Show and Tell (by Margaret Grace)

 
Ann Parker here, Monday's child for the Lady Killers. Today, I'm turning the blog podium over to good friend and talented craft-cozy-mystery author Margaret Grace (aka Camille Minichino). Margaret's fourth book in her Miniature Mysteries series featuring miniaturist/retired schoolteacher Geraldine Porter, Mourning in Miniature, comes out October 6! Hurray! Break out the (mini-)champagne!

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I asked my niece, an expert crafter, how come her pieces always come out perfect. During our recent sessions, she's made miniature flowerpots, pies, photo frames, even a table or two. 

"They're all flawless," I told her.

She smiled. "That's because I never show anyone the first one."

 What restraint! I'm on the other end of that spectrum, whether it's a  miniature (see my first hat and purse, below) or the first pages of a novel. Or just the inkling of a book or article.

I make it; I show it immediately. I write it; I pass it around.   

I belong to a dream critique group, with Jonnie Jacobs, Rita Lakin, and Peggy Lucke, but that doesn't stop me from showing my early drafts, complete or not, to many others: from award-winning Lady Killers author Ann Parker to my watercolorist cousin in Massachusetts and a pharmacist friend in Philadelphia.

I wish I could say that it mattered whether my eclectic mix of "reviewers" are good critiquers (other than my author friends, of course.) My goal is to run every thought and word by as many people as possible before submitting it for publication. Whoever is handy at the time gets to participate.

Say I'm expecting company for dinner at 7 and I have a few minutes to spare before they arrive. I might dash off a short note for a newsletter or a query for a magazine article. When the doorbell rings, I'll print out a few copies to carry to the door. As soon as greeting hugs are over, I'll hand over the sheets.

Old friends are used to hearing, "Can you take a quick look at this?" before "Can I get you something to drink?"

I know authors who won't even tell you the title of their works in progress, let alone show you something they consider unpolished. It makes me wonder why I'm so "out there" with my rough drafts, whether it's a half-painted dollhouse wall or a newly emerging character sketch.

My best guess is that years of doing physics spoiled me for independent work. The early scientists worked alone, but the "big science" that prevailed when I hit graduate school made that all but impossible. My research was built around a 9-foot laser—a poor, distant cousin of the 192-beam laser in Livermore today, but nevertheless a large, expensive, unique piece of equipment that every student in the department worked on. We spun off our individual data and theses, but we worked as a team, helping each other accomplish what no one of us could do alone.

Similarly my first job in Livermore, in high-temperature high-pressure physics, couldn't have been carried out alone in my garage workshop.

So, my first worry about switching to a "writing life" was that I would miss the teamwork. But thanks to the amazing mystery community of readers and writers and several great writing organizations, I'm able to experience the same camaraderie.

And thanks to indulgent friends and family, I'm able to show my flaw-filled drafts before the print is dry.

I'm wondering where you fit on that spectrum. Do you share you writing immediately or hold it close to your vest? How about your first knitted sweater?

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Read more about Margaret and her series at her website: http://www.dollhousemysteries.com/

Comments

[Ann]

I tend to blat those rough drafts around as well... at least until the point that I'm racing toward the end!

[Suzanne Adair]

If I get stuck, I may read portions of a first draft to my immediate family, but usually they see an early second draft. They and a long-time friend are good for commenting on any embarrassing errors without labeling my book idea unpublishable. What my critiquers get is usually a third draft. Earliest publishable form is a fourth draft.

Suzanne Adair
www.suzanneadair.com

[Camille Minichino]

I admire your methodical approach, Suzanne. It makes a lot of sense.

I like Ann's word -- blat those drafts!

[Ann]

... I do think, Suzanne, that this step-by-step approach to disclosure is more the norm (just from what I hear from others).
And yes, I like "blat" too. Reminds me of the sound of a trumpet, slightly out of tune (which is what a first draft usually is!)...

[Jane Finnis]

I discuss plot ideas quite a lot as I'm preparing to write, or even while I'm writing if I get stuck; I find telling someone about how the story goes makes it come alive, and their comments are useful too. But I never show drafts to anybody at all until I've gone over them several times. I may consult someone on the odd phrase. but that's it. I don't want people pulling it apart till I'm happy I've given it, if not my best shot, at least a really good try.

[Camille Minichino]

I'm not sure why my last comments are not appearing -- maybe you'll get 12 of them at midnight!
I wanted to commend Jane for being considerate to her friends and colleagues -- I'm rethinking giving my readers something less than my best shot!

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[Jean Marie S.]

So glad I'm part of the eclectics! xoxo