Writing Advice I (Grudgingly) Agree With...
Turns out there's something to be said for time and distance (darn it!)
Hello Friends and New Subscribers!
Hope you’ve been well.
Over the past few months I’ve done a lot of reading and revising and it’s gotten me thinking about the advice writers receive: show don’t tell, write every day, avoid adverbs, banish all uses of “was,” read widely, etc. etc. It’s exhausting—and I’m not even getting into the debates over em dashes and Oxford commas.
But, for better or worse, there’s a bit of wisdom I’m loathe to admit seems accurate: put your manuscript in a drawer and don’t look at it again for a while. How long is a while? Some say two weeks, others six months. In my case, nine months proved the sweet spot.
As someone with little patience who loves to check off an item on a to-do list and jump to the next thing, I’ve long resisted that bit of advice. And yet…
When my manuscript The House on Cold Creek Lane went out on submission over a year ago, I thought it was in the best shape possible. But after I accepted an offer last fall and began looking at my editor’s suggestions and rereading some passages, I felt a mix of excitement and dread. There was plenty of room for improvement. (And when I say “room” I’m talking an auditorium, not a tiny sunporch.) I could make it a lot better. That was the exciting part. The dread component? I’d already been through so many drafts, so many reads, how were there still things to fix? (Especially ones that felt glaringly obvious!?)
Here’s a quick example: One character refers to another as “vile” and while she’s not wrong, I wondered, “At this point in the story, is that opinion justified? Has the ‘vile’ character done enough to merit that assessment?” No, she hadn’t. As the author, I know how that as the character develops, she’ll eventually earn that descriptor, but, at that place in the story, the reader doesn’t know that nor does the character making that judgement.
I reworked it, softening that judgement and giving that soon-to-be-vile character an earlier transgression that pushes her closer to vile territory.
There were many, many other areas that needed polishing.
But the good news is I just sent it back and I don’t think I can touch it again. Phew and yikes! (More on this novel in my next newsletter.)
In today’s publishing world, some authors churn out a book a year. In the thriller space, others drop a new title every few months. It’s hard not to compare yourself and wonder if you’re writing like a snail. Making these latest changes confirmed that I could never keep that pace. My mind doesn’t work like that. And now that I can see the value of time and distance, I wouldn’t even want to try.
This experience inspired me to dig out an old manuscript that died on submission in 2018. I’m sprucing it up and hoping that returning to it with fresh eyes will make all the difference.
In other book news:
My memoir Sad Sacked comes out in print June 11. Here’s the cover...
For anyone new here, the book chronicles the period that comes after my husband and I lost our jobs within six weeks of each other. (As I like to say, don't try this at home.) If you’d consider pre-ordering it or asking your library to acquire it, I’d be so grateful.
Speaking of my books, I’m hosting a Goodreads Giveaway this month. Enter here to win one of five signed paperback copies of The Perfect Neighborhood.
What I’m listening to & reading
So far 2024 has been a big year for Irish Rachels, lies, and dysfunctional friendships and families.
First the Irish Rachels:
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
Set in Cork, this novel follows Rachel and her best friend, James, as they navigate complicated relationships. Filled with humor and heart, I loved it—so much so that I gave it to a friend for her birthday.
Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes
This is my first Marian Keyes novel and it definitely won’t be my last. It was recommended by a friend, and the characters are so richly drawn and parts are so laugh-out-loud funny, it made me think I should shut my laptop and never write again. It’s divided between New York and Ireland and follows Rachel, whose family sends her to rehab and it’s not quite the “holiday” she has in mind. I listened to the audio, narrated to perfection by Keyes. I highly recommend it.
Now for the lies:
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
This novel probably needs no introduction as it’s gotten tons of buzz. The story follows a con woman with aliases and grifts galore. I listened to the audio and have a question about something that happens near the end. Please get in touch if you’ve read it and are up for comparing notes!
Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering
I received this audiobook as a gift (thank you again, William!) and what a wild ride. If you’d like to read something that makes you glad you’re no longer on the college dating scene, this will do the trick! This novel was made into a Hulu series so I may have to tune in to see how closely it adheres to the book.
On to the troubled families and friends:
Surviving the Wreck by Susan Osborn
This novel explores the way dark secrets haunt a family, pulling some members uncomfortably close together while creating irreparable rifts between others. Osborn’s use of language and imagery is gorgeous and devastating as she masterfully moves from past to present, focusing on scenes that subtly reveal what’s happening behind closed doors. Reading this feels like you’re a passenger in a smooth-riding luxury car that's dangerously close to a cliff with no guardrails in sight.
A Friend Indeed by Elka Ray
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this gripping novel that explores how far you’ll go for a friend. I stayed up way too late reading this story that asks: “Is real friendship possible when your power's so unequal?” Out May 14, you can pre-order it here.
The Widow on Dwyer Court by Lisa Kusel
Racy and riveting, this story features a novelist who gets the ideas for her erotic bestsellers from a very unlikely place. It’s one of those reads that will have you ignoring everything else until you reach that final page. It comes out July 16. Pre-order it here.
Where I’ll be:
Getting ready to query? I’ll present my Taking the Scary Out of the Query workshop at Morris County Library Author Day, Saturday, April 20. If you’re nearby, the event, featuring New Jersey-based authors and illustrators, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I’d love to see you there!
Where I’d like to be:
It’s been a fairly gray winter in New Jersey and I’m longing to travel. Unfortunately, I don’t have any writing retreats booked for this year, but if you’re in the market for one, may I recommend these:
Karbohemia hosted by the wonderful
.June 23 – 28
with guest authors:
Nomi Eve & Leigh Stein
September 22 – 27
with guest authors:
Meg Wolitzer & Natalie Serber
(Wait List Only at this point)
If you want a taste of Karen’s wit and wisdom, subscribe to her hilarious Substack. I’m determined to sell something (other than an organ) so I can justify a trip back to Collioure, France, which was easily one of the most charming places I’ve ever visited.
Leopardi Writing Conference in Udine, Italy
I was extremely fortunate to attend this conference last summer as a guest editor. I loved every moment—from meeting fellow writers to wandering the cobblestones streets in stunning Recanati in search of gelato.
Held July 7- 13, scholarships are available. I often joke that if I can ever sell a book for a large sum, I’m going to start a scholarship for runaway parents who are looking to write in one of the most gorgeous settings imaginable. I haven’t been to Udine, where the conference will be held this summer, but knowing the organizers as I do, I’m sure it’s nothing short of magical.
Time for my obligatory cat photo!
Thank you for reading!
I wholeheartedly agree with the advice but (mostly) casually throw it over my shoulder when it comes to my personal writing. My professional (scientific) writing however... when I'm sending a paper out to a journal, I'm like: perfect! How can they not love it, it is wonderful and also, perfect. The journal normally takes a good while to get back to you, so that's practically the incubation time after which I'll find all kinds of flaws I was blind to before. Oh, those dread-inducing rereads...
Good luck, congrats! and big thanks for subscribing. Let's stay in touch as you're able. All best, ~Mary