Here's a glimpse into my inbox on a desperate writing day.

(Note: This writing "buddy" will tear a chapter apart and then blame it on "the goblin". )

July 15, 2008 -- E-mail Submission to Critique Group

. . . Please don’t think I find some twisted, demented pleasure in continually going back to the beginning of this novel and re-submitting it.

Let me explain. During the last few chapters I’d written, I realized I needed to re-sketch Edward to better match what I was writing at that time—or all this work was going to fall apart.

At first, I was only going to go in and prop up some weak spots, but I pulled out the ‘Heroine Journey” again, and realized I was much closer to the mark this time than I ever had been. Just a few more tweaks.

So, I rewrote the first act (first third of the book,) and then pulled down Carolyn See’s Making of a Literary Life and revisited the part on revising your work. This is a fabulous method, because you basically have to think very critically about your book. You make a list of each chapter, side by side of what you have and what you need.

Are you guys willing to do this yet again? If I beg mercy . . . . ? Do Christians critique seventy times seven?

Monday July 21, 2008 : Reply

Hey, Jess,

Many apologies for my long delay in getting to this crit. I won’t bore you with my excuses. (The goblin made me do it?)

I do love this story and the world you’re creating, and I think you’re making wise decisions in your revisions (and I didn’t even try to make that rhyme). The story is so much more compelling when we clearly see all that’s at stake here, and why.Take my many suggestions with a few shakes of salt and use only those grains that best enhance the flavor.

Love,

Y

Monday July 21, 2008: Reply

Hey Y,

When I first opened your e-mail, I only saw one word: GOBLIN

I closed the e-mail. Walked away from the computer and thought why, why, why did I ever think I could be a writer. I’m an idiot. I’m stupid. I totally suck. I’m in writer’s hell. I’ll never escape.

Then 2 hours later, I came back, saw your e-mail waiting and thought. . . you might as well get it over with. I still haven’t looked at the critique . .. . but at least I read the intro fully.

Well, thank you! I truly appreciate that.

Jess

Monday, July 21, 2008

You mean I’m not the only one who feels that way? (idiot...stupid...suck...can’t write...)

According to I’ve read, all great writers go through that. Which is a little encouraging, but only a little, because not-so-great writers do, too.

I’ll bet, though, that the ones who really can’t write, think they can, and go blithely through life unaware that they should hang up their banjos and stick to digging holes with their backhoe, leaving the artist types to bemoan their lack of talent and swing on a noose between inspiration and desperation until their rope snaps and they fall in a heap, only to write themselves a new rope to hang themselves with because it was so much fun the first time.

Y

Monday July 21, s008

Ah yes, the ever-haunting question . . . are we writers or just plain delusional (and in serious need of serious medication.)

Only a glutton for punishment would choose this lifestyle.

The rest of us are tricked into it . . it seemed so simple at first . . so fun . . . so exciting. Now just to tweak it a bit so maybe it will get published –and four years later (or is it five?) we have to keep going or lose hours and hours of our lives.

We should trick or worse enemies into becoming writers . . . and then just sit back and laugh—until they get published and we don’t.

J

Tuesday, July 22

LOL — that’s what would happen for sure!

Y