Alex hasn't used her magic since she accidentally blinded Devon (the half-werewolf/half-vampire). Now, feeling cornered, she instinctively lashes out... at a friend.
http://www.wattpad.com/56251842-unjust-cause-part-13-a-dangerous-rush-of-power
I thought that maybe here on the thirteenth episode, I should take a moment and discuss my feelings/experiences working this way.
There are, for me, some distinct advantages to having a strict 'publishing' deadline. Having set myself a weekly goal of getting something up, some forward momentum made, is probably the only way I would have written as much as I have to-date. Considering the extent to which writing original fiction has been difficult for me in these last few years, this stands out as a HUGE benefit.
The disadvantage is that writing like this is also very seat-of-my-pants. If I go down a road, I'm committed to it. Revision is only going to be possible once the story is completed and ready to become an e-book. I'm already feeling places where I wish I could go back and restructure things a bit.
The way I've decided to deal with that is that I've handed out some of this to Wyrdsmiths with the idea that I can be concurrently working on a more polished draft for the e-book. Of course, the first-draft-y-ness of this serialization may ultimately turn off some readers. I'd been hoping, of course, for the kind of community that AO3 (archive of our own) gives a writer, where there might be a strong back-and-forth during the process, between the writer and the community of readers. I'm not getting anyone brave enough to point out my faults yet, and that really kind of bums me out.
This is, btw, one of the main reasons I don't come out on AO3 as a 'professional' writer. I have a feeling all the criticism would stop dead under the silly idea that 'well, she must know what she's doing,' which is of course not only nonsense, but which actually discourages me. I like the back and forth. I like knowing people are into a story enough to get mad about some turn of events or a moment that seems out of character or whatever.
*sigh*
Well, all the same, at least I'm writing. This is much more than I can say that I'd be doing without WattPad. So the experiment continues to be "profitable." We'll see if I'm able to grow an audience as I'd like to, and whether or not it will translate into e-book sales once everything is done and dusted.
2 comments:
I think that most readers understand that this is a work in progress and that there will be changes eventually in the finished product and aren't turned off by that at all.
I wish you had let us know what you wanted us to do as your readers. :) You asked that we try to provide feedback and encouragement and I have tried to post on every installment to give you that. :)
Really, most of us are happy to give feedback. I beta read for other authors, so it is not a question of being "brave." I had noticed a few typos and continuity issues. In my case, not mentioning it was more a matter of being tactful and not wanting to appear rude by being critical of something you are graciously writing for us. I, for one, really appreciate your effort and know others do as well.
I will try to be more forthcoming with detailed feedback for you if that will help! :)
Oh please do!
I will say that the one thing I dislike Wattpad is that there's no place for me to put up author's notes saying things like, "Yes, please critique!" (Unless I'm missing something?)
And I'm sure I did say, but probably only here. Or.. maybe that was on my LJ... hmmm.... Sorry!
Anyway I appreciate that you're willing to do so now. Maybe if you do, other people will be inspired.
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