Janet’s Comments (group member since Aug 08, 2014)

Janet’s comments from the Beta Reader Group group.

Valerie - thank you! It's a long but wonderful process, enjoy it! (I know that's a strange thing to say about something that sometimes feels as if you're turning yourself inside out but....)

Kelsey wrote: Janet- if it's children's mg, or Ya,(which is like 90% of what I read, I'd only really be useful if it was paranormal or fantasy otherwise) I'd beta for you.

Kelsey - Thank you so much! And I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, my book is historical fiction, which I have learned is about the polar opposite of YA! I know this because one of the other writers in my critique group is working on a New Adult novel and I spent the first two weeks bemoaning the fact that my writing would never be quite as... direct is the best word I can find...as hers!

I had "finished" my novel a few years ago and put it away. Came back about a year ago to finally get serious, and since then I have taken a bunch of escalating steps. Edited a ton myself, showed it to two friends, and rewrote. A lot. Took a couple of workshops, joined a critique group, and rewrote. Bought two of Margie Larson's classes and seven colored markers, and rewrote. Right now I'm a week away from handing it off to a professional to get a critique. Once I've dealt with all of the rewriting THAT will entail, I'm planning on begging for betas.

I find that printing makes a huge difference in my focus. When I am working on characters and continuity, I go for tiny print in two columns so that the entire manuscript (70,000 words) comes in at under 60 pages - makes the project seem less daunting. When I am working on the prose, I go for ten or so pages at a time, double spaced (my critique group rules).

Such a mountain of work! But it is also so thrilling when things come together!