A few months ago, I posted about feeling nearly ready to publish the first installment of the new series. Clearly, that was overly optimistic. I’ve encountered several snags.
TL;DR version
I’ve completed extensive rewrites. These drafts are mostly finished, but now I must painstakingly review the entire manuscript to address the impacts of these changes.
Long Version:
The holidays contributed to the delays, but only slightly.
Alpha Reader Feedback
The major setbacks arose from Alpha reader feedback. As an author, discerning whether a detail that bothers me will even register with readers enjoying the story is challenging. In other words, it’s hard to know if an issue is real or just imagined, stemming from my closeness to the material. While most feedback was positive, the critical points confirmed my concerns.
Many issues related not to the story itself, but to the narrative structure. I often get enamored with complex storytelling structures, like nonlinear timelines. However, complexity can confuse or annoy readers. Ultimately, a well-told story is more important than one told in an interesting manner.
One major plot point presented a significant issue. Simplifying it wasn’t difficult–had to be done.
I’d wanted to make my original approach work, but it proved too complicated. I’m being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers. This small change might lead readers to figure things out earlier, but a simple, well-told story is preferable to a confusing one.
Side Note: The original idea would have been great in a movie, where clever camera work can convey nuances, but it didn’t translate well to the page. Misdirecting the reader’s attention in a book risks being deceptive. I take my plot planning seriously and would hate to be accused of retconning events from book one in book three. That thought makes me… well… angry.
The real challenge lies in the story’s unresolved plot points, which will extend into future books. It’s tricky business, subtly signaling to readers that, something that seems unlikely in book one will make perfect sense by book three.
World Building
Other issues were typical of world building. Every author creating a new fantasy world wants to share every detail immediately, but this risks overwhelming the story with info dumps. Finding the right balance is key, and some feedback suggested I didn’t always hit the mark. Thus, I’ve been removing details unless they’re immediately relevant.
I’m halfway through the final rewrite addressing these issues. It’s a struggle, especially with the distractions of the season, but I’m making progress, and the call for beta readers is drawing near.
Beta Reader Volunteers
If you’re interested in being a beta reader, email me at telleryhodges@theneverhero.com. There are requirements, so consider whether your schedule can handle reading a 450-page manuscript and providing feedback within two weeks.
That’s all for today. Happy holidays, everyone!