Over a year ago, Jodi Meadows shared the following with me: (She doesn't take credit for it, but also doesn't remember where she learned it. If you know the original author, please share.)
In our pursuits, we move through four distinct levels of competence:
LEVEL 1: Unconscious incompetence (Our work sucks and we have no idea that our work sucks)
Most (if not all) first-time novelists fall into this category. It's why they dissolve in tears or explode in anger if anyone points out the tiniest fault in the Masterpiece.
LEVEL 2: Conscious incompetence (Our work sucks and we know it sucks)
A wonderful transformation occurs when we REALIZE our work sucks, because then we can start working to make it NOT SUCK. Miss Snark's legendary critique of my first page is what propelled me into Level 2.
LEVEL 3: Conscious competence (Our work is good, but it takes a conscious effort to make it good)
In other words, we know what we're doing now, but we still have to think about it.
LEVEL 4: Unconscious competence (Our work is good and we don't have to think about it to make it happen)
The level of "arrival." Seriously. I'm pretty sure people like Marian McPartland (jazz pianist) and Yo Yo Ma (cellist) fit into this category.
I'm at Level 3. Sometimes I DESPAIR of the anguish of clean plotting and the hair-pulling tedium of worldbuilding. WHY can't this come easily for me? WHY do I adore writing when it brings me so much PAIN during the process?
All the same, I'm thankful to be here. Things happen--especially while I'm editing or revising--that remind me I know what I'm doing. I'll spot an extraneous prepositional phrase and strike it out before it has a chance to protest. I notice a dialogue beat at the end of a line of dialogue and quickly move it to the front. (Okay. When this happens, I actually hear Holly Bodger scolding me in my subconscious.) And sometimes I'll read a passage or scene or chapter and actually get swept up by the story. Makes me feel sort of dorky, but there you have it.
Also? Just this morning, I found a small Jodi-ism in my novel. Which is proof that you'd better surround yourself by, get critiqued by, and READ good writers. Because despite the fact that you've got your own voice and style, you WILL be influenced by what you read.
So. What's your level of competence? If you're not sure, ask a trusted critique partner. I think this blog is high on the "Level 3" meter, for sure. And I don't think any of you are Level 1, or you wouldn't be here trying to improve your writing!
Fascinating stuff. And now, back to finishing the draft o'love (which goes out to my readers next week!).
Miss Snark's First Victim
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Dear Authoress
As perfect timing would have it, I received the following email yesterday, on Miss Snark's Victim's third birthday. The author has graciously given permission for me to post it here in its entirety. Because the letter is meant for all of you as much as it is meant for me.
Dear Authoress,
I'm a writer currently working on my first draft. (Well, okay, three first drafts but who's counting?) I have a very long way to go and for many, dull, reasons was starting to feel a bit down about the whole process Not that I ever want to stop writing, I just felt 'alone'. I follow a lot of writing blogs and, whilst they all have things to offer and teach, I don't feel qualified to comment on them. After all I'm not a 'real' writer yet (although I've changed that feeling now after reading your post on authors/writers!) So I just lurk quietly and concentrate on trying to get something finished.
Your blog has made me see things differently. People are at all stages - some (at least up to 2009 which is as far as I've got) are no further on than me, others have been published, but they are all equal. I love this and I love the sense of community you have managed to create. I'm reading through your archives and I want to rush through them so I can join in the conversations but I daren't as I'm learning so much on the way I don't want to miss something! I keep wanting to add to the comments then I remember how old the posts are. (Congratulatins on the ebook btw ;-))
It's almost like reading a story. When I get to April 2011 will Disorderly, and Lady Glamis and Merc (to name but a few) still be there or will there be new people who I feel as though I know despite never having exchanged a word? If Merc is still around I want to tell her that I've dragged my MC out of the bed she'd been sleeping in at the start of my WiP :-)
I'm not even sure if there's a point to this mail, I just wanted you to know that your blog has renewed my faith in myself. You've made me - and perhaps many others like me who have never commented - really believe that my words are worth something , even if nobody else ever reads them. For that I thank you and all the people who contribute to your blog.
I try to avoid cliches and cute sayings but I think this sums up how I feel; 'A stranger is a friend you haven't met'. I look forward to meeting you all - just as soon as I get through the archives!
If this sounds rambling or disjointed I apologise but I've been up all night reading :-) There is absolutely no need to feel you have to reply to me, I'm sure you're very busy. I just thought you should know that what you do helps people in ways you don't even know.
With very best wishes,
(Name Withheld)
Dear Authoress,
I'm a writer currently working on my first draft. (Well, okay, three first drafts but who's counting?) I have a very long way to go and for many, dull, reasons was starting to feel a bit down about the whole process Not that I ever want to stop writing, I just felt 'alone'. I follow a lot of writing blogs and, whilst they all have things to offer and teach, I don't feel qualified to comment on them. After all I'm not a 'real' writer yet (although I've changed that feeling now after reading your post on authors/writers!) So I just lurk quietly and concentrate on trying to get something finished.
