tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post6937729705948357283..comments2024-01-03T02:24:32.515-08:00Comments on Where Ladybugs Roar ~ Wendy's Writing Blog: Day Fourteen- Don't cross the streams--most of the time.Wendy Sparrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-59124992118512847882009-11-16T19:49:59.563-08:002009-11-16T19:49:59.563-08:00Wendy, good idea, I'll ask for a beta reader b...Wendy, good idea, I'll ask for a beta reader but after I edit it once. I will be more than happy to read someone's in return but I will have to add a VIRGIN BETA disclaimer and let them know I've never done it and don't know what I'm doing and that I ain't got no grammar skills either. lol.Dana Elmendorfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07130309062939542854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-29976228812892963292009-11-15T17:08:42.425-08:002009-11-15T17:08:42.425-08:00Ghostbusters is a rocking movie, Erica. Having a ...Ghostbusters is a rocking movie, Erica. Having a critique partner is so valuable. Thanks for visiting.Wendy Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-16393928850935622822009-11-15T16:58:26.902-08:002009-11-15T16:58:26.902-08:00I love Ghostbusters. What a great movie :)
You k...I love Ghostbusters. What a great movie :) <br /><br />You know- sometimes it's okay to bring in a different eye to take a look. I have a critique partner that I work with, and she sees everything. Not the NaNo though- we don't have time to exchange the stories. We will, however exchange them in December while we're editing our other WIP's. I might let my sister read it too, IDK. <br /><br />Great post. I like the tie in of crossing the streams.erica m. chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773306703153110737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-35433729077591893152009-11-14T17:05:02.992-08:002009-11-14T17:05:02.992-08:00Hey Wendy - I think I'd like to read Re:Strain...Hey Wendy - I think I'd like to read Re:Straint or Sheri's Tales - you pick which one. My email address is<br /><br />mary.e.campbell(at)comcast(dot)netMary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-24363494846328094712009-11-14T15:42:16.526-08:002009-11-14T15:42:16.526-08:00Oh... and I'm back after two and a half hours ...Oh... and I'm back after two and a half hours at the doctor. My area is getting so gnarly thanks to sickness that the wait for antibiotics at the pharmacy was two hours. So, I haven't gotten them yet. The doctor also gave me prednisone (which I hate and won't take) because I have asthma and allergies. She also said my current method of controlling my asthma is faulty and shouldn't work. It's been working for four years, so I just blew her off. Anyway--working theory is it's some kind of bacterial infection that my asthma is not digging. The rapid strep came back negative, and I didn't push for the longer one since she was giving me antibiotics. (I've had the rapid come back negative and the other come back positive, but meh....) <br /><br />They did bring in some guys that had been injured in a fight that the police were interviewing in the waiting room. They were a bunch of sissies. T's injury was much worse than theirs.Wendy Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-40780575179173993952009-11-14T15:26:22.733-08:002009-11-14T15:26:22.733-08:00Jade, I do the same thing, so I don't think I&...Jade, I do the same thing, so I don't think I'd ever bring in a beta on one of my mysteries before I'm done because half the time--I don't know who did it by then. I also don't let people read Honor books before they're done, and I don't know why, but it feels wrong.Wendy Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-35260650920695445312009-11-14T15:24:44.712-08:002009-11-14T15:24:44.712-08:00Really, Mary? That would be wicked awesome. Okay...Really, Mary? That would be wicked awesome. Okay, here's the thing, though. I don't know what kind of books you like. Luckily, I have genres to choose from and different things I'm worried about.<br /><br />I have "Dream a little Dream"--which is an adult murder mystery with some paranormal. I've sent the bulk of my queries on this book. I just don't know where to go with it, and I've burnt out my beta-reading sisters on this one.<br /><br />I have "A Little Crazy Talk" which is a murder mystery that involves the person with OCD. It was the first in the series, but was shifted to the second, and this is the one that has me frustrated--mentioned in previous post. Even thought it's "second" in the series--they all are stand alone with just reoccurring characters.<br /><br />I have "Honor Among Thieves" which tops the list for most likely to requery besides Re: Straint. Honor Among Thieves is an adult urban fantasy. It contains vampires, but they aren't "vampire" vampires. Diana is working her sad, little way through this one on my behalf. I've had a lot of people read this--pretending to be betas--and then passing it on to other people pretending to be betas. Plus, men have been willing to read this one--which means that I've received a lot more input on this one. So, probably least of my concerns--especially with Diana the Great making her way through it.