My manuscript is currently in the hands of a select few trusted readers. I'm waiting for feedback and criticism that will, hopefully, help me shape the book into something publishers will want. Saturday I met with one of my "beta" readers--my awesome critique partner who's been there every step of the way--and received some invaluable feedback.
Not only did she meticulously read it, line by line, noting what she liked with exclamation points, and noting what didn't work and why, but she also articulated what I hadn't been able to put into words: the first chapter seems told in a different voice.
I spent the longest on chapter one. I had to make sure it did everything I needed the first chapter to do: Introduce important details and set the stage for the mystery and plot to follow. Time and care were spent getting my paragraphs just right.
But as I wrote and got to know the character better, I'd like to think I became more comfortable. The sentences flowed more smoothly.
Knowing some of the problems with the first chapter, I can return to it and improve it. When I tried to do this a couple months ago, I had trouble even adding a sentence to it. I think I was still too close to the words. Now, fortunately, they're less "darling" to me.
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