Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Coaches and Serenades

This week's Road Trip Wednesday: What kind of writing coach do you need? When you have to coach friends, what kind of coach are you?

     I don't think I'm much of a coach. Actually, writing this post is reminding me that I'm supposed to give reminders to my sis-in-law about her writing every week. I haven't done it once. Ugh, I'm so awful!
     On the flip side, she is an awesome coach for me in the way that if I need to brainstorm, I can ping her on BBM and she'll help me out. I think it was Stephen King who said that writing the first draft should be done with the door closed- meaning you do it on your own without outside help, coaching, reading, etc. While I don't let others read what I've written in a first draft, it is nice to have someone to talk about it with when I get stuck. Or when I have worries or concerns. That kind of person is invaluable (thanks Emily!!!). There's been lots of times when I've wondered where I should go next, or how I should do a certain scene, and just having her say, why don't you try this, or this, or this? is so helpful. Even if I don't use exactly what she says, it usually gets my brain rolling in the right direction. That's the kind of coach I need. I guess I also need to work on being a better coach myself!
     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 26: A Song I Can Play On An Instrument
     I don't know if I've ever mentioned the fact that I play the piano. My mom taught me from when I was young until sixteen or so. I still play, although not as much as I should. One song I've fallen in love with lately and just had to learn on the piano was this one:
Serenade by Schubert

5 comments:

  1. As I recall, Stephen King's advice was to write the first draft with the door closed, and then open the door for all subsequent drafts. I've had no problem with the first part, but the second has been hard, because I know not everyone's going to love my work like I do. BUT... as with all things we love, our affection often minimizes the flaws. And it takes giving our work to people that will highlight those flaws to make our work better.

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  2. Hey Melanie, So the teal blue words are kind of hard to read. Maybe it's just my computer.

    But great post!

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  3. hey thanks. It's more fun for me than it is helpful for you I'm sure. By the way, I didn't write anything this week, or month for that matter, and I'm still behind on my critique projects! How is Sway? Do you think you'll be done before the cruise?

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  4. I like the new holiday look of your blog. Great song!

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  5. I'll remember that about the teal words. They are kind of light.
    I'm hoping to be done before the cruise, but then you know that already after the pinging from this morning!

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