characterization

Can Critique Groups Take the Place of an Editor?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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That’s a good question.

From my perspective the answer is: yes—and no.

Critique groups are invaluable. They travel along the writing journey with you. They encourage, proofread, help with story, characterization, and so on.

When your book is completed, they give advice on titles, covers, marketing, and more.

Your manuscript should look clean and polished, so that you may be tempted to save time—and money—by circumventing the editing process and going forward with gusto toward publishing.

This may be a mistake because nothing is so helpful at this point as a “fresh pair of eyes.”

This is especially true in the area of “content” and story flow— delving into whether or not the story makes sense, doesn’t have parts that are contradictory, important points omitted.

Your critique group reads small chunks of your writing as you go along, but an editor reads from beginning to end, offering a totally new perspective. A good editor will map out the entire story and look for unintentional mistakes in areas your critique group just cannot see.

I’m convinced I shouldn’t bypass the editing process.

What about you? I love to hear your take on this subject.

What’s Up with ‘That’?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Just as some realtors are known more for listing and others for their mastery at selling, in writing some authors are known as experts at character development, while others are more proficient at plot.

However, my opinion writers must strive to master characterization and plot. We must also improve in other areas as well. Description, dialog, backstory, and the ever elusive cliff hanger are also important in crafting a well-rounded novel.

And as we grow as writers it is important to stay up on changes within the industry. For example, did you know that within the last year or so the word that, got the ax?

If you want to refer to something specific, you can simply name what you are referring to: “I’d like some more of that” can be changed to, “I’d like some more mashed potatoes.”

Sometimes you can just rewrite the sentence as: I found that the price of a haircut and color in Las Vegas is almost twice what I’d paid in Phoenix, so I may decide to “go gray.” (True, by the way). This can be rewritten as: I may decide not to color my hair anymore because the price in Las Vegas is twice what I paid in Phoenix.

Here’s more information on that usage:  use that for things, but use who/whom when referring to people.“Pass the cookies to everyone who wants one.” Or, “I’d like to test drive that car.”    

Finally, avoid beginning sentences with the word that and avoid phrases such as “the fact that…”

But, if you’re like me and can’t remember all of the rules concerning the word that, simply try to reword your sentences to avoid using it so often that it becomes a glaring repetition. 

So, you caught my misuse above? How about a rewrite:  “…to avoid using it so often it becomes a glaring mistake.”