āHope is a waking dream.ā - Aristotle, used in Jennifer Rushās excellent āAlteredā. Perfect. Not so perfect is the challenge Iām having tracking down a good indie-published YA bookā¦ the obvious writing and storytelling quality issues that Iāve come across in every one so far are really concerning. Is it really just that impossible to access quality editing support as an independent? My research efforts would seem to indicate that thatās the case - not much out there, at least on the surface. I can sort of see where people go wrong - itās very tempting to think that what I can make, and the degree to which I can polish it is totally adequate. Very tempting to just get it out there. After all, the only thing holding me back is fear of my own blind spots. But is that foolish and limiting fear, or wisdom ringing the alarm? Unfortunately, I suspect the latter, and so will continue investing. Iād really prefer not to go the writerās group route, but given the slow/lacking beta reader response rate and difficulty in tracking down quality editing services, it may prove the most expedient.
I think itās time to review the dreaded feedback notes - all three of them (lol/tear). Contemplated a dram of whisky to fortify myself, but itās a little early, and I want to get a solid day of work in, so I think Iāll be doing this coldā¦
Part 2
So that was exhausting. Two hours to get through another pass of the first chapter and review one beta readerās comments. This is going to take forever - maybe I should be happy I donāt have much feedback to wade through? Or something. Unpleasant as the slogging pace and tedium of facing every one of my mistakes is, the feedback I do have so far has been excellent for clearly addressing concerns. Quality over quantity, I supposeā¦
Tuesday
Start time: 9:45 am & 1 pm
Mallaig: The West Highland Hotel, staff quarters block 1 the room beside 4, bed & the hotel lobby, armchair nook
Soundtrack: the Nashville soundtrack
Drinking: ginger lemon green tea with lemon