Pliable Plots
Gaining insight from what you think of my writing
Hey! How much is enough sleep for you?
I feel like between the recommended hours and cups of coffee, there is always a difference from one person to the next when it comes to fatigue.
Whether that translates into a difference of opinion or prescription is perhaps a discussion for another day. However, that uncomfortable wiggle room does highlight the subjectivity of all that is righteous and right.
Different Desires
After finishing the rough draft of Rhean, I’ve been busier discussing the details with some of the first people to read through the new book.
It’s always interesting to see everything I missed or forgot as I did my own edits and rereads.
If you would like to take a look yourself, here’s a link to the google doc:
And while that has been enlightening in its own way, what I find uniquely American in the experience is a certain reluctance to share true emotions.
Often to the detriment of my writing, many of my closest family and friends will hold back any critiques or concerns. For good reason—they don’t want to hurt my feelings after I put so much work into writing.
I completely understand, but it’s also much better to know if what I wrote is complete shit before I open up to a wider audience—to public embarrassment!
Tough Truth
Not everyone is like that and not only because they are not American. One of my favorite examples comes from my uncle’s wise words. A few months ago, when I tried to complain about the critiques I received from his brother—from my father—he answered with the following statement:
“I can't comment on anything further that I have not read and I would never offer praise with broken integrity.”
Rather than unwavering acceptance or unquestioning agreement, he offered a good and truthful reason for not yet commiting to an opinion. I feel that is worth more than a few nice words that are forgotten seconds after they are said.
I’ve been keeping that in mind as I work through the 95,0000 words that make up Rhean. I want to make sure those earliest readers are being truthful with me. Their real emotions will only help me make the story more captivating.
For even if I disagree or don’t accept a suggestion for a change, I’m better for knowing how a different perspective thinks it could or should have been written.
Endless Edits
Going forward, I’ll keep editing Rhean while remembering what I want the book to be.
This is something of a convoluted explanation, but some of my initial reluctance to sharing anything at all comes from a fear of malformed ideas.
I get nervous about how the concept could change and evolve between when I write the first word and when I finish the first draft.
I believe having confidence in my story is a subtle but important part of the process as well. Learning to appreciate my own work as I move from proofreading and preparing to an eventual final release.
Although it’s not all this monumental task of psychological torture. The drama I’ve written is often less taxing than it would seem.
In fact, I’m already receiving fun reactions as people read through Rhean.
Seeing these comments along with all the conversations and corrections certainly makes editing more entertaining.
At least I think it does.
And I can only hope that’s true for those I bother with my questions.
Next Steps
And with that in mind, I intend to start sending out query letters for Rhean.
While I have nothing really to show for it now, I want to be more public about the process.
Even if it ends in failure, being honest and open may help others who are trying to make a name for themselves as legitimate authors.
I’ll also be chatting with author Samuel N. Harris next week on an episode of his podcast.
He will be streaming it live on Facebook if you want to tune in. I imagine it will then be available on all major platforms sometime after.
It should be an entertaining show with me sharing my thoughts on words and stories.
Until next time.
Cheers,
JMB