I sent my new MONSTER to two Beta Readers and then — I waited. I waited and waited and waited. I didn’t want to nudge them or push them in any way, but… It was nerve-racking!
Both of these readers are good friends. Neither are writers and neither fit the profile of a typical fan of romantic suspense. Giving them the first draft of my new novella was a risk that I’m glad I took.
They liked it! They really liked it!
I feel like Sally Fields at the Oscars.
Now that I have their notes — and their praise — I’m working on the second draft and hope to e-publish this fourth MONSTER before the end of the year. I’m sharing this aspect of the writing process because the WAITING was actually good for me. I was miserable, but it was helpful. The waiting — the time away from the manuscript — gave me a better perspective on the text.
I don’t mean the seemingly miraculous ability to notice typos I couldn’t see before. I’m talking about the suddenly miraculous ability to see a redundant sentence, a missing opportunity to illuminate a character, and other flaws that I simply couldn’t see before I sent the draft off to the readers.
Thank you Beta Readers! This is my shout out to Win and Lew. You guys are great and I’m glad you took the time you needed to really read the MONSTER. Your notes and your schedule is just what Dr. Jekyll ordered!
I can relate to all of that – the nerves, the sudden clarity, the relief. Congratulations Candy. 🙂 I know there’s still a lot of work to do to make your Monster perfect but I’m already looking forward to reading it.
Now that I’ve jumped this particular hurdle, I’m looking forward to letting this one out into the world, too!
Congratulations Candy I’m really pleased for you. They say it’s good for your heart to have a little scare now and then so you should really be healthy. Lets see you go ahead and have an easy birth now. xx Hugs xx
Still more hurdles to jump but the first draft is a BIGGIE!
I have found this stage a few times recently. On one I have had sudden revelations of everything that still needed to be fixed. The other I am anxious to move forward and am hoping it is ready to go.
Yes, this phase can become a one hand, other hand, third hand…. situation. This time, it seems to be a very positive straight ahead message. Go! Go! Go! Finish the second draft!
Love that message!
Here’s to the end of your long wait and to the ensuing round of revisions. Now that I’ve read Poed, I’m really looking forward to finding the time to read more of your work.
Thanks!
I’m a big believer in celebrating the completion of each stage of the game.
Now, back to work…