>Yesterday I met with my CP. Something we hadn’t done in awhile. Life, illness, and holidays had gotten in the way. Coffee cups in hand we sat in a Starbucks and listened to the other critique our work, our minds already racing with ways to edit and move on. I always find the experience buoying in terms of creativity. With the recent bug I’d encountered, I hadn’t felt like putting anything on paper. Suddenly I couldn’t wait to get home and do just that.
Darcy was apologetic because she didn’t feel she could give me as much feedback. She’d found more she liked about the manuscript than what she’d found concerns with. I could have cared less. SHE LIKED IT! SHE REALLY LIKED IT. I could see it in her face when she talked about it, hear it in her voice.
Here I was feeling like maybe it wasn’t going anywhere (I always get that feeling in the middle of my stories.) or that I’d managed to drag something I’d thought was exciting into the mire. But Darcy not only liked what I’d written, she thought it was the strongest yet in terms of my voice.
So I’m sitting there feeling energized and I realize she doesn’t feel the same way. The apologetic tone, the fact that I’d bled blue on her manuscript in some places (Did I mention I’m kinda verbose in crits?) and some concerns from another reader had her feeling hesitant about a WIP she’s trying desperately to get a first draft out on. I rushed to explain. It didn’t matter who had more blue. She’d just done as much or more for me with her enthusiasm than my little nitpicky edits on her WIP could ever accomplish. Feedback is feedback in whatever form, and I reminded her there’s a ton less blue this time. Darcy is learning in leaps and bounds. I’ll have to push onward to keep up.
And that’s a good thing. We need that from each other. We’d love to have 3-4 in our group, but it’s hard to find someone else who lives close enough to meet weekly. I hope by the time we parted, Darcy was as energized about her WIP as I was. She’s got a good strong plot going and worries every little thing to death. That’s Darcy’s control factor coming in. Attention to detail and the desire to write well will make her work stronger every time we meet.
I’d better get on the ball, so I can offer something back.
Sorry folks, gotta go write.
CAROL BURNSIDE / ANNIE RAYBURN 