"We're not worthy!"

Are you part of a critique group? I am, and sometimes I feel I need to pull a Wayne and Garth - you know, bow down and exclaim, "I'm not worthy!"

My group is loaded with talented writers, including Lisa Green. They're so great that I read their pages and think, no way is this their first draft (between you and me, I think Lisa submits her 10th draft...just sayin'). Meanwhile, I'm submitting my clunky first draft (shudder) and gobbling up their feedback.

I love learning from other writers. If part of my job includes dissecting the words of Suzanne Collins or Jodi Picoult, then I'm a lucky girl. If you missed it, there was a great post on Query Tracker about learning from the masters.

I'm thankful I'm surrounded by amazing critique partners, and that they're willing to improve my work. We each bring something unique to the table, and are worthy of some writerly give and take.

How about you? When you read someone else's awesome words, do you feel like jumping off a bridge, or are you inspired to sharpen your skills? And in your opinion, who is a master storyteller?

Just for smiles, check out this video by author Jen Hayley. It'll make your day!

photo credit: cinegeek.com

Look Back...No, Don't Look Back

The first draft of my work in progress is coming along nicely. Well, that's what I'm thinking, anyway.

I won't really know until I look back. For now, I'm resisting that urge. If I look back, will it paralyze me? Maybe I'd want to change everything, edit as I go, insist that it's horrible, weak, boring.

I'm jotting down notes on characters and scene details, as well as additional plot ideas. But that's about it. With structure in mind, I'm moving forward.

Some questions for you:

1. Do you ever look back while you're writing your first draft?
2. If you do, at what point do you allow this?
3. Do you show your first drafts to your critique group?

When my critique group reads this for the first time, perhaps I'll pass out barf bags. Will they kick me out of the group forever? I'll keep you posted.

photo credit: flickr.com