I sent my latest WIP, Misfortune of Vision, to 7 different beta readers for their analysis, critique and feedback. That was almost a month ago.
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I’ve gotten one back. That’s pretty normal. I expect maybe 2-3 others to come back in the next month, and maybe 1 or 2 more in the following months. By that time, however, I’ll likely have given up on them and submitted my book to my publisher.
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This is the hardest time for me. The waiting and the editing. Beta readers are more precious than gold. They can see glaring errors that writers have become blind to, and help you to refine, modify, tighten and fix your story. However, they are usually working on a volunteer basis, and they have very different levels of experience, taste, and style. Each one is unique, but all are valuable. I count myself lucky if I get three useful betas back.
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The first one was an excellent critique. He pointed out some huge inconsistencies in one character’s reactions. I fixed that by making her under the influence of a mad Fae lord. One thing fixed. Another was the sympathy for another character. I fixed that by inserting him earlier in the narrative. A third character was given more parts earlier on, as well, to make certain he was a larger part. Some other things got tied in that were loose ends. Some grammar issues and anachronistic language was fixed.
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I don’t fool myself that all issues were address, but a good chunk of them have made the book better. After 2-3 more critiques, the book might be ready for another full read-through and edit.
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In the meantime, I’ve started my next project, the prequel. This is titled Misfortune of Song, and will involve the main character of this book, Orlagh. However, instead of being a 65-year-old sarcastic grandmother, she’s a 17-year-old foolish girl with lovesick eyes. And sarcasm. And the main character is her grandfather Maelan, a stiff-necked old soldier who just wants to protect his family.
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Good luck with that, Maelan.
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I’ve written up a two-page synopsis, a set of characters, and the scene list. I’ve done some research on place/location/historical characters and found a good place and a good conflict to work as a backdrop to this story.
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Next is writing chapter one.
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See how it layers in? The waiting period for book one is filled with starting book two. By the time I’m done with my first draft, I might have all my beta readers done. I can do that last edit and submit to my publisher just in time to do the first full-read edit of this one.
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And so the cycle goes.
*****
More parts:
Part VI – Characters going Awry
Part IX – Procrastination and NaNoWriMo
*****
I write historical fantasy novels, mostly set in Ireland, and a contemporary romance based on my parents’ 30-year search for true love. Don’t miss information on Celtic myth and history, as well as practical travel planning tips, and hidden places, in my travel books.
- Call of the Morrigú – Historical fantasy set in 1797 Ireland.
- The Enchanted Swans– Historical fantasy set in 500 BCE Ireland, based on The Children of Lir, an Irish Fairy Tale.
- Better To Have Loved– Contemporary romance based on the true story of my parents’ 30-year search for love
- Legacy of Hunger– Historical fantasy set in 1846 Ireland. Druid’s Brooch #1 (Now available in PRINT!)
- Legacy of Truth– Historical fantasy set around 1800 Ireland. Druid’s Brooch #2
- Legacy of Luck – Historical fantasy set in 1745 Ireland and Scotland. Druid’s Brooch #3
- Misfortune of Vision – Historical fantasy set in 12th century Ireland. Druid’s Brooch #4 (release date January 10, 2018)
- Misfortune of Song – Historical fantasy set in 12th century Ireland. Druid’s Brooch #5 (projected release date April 2018)
- Misfortune of Time – Historical fantasy set in 11th century Ireland. Druid’s Brooch #6 (first draft done – in editing)
- Turlough’s Tale – Short Story in The Druid’s Brooch series, set ten years before Legacy of Luck.
- Stunning, Strange and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland
- Mythical, Magical, Mystical: A Guide to Hidden Ireland
More info at Green Dragon Artist :: Home ,
Christy Jackson Nicholas, Author , and
Celtic Fairies, Fables, and Folklore! Bestselling author (top #100 Amazon Canada, #1 in Paranormal Fantasy, Amazon Canada) Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon, is an author, artist and accountant. After she failed to become an airline pilot, she quit her ceaseless pursuit of careers that begin with 'A', and decided to concentrate on her writing. Since she has Project Completion Disorder, she is one of the few authors with NO unfinished novels. Christy has her hands in many crafts, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real life, she's a CPA, but having grown up with art all around her (her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected her, as it were. She wants to expose the incredible beauty in this world, hidden beneath the everyday grime of familiarity and habit, and share it with others. She uses characters out of time and places infused with magic and myth. Combine this love of beauty with a bit of financial sense and you get an art business. She does local art and craft shows, as well as sending her art to various science fiction conventions throughout the country and abroad. Facebook: www.facebook.com/greendragonauthor Homepage: www.greendragonartist.com Blog: www.greendragonartist.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/greendragon9
Historical fantasy, time travel adventure, and urban fantasy 
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