Writing Tips

Writer’s Group

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Sep 17, 2021 in Writing Process, Writing Tips | 0 comments

Three writers, infinite support

Just back from a meeting with my writer’s group; I’m so happy for our vaccinated selves to be able to get together in person once again.

For a while there, I wasn’t a big fan of writer’s groups. I’d read something early on, I think it might have been from Fay Weldon, along the lines of “One day your editor will say yes or no and that’s the only opinion of your writing that you need.”

Officially, I was wrong. Although it did take me a few tries to find the right group, I’ve got to say that the benefits are huge. Among them:

• People to talk you out of your imposter syndrome.
• Accountability—you’ve got to write something for the meeting!
• People who adore your characters almost as much as you do.
• People who are not afraid to tell you straight up when your writing is getting boring or confusing.
• An excuse to buy a fancy coffee and a nice sandwich and a cookie.

My tips for a writer’s group that works:

• Find people who are about at the same level, professionally speaking. It can be discouraging if you’re still trying to sell your first book and somebody else is moaning about their agent or their reviews.
• Meet outside your house. Writers all spend too much time at home anyway, and nobody should be stressing about their writing AND about cleaning or setting out snacks.
• Pick a nice coffeeshop with big tables and not too much noise. (Our favorite coffeeshop did not survive the pandemic, alas, and we are still casting around for the best replacement.)
• Find nice people. The writing world is full of rejection, bad reviews, and a lot of indifference. If you can find a few people who’ll are genuinely pleased and excited to read what you write—don’t pass it up.

Waiting for Words

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Mar 20, 2020 in Children's Literature, Writing Process, Writing Tips | 0 comments

At least it’s not too hard to social distance in Maine.

Sometimes it’s not easy to find your creative voice in the midst of dread. Like so many, I’m worried about high-risk relatives, anxious about whether I’m doing the right things to help, missing my beloved Maine community and all the small things we did to stay connected in our taciturn Maine ways.

It can be good to push through the panic and write, create, draw, sing, love. But sometimes it can also be right to take a step back, snuggle on the couch, and be gentle with yourself while the world swirls around you. In those times I lean on the creativity of others who’ve written us message from their own hard times and the fear in the center of their own hearts.

Books and stories will sustain us, whatever happens.

Editing Services

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Jun 21, 2019 in Children's Literature, Editing, Writing Process, Writing Tips | 0 comments

Finished that manuscript? Need a second opinion or a professional touch to polish it up? I’m glad to recommend my friend and colleague, Michelle Coppola Ames, who has just hung up her shingle as a freelance editor. Michelle is an insightful editor, a talented writer, and an all-around lovely person. Look for her at Wordplay Editorial Services.

Sarah’s Writing Tips: #2

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Jun 4, 2019 in Writing Process, Writing Tips | 0 comments

Boredom: the feeling of your brain at work.

Allow yourself to get bored.

Boredom is not a catastrophe. It’s the feeling of your brain searching for the next idea. It’s mental effort taking place.

Don’t always reach for your phone. (Listen, I like a good game of Candy Crush myself, but still). If you’re stuck, sit at your desk and look out of the window and wait. Pretty soon you will be so bored with waiting that you will start writing.