Re-Write, and Do Over -- and Save by Acting Now!

That headline seems to be the story of my life right now.

Fatal, Family, Album: Book #13 in the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series is now in the hands of beta readers and proofreaders. I've already gotten word that will result in one change. I know there will be many others.

A lot of writers get their backs up when they are criticized. That's not professional. I have learned to listen carefully to readers and proofreaders. They might not always be right, but often they make a terrific point. For example, I like to call Ladue a "tony" suburb. "Tony" means "fashionable among the rich or upscale." However, nearly every beta thought I meant "tiny." So I changed the wording. It's just not worth confusing the majority of people.

An astute beta has a background in banking, and he noticed a big flaw in my plot. I am thankful that I have his expertise to help me. I had done research. I had asked experts for help, and they gave me assistance, but that's different from reading the book and seeing how I used the information.

I am all for anything that makes my books more accurate, more readable, and more enjoyable. That's why I have more than a dozen people weigh in before the book is published.

Of course, the longer I write books, the higher my own standards are. I keep adjusting my expectations upward. That means I am more likely than ever to spot my own weaknesses and want to make changes.

It's the same with my miniatures. I didn't like the chandelier in the Steinway room box. I had wanted the light to stream through it. I had purchased Swarovski crystals, but I didn't think my design used them to full effect. So...down came the chandelier. That made try #4 or 5, I think. I looked at images of chandeliers again, and I started over. I really like the newer version.

Now the light shines through the chandelier. It also streams through a hole in the bottom so that it shines through the Swarovski crystals.

 

I've taken down the flat screen TV because I want to improve the trim around it. I'm going to replace the floor. I've actually ordered real wood parquet in a pattern that I think echoes the panels. I still want to put a trim around the zebra rug, but you might notice the tiny needlepoint pillow on the chair.

 

Last night we had a Facebook party to celebrate Happy Homicides 6: Cookin' Up Crime. Each author had a time slot. I watched what the other author guests as I stitched the pillow. I got so excited as I saw the Steinway logo taking shape that I stayed up to finish it. This morning, I turned it into a pillow.

 

Today is the last day that you can buy Happy Homicides 6 at 99 cents. It's also the last day you can get Shotgun, Wedding, Bells at 99 cents. I'm posting the two links below because I hope you'll take advantage of this chance to save money. Better yet, why not "gift" a friend and send her/him a copy of the books? You can't buy a card and mail it for 99 cents!

 

Be sure to tell me what you think of my dollhouse improvements.

 

All best,

 

Joanna

 

Shotgun, Wedding Bells: Book #11 in the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series

http://bit.ly/SWBKiki11

 

Happy Homicides 6: Cookin' Up Crime

http://bit.ly/HH6CookinUpCrime