Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Interesting post about writer development

This is topic Interesting post about writer development in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/writers/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006503

Posted by Ethereon (Member # 9133) on :

This post on Patty Jansen's blog made me laugh out loud.

I hope I'm making my way into what she calls Stage 2, and I hope I haven't been a jerk during Stage 1!

[This message has been edited by Ethereon (edited November 02, 2010).]

Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :

Great post, Laura.

I can safely say from Ms Jansen's definition thta I am firmly in stage two. This line especially defines the current state of my writing level.

quote:
This is the stage where the stories are lovely and nice, but they’re lacking something, and writers are beating their heads against the wall as to what it might be.

That's me. The round imprint of the back of my head in the concrete block in my basement is a testament on how stuck I am at this stage. A good example of what I am talking about is this rejection from a pro-market that advanced past the slush reader.

"You know, I really like this story. It has potential. But it has a lot of problems. It shows not tells WAY too much, and some of the writing is awkward and unbelievable. And part of the resolution is a little too convenient. I think it would take quite a bit of work to get it ready."

Encouraging considering it was in consideration for publication but for the life of me I don't understand what makes my writing awkward and unbelievable. It's not the first time I've received this type of complaint. It's like waving my hand in a pitch black room in search of the pull string for the light bulb. I know it's there, somewhere. If I can just find it, everything will become clear to me so I might get something done.