Writing Blog

20231122 NaNo XXV

November 22, 2023, 9:00pm

So, like I said yesterday, a few days away from "song muse story" is on the cards.

Turned out to be only a day and a half.

My beta reader's notes were incredible.

The story ended up longer, and yet tighter. She knew what worked for her as a reader and I trust her judgement in this matter.

So, here is the problem of being a reader of your own work.

You (and by you, I include me in this as well) read things the way you see them in your mind. You know what you mean, and you understand where the characters are coming from. It all makes sense to you because you either planned it meticulously or you pantsed it in your head as a mini-movie. This is your work.

You are way too close to it.

You know who the pronouns refer to. You know what you mean by that odd turn of phrase. You know when the characters speak they have an understanding they share with you. You know all this, and it all makes sense to you.

To you.

This is why a beta reader is so important: because they were not involved in the development and writing of the story. (If they were, then they cannot be a decent beta reader; sorry, but that is the way it is - there needs to be distance.) They are separated from the creative process. They are also an independent reader. And they need to be honest and trusted by the author.

Choose your beta readers well, and they will reward you. I got lucky with my latest one. She was amazing. I hope you all have the same luck.

Raven words: 88229
"song muse story" words: 27698
Daily words: 1951
Total words: 115953