I, like many writers I know, find it hard to like my own work. Every time I look at a piece, from first edit through finished and sometimes even published product, I can’t help but focus on all the things that need to be fixed. Unlike many of my writer friends, however, this actually makes weathering critique easier for me. Usually their critique is less harsh than my own so I come out feeling pleased that the work is better than I thought.
Not so for my novel Anatomy. Unlike nearly everything I’ve ever written, I love this novel. I love the structure. I love the writing. I love the voice. I love the story and all its glorious plotlessness. All of which makes me way too invested.
Because I feared having my illusions of novel loveliness shattered, it took me five years to show it to anyone. Her response convinced me that it might be okay to share it with others, so last night I workshopped the first third of the novel for the first time.
The week between sending it out and receiving feedback I was a mess. Does the structure work? Does the choppy writing style work? Is the main character sympathetic, despite her extreme limitations? And most importantly, will they like it?
The good news is, the group believes the answers to all those questions is a resounding yes. The better news is that the feedback they gave, some of which was relatively major, a) rang true and b) did not tarnish my love for the book.
The second third is due to the group on Monday, so I need to get polishing and try to incorporate the feedback they gave. I also need to do some serious thinking about that lack of plot. Regardless of whether the story actually needs it spelled out, I at least need to know what it is to make sure the story is true to what it needs to do.