<br /><br />I have "Re:Straint" which is a YA Science Fiction. This is the one I have entered in the contest and recently received it's first rejection by the only agent to see it.<br /><br />I have the one that is known as "Sheri's Tales" which is YA fantasy/fairy tale... similar to the style of Ella Enchanted. I feel strangely lukewarm about what to do about this one. It's shorter than most my other stuff, but I'm not sure whether that's bad or what.<br /><br />Then, I have a bunch of WIPs which are at various stages. <br /><br />Pick your poison, Mary, and it's not too late to go running for the hills. (BTW, also tell me how much you're up to beta-ing.) <br /><br />None of them has sex or language other than what is mentioned here. (The language, I mean. I don't talk about sex here. The husband was about to start scrolling through pages.) I'll admit that the murder mysteries can have some violence in them, but it's plot related and not graphic--in my opinion. <br /><br />Okay. Phew. This is why I feel a little stumped about queries. There is such a thing as too many options.Wendy Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-69154178069036866992009-11-14T12:20:40.270-08:002009-11-14T12:20:40.270-08:00The hubbie and I are always quoting from GhostBust...The hubbie and I are always quoting from GhostBusters too. The mass hysteria line is our favorite as well.<br /><br />And Steven King doesn't know everything - he always gets off on a tangents that go on forever and when he finally comes back to the scene, I've forgotten what was even happening. That's why I hate reading his books. Well, that and the graphic sex, violence and language.<br /><br />Sorry I keep reading comments and coming up with other things to write.Mary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-34659073001925259002009-11-14T12:15:41.999-08:002009-11-14T12:15:41.999-08:00I would love to be a beta reader for you Wendy - I...I would love to be a beta reader for you Wendy - I'm not ready to pass my stuff around yet, but I'd like to help you.Mary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-72710099624082463772009-11-14T12:14:24.917-08:002009-11-14T12:14:24.917-08:00"I crossed the streams" - I finished a s..."I crossed the streams" - I finished a short story and edited it some and now it's in the hands of one of my critique group gals. It's so nervewracking waiting to her back from her. I really like my story, but I know it needs work - just not sure what kind of work yet. That's why I sent it out. I never send out rough draft stuff though. It has to edited at least once. rough drafts are too embarrassing to let out into the world. That's my opinion anyway. Love Ghost Busters - it's still funny.Mary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-72721833888126073372009-11-14T12:00:10.585-08:002009-11-14T12:00:10.585-08:00I don't bring betas in until the first draft i...I don't bring betas in until the first draft is done and I've gone through with a few rounds of edits myself.<br />The reason for that is that I wing-it and I often do things like add a new character at the half-way point that I decide is going to be there from the beginning, so after the first draft, I go back an add them to the earlier scenes. If someone reads that before it's edited they would be like, WTF? Where did they come from??<br /><br />That said, my crit partner sends me chapters as she writes them. She likes that because it motivates her when she's down, especially when's she reassured that what she's writing isn't shit.<br /><br />I guess you can go either way on this, depending on your tastes...Jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02444920778218867295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-46766173513372441462009-11-14T10:48:31.559-08:002009-11-14T10:48:31.559-08:00Well, since I knew it was a work in progress I rea...Well, since I knew it was a work in progress I read it for overall feel, and everything seemed to flow really well. I liked the backstory and felt the rules were woven in nicely. To be clear, I felt no confusion on the rules. I didn't sense any "data dump" moments, and there was nothing in the story so far that seemed to be setting up any writerly problems (the characters were all likeable, the pacing is fine, the hook and plot are interesting). When you finish, and you are ready to get to the nitty-gritty of line editing (bwahahaHAHAHA!) I will be there to help :)Diana Pazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04368186068872293410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-1405545605542811402009-11-14T10:28:04.845-08:002009-11-14T10:28:04.845-08:00Natalie, there is always a connection to Ghostbust...Natalie, there is always a connection to Ghostbusters. The husband and I are constantly quoting the line, "Dogs and cats--living together--mass hysteria!"