Read books by AWers!

Welcome to the AbsoluteWrite Water Cooler! Please read The Newbie Guide To Absolute Write

editing for authors ad

A publisher or agency using Google ads to solicit your novel probably isn't anyone you want to write for.


Go Back   Absolute Write Water Cooler > Writing Genre > Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Reload this Page Auxesis April 500 words/day-all genres welcome
Register FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
Page 5 of 12 1234 5 67891011 Last »
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-12-2012, 06:37 PM   #101
wonderactivist
move along, nothing to see here
 
wonderactivist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Great Plains
Posts: 1,828
wonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for President
Quote:
Originally Posted by heyjude View Post
I'd like to point out that this post isn't in iambic pentameter. ::shakes head sadly::
I am only good for iambic pentameter once a day. What do you think I am, a poet?
Three hundred words of hesitation rip
her practiced cold detachment into shreds.
__________________



Distortion is out now for Kindle, Nook and in Paperback from Buzz Books USA.
I tweet @luciesmoker and blog at reverse perspective.
wonderactivist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2012, 11:59 AM   #102
Shara
Fix it in the Rewrite
 
Shara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Posts: 984
Shara is a shiny, shiny jewelShara is a shiny, shiny jewel
1,280 words this morning!
__________________
My blog: http://sayssara.wordpress.com/


MY BOOKS:
Shara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2012, 03:13 PM   #103
heyjude
Making my own sunshine
AW Moderator
 
heyjude's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gulf coast of FL
Posts: 14,085
heyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
705 yesterday. Much fun. I love a good sociopath.

Uh, in fiction. Mostly.
heyjude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2012, 05:20 PM   #104
muse
standing on head, typing one-handed...
 
muse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,660
muse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
What kind of torture, Muse? How about bamboo slivers under her fingernails?
Quote:
So, I'm giving up. Muse, I hope your torture works out :-)
The torture didn't work out as planned. The character got drunk instead, and it's very hard to torture a drunk person. Well, unless you withhold their drink, but I doubt she would have noticed. Grrrr, I hate it when a plan falls apart.

625 words last night and this morning.
muse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2012, 07:00 PM   #105
Ken Hoss
My alter ego
 
Ken Hoss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Right behind you
Posts: 3,034
Ken Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for President
Sorry the torture didn't work, Muse. You do have one more chance though. You could always wait until the next morning when this character is suffering from the obligatory hangover.

Got a meager 518 yesterday, and close to wrapping up the chapter. At this rate, this book won't be out until late summer.
__________________

For Kindle and in paperback

Ken Hoss - Author
Ken Hoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2012, 11:17 PM   #106
kaitie
Bow before the laser screwdriver
 
kaitie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: The land of the rising sun.
Posts: 9,453
kaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentskaitie is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Been doing some notebook writing today, and while I don't know how many words, it's 3 pages so far, so probably around 700? Still working, but not sure if I'm going to type or not. It's going better in the notebook so I'm going to stick with that for awhile.
__________________
"You will experience a tingling sensation and then death."

 And just because it's still awesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc

Take two: 90,008
Current: 7,680
kaitie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2012, 11:23 PM   #107
mccardey
Hello, again. Hello.
 
mccardey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Australia.
Posts: 4,524
mccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaitie View Post
Been doing some notebook writing today, and while I don't know how many words, it's 3 pages so far, so probably around 700? Still working, but not sure if I'm going to type or not. It's going better in the notebook so I'm going to stick with that for awhile.
That's exactly what I'm doing! I've filled a notebook since I've been here, and in a very few minutes I'm going to start turning it from plottage into wordage. Which is terrifying - but from everything I've read (one writer's article, actually) that's pretty normal. I hope so. Otherwise I might have to find some vodka or something. 500 words, here I come!
mccardey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2012, 11:13 AM   #108
Fins Left
practical experience, FTW
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 439
Fins Left is well-respected
I kind of did the opposite of notebook. I went through a bunch of scribbles and put them into Scrivener. Then got hit with a huge burst of inspiration. Between the two, I've added over 7000 since my last post. One part between a dad and his boy I really like. I made myself cry :-(

But now, my head is squishy and I can write no more.

ETA: Oh, and am very happy, I found an editor today!
Fins Left is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2012, 03:15 PM   #109
heyjude
Making my own sunshine
AW Moderator
 
heyjude's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gulf coast of FL
Posts: 14,085
heyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Congrats on the word count, Fins! But I'm a bit concerned over the editor thing... are you hiring a professional editor? Be careful!
heyjude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2012, 05:52 PM   #110
Ken Hoss
My alter ego
 
Ken Hoss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Right behind you
Posts: 3,034
Ken Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for President
Nice wordage, Fins!

