Writing your best damn book
April 13, 2009
In her blog a couple weeks ago, Erica Orloff said, “given the state of the publishing biz, nearly every writer (including this one) has taken the philosophy that now you need to better your game, you need to bring it. Your best game. Your best writing. Now it the time to go deeper. Write the best damn book you’ve ever written.”
For the last couple years, I’ve been working on adding tension to every page, adding emotion and adding more of my voice in. I think I pretty much have the tension thing nailed. When I don’t have it, I realize it now during revisions.
I’m getting better at adding emotion, too, though it’s something I continue to work at. I love adding my voice, a twist of phrasing and sometimes, if it suits the scene, sardonic humor. I do this as I write, but I also do it during revisions. I think that’s why I love revisions so much. It’s when I add in the special bits and shine up my writing.
What I’m working on now as I write goes back to what Erica said. I’m digging deeper. I’ve been hearing that for awhile, and I’m finally getting it. It’s when a scene goes an extra step, when I add poignancy or I reveal something extra to the reader. It’s hard to explain, but when you do it, you know it. It’s a “Wow! I nailed that!” moment.
What about you? Are you consciously working to improve your writing? So you can to write your best damn book? Or is this something you’ve done in the past?
I think I’m always growing as a writer. In the past I’ve taken writing courses, attended conferences, and read how-to books, but I think the real difference for me has been having fantastic critique partners. They really get me thinking, and when I get stuck, they push me through. I’ve learned a lot from them, and I feel we’ve come to a place where we keep pushing each other to the next level.
Tami, my CPs are fantastic, too. Still, there are areas I recognize that I can get better at. It’s exciting for me when I see that.
[...] blogging at Love Conquers today about writing your best damned book. Tomorrow is my usual day at Magical Musings. I’m [...]
Hey Edie, yep I’m digging deeper! Count me in the archeological group. Each story has brought me where I am now, and I’m consciously raising the bar! Happy jumping, I say!
LaD, of course you’re digging deeper. We’re Twinkie twins!