Beta reads

I finished a revised draft of the next book in The Bond trilogy, and it's in the faithful hands of beta readers. For those outside the writing tribe, beta readers are colleagues, friends, and fellow writers who agree to give a draft a read and share opinions. Very few writers will call a story finished without first giving it to beta readers.

Readers may rave about a story, of course (they usually are more measured). But more important is when they say they're confused or a story just isn't working.

Another element of sending a story out for a beta read is that it means I don't allow myself to continue working on it. Nope: nothing. It's a mandatory break, a hiatus.

Of course, the minute I send a manuscript off, I immediately start thinking about digging in again. My brain starts working out the places where I know there's a problem or connecting dots that, when I logged off, were still whirling around in a bit of a mess.

It's hard to cut away from a work-in-progress. It's also necessary, to let a story percolate, rest, take a breath. Often, I've told myself, "Why, this is perfect, brilliant, the best thing I've ever done!" Reliably, though, my beta readers come back with brilliant questions and observations. Those revisions invariably make a story better.

Writing can be a little lonely, especially when a writer is struggling. I thought I'd share a picture of my most reliable companions and tell you a little about them. The magnifying glass came with my Oxford Dictionary many years ago. I often look at it as a reminder to look closer and to pay attention to the details. The stone egg and stone have wonderful textures and help me think out tangled problems. The shell is just as complex, but also smooth and inviting for my fingers to explore. My father collected it years ago, and after he died it came to me.

The galloping horse represents one of my first loves, horses, and reminds me of the freedom I feel while riding. That feeling, of being powerful and riding a powerful animal, is a little like writing. You have this story in your hands and it's up to you to shape and direct it. Potentially, you can reach people, strangers, in a way no other medium can.

And Cerberus -- with a Harry Potter game piece dragon -- spurs my imagination. Human stories have come up with so many wonderful creatures. My hyba cross 12 has a bit of both the dragon and Cerberus in her.

The deer is a kind of spirit animal. There's something resilient and familiar about deer, and we often forget to see how remarkable and beautiful they are. And the little ceramic box is just beautiful!