10 Stories Edited
I hired a Beta Reader to take a fresh look at the 17 stories to be included in Beach Misses. She’s returned 10 of them and will have the balance done next week. I plan to have the edits done by July 1 and off to the proofreader in early July.
The editor’s comments have been insightful. Since I’m writing the stories, I know everything the characters think, see, and know. Sometimes I forget that the Reader doesn’t have the same access. The editor has helpfully pointed out when I’ve left out vital information needed to drive the story and make the characters believable.
She has also shown me a pattern in my writing, I tend to finish the story with an abrupt ending. It was a comment she had for all but one story so far.
A few things I found interesting. Two of the stories that I had apprehensions with, were stories she very much liked – one was her favorite to date. Two stories that were among my favorites, she was so keen on. And one story that has been a favorite of mine, she suggested I not include in the collection. She had detailed reasons why the story was not up to par, but she also gave me suggestions on how to fix it.
So far, I’m happy with my Beta Reader Editor – Rachael. She’s been great.
A funny story, one scene included a phone call between two brothers where their father was on the second-floor extension. Rachael must be young, she didn’t understand what an “extension” was.
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