The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Who Should You Be in Your Writing Critique Group?

       Last night was the WWWPs writing critique group. While driving home after almost three and a half hours of solid work time (and if you know Sioux, you know there was no off-task talk, no sanctioned eating of chocolate, and no levity...  there's no room for laughter when we're working on writing), it occurred to me that I should take on other people's personalities when we meet.


photo courtesy of ladyjessop.com


       For example...

      I need to be Shirley McClaine. McClaine is the master at channeling others. When it was my turn to share--and while the other four writers were reading my piece--I reread mine and even then, I was crossing out unneeded words. I had revised it several times before last night... but unconsciously, I was thinking What words would they consider unnecessary? What phrases can I do without? What parts would they cross out if it was their piece?

      I should be Clint Eastwood. I need to squint more and talk less. Okay, I shouldn't squint more, 'cause that would result in more wrinkles, but I do need to narrow my focus as I examine what habits make the WWWPs so successful as writers... habits like perseverance... a workhorse work ethic... an unwavering commitment to their craft. And the more I listen to others, the more I'm going to soak up. Do I feel lucky? Well, do I, punk? Writing doesn't usually involve luck. It involves daily dipping into our reserves of ability and talent and having faith in our weapon--our pen, our pencil or our computer. 

    I need to be Nathan Lane. Lane is himself. He's comfortable in his own skin. Lane even flaunts his personality, He doles out the compliments in a bubbly manner... and he's never afraid to have a little bit of fun at his own expense. (Okay, maybe I can skip Nathan Lane. After all, I'm way too comfortable in my skin, and nobody wants any more flaunting of Sioux than is already taking place.)





          Who do you need to be as a writer? Chuckling minds want to know.

16 comments:

  1. I need to be Angelica Houston, in that role as preschool director Miss Harridan in "Daddy Day Care." A real tough taskmaster, who will stop at nothing to succeed. She was prepping her kids for the SAT. Here's a quote: "In life, there are winners and there are losers; and to win, you have to play dirty!"

    Okay, so maybe I shouldn't play dirty. But I need more drive to succeed. Like, if I was hungry, I'd go out and chase a rabbit so I could eat. Instead, I feel like I could comfortably use up some of my...um...STORED ENERGY RESERVES...and not have that rabbit-chasing urge for at least a year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops! That should be Anjelica Huston.

      Delete
    2. Val--You need to concentrate on writing this summer--think of your fans. I'm your biggest fan, I think, and more and more, I'm resembling Kathy Bates.

      If you see me come towards you with a heavy mallet, you'd better move quick.

      Delete
  2. I need to be John Wayne and wear my big boy boots. I need to get up in the writing saddle, stay there, and say what I gotta say and move on without worrying about where and how my horse poops!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Claudia--

      Hey! (Or Hay!) John Wayne was a hero in our house. I love the analogy.

      Delete
  3. Hahahahaa! I'll take Nathan Lane if you decide to chuck him. Or Amy Schulman--I'd never get any work done, laughing with Amy. But I wouldn't care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy--Yes, I get diverted by humorous things on the internet as well.

      Delete
  4. Oooh, that's a tough one. I want to be Reba McIntyre, because she's conquered music, Broadway, and TV. Plus, she's funny, smart, and cute as a button.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa--You and Reba have something in common--neither one of you age. (Will we see you on an infomercial some day, touting whatever cream you use? Buy a book, and get a tube of Lisa's Age No More cream?

      Delete
    2. Haha -- If I had something that magical I'd sure sell a lot of books. Alas, up close and personal I'm just a wrinkly old bagger. But I like the way you think. :)

      Delete
  5. Why do my comments disappear? I said, you should be yourself, because you've got what it takes. But if someday I see you and call you Clint...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda--Are you saying I've got too many whiskers growing on my chin?

      Delete
  6. I just want to be me . . . in a world that reads poetry as voraciously as it watches reality TV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mama Zen--If that world DID exist, you'd be one rich woman.

      Delete
  7. I thought about your question as I went to the bathroom and poured myself some more coffee. And then I realized I need to be Nike and just do it.

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete

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