Oh wow. Oh wowwie wow. I flipping did it. BOOIASHAKKAMOTHERF… ahem. I am quite excited about this.
So now what? I guess probably get some sleep for a day or two, and then start editing. I’m thinking I’ll need to do a big run through for plot consistency, then get it off to the first beta-reader (mum, bless her cotton socks).
Who do you normally use for a beta-reader? Critiqueing websites? Friends? Family?
Best regards,
D.R.Sylvester
PS – Also kind of stunned that I passed three hundred followers just this week. Wow, guys. I’m really happy to be getting so much support so early on in this blogging thing. Thank you to all of you!
D.R.SYLVESTER FICTION 
Congratulations! 🙂
Thank you! 😀
Congrats! It’s always an amazing rush to hit the end, especially when it’s a rewrite. 🙂
For beta readers, I have a couple of writer friends who always give amazing feedback. I’ve also recently connected with a couple of other authors through my publisher who have been great about offering feedback. I’m always a little wary of critique websites, because I’d prefer to give my heart-and-soul-on-paper to someone whose opinion I value and trust.
And mothers are always great readers. 🙂
Thank you! And you know what, I reckon you’ve got the right idea there; I’d probably be much better off sticking just to a few people I know well, rather than spamming it out there. I’m also holding a friend’s first draft to ransom, so he has no choice but to be kind with mine ;D
“bless her cotton socks” Is this a phrase? This needs to be a phrase.
I am so happy for you I even liked your post. No seriously, WAY TO GO D.R.!
I start with alpha readers (close friends, close family). I listen to their first impressions, but I take their criticism very lightly.
Beta readers are something I deal with on a case-by-case instance, and usually only goes to people who I absolutely trust to give detailed, analytic feedback.
Definitely a phrase! I think it’s a British thing, not sure of the exact origins, but that explains why I’ve heard it a lot growing up: lots of pommy expats over here in Oz (including me and my parents!)
THANK YOU! 😀 I have been floating all day (as much as a heavy gent can float, with all this confounded gravity).
Ah, reading your comments I think that maybe that’s what I’m looking for rather than beta-readers: I need some alpha-readers… Thanks again 🙂
Good for you!
My immediate family – mum, dad, fiancee are always the first to read it, and then it goes out to a handful of friends. There aren’t many people I’m willing to let read unpolished work. I hope your editing goes well, my proof-reading editing process usually takes years longer than the writing process!
Thank you! I’m nervous of all my closest and dearest reading it, because I want them to think I’m a great author. I’ll maybe show them a later draft… for the early drafts I’m leaning towards more writerly types, and mum (because she HAS TO think I’m a good writer, even if I’m not).
Years of editing is something I’m expecting, but hoping to avoid… If I can channel my energies and knock it over in the next six months I’ll be stoked, but that will depend on what feedback I get, and my own thoughts on it (haven’t looked yet. What? I’m not scared…I’M NOT)
Thanks again 🙂
*Does a happy dance for you* Well, to the extent one can dance with a sore hip XD Congrats ^^ Yeah, I showed my sister a rough draft of one of my stories. In retrospect now I’m a bit embarrassed, but it’s whatever 😛 Rough drafts have a reason they are called “rough.”
Absolutely! I’m fairly sure this one is as rough as a gutful of tequila… I’ll inflict it on people once I’ve had the courage to read it myself (I’m thinking maybe some dutch courage tonight after work, if my printer doesn’t run out of ink)
EDIT: oh, and THANKYOU! *dances also*
The birth of a novel is exactly the same as the birth of a child: it came from you, it lives because of you, and now you have to set it forth on this globe to watch it go forth and prosper. All those words came pouring out of your soul as you lived your characters’ lives and gave them purpose. Letting them go for a spell isn’t easy; but if they have a little break, they’ll breathe on their own and surprise you with ideas of their own. And you’ll smile…
Letting someone else read your work, at least to me, is a matter of great trust, and as you say, you want everyone to think you’re a great author (of COURSE you are!).
My sister Gwen, the MFA in creative writing, college professor and best selling author (of romance fiction), looks at my stuff and I cringe inwardly. Just when I’m convinced she finds my sci-fi stuff fanboy drivel, she instead offers me advice on story layout, plot movement, grammar issues and the like. When I’m nearly ready to hang my head in shame and envelop myself in tears, Gwen say, “Oh, no, it’s good. I don’t sci-fi, that’s all. Besides, someone has to do the editing…”
Haha that would be quite intimidating, to have another author in the family. In a lot of ways it would be very lucky as well, as their feedback quality would absolutely rock balls. Lucky!
Thanks for the thoughts. I might keep the having a baby analogy to myself, because my wife might go bananas if I tell her my book is exactly like giving birth (I know that’s not what you said, but imagine if she interpreted it that way… flipping apocalypse in the Sylvester household) hehe.
Thanks again!