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Let the circle close
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...No spinach in our teeth
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...No "mom reads"
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...No "fixing"
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...
1. Honest 2. Specific3. Constructive4. Kind
Be...
What do we want:
What do we want:1. A finished book 2. Constant improvement
Feedback!
How to give it:
1. Compliment sandwich
Feedback!
How to give it:2. Focus on successful (and unsuccessful)
Feedback!
How to give it:
3. Respect the license
Feedback!How to give it:
4. Read closely — and read like a writer
Levels of feedback
From major surgery to cosmetic to polishing.
1. Plot2. Character3. Story Mechanics4. Clarity and Craft
Reading like a writer
Focus on plot (momentum)● Action● Tension● Conflict
Focus on plot (momentum)● Action● Tension● Conflict
Reading like a writer
BONUS:
Stakes!
Reading like a writer
Character.
● Round● Plausible● Interesting● Sympathetic● Likeable*
*not necessarily
Reading like a writer
Expressions of character:.
● Perspective / narrative● Dialogue
.
Avoiding character as game piece
.
● Lens of perspective● Senses
Reading like a writer
● Immersion● Reality
Violations● Expectations
Story Mechanics:Focus on the reading experience
Congratulations! You're a writing cop.
● Immersion● Reality
Violations● Expectations
Reading like a writer
Focus on the reading experience
Welcome to the wild world of
Foreshadowing!
Reading like a writerWhat's on camera?● Every detail should...
● Move plot● Build the world● Build character● Ideally, more than one at once
● Zooming in● Painting attention/Hanging
Lampshades
● Zooming out● Avoiding the info dump and
frying pans
Reading like a writerClarity and craft
• Where the magic happens• Where things get subjective
• Where the magic happens• Where things get subjective
Reading like a writerClarity and craft
WC - vague
Clarity and Craft
Cowbell
Clarity and CraftInterrogating word choice (WC)● Vague words
● It, that, some, things, stuff…● Inflation words
● Very, really, extremely...● Hedge words
● Somewhat, sometimes, usually... ● Show, don't tell (SDT)● Passive voice
● Including the To-Be's
Clarity and Craft
Clarity and CraftWC – It! What is “it”?
The night was dark and stormy.
Clarity and CraftThe night was dark and stormy.
To-be's – somewhat passive
The night grew dark and stormy. The night squalled and howled.
The storm attacked the windows that night, rattling the panes and howling in anger.
Et cetera, et cetera...
Remember:Respect the
license
(I liked this piece!!)
The 90/10 Rule of Optimization
Questions?
Slides available at:www.katejonuska.com
Email me [email protected]
On Twitter:@kjonuska
The Dictionary of Fiction Critique now available in e-book and paperback on Amazon and here today.
