L.E. Fitzpatrick's Blog, page 4
June 25, 2015
My Running Game?
I've taken up running.
That's actually a lie, I've taken up thinking about taking up running. The thought is in its early stages but it might go somewhere. It occurred to me that being a writer of a high paced thriller it would be an idea if I had some experience of being in a high paced thrilling chase. Unfortunately, when experimenting with this particular role play I realised very quickly that I am most definitely a soon-to-be-dead character in any type of adventure novel.
My biggest hurdle - pun most definitely intended - is that exercise and me have never been on very good terms. Exercise seems to resent me for my inability to run or jump very well and I resent exercise for giving me stitch and making me sweat. But it was pointed out to me that, for all my extremely sensible planning for the zombie apocalypse, I haven't really made any efforts to sort myself out for the inevitable.
FYI: Sensible planning for the zombie apocalypse includes but is not limited to: armory, food stores, fortified house, fresh water supply, and the all important reserved apocalypse toothbrush.
I also figured that since I put my characters through massive amounts of physical activity it was about time I showed a little bit of solidarity and moved a few muscles myself - if only for the purposes of research.
The first step was to buy an exercise bike. Buying things comes very naturally to me. Unpacking and building less so. But after I left the country for a weekend I found the husband fairies had put the bike together in an attempt to encourage my sudden interest in healthy living.
Now the exercise bike is brilliant. I discovered after day two that if you stick a bit of tape to the screen you can stick your Kindle in place and I can read about a chapter ever 2k. Pretty impressive right? I mean my heart rate was racing and so what if that was down to the latest John Connolly novel - who needs to break a sweat?
Okay the exercise bike couldn't fight this get fit battle alone and that's where running comes in. The plan is to train to run 5k by May. Sounds easy right I mean that's two and a bit chapters!
Unfortunately I'm not built for running. I'm built more for being a bouncy castle. Although I'm trying to get inspiration from a quick sprint down the local lane, trying to put my mind into focus and understand what my characters are thinking, in reality I am more like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man on the verge of a massive cardiac arrest.
I think it's hard being a writer and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Every free hour I have is spent at a computer living in a fantasy world, surviving off a diet of coffee and jelly beans. I sit until the early hours of the morning crafting a world where people can climb down buildings and leap off trains (spoiler!). There's so much action to write it's pretty exhausting. But wait a minute. They say that just thinking about exercise burns calories so that must mean each one of my books is like doing an action packed 5k run right? Maybe?
Yeah, even I'm not buying that one. So I guess that means that next week I'll be embarking on my own Running Game. Less guns and gangsters and more cow shit spattered roads and sunburn. Wish me luck. Break a leg.
That's actually a lie, I've taken up thinking about taking up running. The thought is in its early stages but it might go somewhere. It occurred to me that being a writer of a high paced thriller it would be an idea if I had some experience of being in a high paced thrilling chase. Unfortunately, when experimenting with this particular role play I realised very quickly that I am most definitely a soon-to-be-dead character in any type of adventure novel.
My biggest hurdle - pun most definitely intended - is that exercise and me have never been on very good terms. Exercise seems to resent me for my inability to run or jump very well and I resent exercise for giving me stitch and making me sweat. But it was pointed out to me that, for all my extremely sensible planning for the zombie apocalypse, I haven't really made any efforts to sort myself out for the inevitable.
FYI: Sensible planning for the zombie apocalypse includes but is not limited to: armory, food stores, fortified house, fresh water supply, and the all important reserved apocalypse toothbrush.
I also figured that since I put my characters through massive amounts of physical activity it was about time I showed a little bit of solidarity and moved a few muscles myself - if only for the purposes of research.
The first step was to buy an exercise bike. Buying things comes very naturally to me. Unpacking and building less so. But after I left the country for a weekend I found the husband fairies had put the bike together in an attempt to encourage my sudden interest in healthy living.Now the exercise bike is brilliant. I discovered after day two that if you stick a bit of tape to the screen you can stick your Kindle in place and I can read about a chapter ever 2k. Pretty impressive right? I mean my heart rate was racing and so what if that was down to the latest John Connolly novel - who needs to break a sweat?
Okay the exercise bike couldn't fight this get fit battle alone and that's where running comes in. The plan is to train to run 5k by May. Sounds easy right I mean that's two and a bit chapters!
Unfortunately I'm not built for running. I'm built more for being a bouncy castle. Although I'm trying to get inspiration from a quick sprint down the local lane, trying to put my mind into focus and understand what my characters are thinking, in reality I am more like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man on the verge of a massive cardiac arrest.
I think it's hard being a writer and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Every free hour I have is spent at a computer living in a fantasy world, surviving off a diet of coffee and jelly beans. I sit until the early hours of the morning crafting a world where people can climb down buildings and leap off trains (spoiler!). There's so much action to write it's pretty exhausting. But wait a minute. They say that just thinking about exercise burns calories so that must mean each one of my books is like doing an action packed 5k run right? Maybe?
Yeah, even I'm not buying that one. So I guess that means that next week I'll be embarking on my own Running Game. Less guns and gangsters and more cow shit spattered roads and sunburn. Wish me luck. Break a leg.
