New

When I was in my early- to mid-20s, I was in two different writing groups over the years, both of which had members decades older than I was. I walked in with my very (VERY!) dark noir stories, cowboy boots, and (in one group) baby, and generally received accolades. I can do noir. I could do it at 20. Heck, I could do it in my teens. That's what I wrote, gritty short stories of prostitutes and drug addicts and alcoholics. I aspired to be the female version of him (though I have to honestly say I read a Scudder novel recently and could not get through it--so obviously, I was in some kind of angsty phase).

And then the BEST thing happened to me. I decided to write something different. And though my group at the time said the characters were amazing, my writing was off my rhythm. I had to learn a whole new rhythm for writing that was not noir. I had to endure criticism after hearing years of "you are a very talented young writer." I had to figure out if I was going to continue to write in my comfort zone forever, accumulating praise or try something else.

Time went on. I formed my current writing group 16 years ago, give or take. Over the years, I've tried my hand at a screenplay, a one-act play, YA, chick lit (I prefer the term "comedies"), and now a thriller. I've written short stories when I was stuck. And Oldest Daughter found a folder of my old poetry this week and told me, flat-out, she thinks that is my BEST writing ever and I should write a poetry collection.

I realize now that my progress as a writer has been marked by trying something new . . . feeling like I have conquered it (or at least learned the rules, tried on a voice, something), and then SEEKING out something new to make me feel off-kilter and grow again. Then, when I return to something I am familiar with, like a muscle that's been stretched and tightened, I bring a new perspective and insights. Characters are characters, after all.

I sometimes watch other writers essentially tinker with the same character over and over again, just in different books or different settings. It's funny, but I started a book two months ago--even got my agent all excited about it. But I realize I was returning to old territory, so if it's not fresh to me, then there's no point. So now it's about taking the same plot (it's a good idea) and seeing what I can do with it that goes deeper, smarter, leaner, whatever.

I hope he guesses I mean him, but I beta read for a friend and it was a new genre for him. I had some criticisms and some positives. But I forgot to give him a big bravo for trying something on for size.

So here's my best bit of advice for your morning cup of java. You want to improve as a writer? Turn your writing world upside down every once in a while. And for heaven's sake . . . don't keep seeking out the praise. It's an addiction and after a while, it'll poison your writing.

Half a cent for Tuesday. Thoughts?