Even though my blog's been mostly neglected, I feel obligated, I guess, to report that I finished the first draft of 'Talonshale' yesterday. I re-read it today, and my initial findings are that: one, it flows a quicker than I thought it was going to, and two, that maybe I shouldn't have read it so soon after writing it. The suspenseful and emotional parts had no impact on me because they were still too fresh in my mind -- I knew what was going to happen, and I was still seeing it in terms of 'what I meant', instead of 'what I actually wrote'.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could magically erase all knowledge of our own book, and truly experience it as if we were a first time reader?
I suppose that's why we need beta readers. (lil hint)
13 comments:
If you need more betas, I'm up for the task! I think... :)
I'd beta for you too, Ray.
And I absolutely wish that I could read my own writing without the gnawing urge to tweak, change, edit and revise. It is tiresome.
That would be so amazing. You'd think there's be a drug for that or something. And, again, congrats for finishing. 12 books? You are one serious writer, my friend. ;-)
Hey, I'd beta
"...I was still seeing it in terms of 'what I meant', instead of 'what I actually wrote'."
That filter is a bit hard to get around in certain moments. Congrats on finishing the draft. Have a beer. Don't worry about reading it back right away!! Or better yet, have a beer, and then read it back. Maybe drinking is that magical way of forgetting what you meant...
Glad you still feel obligated to post!
I'd be happy to beta if you still need folks. I'm crazy busy at the moment, so I don't know how quick I'd be... You could always hold on to me for a next round to if you want.
Ooh. I'll read, but not till school's out. (June 11)
My kids are out of school soon...let me see what life is like when they're out, and if it's doable, I'll see if you still need readers. I would be honored to read your work.
Thanks for the congrats on PMM's blog!
Danielle -- Wow, very generous of you. I'll probably take you up on that, but not for two weeks or so. I'd like to give it at least a cursory second draft.
KM -- Thanks, KM, everything I just told Danielle goes for you as well.
Deb -- Nice of you to say, so thank you. Sometimes, though, I think a more serious writer might have gotten published before his twelfth book. Good thing I enjoy writing, eh?
BJ -- Excellent. You're beta too.
Heather -- Thanks for 'getting' me, sister.
Tina -- Thanks for the offer, and thanks for still checking my blog. Sounds like I may not have to burden you, though.
Paul -- Thanks, man. We'll see. I'm looking forward to school getting out too, even though with my kids home, it means I won't have as much time for writing projects.
Anita -- 'Honored', really? What a very nice thing to say. You're probably about to plunge into some agent-mandated revisions yourself, though, right? Those are the hardest because they come from an industry professional, the person who holds the very keys to your dreams, and it's so much more difficult to be objective about their advice.
Congrats on the finish!
Get that man a Guinness!
I SO know what you mean, Ray, about wishing you could erase all knowledge of the book so you can get a fresh perspective. If you discover some kind of mind-mushing device, let me know! (You could just drink a lot of beer! That might work!)
But, congrats on finishing, and don't freak out. You read it way too soon. You gotta just let it breathe!!
Congrats on finishing! What is the manuscript about? Shoot me a message- I may can beta if needed! Best! :-)
Sorry: Ray that I have not been around lately to reply to your blogs. I guess some time this month Vineyard Christian Fellowship is going to relocate to 1128 Roberts Street around June 30, 2010. In the mean time I am still doing Audio/Visual on Sunday mornings. Rebecca and I talk about taking a week off from our church; as we need a vacation and visit other people we have not seen in awhile. But we need to inform our pastor so somebody else can do the Audio/Visual if we decide to take a Sunday off. Deanna will be going into the 8th grade this fall and she will be 14 years old on December 24,2010....time flies and my hair is turning greyer every day...just might be white as Moses' hair after he wandered 40 years in the wilderness. L.O.L.
--May God's Peace and Love be with you and your family.
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