My novel is in need of attention. I can’t get the “first act” to work, though I feel like it’s otherwise readable. Ideas for other stories occupy many a kilobyte on my computer.
Writing gets what’s left of my energy and drive; most of it is consumed by the other humans in my family and my wider circle. That’s all categories of energy – not just physical. At least I’m not the only one; one of my personal writing heroes has had the same struggle. And her travails have continued to this day.
Life is otherwise good FWIW. I’ve been writing, but it’s mostly non-fiction. And I crank out scenes and vignettes with my ideas. I have no intention of letting this fall by the wayside, despite the large disadvantage I have in not being a trained writer.
A professional can go farther, faster, and without messy footprints, backtracking, and giving up during the journey. If you’ve invested yourself into learning something you’ll want to do something with it. But even the professionals have to practice.
Once upon a time, two professional musicians, a husband and wife, lived next door to us. Their studio windows were across the alley from my kitchen, and the daily sounds of their practicing became a part of the background noise of my life, as easily ignorable as the sigh from one’s air conditioning vents. But when I’d stop and pay attention, I’d hear their discipline, dedication, and love for their art in every note and drum beat.
If the professionals have to practice, then don’t all of us?
Often I Beta Read other people’s novels as a labor of love – if the author is someone I want to support. I do it to sharpen my skills and to remind myself that if other writers can cross the finish line then I can too. (If you need a beta reader try Scribophile or some other critique exchange service. I still want to produce my own stories with what’s left of my energy level so I can’t take everyone.)
I am happy to leave reviews on Amazon (currently under a cutesy user name) and/or Goodreads (under Jennifer Edelmeyer). I’d rather not promote your novel on this blog because I’d like the option to be salty and say edgy things – as edgy as weenie me can be – and edgy and promotional don’t mix.
I recently beta read a YA novel in which the author mentioned jimsonweed. I googled this plant as my curiosity was piqued given the use the brave and resourceful heroine put it to. Imagine my surprise when I saw its images! Five years ago, when on a walk with The Husband, we actually encountered it, though at the time I didn’t know what it was. Since it was a curiously pretty wildflower I photographed it. I am thankful I didn’t touch it! Now that five yrs have passed I don’t remember where I encountered it or if it’s still growing there. I hope it didn’t harm anyone.
The things a Beta Reader will learn!!!!! I just wish I could finish off my own novel.
If you’ve read this far I appreciate it. I’ve missed blogging and hope to get back to it – even if the only entity interested in my reviews and this WordPress site is AI – sucking everything into its maw like a black hole and storing it in some resource squandering data center. Honestly, how much info do “they” need to store? More deadly than jimsonweed they are, IMHO.
This unusual cloud formation means there is rough weather in the region. You never know what wonders of nature may present themselves – beautiful but deadly jimsonweed and asperitas clouds!
Signing off with much love from Jennifer the Green Weenie Edelmeyer.
Jennifer Edelmeyer's Blog 