The writing year ahead.
What does the year 2023 hold? For me it is books, books, books. My main aim is to publish the crime thriller Slim chance. My co-author colleague Sylvia Howe and I are going through our first draft of 85,000 words.
We have converted the document from Dabble, the excellent online writing tool, into Word and printed a copy each. We have a master version in Google Docs and I am sharing my corrections and comments with Sylvia. Many words, phrases and sentences will be changed and trimmed. Sections will be omitted.
Then we will send it out to some selected readers, acquaintances rather than friends who have a penchant for the cosy crime thriller. They will each have a set of specific questions to answer:
Does the story flow?
Is it clear? Is it confusing? If so, where?
Which characters do you like? And why?
Which do you not like? And why?
Do the characters have their own voice? Do you get muddled with any?
Are there any inconsistencies and repetitions?
What do you really like about it?
Is it believable?
Is the ending suitably clear?
We will make corrections, as we see fit, having spent time finalising the Proposal Document and covering letter for literary agents and small publishers. This will be based on tips from the invaluable 10-day Book Proposal Challenge I took last autumn with Alison Jones of Practical Inspiration Publishing.
Meanwhile I will also have started work on my new book, Secrets of winning writing: Expert advice on how to add impact to all your written work.
Watch these blogging spaces.
And what about you and your writing?
Good luck to you for 2023.