I've recently dived into the field of beta reader. I looked at this as a thrilling opportunity to read some highly polished work by authors wanting that finish spit-shine before sending their novel into the hell of Queryland. Apparently I should have specified that.
You see, I was under the impression that a critique partner comes before the beta reader. Critique partners are for the nitty-gritty basics of the novel. They help with technique, show vs. telling, passive vs. active, character quirks, plot pitfalls, etc. They, basically, help you learn how to write. (This has been my experience anyway. And, truthfully, I have become a MUCH better writer thanks to my critique group.)
Granted, joining a critique group is tough, yet it's a necessary step to becoming a better writer. We're often too kind to ourselves, or just blind to our flaws, and nothing shines a spotlight on them like a bunch of other writers. Receiving critiques can be one of the most soul-crushing things you've ever experienced (yes, I've had a few of those less than complimentary critiques), but without someone to highlight your errors, how are you ever going to grow from them? AND there will be times (more often than not, I've found) that you will actually have someone LIKE what you've written, and offer you suggestions on how you can make your good story, great.
There is also the sneaky benefit of giving critiques. Not because you've finally found your chance to bash that writer who hated your MC, but because when you critique other people's work, it's easier to see what DOESN'T work in writing, and then you can apply it to yours.
So, to sum it all up: A critique group/partner should be your first step with your newly fledged novel. THEN comes the beta reader.
The beta reader looks at the BIG PICTURE of the novel. They focus on character motivation, plot arc, themes, motifs, pace. Betas should not have to stumble over "weak" writing. You should have a good grasp on writing technique and an even stronger grasp on your voice before you submit your work to a beta.
But this is just how I look at it. What's your take?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Where's My Dang Rainbow?
Have you heard about the flooding in Arkansas? Maybe? Well, I was in the thick of it.
I also live about a billion miles away from work (not even exaggerating) and we have to cross a moat (also known as a low-water bridge, but I like the sound of "moat") to get to our house. When the hubby drove me to work yesterday morning, the water in the moat was already high. High enough that I was leery about crossing it. But we made it. And like good little people, we went to work.
Then all hell breaks loose. The rain begins to POUR. The thunder growls. The lightning strikes. The streets outside were GUSHING water. And I was seriously FREAKING out. I work in a newsroom, and it's bad when reporters look happy. (Okay, not necessarily happy, but definitely excited.) The police scanner was going crazy with reports of roads closing and people needing to be rescued from their homes and vehicles. Hubby calls and says, "I'm coming to get you!" So I leave work an hour early.
Not early enough. My mother, who works out where we live, called to tell us to not even TRY to get home because she couldn't even leave work. The police had all the roads closed down. Even the back roads that we were pretty sure only drug dealers and redneck locals knew about were closed. Okay, not a problem. We'll just stay with my friend. Except we can't even get to her house because the Illinois River bridge on the main highway is UNDERWATER.
So we have to turn around. We end up getting a hotel room (there goes the money we'd been saving to get new tires) and spend the rest of the night flicking between watching the news and River Monsters Unhooked (yes, that was hubby's decision). Meanwhile, I'm fretting about our dogs and cat. The dogs were inside and we fed and watered them before we left, so we were pretty sure they would be okay. The cat, however, decided he wanted to be outside yesterday morning and wouldn't come when we called. So he got to brave the storm outside (we have a barn, which I'm sure is where he ended up staying). Nonetheless, I worried about my furry babies. To the point where hubby decided he would go check on them before he went to work because the waters had gone down and most of the roads had reopened.
My babies, thankfully, are fine. Even the cat, which hubby said was extremely happy to see him and wouldn't stop meowing until he'd gotten fed. Hubby decided to stay and repair what was left of our drive-way and move the boulders out of the moat with the tractor so we could actually get through.
Now the sun is out, but more rain is coming. Need I remind you, God, that you promised not to do in the world with floods again? Speaking of which, where's my dang rainbow?!
(Disclaimer: Some events have been dramatized, but, unfortunately, most of it wasn't.)
I also live about a billion miles away from work (not even exaggerating) and we have to cross a moat (also known as a low-water bridge, but I like the sound of "moat") to get to our house. When the hubby drove me to work yesterday morning, the water in the moat was already high. High enough that I was leery about crossing it. But we made it. And like good little people, we went to work.
Then all hell breaks loose. The rain begins to POUR. The thunder growls. The lightning strikes. The streets outside were GUSHING water. And I was seriously FREAKING out. I work in a newsroom, and it's bad when reporters look happy. (Okay, not necessarily happy, but definitely excited.) The police scanner was going crazy with reports of roads closing and people needing to be rescued from their homes and vehicles. Hubby calls and says, "I'm coming to get you!" So I leave work an hour early.
