Comments on: So You Wrote a First Draft—Dear God! What NOW?

By: Ep 122 You’ve written your first draft: now what? And meet AWC graduate Fleur Ferris, author of "Black". – Australian Writers' Centre

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 02:38:50 +0000

[…] Show Notes So You Wrote a First Draft—Dear God! What NOW? […]

By: Links to Blog Posts on Writing – August 2016 | Anna Butler

Links to Blog Posts on Writing – August 2016 | Anna Butler — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 09:20:10 +0000

[…] So You Wrote a First Draft—Dear God! What NOW? – Kristen Lamb on what to look for as you edit that first draft. With lots of pictures. […]

By: Liz M

Liz M — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 14:01:10 +0000

Great advice and just when I need it! Now I’m off to find scenes that aren’t moving my story forward… and cutting back on snow storms ?

By: Courtney M. Wendleton

Courtney M. Wendleton — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 12:57:20 +0000

Reblogged this on Books and More.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 07:57:24 +0000

As an editor myself, I find it nearly impossible to look at my own work critically. For the first time ever, I’m nearing the end of drafting my first novel manuscript (I’ve started several but never finished), and I think workshopping it is going to be the best option for me.

By: Author Kristen Lamb

Author Kristen Lamb — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 20:03:43 +0000

In reply to barryknister.

Well that is an instance where I think we would edit the voice out. The description is a reflection of “voice” of the character, since the observations are processed through her lens. She is loquacious and that is juxtaposed next to a contemporary character who is more sparse and surgical in how she sees the words. Mary is Irish and a storyteller. She is dramatic and flamboyant. This is why we have to be careful over editing too.

And thank you for the compliment! 😀

By: ellenchauvet

ellenchauvet — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 19:44:30 +0000

Reblogged this on Erotic Vampire and commented: Great coaching - thank you Kristen

By: barryknister

barryknister — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 19:00:40 +0000

Kristen–you know what you’re talking about, and I know this to be true because I know what I’m talking about. Regarding your all-time favorite description from Prisoner of Hell Gate: love the first sentence, not so much the second. Here’s why: “It penetrates the very bricks, their crumbling mortar spongy to the touch.” The word “very” is unnecessarily quaint–“it penetrates the bricks” works just fine. “their crumbling mortar spongy to the touch.” Hm, I wonder. It’s possible “crumbling” and “spongy” are loading up the sentence with too many modifiers. I appreciate the assonance of crumbling, spongy, and touch, but maybe too much of a good thing?
Make no mistake, though. IMO, you are one of the brightest bulbs in the marquee. I hope you some day offer marketing services.

By: Melissa Lewicki

Melissa Lewicki — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 19:55:22 +0000

I was beta reader for a writer who had 79 named characters. She had no idea until I pointed it out to her. Her story was built on a fictionalized version of her own life. Since she knew 79 people, she thought they all had to be in the story. The same thing happened with a second writer that I read for. Again, a story based on his actual experiences. This has made me very aware in my own writing to guard against duplicative or unnecessary characters. Good post, as always.

By: Jacob Airey

Jacob Airey — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 14:41:02 +0000

I love your opening meme. I actually did that this week. LoL!