Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Let the Sun Shine on Your Words by Diana Flegal




Yesterday, I had planned on spending my lunch time outside basking in the sunshine- enjoying it’s warmth and the promise of Spring it spoke of. But when I left my desk, that very same sun exposed my lint and crumb festooned carpet and all my housekeeping flaws. Ugh!

So instead of getting outside, I grabbed my vacuum and attacked the litter, promising myself I’d get outside later. (I did.)

Critique partners and editors are a lot like the sunshine, revealing things we need to eliminate. Fingerprints (personal opinion) and excess words can cloud our readers vision and what we intended to say. Excess description clutters the beauty of a scene.

Do not be afraid to allow others a view of your work. Their suggestions might clear up your story's meaning, redefine your plot or help you clarify the point you were making, providing a punch to your words. You and your reader will be happier. 




How do you review your work objectively?  With the help of others, or with a set formulaic structure?

7 comments:

Elaine W. Miller said...

Thank you Diana. I am reposting because critiques are so needed. Amazing what another set of eyes sees that an author misses.

You can come clean my mess now!

Love you,
Elaine W. Miller
www.SplashesofSerenity.com

Anonymous said...

They are helpful IF others are honest. If all you hear is "I love how you arranged that lint. That's attractive clutter", you might as well have gone outside. Get a knowledgeable critique partner.

Diana Flegal said...

Sorry Elaine, but I will be busy here for a while. :-) And I think you are slated for some snow?


Diana Flegal said...

Amen to the knowledgeable critique partner. Very important.

Unknown said...

I have a partner (Gina Conroy) who gets to see my work first. We allow ourselves to try different things and not worry about what the other will think. It's good to have that one person you can do that with. It allows both of us to write without limits.

Sadie and Sophie said...

Oh my, your office sounds like our office! Great analogies, and thanks for the helpful tips. You've inspired me to seek out the vacuum...

Unknown said...

A great analogy! And if we truly do want our work to be the best it can be - and the most potent blessing - then we'll welcome the articulate criticism from our friends. My wife recently told me: "Sorry - your chapter two just did not grab me. Take another shot at it." Second time around went much better.