Updates, updates

[pyjamapants]

Chapter 7 of TWoG has been added to the queue, well ahead of schedule. Betas are on hiatus off and on through the end of the year, so this will mark the last upload until late December. I'm quite proud of the chapter... parts of it were a complete bitch to write, but I *think* I did the characters (and their UST) justice.

I'm drawing close to the end of my little tale, and I hope once I've wrapped it up that I can solicit some constructive criticism here on my LJ. Reviews of the fic. would seem to indicate that I'm the most hilarious, clever author ever, and I'm nearly certain that's not the case. Nearly certain. I'm looking forward to ending the story so that I can look back over it with a more objective eye and improve my writing.

Penning and publishing the story has been such a roller-coaster: Getting over some serious anxiety about writing emails, much less a chaptered story; basking in the glow of the story's initial reception (finding it recommended by several individuals and the digest was an enormous boost to my confidence as a writer); relearning seemingly all punctuation and grammar rules; trying not to get sucked into the trap of clinging to reviews for affirmation; finding that some reviewers just seem to have their feedback permanently set to squee, regardless of author or story; being desperately afraid that I'd made Severus adorable and that Hermione was a complete Mary Sue; and, having more fun than I dreamed possible while making some excellent new friends.

Comments

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Betas on hiatus is no excuse to wait over a month until the next chapter goes out, srsly. ;) If you're in need of a temporary beta to cover, let me know.

I do find it ironic that authors who write rather well ask for constructive criticism, and authors who write the cheesiest, non-readable, waste-of-time purple prose think they're god's gift to the fandom. Amazing. I do love your fic, as you know. And I like your writing. I'll see, though, if I can come up with something that I don't like about it. LOL. Just so your head doesn't outgrow the size of doors. :)

[kittylefish.livejournal.com]

while the london trip will probably put me out of commission for at least a week, possibly two, until then i will try to push through anything you send me as quickly as possible.

and - i see absolutely NO REASON why TWOG needs to be completely written in order for you to do the Yule Edition. just defy the limits of the space/time continuum and write a nice christmas treat for your faithful readers.

pretty please?

as for your writing, when you first asked me to beta for you, i didn't know you from adam, but i had wanted to try betaing, and you asked, so i said yes. and then you sent me your first chapter, and it was so funny and i really liked your ideas for the characters. honestly, i feel lucky to be working with you on this story and helping you polish it into the lovely little gem it is.

and i get to read the chapters before everyone else, which is kinda cool. ;)

[natasnape.livejournal.com]

I fully second that. Writing is almost like growing up all over again. You learn to walk, you learn to talk and you learn to live. I enjoyed the experience tremendously. Especially today, when I learned I will get published (not certain yet, but unable to see the possibility of it not getting through).

If you ask for criticism, I will do my very best to make it constructive and open for you.

[dressagegrrrl.livejournal.com]

Hello! I hope you don't mind that once I saw your review I popped on over and friended you. It's always so nice when someone leaves a lovely comment and you realize that you are reading (and thoroughly enjoying) their WIP.

In regards to receiving constructive criticism via review - it's rare, isn't it? I only had a few people who left me honest critiques on my writing, and I valued it sooooo much more than the readers who left canned reviews like, "Love it. Keep smiling."