Beta Purgatory

I love my critique partners. I love my beta readers. I would be nowhere without them.

One beta reader in particular, I can always count on for honesty, clarity and humor. She has an amazing eye for how everything fits (or should fit) into the big picture.

But, everyone can have a bad day (or week, or however long it takes to read a friend’s manuscript).

In the past, I appreciated her humorous way of pointing out character or plot inconsistencies. Her comments made me laugh and took a little of the sting out of the criticism.

The last time she read a manuscript for me, however, was different. The humor had more of an edge and made the criticism sting more. I couldn’t get through her comments. They made me so mad that I had to close the document by page 40.

I know how great a reader she can be, though, so I didn’t want to give up on her critique. But it took me weeks to get through her comments, and also the help of another beta reader who read the critique and was able to see past the wrapping to the golden ticket hidden with the unusually bitter chocolate bar.

The bottom line is, my friend had amazing insights into my manuscript. My story will be better for her having read it. And yes, I would ask her to beta-read for me in the future.

So, my friends, remember that there is a breathing, feeling, insecure person on the other end of the manuscript you’re critiquing. I’m not saying you have to sugar coat anything. I’m not saying you shouldn’t point out the problems. But give a little thought as to how your comments might be received.

And, my friends, when you’re reading someone’s feedback, remember he or she is also a breathing, feeling, possibly insecure person with who-knows-what issues of his or her own to deal with that could be coloring his or her comments. Do your best to ignore what hurts and get to what helps.

In the comments, please share any other advice you have for dealing with difficult critiques.

Ciao.

May Updates

Sprite finished the 10 Captain Underpants books and has gone back to the Magic Tree House books. He’s currently reading #25, about Shakespeare. He’s looking forward to giving the first Harry Potter a try this summer, since his brother started Harry Potter at this age.

A-Read is taking a break from Lord of the Rings. He finished a historical fantasy about the Three Musketeers and is now reading a MG fantasy (The Shadows from The Books of Elsewhere series). He’s halfway through and told me last night that it’s great. He’s looking forward to reading the last Harry Potter this summer.

I’m reading Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein. I gave in to the pressure, even though I didn’t really want to read yet another book about World War II. I’m about halfway and I’m very glad I gave in. The research is astounding and the main character definitely has my attention. My stomach twists in anticipation of the plot twists to come.

As for writing, I’m working on a couple of freelance projects and revising a YA novel.

How’s your May?

A-Read Update

So now that Sprite is a regular reader (currently working on the 10th Captain Underpants), it’s time for an update on A-Read (almost 10 years old). Here’s a list of his recent reads:

The BFG, Roald Dahl
The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings, Book 1), J.R.R. Tolkien
Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Steve Sheinkin
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling

Next on his shelf:

The Last Musketeer, Stuart Gibbs
The Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere, Book 1), Jacqueline West

So as usual, he’s into fantasy (with a brief foray into non-fiction). But within that broad genre, he’s into a little bit of everything.

What’s on your shelf?

Tsavo Pride Release Blitz

Author Laura Diamond had such a blast sharing her PRIDE series with you that she’s decided to self-publish a spin-off short story. Set in 1890’s Kenya and based on the man-eating lions of Tsavo, this young adult paranormal short has a decidedly horroresque bent to it.

Rogue shapeshifters, Santamo and Legeny, believe they are kings blessed with the power to shift into lions. Using that strength, they brutally defend their land from the British building the Ugandan Railroad that threatens their way of life. On a particularly ruthless raid, Santamo meets his match—Naserian. He spares the girl’s life, a move that fractures his relationship with Legeny and blurs his visions of cleansing his territory of invaders.

While the pile of bones in Santamo and Legeny’s cave grows, so does Santamo’s attraction to Naserian. When she challenges him to give up his murderous ways, will Santamo stay on the path of death he believes is his duty, or will he choose Naserian, and love?

TSAVO PRIDE is NOW AVAILABLE via Amazon for $0.99! Amazon Prime members can borrow it for free.

