About a month ago, my coworker said he was rereading Thanmir War to prep for beta-reading Isto. That surprised me (it isn’t exactly a short book), and I told him to tell me if he comes across anything confusing (since that’s a common issue of mine). He promptly responded, “The first two chapters.”
After I got over the shock, I resigned myself to the truth of the matter. I’ve got a double prologue in Thanmir War, and those were the issue. The first one was added after I yanked out a bunch of world-building aspects and compiled them into a history lesson that a couple of my critique partners at the time really enjoyed. The second one is more applicable to the plot, but it was also written back before I was any good at streamlining the story.
He also pointed out that one battle scene where a character dies has an issue with breaking tension due to how I switched the POVs. *sigh* But at least those were his only primary complaints.
At this point, I’ve rewritten the plot-applicable prologue to cut out excessive backstory and description, and I’ve moved the other prologue to the back as bonus material. Skimming through, I’ve also noticed some wording I can tighten up. The grand plan is to fix the small stuff, and then rerelease Thanmir War a month before I release Isto, probably around June of 2019.
And speaking of Isto, my coworker read the whole book. Twice. You can probably imagine my exhilaration when he told me it consumed his entire attention and he had to finish it in a weekend. He went through it a second time to try to be more critical in his reading, because he was so absorbed with the story the first time. Talk about a boost to the ego.
My other coworker, who was my primary pesterer to finish the darn book and is also beta-reading, tells me he’s on page 3. Hey, I’ll take it! I thought he hadn’t even started reading yet. 🙂
Do you like the flexibility of self-publishing? What are some of the biggest growth areas you’ve seen in your writing? Who would you say are your biggest cheerleaders in this writing business?
That’s great you have such an enthusiastic beta reader! I love my betas. They make me laugh, and they eat up my stories too. The flexibility of self-publishing is awesome. I’m always finding something I want to fix up or polish, and I like that I have the option to do whenever I want.
I love the flexibility of self-publishing, but there’s a lot of work and pressure to get it right.
Growth? Hm… Writing better and tighter from the first draft.
My biggest cheerleaders, besides my readers, are my CPs and (believe it or not) my mom.
That’s great about Isto, and a sure sign your writing is improving. You go, girl!
What a compliment. Congratulations.
You are a master of world building and definitely have a knack for creating characters and stories that are not only unique, but endearing or loathsome, depending on their part in the story. I am at 62% according to kindle. I’m naturally a slow reader, which is aggravating when you have a multitude of books on to-read list.
*blush* Thank you. ^_^
If I’m left to read with my eyes, it usually takes me a while. That’s why I love audiobooks so much. I can listen to a book while folding laundry or cooking dinner!
Hey! Your coworker rereading one of your books is so awesome! Yay! Mega confidence boost 🙂
And yes, I constantly go through my books AFTER they’re published and find things I want to change. #lifeofawriter
At least it was something you could fix – and someone caught it. Awesome that he read the second one in one weekend. You have a winner!
One’s writing does get better over time, doesn’t it? Glad you got some good feedback. (I’m reading. Really. I’ve been slow. I’m sorry. It’s not the book. I’m going to blame it on me being tired, which hopefully won’t last too much longer.)
I hope you get rest! Exhaustion is no fun. And no worries about reading, and no reason to apologize. Really! I’m thankful you were willing to beta read for me. You are awesome!
I love that you’re coworkers are reading your books. That must be so humbling and bit scary too. haha One of my favorite things about being self-published is that ability to go back and edit. It’s also probably why I had to go back three times to correct my own mistakes. I’m a terrible editor. So bad I decided to apologize in advance for my terrible editing. 🙂
Keep rockin’ and rollin’
Elsie
I think the flexibility in self-publishing can be a double-edged sword at times. The traditional route can be slower, but it can also result in more polished books. It all depends on the author’s ultimate end game. If I were writing informative nonfiction or a genre series, I would be more likely to give self-pubbing a go.
A weekend is great credit to the author. I like that you are planning a re-release before the main event.
I’ve had that happen when beta reading for a writing friend. I get so caught up in the story that I forget I’m supposed to be critiquing it. I always take it as a good sign.
What amazing feedback! It’s not easy to find great beta readers like that.
It’s always so awesome when you hear that someone couldn’t put your book down.
I’d say my biggest cheerleaders are my ex, who is still my editor and friend; my best friend; and my boyfriend, who–while not the biggest reader–is always unfailingly supportive and encouraging.
It’s good to have beta readers catch things that you might miss. Glad you hear you’ve gotten such great feedback. That makes it all worth it!
I have feedback coming in on one of my manuscripts in two weeks. It’s going to be a big edit! Ah!
Is Isto totally done, then? 🙂
Yep! It is.