This latest revision is finished. What a relief! For a while, I didn’t think I would ever see the day come. I had actually set a goal for the end of August but that was totally unrealistic. So being off by one month isn’t too bad. One copy has been printed and is with my beta-reader who will read for grammar, punctuation etc. I delivered it to her last night. <\/p>\n
My other beta-reader is going to read for the actual content. Some time ago, fellow Writers’ Ink member Dorothy Bush and I compiled a list of questions (we think they’re rather good) that we want our reader(s) to watch for. It’s been expanded, questions combined, questions deleted… in other words, it’s undergone almost as many revisions as my manuscript. (well maybe not quite)<\/p>\n
This is the list we came up with.<\/p>\n
Does it grab your attention on the first page and hold it for the first five?
\nDoes it start at the right place?
\nDo the names fit the characters?
\nCan you picture them as you are reading?
\nDo you get a feel for who the characters are?
\nDo you relate and care about what they do or what happens?
\nDo descriptions make sense, and not change \u2013 description bunnies?
\nAre there holes in the plot \u2013 plot bunnies?
\nIs it boring, or are there boring parts where you wanted to put it down?
\nIs there enough excitement and\/or conflict?
\nIs there enough romance?
\nAre there any words or terms over-used?
\nIs there any stupid stuff \u2013 where you said \u201cNo way that would happen!\u201d?
\nIs there something missing that would make it better?
\nAre there any scenes that can be shortened? (ie. come in later and\/or leave sooner).
\nAre there places where there is too much explanation?
\nPlot continuity, poor grammar, and iffy punctuation
\nAre there scenes that would be better expressed in the other character\u2019s POV?
\nDo some of the scenes have too many characters?
\nDo too many scenes end the same way?
\nIs there too much sitting and thinking?
\nIs there too much dialogue?<\/p>\n
Well there you have it. I think between the two of us, we’ve covered all contingencies.<\/p>\n
I’ll be seeing my other beta-reader Monday evening so will pass the torch and the “infamous” question list off to her then.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, I’ll catch up on some other things.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This latest revision is finished. What a relief! For a while, I didn’t think I would ever see the day come. I had actually set a goal for the end of August but that was totally unrealistic. So being off by one month isn’t too bad. One copy has been printed and is with my … Continue reading Into the hands of my beta-reader(s)…<\/span>