One way a writer can advance their craft is to write, write, write. Work those muscles for strength. It's also important to read. When you come across a story you love, break it down. Why did it work for you? Look at the ratio of dialogue to narrative. Look at how the author handled dialogue tags. Were there several POVs? One? Two? Was it in first-person? Third? Mixed? Was there a lot of description or was it heavier on action? Was the author direct or flowery? 

Another way to advance your craft is to work with critique partners who possess different strengths than you do. When they make suggestions, don't blindly incorporate or dismiss them. Analyze those suggestions. Learn from them for the future.

The book I just wrote and turned in is humor and action oriented. The tone does not lend itself to long, in-depth descriptions. In her edits, Cyndi pointed out places where I could cut adjectives (the dreaded 'ly' words!). She also pointed out places where I bogged pacing with extraneous description. For instance I didn't need to say 'the rectangular conference table'. Conference table was enough.

Mary has a keen ear and understanding for how men talk. They think and talk differently than women. More direct. I know that. I've studied it. But, I still get it twisted now and then. Her reminders are always dead on. It's something I continue to work at improving, because that's very important to me. I want the characters to ring true.

Julie rocks in sensuality. She always points out places where I can turn up the heat. All of my books have benefitted greatly from her 'spicy' suggestions.   

The style and tone of The Chameleon Chronicles is direct. Not flowery. That's why it was important to 'write tight'. Less is more. Minimal dialogue tags. When using dialogue tags, a simple 'he said', 'she said' worked best.              

Some more things I learned in the editing process with my CPs. Good and Bad.

The Bad:

I am comma and hyphen challenged.

I have become overly fond of one sentence paragraphs. (Should I have hyphenated one-sentence?)

I start way too many sentences with the word 'And'. (I thought I broke myself of that habit on the last book. Argh. I did not.) BTW, if you're wondering, why is that bad? Simply put, it weakens the sentence.

I sometimes mix tenses. (This is a new one for me. Just one of the challenges of writing in first person.) 

The Good:

I'm funny.

My men are sexy.

My heroine is sympathetic.

My characters have layers.

This story is fast-paced, engaging, and left the reader wanting more.  

I believe that it is important to recognize your strengths and challenges. To learn and grow. No matter your craft. I learned a lot about myself while writing this story. Then again, I learned things on previous books as well. I got a charge out of my CPs input, because I learned how to make the story even better. That's why I am looking forward to, and not dreading, the revision letter from my editor. I just know I'm going to learn something and that, together, we'll make the story even stronger. 

What are your strengths and challenges?   

Beth, great job meeting your deadline, and what a salute to your CPs! And your library comrades. : )

I refuse to go on public record.... Ah, screw it!

Let's see strengths (love to start with the good stuff): usually unique ideas, fast-paced, good dialogue, um... some humor (I have to convice myself I actually am funny yet)

Weaknesses: some pacing, need to give my writing more punch, the "ly" words. And I have the "And" issue too. :-)

B, you are more familiar with my strengths and weaknesses than anyone else. Maybe even me! But I think this is how it is:

Challenges: Writing faster. I love to think about my story a lot now that I'm in "overcoming fear of plot mode." I feel that I am not moving forward fast enough, but I have to remind myself that I am learning my own process right now. I'm trying to pay attention to how I work. I don't want to judge it too harshly right now. I also don't want to say plot is a weakness because it might undermine my working to not be afraid of it. It was a weakness in the past, a blind spot, but I am hoping that it won't stay that way. I guess my next biggest worry will be keeping up the tension. I'll let you know how it goes as I write.

Strengths: Character.

These are great hints and tips - and your pluses very much outweigh your minuses, lol.
I'm dyslexic, and when I read your plus list, I thought it said 'My characters have lawyers'.
LOL

Waving to Charlene! Thank you. I do have an amazing support team. Wahoo!

Jenny, My characters have LAWYERS too. LOL. Just not 'on page'.

Awesome strengths, Bethany. I don't think of myself as funny. But I know from other people's reactions that I have a decent grip on humor. Although what makes one person laugh may be boring or stupid as heck to another person. Yes. Even humor is subjective. As to the 'ly' words, it's east to get caught up in them. When I look back on some of my earlier writing, yikes! I'm much better now, but still have to watch myself. Just remember, make every word count!

Cyndi, you're right. Character development is a major strength with you. You have many, many other strengths. I think your ability to 'write tight' is a huge plus. No doubt you worked that muscle with writing all those short stories! I look forward to following your journey via your blog (and in person!) Fly, Cyndi, fly!

