by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner
But for the fact that I need to focus on reading, I probably would start writing on the third draft of my first novel immediately. The Beta Reader process is going about a poorly as I expected. And given how bad, in general, I know the Public Beta is, I feel I can pretty much just write it off and throw myself into writing again without there being much of a problem.
And, yet, I do have some reading to do, so I continue to pause my writing on the novel until Sept 1st. I am doing — or trying to do — a lot of development while I’m not writing. I need to focus, though. If I don’t appreciate all this time I have, I’m going to waste two months of not writiing.
I really, really need to do some more reading.
My hope is that during this pause in writing that I will get back into the habit of writing to the point that even once I start writing again that I will continue to read in some capacity. I still am clinging on to the idea that I will write a total of six novels set in the same place featuring most, if not all, the same characters. That’s the dream, at least.
But the only way I’m going to make that dream come true is if I put some creative elbow grease into things. Reading — or, during research — is one way to take my characters to the next level. Some of my characters just aren’t as well thought out as they should be.
I continue to worry about at least one Beta Reader. I’m kind of afraid they’re going to drop a bomb on me of how bad they think the novel is. And, yet, I do need to know how someone who doesn’t really know me that well might see the project.
Anyway. I hope to take this novel to the next level, regardless.
