It’s your story

Remember – It’s Your Story!

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , Leave a comment

I’ve shared this message before, but it bears repeating. Just this past week, my husband pointed out that I had made a major change to a chapter of my newest work based on someone else’s recommendation. He was right—the change didn’t fit the original intent of my story. My first version had been stronger. I should have trusted my gut.

As new writers, we often listen to everyone but ourselves. Friends and critique partners mean well, but if you’re not careful, some will try to reshape your novel into what they think it should be.

I was recently revising a scene based on a critique and stopped mid‑sentence. What am I doing? The critique partner who suggested the changes is talented, and I respect her opinion. Others who read the same chapter loved it, offering only minor notes. So who was right—the three who praised it or the one who wanted significant changes?

The more I examined her suggestions, the more I realized she had her own vision for the story—and I had mine.

That said, she has also given me excellent advice. Because of her, my dialogue is more natural, my POV more consistent, and my story more believable. Her feedback has been invaluable.

But I had to remind myself: this is my story. No one understands its dynamics better than I do. No one knows it from beginning to end but me. No one can tell it the way I can.

When you receive feedback, weigh it carefully and ask yourself: Is this making my story better—or turning it into something it’s not?

Remember: it’s your story.

-Jan R

Remember – It’s Your Story!

It’s Your Story (Revisited)

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , , 4 Comments

3aefcc38a20542bd3ee999eca594de5eI’ve shared this blog before, but it’s been a while, and a message I think needs to be heard. As new writers, we sometimes listen to everybody but ourselves. Our friends and critique partners mean well, but if you let them, some will try to take over your novel and mold it into what they think it should be.

I was sitting on my couch reworking a scene in the novel I’m writing and stopped right in the middle of it. What am I doing? I asked myself. The purpose of the rewrite was to make some changes based on a critique I received from a critique partner.

The person that critiqued my book is very good at the craft, and I respect her opinion. There were others who critiqued the piece and loved it, offering a few comments here and there to correct grammar or replace a word. So who was right? The three people who loved it, or the one who thought I needed to go back and make some significant changes.

The more I looked at the changes this person suggested, the more I realized she had her own idea of the way the story needed to go, and I had mine.

With this being said, she’s made some great suggestions. Because of her, my story is more believable, my dialogue more natural, and my POV more consistent. Her critiques have been invaluable.

However, I had to remind myself that this is my story. Nobody has a better understanding of the dynamics than I do. Nobody knows it from beginning to end but me. Nobody can tell it better than me.

Weigh comments and suggestions you receive from others and ask this question. Is it making my story better or changing it into something it is not?

Remember: It’s your story.

-Jan R

It’s Your Story (Revisited)

It’s Your Story (Revised)

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , , , Leave a comment
images-10I contemplated what to write about today. If you’re a blogger you know the routine. You want to share something meaningful that will be helpful and not sound stupid. You also want to be yourself and not sound like a reference book-something I’m working on 🙂

I was sitting on my couch reworking a scene in the novel I’m writing when I stopped right in the middle of it. What am I doing? I asked myself. The purpose of the rewrite was to make some changes based on a critique I received earlier in the week.

The person that critiqued my book is very good at the craft, and I respect  her opinion. There were others who critiqued the piece and loved it, offering a few comments here and there to correct grammar or replace a word. So who was right? The three people who loved it, or the one who thought I needed to go back and make some significant changes.

The more I thought about the changes this person suggested,  and there have been quite a few throughout the time period I’ve posted my work, the more I realized she had her own idea of the way my story needed to go, and I had mine.

With this being said, she’s made some great suggestions. Because of her my story is more believable,  my dialogue more natural, and my POV more consistent. Her critiques have been invaluable.

However, I had to remind myself that this is my story. Nobody has a better understanding of the dynamics than I do. Nobody knows it from beginning to end but me. Nobody can tell it better than me.

Weigh comments and suggestions you receive from others and ask this question. Is it making my story better or changing it into something it is not? Remember: It’s your story.

I’m a Merry Christmas kind of person, but I know not all of my readers celebrate the holidays as I do. However you celebrate, I pray you have a wonderful holiday season. Be safe and thank you for stopping by!

-Jan R

It’s Your Story (Revised)