June 22, 2015
Getting It Together
You know the first thing they tell you when you get signed by a publisher - "don't give up your day job yet..." The trouble for me is I never listen to good advice. Don't eat that - it's really spicy, do a tester before you spray it all over your body, don't mix your drinks. Yup, I'm more of a "learn from experience" kind of girl with the emphasis on bad experiences. So I've packed in my day job... only kidding, the paying the bills aspect of my life is still plodding along, what I have done is cut my normal office down by half so I can concentrate on being an author.
Sorry, I have to take a second to calm down the excitement here. Every time I think about it I get a little bit giddy. This has been an ambition for so long I had pretty much resigned myself to never achieving it. And what's more is I actually need to do this, I have so much to do I can't afford to not clear my diary - sorry Tom Hardy our date will have to wait.
I guess a lot of people think that once you get the book deal then the world of writing just opens up. Well it does, but it's not a blissful place that an author can just float into - instead it's more like hurtling through a wormhole after eating your body weight in cake. There is so much to do and that's not even thinking about the next book.
Positive attitude the Jelly Beans are half full... but not for long.
Social media is the big thing at the moment and in my case the big scary that looms over me like an expectant gym teacher just waiting for me to fall flat on my face - which will happen.
I have two issues with social media, the first is that it's constantly evolving meaning I get my head around one thing just as it becomes outdated. The second is that I've worked long and hard at reigning in my crazy that actually spewing forth all the nonsense from my head doesn't come naturally (or at least not without a thorough editing process tacked on at the end). I have thoughts and opinions but do I really want to share them? There are some hornets nests that shouldn't be poked and yet if you read my work you read the core of my inner self...
Okay we're getting a bit deep aren't we? The main thing is that in order to be accessible I need to be accessible. What does that even mean? I guess it means that the crazy is going to come out and the posts are going to get more interesting, maybe even a little more controversial. Writing is my life, but there's more to my life than writing. And I'm under strict orders to start talking about it. I may not listen to advice but I do take orders (especially from my Book Manager General).
So today marks the start of the new regime. Two hours of proofreading are in the bag and now it's time to work on my bios for all the social networking sites that demand I make a statement about myself. So far I've got "I like Jelly Beans," which is actually and understatement. God, this exposure thing is tough. Okay "I love Jelly Beans and I have to ration them so I can have some every day," there, now we're getting beneath the surface. Maybe this exposure business won't be so tough after all.
Sorry, I have to take a second to calm down the excitement here. Every time I think about it I get a little bit giddy. This has been an ambition for so long I had pretty much resigned myself to never achieving it. And what's more is I actually need to do this, I have so much to do I can't afford to not clear my diary - sorry Tom Hardy our date will have to wait.
I guess a lot of people think that once you get the book deal then the world of writing just opens up. Well it does, but it's not a blissful place that an author can just float into - instead it's more like hurtling through a wormhole after eating your body weight in cake. There is so much to do and that's not even thinking about the next book.
Positive attitude the Jelly Beans are half full... but not for long.Social media is the big thing at the moment and in my case the big scary that looms over me like an expectant gym teacher just waiting for me to fall flat on my face - which will happen.
I have two issues with social media, the first is that it's constantly evolving meaning I get my head around one thing just as it becomes outdated. The second is that I've worked long and hard at reigning in my crazy that actually spewing forth all the nonsense from my head doesn't come naturally (or at least not without a thorough editing process tacked on at the end). I have thoughts and opinions but do I really want to share them? There are some hornets nests that shouldn't be poked and yet if you read my work you read the core of my inner self...
Okay we're getting a bit deep aren't we? The main thing is that in order to be accessible I need to be accessible. What does that even mean? I guess it means that the crazy is going to come out and the posts are going to get more interesting, maybe even a little more controversial. Writing is my life, but there's more to my life than writing. And I'm under strict orders to start talking about it. I may not listen to advice but I do take orders (especially from my Book Manager General).
So today marks the start of the new regime. Two hours of proofreading are in the bag and now it's time to work on my bios for all the social networking sites that demand I make a statement about myself. So far I've got "I like Jelly Beans," which is actually and understatement. God, this exposure thing is tough. Okay "I love Jelly Beans and I have to ration them so I can have some every day," there, now we're getting beneath the surface. Maybe this exposure business won't be so tough after all.
June 7, 2015
Almost There
I don't know, maybe it's because I'm getting older (hitting the big 30 this year - eek) and everything just takes a lot longer, but I'm still working on the first draft - that's right still the first - of book 3 of my Reacher series. Back at the start of the year this baby was supposed to take three months to complete, two to polish and off we go to publish. But the best laid plans right?
Of course Booktrope got in the way - damn those pesky publishers thinking they can just sign me up - and then I had to assemble my team and go back to nurturing The Running Game. In the middle there was this thing called life, which always happens and yet still catches me off guard. But to be honest there was no hurdle that should have really held me up like I have been.
No hurdle except a mammoth plot which occasionally got a bit to big to handle. Book 3 is going to be none stop action, first I have to get Charlie back (remind me not to end on a cliffhanger again). Then there's the trouble with the serial killer, the evil Reachers, the Institute. After they're all taken care of - bang, bang, bang - it's time to bring on the big evil (oh yeah I spring that on you now). Phew! I'm feeling breathless.
