I shan’t lie to you.
Much as I thought I’d be able to keep myself busy whilst waiting for feedback from my two wonderful alpha readers, that little niggle stayed there…
- What if it makes no sense?
- What if they don’t like it?
- What if I don’t get any feedback because it was that bad?
- What if I’ve totally wasted eighteen years of my creative life working on a project that wasn’t even worth it?
One had already told me it would take a little time to get through reading, due to their own writing commitments, and as I really value their feedback, I was fine with that. I’ve taken eighteen years to get here, after all, a few weeks more shouldn’t matter!
The other said they’d get to it as soon as they could but it would take a few days.
That’s okay.
I could wait a few days…
And I got my first ping in my inbox just a day or two after, with some initial observations.
Maybe think about changing the title, it doesn’t do justice to what has been read so far.
- Okay, I get that. Wedded Stress was a working title that I came up with all those years ago, and I was prepared for the fact that I may have to change it if it didn’t suit the end story. It’s just so hard to stop thinking of my WIP as Wedded Stress, but old habits die hard. So, I’ve been thinking of other titles…
More show and less tell.
- Again I expected that, especially at the beginning of the story, as my writing was pretty immature back then.
A few bits to mull over…
I waited with baited breath for the full feedback, and this morning I got it.
I celebrated with a rather naughty breakfast!
And the reason for my elation?
Let me use my reader’s own words…
“Ok, finished it and I think its ACE! Bags of potential and you need to do something with it because the world needs to read this. Fabulous novel idea.”
It was followed by some really constructive feedback about where I could tighten things, add descriptions, develop some of the characters further, and there is a niggle with POV (Point Of View) but the reader loved the characters!
“They come to life and I don’t think you need to get rid of any.”
And the end statement just made my day…
“I think its an excellent story and as a first draft it’s stunning. A lot of it is written really well so I don’t think you have huge rewrites.”
- Relief, that I haven’t wasted my time!, and hopefully I don’t need to rewrite it all
- Gratitude, as my reader used precious time to read my WIP, and gave such helpful feedback
- Pride, that my writing has been given such praise, even in its rawest form
- Impatience, as I wait for my other reader to let me know what they think
So the folder came out, the post-its and new erasable highlighters too! I am prepared for the next stage of changes, which I will start after the Bash this weekend!
Peeps, I think this is really happening!
Eeeek!!!!
Hannah Truelove
Aug 13, 2018 @ 19:09:39
That’s wonderful! Congratulations!
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Ritu
Aug 13, 2018 @ 21:10:34
Thank you! It was such a big acheivement! I am just trying to tweak it still, according to my feedback!
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Marje @ Kyrosmagica
May 15, 2018 @ 21:47:44
Wow! Excellent news. Keep up the good work. 🙂
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Ritu
May 16, 2018 @ 05:46:41
Thank you Marje! 😀
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thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany
May 15, 2018 @ 16:52:21
YES!! It IS REALLY HAPPENING!!!! Go with it!!!
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Ritu
May 15, 2018 @ 17:00:44
I know Cherie!!! It’s really happening!!!!!
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You Can Always Start Now
May 15, 2018 @ 16:30:04
Very exciting. Great getting feedback now onto next stags
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Ritu
May 15, 2018 @ 16:48:42
I know! That’s my next plan!
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Graeme Cumming
May 15, 2018 @ 12:27:28
Great news, Ritu. Would love to hear more – if there’s time at the weekend…
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Ritu
May 15, 2018 @ 14:33:19
We shall squeeze some time in!
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Graeme Cumming
May 16, 2018 @ 15:02:32
Always like a good squeeze…
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Ritu
May 16, 2018 @ 16:57:43
😁
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Erika Kind
May 14, 2018 @ 20:14:29
It is such a process. Writing a book can lead you to so many paths on to so many new roads. I deleted a whole chapter after the manuscript went into a different direction. I thought it wouldn’t fit at all anymore and destroyed the vibes. So I deleted many hours of work without ever regretting it!
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 20:25:20
The best thing is I don’t think I need to lose anything! But tweak what I do have!!!
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Erika Kind
May 14, 2018 @ 20:29:06
Yep, exactly! It is a journey which leads to the perfect complection!
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 20:29:17
😍😉😊😚
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Erika Kind
May 14, 2018 @ 20:30:24
😊😘
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Aimer Boyz
May 14, 2018 @ 19:06:05
Congratulations, Ritu. You must feel so relieved 🙂
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 19:34:22
Thank you! I am!!!
