Edits ARE DONE and It's Off to the Final Readers!

 Welcome everyone!

At the end of any race or journey, seeing the finish line reinvigorates you in such a surprising way. I am very pleased to announce that all the major edits for the third book in the Hunter’s Rose series are now complete! Celebrate with me!

I have some negative habits as a writer, which I’ll talk about in future posts, and my editor is keen enough to spot them. I’ve corrected them as best as possible in the latest draft, and I feel the story is significantly stronger as a result.

So what’s left to do before publishing? I still have two rounds of readers planned. At this point, they’re not beta readers. I’m calling them Delta Readers since that seemed more appropriate given all the circumstances.

I hope to get the first round done by mid-October and the second done around mid-November. That means, sadly, that my book will probably not come out in 2021. That is slightly disappointing, since that was one of my goals, but honestly now is a bad time to launch a book.

I want to have launch parties and book signings when my third novella hits the stores. That’s just not comfortable or possible right now. Winter may be worse, we’ll have to see. So, it’s not actually a bad thing that I won’t release Book 03 this year. I think 2022 will yield better results anyway.

Thanks to all those who keep asking about how things are coming along with my writing. It helps. It really does. Keep asking. 

Peace,

-Troy

Just Four Chapters Left in Book 3!

 Welcome everyone!

Chapter 21 is in the books (get it?). That leaves the last four to go. I'll be finished by Monday, which will be December 14th. Originally I set December 12th as the goal, and I could still make that, but I've been super busy at work this week.

Being a teacher during COVID has been an extreme challenge. If you're a parent with school-age children, I don't have to tell you how hard it can be for students to stay focused and engaged when learning from home. While it's certainly been necessary because of the virus, the sooner "virtual learning" on a large scale is abandoned, the better. 

Anyway, that's enough griping. On to something positive. The 2nd wave beta readers should get their copies this weekend since I'll probably finish on Saturday. If you're in that group and you don't get your copy, hit me up through our regular channels of communication. If you'd like to be part of the third wave readers, reply to this post or contact me some other way with your interest. Positions are still open.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you are doing well in these difficult times. Stay strong and take care of each other.

Peace,

-Troy

14 Down, 11 to Go

 Welcome everyone!

Chapter 14 is revised. I'm not moving on to 15 and already making good progress. I see some things in this chapter that I'll probably have to change again later down the road, but I can't let that stop me from pressing on. I need a new draft ready to read for the next stage. The second set of revisions will come in their own time.

But for now, it's me vs. Chapter 15. I'll be back tomorrow with an update on who wins ;-D

Peace,

-Troy

Chapter 4 is Revised!

Welcome everyone!

I have finished my corrections on Chapter 4. It's a shorter chapter, but it marks a major change in the main character's life. I don't know if I'm happy with the end of the chapter yet. I'll need a few more beta readers to tell me what they think. We'll see what happens.

On that note, let me just be clear: these revisions are not for the final draft. This will be the third draft of the book, and I anticipate having to do three or four more drafts before it's finished. I'm not even to hiring an editor yet. This is all just feedback from one of my primary beta readers.

So on to Chapter 5!

Peace,

-Troy

Arguing is not the Right Course

Good news! My proofreader is now about half done. I'm very thankful for that, but I did get into a bit of an argument with her about a relatively minor point this weekend when she asked for clarification. That was wrong.

When getting feedback from anyone, it's very important not to defend yourself. First, it makes you look weak. Second, it may inhibit them from giving you honest feedback in the future. And if it does inhibit them, you're going to lose out on something important: the truth. You need that pure and honest feedback. A "good job" and a pat on the back are worthless when you're trying to improve your writing.

IME, the best course of action, if you disagree with something a beta reader or editor says, is to acknowledge their feedback in a positive way and move on. Hopefully, you've been clear with anyone who works with you that you may or may not accept all of their suggestions. So, you're free to reject them later without debating whether or not their feedback is correct or useful. As a result they feel edified that you're actually listening to them, and you maintain the right to reject suggestions you don't like guilt free.

It's been tough swallowing my pride at times during this process. I've been so blessed to have some great beta readers who weren't afraid to tell me the truth and risk hurting my feelings. I've grown more accustomed to the brutality of beta reads and editing, but still, I slipped up this weekend. I'm going to try to not let it happen again.

Here's hoping!

Peace,

-Troy