Good Writing

Yesterday I received my Genesis scores. No I didn’t final, and I honestly didn’t expect to. It would have been nice, but I entered to get some feedback.

I want to say to the Genesis judges, thank you so much for your time and to the three who judged my entry. THANK YOU. I appreciate you taking the time to give constructive feedback. I so needed it and no I didn’t feel like I was torn to shreds. The advice was well received and much needed.

My weakness is grammar and I’m working on it. The judges recommended some books and links to look at and so I was off to get those books and check out those sites.

They liked the storyline, which was one of the things I wanted to know. Here are a few lessons I learned.

1. Never wait to the last minute to submit an entry for a contest. You want to send your best efforts. (I submitted a rough draft and probably needed another month to check it over, but I didn’t.)

2. I need to find a critique group or partner. (If you’re interested let me know. I’m looking for someone good with grammar since that is my weakness.)

3. Start the story at the action. I loved my beginning but it needs to start when the conflict started. (All three judges recommended this)

4. My skin is thickening. In the past, I probably would have cried after reading the comments, but this time I know that in order for me to improve my writing I need to hear constructive criticism.

5. I’m glad I submitted my work. It helped me move past the fear and learn a little more about my writing. I know I'm not ready to submit my story to an agent. I need a more editing. Next year I will be ready and hopefully this time the scores will be better.

Congrats to all the finalist, may you all sale your books.

Speaking of good writing, last night I watched the finale of Gray Anatomy. It blew me away with the ending. I was prepared for Izzie because I knew she was leaving the show. I even knew that George was leaving the show, but I wasn’t prepared for what they had in store for him. I won’t give it away for those who haven't seen it. Just know you will need a lot of tissue. I’m still getting misty eyed thinking about it.

Now that’s good writing when you care about characters as if they were your friends, I want to write like that and I pray I learn to improve my writing so I can.