Wreaders

When it comes to critiques/alpha reads, there's a big difference between a reader who doesn't write and a writer. I call the writer-readers "Wreaders", and I actively seek them out.

A writer reads widely and, often, critically as an essential part of the job. And nobody who reads like that can escape unscathed. You'll end up with an understanding of plot, style, and grammar. Not to mention a feel for words and a broad view of what makes for a good story.

On the other hand, plenty of people enjoy reading and read a lot more than active writers. They have a different, equally valuable insight that I can't replicate: the views of a pure reader. Somebody who wants to be astounded, captivated, taught, and above all Entertained. Someone who will spend an enjoyable time with a book without thinking about how they would have done it. Most writers can do that, but they're never sure if they have.

So, writers create superior critiques, but I'm not selling writing primarily to writers. That's not sustainable. Readers know what they want, but not how to make it. Taking the two styles of critique and putting them together should produce a quality piece.

My alpha reader strategy, then, is (1) submit the piece as soon as I've read it over and feel it's complete, then (2) get at least one reader and one wreader to take a look at the story so that I can apply these lessons in later pieces. Unless there's an especially obvious flaw in the critiqued piece that wants fixing.

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So a time traveller goes back in time to 1945 and shoots Hitler in that bunker. Way to go, Time Traveller! Then he says to Eva Braun: "Dearest, I've loved you even though we were separated by temporal circumstances."

"Oh darling, I remember you from my dreams," she says and leaps into his arms, instantly redeemed from her Nazi ways by the power of love. Then they kill the bunker washerwoman (shooting Hitler is a Get Out of Hell Free card) and burn both of the bodies.

Returning to the Future, which is almost exactly the same, Eva Braun becomes a happy housewife with a cooking show and the time traveller becomes President of the United North American Confederacy (UNAC).

It turns out their daughter is accidentally sent back in time and, abandoned, becomes the washerwoman.

The above plot is still not as stupid as this:

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2000 words? Yes
Book "Lived Too Long To Die" - chapter 10
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Reading - "The Planet Buyer" (Cordwainer Smith)

Loads and Loads of Characters

Why are there so many characters in this book?

Is what my hypothetical reader might say. Well, I'll tell you, Hypierre: I like characters. And I hate extras.

If there's a pilot, give her a name! If there's a board meeting, at least describe the other members on the board. Anybody who merits individual inclusion into a scene gets some characterization. Because nobody wants to be Policeman #3.

The book is about a crew of competent people who meet another group of competent people, and then the groups merge and split off into missions of competence. And since they have a whole planet (solar system?) to do these missions in, sure, there's going to be a lot of characters. But there's a lot of fun plot for the characters to be doing. Haven't got to the clipper ships yet, but it's coming up.

"Hypierre" is now a character on this blog, the stand-in for all my hypothetical readers.

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I'm a sucker for a good line. The man walked through the door and fired once, twice. I fired the third shot, and it hit him hard. I leapt up, and the story rolls forward, Who? Why? Then again, I hate mystery. James Troika, mob enforcer, rolled in his guns blazing, I took him out and thought: "I'd better get that paperwork to the clerk of court fast!" The deadline was noon, and it was already Half Past Eleven.

I referenced the title in the first paragraph. Flying Golem Award!

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500 words? Yes
Book "Lived Too Long To Die" - chapter 9

Diaphanous

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I described a dress today when introducing a new female character. I think this is the first time that a design for a fashionable article of clothing has popped into my mind fully formed. It'll sit in this book as a gift for the wardrobe department when this is turned into a feature film. I like to help out.

Just to prove I'm not a sexist for only describing the women's clothes, here's a picture from the Great Housewife Wars. Why would you even DO that?

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500 words? Yes
Book "Lived Too Long To Die" - chapter 9