The Last 10%
Last night a pretty cool thing happened. I was on the phone with the Monkey. Both of us have new wips. I love his. In fact, it was the one I hoped he'd write. And both of us really liked what the other brought to the beta read. In fact, other than a wordsmith thing here or there, both of us were about criticizing the last 10%.
What do I mean? At this point, we're not coming to the table and hashing out big stuff. This is not about pacing or plotting. It's not about liking characters or not. It's not about hook or setting. Or voice. It's about grinding down to the last 10%. Maybe less. Maybe it's 5% . . . and trying to take the project to that next level. TELL ME anything--a word, a sentence, an emotion--that feels even the slightest bit off. Where did you pause? Did something ring false? I was literally reduced to saying, of his material, "These two sentences made me stop." This in two chapters of really marvelous stuff.
I'm not sure when I got to this point. And I can't say I am at this point with every project, even. But it's really something to sit back and realize you're writing in the zone of the last 10%.
It's also a sign of growth when you are really desperate to hear criticism. When you love your work so much that you WANT someone to pull that last 10% out of you. I don't have any defenses. In fact, defensiveness in writers is now high on my list of pet peeves. I wasn't this writer ten years ago. I don't know that I could take it.
So . . . where are you, do you think? In the last 10%?
30 comments:
Yeah, like what you said about the last story (wip excerpt) I had up on Jon's site, that the narrative wasn't quite consistent in some places. I would consider that the last 10%. It's useful feedback, because I tend to miss little things like that when I'm so close to the work.
Jude:
It's always hard to tell where any of us are with an excerpt. That's why I love the consistency of working through the whole thing . . . it does pull it into the 10% over time--even if you don't start there.
Last 10%? More like first 10%. Sigh.
I would say "sometimes." Again, parallel minds, I think. I was sort of getting at this the other day when I wrote about how the nuts-and-bolts of writing is mechanics, but things like hooks, and pacing, etc., are a lot more difficult. It may be that the 90% is mechanics and craft and the last 10% is mostly art, I don't know.
I tend to think of that last 10% as nuance and subtlety and it's the biggest difference between the amateurs and the pros.
Erica,
What a fabulous list of questions! I have one CP who does that for me. She pulls out the last 10% and I truly yearn for that. She knows the story and the characters and can say, "I don't believe Beth would say that that way" or "When you wrote this you forgot that so-and-so never went to college so it doesn't make sense." It's in the details but not like line-edit details. My betas give more general feedback, more that of a 'reader's reaction.'
I believe I'm in the last 10% - and I yearn for that kind of insight - finding the right person who can, and is willing, to give it is key.
I have done quite a bit of reading of manuscripts lately - and I am pretty sure I can tell when someone - even a seasoned writer - has not been given that kind of feedback.
I think it's what helps push a ms over the finish line.
I'm almost there and very excited.
Mark:
I think the writing itself, the construction of the prose, is what separates the good from the mediocre. These things can be taught. Good writing can, too, but only to an extent, I think. Some folks have an "ear" for it, if you will, while others are rather tone deaf. I can spot the ones whose polished prose sings, and I'm sure you can too. Those are the ones who are a pleasure to read, and it's not just a matter of "mechanics" that can be taught in a classroom.
Mark:
I agree. It the wordsmithing and the craft and hopefully the elegance.
E
Amy:
Funny you should say that . . . I, too, am surprised sometimes when I critique and the person has never had that kind of feedback before.
E
This is what I was trying to link to. Not sure why it didn't work.
http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/2009/08/screenwriting-tricks-for-authors-table.html
I personally believe every successful writer comes across that one person who carries the writer over the last hump. My writing took a giant leap forward when I began following an Absolute Write thread with a writer who really talked writing. It took another leap forward when an editor took the time to reject my manuscript with a list of reasons why it was wrong for her (and everyone else).
Now, when I get a critique that is blisteringly full of red ink, blue marks, and painful suggestions, I smile inside, knowing this is what I needed all along.
With all of this, I feel I am solidly in the last 99%.
It must take a lot of practice to recognize the "last 10%" because I'm far from that level of writing. :( I'm still trying to figure out if taking next semester off from school will help my writing, as in, giving myself room to focus on it.
Was going to comment, but didn't have anything to say, except I'm nowhere near the last 10%. :-( You'd think with so many finished manuscripts under my belt I'd have it figured out, but NOPE not at this time.
Allen:
Gratefully, I've found those who take me that last 10%.
E
Kath:
I'm still trying to figure out if sending Demon Baby off to join the circus would help my writing. Nah. I'd miss him too much.
E
magolla:
Oddly enough, sometimes I'm SO not there, 25+ books later (a lot more if you count ghosted books). But THIS project, I think I am.
E
Erica, I don't know where exactly I am. I'm not afraid to go deep with my characters (something I know some people shy away from) and I feel like my story is pretty solid, I just have such a hard time judging my work.
One person has read my current wip so far and she said it was already very well done, and now that I'm almost done with the second draft I'm anxious to hear from more readers. I'm crossing my fingers that I'm nearing the 10% mark, but I'll be happy with 20.
I don't know. I was at crit group last night and I felt a distinct lack of defensiveness, which made me very happy. I ran right home and sent out my next section for next time! Nothing they said really surprised me, but I think I was after the discussion end: Here's what I think you were trying to do and where it fell off...
Even if they get off on the wrong track, it gets my creative drive going. There were a lot of nitpicks along the lines of "this was confusing" which helps me clean things up immensely!
I did get a compliment on my dialogue, which meant the world to me cuz I've really been working hard on it! I'm a big believer in pointing out what works because often people have literally no idea when something does work.
Melanie:
Good for you that you're getting some great feedback already. Is this the husband/daughter/best friend crime one?
E
Sex Scenes:
I've lost most of my defensivesness too . . . and like you, I like knowing what works--gives me a sense of when for sure I'm hitting the mark. Or, more accurately, I like know what resonates.
The last 5%, I think, takes at least double the time as the first 95%. I won't say I always go there, because sometimes I just don't have the time. I prioritize my projects: not all get equal love and attention. Although, the pausing and that sort of thing, that's one of my first priorities. I'm neurotic about anything to do with how the reader feels or reads my work.
And I don't get the whole defensiveness thing, either. Like Nathan Bransford's post about coping with editorial letters the other day--I totally don't relate to it. Why would I need to sleep on it and cool down? That's ridiculous. The only feelings I have are thankfulness. Actually, it's more like relief that someone can help.
Erica, yes, that's the one.
My CP is at the last 10%. I am once in a great while. I'm closer to 20%. But I keep trying to get better.
Natasha:
I jammed out the three chapters I currently have. Chapter Two (strongest one, I think) whipped out in under and hour, just FLYING.
I have spent WEEKS tweaking, chucking, rewriting, and getting the voices and POVs right. WEEKS.
E
Melanie:
WOW. That was fast!
Well I wrote the first 2/3 of it last year. I finished it over the summer/fall and now I'm almost done with the second draft. It doesn't feel fast.
I had this exact feeling last night while reading one of my crit partners work. She is the only one of us agented and a true talent. I would never pick up her genre on my own yet she makes me crave to read more of her story.
Travis:
Very cool. I am sure she appreciates your support.
LOL about Demon Baby and the circus! That could be your next story: "Mom researches college opportunities for youngest child. Discovers Clown School and wonders if there's a minimum age requirement." :-)
I think I'm in the last 30% at the moment, but hopefully I'll be at the last 10% by the end of the year.
Nadine:
You'll get there. :-)
E
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