"the pattern (you better have read the boring stuff!"~~Easy Peasy Socks by Stacey Trock
When I last reported on my sock knitting, I did mention I haven't knitted for a while--about thirty years or so. After a couple false starts, I was off and knitting my sock. The cuff was pretty easy. And the heel flap was also not too bad.
Then I reached the heel turn--that curved part that cups your heel--and things ground to a halt. Because of course, I didn't really READ the boring part. I skimmed it. And it seemed easy enough so I dove in.
Four rows later, I was three stitches short. I ripped out the work back to the start of that section and began again, knitting and checking, knitting and checking. And...again, I was three stitches short.
At this point, I decided to read the boring part.
The hunk could tell you I'm mule stubborn, but even I have my limit. It seems there was more to ssk (slip, slip, knit) than was evident at first glance. I found a Youtube clip that showed me exactly what I needed to know. Then it was back to the sock. After I ripped out my work back to that section, I began again--and wonder of wonders--it worked.
Sometimes our writing is like that. We reach a point where the story doesn't work so we delete back to that turning point and begin again. Still doesn't work. Hmmm.
Maybe what we need in another viewpoint--another eye on our work. That's where critique partners or beta readers or heck, even a husband or friend, can help. That other viewpoint can often see and identify where we ran off the road.
Then we can get back on track. It's a matter of asking. And being willing to admit we didn't do the boring stuff.
Well, the heel is turned. Now, I'm off to work on something called a gusset. Who knew socks were so complicated?
anny
4 comments:
Interesting analogy, those sticking points and do-overs can be very frustrating.
Yeah, turning the corners can be tough in socks, writing and life.
How true Anny! I weave and find the exact same challenges! I have learned to read the boring stuff, unless I want to do it over a couple of times. And I would love to find a good critique partner or group. I had one but she didn't work out. Any suggestions?
Oooooh. A weaver! Yes! I have sooooo many questions. But let's put that aside for a moment. Critique partner works best for me. I find groups take too dang long to get back to me. Heck, by then, I've written six more chapters. I also find it helps to have a CP who writes a similar genre. I write "erotic" romance. One of my partners preferred inspirational. She was a lovely lady, but our partnership didn't work out. And finally, it works the best if you both write about the same speed, so one of you isn't bombarding the other with twice as much. :-)
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