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I hate ‘I’ messages, because it’s not all about me.
This is all about the readers and the engineers who keep this big ship sailing.
You have warmly embraced Invisible with your reading, kudos, and comments as I upload each section of this effort. I’ve often said I write my stories in isolation because that’s me. But, when I upload a story and pull back the curtains, it amazes me how generously people take the time to look over the offering.
Each time another chunk is uploaded, I ask myself if the magic will disappear. And I am honestly amazed that over a thousand people still come back to open the book.
All this attention is heady. A writing friend once said I have an obligation to demonstrate I’ve heard what’s been said by rewriting the story to reflect that constructive criticism. That’s my next task. When the story comes to an end here, it will go through a final draft that will make it better. Thanks
Comments
Choose carefully
It is a good story and I have enjoyed it. Perhaps because it was not 'run of the mill'.
However, remember that it is your story and you should edit it to satisfy your own visualisation. By all means take in what others are saying but you wrote it, not them. If they want a story to go in another direction, BC would be glad to receive their submission.
You don't have an obligation to anyone. Your story is yours alone.
I do not have a problem with people pointing out my typos, continuity mistakes or faux pas - provided they have done so in a Private Message. I also have no problem with readers speculating on the future direction of story lines in Comments but I can say nothing since I already know the direction my plot is going in. (Spoiler - I don't know really, my characters have to tell me.)
Penny
A different point of view
My readers are very generous with their time. And I value the comments they share.
While I am not changing the story, I want to communicate my intent clearly. There were a few places in the story where I was either too heavy handed or extraneous stuff gummed up the works.
When the readers share, I read.
As far as predicting or picking up those bread crumbs, I get a kick out of it. I love the fact that they are buying into the characters and the story.
Fine tuning
I'm thrilled at your success! And it's good to fine-tune what is already a very compelling story! Good for you!
Love, Andrea Lena
Thank you
Dear Andrea,
I appreciate your cheerleading. It’s a heady experience when so many people read Invisible.
Of course, I like what I write and ride on the crest of Emma’s emotional roller coaster. The demons in my story were in Ethan’s life and head. Maybe everyone has a crashing moment in time that they wish they could learn from then leave behind. I also think many of us wish we had a do-over and could remake ourselves.
I like the phrase, ‘I wish I could be eighteen again but know what I know today.’ That would make an interesting premise for a story, too. Maybe have a wizard, jinni, djinn, djinni, jinnee, or djinny come along to answer you true desires.
The after action report
Some of my favorite authors have said that they create a sand box, put some characters in it, see what happens and then write the after action report. Obviously this works well for them because they are among my favorite authors.
Sand Box
Does it help that we live by the ocean?
Not a friend
To suggest you change the story, as Penny said, it’s your work, aside from grammar(good grammar is all you owe the readers) it’s you who should decide how your story goes not the readers - it’s in the name, they are readers you are the writer. So don’t be brow beaten into changing anything you Don’t want to.
For what it’s worth I thought the first version was fine and prefer it to the version you are currently uploading but that’s just my opinion.
Madeline Anafrid Bell
Maybe...but
I hated the first version. It was a hot mess.
The beauty of Big Closet is you get a second chance and I took advantage of that. After trying to patch the original, I realized I needed a fresh start.
I explained my logic of reader interaction above. I love it! Unlike you, I have trouble finishing a project and it takes me months to get anything done. I'm still suffering from the 'not enough hours in the day' problem. So when I finally finish something, well, I'm probably the most excited worm in the compost.