Time To Beta

It's been a longer road than I anticipated getting to this point. Aileen 4 was more difficult to write than what is typical for a book in this series, but I did it. IDraft two is complete and Aileen's fourth adventure is finally ready for eyes other than my own. That means it's time to reach out to beta readers. 

For those unused to the term "beta reader", this is the stage of the process where the author (me) reaches out to readers (you) to get their impression of the book. It's a way to check the stories temperature and make sure it hits all the notes I want it to with readers. At this point, it's still fairly unpolished with odd grammatical and factual errors. I'm not looking for a hardcore grammar edit. Instead, betas help with pointing out inconsistencies in the story line or character.

For example: Aileen has a gun at the beginning of the scene, then big bad attacks and there is no gun by the end of the scene. What happened to the gun?

Or - I don't understand how we got from point a in the story point b. Something just doesn't feel right.

In Wayfarer's Keep I actually reworked a good chunk of the ending because of the feedback I got at this stage of the process. People felt Shea didn't react in a way consistent with how they'd come to know her in the series. For all that it added almost 15,000 words to the manuscript and took a while to rewrite, I think it's a better book for the changes.

If the above hasn't scared you off and you're still interested, keep reading. Below is an explanation of my expectations. It's a first come, first serve type of opportunity and priority will be given to those who've beta read for me in the past.

Please, please, please, don't volunteer unless you have the time and attention to do this. You'll take the slot from someone who does. I will be doing advanced reader copies again this time which is a lot less of a commitment.

Beta Reader Guidelines and Caveat

Here's how you can volunteer: Private message me through my Facebook page or email me at info@tawhiteauthor.com asking to be a beta reader and committing to the guidelines posted below. Also please let me know if you'd like a kindle version or other ereader version. I can't guarantee I'll choose you as there has been a lot of interest in this in the past, and I can only wade through so many comments at a time without getting overwhelmed and falling into a dark pit of despair.

Beta Guidelines:

This part of the process for me takes place before I send the manuscript to the editor. That means the copy is a little rough still. I'm not looking for intense grammar editing. I'm more focused on comments on the story- pace, structure, characters, things that don't make sense. That kind of stuff. I will outline these questions in more detail for those who participate.

The other thing I ask is for people to send it back to me in the time allotted. I'm asking for it back by Sept. 26th.

I also ask that you agree not to share the story with anyone or upload it to any sites. I know for most of you that would never cross your mind, but I need to say it anyway.

Also, be aware that I may not use your suggestions as my opinion trumps everyone else's. Sometimes you ask questions that I want asked or a suggestion goes against what I'm trying to accomplish.

One final note: Beta reading is not for everyone. For instance, I don't beta read for people because I like getting caught up in the story and not paying attention to the things that irk me. For that reason, I will be doing advance reader copies that will take place at the end of the process and will require less critical thinking on the reader's part--hopefully.

If you're interested, let me know. If you're not, I hope you enjoy the book when it comes out.

Happy Book Release!!

Wayfarer's Keep is out!! If you haven't already, you can get your copy now at any of the following retailers.

Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  Itunes

Branded a traitor by her people, Shea and her warlord—the fiercely dangerous Fallon—travel to the Pathfinders’ seat of power at her father’s request, hoping to form an alliance despite the distrust between them. It doesn’t take long before Shea and Fallon realize something is dangerously wrong in the place she once called home. Ancient, deadly creatures—gone for hundreds of years, once again walk the lands, awakened from a deep sleep. Worse, it seems the Pathfinders are keeping a secret—one that could destroy them all.

On the brink of battle with each other, the Pathfinders and Trateri must join forces if they hope to defeat the evil at the heart of the Badlands. As the tension rises between the two peoples, and Shea and her family, Shea and Fallon must convince them to overcome their differences if they are to triumph over impossible odds. Because the beasts may be the least of their worries. Sometimes betrayal comes from within, and the most dangerous monsters may be those closest to them. 

Bears and Inspiration

I'm alive! This years backpacking trip is one we'll be telling stories about for years. 

Brief excerpt from the hike

Stop at trail head to read the rules of the path. Notice on board says "Beware Bears. All over nighters must have a bear canister."

B: What?! No one said anything about bears.

Me: Didn't you see it on the forestry website? I sent the link to my sister.

B: No! I saw nothing!

Sister: It'll be fine. We probably won't see a bear.

B: We don't have a canister! The bears will know we have food!

Me: My husband rented a bear canister. Just put your food with ours.

Several hours later from the campsite across the path

Unknown camper: Get bear, get. Go on, now. Get. Go AWAY BEAR. GO AWAY!

B: BEAR?!

Brother in law: It'll be fine. We did everything we were supposed to.

B: BEAR?!

Brother in law: We'll post a fireguard.

Sister: Oh no you won't. You have to come to bed to protect me. You can guard from the tent.

One in the morning.

Dog growls.

Brother in law: Get bear, get. GO AWAY NOW!

Needless to say, none of us got much sleep that night. No one actually saw the bear, but my brother in law said he heard something big coming through the underbrush toward us. He's spent considerable time in the wilderness and is an Army Ranger, so I trust his assessment of events.

Also, when we got off the trail a few campers said bears had taken their food. Thank goodness my husband decided to research everything about the trail this time or we might have had our food taken too.

The trip was exhausting, but fun. I would definitely go on another one. Although I might pick an easier route next time as this one nearly caused a revolt. Nothing went as planned, and unfortunately we couldn't complete it because some of the trail was closed due to erosion.

Bonus: I got a great idea for a scene in a future Broken Lands novel :-) I get inspiration out of the weirdest things.