Not early enough. My mother, who works out where we live, called to tell us to not even TRY to get home because she couldn't even leave work. The police had all the roads closed down. Even the back roads that we were pretty sure only drug dealers and redneck locals knew about were closed. Okay, not a problem. We'll just stay with my friend. Except we can't even get to her house because the Illinois River bridge on the main highway is UNDERWATER.
So we have to turn around. We end up getting a hotel room (there goes the money we'd been saving to get new tires) and spend the rest of the night flicking between watching the news and River Monsters Unhooked (yes, that was hubby's decision). Meanwhile, I'm fretting about our dogs and cat. The dogs were inside and we fed and watered them before we left, so we were pretty sure they would be okay. The cat, however, decided he wanted to be outside yesterday morning and wouldn't come when we called. So he got to brave the storm outside (we have a barn, which I'm sure is where he ended up staying). Nonetheless, I worried about my furry babies. To the point where hubby decided he would go check on them before he went to work because the waters had gone down and most of the roads had reopened.
My babies, thankfully, are fine. Even the cat, which hubby said was extremely happy to see him and wouldn't stop meowing until he'd gotten fed. Hubby decided to stay and repair what was left of our drive-way and move the boulders out of the moat with the tractor so we could actually get through.
Now the sun is out, but more rain is coming. Need I remind you, God, that you promised not to do in the world with floods again? Speaking of which, where's my dang rainbow?!
(Disclaimer: Some events have been dramatized, but, unfortunately, most of it wasn't.)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Selling My Services for a Good Cause
I mentioned a few days ago that I was running in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure 5K. I also mentioned that I would like to raise $100 to donate to the foundation, 75% of which goes directly to local breast cancer education and prevention services. However, I know that in this economy everyone is struggling, and it's difficult to give which is why I would like to offer you something in return for a donation.
Donate $5 and I will critique the first 50 pages of your MS.
Donate $10 and I will draw/paint your MC (or any other character) and mail it to you. (Of course, you'll have to provide a description and also specify what you are looking for (action, pose, standing, etc.) To see examples of my artistic skill, go to my Deviant Art page.
Donate $50 and I will mail you my autographed copy of Nicholas Spark's The Lucky One. (I only have one copy, so whoever donates $50 first will get it.)
I consider myself a more-than-adequate critter and a decent artist (working in watercolor, pencil and acrylic) and will spend a considerable amount of time on each (hence, you'll get your money's worth).
To donate, go to my Susan G. Komen Profile Page and click "Donate to Brandi!"
Once you've made your donation, email me at bguthrie17(at)yahoo(dot)com and let me know what name you donated under and what service you're requesting. (Yes, if you donate $15 you can get both the critique and the character drawing OR three critiques.)
Thank you ahead of time!
Donate $5 and I will critique the first 50 pages of your MS.
Donate $10 and I will draw/paint your MC (or any other character) and mail it to you. (Of course, you'll have to provide a description and also specify what you are looking for (action, pose, standing, etc.) To see examples of my artistic skill, go to my Deviant Art page.
Donate $50 and I will mail you my autographed copy of Nicholas Spark's The Lucky One. (I only have one copy, so whoever donates $50 first will get it.)
I consider myself a more-than-adequate critter and a decent artist (working in watercolor, pencil and acrylic) and will spend a considerable amount of time on each (hence, you'll get your money's worth).
To donate, go to my Susan G. Komen Profile Page and click "Donate to Brandi!"
Once you've made your donation, email me at bguthrie17(at)yahoo(dot)com and let me know what name you donated under and what service you're requesting. (Yes, if you donate $15 you can get both the critique and the character drawing OR three critiques.)
Thank you ahead of time!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday Madness: A Writer's Weird Dreams
I have the blessing/curse of being a vivid dreamer, and last night I dreamed something so bizarre that I thought I would share it.
It started off with me and my sister (in real life, I don't have a sister) being left by our mother. Being the eldest (I am also the youngest in my family IRL) I was charged with the task of keeping my sister safe. There was some sort of natural disaster going on, an almost apocalyptic feel to it, and while the rain was pouring down and the lightning was shattering trees, my sister slipped out of my arms and disappeared.
The rest of the dream was the course of my life. I became fanatically obsessed with finding my sister, searching far out places and shopping centers with toys that came to life with the hope of finding her. I met odd characters along the way, some who promised to help me, others who tried to hinder me (mostly by killing me).
Towards the end of my dream, I finally found my sister. Except she was 32 and I was still only 16 or 17 (yeah, dreams don't make sense). AND she was Sandra Brown. Yes, Sandra Brown the writer. And when I hugged her and rejoiced that I finally found her, she just smiled at me and asked me what I was going to do next. Now that I'd found her--and she was doing just fine without me--my life's quest had been fulfilled. What did I have to live for now?
Nothing, I admitted. To which she gently suggested I end my life. In my dream, that sounded like a pretty good idea.
