This post is the fifth in a series I’ve been writing on Beta Lessons (formerly called “What My Beta Readers Have Taught Me”). Links to the first four posts in the series are at the end. This week, I thought it might be fun to share some of the changes I’ve made to the opening […]
In the Throes of Revision (Beta Lessons 4)
October 1, 2011 by
This is the fourth post in a series I’ve been writing on Beta Lessons (formerly What My Beta Readers Have Taught Me). Links to the first three posts in the series are at the end. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve learned some things about revision. The most surprising thing I’ve learned is that […]
Working with Critique Partners (Beta Lessons 3)
September 18, 2011 by
This is the third post in a series I’ve been writing on What My Beta Readers Have Taught Me—now abbreviated to Beta Lessons. Links to the first two posts in the series are at the bottom of this post. During my research into fiction writing, I routinely encountered the advice that writers should get feedback […]
The Rune
September 6, 2011 by
The first challenge of Rachel Harrie’s Writer’s Platform-Building Campaign is to create a 200-word flash fiction story that begins with the words “The door swung open.” The opening words have a sinister implication to me. For one thing, the phrase is passive: “the door swung open,” not “he/she opened the door.” The phrase implies that […]
Fight for the Right to Write
September 5, 2011 by
So far, Rachel Harrie’s Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign has been fun and educational. I’m meeting many new authors, some of whom are in the same Fantasy group as me, and others are from different campaign groups. This collection of writers is one of the most friendly, genuine, and dynamic I’ve found online, and I feel fortunate […]
What My Beta Readers Have Taught Me – Lesson 2
September 1, 2011 by
This post is the second in a series on lessons I’ve learned from the beta readers who are reviewing the manuscript for my forthcoming novel Vaetra Unveiled. You can read the first post here. Step Beyond Your Own Experience They say you should write what you know. That advice works great until you are writing […]
What My Beta Readers Have Taught Me – Lesson 1
August 28, 2011 by
As you may have gathered from previous posts, the manuscript for my forthcoming novel Vaetra Unveiled is undergoing second draft rewrites and a simultaneous review by beta readers. I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned from the notes I’ve gotten back from my beta readers. Lesson #1: Brace Yourself I told my […]
The Third Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign Begins
August 22, 2011 by
I’ve been looking forward to this moment. I read about Rachael Harrie’s Platform-Building Campaigns several months ago and just missed being able to participate in the Second Campaign (formerly called a “Crusade.”) But now is my Big Chance. Rachael just opened up the Third Campaign to participants, and I’m signing up as I write this. […]
The Beta Experiment – Week 3
August 21, 2011 by
Two weeks ago, I started a beta reading program for my current work-in-progress Vaetra Unveiled. I just delivered the third installment of chapters moments ago. So far, the program has been a tremendous success, at least from my perspective. I have several committed readers who have been generous with critique and feedback. The experiment of […]
Be the Casting Director for Your Characters
August 14, 2011 by
I had a fun idea this week on how to bring characters to life in my writing. I decided to play casting director, and I started casting specific actors in the roles of my characters. I know this isn’t an original idea, but it’s not a suggestion I’ve run across yet, so it’s new to […]
