Friday, January 15, 2010

Friday Find: A Writing Exercise from Midge Raymond

Each issue of Midge Raymond's e-newsletter for writers includes a writing exercise, and I really love the one she sent out this month. Essentially, she suggests that you write a review of your current project, whatever the genre:
"Take a step back from the work and try to see it objectively. Write the review as if the piece is already published, and be honest in terms of what works and what doesn’t (adopt the style of your favorite book reviewer if this helps you get some distance). Be specific — cite examples, quote from the work itself — and then put it away. Wait a week, then take out the review and look it over. Pay attention to what it tells you about your project: first, where you are, and second, where you’d like to be."
I'm going to give it a try. How about you?

Meantime, enjoy the weekend. See you back here on Monday!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

That is one I've never heard and really, really like. When I first got a job as a copywriter, I felt like my first ad was perfectly polished and leaped up to show it to the Creative Director. Then, as I stepped over the threshold of his office, it seemed as if millions of thoughts flooded my brain: "I should have said this," "I should have written it that way..." In other words, I was suddenly seeing what I'd written though someone else's eyes, before he'd even seen it. Have always remembered that and forced myself to put things aside for at least one day and then look at it again. With fresh eyes and not from that place that is completely identified with the writing.

Laya Bajpai said...

I think this is one of the best suggestions I have ever come across. A sure way of seeing your article from an objective point of view. Erika, I second you, I'm definitely going to try it. I also intend to subscribe to her newsletter.

Erika D. said...

Isn't it great? I'm so glad that you two like it as well.