TECH: 101 Tips (28)

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting 17 June 2009

Writers' Digest, October 2004, pages 26 to 33, has a collection of short "nuggets of wisdom" related to getting published. Maria Schneider is the author of the compilation. Take a deep breath, and here we go:

"If I want to see a story in print, I simply have to become that story's biggest enemy, so why not dig in and begin slashing?" Mark Wisniewski

Now that's a different approach to revision. Goes along with kill your darlings, etc. I guess. To make your story the best, tackle it as if you were the enemy. Don't sit there and say I know my story is wonderful because it's mine -- ask yourself what's wrong with this story? Point out the missing logic, and then fix it. Put your finger on the scene that doesn't do anything except look pretty -- and cut it. Grab hold of that scene that didn't get written and force it in there. Be the maniacal monster who is going to make this story cry, and then win.

Mitsuko has been watching American Idol. There's a guy on the end who usually says things like, "That was self-indulgent, boring, and useless." You can almost see the contestants brace for his critiques. But every now and then, when one of the contestants really does well, he smiles and says, "That was great!" And you know, I think most of the contestants would rather get one of his rare compliments than any of the "I like you" or "You've got a great personality" or whatever that the other judges are handing out.

That's what your story needs. Not you complimenting it for having good intentions and a nice smile. You tearing it to pieces and making it the best possible story you can! Go ahead -- be your story's worst nightmare.