Reading Drafts Objectively

Hi Dolly!

What I do is put the ms. aside for at least a week. The longer you can resist looking at it, the better. A month is good. Meanwhile, write something else. Anything. Then revisit it by reading it out loud to yourself. You'll see where it flows nicely, or where you scratch your head saying, "Huh?", or any grammatical errors.

Putting it aside can help but for a short story I try to write less 'from the begining' and more 'towards an end'. If I have the conclusion firmly in mind and it's a good one then the story almost writes itself.

Totally agree with Stormie, every single word. Also, (and this is a secret)...I get a cup of coffee, situate myself at my dinning room table, straighten my back, and pretend I'm reading in front of a bunch of people. That REALLY turns my eye objective. You'll be amazed at how even what you thought was a perfect story will get filled up with red/blue ink!

veinglory said:

Putting it aside can help but for a short story I try to write less 'from the begining' and more 'towards an end'. If I have the conclusion firmly in mind and it's a good one then the story almost writes itself.

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This is how I write, too. Keep the destination in mind, like when you're driving. If you keep your eyes stuck on the road right in front of you, you'll crash. If you look far ahead, you will steer there unconsciously. You've still got to look out for obstacles like children in the street and other cars but you'll get there.

Keep writing. . . that is the key. Writing towards and end is a good exercise method. If you keep at it, the story eventually starts to take a life of its own.

When you are done with a draft, start a new story. Keep writing (can't say that one enough). Eventually when you go back to edit you will have a new perspective on your previous material because you have dealt with similar issues of beginning and plot twists through in the context of a different story.

Also, don't get down on yourself (or too high for that matter) it is a natural tendency of an artist to think that everything they produce is crap, but often it is quite good and you just don't realize it.

Also, I think a good way to stay objective about your own writing is to read a lot of other peoples work. Not really published authors, mind, but peers, workshops and the what not. When you see what type of problems other people have it can put your own into a new light.

Hope that helps.

Dollywagon said:

Afraid I agree with Stephen King about the fact of having only one ideal reader. And I ain't got one!

Does anybody have any hints or tips about how to look at things differently?

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Neither does Stephen King until AFTER he finishes the story. Stop trying to read your story until it's finsihed. Even Stephen King says the first draft should be written with the door closed.