Your blog has made me see things differently. People are at all stages - some (at least up to 2009 which is as far as I've got) are no further on than me, others have been published, but they are all equal. I love this and I love the sense of community you have managed to create. I'm reading through your archives and I want to rush through them so I can join in the conversations but I daren't as I'm learning so much on the way I don't want to miss something! I keep wanting to add to the comments then I remember how old the posts are. (Congratulatins on the ebook btw ;-))
It's almost like reading a story. When I get to April 2011 will Disorderly, and Lady Glamis and Merc (to name but a few) still be there or will there be new people who I feel as though I know despite never having exchanged a word? If Merc is still around I want to tell her that I've dragged my MC out of the bed she'd been sleeping in at the start of my WiP :-)
I'm not even sure if there's a point to this mail, I just wanted you to know that your blog has renewed my faith in myself. You've made me - and perhaps many others like me who have never commented - really believe that my words are worth something , even if nobody else ever reads them. For that I thank you and all the people who contribute to your blog.
I try to avoid cliches and cute sayings but I think this sums up how I feel; 'A stranger is a friend you haven't met'. I look forward to meeting you all - just as soon as I get through the archives!
If this sounds rambling or disjointed I apologise but I've been up all night reading :-) There is absolutely no need to feel you have to reply to me, I'm sure you're very busy. I just thought you should know that what you do helps people in ways you don't even know.
With very best wishes,
(Name Withheld)
Monday, April 4, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR BLOG!
Three years ago today, I wrote the very first blog post here: AND SO WE BEGIN.
(Rather pithy, that.)
I never dreamed this place would become what it has. From a very first Are You Hooked? round with 16 participants and no agent to a track record of 8 agent signings and counting, I'd say we've come a long way!
So it's time for a BIRTHDAY ROLL CALL. Are you one of the Originals? Brand new? Somewhere in the middle? Shout out in the comment box! Let's see how many of you will show up before the end of the day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!
(Rather pithy, that.)
I never dreamed this place would become what it has. From a very first Are You Hooked? round with 16 participants and no agent to a track record of 8 agent signings and counting, I'd say we've come a long way!
So it's time for a BIRTHDAY ROLL CALL. Are you one of the Originals? Brand new? Somewhere in the middle? Shout out in the comment box! Let's see how many of you will show up before the end of the day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!
April Secret Agent Early Info
Please note: This is NOT the call for submissions! The contest will open NEXT Monday, April 11.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (please read carefully):
* There will be TWO SEPARATE SUBMISSION WINDOWS. Each window will be open for 2 hours and will receive a maximum of 25 entries. This is to accommodate my other-side-of-the-globe readers.
* SUBMISSION WINDOW #1: Monday, April 11, NOON to 2:00 PM EDT or 25 entries, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
* SUBMISSION WINDOW #2: Monday, April 11, 7:00 to 9:00 PM EDT or 25 entries, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
* 2 alternates will be chosen from the second submission window.
* PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for figuring out your own time zone. "Time Zone differences" are NOT a reason for not getting your entry in.
* Submissions received before the contest opens will be rejected.
* Submissions are for COMPLETED MANUSCRIPTS ONLY. If you wouldn't want an agent to read the entire thing, DON'T SEND IT. If an "entire thing" doesn't exist, you shouldn't even be reading these rules.
* Manuscripts THAT HAVE BEEN IN A SECRET AGENT CONTEST DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS (October-March) will not be accepted.
* You may submit A DIFFERENT MANUSCRIPT if you've participated in any previous Secret Agent contests.
* Only ONE ENTRY per person per contest. If you send more than one, your subsequent entry(ies) will be rejected.
* If you are a PAST WINNER, please DO NOT ENTER THIS CONTEST. (Unless it's a different manuscript.)
* Submissions are for THE FIRST 250 WORDS of your manuscript. Please do not stop in the middle of a
Your submission for this contest should be formatted EXACTLY as follows:
SCREEN NAME: Your Screen Name Here
TITLE: Your Title Here
GENRE: Your Genre Here
(Followed by the excerpt here.)
* No "chapter one," chapter titles, etc.
* You will receive a confirmation email with your post number.
* Submissions go to authoress.submissions(at)gmail.com. They DO NOT GO to my facelesswords address. Or any other address.
*PLAIN TEXT is your best bet! And if you receive a rejection notice that claims you didn't include TITLE, etc., please TYPE THE SCREEN NAME, TITLE, AND GENRE BY HAND and resubmit. (In other words, don't copy and paste that part.)
*It doesn't matter what you put in the subject line. The only thing you MUST NOT do is to use "RE:" The bot will think you are attempting to respond to an email, and will reject you.
