Season 2, Episode 43: Awkward!
IN THIS EPISODE
Abby wants to know - what do you do when you're done with revising your manuscript? It's rarely in pitchable shape after your first round of revisions. Kemlo says that every revision seems to get a little faster, as we get better and better at revising. For Abby, in particular, parts of this draft feel like the first draft because there's a lot of new material. Does it now need a fresh pair of eyes?
During Author Accelerator's open call, Coffee Talk, many writers have asked if they need to switch coaches after the first draft. Abby let them know that we changed to Kemlo for the revision. It helped her see the holes that Jennie and Abby couldn't see because they'd been over the first draft so many other times. Kemlo could see the holes in Abby's story because she read it for the first time, and the "curse of knowledge" rule definitely applies here. Different coaches, editors, even critique partners have different strengths, and all have something to add in reviewing your draft.
Abby's got concerns about getting the awkwardness of a love interest (and also the embarrassment of preteens) down on the page. Kemlo suggests she look towards Mel's kissing scene (that Mel is actually trying to age up, and reduce awkwardness!) for some good examples.
In their online book club, Abby's friend and Author Accelerator book coach Jocelyn Lindsay was watching the superhero show "The Boys" and suggested the group watch it for tips on cause and effect. Abby ended up watching the first episode with her friend Paul and her dad-- and inadvertently had to sit through a graphic sex scene between the two of them. Now THAT is awkward!
Kemlo suggested Chuck Wendig's post on what makes YA, YA - He says YA isn't just for teenagers. It involves a lot of content many people wouldn't assume is for teenagers. It's a good read on genre and content in general.
In regards to writing sex scenes or awkward scenes in general, take romance writer Michelle Hazen's advice: write your scene knowing no one else will read it, and throw it away. And then write it again. And again. And again. Over and over, until you become comfortable with it, and until it's something you actually enjoy reading. And as Abby told Mel about her potential sex scene: you don't have to play by the rules if you don't want to - if it fits in your story, it can work!
“Whenever you don’t go far enough, it’s because you’re afraid of something - you’re afraid of going too big, doing too much, taking it too far.”
