Monday, September 14, 2009

Please Flog my Quill!

That is... critique my writing. It's my turn for abuse.

Click here: Flog-o-meter for Christine

5 comments:

Joshua McCune said...

Hey Christine, I liked the 3rd version the best b/c it put me in the action faster. As Ray said, your writing's strong, but I think a bit more action in the 1st two would help bring the reader in faster.

Nighfala said...

Did you see my comment on FTQ? The problem that I have is that when I do jump right into the action, my test readers go into conniptions. "What? Who? Where? I'm so confused! This is moving too fast."

I'm also a little concerned that the readers would expect non-stop action, and the book isn't like that. But, I do know where you're coming from. I just don't know how to please everyone, or who is right.

I have to laugh, because Version 2 is partially based on a suggestion of Ray's to introduce the main character as he gets the message to go out to the farm. I think he forgot!

Laura Martone said...

Hi, Christine! Well, I did it! I flogged your quill, which (I must admit) sounds vaguely naughty. I'm just sayin'.

Anyhoo, while I voted for Version 1, I'd actually like to see a combination of the three... I'm one of those old-timey folks who like to see character/setting description more than action in the first page. But I'm apparently a rare breed these days, as my own novel indicates. :-(

Nighfala said...

I'm the same breed, Laura. But trying to adapt. Survival of the fittest and all that.

I think it also depends on the audience... whether I'm writing primarily for men or women. Or teens.

I haven't made up my mind yet.

By the way, I don't know if you visit FTQ that often, but the critics are usually pretty tough. I'm floored that I have only a 10% "no turn" rate, and that the comments have been so positive. I've been feeling so discouraged lately. This is very heartening.

Now if I could only find the time and mental focus to actually do some writing.

Laura Martone said...

I'm with you, girl. Maintaining and visiting blogs has been murder on my writing/editing schedule! Must... turn... off... Internet.

P.S. Congrats again on the good news at FTQ. That was actually my first visit to the site - but I can imagine that the critics are often brutal.