Okay, I know you're now on a diet and exercising to shed those holiday pounds. So what about your mind? Have you exercised your mind lately? Have you stretched yourself as a writer or have you gotten lazy.
Recently, I received a rejection letter that not only said I was using the "same old" plot devices, but that my writing was repetitive. Hmmm...that was a new one. Yes, I admit I used the "same old" plot devices, mistaken identity, etc...but this publishing house is known for wanting the same ole same ole. I tried to write something they would want...I should have put a Cowboy instead of a doctor and they probably would have bought it.
But the repetitive part made me think about my writing. I also read a new author and her sentences jumped off the page at me and I immediately knew mine didn't do that. Hmmm...I contemplated, have I become a lazy writer? Am I just putting the words down on the page trying to reach the end?
I work very hard on plot, characterization, but what about sentence structure? Word choice? How much time is spent on making sure I get just the right nuance on the page?
