Nancy
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
A long time ago, I asked you about feeling "bookicidal" (your word) about my own work. Your answer was empathetic, and I've carried it gratefully all these years. But now I have pressing financial concerns and a beta-reader who is so uninterested that she wants me to send her the Cliff's notes. I can't pander to that: I can only despair in its wake. Where do I find the courage to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?
Lois McMaster Bujold
It sounds as if you might need a new beta reader. They do wear out, over time; nothing lasts forever. (Although a writer can wear them out faster by making them read repeated revisions, something to be avoided.) Nor is any given beta reader suitable for all works. Also, no one will ever be as interested in your own writing as you are (rather naturally) so expecting them to somehow carry you goes beyond what one can reasonably ask from a crit.
I don't know about courage, but if you want information the resource I recommend is this: http://www.pcwrede.com/blog/
Or for the short portable version, this: https://www.amazon.com/Wrede-Writing-...
Scattered through are a number of useful and sensible posts on coping with critique problems, from both sides.
Financial concerns likely need to be addressed separately, though also sensibly -- no one in the modern world can live without money, the more independently obtained the better -- and are outside of my range.
Good luck!
L.
It sounds as if you might need a new beta reader. They do wear out, over time; nothing lasts forever. (Although a writer can wear them out faster by making them read repeated revisions, something to be avoided.) Nor is any given beta reader suitable for all works. Also, no one will ever be as interested in your own writing as you are (rather naturally) so expecting them to somehow carry you goes beyond what one can reasonably ask from a crit.
I don't know about courage, but if you want information the resource I recommend is this: http://www.pcwrede.com/blog/
Or for the short portable version, this: https://www.amazon.com/Wrede-Writing-...
Scattered through are a number of useful and sensible posts on coping with critique problems, from both sides.
Financial concerns likely need to be addressed separately, though also sensibly -- no one in the modern world can live without money, the more independently obtained the better -- and are outside of my range.
Good luck!
L.
More Answered Questions
Matthew Kilpatrick
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Has anyone ever approached you about adapting any of your work to film/television?
Kristina
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
First, I love all your books. Thank you so much for writing them! Second, in the afterword to the Young Miles omnibus, you mention two Enya songs - "Cursum Perficio" and "Cu Chulainn" - that you associate with elements in "The Vor Game." Is there any other music that helped inspire your writing, or that you particularly associate with the Vorkosigan or World of the Five Gods books?
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