Went back and added some more dialog to close out chapter 23. Thought I had it done, but Kelli couldn't keep her mouth shut. For days she wouldn't talk, and now I can't get her to stop. Go figure. Total WIP WC is now 49366! Should be over 50k by the end of today.
__________________

For Kindle and in paperback

Ken Hoss - Author
Ken Hoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2012, 06:25 PM   #111
muse
standing on head, typing one-handed...
 
muse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,660
muse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmuse is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Sounds like everyone is bumping up their word count. It's funny how moving from computer to paper, and vice versa can spark the imagination.

Quote:
Went back and added some more dialog to close out chapter 23. Thought I had it done, but Kelli couldn't keep her mouth shut. For days she wouldn't talk, and now I can't get her to stop. Go figure. Total WIP WC is now 49366! Should be over 50k by the end of today.
Glad Kelli is back talking to you, Ken.

Quote:
I kind of did the opposite of notebook. I went through a bunch of scribbles and put them into Scrivener. Then got hit with a huge burst of inspiration. Between the two, I've added over 7000 since my last post. One part between a dad and his boy I really like. I made myself cry :-(
I love it when I write something that affects me that way. Congrats on the word count, Fin.

No words for me today - yet.

Quote:
Sorry the torture didn't work, Muse. You do have one more chance though. You could always wait until the next morning when this character is suffering from the obligatory hangover.
Oooh, I like your thinking.
muse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 12:43 AM   #112
mccardey
Hello, again. Hello.
 
mccardey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Australia.
Posts: 4,524
mccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Okay - this is the first time i've ever tried writing-to-wordcount, and I'm doing it to try to jolt me into moving from plottage to wordage: I just spent several weeks trying to sort out whether to ditch the New Book and start something else instead. Oh, and moving to France, did I mention that?

So I set a goal of 500 words today and asked an AW member to keep me honest on it, and my result is - 347 WORDS!!! YAYY!!!! And about another 160 to start tomorrow with.

I'm so relieved and so pleased to be moving ahead again.

Last edited by mccardey; 04-15-2012 at 01:48 AM.
mccardey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 01:21 AM   #113
Fins Left
practical experience, FTW
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 439
Fins Left is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by heyjude View Post
Congrats on the word count, Fins! But I'm a bit concerned over the editor thing... are you hiring a professional editor? Be careful!
I"m looking for a political/fiction/humor editor. I'm going to send a sample to the woman that I talked to for her to give me a quote on line editing only. I'm actually going to try about three different people for sample edits. I've been able to track down published works by these three people, so that is why I'm even going any further with them. But, I'm still open if you know a good line editor or copy editors. (Yes, this is paid editing)


Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Hoss View Post
Should be over 50k by the end of today.
I can't wait for the day I can say that!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mccardey View Post
Okay - this is the first time i've ever tried writing-to-wordcount, and I'm doing it to try to jolt me into moving from plottage to wordage: I just spent several weeks tryinng to sort out whether to ditch new New Book and start something else instead. oh, and moving to France, did I mention that?

So I set a goal of 500 words today and asked an AW member to keep me honest on it, and my result is - 347 WORDS!!! YAYY!!!! And about another 160 to start tomorrow with.

I'm so relieved and so pleased to be moving ahead again.
That was me. I was sort of flopping around not getting anything done. Now, I just pick a point and start writing it. By doing that, the rest of the plot is starting to come together. I still have a big gap, but when I write stuff, the little details cause the big picture to mesh together better for me. I also use scrivener and have collections for each character, so I can just read through the characters individually. I've found some big jumps that way... like how did that character get from there to way over there? Then I can fill in the holes or just knock the character back in line.
Fins Left is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 01:25 AM   #114
mccardey
Hello, again. Hello.
 
mccardey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Australia.
Posts: 4,524
mccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fins Left View Post
That was me. I was sort of flopping around not getting anything done. Now, I just pick a point and start writing it. By doing that, the rest of the plot is starting to come together. I still have a big gap, but when I write stuff, the little details cause the big picture to mesh together better for me. I also use scrivener and have collections for each character, so I can just read through the characters individually. I've found some big jumps that way... like how did that character get from there to way over there? Then I can fill in the holes or just knock the character back in line.
I've always been a pantser - but this time I did the plotting thing and after that I felt like the party was over and there was no reason to write it, really. So I'm thrilled to be feeling that hairs-on-the-back-of-the-neck thing again
mccardey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 01:29 AM   #115
heyjude
Making my own sunshine
AW Moderator
 
heyjude's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gulf coast of FL
Posts: 14,085
heyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fins Left View Post
I"m looking for a political/fiction/humor editor. I'm going to send a sample to the woman that I talked to for her to give me a quote on line editing only. I'm actually going to try about three different people for sample edits. I've been able to track down published works by these three people, so that is why I'm even going any further with them. But, I'm still open if you know a good line editor or copy editors. (Yes, this is paid editing)
I don't, off the top of my head. The way I was taught is that each writer should be able to edit him/herself. And I've heard so many stories of writers getting taken, it just raises my antennae when someone talks about hiring one.