Weaknesses:
English isn't my native language and it sometimes shows. I suck at humour (much as I love reading it, I can't write a single funny scene or even snarky dialogue).

I thought my dialogue is a weakness as well, the characters sounding too alike, but so far my reeaders haven't complained. I sometimes forget to add scenery in dialogue and action scenes.

Strengths:
If I remember to put in some scenery, it's usually pretty good. I'm not afraid to be nasty to my characters, and I can write mean torture scenes. So far I've only written gay sex, but that works nicely - er, hotly . I hope my het scenes will work, too.

I know my history. [Smilie]

Hmm, this makes me think. Strengths: Deep characterization; writing the guys well; quick wit in narrative; good descriptive setting without going overboard. Weaknesses: I struggle with dialogue and feel like I'm trying to shove scenes forward. Plotting ahead so that the writing isn't contrived. Overuse of some words. "So" and "Now" are on my banned list.

Hey! What a great new find. Very inspirational for an aspiring writer like me. I've learned from my critique groups that I use "-ly" verbs too much, but I have an ear for dialogue, and I really am dripping with sarcasm. My little sassy mouth actually works for my characters

Hi gang! I'm at the library...working. :) Just popped in to catch up. Thank you to the brave souls who are contributing to this post. As far as challenges, at least we know what we need to work on, right? So much better than being clueless. As for strengths... I am thrilled that you're listing them because it's too easy to wallow in our faults. Remember to celebrate the good!

Welcome, Yoli! We have a great crew of readers and writers here. Thanks for joining us. Don't be a stranger!

LOL Beth, I too, am comma-and-hyphen-challenged. And I tend to start sentences with "And". And I usually start every story with "And then" or "And so" because the thoughts are so anxious to come spilling out.

lol-I'm amfully fond of commas and semi-colons. My teacher seems to think I use them too much, but I think it really depends on how you read what is written (but there can be TOO many, I guess ). I also tend to favor "and" and descriptive dialogue tags (either way too much info or none at all). I shoud also kick up my writing pace. I do have a wonderful lexicon of words at my disposal, though!

As always, thanks for sharing your writing process!

Strengths: I've been told it's my heroes and sense of humor.

Weaknesses: Description, repetition, description...*g* And many, many more.

I was thinking of writing about my battle with commas (or of the fact I write too many of them) but now I figured out a bigger challenge (one I face this very moment!):

Finding a staifying ending.

I am writing a short TV screenplay (A scary story in fact) and cannot decided the why for the reasons. Why is a ghost haunting them? What would make it satisfying? I don't want a corny, lackluster reason because it would not please. I want a good, solid reason. One that say's "Of course!". Then once I find that answer, the next question is to what happens next: How do they stop the ghost? I believe I can answer this question better if I figure out my first question..uh...first.

In other news: Beth, I did some PR work for you. A friend came to me asking for a book suggestion. "Do you like romance?" I asked. "Yes!" she said. "Then try Beth Ciotta at bethciotta.com!". I feel I did my good deed for the day. I kept forgetting to tell you that in person!

My second battle: Spelling and proper sentence structure (I am, alas, a teen still). Here is my revised paragrah:

I was thinking of writing about my battle with commas (or of the fact I write too many of them) but now I figured out a bigger challenge (one I face this very moment!):

Finding a satisfying ending.

I am writing a short TV screenplay (A scary story in fact) and cannot decide the why for the reasons. Why is a ghost haunting them? What would make it satisfying? I don't want a corny, lackluster reason because it would not please. I want a good, solid reason. One reason that will make people says "Of course!” Then once I find that answer, the next question is “what happens next: How do they stop the ghost?” I believe I can answer this question better if I figure out my first question...uh...first.

In other news: Beth, I did some PR work for you. A friend came to me asking for a book suggestion. "Do you like romance?" I asked. "Yes!" she said. "Then try Beth Ciotta at bethciotta.com!". I feel I did my good deed for the day. I kept forgetting to tell you that in person!

Isn't it great to have CPs who compliment you? And by compliment, I don't mean tell you how great you are, but they have strengths which offset your weaknesses (oops -- started that one with "and" didn't I?)

My strengths: grammar & punctuation, dialogue, and characterization

Weaknesses: description, telling (but I'm getting better!), and I tend to get hung up on certain words (don't we all?).

Good thing I've got great CPs to help me!

Ooh, and I forgot to add humor as a strength! I never really thought I was particularly funny, but my CPs tell me otherwise. :P

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