My Advice To New Writers...

Since I really didn't know anyone in the industry when I began writing, I pretty much was doing all the typical new writer 'no-no's'. I began my novel with a dream, and though my main character is a prophetic dreamer, to begin the novel that way screams newbie! I also used a reflection to describe an appearance, another newbie mistake... And lets not forget my over 'telling' and under 'showing'.

After meeting with other writers and critiquing each other's work, my writing skills have grown significantly. I am writing like crazy... competing in contests for short stories, I've written most of my second novel in the Ewlishash series, and I also am about 50,000 words into a new series. Going back and looking at the way I first wrote, well... Let's just say the improvement is very noticeable!

For any of you who are new to writing and might want to publish one day, I offer this advice... Join a writing group! Also attend any conventions where you can ask questions to other authors, agents, or publishers. It makes a huge difference. Even if you are just writing for yourself and have no intent to publish, it is still very fun and helpful to get other's feedback.

One thing I kept hearing, and still hear, is concern that someone will give negative feedback. But truly, none of it is negative. Unless you view improving something as bad... Getting critiqued really offers the chance to express yourself more effectively.

So please, to all of you who have expressed concern over the critique process, know that it will only help you improve and everyone, even published authors of many years, get edited...  Plus, you get to feel good about all the successful aspects of your novel!

Afraid of a Paper Face

This morning I had the most bizarre dream... Normally when these things happen, I intentionally fall back asleep and re-dream the parts that bothered me. This morning, however, offered  no such convenience and has therefore been on my mind all day.

What's this odd dream you might be thinking? It's rather silly, but here it goes...

I was at my parents' place, standing in their front yard while a woman I did not recognize picked flowers with me to make a bracelet. But the wind picked up very fast, and before we knew it, we could hardly stand. I could hear trees breaking, and though I could not see them, they sounded like they were going to land on us.

We ran toward the garage to get out of the way, but as I turned to close the door behind me, I saw a woman with a dark blueish cloak and a piece of paper for her face. I do not mean she had a blank expression, or a face without eyes or mouth, it was seriously a sheet of paper where her face would have been.

Doesn't seem scary right?

WRONG! :-)

I have no idea why, but the woman with the paper face terrified me. In the dream, I tried to shut the door on her, but there were two doors (not in the actual house, just the dream) so when I hit the button to close the door, it began to open the second set of doors. I quickly hit lock again and shut the woman out.

So here's my conclusion... 

I feel this woman had something to do with me, maybe an aspect of myself that I am unaware of, or afraid of facing, but immediately upon waking, I felt irritated with myself for not letter in this paper lady. What if she had been there to help? Now, I will never know.

Either way, this serves to remind me that sometimes the thing we fear the most, is the unknown. I know what the traditional types of dream symbols mean, but this felt different. Any opinions or interpretations? I gladly welcome them. :-)