I don’t know about you, but one of the things that drives me crazy about critiquing pieces for workshop or critique groups is the mountain of paper.  Not only does it mean that a lot of paper gets used in the printing of individual pieces, but it also means that after receiving critique from a group, I end up with piles of paper clogging up my apartment and when it comes to implementing the changes, I have no idea where to start.

To that end, I’ve come up with an almost-paperless method of critique, using my trusty Kindle and MS Word on the Mac.  Why a Kindle, you ask?  Personally, I like the portability of it; I like being able to read critique pieces on the subway or bus.  In addition, I’m not a huge fan of reading pages of text on a back-lit screen and I find the Kindle screen easier on the eyes than other paperless alternatives.

Here’s a step-by-step how-to for using your Kindle to read and comment on workshop pieces.

1. Get the critique piece on your Kindle.  The best way to do this is to convert the piece to a mobipocket file (.mobi) or an Amazon Kindle (.azw) file.  My critique group emails MS Word documents to each other for each submission so all I need is my Mac and a little program called Stanza (which you can download for free on the web).  Here’s how you do it:
        Step 1:  Open Stanza.
        Step 2:  Go to:  File –>; Open –>; [Select the file you want to convert]
        Step 3:  The file should open on your screen.  Now go to: File –>; Export Book As –>; [Select either mobipocket (.mobi) or Amazon Kindle (.azw)] and save file.
        Step 4:  Now just transfer the .mobi or .azw file to your Kindle and you’re ready to read on-the-go.
2. Why a .mobi file?  Why not just a .pdf?  When you open a PDF on a Kindle, the entire page of shows up on the screen meaning that the text is very small. Also, the page is “locked” that way so you can’t make comments using the Kindle’s note-taking function.  If you use a .mobi file (or .azw) it adjusts the text that appears on the screen depending on the size of type you choose.  It also allows for taking notes.
3. Making Comments on the Kindle.  I haven’t figured out yet how to export comments I make on my Kindle back to my computer, but I do find the note-taking function on Kindle useful and I use it like this:
   • I make a note of something using the Kindle note-taking function.
   • Once I’m done reading, I go back and retype the notes in more detail using track changes in MS Word, which I can then email back to my critique buddy.
   • TIP: I delete comments from my Kindle as I go so I know which comments I’ve already done.  When all comments have been deleted from the Kindle document, I know I’ve finished my critique.
   • Finally, I’ll type up a page or two of “big picture” comments which I bring with me to the workshop or critique group meeting.

I’m still working out the kinks in this process, but overall, I’m enjoying not having so much paper everywhere and also having the portability of the Kindle.

Sometimes it feels like getting any writing done is this Big Screaming Deal.  Those are the times when writing feels like work and I need to force myself to sit and hammer out a certain number of words.  A lot of times I end up wasting time, procrastinating, doing everything else I need to do but not writing.  This is because the writing feels like such a insurmountable hurdle that I psych myself out before I even get started. To get out of these slumps, my only solution is to let iggi take over.

iggi Tips for Making Writing Less of A Big Deal

1)  Write NOW.  iggi is impulsive; when it wants to do something, it has to happen right that second.  Thing is, when it comes to writing, iggi has a point; “now” is always the best time.  Instead of waiting for a four-hour block of time to free up before I sit down and write, I’ve started carrying a notebook so I can jot down things in those snippets of time between all the “life” in my life.  While 4 minutes of writing might not be as long as 4 hours, it’s certainly longer than no writing at all.

2)  Make a mess.  I have to learn to embrace the supreme ickiness of my first drafts.  I shouldn’t try to make a masterpiece on my first go-round because masterpieces are hard.  iggi tells me just to throw some words on a page and not be afraid of what comes out.  I can always come back later to revise.

 3)  Me, ME! MEEEEE.  iggi is all about iggi and iggi knows everything.  Trouble with me is that I’ve turned second-guessing into an art-form.  What I need to remember is that even the worst verbal spillage can contain a nugget of something beautiful if I take the time to look.  I have to trust that I’ll be able to find that one treasure amid the junk.

4)  Stuff.  iggi liking stuff. The blank page freaks me out so I’ve had to learn to avoid blank-page-syndrome.  If I’m working on paper, I scribble or doodle on it first.  If I’m working on computer, I put something in the document (quote, prompt, assignment, idea…)  The point is to have something already on the page before I start to write.

In the end, the important thing is that I’m writing, whether it’s fifteen minutes of total garbage or fifteen pages of lyrical goodness.  I will now sign off and go write today’s story.

Happy writing!

Today is just one of those days.  My brain is paralyzed with boredom.  It’s past one o’clock and still I’ve accomplished nothing.  I can’t even seem to think of anything blog-worthy to write about.  So today, I’m letting iggi do the talking.

• Go for a walk.  Boredom can’t get you if you’re a moving target.
• Ask yourself: “Will small children die if I hide under the bed all day and play with my toys?”  Unless you’re some sort of  doctor or rescue worker, probably not.  Then go ahead.  Don’t worry; we won’t tell.
• If you have to be productive, remember that bribery works.  So treat yourself.  To a book.  To a toy.  To a cookie… whatever works.
• Play loud music.  Loud, angry music works best.  Even better, get up and dance around and look stupid (it’s OK to keep the shades drawn while you do this).
• Make up bad words in a secret language all your own.  When something makes you mad or annoyed or just plain bored, yell your secret words.  “You wendagoodle bazzlecrock!”