Okay so that's my excuse. Book 3 is going to be huge so it will take a while. Get off my back. What do you mean I brought it up? Oh yeah I did. Well there was a reason for that. Three months over due I am finally tying up the last bit of the first draft. It's happening now (well not this instant because I'm talking to you - but you know what I mean).
After this things will snowball. The chapters will grow, the characters will develop (those that survive that is) and this book will soon be ready for beta reading. I can't wait. This is my favourite part of writing - the part when it all comes together and it's been so long in the making I can't wait to start.
First drafts for me are the hardest to write. All the ideas in my head are undeveloped and unconnected. They need to be bashed out in the right order, in the right way and for me this doesn't happen overnight (as you can see it doesn't even happen over three months).To write a tense thriller you need to have a plot that's strong, but also that will weave around an unpredictable journey. None of my Reacher series ends the way it's originally planned - it needs to be better, needs to be more interesting, needs to keep you guessing. And book 3 is covering a lot of ground too. This book needs to tie up everything in the previous books so we can move on to the bigger arch, because we are not even close to finishing.
So it has taken time - it's still taking time. Maybe like a fine a wine this book just needed to mature, but I can tell you one thing - I can't wait to fill up my first glass.
Of course Booktrope got in the way - damn those pesky publishers thinking they can just sign me up - and then I had to assemble my team and go back to nurturing The Running Game. In the middle there was this thing called life, which always happens and yet still catches me off guard. But to be honest there was no hurdle that should have really held me up like I have been.
No hurdle except a mammoth plot which occasionally got a bit to big to handle. Book 3 is going to be none stop action, first I have to get Charlie back (remind me not to end on a cliffhanger again). Then there's the trouble with the serial killer, the evil Reachers, the Institute. After they're all taken care of - bang, bang, bang - it's time to bring on the big evil (oh yeah I spring that on you now). Phew! I'm feeling breathless.
Okay so that's my excuse. Book 3 is going to be huge so it will take a while. Get off my back. What do you mean I brought it up? Oh yeah I did. Well there was a reason for that. Three months over due I am finally tying up the last bit of the first draft. It's happening now (well not this instant because I'm talking to you - but you know what I mean).
After this things will snowball. The chapters will grow, the characters will develop (those that survive that is) and this book will soon be ready for beta reading. I can't wait. This is my favourite part of writing - the part when it all comes together and it's been so long in the making I can't wait to start.
First drafts for me are the hardest to write. All the ideas in my head are undeveloped and unconnected. They need to be bashed out in the right order, in the right way and for me this doesn't happen overnight (as you can see it doesn't even happen over three months).To write a tense thriller you need to have a plot that's strong, but also that will weave around an unpredictable journey. None of my Reacher series ends the way it's originally planned - it needs to be better, needs to be more interesting, needs to keep you guessing. And book 3 is covering a lot of ground too. This book needs to tie up everything in the previous books so we can move on to the bigger arch, because we are not even close to finishing.
So it has taken time - it's still taking time. Maybe like a fine a wine this book just needed to mature, but I can tell you one thing - I can't wait to fill up my first glass.
May 29, 2015
Avengers Assemble
One of the most interesting parts of being a Booktrope author (aside from obviously saying that you are a Booktrope author) is that you get to assemble your own team to work on your book. Now I'm dealing with this in a very Nick Fury kind of way - even wearing an eye patch!
My biggest question was - what the hell do I look for in a team member? And to be honest I haven't quite figured that out yet. Hiring an editor was the hardest choice because this has to be someone who is not only competent but who will also challenge me in the right way. And what is the right way? Well the general answer I got from other Booktrope authors was an editor that rattled you enough to see the light.
I think my editor will do that. She's laid back enough to hopefully deal with a regular dose of crazy and she pulled apart every weak word of my first chapter until I was nothing but a gibbering wreck afterwards. I've never worked with an editor before and already I feel the need to impress, to get better and to make the book shine. I guess that means she's doing her job - or at least she will be if I do manage to impress, get better and make the book all shimmery.
My second teammate is taking on two roles - book manager and project manager. My understanding of these areas is still a little grey but I expect to be bossed about a bit. Managing the project was something I did myself for so long this one is the hardest role to give up, but it needs to be done. A fresh set of eyes needs to be in charge and for once I don't have to worry about social media.
For an author that has exclusively done everything by herself I thought I would be more possessive of my work than I am. In fact I'm incredibly excited about the prospect of being pushed and pulled into shape by a capable team of experts and enthusiasts. God knows what is going to come out of this, but it's going to be good. And who knows it might even change me too.
My biggest question was - what the hell do I look for in a team member? And to be honest I haven't quite figured that out yet. Hiring an editor was the hardest choice because this has to be someone who is not only competent but who will also challenge me in the right way. And what is the right way? Well the general answer I got from other Booktrope authors was an editor that rattled you enough to see the light.
I think my editor will do that. She's laid back enough to hopefully deal with a regular dose of crazy and she pulled apart every weak word of my first chapter until I was nothing but a gibbering wreck afterwards. I've never worked with an editor before and already I feel the need to impress, to get better and to make the book shine. I guess that means she's doing her job - or at least she will be if I do manage to impress, get better and make the book all shimmery.