Have you seen the threads on hiring an editor? I'll try to find the links...

Here's one thread where it comes up...
Last edited by heyjude; 04-15-2012 at 01:32 AM. Reason: adding a thread...
heyjude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 01:40 AM   #116
Shakesbear
knows a hawk from a handsaw
 
Shakesbear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Elsinore
Posts: 3,208
Shakesbear is better than ice cream with hot fudgeShakesbear is better than ice cream with hot fudgeShakesbear is better than ice cream with hot fudgeShakesbear is better than ice cream with hot fudgeShakesbear is better than ice cream with hot fudgeShakesbear is better than ice cream with hot fudgeShakesbear is better than ice cream with hot fudge
Just typed up 1080. A sort of prologue. Not sure if I will use it but it helped me. Most of the research is not finished - just one more area to cover. Writing felt good!
__________________




And my large kingdom for a little grave,
A little little grave, an obscure grave . . .
Shakesbear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 03:57 AM   #117
Namatu
Lost in mental space.
 
Namatu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Someplace else.
Posts: 3,936
Namatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsNamatu is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Fins, what are you hoping an editor will do for your writing? I agree with jude that there are a lot of things that we as writers should learn to do ourselves - it can be difficult to learn, but it also helps our writing as we develop stronger skills. Maybe we can give you some suggestions on how to approach problem areas before you resort to hiring an editor.

On topic, I'm writing right now. I swear it.
__________________
Namatu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 04:21 AM   #118
heyjude
Making my own sunshine
AW Moderator
 
heyjude's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gulf coast of FL
Posts: 14,085
heyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Me too! 653 for the day and I'm packing it in.
heyjude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 12:50 PM   #119
Fins Left
practical experience, FTW
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 439
Fins Left is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by Namatu View Post
Fins, what are you hoping an editor will do for your writing? I agree with jude that there are a lot of things that we as writers should learn to do ourselves - it can be difficult to learn, but it also helps our writing as we develop stronger skills. Maybe we can give you some suggestions on how to approach problem areas before you resort to hiring an editor.

On topic, I'm writing right now. I swear it.
ETA: SHORT VERIONS: I see some terrible writers who think their stuff is REALLY GREAT on here and I am weak at grammar. So, I need to know if I'm as self-deluded as some of the people that I've seen post and I need someone else to go over the grammar.

BEGIN LONG VERSION (Cranky Rant)

Grammar is a weak point for me and I want an external pair of eyes. I want a line editor to go over my MS so I can see where my mistakes are comming from. I do not expect grammar to ever be a strong point for me. It is a bit like I can learn to pluck out a song on a keyboard, but that doesn't make me a keyboard player. Also, the editors that I'm looking at do not have "day jobs." They support themselves as editors (not writers, not aritsts, no bloggers, just editing).

As for beta readers. I have no idea of how to find a suitable beta reader and frankly, I keep getting burned by the concept.

I've done chapter swaps before and found it only marginally useful. The worst was a person that believed they were nearly God's gift to writing (I learned later this was at the age of 19 and as a jr in college) and prepped me to (a) not be discouraged if my work was far below the level of their work and (b) that they would be VERY HARD on the basics because they were nearly a pro and I should have a thick skin. In the end, that author's material was painful to read and even harder to mark up. The deeper I got into the book, the uglier it got. It took me days to work each chapter. In return, I would get generalized comments and a few missed commas.

Then another crappy beta requester wanted a "genuine" beta on content and structure for a non-fiction in my area of expertise. It was a iUniverse mess. I spent days marking up bad logic, poor structure, contradictions, etc. (no grammar at all, since I'm weak there). In return I was told to kiss off. This from an author who requested the input!

So, at this point, I'm not a fan of beta readers or beta reading. I think beta readers are flakes and I just don't have the energy to slog through the horrible stuff that I've slogged through in the past (with a recent exception that I didn't finish because I had work that took over). Of course, my sister and a friend read my work, but that isn't really a beta reader to me. They have to be nice to me.

