Beta-licious
When this post goes live, I’ll be sitting with the Nobscot Niblets — my writing group extraordinaire — listening as they discuss my second novel, What Happened in Granite Creek, which is slated for an October release.
They’re my wonderful beta readers and have been for 6.5 years. Their feedback is always kind, encouraging, but also constructive — we Nibs aren’t shy in letting one another know when something isn’t working.
Even though I’m super comfortable with them, it’s always a little nerve wracking when I’m in the workshop hot seat. I imagine it is for most writers.
If you’ve never been in a workshop before, here’s the analogy I use. You’re a parent and you’re placing your child on a stage in front of people who’ve spent around 10 hours with said child. The people then go on to tell you everything you’ve done right — and wrong — as a parent.
Yeah, it’s kinda like that.
I’d like to call up Ben & Jerry’s and pitch a flavor of ice cream called Beta-Licious. It would be banana ice cream with nuts and kahlua-laced chocolate chunks. Yeah, that sums up the experience! 🙂
By the way — and I’ll be sharing more about this on Twitter and Facebook — I’m taking part in a virtual book took in support of Forgotten April. You can learn more here, including a list of the “stops” I’ll be making over the next month or so.
Thanks, as always, for your continued support!
July 3rd, 2011 at 12:41 pm
You did surprisingly well on that “hot seat.” It’s our pleasure to to read your work. Hope some of the feedback makes the book even better than it already is.
July 3rd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
You guys were great, so the “hot seat” was super cool. 🙂
July 3rd, 2011 at 10:19 pm
That’s awesome. I love the name of your group! 🙂 Being in the hot seat can be stressful but if you’re ready for the critique, it’s so helpful.
July 14th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
I love the idea of your virtual tour! I hope you post sometime about how you set it up.