My second teammate is taking on two roles - book manager and project manager. My understanding of these areas is still a little grey but I expect to be bossed about a bit. Managing the project was something I did myself for so long this one is the hardest role to give up, but it needs to be done. A fresh set of eyes needs to be in charge and for once I don't have to worry about social media.
For an author that has exclusively done everything by herself I thought I would be more possessive of my work than I am. In fact I'm incredibly excited about the prospect of being pushed and pulled into shape by a capable team of experts and enthusiasts. God knows what is going to come out of this, but it's going to be good. And who knows it might even change me too.
May 12, 2015
Booktrope Announcement
I am very pleased to announce that The Running Game has been picked up by publishers Booktrope.
This is an absolute dream come true, especially as I work on book 3 in the series. Of course now it means that this old veteran of indie publishing goes back to being a newbie author and that's taking some getting used to I can tell you.
I've been very neglectful of this blog, mainly because I've been working incredibly hard - and thankfully not without reward - to get The Running Game noticed. It now has over 50 reviews on Goodreads all of which are good - phew! - and sells modestly. It is a piece of work that a publisher is willing to take a risk on and did I mention it's well written?
I started my self-publishing journey a long time ago and it seems that maybe it has come to an end. Although everything I have done since I published Dark Waters back in 2011 has been for this moment, it feels like the end of an era. But as sad as I am to wave bye bye to my indie days, the future is looking sparkly and I'm feeling geared for action.
So a little bit about Booktrope. I heard about them from a group of authors and thought - hell why not let's give them a try. I submitted my manuscript and they have a much faster turnaround than most publishers. It took about two months and then I got an email. Unfortunately for me I happened to delete that email without reading it - duh. Luckily for me they chased me up for a response and the rest is history. Actually the rest is present and happening at the moment but you know what I mean.
I researched Booktrope when I got my contract through because I was naturally worried that I might be inadvertently selling my soul and I found so much good press I think they may own the internet. The people there are all very nice - like super nice - possibly alien invasion nice.... okay you got me I sound unreasonable apprehensive because I am. I've been aiming for this for so long I'd almost accepted it was a pipe dream and now it's not. It's very real, very happening and I'm very much out of my depth. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
The next step is to find an editor. It's a bit like finding Nemo at the moment - lots of fish how do I tell which one is mine? Thankfully there are a lot of good authors out there pointing me in the right direction. And ha! We now have our theme - good author buddies when you are writing are essential and I wouldn't have made it this far without them. Or something about fish - figure that one out yourselves.
This is an absolute dream come true, especially as I work on book 3 in the series. Of course now it means that this old veteran of indie publishing goes back to being a newbie author and that's taking some getting used to I can tell you.
I've been very neglectful of this blog, mainly because I've been working incredibly hard - and thankfully not without reward - to get The Running Game noticed. It now has over 50 reviews on Goodreads all of which are good - phew! - and sells modestly. It is a piece of work that a publisher is willing to take a risk on and did I mention it's well written?
I started my self-publishing journey a long time ago and it seems that maybe it has come to an end. Although everything I have done since I published Dark Waters back in 2011 has been for this moment, it feels like the end of an era. But as sad as I am to wave bye bye to my indie days, the future is looking sparkly and I'm feeling geared for action.
So a little bit about Booktrope. I heard about them from a group of authors and thought - hell why not let's give them a try. I submitted my manuscript and they have a much faster turnaround than most publishers. It took about two months and then I got an email. Unfortunately for me I happened to delete that email without reading it - duh. Luckily for me they chased me up for a response and the rest is history. Actually the rest is present and happening at the moment but you know what I mean.
I researched Booktrope when I got my contract through because I was naturally worried that I might be inadvertently selling my soul and I found so much good press I think they may own the internet. The people there are all very nice - like super nice - possibly alien invasion nice.... okay you got me I sound unreasonable apprehensive because I am. I've been aiming for this for so long I'd almost accepted it was a pipe dream and now it's not. It's very real, very happening and I'm very much out of my depth. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
The next step is to find an editor. It's a bit like finding Nemo at the moment - lots of fish how do I tell which one is mine? Thankfully there are a lot of good authors out there pointing me in the right direction. And ha! We now have our theme - good author buddies when you are writing are essential and I wouldn't have made it this far without them. Or something about fish - figure that one out yourselves.
July 19, 2014
Border Lines Out Tomorrow
So I've been a bit late on blog posts recently. Well there is a reason why and I promise you it is a good one. Tomorrow - that's right Sunday 20th July 2014 (breathing into a paper bag in a panic) is the release date for my latest book Border Lines!!!
You've seen the cover and the blurb well tomorrow it's the release party and everyone who is everyone is going to be there, I've even heard the Queen and Elvis are going to show up. So you better not miss it - I'm counting on you to come. Tell your friends, tell your enemies, open your car windows and shout it at the top of your voice:
20th July 2014Border Lines Release Party on Facebook
There will be prizes, extracts, exclusives and all kinds of fun and games. There are 24 hours in a day spare a few minutes to stop by and join in the fun and you will be rewarded with my eternal gratitude. Besides what are you going to do otherwise - go out in the thunderstorms we've been having? See you there!
