Coming Out of Hibernation

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. My son's diagnosis with over 50 food allergies gave me a choice: feed him or blog. Thankfully, after a month of research, analysis, and experimentation, I'm beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

 And I'm writing again.

 What a relief! It feels good to have at least a few moments to put words on a page. To dive back into my storyworld. To reconnect with characters I love.

 I've also joined a new critique group. There are five of us, and only two have been writing fiction for long. At first, I was kind of skittish about it. But having non-fiction writers critique fiction is actually a good thing! These amazing ladies are helping me tighten my prose and banish the fluff that inflated my word count.

 My critique groups in the past met monthly. That was hard because so much time passed in between meetings that readers lost the thread of the story, and only twelve chapters a year were critiqued. My new group meets weekly, which keeps me polishing my chapters, plus writing new material because they'll need it sooner than I think.

 I've missed you all. My plan is to post at least twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. See you next week!
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17 comments:

  1. S.M. CarrièreFebruary 21, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    Yay! Welcome back! Also, I hope your son is alright and you aren't completely wiped.

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  2. Andrea MackFebruary 21, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    It sounds like you've had a challenging month! Good to hear your getting the allergy situation under control I'll look forward to more of your interesting posts.

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  3. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 21, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    Thank you both. Yes, it's been one of my biggest challenges, but it's amazing how doing something for a while actually gets a little more 'normal'-- finally. I'm glad to be back.

    ~Debbie

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  4. Dean K MillerFebruary 21, 2013 at 1:31 PM

    Welcome back and nice to hear that life is getting a positive swing to it.

    It's been a while since I've been in a critic group, but I know how valuable they can be.

    Enjoy!

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  5. Evangeline DenmarkFebruary 21, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    Hi Debbie! I'm sorry to hear about your son's allergies. I know that's got to have a major impact on you all. I'm glad things are getting closer to normal at least.

    I, too, am in a new critique group and getting a lot out of it, even though there are only three of us. I love feeling like I'm growing! And it certainly does help to have motivation to finish the chapter, and the next one, and the next one...

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  6. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 21, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    Thanks, Dean & Evangeline. This critique group, though tough, is motivating me to get this WIP done already!

    ~Debbie

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  7. Faith E. HoughFebruary 21, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    Glad to see you back! I hope everything's going more easily with your son!

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  8. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 21, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    Thank you so much, Faith. Things are slowly getting to a new normal.

    ~Debbie

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  9. JDFebruary 21, 2013 at 2:08 PM

    Welcome back! I'm glad things are looking up in terms of your son's allergies. My kids have severe food allergies, so I feel your pain. You end up being loyal to certain brands and grocery items, and becoming an expert on what to look out for.

    And have faith in the nonfiction writers, my friend! :-) IMHO, nonfiction writers are skilled in going straight to the facts and the heart of the matter, so I'm glad to read that your nonfiction critique partners are helping to tighten your prose.

    Be well...

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  10. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 21, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    Thank you so much, Janette. I'm thankful we're not dealing with anaphalaxis, but it's challenging all the same. On the plus side, we're eating so healthy by not buying anything premade. On the downside, I have to make everything. :)

    You're so right about the non-fiction writers. They're helping me slash a novel that I thought couldn't be trimmed any more.

    ~Debbie

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  11. ShelleyFebruary 21, 2013 at 4:19 PM

    Good to see you back at blogging!

    You'll get that novel in ship-shape in no time. ;) We fiction writers need the other side of the coin - non-fiction folks - to keep us on our toes. So thankful for our new group.

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  12. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 21, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    Thanks so much, crit-buddy!

    ~Debbie

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  13. Kenda TurnerFebruary 22, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    Glad to see you back, too, Debbie. What a challenging time you've had, but I do hope things are smoothing out now for your son and the family ;-)

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  14. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 22, 2013 at 11:32 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 22, 2013 at 11:33 PM

    Thanks so much, Kenda! Things are really improving. In fact, I'm at a hotel overnight just so I can write!

    ~Debbie

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  16. Stacy S. JensenFebruary 23, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    Glad you can see light at the end of the tunnel. The weekly group is a great concept. One of my monthly groups had to cancel due to the snow, but we have rescheduled for this coming Thursday. Happy writing.

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  17. Debbie Maxwell AllenFebruary 25, 2013 at 9:13 PM

    Glad you got to reschedule. This time of year, the weather certainly gets in the way!

    ~Debbie

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