Constructive Criticism

As an aspiring writer, the most important element into success is getting feedback. Feedback helps your pieces of art grow strong. It is all in how we acquire feedback that makes our writing effective. The type of feedback I wish to discuss is called "constructive criticism". Constructive criticism serves to help us know what is working and what is now and also acquire the proper information and knowledge to improve upon our writing.

Now bare in mind that constructive criticism does not just apply to writing, but to many other fields as well. I wish to discuss this because as I may have informed you all last July that I am doing workshop, which requires constructive criticism. I feel this is something important because lately I have been finding people, who sorely lack on the ability to provide effective constructive criticism. I will not be mentioning names or pointing fingers. I am simply here to help enlighten those who are ignorant and desire to know.

The word "criticism" does not have a very nice ring and in most cases it does, but "constructive criticism" is not as negatively condescending as one might believe. Constructive criticism is both the positive and the negative.

When doing workshops in college, my professors had each student give feedback on what was working. All the positive responses first, giving the writer a small boost of confidence in his or herself as a writer. Then we went about addressing what didn't work.

The part many people forget to do is provide positive feedback. Positive feedback is as equally as important as the negative or what didn't work the writing piece. If you fail to give back positive feedback or any sort of positive response, than the writer can easily find themselves shaken up and decide to put down the pen altogether. This is not what you want when giving constructive criticism. It isn't always going to be easy mind you because sometimes we do stumble upon pieces that probably need a lot more work than others. Even then you must provide positive feedback, try the overall idea or plot that you are sort of able to pick out through awkward sentences and confusing dialogue.

For those on the receiving end of this type of criticism must be aware that yes it will still be painful and little hurtful, but no one who is providing you with constructive criticism is trying to hurt you. Despite the unpleasantness you may feel, trust me it will all be worth it. Remember getting your shots is painful too, but they keep you safe. No pain, no gain. Just keep in open mind and you don't need to respond right away to someone's feedback. Step away, cool yourself down, relax, and then refocus on your work with a clearer head.

Writing Workshop

I know it has been a while since I last blogged here. The reason behind it is simple. I was still drafting with no end in sight. Being a writer is not an easy task and it isn't simply because it is hard to get publishers to publish your work, it is because it is often a lonely profession. True finding a publisher is difficult, but so is the latter.

I have felt alone, lost in a sea of writing and storytelling, but with no port to dock at. Not a single lighthouse to be seen. So in truth there was no real news to give, till now.

Yes I have found a lighthouse. I have a friend who is also working on her own writing. She does not have the same goal has mine, but we both want to tell our stories to the world. Regardless, these stories need a lot of attention, care, and nurturing.

Through friendship and common goals, we decided to workshop each other's work. Allowing your work to go through work shopping, helps strengthen your writing and to learn how to become a better writer or story-teller.

Keep in mind these workshops aren't always going to go the way you think because here is where your work really comes for inspection like a person would go to a doctor to make sure their health is good. Your work goes through various types of feedback, including constructive criticism. Constructive criticism isn't easy to hear or handle, but it is essential if you are want to do right by your work.

So this is where I am at the current moment. I will keep you all posted on latest news.

Change of Pen Name: Celtic to Tano

So old visitors may be a bit surprised seeing the name Tano now instead of Celtic. Well, it is still the same person. I am changing my pen name. Making a pen name is not easy. There are so many things that define you as a person, but at the same time you want a name that works and sometime you have specifications like how long the name is going to be, maybe the initials will be similar to someone close to you, or you want something close to your real name, but not too close. These things can make it complicated.

The only thing that is changing here is the last name from Celtic to Tano. I am choosing the name Tano because it is the last name of one my favorite characters: Ahsoka Tano. She is a character from the Star Wars The Clone Wars TV series as well as in Star Wars Rebels. The name Tano works better, it falls off the tongue better. Nicholas Cage also did something similar with last name.

Anyways, so now my pen name will officially be Angela Tano. I know what you all are thinking. That I will change it again, but I think there is a slim chance of that. Celtic was name I picked because I am into the Celtic culture and it still bore the initials of my birth given name. It wasn't a bad name, but it just didn't work as well as I liked. Later, I thought about wanting to somehow incorporate Ahsoka into my life. So I thought of it becoming the last name to my pen name.

It is by far the better name and I love it.

Writing vs.Typing

From various sources it finally occurred to me the value of handwriting a story as well as the value of typing. In the old days, before the computer, authors wrote all their stories by hand. It was a long process. Everything was handwritten. J.R.R. Tolkien took twelve years of his life to write Lord of the Rings. Even this era, authors still choose to hand-write their stories. I could never fathom why when a computer is so much easier and faster.

