Chatting with Writers
27/03/10 10:39 Filed in: Writing
One of life's great joys for a writer is to get the
chance to chat with other writers about the craft.
Writing is something of a solitary business so it's
nice once in a while to kick back and talk with
someone who cares as much about point of view,
building tension, writing dialogue as you do.
I had that chance a couple of nights ago when my friend Ross Pennie and I got together (via telephone wires) to talk about the novels we are each working on. I had finished reading the draft of his new Zol Szabo mystery while he is about halfway through my latest Phillip Gold offering. Ross and I have a great relationship as writers (nurtured through our writers' group with John Hewson) and respect each other enough to be able to offer and receive constructive criticism in a positive way. This makes these conversations all the more enjoyable.
We spent much of our time together discussing the issue of building dramatic tension in a novel: how to get the reader caught up in the plot and characters and how to ensure your novel is a "page turner" that readers can't put down. We also talked about the importance of having an objective reader review your draft, someone who can see the problems and weaknesses that you, as the writer, are too close to notice.
It's such a great feeling to have a talented writer hear what you have to say about his work and immediately jump on board with your suggestions. It's also great to receive similar comments about your own work and to feel genuinely invigorated by the feedback so that you want to go back to your draft and start the rewrites.
I am fighting that urge, however, since I want to get feedback from all my readers before I dive back in. Still, Ross has helped me to see some things I need to work on with The Silent Goodbye and he's also confirmed for me that the book is worth the work.
I can see now how much I miss my old writers' group and its regular meetings. I wonder if there's anybody out here in Nota Bene who might be interested.
I had that chance a couple of nights ago when my friend Ross Pennie and I got together (via telephone wires) to talk about the novels we are each working on. I had finished reading the draft of his new Zol Szabo mystery while he is about halfway through my latest Phillip Gold offering. Ross and I have a great relationship as writers (nurtured through our writers' group with John Hewson) and respect each other enough to be able to offer and receive constructive criticism in a positive way. This makes these conversations all the more enjoyable.
We spent much of our time together discussing the issue of building dramatic tension in a novel: how to get the reader caught up in the plot and characters and how to ensure your novel is a "page turner" that readers can't put down. We also talked about the importance of having an objective reader review your draft, someone who can see the problems and weaknesses that you, as the writer, are too close to notice.
It's such a great feeling to have a talented writer hear what you have to say about his work and immediately jump on board with your suggestions. It's also great to receive similar comments about your own work and to feel genuinely invigorated by the feedback so that you want to go back to your draft and start the rewrites.
I am fighting that urge, however, since I want to get feedback from all my readers before I dive back in. Still, Ross has helped me to see some things I need to work on with The Silent Goodbye and he's also confirmed for me that the book is worth the work.
I can see now how much I miss my old writers' group and its regular meetings. I wonder if there's anybody out here in Nota Bene who might be interested.