Has anyone heard this before? I’d love to know who originated the thought.
Some time ago a wag said that young writers tend to be seen in groups. Once they get going and are published, they are usually found alone.
My experiences tends to bear this out. After I practiced with the writers’ group I had joined, I wound up alone to finish my first novel. This was not all by design. My life changed making it difficult to attend the weekly meetings.
I’m a social person who’s always enjoyed sharing drafts with a small group of test readers and continued to find people who’s input I valued.
An author always needs a tried and true person who can be trusted to give honest feedback. Without such an individual, it is too easy to believe the work is the best thing since <Insert Best Author Here> only to find out the writing contains flaws in style, logic, or vague descriptions within a scene that need to be addressed before it is ready for serious consideration.
It is possible to isolate one’s self and write with no input from outsiders. I have too much fun talking with friends either about the subject of my stories or the actual story itself.
If you go the route I did, be aware that most of your friends will not want to hear about your writing all the time. When in the middle of a manuscript it may be hard to realize this, but it’s true – your friends have their own lives which they must tend to. They may honestly want to hear about something other than the next Great Book that is going to win all kinds of awards. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with friends who were interested in my subject and remain willing to talk to me as my work evolves.
After you finish your obligatory time in a writers’ group, how big should your support group be?
If you have a reliable confidant, one may be sufficient. If you are looking for specialists, you’ll need more.
Should you look for people who know you well, or not so much?
There are advantages to both. Someone who does not know you well may give straighter answers. A family member may be more reliable. It cuts both ways.
In an interview with Bill Moyers, author John Grisham told a story about why he does not write sex into his stories. He tried once and gave a page to his wife for comment. If I remember it right, she sat in the living room and some time later handed the page back to him smiling saying, “You don’t know anything.” He said he never tried again.
My wife is a former typesetter. About 25 years ago she came across a short introduction I had written and asked with great incredulity, “YOU wrote this?” Today she is my greatest help.
Proofreading is supposed to be the last step prior to publishing. I paid a professor with a doctorate in literature to proof the first draft of Unfolding: Awakening. It was one of the best investments I made. I received honest constructive feedback that allowed me to focus in on what was needed for the second draft. She only ridiculed one scene. Interestingly, it was one that was close to an event which actually happened. My professor could not imagine people being so silly.
Embarrassed, like Grisham, I cut the scene. Truth or not, I didn’t want to be laughed at. In honesty, it wasn’t necessary for the chapter and the book is probably better without it.
I believe my friends who acted as test readers would like to read new stories once they come out. They probably have had enough of Awakening and the second manuscript, Nexus, to care about more than occasional updates as we work through the final stages of getting Nexus ready. I’ve sent a few scenes from the third manuscript and gotten good feedback.
For the social part of me it’s great fun to share these new stories and learn what my real life friends think about my imaginary friends and the situations they’ve gotten themselves into.
Last year ConiAnn found an ad for an ultra expensive apartment in New York City and for fun asked if the character Andrea might live in a posh place like it. One our friends fired a reply back, “Holy god, no, Andrea would never live there. WAY too gaudy for our Andrea. Please don’t see her there!”
No worries, she’s safe from that – for now.
Thanks for checking in,
– Jeffrey A. Limpert
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Image Information:
This photo of an actual writing group gathering is by Zack Hample, from ZackHample.com.
Updated on 03/13/2012
Amazon – Unfolding: Awakening