You've seen the cover and the blurb well tomorrow it's the release party and everyone who is everyone is going to be there, I've even heard the Queen and Elvis are going to show up. So you better not miss it - I'm counting on you to come. Tell your friends, tell your enemies, open your car windows and shout it at the top of your voice:
20th July 2014Border Lines Release Party on Facebook
There will be prizes, extracts, exclusives and all kinds of fun and games. There are 24 hours in a day spare a few minutes to stop by and join in the fun and you will be rewarded with my eternal gratitude. Besides what are you going to do otherwise - go out in the thunderstorms we've been having? See you there!
June 22, 2014
Book Cover Revealed
Okay guys the new book is in beta stage as you probably know already, but the cover and the blurb are done. I am so pleased to be able to present the new cover for my new book Border Lines. Let me know if you like it.
Border Lines
Until the book is released, you have plenty of time to read the first book of the Reachers series if you haven’t had a chance before.
Buy LinksAmazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G7VJ0GG/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G7VJ0GG/
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/370963
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-running-game-l-e-fitzpatrick/1117298998
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Running-Game/book-dd4LOU4_lkWM0FLWucj6hw/page1.html
About Me (*blushes*)
L E Fitzpatrick was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, but now lives in West Wales, with her family plus lots of dogs and cats. She manages an office, volunteers as a room steward for the National Trust and also supports independent authors as a proofreader and beta reader. She obviously has no spare time because of this, but if she did it would probably be invested in walking in the countryside and enjoying the peace and quiet.
L E Fitzpatrick published her first series Dark Waters in 2011 and is currently working on her Reacher series.
Social Links
Website: http://l-e-fitzpatrick.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lefitzpatrickbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/L_E_Fitzpatrick
Border Lines
"We all remember that kid in Piccadilly. That determined look he had on his face as he willed all those people to him. Just using his mind he pulled them close then blew them all to pieces. It could be anyone. Your neighbour, your friend, your lover. Remain vigilant. Reachers are everywhere.”
When the perfect job comes up Charlie doesn’t think twice about taking it. This is the break he’s been looking for and nobody, not even the rest of his team, can persuade him otherwise.
The job means working for an old enemy and crossing the border into London. Both are risky but Charlie has no idea how high the stakes really are.
The team will have to confront their past, each other and a killer who is closer than they realise. But can they all make it out of the city alive?This is the second installment in the Reachers series.
Until the book is released, you have plenty of time to read the first book of the Reachers series if you haven’t had a chance before.
Her father called it the running game. Count the exits, calculate the routes. Always be ready to run because they’ll always be coming for you. Whatever happens, they’ll always be coming for you.
Rachel had let her guard down and they had found her. She could run now, leave the city and try her luck beyond the borders, but with no money and a dark secret to hide her chances of survival are slim.
But then she meets two brothers with a dangerous past and secrets of their own. Can they help her turn the game around?
Buy LinksAmazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G7VJ0GG/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G7VJ0GG/
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/370963
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-running-game-l-e-fitzpatrick/1117298998
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Running-Game/book-dd4LOU4_lkWM0FLWucj6hw/page1.html
About Me (*blushes*)
L E Fitzpatrick was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, but now lives in West Wales, with her family plus lots of dogs and cats. She manages an office, volunteers as a room steward for the National Trust and also supports independent authors as a proofreader and beta reader. She obviously has no spare time because of this, but if she did it would probably be invested in walking in the countryside and enjoying the peace and quiet.L E Fitzpatrick published her first series Dark Waters in 2011 and is currently working on her Reacher series.
Social Links
Website: http://l-e-fitzpatrick.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lefitzpatrickbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/L_E_Fitzpatrick
June 11, 2014
Beta Readers and why they're the greatest asset to every indie
I see a lot of authors posting queries about beta readers. Where to find them, whether they're needed, are they going to steal our work?
It always makes me cringe when authors, especially in their early stages, are so paranoid about book thieves they refuse help that could really make a difference to their work. Although I've heard a lot about author paranoia I have never heard about a beta reader stealing somebody's work. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but it shouldn't be your first concern - and if you are really concerned you can copyright your work and protect it before you send it on.
Being overly protective, even sensitive can prevent a lot of authors from approaching outsiders but this is an essential step for every budding writer and is a perfect way of easing authors into the big, sometimes scary, world of writing.
So what is a beta reader? Well that's an easy one. A beta reader is someone who is going to read your work and try to help you make the best of it. Every beta reader is different and the help they can offer is different too, which is why it's important to approach several and cover every angle.
Some betas will just give you an overview of the story - these are the ones that tend to read your story like your audience will and they will give vital feedback. Others (like me) will pick apart each sentence. And this latter group are far more tedious but will make a good book a great book.
Betas will test your book and they will report back to you constructively. It is very rare you will get aggressive or despondent feedback. But be warned they will be honest. If you've made a mistake or if they don't like something you will be told so prepare yourself for difficult comments and remember these readers are doing you a favour - their advice is essential.
"But my friends said my book is great, I don't need beta reads." Wrong! Your friends know you, they're part of your clique. When you talk nonsense they probably know what you are talking about. They also might be aware of your sensitive nature, or not take your work seriously. Betas are passionate about books, they read more than most and they will make your work accessible world wide.
So what type of feedback do they give? First off they'll pull you up on major issues. If the book is unreadable, poorly written or badly punctuated they'll let you know where you are going wrong. Then it's back to the drawing board. If you pass that first test it's then down to the plot, the characters, if it's an enjoyable read - remember each reader will be different so you can take their advice selectively. If all but one of your readers love your characters you can assume you don't need to make changes, but if you all of your readers but one hate your characters then go back and work on these.
