Opening Pages Competition ...
I entered this competition a while ago, and at the time I said that the main reason was to get the professional critique which was available. I am pleased to report that I'm glad I did because I received the feedback this morning and it was really helpful. Some of the comments were negative and some were positive - which was what I expected. But, where the comments were negative they were precise, specific and constructive and where they were positive they were really encouraging. So I'm very pleased that I entered this competition and paid for the critique. However, I am now in a quandary. The novel beginning that I submitted was 'Accidentally On Purpose', not 'The Enemy Within', so now I'm wondering whether to switch novels again. Aaaaaghh - this is not helpful!
I also finally got around to adding something to Write The Next Sentence This was great fun. The story is now veering off in lots of different directions - so who knows what could happen next. Maybe you do?
Has anyone made any writing New Year's resolutions? There are some in this month's Writing Magazine, which has inspired me to try to think of some of my own. One will be 'to stop flogging dead horses'! Some things you just have to draw a line under and move on. I will allow myself to do that and move on to writing new things whenever possible.
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7 comments:
Constructive feedback? There's nothing better. Really glad it was useful. I've been trying hard recently to write what grabs me. If Accidentally On Purpose is grabbing you right now, go with it!
New Year's Resolutions? Yeah. Definitely. 'Buy a lock for the study door' is one....
ooh are you going to switch?? It's a dilemma. I'd go with the one that's crying out to be written first.
New Year's Writing Resolution??
Use time more constructively and stop being such a lazy moo.
Leigh - I know what you mean about the lock for the door! This morning I have had to throw Furface off the computer keyboard four times! Four!!!!
Lane - I still don't know what to do. I had convinced myself that 'Accidentally On Purpose' wasn't worth carrying on with, but now - having read some of the comments (eg one of the readers said it was something they would definitely want on their bookshelf)- I feel a bit more inspired to go back to it. Confusion still reigns!
I came here yesterday and was convinced I left a comment. But obviously not. That just happened in my head then, did it?
I feel for your confusion. The critique is making you think about the other novel now.
Now, can you perhaps simultaneously write these 2 novels d'you think? (I mean I know that is possibly pushing efficiency a little but it does seem to me you have both novels screaming at you: PICK ME! PICK ME!)
Or one week write one and then swap again.
My new years writing resolution: write!
If the feedback has inspired you to continue the novel, then have a go at it Helen. You can always go back to the other one at a different time. I've got a novel opening in the UKA comp too though I haven't asked for feedback, but if it gets anywhere, I will be putting the current novel aside to finish that one.
Pacha - I wish I could do both, but I have so little time for writing at the moment that I really feel I need to go for one! The other will still be there by the time I've finished, and maybe writing a new one whilst editing the old one might be feasible. And who knows, maybe I will meet a rich man in the New Year and be able to give up work! ;)
Sally - I think the long list for UK Authors is imminent, so good luck. I'm just glad I entered because I'm so thrilled with the feedback!
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