I had originally intended to post in the SYW area of this site, but after having watched that area (trying to contribut some), I am not interested in that at this point and there is no way that I'd run 90k words thorugh SYW.

END LONG VERSION (Cranky Rant)

So, I'm cranky, but at least I got about 1200 words today. I figured out two characters in the book were actually the same guy. Then once that fell into place, I had to off his wife in a way that didn't make the him seem negative. His wife was a total bitch and I hate writing about her. I'm so glad she's dead now. Good riddence, ya selfish bitch!
Fins Left is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 12:52 PM   #120
_Jinx_
practical experience, FTW
 
_Jinx_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 114
_Jinx_ is on a distinguished road
In my current story I have 499 words... 0.0 I need to get some more work in now...
__________________


This here is little Magoogoo. This is the one Madonna didn't want. For fifteen little cents, you can fix his cleft lip, and send him to Oxford. - Dane Cook
_Jinx_ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 12:59 PM   #121
Fins Left
practical experience, FTW
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 439
Fins Left is well-respected
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shakesbear View Post
Just typed up 1080. A sort of prologue. Not sure if I will use it but it helped me. Most of the research is not finished - just one more area to cover. Writing felt good!
You'll be amazed at how you'll be able to sprinkle it into the story at just the right points now. So that definitely counts.
Fins Left is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 03:23 PM   #122
heyjude
Making my own sunshine
AW Moderator
 
heyjude's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gulf coast of FL
Posts: 14,085
heyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsheyjude is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Fins, I'm sorry you had a bad beta experience. But they are out there! And frankly, I've heard of editors who weren't much better.
heyjude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 07:59 PM   #123
wonderactivist
move along, nothing to see here
 
wonderactivist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Great Plains
Posts: 1,828
wonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for Presidentwonderactivist should run for President
Hey Fins, sorry about your beta experience. I highly recommend seeking out readers, not writers.

The best way to find betas is to ask personal friends on Facebook (or wherever) if they could refer people who read in your genre--and who don't know you. I've only ever met 3 of my thirteen betas. The readers mostly think it's kinda neat to help develop a story. Remember, these are people who just love books. One of my regular betas reads about 5 novels a week for fun. She will be thrilled if someday her name is in one.

Keep in mind that readers do notice grammar/punctuation. They are used to books that carry them away with flowing prose. If you want a good beta experience, you should have edited for grammar and punctuation once before they see it. Then once for flow. They WILL catch the rough spots and don't mind a few, like a couple a chapter. I had a former magazine copy editor beta my first book early on and she sliced and diced my semi-colons. I'm so grateful/

As far as SYW is concerned, I think the very nature of that place is to help you get your opening chapter or query to the point where it could hold the interest of an agent or editor. Maybe an especially important scene or two also. It's a place where you WANT to have your work slashed up. You should be ready to hear the sharp critiques that your family, friends, and even some betas won't say (but might think).

Sort of like pushing your muscles "to failure" in a workout--you have to have that burn. Then you rebuild, stronger.

Warm regards,

Lucie
__________________



Distortion is out now for Kindle, Nook and in Paperback from Buzz Books USA.
I tweet @luciesmoker and blog at reverse perspective.
Last edited by wonderactivist; 04-15-2012 at 08:06 PM.
wonderactivist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 08:01 PM   #124
mccardey
Hello, again. Hello.
 
mccardey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Australia.
Posts: 4,524
mccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsmccardey is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
My beta is amazing. Also, he cooks

I got my 500 words today, if we stretch the definition of 500 to, say, 391. But I'm thrilled with that - two days of wordage in a row and I feel like I'm getting the muscles working again. So pleased - it's such a relief!
mccardey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2012, 10:41 PM   #125
Ken Hoss
My alter ego
 
Ken Hoss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Right behind you
Posts: 3,034
Ken Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for PresidentKen Hoss should run for President
AWesome wordage everyone!

626 on the WIP this morning, in under an hour!! Threw is a great plot twist. I love plot twist.

Fins, don't give up on betas. You're getting some good advice here. The betas I had for my first book were just AWesome! (You know who you are. )
__________________

For Kindle and in paperback

Ken Hoss - Author
Ken Hoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 5 of 12 1234 5 67891011 Last »

Bookmarks

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Custom Search

If this site is helpful to you,
Please consider a voluntary subscription to defray ongoing expenses.

Buy Scrivener 2 for Mac OS X (Regular Licence)


All times are GMT +4.5. The time now is 09:05 AM.

Contact Us - Absolute Write - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.