I have always understood for a very long time that it is important to write down notes rather than type them because it syncs better in memory. This I have followed. But little did I know till now, that writing for even stories has great value too. It forces your mind to slow down and think slowly through it. With a slowed mind, the focus on sentence structures, descriptions, and emotions come out onto the page far better than if you type it. I have tried this yesterday, so I know. The only downside to writing is that it is slower than a computer.

In the beginning of my writing career, hobby, or whatever you want to call it, I typed all my stories. I loved it. It was fast and I was able to take the whole story in my head out on to paper in no time. I felt no restraints in the writing process, except here and there in terms of where the story will go. However, the downside here is as mentioned above, there are areas where I am lacking detailed description. Maybe I could written a sentence better or I need more emotion here.

Through careful analysis and practice of both tools, I have understood that both are valuable. For me, I need to type first to get it out of my head. Once that is done, my head relaxes. So my second draft from now on will be a hand-written version. Third will be a combination of the two drafts, but back to typed.

This is my decided method, but each person is different and therefore their approach will probably be different. Both practices are important and very useful. How they will work for you? Well, that my friend, is entirely up to you.

Ready to Publish!

Sometime two weeks ago I finished my final draft and last week I finished my look over. The only thing I have to do now is to publish, but before I do that I need people to read over it. Then the real challenging work begins: finding a way to publish.

I have heard many countless tales of authors having to go through millions of rejection letters before finally one decided to publish their story. The one thing they always tell rising authors is not to give up, but to keep going, keep plowing your way through because one will eventually accept your work.

There is still a long way to go before we ever see it on the shelf of Barnes and Nobles, but that dream is closer than it ever was before. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. Yes, I have to follow Dory's simple, but powerful words of wisdom till I get there.

In the meantime, I have started working on the second book. What!? Yes, the second one. Lot of authors start on the sequel once they are done and have sent the first one in for publishing. So the process moves along quickly. By the time the first is released, the sequels will not take so long to get published after the prequel. Of course I will stop the sequel when I find a publisher and goes through the editing process. But it will recommence once the first is taken care of and on its way to the shelf.

This is all the news for now. Sorry for the delay, I've had a very difficult year in 2015, but 2016 is a new year filled with infinite possibilities with my hope rekindled once again.

The Progress of Drafting

Drafting is perhaps one of the most essential things a writer must do. It is perhaps harder than writing the first draft. I have probably said this before, but repeating it now only helps reinforce the knowledge.

I am currently on my third draft. After taking a writing class and getting someone to critique it really helps move the job along smoothly. As I was working I have also analyzed the different variations of the drafts.

Draft 1: This is the free-writing draft. This is where whatever format and structure you have the story in your is what will come out on the pages. I admit it is not easy, but it has to be done before any other finer works of it can be done. If you want to make a sculpture you will need the material you wish to sculpt: ice, cement, wood, bush, etc.

Draft 2: This is the carving stage where you get the outline for your story. True there is a sort-of-a-plotline in the first draft, but the second one is liking taking out the unnecessary stuff or adding the needed stuff. If any of you have seen cake boss or do fine custom baking than you will know than when your cake is baked you will have shave or trim off some of the cake to put the fondant on.

Draft 3: This is the polishing time. You clean out and work on all the writing formats, grammar and so forth. This is where you really start seeing the story coming together, sort of. You treat this like a final draft, but it may not be the final draft.

This is my analysis as of now. This could change as I progress further. Of course, each person has their own method of accomplishing the same thing. So my way may not be your way. This is what I am getting out of it and I hope it helps whoever is reading this.

The Fellowship of the Writers

I apologize for the long period. It has been some trying past months. I have recently taken a creative writing course on fantasy and young adult literature. It just ended last Monday. I have learned quite a bit on how to continue with writing my novel. I am on the third draft now and I am able to approach far better than before. There are two things I have learned and I wish to share them with you all:

1. Exercise - Any skill or ability we have is our weapon or tool in to survive in this world. Like any weapon or tool, they need to be sharpened in order to work properly and effectively as well as to make the stronger. Working out helps athletes keep their good shape and help them succeed in their fields. Writing is similar, but instead of a gym you have a journal or something to keep writing almost everyday. Also there are exercises to help strengthen your story writing too. If you wish to know specifics then ask me below and I will find a way to provide them.

2. Companionship - Find others who also share the same interest. Not just in writing, but in your writing genre. If you are into writing romance novels than you need to be around people who like to write romance novels too. I like fantasy and writing high fantasy. So I have to find people who want to write high fantasy too. Here I have succeeded, well not fully yet, but almost.

Hope all your summer fun is going well. Happy Independence Day to my fellow United Americans!