Who do you Trust?

I’m a few days away from finishing the second draft of my NaNoWriMo project from last November. I’m at the point where I’m ready for a first reader.

In my mind’s eye my plot is pretty much complete. As I read the pages I can visualize the characters acting out the story. Unfortunately, my clever mind also automatically fills in the blanks and plot holes, tricking me into thinking I have more on the page than I really do.

Enter Stephanie. She has volunteered to be my first reader for this WIP. I’m asking her to refrain from tempting line-edits and focus on the story. Does the plot make sense? Is it interesting? Do any of the characters suddenly disappear (when they’re not supposed to). Where was it boring? Where was it good?

I trust Stephanie. She will be able to gently point out the areas that need work. She knows I don’t want to hear “It’s all good!” because that does not help me at all.  After the third draft it’ll be Kitty’s turn  I trust her just as much as I trust Stephanie and her editor’s eye can help me further fine-tune my writing before I unleash it on my agent list.

In the mean time, I’ve signed up for a SCBWI one-day conference at the end of the month. I just found out that I got into a paid critique. There were limited spots and I didn’t think I made it. So instead, I had been preparing myself to participate in class (eek!) to get some feedback. For an introvert, this is difficult. I have to plan ahead what I am ready to discuss. I need to make a list of potential questions and answers so I have something to look at when my mind goes blank (you extroverts are thinking, “Huh?”). I need to decide if I should go with my “completed” WIP that has gotten a few agent nibbles, but no bites. Or, should I lead out with this new work that is not as polished, yet might be a better book? I’m stressing out just thinking about it.

Trusting an early draft to a first reader can be difficult. You need to be able to trust the person, that they won’t squash your confidence. At this stage the WIP is tied pretty tightly to your apron strings. For months, it has been only you and your WIP. Your WIP and you. The circle is about to expand, and, if you have done your job well, the circle will continue to widen to other first readers, agents, editors, and finally, your target readers.