Update: One of the conditions of my publishing contract is that no portion of the book be published, so I had to ask Tina to delete her critique in Nov. ’08.
Tina Helmuth critiques the second half of the first chapter of Undiscovered today. I would love for you to stop by and leave a comment about the scene. I want to “discover” what you think about it!
Frankly, I was hesitant about sending this next section to Tina. It covers the same time frame that the first half of the chapter does, but we see everything from the wife’s point of view. To avoid boring the reader, I had to recap with a lot of “telling” instead of “showing.” This is breaking the cardinal rule of writing. But even the experts say you can breaks the rules once you really understand them.
Also, I’d already sent the first three chapters of Undiscovered to my paid professional critiquer, Deborah Raney, for the conference. What if Tina had huge rewrite suggestions? What if my confidence level plummeted to .05% right before conference? I’m so glad I decided to risk the possibility. Tina seemed to like it…I hope you will, too.
Don’t forget: if you want to submit around 1500 words, Tina would be glad to give you a free critique also. See her blog for details.
Hey there NGO!
Some nice writing there–I checked it out on Tina’s blog. You’re a blogging fiend! I can barely get one post up a week lately, but then again, I haven’t even finished my first book! Check out my latest though. If anyone ever reads it, they’ll find out it secretly features…YOU!! (www.rebeccabarlow@blogspot.com)
See ya next week-
TTG
Well, Rebecca, I went to your blog and I was so surprised that I was secretly featured. 😉
I’m only blogging more because my kids are in all day school and I promised my many fans I would do so. You can see from the sheer volume of comments how disappointed they would be if I didn’t blog.
Alas, next week, during ACFW, this blog will be postless.
Wow, Christina. Really good. I posted a comment over there with my one and only recommendation. I am very impressed! Don’t get too famous and forget about us little poeple, though!
I am also very impressed with the chapter. Hoping to one day share a chapter of my book. Would like to get further along on it soon. Alas, this week haven’t even had time for laundry. Long story short…editor is on vacation and fill-in has me running ragged!!
Keeping you in my prayers, thankful to know you.
God Bless!
Jennie
Nicely done, Christina! So want to know where you are going with this story! Hope the ACFW conference boots you on your way to publication!