So I figured I would read up on submission rules before March and what not…then came across the forum for newbies–the slush pile.

Baen’s Bar (baen.com) actually seem like a wealth of information where I can read up on other people’s post and critiques that go with them.

I haven’t really read up on it but I feel I have been slacking off too much. I should really get down on editing my short story…sigh.

Another site I found from the wealth of informaiton is this: cutting_blog (flashfictiononline.com). I haven’t read it in detail but it also seem to be very helpful for a newbie such as myself; people submit their story or a section of it and the host basically cuts down the fat, which I know I have an issue with.

I always knew I had an issue with logic and even considered taking–and did in fact–logic courses but I think logical thinking wasn’t quite what I needed. I just needed to analyze my story better. I guess at some point in future I will take such a course but before that happens, I should improve the essentials I am getting wrong.

For instance, following are the problems Randy describe, after which I realized with huge blush:

1. posing question but not answering them
2. too much telling and not showing; literally telling readers
3. grammar: comm after double quote
4. grammar: new dialogue on another paragraph
5. too much distraction

Issue #1 requires me to re-read and think about what information I am giving, which I wasn’t doing. (shame on me!)

Issue #2 deails more with my writing style. I kept thinking I should be more descriptive…but I realize now that I was actually writing what’s going on in the story instead of showing. Resolution I learned are:

• show instead through description and action
• let reader fill the gap

Issues #3 and #4 are…something I need to work on.  Actually I misunderstood some of the basics and copied some style from odd book or two; I just need to be aware of it as well.

Issue #5 is a little tricky, though not as bad as #2. It’s basically an infodump that only confuses readers.

So all in all, I should definitely revise my writing several times before I submit anywhere while thinking about:

1. Questions and Answers; mysteries and hints and resolutions
2. Knowing the difference in characters acting out and some dude (me) force feeding the act
3. Pay attention to details while reading–as that’s when one learns to write–and review some grammar book
4. Cut. If it’s not necessary, cut it out.

In the end, as I told Michelle, I kept writing without revising my works past decade or so…a precious time I could have used to hone my craft; instead I just kept banging my head on the wall. Ouch.

Hopefully I learn something and improve.

Tags: writing

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