At what stage you give your work out for beta reading is entirely up to you. I prefer total and utter completion myself. I will proof it personally and hand them what I think should be the finished article (only to turn around and be told I need to make changes). Some of you may want to get feedback on plot or characters earlier and as long as you let your readers know that's what you're after they'll direct their attention in the right place.
This invaluable help is usually free, so bear in mind it takes time. And most importantly these readers are going out of their way to help you - so bloody appreciate them.
Now, what have beta readers done for me? Okay so here are a few things that wouldn't have happened if I didn't have my precious betas:
My entire opening chapter of The Running Game would be written in the wrong tense.My book would be littered with little annoying typosRachel, my leading lady, would have got into the boot of the car with her hands tied behind her back and magically got out of the car with them tied at the front.I would have used the word gormless and alienated my non-UK readers (meaning lacking sense, or foolish).
But the most important thing beta readers do for you is give you confidence. You see they give pick up your errors but they also pick up your strengths. Getting emails from them telling me they loved my book (and each loved different aspects) gave me the confidence to really push The Running Game a lot more than I ever have with other books. After their words and support I feel incredibly proud of my work and I am fueled to write more....
Which is why we're here. Book 2 is with them now and this brings us nicely into the next topic - dealing with criticism and who knows maybe I will have pages of examples for you by the time the week is out.
It always makes me cringe when authors, especially in their early stages, are so paranoid about book thieves they refuse help that could really make a difference to their work. Although I've heard a lot about author paranoia I have never heard about a beta reader stealing somebody's work. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but it shouldn't be your first concern - and if you are really concerned you can copyright your work and protect it before you send it on.
Being overly protective, even sensitive can prevent a lot of authors from approaching outsiders but this is an essential step for every budding writer and is a perfect way of easing authors into the big, sometimes scary, world of writing.
So what is a beta reader? Well that's an easy one. A beta reader is someone who is going to read your work and try to help you make the best of it. Every beta reader is different and the help they can offer is different too, which is why it's important to approach several and cover every angle.
Some betas will just give you an overview of the story - these are the ones that tend to read your story like your audience will and they will give vital feedback. Others (like me) will pick apart each sentence. And this latter group are far more tedious but will make a good book a great book.
Betas will test your book and they will report back to you constructively. It is very rare you will get aggressive or despondent feedback. But be warned they will be honest. If you've made a mistake or if they don't like something you will be told so prepare yourself for difficult comments and remember these readers are doing you a favour - their advice is essential.
"But my friends said my book is great, I don't need beta reads." Wrong! Your friends know you, they're part of your clique. When you talk nonsense they probably know what you are talking about. They also might be aware of your sensitive nature, or not take your work seriously. Betas are passionate about books, they read more than most and they will make your work accessible world wide.
So what type of feedback do they give? First off they'll pull you up on major issues. If the book is unreadable, poorly written or badly punctuated they'll let you know where you are going wrong. Then it's back to the drawing board. If you pass that first test it's then down to the plot, the characters, if it's an enjoyable read - remember each reader will be different so you can take their advice selectively. If all but one of your readers love your characters you can assume you don't need to make changes, but if you all of your readers but one hate your characters then go back and work on these.
At what stage you give your work out for beta reading is entirely up to you. I prefer total and utter completion myself. I will proof it personally and hand them what I think should be the finished article (only to turn around and be told I need to make changes). Some of you may want to get feedback on plot or characters earlier and as long as you let your readers know that's what you're after they'll direct their attention in the right place.
This invaluable help is usually free, so bear in mind it takes time. And most importantly these readers are going out of their way to help you - so bloody appreciate them.
Now, what have beta readers done for me? Okay so here are a few things that wouldn't have happened if I didn't have my precious betas:
My entire opening chapter of The Running Game would be written in the wrong tense.My book would be littered with little annoying typosRachel, my leading lady, would have got into the boot of the car with her hands tied behind her back and magically got out of the car with them tied at the front.I would have used the word gormless and alienated my non-UK readers (meaning lacking sense, or foolish).
But the most important thing beta readers do for you is give you confidence. You see they give pick up your errors but they also pick up your strengths. Getting emails from them telling me they loved my book (and each loved different aspects) gave me the confidence to really push The Running Game a lot more than I ever have with other books. After their words and support I feel incredibly proud of my work and I am fueled to write more....
Which is why we're here. Book 2 is with them now and this brings us nicely into the next topic - dealing with criticism and who knows maybe I will have pages of examples for you by the time the week is out.
June 7, 2014
Finishing Your Story .... Part Two
There is quite a big gap between this post and the last one. You might remember last time I was talking about finishing your story and making it perfect... well if you don't remember go back and bloody read it. Waiting. Waiting. Oh good you're back. Now as I was saying, there's been a gap. And there is a reason for this.
Finishing your story is going to be one of the hardest moments to realise. You can write "the end" but there is always going to be that chapter that could be better, that bit of dialogue that needs smoothing over. Eventually every author just has to step away from the manuscript and call it a day. This is the horizon moment for every author. We can see that end in the distance but we can never reach it.
