I just got my first feedback for the novel as a whole. I can't tell you how good it feels for someone to finish one of my books and tell me how much they want to read the sequel. Ahh, so good. The reader comments were all pretty positive. She liked Balt and Bolan the Black. I was worried about how Balt was coming off. I made her cry twice, where I'd hoped to. Hopefully I made her laugh as well, at the right places.
She also suggested I get the 'show on the road' earlier. Damn it. She suggested cutting chapter 3 and four and starting with chapter 5, on their way to town. I can't say I completely disagree, though chapter 4 still remains one of the better-constructed chapters. She suggests using a prologue to add backstory of the world and the godswar. I don't know. I've resisted putting in a prologue so far. I plan to write on, just in case some editor or agent wants to see it. But I still feel a novel needs to open strong and be focused on the plot, like chapter 1 is.
She also suggested making the Sorcerer a stronger villian earlier on and delaying the 'reveal'. I don't disagree with that. She also suggests moving Calleen's scene to earlier in the trip. I'll have to see if I can do that. It should be possible, though I don't know if I want that happening right on the heels of Isaac's defection. Still, it's a good thought.
I should be able to incorporate most of her feedback into the fourth draft.
Tonight, I finish the second draft and chip away a bit more on the third.
She also suggested I get the 'show on the road' earlier. Damn it. She suggested cutting chapter 3 and four and starting with chapter 5, on their way to town. I can't say I completely disagree, though chapter 4 still remains one of the better-constructed chapters. She suggests using a prologue to add backstory of the world and the godswar. I don't know. I've resisted putting in a prologue so far. I plan to write on, just in case some editor or agent wants to see it. But I still feel a novel needs to open strong and be focused on the plot, like chapter 1 is.
She also suggested making the Sorcerer a stronger villian earlier on and delaying the 'reveal'. I don't disagree with that. She also suggests moving Calleen's scene to earlier in the trip. I'll have to see if I can do that. It should be possible, though I don't know if I want that happening right on the heels of Isaac's defection. Still, it's a good thought.
I should be able to incorporate most of her feedback into the fourth draft.
Tonight, I finish the second draft and chip away a bit more on the third.
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