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John Holton
May 14, 2018 @ 16:51:34
Can’t tell if that’s ham or bacon on your pancakes, but I want it…
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 17:21:35
Bacon… mmmm!!! 😋
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OIKOS™-Redaktion
May 14, 2018 @ 14:27:15
Congratulations Ritu! For the worries about you now known best. For the next book of you we will take care of you. 😉 Michael
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 15:54:04
Thanks Michael!@!
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OIKOS™-Redaktion
May 14, 2018 @ 14:25:40
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Annette Rochelle Aben
May 14, 2018 @ 14:06:47
All that stress for nothing… however, I like the idea of the naughty breakfast… Congrats, Sis – write on!
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 15:53:49
Ha! Any excuse sis! Thank you!!!!
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claire plaisted
May 14, 2018 @ 12:53:11
Reblogged this on Claire Plaisted – Indie Author and commented:
Congratulation Ritu. I remember my first feed back and i’ll tell you though the story was good in essence it was a mixture of POV…I didn’t have a clue in those days. Tough learning curve though I got there in the end. Needless to say that particular book is still awaiting editing.
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Losing the Plot
May 14, 2018 @ 12:34:17
I am so pleased for you xxx
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 15:52:49
Thank you Hun!
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pranabaxom
May 14, 2018 @ 12:32:56
👍👍congrats. Well done.
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 15:52:16
Thank you! 😁
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Don Massenzio
May 14, 2018 @ 11:15:18
It’s an exciting process. Good luck to you.
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 11:45:27
It is indeed!
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The Story Reading Ape
May 14, 2018 @ 09:42:53
WELL DONE, RITU ❤
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 11:48:41
Thank you Chris! 😍
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M.L. Davis
May 14, 2018 @ 07:55:42
Great post. I am close to sending my draft off for feedback and nervous for the exact some reasons you were. Sounds like you got alot of positive feedback through, so congratulations! Best of luck as you continue to move on from here x
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 11:47:38
Good luck to you too!!!
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willowdot21
May 14, 2018 @ 07:41:21
Well what did I say, what other outcome could there of been .😁💜💜😁 Well done Sis keep going 💜 you rock 💜💜😁
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 11:47:07
Thank you sis 💜
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willowdot21
May 14, 2018 @ 12:00:55
Pleasure Sis 💜
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Lucy Mitchell
May 14, 2018 @ 06:55:53
Yay! Go Ritu 😍
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 11:46:33
Thanks Lucy! 😍
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foodzesty
May 14, 2018 @ 06:35:14
I knew it!!! Congratsssssssss ssssoooo very happy for you!!!!!! 🙂
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 06:36:51
Thanks you Sophie for all your support!!! There is still plenty to do, but WOW! I was thrilled with that feedback! 😀
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foodzesty
May 14, 2018 @ 06:38:29
You should be your a fantastic writer!! Keep going Ritu….:)
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 06:42:28
I love your faith, things like that keep me going! ❤
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foodzesty
May 14, 2018 @ 06:45:23
🙂 It is what i have said in the past, when I read your writing it always takes me to another place. 🙂 Keep doing what your doing your fantastic at it…:)
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 06:46:32
Bless you. Xxx
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foodzesty
May 14, 2018 @ 15:58:49
Awwww Thank you 🙂
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robbiesinspiration
May 14, 2018 @ 06:32:27
Wonderful feedback, Ritu.
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 06:36:01
Thanks Robbie, I was thrilled! I know there is still a little work to do, but knowing it is a worthy project makes me even happier, and keener, to get it done!
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Dorinda Duclos
May 14, 2018 @ 04:24:48
So excited for you!!! We are our worst enemy, always doubting what we are capable of. Congrats, Ritu!! ❤
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 05:47:55
Thanks Dorinda, A huge way to go yet, but I am so excited!
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Dorinda Duclos
May 14, 2018 @ 23:59:48
I can’t wait to get to where you are!
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Ritu
May 15, 2018 @ 05:55:14
You can do it!
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Dorinda Duclos
May 15, 2018 @ 13:53:31
💕😊💕
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Ritu
May 15, 2018 @ 14:32:41
❤
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davidprosser
May 14, 2018 @ 04:14:24
I couldn’t be more pleased.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Ritu
May 14, 2018 @ 05:47:36
Thank you for your support David! xxx
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