Does that freak you out as much as it does me?
Seriously, dreams are crazy, occasionally frightening, usually odd, and sometimes beautiful things. But I love the fact that I have ones that are so vivid because they are serious thought candy and can provide great inspiration for stories. So if you ever see a story about two sisters being separated in a post-apocalyptic world, you'll know where it came from.
It started off with me and my sister (in real life, I don't have a sister) being left by our mother. Being the eldest (I am also the youngest in my family IRL) I was charged with the task of keeping my sister safe. There was some sort of natural disaster going on, an almost apocalyptic feel to it, and while the rain was pouring down and the lightning was shattering trees, my sister slipped out of my arms and disappeared.
The rest of the dream was the course of my life. I became fanatically obsessed with finding my sister, searching far out places and shopping centers with toys that came to life with the hope of finding her. I met odd characters along the way, some who promised to help me, others who tried to hinder me (mostly by killing me).
Towards the end of my dream, I finally found my sister. Except she was 32 and I was still only 16 or 17 (yeah, dreams don't make sense). AND she was Sandra Brown. Yes, Sandra Brown the writer. And when I hugged her and rejoiced that I finally found her, she just smiled at me and asked me what I was going to do next. Now that I'd found her--and she was doing just fine without me--my life's quest had been fulfilled. What did I have to live for now?
Nothing, I admitted. To which she gently suggested I end my life. In my dream, that sounded like a pretty good idea.
Does that freak you out as much as it does me?
Seriously, dreams are crazy, occasionally frightening, usually odd, and sometimes beautiful things. But I love the fact that I have ones that are so vivid because they are serious thought candy and can provide great inspiration for stories. So if you ever see a story about two sisters being separated in a post-apocalyptic world, you'll know where it came from.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
5K Fever (And A Little About Writing)
I signed up for my second 5K today--the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It will be April 30 in Rogers, so if you're in the neighborhood and want to watch my face turn flame red (no joke) then drop by. (Also, it's for a good cause.)
I'm trying to raise $100 before the race, so, if you're interested in making a contribution (yes, I'm a donation junkie) go here: bit.ly/i1EIRo
Despite having a race under my belt, I'm a little nervous. My husband has agreed to run with me, and I know that he (and everyone else I know) will leave me in the dust. That's okay, I guess, but I can't help but want to keep up. I've told myself that as long as I meet my time of 34:20 at the previous 5K, I'm good. Heck, it would be GREAT if I could shave a minute or two off of it. I'm going to train like crazy over the next two weeks.
Okay, now for the writing stuff.
There was a discussion about how the more you learn about craft, the less you're able to ignore "bad" writing in books. Authors that you normally devoured lost their appeal. Errors leapt from the pages, the characters were flat, the plot static. And then you find that the book you loved two, three or five years ago isn't as spectacular as you remembered.
What do I say to this?
Woohoo!
Maybe it's because I'm an overzealous editor, but I think it proves to a writer just how far they've come when they can find flaws in their past favorites. Sure, it can be annoying and it sort of takes the joy out of reading at times, but here's where I want you to know a little secret: you'll find better books and better authors and once again you'll be that blissfully happy reader. You will just be a special kind of reader: a finnicky one.
As I used to say when I was more arrogant (man, I miss being arrogant): I only read books by authors who can write at least as well as I can. Despite the snootiness of that comment, it's true. If a book is below your own skill (or at least your knowledge of skill), then it's very difficult to make yourself read it. So, you see, you're not becoming a worse reader, you're becoming a better writer!
Write on!
I'm trying to raise $100 before the race, so, if you're interested in making a contribution (yes, I'm a donation junkie) go here: bit.ly/i1EIRo
Despite having a race under my belt, I'm a little nervous. My husband has agreed to run with me, and I know that he (and everyone else I know) will leave me in the dust. That's okay, I guess, but I can't help but want to keep up. I've told myself that as long as I meet my time of 34:20 at the previous 5K, I'm good. Heck, it would be GREAT if I could shave a minute or two off of it. I'm going to train like crazy over the next two weeks.
Okay, now for the writing stuff.
There was a discussion about how the more you learn about craft, the less you're able to ignore "bad" writing in books. Authors that you normally devoured lost their appeal. Errors leapt from the pages, the characters were flat, the plot static. And then you find that the book you loved two, three or five years ago isn't as spectacular as you remembered.
What do I say to this?
Woohoo!
Maybe it's because I'm an overzealous editor, but I think it proves to a writer just how far they've come when they can find flaws in their past favorites. Sure, it can be annoying and it sort of takes the joy out of reading at times, but here's where I want you to know a little secret: you'll find better books and better authors and once again you'll be that blissfully happy reader. You will just be a special kind of reader: a finnicky one.