So when do you just stop? In my case it was when I forgot how to use commas. I found myself staring at the manuscript after the 100th read through - trying to making it the best it could be - and suddenly I had a comma meltdown.
They started, showing up everywhere, places they were supposed to, and, places, where they, weren't! Oh crap I've still got some residue grammatical overload. This stage was my neon sign telling me there was nothing more I could do and every buff and polish was now just going to smear.
Your book can always be better but you will reach a point where you can't make it better. That is the end stage. When you find yourself vandalising your work stop. Please stop. Now you are there. This is the end.
But this doesn't mean the book is perfect. It doesn't even mean the book is finished. You've reached the stage where you can't be trusted with your work. Now is the time to hand it over to beta readers.
This is where I am at with my new book. It got to the point where I couldn't see the wood for the trees and I just had to draw a line under what I had done. It doesn't mean I am not proud of what I've done, but like a lot of authors I'm at the self-conscious stage. What if my writing has slipped? What if the plot doesn't hold up? And to make matters worse, this is a sequel to a really well received novel so: What if this doesn't live up to expectations.
Well that's what my betas are going to tell me and once I have their insight my confidence will grow - or plummet.
So you're now ready to find your beta readers - how the hell do you do that? That at least I can help with. Beta readers are everywhere. They don't need to have qualifications or special skills. In fact the bigger the mix of readers the better. All you are looking for is people who will read your book and be honest.
I found a lot of my betas from Goodreads. They have beta groups where you can post and also have betas posting their services. Also Facebook has lots of beta groups which are open to all newbies and their work. You should easily pick up a handful of readers and in this instance the more the merrier. Bear in mind half your readers may not get back to you but treasure those that do.
So my book is out with the readers at the moment, which means the next post will be about dealing with feedback. Good and bad.
Finishing your story is going to be one of the hardest moments to realise. You can write "the end" but there is always going to be that chapter that could be better, that bit of dialogue that needs smoothing over. Eventually every author just has to step away from the manuscript and call it a day. This is the horizon moment for every author. We can see that end in the distance but we can never reach it.
So when do you just stop? In my case it was when I forgot how to use commas. I found myself staring at the manuscript after the 100th read through - trying to making it the best it could be - and suddenly I had a comma meltdown.
They started, showing up everywhere, places they were supposed to, and, places, where they, weren't! Oh crap I've still got some residue grammatical overload. This stage was my neon sign telling me there was nothing more I could do and every buff and polish was now just going to smear.
Your book can always be better but you will reach a point where you can't make it better. That is the end stage. When you find yourself vandalising your work stop. Please stop. Now you are there. This is the end.
But this doesn't mean the book is perfect. It doesn't even mean the book is finished. You've reached the stage where you can't be trusted with your work. Now is the time to hand it over to beta readers.
This is where I am at with my new book. It got to the point where I couldn't see the wood for the trees and I just had to draw a line under what I had done. It doesn't mean I am not proud of what I've done, but like a lot of authors I'm at the self-conscious stage. What if my writing has slipped? What if the plot doesn't hold up? And to make matters worse, this is a sequel to a really well received novel so: What if this doesn't live up to expectations.
Well that's what my betas are going to tell me and once I have their insight my confidence will grow - or plummet.
So you're now ready to find your beta readers - how the hell do you do that? That at least I can help with. Beta readers are everywhere. They don't need to have qualifications or special skills. In fact the bigger the mix of readers the better. All you are looking for is people who will read your book and be honest.
I found a lot of my betas from Goodreads. They have beta groups where you can post and also have betas posting their services. Also Facebook has lots of beta groups which are open to all newbies and their work. You should easily pick up a handful of readers and in this instance the more the merrier. Bear in mind half your readers may not get back to you but treasure those that do.
So my book is out with the readers at the moment, which means the next post will be about dealing with feedback. Good and bad.
May 17, 2014
Finishing Your Story
Most writers will never finish a story to their satisfaction. There are always things that can be improved, chapters that can be added - or taken away for that matter. Some writers are tormented with the grand finale that their masterpieces stay forever as a WIP. Now that's not saying that the books are left teetering on that cliffhanger ending - usually the story is in place it just needs... well more work.
This is the important thing any budding author really needs to remember - when you first type "the end" you mean the end of draft one. When I last posted I was on draft four. But what do these stages even mean? Well to be helpful I can start by saying everyone is different. Some people will only do a couple of drafts, others could be rewriting for years. A lot depends on the story, what you want to do with it and how much of a perfectionist you are.
I'm a perfectionist but also a completest. I hate having things hovering over me so I will work like my life depends on it to get drafts finished promptly. Which explains the bags under my eyes and lack of social life.
The hardest draft is always the first. It can take the longest and usually, at least for me, is the most frustrating to finish. How you approach this draft is really up to you. Some people plan meticulously, others wing it. I do a mixture of both, but by the end any plans I have made have usually been discarded by the characters and I'm restructuring the story based on gut. I always have an end game though and I will always write this last. The rest is written as I'm inspired. And then it's rewritten. Chapter by chapter, two steps forward one step back. It's a familiar dance - not one I'm fond of but one I'm an expert in.
