Talk about writing alone in a group—that’s NaNoWriMo. We’re 9 days into the process and people’s fingers are flying. For fun, I signed up both in my current geographic region and in the region where I was born. Of course, I won’t join them in person—I’m basically a “lurker”—but it’s interesting to see how another region handles itself. My own region (SF Bay Area) is pretty silent online. I haven’t received too many emails and I’m certainly not sending any. My original region (Dundee, Angus, Scotland) is going great guns with emails on everything from logistics to preventing repetitive stress syndrome. I’ve shared a few of their “links” with my two “buddies.” That’s another part of the process: buddies. I have two and have refrained from acquiring more on the grounds that I’ll just get distracted. This post is a lull for me between work, NaNoWriMo, poetry, sleep, and eating, although I tend to eat at my computer while I’m carrying on with work or writing of some sort. This past August, I focused on generating poetry in the 30/30 project with Tupelo Press. This month, I’m focused on my novel, again generating material. What August taught me and November’s reminding me is that it’s critical to generate work, even as revision, revision, revision is essential for quality results. Come December, I’m going to try to allot an appropriate balance of time between the two.
Image credit: theadventurouswriter.com
Revision
While NaNoWriMo is the 10% process of spilling your words on the page, revision is the 90% that comes after. If we spend November on our first drafts, (optimistically finishing the first drafts of our novels) we will be confronted in December with the end results, and this means revision, revision, revision.
I read somewhere (forgive me, I can’t remember where) that more people prefer revision to creating the original draft on a blank page. If that is the case, then December and the following year should offer a lovely present in the form of lots of raw material with which to work. For the rest of the writers, the detailed task of revision may be less pleasurable.
Regardless, for any NaNoWriMo first draft novel to be viable, revision is essential. Revision, however, involves many layers: Developmental (or Content) editing; Substantive Editing; Copyediting; and Proofreading. Further, multiple revisions will likely be required, unless the writer is a fabulous first draft writer or reviser.
I plan to participate in NaNoWriMo, but I’m well aware that the end result will be only the tip of my writing iceberg.
Poetry Contests
For years, I’ve submitted to contests, fully aware of how serendipitous the results may be. Hope, however, springs eternal, and I’ve had success over the years, even as competition increases. Recently, I’ve been involved on the judging side of a number of poetry contests, both for adults and also for young people. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be asked to read and engage in such work, but also an eye-opener. My process has been to begin by reading the submitted works, just to have a sense of the works and read for enjoyment. Following that, I read again and separate the submissions into three groups: yes, maybe, no. I usually end up with more in the ‘yes’ pile than there are awards (generally, awards include 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 1-2 Honorable Mentions). I re-read the ‘yes’ and ‘maybe’ piles to cull further and I write notes about each piece at this point. I keep reading and culling as many times as it takes to winnow down to a final decision, knowing that no matter how hard I try, I cannot achieve full objectivity, but at least having clear reasons for my choices. The process has taught me how much time and effort goes into the judging process and has given me a new respect for the process when I submit to contests myself.
How to be a "Successful" Poet from a former UK Poet Laureate
I recently came across a BBC article that shares Sir Andrew Motion’s “Top Ten Tips for being a Successful Poet” (11 October, 2014). While this article came out a while ago, what I most like about the article is Motion’s assumption that success relates to the quality of the poem, not to one’s “success” at being noticed, making money (hardly likely with poetry), or anything else that isn’t directly related to being a better writer and, specifically, a better poet. I’m sure the headline is a teaser to draw readers, but it could just as easily have been called “Top Ten Tips for being a Better Poet.” The focus is on the work—so refreshing. Motion was the UK Poet Laureate from 1999-2009 and it’s easy to see why. He is dedicated to his art. Take a moment, click on the link, and be inspired.
The Gift of Feedback
Recently, I’ve been fortunate to receive feedback on a number of pieces of my work. This is such a gift. You can write and write and write, but, eventually, you need other eyes to see what you can’t see because you’re too close to what you’ve written. It all makes sense to you; then, someone comes along and is puzzled.
There are different types of feedback, but it’s all good. You can make the most of it by accepting it. This doesn’t mean you have to implement everything that’s suggested, but it does mean you need to set your ego aside and not take it personally. People who are generous enough to give you feedback are your best writing friends. Their honest feedback enables you to revise in ways you couldn’t have without their input. Feedback can range from the general to the structural to the syntax to the grammar. Take it. Figure out what resonates with your goals for the piece and make the most of it.
Photo credit: Biodick
Aline Soules’ Interview by Renee Hand
Today, Thursday, February 26, I am privileged to be interviewed on blogtalkradio. BlogTalkRadio allows users to create free online radio stations and listen to thousands of original internet radio shows. My host is Renee Hand (picture at left) and her show is “Stories from Unknown Authors.”
In addition, a review of my 2011 book, Meditation on Woman, is up on The Crypto-Capers Review, a children’s book review site and the platform for the Stories from Unknown Authors’ Radio Show and we will also discuss my latest chapbook, Evening Sun: A Widow’s Journey, motivation, writing practice, and matters artistic.
Podcast link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors/2015/02/26/interview-with-aline-soules-for-evening-sun-a-widows-journey
Connect!