While We’re Waiting 24 Hours . . .

I can’t talk about the critiques for 24 hours, so that’ll be sometime Thursday probably, but there are a few things that need to be said:

1. You are terrific critiquers. Seriously. This is good, good stuff and it’s blowing away a lot of the fog for me. One thing I noticed: nobody’s telling me how to fix things. Do you have any idea how rare that is in critiquing? I mean, you people are pros. So thank you very very much.

2. Nobody here owes me a critique, so never feel you have to give one. Some people like doing this stuff (that would be me) and some people hate it (Krissie) and it’s entirely optional. No obligation, no salesperson will call (unless I finish the book and it goes on sale; then I’m gonna mention that in here).

3. Never apologize for being critical in a critique. (Pause to let the irony soak in.) I need to know where this is tripping people up because I’m too close to it, especially since I started so very far from where I had to be. You think you’re tired of reading this damn scene, imagine the forty times I’ve rewritten it, trying desperately to find Nick. I need you saying, “This does not work” and telling me why. It’s not being negative, it’s hugely helpful.

Okay and then one other thing that I think I’m being too damn clever on:

I rewrote scene one again (no I’m not going to harass you with it again, we’re moving on) and I put in a line like you do when you’re writing, without really thinking about it. And then I looked at it again. Looking at it again usually means I have to cut it, but . . .

Okay, I just went and looked up the line and it’s WAY too cute so I’m cutting it. Just the thought of showing it to you all, I knew better. See? This critique stuff works.

Before it disappears, here it is, just to show you how badly I can misjudge::

“Nita knocked back half the cup, grimaced, and then drew a deep breath. “A good guy just died, and I must find out who killed him and arrest him. So I’m going into that bar to question Lucifaux. The rest of you may remain here.”

Really, Jenny? Lucifaux? Just no. Not in this context, not with this character, not ever.

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