As always, there is no fee to enter the Secret Agent contest.
This month's contest will include the following genres:
Post your questions below! (One small note: If you're not sure what your genre is, I'm not sure I can help you, since I haven't read your manuscript. I don't mind [EVER] when people email me questions, but sometimes I'm simply not qualified to answer!)
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (please read carefully):
* There will be TWO SEPARATE SUBMISSION WINDOWS. Each window will be open for 2 hours and will receive a maximum of 25 entries. This is to accommodate my other-side-of-the-globe readers.
* SUBMISSION WINDOW #1: Monday, April 11, NOON to 2:00 PM EDT or 25 entries, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
* SUBMISSION WINDOW #2: Monday, April 11, 7:00 to 9:00 PM EDT or 25 entries, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
* 2 alternates will be chosen from the second submission window.
* PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for figuring out your own time zone. "Time Zone differences" are NOT a reason for not getting your entry in.
* Submissions received before the contest opens will be rejected.
* Submissions are for COMPLETED MANUSCRIPTS ONLY. If you wouldn't want an agent to read the entire thing, DON'T SEND IT. If an "entire thing" doesn't exist, you shouldn't even be reading these rules.
* Manuscripts THAT HAVE BEEN IN A SECRET AGENT CONTEST DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS (October-March) will not be accepted.
* You may submit A DIFFERENT MANUSCRIPT if you've participated in any previous Secret Agent contests.
* Only ONE ENTRY per person per contest. If you send more than one, your subsequent entry(ies) will be rejected.
* If you are a PAST WINNER, please DO NOT ENTER THIS CONTEST. (Unless it's a different manuscript.)
* Submissions are for THE FIRST 250 WORDS of your manuscript. Please do not stop in the middle of a
Your submission for this contest should be formatted EXACTLY as follows:
SCREEN NAME: Your Screen Name Here
TITLE: Your Title Here
GENRE: Your Genre Here
(Followed by the excerpt here.)
* No "chapter one," chapter titles, etc.
* You will receive a confirmation email with your post number.
* Submissions go to authoress.submissions(at)gmail.com. They DO NOT GO to my facelesswords address. Or any other address.
*PLAIN TEXT is your best bet! And if you receive a rejection notice that claims you didn't include TITLE, etc., please TYPE THE SCREEN NAME, TITLE, AND GENRE BY HAND and resubmit. (In other words, don't copy and paste that part.)
*It doesn't matter what you put in the subject line. The only thing you MUST NOT do is to use "RE:" The bot will think you are attempting to respond to an email, and will reject you.
As always, there is no fee to enter the Secret Agent contest.
This month's contest will include the following genres:
- YA: thriller, contemporary, SFF, horror, paranormal
- Commercial Women's Fiction (including UF, suspense, and paranormal)
Post your questions below! (One small note: If you're not sure what your genre is, I'm not sure I can help you, since I haven't read your manuscript. I don't mind [EVER] when people email me questions, but sometimes I'm simply not qualified to answer!)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friday Fricassee
Okay, seriously? I've just wasted countless minutes trying to come up with a clever April Fool's joke to play on you. My two somewhat viable ideas had to do with Jodi Meadows. (I'm not sure what that means.)
I give up. I'm not good at fooling people. (Comes with being painfully honest and ridiculously transparent. Or rude, depending on how you look at it.)
Anyway, happy Friday! Thanks for your lovely comments on yesterday's post. My wonderful agent popped in the comment box, too, to let you all know that waiting is hard on agents, too. (Maybe easy to forget that sometimes...)
Couple things:
I give up. I'm not good at fooling people. (Comes with being painfully honest and ridiculously transparent. Or rude, depending on how you look at it.)
Anyway, happy Friday! Thanks for your lovely comments on yesterday's post. My wonderful agent popped in the comment box, too, to let you all know that waiting is hard on agents, too. (Maybe easy to forget that sometimes...)
Couple things:
- The April Secret Agent Early Info will post on Monday. The contests are back-to-back again, but that happens sometimes (I let the agents choose the best dates for them, so the contests are never evenly spaced).
- Be sure to pop over to the teen blog later today to check out the winning 100-word stories! Some of the entries blew me away with their cleverness and well-writtenness. (Just add that last one to the Authoress Glossary of Manufactured Words.)
- That's it, really.
For conversation (and information), I'm wondering if you could share your thoughts on what makes a novel URBAN FANTASY or PARANORMAL? You may have heard me blathering on about my WIP on Twitter, unsure as to whether something I originally conceived as UF might actually be paranormal. They're both subgenres of fantasy, and in the end, it doesn't matter a whole lot which label my novel receives. I'd just like to know your thoughts, and how you might classify a novel as one or the other.
Okay, have at it! I'll see you Monday.
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