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?
Exploring Up Close…
I recently went exploring with two of our granddaughters. We donned safari hats, carried tote bags with snacks and a magnifying glass tucked into one pocket. I love that our new home came with a green space across the street, something I missed in our townhome that we moved from last year. You forget how…
Quote of the Week…
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” Zig Ziglar, 1926- 2012
My Easter Basket…
Happy Easter Monday, the second day of Easter Week which is sometimes called the Octave of Easter; eight days spanning from Easter Sunday to “Bright” Sunday. In the Christian tradition, the miracle of Christ’s resurrection is the most holy of celebrations. Easter stands for rebirth and renewal, perfectly coinciding with the bright green promise of…
Patty Mayeux Blog 
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