As I used to say when I was more arrogant (man, I miss being arrogant): I only read books by authors who can write at least as well as I can. Despite the snootiness of that comment, it's true. If a book is below your own skill (or at least your knowledge of skill), then it's very difficult to make yourself read it. So, you see, you're not becoming a worse reader, you're becoming a better writer!
Write on!
Monday, April 11, 2011
For My Own Amusement
And hopefully yours too.
As a romance writer, I can't help but sniff out some sexual tension between these two rogues. Do they know each other? Have they met before? If they did meet under less hostile circumstances, what would they do?
Ah, crap, now I want to go write another story.
As a romance writer, I can't help but sniff out some sexual tension between these two rogues. Do they know each other? Have they met before? If they did meet under less hostile circumstances, what would they do?
Ah, crap, now I want to go write another story.
Monday Madness: Best Title Ever (and 5K Results)
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
A romance novel with this sort of title deserves five stars just for ingenuity. Hehe. What's he riding, I wonder?
And on a completely unrelated note (no riding involved), let me just share that I finished the Hogeye 5K in 34:20. My fastest time ever! I am seriously so proud of myself.
I finished 16th in my age group and 160th overall. (There were 200+ racers.) What's funny is that I'm apparently a mean-looking runner. Some coworkers were cheering me on and they said that I gave them a death glare. OMG! Did not mean to and totally don't know where that came from. I think it was more like I was concentrating so hard on just making it to the finish line that I didn't realize what expression I had on my face.
But 34:20! Squee!
And on a completely unrelated note (no riding involved), let me just share that I finished the Hogeye 5K in 34:20. My fastest time ever! I am seriously so proud of myself.
I finished 16th in my age group and 160th overall. (There were 200+ racers.) What's funny is that I'm apparently a mean-looking runner. Some coworkers were cheering me on and they said that I gave them a death glare. OMG! Did not mean to and totally don't know where that came from. I think it was more like I was concentrating so hard on just making it to the finish line that I didn't realize what expression I had on my face.
But 34:20! Squee!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday Madness: Not In the Mood
I'm reintroducing Monday Madness, and while I'll certainly try to be helpful, more likely than not it will just be my inane ramblings about what I'm reading or writing at the moment. Enjoy!
I have book binges that totally depend on my mood. If I'm in the mood for something angsty, I'll usually go for YA. If I want an adventure, I'll find something in fantasy. If I want a love story, well, I go for romance, naturally.
Which brings me to a dilemma. What do you do when you're not in the mood?
I have Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher sitting on my coffee table right now. It's a library book, so that means I should get around to reading it soon (like, before it's due back). It's also supposed to be one of those books that will "change your world" so I've been really looking forward to reading it.
I'm just not in the mood. You see, I'm in a pretty good mood this week (mainly due to sunshine and reading Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong, which was so good) and I'm reluctant to change that. And Thirteen Reasons Why is guaranteed to put me in a not-so-happy mood. I mean, it's about a girl's reasons for committing suicide. Not lighthearted in the least. And I'm one of those weird people who are easily influence by books, movie and music. A sad story, movie or song makes me sad. There's no getting around it. (And it really annoys my husband when I start moping over nothing.)
So, instead of reading the book I was supposed to read, I dug through my bookshelves and found Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which I've read no less than six times. Lol.
I'm sure I'll be in the mood for a serious story soon, and probably force myself to read it just because I hate having to renew my library loans (and also because a less happy part of me really does want to read it) but just not today. Tomorrow doesn't look good either.
What do you do when you're not in the mood? Do you move on or hunker down and read anyway? Please share!
I have book binges that totally depend on my mood. If I'm in the mood for something angsty, I'll usually go for YA. If I want an adventure, I'll find something in fantasy. If I want a love story, well, I go for romance, naturally.
Which brings me to a dilemma. What do you do when you're not in the mood?
I have Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher sitting on my coffee table right now. It's a library book, so that means I should get around to reading it soon (like, before it's due back). It's also supposed to be one of those books that will "change your world" so I've been really looking forward to reading it.
I'm just not in the mood. You see, I'm in a pretty good mood this week (mainly due to sunshine and reading Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong, which was so good) and I'm reluctant to change that. And Thirteen Reasons Why is guaranteed to put me in a not-so-happy mood. I mean, it's about a girl's reasons for committing suicide. Not lighthearted in the least. And I'm one of those weird people who are easily influence by books, movie and music. A sad story, movie or song makes me sad. There's no getting around it. (And it really annoys my husband when I start moping over nothing.)
So, instead of reading the book I was supposed to read, I dug through my bookshelves and found Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which I've read no less than six times. Lol.
I'm sure I'll be in the mood for a serious story soon, and probably force myself to read it just because I hate having to renew my library loans (and also because a less happy part of me really does want to read it) but just not today. Tomorrow doesn't look good either.
What do you do when you're not in the mood? Do you move on or hunker down and read anyway? Please share!
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