A clarification about the Glare Reports

[pegkerr]

As I said in my user profile, I'm not actually posting this novel-in-progress here, but this LiveJournal has become an important tool in my thinking about the book. Sometimes I will use this journal to bitch and whine and moan because I just need to vent, and sometimes I will burble happy about something cool I have just found out that I can use. Sometimes I will ask for research leads and sometimes I will ask for ideas when I'm stuck.

I intended yesterday's entry to be more of a vent than a request for help, but I realize that was my mistake because I didn't make what responses I was hoping for clear in my entry. This is something kijjohnson and I have learned through trial and error to do over the years. When one sends a manuscript to the other, the recipient always asks "What do you need from me?" The sender's responses can vary wildly, from "Tell me the pacing's okay," to "Help me figure out whether the point of view is consistent" to "Tell me that the language is evocative enough" to "Tell me it's a book" to "Tell me simply that it's wonderful and you can't wait to read the rest."

So anyway, some things for everyone to keep in mind: I trust you all won't be offended if I don't always seize on your proffered ideas and make them my own, even if they are perfectly useable and charming ones. They just may not ring my chimes (this is the dating equivilent, I suppose, of "He's just not into you.") Sometimes I just need to vent, and sometimes I really need help and am eager for your input, and I'll try to be clear which is which.

I do hope you will be patient with me; I lack self-confidence, I know, which may seem strange to those of you who think that someone who has had a novel published, much less two, should Know Everything. I have a deep-seated fear that my bellyaching can be extremely tiresome. And last but not least, I should also say that although I am sometimes frustrated by my backbrain's cranky irregularity at producing fiction on demand that is acceptable to my inner critic, I don't think I would still be whacking at this book at all if it weren't for LiveJournal and the encouragement and interest from all of you. Thank you!

Comments

report on the glare report....

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

I have a deep-seated fear that my bellyaching can be extremely tiresome.

I don't think it ever is. I love to read about the Process of other writers and their struggles and triumphs, and I know a lot of other writers on LJ do as well. Writing is such a mysterious and solitary process that seeing progress reports from other people -- the light from the headlamps of the other people, far off, in the coal mine -- is pretty much instrinsically interesting.

(In my own really humble experience, it's been rare that an outside suggestion -- however fantastic or well-intentioned -- has helped me fix a big writing problem. I know people who talk out their plots with other writers or friends, or who call for help with knotty problems, but it just doesn't work that well for me. I don't know why. Partly it's because of the feeling that something from the outside has intruded onto what has to be an organic process -- me feeling my way through the story, in the dark, no matter how many stumbles I'm taking could be prevented by people who care for me and only wish me well. This is the opposite from when the ms is done and someone has a fantastic idea like "Switch chapters 6 and 8 so we get his POV earlier" -- those help. But to me, they're qualitatively different....)

Anyhow, do carry on. I mainly just lurk because I just wanted to say what I thought abt the glare reports, as a reader and (struggling) writer just now.

Re: report on the glare report....

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I have a deep-seated fear that my bellyaching can be extremely tiresome.

Of course it can be. So what? Everybody reads your journal through the filter of their own day, and you don't have any control over that. I already know you know the world doesn't treat you like the Super Magical Princess Fairy Of All Time. You're not forcing your journal on anybody, and they can read or scroll or whatever. That's OK, and not your responsibility.

K.

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

I think it's interesting to see into the mind of a real writer while she works. It encourages me that my attempts are not doomed; I go through some of the same process and much of the same uncertainty and doubt, compounded by other uncertainty and doubt - everyone has their own issues.

So what do you need from us, your audience? Besides heartfelt promises to read the book as soon as it's published?

[aome.livejournal.com]

I apologise for the amount I've been jumping in - I tend to be one of those 'answer' people. So I thank you for clarifying your purpose and need for the Glare reports. Will keep quiet now unless you specifically ask for input. :) (And heck, no - I wouldn't at all be offended. Ideas are thrown out more to just in hopes of helping get past blocks, even if what you do is go in the total opposite direction. *g* The book is yours, not ours.)

Because I forgot to comment on this above...

[aome.livejournal.com]

I have a deep-seated fear that my bellyaching can be extremely tiresome.

To me, this is what having a journal is for - to vent and let off steam, and to wibble. You should do it as much as you need to, publicly or under cuts or under filters, however you prefer, in order to work through things. Write for yourself, and don't worry about us. You are allowed to be a human being. People can read or not-read as their choice, after all.

And, btw, just for the record, I haven't found it tiresome.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Well, an apology certainly isn't necessary, because I'm not offended at all by people wanting to help! If anything, it's heartening to see how interested in this project people are. Don't worry about it!

[delirieuse.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I'm hardly going to be offended if you didn't use the suggestion! I'm in a Professional Writing and Editing course, and am surrounded by friends who write. I'm used to throwing ideas in their direction when they're desperate. It's always always worth it for the one that sticks.

And your bellyaching is hardly tiresome.

[nmsunbear.livejournal.com]

I trust you all won't be offended if I don't always seize on your proffered ideas and make them my own, even if they are perfectly useable and charming ones.

Heh. It took my husband and I a while to figure this one out with my writing -- while I was working on my (still unpublished) YA novel, we'd spend hours and hours brainstorming, Arne would have a million great ideas, and I'd almost never use any of them. But those brainstorming sessions were incredibly useful to me; every idea I didn't use helped to tease out the ideas I needed from the depths of my recalcitrant brain.

By the way, hi! I just started reading your journal today.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Hi back atcha! Welcome, and thanks for commenting.