<br /><br />Diana, I laughed at the bionic brain comment. Hey! You read the Chosen Changeling because it was creepy how much our minds had melded already. (No joke, Heidi, it was like we were writing the same book.) Did you have a hard time following the "rules for the Fey" that I'd set out? Heidi said she didn't, but that was what really stomped my spirit on that manuscript. I thought I'd over-complicated it.Wendy Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-9283552850834671422009-11-14T10:16:57.319-08:002009-11-14T10:16:57.319-08:00It's okay to bring in betas earlier than a com...It's okay to bring in betas earlier than a complete, imo. Just be specific about what you want. Before I knew that you had a bionic brain and could write at the speed of light, I considered having a weekly chapter exchange with you. It's a good motivator for me to have that deadline, and then I'd know that things were going in the right direction. <br /><br />For a completed ms I like critiques at fifty-page marks, so if anything looks completely out of place I can fix the rest... but you already knew that much :) <br /><br />Agree on the validation! If you're having doubts but feel like things are overall okay, give it to a cheerleader-type. Confidence helps! If you're worried about stuff "making sense" a cheerleader-type still works if he/she will be honest, or you could use a beta who will promise not to line-edit. You know how I am about trusting your gut. Your gut will know who you should give your stories to.Diana Pazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04368186068872293410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-14753492175833872352009-11-14T10:11:09.634-08:002009-11-14T10:11:09.634-08:00Hahaha, is it bad that I could quote that whole sc...Hahaha, is it bad that I could quote that whole scene without looking at your blog?!<br /><br />Ahhhh anyway. I loved the connection you made here. And I haven't really had beta readers yet. My mum reads all my stuff and shes a verrrrry tough editor . I think shes extra hard so that I know shes not being soft. My boyfriend reads my stuff too, but he's more of a grammar guy. <br /><br />I really want crit partners, but I just dont have time to devote to their work. If I wasn't in school I'd have time. I'm thinking I'll try and get some this spring though. <br /><br />'kay. I rambled. =]Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-911351519329813332009-11-14T09:58:50.878-08:002009-11-14T09:58:50.878-08:00GwOE- Why don't you just ask for betas on your...GwOE- Why don't you just ask for betas on your blog? Diana and I both beta-ed for someone this week who did that. In general, you have to be prepared to beta in return, and you might want to start off small and just pass along a portion (with a synopsis if it's not the beginning), but still.... I will say also that you need to say what kind of input you want. If you don't want a critical line edit, but just a overview review... say that.Wendy Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-51437735742684023382009-11-14T09:51:28.830-08:002009-11-14T09:51:28.830-08:00It's not like it's your first piece writte...It's not like it's your first piece written or the first piece this beta reader has read of yours. I wish I had someone to read my WIP because their input might have helped me direct my characters better. I say try it once, give her your "this is my rough ruff draft of WIP" disclaimer and see what happens.Dana Elmendorfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07130309062939542854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-437747024683071842009-11-14T09:46:36.725-08:002009-11-14T09:46:36.725-08:00Stephen King--is wrong sometimes. He may be the K...Stephen King--is wrong sometimes. He may be the King, but he's not always THE king... if you know what I mean? I can totally understand you going to people, Stephanie. Your subject is sooo different from the rest of us for the most part. I think you did the right thing. I sometimes need validation too, and I'm not writing on a more obscure subject. Bah! Stephen King--what does he know about writing? Well, okay... a lot, but I'm betting he knows very little about Hatshepsut.Wendy Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240583852940769313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589253886068784629.post-68628396660064874342009-11-14T09:34:16.497-08:002009-11-14T09:34:16.497-08:00I've brought in betas to read the first 100 pa...I've brought in betas to read the first 100 pages of a novel just to make sure my protagonist was likable and the plot was interesting. Now, Stephen King would say that's a bad idea, but it worked for me. I needed the validation to keep moving because I felt like I was floundering. <br /><br />However, early drafts are given to cheerleader betas, the ones that will offer general advice and encourage me to keep reading. Final polished drafts are given to people who will tell it to me straight up, something that would pop my balloon in the early days of writing a story.Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.com