Rinda Beach
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Shrunken Manuscript Retreat with Darcy Pattison

5/19/2017

4 Comments

 
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First page of manuscript
At a shrunken manuscript conference, you don’t chant, “Hocus pocus, manuscript focus.”  That’s fiction!  In real life you change your font and shrink your pages preconference.  Magic!  Right?
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My shrunken manuscript
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My workbook
This is my preconference, unmarked, shrunken manuscript of 41 pages, 141 pages in regular font.  At the conference I got Darcy’s book.  I analyzed my story and marked up my pages.  But…it wasn’t magical. Or easy. 

My first try isn’t here…I couldn’t mark a single page.  Not one!  I have a narrative arc, but I couldn’t find it.  I got lost trying to find the antagonist/bad guy…mine’s a thing, not a person.  URGH!!!  Darcy suggested a character arc instead.  Easy, I thought.  It wasn’t!
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This time I finished and have the picture below to prove it.  But…I quickly realized I didn’t know what I was doing.  Exhausted from an early flight,  on information overload, I put X’s where ever Poppy battled insecurities, succesfully or not.  I marked most pages and battled my own doubts.  It felt wrong, but  I marked till I hit page 41.  Then I took my own advice: 1. It’s OK to fail.  You learn more from failure than success.  2. Sleep.  You can think about it tomorrow.  It worked! 
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Second try - character arc
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Third try - narrative arc
The next morning a classmate’s pages showed me what I didn’t understand.  Marking shrunken manuscripts is about highlighting important stuff, and leaving the rest white.  Then you can see chapter book structure VIVIDLY!!!   With a glance, you’ll see where you wrote too much, or too little.  Armed with my new revelations, I marked my 5 strongest chapters.  They’re above in the 2nd picture, below too. I thought 3 other chapters were strong too.  Guess what?  I made my own rules and marked them almost strong.  I was on a roll! 
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Remember my narrative arc failure?  SUCCESS!!!  I marked the problem, 3 attempts, final failure, climax, and solution.  I even figured out the Antagonist (No food).  It’s amazing what sleep, confidence, and the right picture can do!
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First 3 pages of narrative arc
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Key - Narrative arc
This is a shot of my first 3 pages.  Amazing!  I thought they were weak.  I thought I should delete them, but I changed my mind when I looked at the marks and listened to my writing group!  I read Susan, Kim, and Jodie’s manuscript preconference, and they read mine.  They helped me see my first chapter was worth saving, and they helped me design a renovation plan.    
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The second picture is my manuscript key.  After 4 arcs, I really understand shrunken manuscripts.  Experience is a great teacher!  Now for my next challenge… marking my character arc.  I think…I’ll tackle it…tomorrow!
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Retreat Photo
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Retreat house & conference center
This is my retreat class picture.  We all left feeling hopeful, that someday, our manuscripts will be published.  Working alone, as a group, and as a class helped us find our own problem areas, then design action plans to solve them, AKA homework.  There’s nothing like designing your own homework! 
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There’s also nothing like hanging out with Darcy Pattison and a dozen prepublished writers like me!  Thank you for a great retreat and birthday weekend, for homework, and for getting Poppy’s story one step closer to publication!  I would do another retreat in a heartbeat, even on a holiday weekend!
4 Comments
Darcy Pattison link
5/23/2017 06:52:04 am

Rinda:
You did the hard work - thinking about your story. I set up the possibilities for you to learn and grow, but you're the one who did it!
Can't wait to see Poppy's story in print!
Darcy

Reply
Rinda Beach
5/23/2017 01:49:19 pm

Darcy,
I love words, and yours mean a lot. Thank you! Now, back to my retreat homework and getting Poppy published.
Encouragement is priceless!
Rinda

Reply
Kristen C. Strocchia
6/3/2017 04:10:03 am

Hi Rinda,
What a great weekend! So many wonderful story revelations for us all. And so great to meet you there.
Blessings,
Kristen =)

Reply
Rinda Beach
6/3/2017 10:40:24 am

I agree! There's something wonderful about being with people who love stories.
Happy Writing,
Rinda

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    When I write, I can only have one voice in my head, mine.  A little noise is fine.  But too much, or worse yet, WORDS, and I must change rooms or pull out headphones.  Then I can write on!

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  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • BOOKS
    • LAKE FUN FOR YOU AND ME
    • NEIL ARMSTRONG'S WIND TUNNEL DREAM
    • Zoe's Scavenger Hunt Fun
  • Contact
  • For Kids
  • My Reads
  • Speaking