedback, however, is harder than it would appear. However cringeworthy it may be for your favourite characters or settings to be seemingly torn apart, it does not compare with the insipidness of short or meaningless feedback such as “nice story, I liked it, it was lovely”.

This sort of feedback is easily obtained by your mother and although it feeds the ego, will not assist your growth as a writer in the long term. Putting the shoe on the other foot, if another writer seeks you out and presents you with a piece of their work, you owe them the courtesy of providing insightful, honest and constructive criticism. By learning how to give quality feedback, you will have more appreciation of the structure and format different writing can take and grow not only as a writer, but as someone whose opinion in certain writing circles, will mean something.

Depending on the expectations of the other writer, the amount of feedback will dictate the detail and breadth you delve into with your critique. No matter how much feedback a writer may have received in the past, every response to their work can be misinterpreted, depending on the way it is conveyed; as a personal attack, rather than a reaction to the prose. Dealing with feedback deserves another article, so for the purpose of this entry, I will focus on how to give constructive critiscm.

Personal feedback can be misinterpreted.

There is no denying that providing quality feedback takes time, so ensure when you settle down to do so, that you can be undisturbed and have an uncluttered space – mentally and physically in order to focus your energies on the task at hand.

There are two main styles of critique – that of how the story affected you personally and that of a more mechanical method where you look at structure and the elements which work within the piece. Praise is extremely important in both styles, however it can distract the writer from the opportunities you present on improving their work. Problems can arise too, if your feedback becomes personal as this can be misinterpreted in many ways.

When formulating your feedback to a piece of work, you may like to include aspects of the below points.

1. MECHANICS: No matter how compelling the story, if the mechanics are amiss, the reader will become distracted, focusing on the negative aspects rather than being carried by the story. Ensure that spelling, grammar, paragraph and sentence structure are sound before publishing or asking for feedback.

2. PACING: Pacing draws the reader deeply into the story and depending on they style of prose, will depend on the pace required. Look at how long the story take to set up and if the reader is drawn immediately into the story.

3. DEVELOPMENT: The development of a story is an insidious, creeping factor, which is best if goes unnoticed and grows organically. The reader aught not be jolted or confused by the structure or be bored by a stagnant situation. (Obviously some stories focus on shocking, or jolting the reader with confronting or unexpected developments and it is not this style I am referring to)

4. SETTING: Setting does not require thousands of words to describe. A few choice allusions, using the senses and showing rather than telling, is often the best way to set the scene. When giving feedback look to see if the reader is able to easily visualize each scene or if it is a mish mash of confusion.

5. CHARACTERISATION: Chararactisation is one of the most important factors – especially in a short or flash fiction. Characters need to be more than stereotypical two dimensional cut out figures moving thought the environment. Characters motives need to follow ( at least their own) logical sequencing and add to , rather than disrupt the flow of the story. Depending on the style of story, readers need to feel a connection – whether it be empathy, sympathy, revulsion or disgust toward the characters. Having no feeling toward the character can be assign that they are either not necessary or need to be fleshed out and explored in more depth. Even green ten tentacled space monsters need to appear real and believable on your page.

6. DIALOGUE: Dialogue can enhance or detract from the story in a major way. It needs to be realistic, flow naturally and be free from clichés and overly complicated or extra words. Listen carefully to two strangers talking and you will realize there are a lot of filler words, pauses and short sentences utilized, often in an illogical manner.

7. POINT OF VIEW: The question to ask after you have read the piece of work is – whose story was this? It aught to be abundantly clear through the writing, if not, then the POV may need tightening up. Things to comment on is if the POV was consistent, appropriate or logical inner turmoil, thoughts, dreams and aspirations – or was it overplayed and hackneyed? Some stories are often better told through a different and more powerful POV.

We writers are an insecure bunch, with tender egos and often low self esteem. Ensure, when you give feedback, that it is highlighted with both positives and opportunities for the other writer to improve rather then go headlong in with flaming advice. (Remember – what gets round; comes round) Develop your own style and techniques in providing feedback and you will find that you learn valuable writing lessons as well. If you are a visitor to our regular Friday Fiction, perhaps you would like to focus every week on giving feedback on one point at a time.

Image by misselisabeth via Flickr