The second draft - my favorite - is taking your rough script and shaping it into something beautiful. Some writers can be more complete with this draft, but personally I like to use this as an opportunity to get things in order - take notes (because this is when you'll find if your plot actually makes sense) and put in imagery and stuff like that. I'm not smart enough to start a story with lots of clever clues and insights throughout the book. They all get added at this stage instead.
The third draft can be polishing - tidying up those tatty paragraphs and proofing. But this time for me it wasn't. For me this latest book was about consistency of authorial voice... yeah I know I sound like I know what I'm talking about don't I? My biggest problem is that I have an original first story - a story people seem to like and this story has a style. Sometimes I'm prone to waffling (can't you tell) and sometimes, in my most cringy moments I sound like someone who writes chick-lit. I have nothing against chick-lit, but that isn't my voice - I like to think I have more of a deep New Yorker voice (you know because I'm from Yorkshire living in Wales).
So during this draft I chopped the floral sections, deleted characters from scenes to make the dialogue run slicker and then headed on to draft four in the hope this would be it. Of course it wasn't because life just doesn't work that way, but finally we are on to draft five which will hopefully be the fifth nail in the perfect coffin. And hopefully then the betas will get a chance to get their hands dirty.
Whatever number it is your final draft should be a last once over. You shouldn't be chopping and changing chapters. This should be the final buff before the piece goes on display. What you're looking for is spelling errors, misuse of words, things that don't make sense. Not gaping plot holes!! And hey you are not going to pick everything up but when you read those final words "the end" in your gut you should know that this is it.
Getting to the grand finale as an indie is a very difficult step to make and sometimes you may never feel sure that you've actually made it. There is no one to slap you down and tell you to go back and try again... actually that's not true, there is - readers. But by the time readers are leaving you bad reviews you've already screwed up.
So are you there yet? Is this the end? Yes, you say. I've done it - I'm ready lets get published. NOT SO FAST. You only think you're ready. Now it's time to pass it over to the experts. Cue Beta Readers...
I'm currently writing my latest book and getting it ready for self-publication. This will be the eighth book I have published. The second full novel in my Reacher series. I'm going to document the whole debacle so if you have any tips or ideas then let me know - just think of me as your writing guinea pig.
This is the important thing any budding author really needs to remember - when you first type "the end" you mean the end of draft one. When I last posted I was on draft four. But what do these stages even mean? Well to be helpful I can start by saying everyone is different. Some people will only do a couple of drafts, others could be rewriting for years. A lot depends on the story, what you want to do with it and how much of a perfectionist you are.
I'm a perfectionist but also a completest. I hate having things hovering over me so I will work like my life depends on it to get drafts finished promptly. Which explains the bags under my eyes and lack of social life.
The hardest draft is always the first. It can take the longest and usually, at least for me, is the most frustrating to finish. How you approach this draft is really up to you. Some people plan meticulously, others wing it. I do a mixture of both, but by the end any plans I have made have usually been discarded by the characters and I'm restructuring the story based on gut. I always have an end game though and I will always write this last. The rest is written as I'm inspired. And then it's rewritten. Chapter by chapter, two steps forward one step back. It's a familiar dance - not one I'm fond of but one I'm an expert in.
The second draft - my favorite - is taking your rough script and shaping it into something beautiful. Some writers can be more complete with this draft, but personally I like to use this as an opportunity to get things in order - take notes (because this is when you'll find if your plot actually makes sense) and put in imagery and stuff like that. I'm not smart enough to start a story with lots of clever clues and insights throughout the book. They all get added at this stage instead.
The third draft can be polishing - tidying up those tatty paragraphs and proofing. But this time for me it wasn't. For me this latest book was about consistency of authorial voice... yeah I know I sound like I know what I'm talking about don't I? My biggest problem is that I have an original first story - a story people seem to like and this story has a style. Sometimes I'm prone to waffling (can't you tell) and sometimes, in my most cringy moments I sound like someone who writes chick-lit. I have nothing against chick-lit, but that isn't my voice - I like to think I have more of a deep New Yorker voice (you know because I'm from Yorkshire living in Wales).
So during this draft I chopped the floral sections, deleted characters from scenes to make the dialogue run slicker and then headed on to draft four in the hope this would be it. Of course it wasn't because life just doesn't work that way, but finally we are on to draft five which will hopefully be the fifth nail in the perfect coffin. And hopefully then the betas will get a chance to get their hands dirty.
Whatever number it is your final draft should be a last once over. You shouldn't be chopping and changing chapters. This should be the final buff before the piece goes on display. What you're looking for is spelling errors, misuse of words, things that don't make sense. Not gaping plot holes!! And hey you are not going to pick everything up but when you read those final words "the end" in your gut you should know that this is it.
Getting to the grand finale as an indie is a very difficult step to make and sometimes you may never feel sure that you've actually made it. There is no one to slap you down and tell you to go back and try again... actually that's not true, there is - readers. But by the time readers are leaving you bad reviews you've already screwed up.So are you there yet? Is this the end? Yes, you say. I've done it - I'm ready lets get published. NOT SO FAST. You only think you're ready. Now it's time to pass it over to the experts. Cue Beta Readers...
I'm currently writing my latest book and getting it ready for self-publication. This will be the eighth book I have published. The second full novel in my Reacher series. I'm going to document the whole debacle so if you have any tips or ideas then let me know - just think of me as your writing guinea pig.