About Laura Diamond: 

Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist and author of all things young adult paranormal, dystopian, and horror. Her Young Adult Paranormal Romance novelette, NEW PRIDE, and novel, SHIFTING PRIDE, debuted late 2012 from Etopia Press. A spin off short story based on the lions of Tsavo, TSAVO PRIDE, is now available. A short story, CITY OF LIGHTS AND STONE, is in the DAY OF DEMONS Anthology by Anachron Press and another short, BEGGING DEATH, is in the CARNAGE: AFTER THE END Anthology Volume One by Sirens Call Publications. Forthcoming novels include a young adult adventure, ZODIAC COLLECTOR, and young adult dystopians, ENDURE and EVOKE. When she’s not writing, she is working at the hospital, blogging at Author Laura Diamond–Lucid Dreamer and renovating her 225+ year old fixer-upper mansion. She is also full-time staff member for her four cats and a Pembroke corgi named Katie.

Find Laura Diamond on the web:

Blog
Twitter
Facebook Author Page
Website
Amazon author page
Author’s Den
Goodreads author page

My Littlest Reader

I knew this day would come. I knew someday my younger child would love to read. He spent almost 7 years watching his family read and talk about books. When he started learning to read, I knew it was just a matter of time. But it hit me the other day, when he woke up at 5:30 AM to go to the bathroom and then decided to read instead of going back to sleep, that he had arrived.

He is a reader like the rest of us.

So now, he finally gets his own nickname on this blog: Sprite. I think it captures his cuteness and his sense of wonder.

What book had Sprite reading so early in the morning? Captain Underpants #8. Sigh. 

He also loves the Magic Tree House books, but he stopped at #18 to finish up the Captain Underpants series. Despite my discomfort with the subject matter (I will NEVER understand the intense humor in potty situations), these books have helped him jump three reading levels in a couple of months. And I know that as soon as he finishes book 10, he’ll go back to the Magic Tree House books. He even has the next several already waiting on his bedside table.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll update you on A-Read’s current reading list. In the meantime, what’s your child’s favorite book you love to hate?

(Oh, and Happy Poisson d’avril!)

Finding a Good Book

I’ve had a much harder time lately finding something I want to read. In some cases it seems to have to do with changing tastes. I may have enjoyed a book one to three years ago, but now that the next book in the trilogy is out, I’m no longer interested.

In other cases, the premise of the book interests me enough to start reading but I don’t make it past the first few chapters. Sometimes, I make it to the end of the book because I’m curious about how it all turns out even though I haven’t enjoyed the reading experience, but I won’t pick up the sequel. Below are the common reasons.

• The beginning doesn’t hook me and doesn’t live up to the promise of the jacket flap.
• The writing is poor. Too much passive voice, the voice doesn’t match the age of the character, repetitive words. (This occurs in both indie-published and traditionally-published work, as do all of the reasons listed here.)
• I can’t relate to the main character.
• The main character doesn’t change by the end of the book, or s/he doesn’t solve what seems to be the story problem.

On the other hand, desperation has led me to take some chances in choosing reading material, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Some gambles pay off.

So, my piece of advice for today is, don’t let all the coal keep you from continuing your search for the diamonds. And of course, as writers, we need to hook the reader from the beginning, write well, make the main character relatable, make sure s/he changes over the course of the story, and s/he must solve the story problem.

What book surprised you recently?

Untellable Release!

I’m pleased to announce the launch of Untellable by Suzanne Lilly.

Suzanne is my friend and critique partner and I’m thrilled that her second book has just been published by Turquoise Morning Press. I only got to read the first chapter of this book, quite some time ago, but doesn’t that cover make you want to dive right in?

About the book:  Aspen Dwyer, recently emancipated from foster care, is searching for a place to hide from a past with secrets too dark to share. Honey Creek, Ohio, presents itself as the best place to start a new life and stay undercover. There she meets Colton Moraine, a man with strong family ties and an even stronger sense of loyalty. His boisterous, loving family welcomes Aspen with warmth she hasn’t felt in years. She’s surprised at how quickly and deeply she falls for Colton. When a dangerous criminal comes to Honey Creek, intent on his revenge against her, Aspen must choose between two options. Should she stay and risk her life and the rejection of the people she’s grown to love? Or should she run again, and leave behind any chance of a happy future?

About the author:  Suzanne Lilly writes lighthearted young adult stories with a splash of suspense, a flash of the unexplained, a dash of romance, and always a happy ending. Her short stories have appeared in numerous places online and in print, and she has placed and received honorable mentions in writing contests. Her debut novel was Shades of the Future in 2011 followed by Untellable in 2012. She lives in Northern California where she reads, writes, cooks, swims, and teaches elementary students.

You may find Suzanne Lilly online at these sites:

Amazon Author page

Website

Blog