At this point, a few people have read TOUCHING THE SURFACE and have asked if it’s going to be made into a movie. (How awesome is that?) My typical answer is that I have no idea, but wouldn’t that be an amazing thing? At the end of the day, I figure the better the book does, the more likely it is that someone would be interested in the TTS movie rights. What you should know though, is that it’s complicated. Fortunately for me, Jackson Pearce has a lovely vlog concisely telling you how it all works, which allows me to save some time explaining it to you. And by reposting her made-of-awesome video, I can hop into bed and read more good books that might someday be made into movies. Lights, camera, action!
What’s your favorite book adapted to a movie? What’s the most hideous adaption that you know of? What book would you love to see on the big screen? What book would be ruined for you if it was ever to be made into a movie?
October 30th is drawing a little closer every day and I’m starting to do random authory things but I haven’t really hit my full stride yet, and probably won’t for awhile. That’s why your Monday needs a little Jackson Pearce talking about what it’s like to be an author.
What was your biggest misconception about being an author? What’s your take on job vs. career? Were you surprised by anything Jackson had to say?
Ummmm three day holiday weekend and I’m in a chocolate bunny coma. I need a video. A really funny blog worthy video so I don’t have to write a post. Hmmmm…who makes really funny videos about writing YA books???
Did Jackson miss anything??? What other stuff do you hear non-writers say that makes your toes curl?
I’m sending you off to get educated and entertained by the lovely Jackson Pearce, but before you go, tell me what’s your Friday Read. I’m devouring DEAD TO ME by Lisa McMann!!!!! I seriously think it’s her best book yet.
I’ve been thinking about manuscript critiques a lot lately. This might be because I’m evaluating the manuscripts of two different friends. It’s a ton of fun, but so much work. It is a time consuming process, but if you do it right, it can be as beneficial to you as it is for the person you’re helping.
Have you ever critiqued someone else’s writing?
It is scary (or at least it was for me) the first couple times I did it. I second guessed everything I commented on. Then I expended just as much energy worrying about what I had missed. I was convinced that I was an idiot who lacked the magic editorial gene. I KNEW I was doing it wrong.
What I didn’t realize is that critiquing is a lot like writing. It’s a muscle that gets stronger when it’s flexed. Or to make it easier to visualize–it’s just like running. The more you do the activity, the better you become at it. You get faster and go further. But running doesn’t just make you a better runner, as you become stronger, you become a better athlete. The benefits carry over.
So how does this translate to writing? Sometimes it’s hard to practice the things that we’re learning (about writing) in our own writing. We have so many balls up in the air at one time, some days we’re just lucky not to knock ourself unconscious trying to keep them all aloft. CLONK! When we work on someone else’s manuscript, we have the distance needed to safely practice using the tools in our bag of tricks. And the beauty of this, is that our critique partner wants the exact same skill-set we’re bringing to the table. They want fresh eyes. It’s win-win for everyone.
Now, I freely admit that over time, I’ve grown by leaps and bounds in my ability to make suggestions in a manuscript. The very fact that I’ve been through several rounds of edits with my brilliant editor, Anica Rissi of Simon Pulse, has given me the equivalent of a master class in critiquing. And I won’t lie–I’m a lot more helpful now than I ever was. Do I still have a long way to go? You betcha! But, even when I started critiquing and didn’t really know my ass from my elbow–you know what? I was still giving a good and helpful critique.
Huh?
Seriously–I was–because I cared. I read the manuscript with the same attention that I would want for my own book. I commented with praise for the things that I thought were well done. I tried to be honest in a kind way. My suggestions for improvement were not attacks. I gave a good critique because, at the core, I’m an avid reader. I might not have been able to point out the same details I know today, but I could give an honest evaluation of when I was confused and state why. I could tell you why character A made me swoon and why character B infuriated me. In the margins, I carefully logged my organic responses as a reader. And even though a question I raised, might get clarified two sentences later, the author now had a running record of my thoughts and how I processed their writing. This is valuable.
If you are a writer, you should have your work critiqued. You’ll learn a tremendous amount from the experience. You should also evaluate the writing of your peers. It is an equally powerful exercise. In the video below, Jackson Pearce gives a visual guide of how to work with a critique partner. She gives great advice.
Take it a step further if you must… There are lots of things that you can do to enhance the critique experience. There are a million blogs and books and videos that will give you wonderful advice on how to do it better. Or even how to survive a bad critique partner. *shudders*
But in my opinion, if you’re a kind and thoughtful person, the only way you can really mess up a critique, is by being too afraid to try. So get out there and throw on those scarves, hats and gloves. Pull the skirt out of your Buddy’s underwear. We are a tribe. We work together to up the quality of everyones writing. And equally as important, to ensure that no one gets picked to star in the show What Not to Wear. Team work is excellent!
What is your favorite tip for critiquing or being critiqued?
I’ve got line edits again! And line edits often feel like this…
I have a quick deadline rushing at me. Since I’m trying to make sure I boomerang this baby back on time, in addition to working diligently on book number two, I’m going to stream line this blog post and direct you to the always informative and entertaining Jackson Pearce. Fasten your safety harness because she has some interesting information on publishing that you might not know.
Just curious–did you know know how bookstores are stocked? And isn’t Jackson adorable?
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