Debunking myths on genetics and DNA

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Book releases, crowdsource editing and the lonely life of a writer


This is a monthly event started by the awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh and organized by the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Click here to find out more about the group and sign up for the next event.

I started a new book, the sequel to my forthcoming release GENE CARDS. No matter how many times I do this, whenever I start a new project I look at the blank pages and the miser word count and feel completely daunted. Does this happen to you too? On top of that, I have not one but two book releases coming up in the next four week so, needless to say, I'm a nervous wreck.

So, why am I still doing this?

Because I now have readers. And for a writer, that's the most beautiful thing.

I've often wondered, why is it that us writers need readers? I think it's because writing is a lone endeavor. We care for these characters in our head, we love them and want to get to know them better, so much so that we can't help but isolate ourselves from the rest of the world and write about them. We lock ourselves in a room with our laptop, or notepad, or whatever writing device we use, and write. In the meantime the world outside goes on: people go to the movies, friends meet up for coffee, kids go to school, couples get married, and in the meantime, us, lone writers, miss out on all this. Why?

Because readers make it all worth it. When we have readers, suddenly we're not the only one caring for these characters. There's a whole world out there that wants to know more about them, even if that whole world is just your mom, your spouse, your sister. Suddenly, we're not alone.

You know the best thing that happened to me last week? I got the proofs for my forthcoming release GENE CARDS. My kids came home from school as I was opening the box. My older one is a teenager. Remember those? Grumpy, demanding, constantly dissatisfied teenagers? Yeah. Anyways, my kids peeked inside the box, saw my book and started screaming in excitement. My teenager in particular said: "How cool is it that Mom writes books! Hey, Mom! Come sign my copy!"

And that... that... was true happiness. Because believe me, for a teenager her parents are the un-coolest thing on earth. And to see my daughter so happy to hold my book... really, it doesn't get any better than that.

My readers are also my best editors. Yup. I call it crowdsource editing. You see, I did something stupid when I sent out the ARCs for Mosaics. I was late, I'd promised to send them out in July and, well, July was coming to an end and the book hadn't been proof-read yet. So I gave it another quick read, found a few typos, and then sent it out. Of course, I sent it to my proof-readers too, but that meant that the ARC readers were getting a non-proofed copy. Did I mention that my readers are awesome? Not only did they understand and forgive me, they started sending me notes. And here's the best part: every single reader will catch some and miss some. But when I put all the notes together I knew my book was 99% clean. Yes. crowd-sourcing editing, how do you like that? :-)

So to all my readers out there. THANK YOU.


28 comments:

  1. Awesome, another sequel, lol. Congrats, on the proofs. WTG. Neat term, "crowd-sourcing editing" It seems to really work. I am almost finished with Gene Card. Heh, I ready for sequels on both series, lol.

    Juneta at Writer's Gambit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for being such a great beta reader Juneta! :-)

      Delete
  2. Great perspective on crowdsourcing!
    It appears to be the new buzzword.
    Good luck with the 2 upcoming releases!
    Happy IWSG Day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great concept--crowdsource editing. I think we write because we can't not write. But then why write if no one reads it? Readers are my fav people.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It DOES make a difference when we have readers caring about our characters. Great post!

    IWSG #179 until Alex culls the list again.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your teen is a real fan. Bet that made you feel good.
    It is better when we can share our creations with others.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on the new book! As a reader, if I find typos/inconsistencies, I usually send the author a message.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, Lucinda, authors greatly appreciate that!

      Delete
  7. You're the second person to mention "crowd source editing" this week. I love the concept. Best of luck on your new endeavor and I love how your daughter reacted. Teenagers are too genuine to fake enthusiasm like that! It sounds like she's super proud of you and that's definitely something to dance about :D
    Cheers,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Jennifer, I think the crowdsourcing in general is a brilliant idea! :-)

      Delete
  8. The idea of crowdsource writing gives me hives—the idea of democratizing an art form doesn't sit well, but crowdsource editing I can get on board with. Another set (or many sets) of eyes is a wonderful thing.

    VR Barkowski

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't see crowdsourcing as "democratizing"... wikipedia is an example of crowdsourcing, where different people pitch in their own expertise, and when you have enough people the overall signal is significantly different than noise. Sorry, geek statistician, here. :-) So, while the idea of crowdsource writing could indeed lead to deleterious results, crowdsourcing editing makes perfect sense to me. :-)

      Delete
  9. Interesting on the crowdsourcing. I'll have to keep that in mine. I love how your daughter reacted to your book arriving. My kids are so proud to tell people their mom's an author, but I'm not a novelist yet, just small pieces published. I can't wait to be able to see that excitement in my kids. Good luck with your book releases!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Shannon, it feels particularly good to see it in the kids because as moms we always feel guilty about the time we take away from them to write ...

      Delete
  10. I totally agree about the feeling of pride you get when your teenage son tell's you that you're cool. Mine had a similar reaction upon seeing my books, and my daughter took a few to school for her friends. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that's awesome Lyneal! I always cringe a little when my daughter tells me her friends are reading my books, but it's a great feeling, too :-)

      Delete
  11. Congrats E.E. Your energy and enthusiasm never ceases to amaze me. You are incredibly prolific. I can tell by your succinct posts for IWSG and other posts you make, you are a great writer. I'm looking forward to checking out your books. I have a teenager too and know exactly what you mean. Mine is also a budding novelist. Some of my best criticism came from him. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. awww, thank you Stephanie!!! and so great that your teenager loves to write, too! I haven't be able to pass this passion on to my kids ... yet, I'm not giving up! ;-)

      Delete
  12. Congrats on finding some readers, and having your kids be proud you're a writer. I had a cousin email me saying she loved my book. Made my day and I still have that email.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's what we need to keep plowing forward! thank you Patricia

      Delete
  13. Congratulations, and good luck with it all too! I refuse to make writing a lonely endeavour, and join as many writing groups as I can (both online and IRL), but there are always the times when you're completely alone with your story.

    By the way, your blog looks fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an uplifting post! Thanks for this, E.E. And I have to agree about the editing. I think Mosaics is a fantastic story--and I hope the word gets out there! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so too! ;-) Thanks so much, Teresa !!!

      Delete

Comments are moderated. Comments with spam links will be deleted and never published. So, if your intention is to leave a comment just to post a bogus link, please spare your time and mine. To all others: thank you for leaving a comment, I will respond as soon as possible.