Constructive criticism: Reader Report # 2

So last week, I handed over my manuscript to my editor and asked her to tear it apart and tell me what I did wrong. It's never easy receiving criticism, but this was about as painless as it comes. My editor is so wonderful. She has taken an experience that could potentially be so frightening and made it a breeze. I cannot say it enough. If you need editing and/or critique services, check out Taryn Albright. You won't regret it.

This is my second Reader Report from Taryn. The last report prompted some major changes and a lot of work. What did she have to say this time? Well, I'm on the right track. There are a few things that still need work, but the good news is the major changes I made the last go round worked well. Basically there are things here and there that need to be improved and I need to work on my use of commas and periods, and dialog tags. (Confession: I suck at grammar.) So at least one more pass is needed, but I'll have it done by February.

I can't get into what's ahead, because I haven't fully formulated a plan. When I know what my next steps are going to be, I'll write another blog...but for now I'm going to bed.

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"Ab ovo" versus "In medias res"

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Chapter Slasher

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Emails, and freak outs, and swords! Oh my!

So I was supposed to send my manuscript to the editor April 11th. Today I received a surprise email, she had finished a project and could take my MS early. Yep, I totally freaked out. You can ask my co-workers. "Is my face red? I feel like my face is red. Oh god, I'm not supposed to be this scared am I? That can't be normal. Oh god." I was so excited, so scared, so nervous, all at once. It is amazing that one person can feel some many emotions together. I don't know anything to compare it to. So, I came home, gave it a once over, made sure the format was correct to Taryn's specifications, and then I did the scariest thing I've done in my writing career. I sent my MS, my 10 year journey, my 4 month old baby, to an almost complete stranger. Taryn said she should be done by this weekend, but life happens so it may be longer. Until then I am supposed to stay occupied. Shouldn't be hard as I have a stack of new books to read, a

Word Imperfect

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