Writing, Beta Readers, and NNWM-2K15

I’ll take things in reverse order, so first up . . .

NNWM-2K15 Update:

Yes, I’m posting another chapter of my NNWM-2K15. I’ve been adding chapters, then putting them aside, then tweaking them, then rewriting them. I know where I want to go, but it’s a rocky road getting there. Still, it’s not going to go much longer. I want to get this one put to bed despite a host of demanding distractions hampering my progress. 

The next post will contain Chapter 27 of the 2015 NaNoWriMo work-in-progress, and it will go up immediately after this post goes live. It’s password protected. Since it’s been a while, click HERE for the previous stuff.

Please, don’t ask for a password thinking it will make me feel good. Especially, don’t ask unless you’ve read the first few chapters and know that you are interested in reading more. Unless you intend to read it, don’t ask. I will not feel hurt, I will not cry myself to sleep, I will not hate anyone who chooses not to read my effort. I will, however, get a little miffed if I get asked for passwords by a bunch of people, and then only my regular four or five readers read the stuff. 

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Writing and Beta Readers:

So, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reading. Ever since the workshop in October, I had it fixed in my mind that I needed Beta Readers. As I mentioned before, some say they are a key to success. For some reason, I kept thinking of “new” readers. 

I read about how one goes about getting Beta Readers and read other people’s opinion of them. For example HERE. That post has links to other posts about Beta Readers and definitions associated with the term. 

What is a beta reader?
Beta readers act as representatives of your larger reading audience who will “test drive” your book before you sign on the printer’s dotted line. It’s a chance to hear someone’s honest opinion, fix problems, or add material you may have missed. As they haven’t seen the book before, they’ll be able to take a fresh look and notice things you or an editor may have missed.

Here’s a poster explaining a writer’s relationship with Beta Readers (from THIS post).

It dawned on me that I have a number of loyal readers. Six. Maybe seven. They have been reading my stuff for a while now. 

I get a pretty good idea how well I do by the comments they make. Some might say that sample of readers is too close to me, but I don’t think so. Did I mention they are awesome readers? Besides, if I ever get published, I plan on being close to my readers, and I don’t see that as a detriment. 

Moreover, just like my readers now, I will expect them to tell me when something does not work for them. I don’t need detailed reports (although some writers ask for them). I just want to know what readers liked or hated about the story, and especially if anything caused them to lose interest in reading it or interrupted their suspension of belief. 

So, here’s my plan: I’m not going to ask anyone to read my stories and novels. They will be here, on this blog, probably behind a password. Anyone interested can read what I write. 

By the way, my fellow Vipers have two critique groups set up (short and long fiction). I’ve declined to join, but I did offer up being a Beta Reader to anyone who asks. No one has asked. I’m either a crappy Beta Reader or, as in the real world, once people meet me, they are uncomfortable dealing with me. 

It could also be that since I’m not asking to read my stuff, they might feel reluctant asking me to read their stuff. This, despite me going to great pains explaining I will read for anyone who asks. And no, since they don’t read my blog, they won’t see this either (most of them are very active on Twitter and Facebook).

Whatever the reason, I’m slowly reverting back to my pre-workshop mode of working, and I realized I’m OK with it. If in 20 years I’m still alive and unpublished, well, I’ll be closer to the grave and I won’t worry about it much. 

Photos:

I usually post a few photos with these updates . . . ever since October, I’ve had two things in my office that I’ve meant to photograph. These next photos are of one of the items: a leaf skeleton.

I picked it up from my yard and clipped onto my desk lamp. Yesterday, I shot a few photos. Half with flash and half without. 

This is the first pair . . . a side view. The first shot is with flash, the second is without.

You can click on these and they will open in another tab or window with a width of 1280 pixels.

This next pair is of a three-quarter view. These next two are probably my favorites.

I think for those I like the sans-flash a bit better.

Finally, the opposite side view.

I don’t know why I saved it, but I know I should have photographed it right away since the leaf has since partially closed.  

. . . perhaps, if I had a beta at-photo-looker, they would have told  me not to wait.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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Astute persons might have noticed these doodles, and correctly surmised they hold some significance for me, and perhaps for humanity at large.  

If you click on the doodle, and nothing happens, this is the link it’s supposed to go to: https://disperser.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/palm-vx-and-i/.

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Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

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Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
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. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.