Update: One of the conditions of my publishing contract is that no portion of the book be published, so I had to ask Novel Journey to delete the critique in Nov. ’08.
A few weeks ago, a new “fan” suggested that I post a scene from my novel to let you all in on my writing style. After all, I keep demanding you tell everyone you know to sign up for our newsletter even though you could possibly vomit at the horrendous awfulness of the writing. You’ve taken it on faith thus far, which I sincerely appreciate, that you will appreciate my talent. 😉
Wait no longer.
Click to see a writing selection from my newest book, Undiscovered.* ** *** **** *****
*If you don’t like it at all, don’t give up on the book Mom and I wrote together, as that has a different feel and has been heavily edited.
**This is a humbling experience, sending you all to see a public critique of my baby. I feel like I’ve barely finished writing it and don’t have enough distance to do the deep edit. In fact, I haven’t even read the whole thing through yet!
***I agree with much of the critique and have exciting ideas to tweak the manuscript now.
****This isn’t even half of the first chapter. I show much more of the man’s emotions right after the selection stops. (I had to submit only the first 1,000 words.)
*****Isn’t it funny how critiquing is so different from normal reading? The wonderful Novel Journey ladies approached the submission with a different intent than the awesome bloggers who left comments, which led to different opinions. I value both.
So…what do you think?
UPDATE: I didn’t realize the critiques didn’t show up on the link, so here they are:
Ane Mulligan’s
Gina Holmes’
Jessica Dotta’s
I knew it! I just knew it… I knew you were a great author. You know, when I mention you to friends I say you’re a “Christian Author”. You are, you know. So, the exerpt. It hooked me from the first sentence. Always a good thing! Very well written! I don’t think I like what he’s doing. Errr…. But the fact that I’m already emotionally involved is a good thing. 🙂 Thanks for the exerpt. I love knowing your writing style!
Hey Christina! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Takes a lot of courage to allow your work to be critiqued for all the world to see. But it really is interesting story do work on it so that one day I’ll be able to read the entire story.
Hi Christina, thanks for popping over to Praise, Prayers and Observations. As far as Techniques of the Selling Writer by Swain –completely over my head. I use it as a reference book. When I want to know something I check there first. 🙂 And girl, you’re a brave one to submit your partial chapter to Novel Journey. I wouldn’t have the courage. It’s all I can to do submit mine to my 4 crit partners. LOL And I agree with what Dana said about getting us emotionally involved from the get-go. Good job. Keep writing-and remember if 10 people read your chapter, all 10 will have different opinions and lots of suggestions.
Finally, finally, I get to read a part of your writing, from a book that is. Good job. I do have to admit that my stomach kinda knotted up as I was unsure if I wanted to go on, (you know, the whole Gorge thing), but I am glad I did. You are awesome, can’t wait to read more.
This is so cool! I feel like I’m in on the ground floor of something great! And I’ll be able to say, “Oh yeah, I read Christina’s stuff before she was even published!” Thanks so much for being willing to give us a little sneak peek. I loved it and I look forward to the finished product.
I really enjoyed this excerpt. I kept wondering what the guy was up to. I wasn’t even sure if it was an affair (it almost seemed more sinister), but it kept me reading. Great stuff. It takes a lot to keep me reading, and this excerpt had it! Keep up the great work.