Ask SD Tracy Harper #45All questions are anonymous. If you know who is asking the question and wish to leave a comment, please respect their rights to remain anonymous.
Q: SD, Somehow I keep
writing the same story, but in different ways. How do I stop?
A: I don’t think
that you can, and why should you? If you think about it, most stories are
broken down into three scenes. There is the introduction, the transition, and
the conclusion. Love stories are based on someone’s desire for someone else and
(like the old saying goes) it isn’t funny until someone gets hurt. When it goes
off course in one direction it’s considered a drama and in the other direction
a comedy. A basic love, hate, combative triangle will always exist. A rose of
any other name stills smells, however, the same situation viewed by two
different sets of eyes sees two different things. I’ve been where you are and
only through your willingness to fully explore all avenues of this particular
story or line of thought will you ever have thoughts of trying something truly
different. You might also try listening
to music you’ve never heard before or see a movie outside what is your norm.
And, of course, finally read that book of poetry you got as a birthday present
that’s been sitting on your bookshelf you’ve been using to prop your autograph
Major League baseball you picked up in a garage sale. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, I recently
finished my first novel and it's only taken me years! Do you have any
suggestion that will help me to let others read my manuscript without falling
apart?
A: Your anxiety isn’t something that only you suffer from.
Many authors (myself included) have strong feelings that their work will not be
well receipted or believe they have thick enough skin to take criticism. Well,
I’m here to tell yah. You have three choices and none of them are perfect. Your
first choice is to ask a family member to read it for you. I would suggest you
only give them a set amount of chapters each time. Trust me, they will have
more questions and request, then you can imagine. At least, you can control
your environment and lessen the embarrassment that will never come. The next
choice is to hire an editor/reviewer. What makes this choice valuable is in the
fact that the person you hire job is to improve on your book and will give you
insight that will help you on future projects. This one is a win-win if you
find the right editor for you. Your
third and final choice is to join a writer’s group where you live or online.
Not only will you receive constructive criticism, you will also build up your
confidence knowing and working with other authors just like you. Hey, you are
looking for encouragement, to help you take the next step and reduce your fears
that you hadn’t missed any of the previous steps. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, I made a big
mistake in a story I was writing. Halfway through I had gotten the two main
characters’ names mixed up and the good guy turned into the bag guy and the bad
girl became good. Any suggestion what would be the easiest way to change this?
It would be easier if both were men or women.
A: Don’t change a thing. If you have ever seen the movie or
play name Grease, you’ll know what I mean. Girls have been trying to change a
bad boy for years and there are very few boys who don’t like a bad girl. What I
suggest you do is check where the personality change over occurred and make the
transition as smooth as possible. Moreover, when you find where the change had occurred,
work backwards and leave little Easter Eggs giving hint on what’s to follow. In
other words, give the readers a few places they can say; I Told You So. I hope
this helps. SD
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