Second attempt: Conflict with Betas

I tried posting a thread and AW booted me out as I clicked post. So let's try this again, shall we?

Two months ago I sent out my completed ms to 10 beta readers. All loved it. All gave it high praise, except for the occasional grammatical oopsie. Most of that came from writing it all in present tense then switching to past. Aside from grammatical oopsies there were three other issues.

Reader 1) Felt like he jumped into the middle of the story not the beginning. At the time that statement was made he hadn't gotten past the first couple of chapters. I don't know how much of this I should take to heart.

Reader 2) Did not feel for the heroine until chapter three. That is when all hell brakes loose. She didn't love or hate the character but did feel compelled to read on. Later in the book the heroine was able to get through to this reader and give her a good solid cry and made her laugh up to that point. Bonus, right?

Reader 3) Felt as if she were reading book 2 rather than book 1. She also stated that there was not enough backstory. Honestly, this beta has given me a lot of problems. No return phone calls. No return emails. She basically blew me off for the last two months until today. I do not know if she actually read it all but I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

The others hooted and hollered about how much they loved my work. They can't wait for book 2.

Two of my readers are in the publishing business; one if a critic, the other was an editor before she got cancer. When I put this issues in front of them they did not see them as issues at all. They stated the flow was great. I grabbed their attention and made them hold on tight with each word.

I guess I am wondering how others take advice from their readers. I tend to take advice well but I think I went with too many readers and now don't know what to fix and what not to worry about, all grammar oopsies aside. The ironic question is, I am asking for more advice.

Thank you very much, Orion.

Sorry about leaving those tidbits out. My first attempt to post was eaten by cyberspace and I was in a rush to get as much on here as possible. There was a lot I forgot to mention in my rush.

The ms is complete. Before sending it out I revised as much as I could before my eyes crossed. Meaning, I revised the book twice. The first time I took out the old red pen and edited the hard way while I read out loud. The second time was more basic with the computer. Adding or subtracting bigger clumps here and there.

I feel I am ready to start querying. I think I am just a little leary of making ubber changes. I like what I've written and others have as well. But those few comments have me doubting myself a little. I know I cannot make everyone happy. People have their own quirks with what they like and don't like. Perhaps my fear is that the comments were about the first couple chapters.

On top of which, I am grateful for my readers. Like I said I was in a rush typing this out. The first version was far more detailed. Every time I spoke with or attempted to get in contact with the readers I let them know how much I appreciated their help. Please do not think me rude and disrespectful. Maybe one of the reasons I feel conflicted is because I couldn't satisfy them fully.

I really appreciate every comment. That scardy cat feeling is withdrawing with new dedicated resolve.

And D, those questions were a tremedous help.

Thanks
~Colleen

Thanks Samantha, I will keep that in mind for future posts.

Sunandshadow, I've been thinking about moving the backstory to the front making it more yam-bam-thank you-ma'am. The only thing stopping me is that there is a seven year gap. It's a vampire story and the backstory talks about how she was sired and how her mother died. She's a young vampire and the seven year gap is because there really wasn't much that happens that pertains to the series. Just a lot of wondering and hiding. The heroine was sheepish after she became a vampire. The story picks up as her and her comrads are going to a meeting. After the meeting is where her life takes a sharp turn since she became a vampire.

Right now I reveal the backstory is rather magical kind of way. I'm worried if I change it that could lessen the relationship between her and the hero. It was an important bounding moment.

(As for the commentless reps, I have no idea why there was nothing stated. I remember leaving comments in every rep I've made. Now that it has been awhile I cannot recall what it was inregards to. I either laughed or agreed with something you said.)

I apologize if I have given any wrong or whiney-like empressions.(And I mean this in the nicest way no sarcasm) This is my first manuscript. I don't have a writing group or a critique group. I'm trying to figure this out on my own. Between this site and a couple yahoo groups I really don't have contact with writers. I've tried finding local groups but there doesn't seem to be any. Libraries, bookstores, college campuses; there was none to be found. The closest affiliations to me are two hours away.

The critic is a friend of mine and has been fo many years. Bouncing things off him was as close to a writing group as I've got. As for the editor, that was a complete suprise to me. She is a friend of my husband from his youth. He set it up. Had I known she used to be an editor I probably wouldn't have said okay.

All the points everyone has mentioned about what they do with their readers is what I originally intended to do. I've come to realize I had one to many chefs in the kitchen and it fried my brain.

I wanted to make everyone happy. I didn't. It wasn't about ego. I am the type of person that wants to go out of their way to do everything for everyone. I failed. It was my first experience with having people read my work. My skin has thickened. I know now the path I have to take.

Thank you for help. I did come off wrong in this thread and for that I apologize.