tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post6348166226260713132..comments2024-02-27T07:05:52.851-05:00Comments on Beth Revis: Different ReadersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431700962951592287noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-81105728243596958602009-07-11T18:52:11.610-04:002009-07-11T18:52:11.610-04:00I do see your point. And hello, a main character&#...I do see your point. And hello, a main character's name could be changed by the suggestion of an editor and how many times do you read a book and don't like the character's name? Often.<br /><br />I agree. There is a sense of trust involved and it's tough to send your work out there too!Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-43291550268287518452009-07-08T21:40:51.525-04:002009-07-08T21:40:51.525-04:00Great post, Beth! I'm really picky about who I...Great post, Beth! I'm really picky about who I get to read early these days. When I first started writing, I wanted anyone to read who would, and all I got was "this is really great" or nitpicky comments on stuff which got edited out completely.PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-6107019519211354472009-07-08T20:23:47.538-04:002009-07-08T20:23:47.538-04:00This post is fantastic, Beth. WOW. I think I need ...This post is fantastic, Beth. WOW. I think I need to do a post roundup that highlights all these great Trust posts lately! <br /><br />I've learned the hard way what you speak of here... and you lay it out perfectly. Thank you!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-91040314821674542462009-07-08T20:16:11.230-04:002009-07-08T20:16:11.230-04:00You are so right about trust. I had a test reader...You are so right about trust. I had a test reader once argue with me about something in one of my books and refer me to an informational web site that I had actually already read more thoroughly than he had and used to construct the setting. Oh well.<br /><br />But I also think that you need to have both writers and non-writers look at your work. Writers read things differently than other people. It is true that if writers stopped buying and reading books, the industry would suffer, but the bulk of readers out there simply like to read. Your work has to appeal to them if it is going to sell.<br /><br />The hard truth to all of this is, you can pull all the gimmicks and follow all the rules you like, but sometimes a book just ain't going to work. It needs some quality, as intangible as charisma, to catch the imagination and invite the surrender of one mind to another for a few hours.Rebecca J. Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13266492065285468391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-54570577022262022772009-07-08T12:45:35.516-04:002009-07-08T12:45:35.516-04:00This is a pretty good post. Of course, the trust i...This is a pretty good post. Of course, the trust is not there whenever you try to start a relationship with someone--namely, one with agents or editors. Therefore in those cases your work DOES have to stand by itself, and those are the people who can afford to be picky.<br /><br />I've done mostly first-time reads for people I know, and I never go into the nit-picky details. (I mean, come on: ONE passive sentence? A character's name? Besides for the fact that the second is not something you're in a place to comment on, that's not a first-time reader's job.) Instead, I let them know my thoughts on their writing style, overarching plot lines, the "workability" of the characters... leave the little stuff to the editors, if and when you get that far!Steph Suhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834692034486125015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-28719713752718621962009-07-08T11:55:52.922-04:002009-07-08T11:55:52.922-04:00I am so glad you liked it, Jenna! :)
Natatlie (or...I am so glad you liked it, Jenna! :)<br /><br />Natatlie (or Nat, or Talie, or Wolverine, hehe): I loved your rant--it really got me to thinking along those same lines that you were talking about. I, also, have been reading published novels with an eye for what makes them worth publishing, and it is damaging my reading enjoyment. There have been more than one book that I know I would love if it weren't for the fact that I'd read them now, instead of five years ago.<br /><br />Elana: TOTALLY AGREE. It DOES take time. In one of my critique groups, I joined as quick as they'd take me...but now...I realize that of the five people, there are two I trust completely and two whose reviews of my work I skim, but never really take seriously. If it weren't for the members who were good, I don't think I'd bother with it at all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431700962951592287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-84250703065723890492009-07-08T11:53:34.163-04:002009-07-08T11:53:34.163-04:00Awesome post! Good writing partners is like any ot...Awesome post! Good writing partners is like any other friendship. The relationship must go both ways and there must be mutual respect. Well said, Miss Beth.Clementinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745982305618408952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-56959182044999115722009-07-08T11:29:00.683-04:002009-07-08T11:29:00.683-04:00What an awesome post! So true. I also think that i...What an awesome post! So true. I also think that it takes TIME to find those readers. You can't just trust everyone you "meet" online. My online group didn't form until a year after we'd "met." It takes a long time to form friendships and trust with people you don't really know. I think that's something important to keep in mind. I've seen people get taken in by the first person who comes along and says how much they love the writing. So yeah. Just be careful to take the time to really get to know someone, and build real trust before sending off your full MS to them. What do you think?Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-26260452264137352272009-07-08T11:14:58.302-04:002009-07-08T11:14:58.302-04:00Great post! (And not just cuz you linked to me, he...Great post! (And not just cuz you linked to me, hehe, thanks, btw.) <br /><br />I remember when I didn't write and I could buy a book and just enjoy it. Now that I know more about publishing, I'm even doubtful of published writers. I kind of hate that. I try to shut off the critiquer and just enjoy the book, but sometimes I can't. I know I'm harsher than I need to be. <br /><br />Sometimes I really think we forget to enjoy writing and reading. We've all become skeptics. I'm trying very hard to chill out and just enjoy.Natalie Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164206822403278866.post-88898940794525104552009-07-08T09:03:42.521-04:002009-07-08T09:03:42.521-04:00Wow, Beth, I think this is the best advice I'v...Wow, Beth, I think this is the best advice I've heard in a month. Seriously. You've just convinced me to let people I know actually crit my work. Which is absolutely CRAZY! Lol. Thanks for the awesome post.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12670094635770401053noreply@blogger.com