Beta reading is a tough but necessary process on any publication journey. While staying true to your original intent, protecting your writer’s voice, and reminding your fragile writer’s ego that your work has a purpose and place, you must assess the value of every comment shared. Case in point; I have read through novel number one many times, yet I failed to notice the ubiquitous phrase “What the heck.” It appears way too many times in the novel. Worse, it is spoken by nearly every character! What a rookie mistake. Since these Wednesday blogs are about my writing journey, their purpose being to encourage other writers, I”ll fess up. I know how it happened. I’d sit in my writing closet working out scenes and dialogues, and that phrase would shoot from the tip of my tongue through my fingertips. My writing reflected my own personal voice, no matter the character. I am revising said novel again (!) and one chapter in, I have already found one “What the heck?” to be slashed from the page. When I wrote Monday’s blog about “Watch Your Language,” I didn’t necessarily mean in your written word. But yes, watch your characters’ language, every one of them. Our job as writers is to bring them to life as people of interest rather than mere names on the page. I’m so grateful to those who agree to read my work and then bravely point out such glaring errors! But really, what the heck?
Quote of the Week…
“Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving.” B.C. Forbes, 1880 – 1955
Delight in the Light…
Yesterday was Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and yet, it falls during the season of light; candles in various faith traditions flicker amidst strings of bulbs adorning houses and trees. While my family celebrates the birth of the Christ Child (in faith-based as well as commercial traditions), I appreciate and respect other…
Patty Mayeux Blog 
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