Reviews

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/beta-reader-etiquette/

I am posting this as an article for people to take note.

As a writer, I try to perfect my work as best as I can. I can't tell you how many times I reread what I've written to make sure I'm getting what I want to say, across to my readers. I have other people review it even before I submit it to my editor for a hopeful acceptance on their part.

Even after one of my manuscripts has been accepted, I appreciate what the editor has to say. Especially when they make a suggestion constructively and in a positive manner. I feel they know what they're talking about and I will gladly change what they feel should be changed.

There is only one manuscript I've written in which it was suggested I change, but morally I couldn't do it. It is unpublished as of now.

When Flag on the Play was being edited, I had several people review it. I can't tell you how pleased I was when the editor said, 'good job,' or it would sound better if you explained it this way.' Sure! Not a problem!

I've received editors who have said, 'this character is too mean. No one is like that.' Um. Have you met my husband's aunt? But I changed it anyway. I felt she knew what works to sell your book.

We work long and hard with our editors to make a finished product. We can't please everyone and understand that point. When I read my reviews (which is really hard), I take notice of what the negative comments say. 'This plot was all over the place.' Why did you think so? 'This was boring, I couldn't finish it.' Why did you think it was boring? What were you looking for?

I think it's me. When I get down, I have a tendency to read other authors work and I find solace that they suffer as I do. So much, when they write one of their characters as an author who receives bad reviews, the truth is told. It's not just me.

As an example, one of my many favorite authors is Sandra Brown. When I moved to Texas (where she's from), I had never heard of her. I went to the library and devoured everything she had written. There was only one story I didn't care for but it was a different genre she had tried. But I didn't write a scathing review. As an author, she is entitled to try different genres.

Imagine my surprise, just last week in The Dallas Morning News Sunday edition, the reviewer just ripped her newest work apart. The reviewer said it was so boring and predictable. It was as if  Ms. Brown just took a formula from her past books and blah, blah, blah. Was that necessary? I didn't find this very constructive.

As I work on my two manuscripts, side by side, I remember what my negative critics say. I try not to have the plot all over the place and I try not to make it too boring and I try not to make the characters so mean (you really do have to meet this aunt) in order to make it a better story for you to enjoy. Isn't that what you want to read?

I am really excited! With the help of Monica, I was able to update my website! Thanks!

Also, I have another challenge I am pursuing for my next manuscript. Yes, I am still working on my drag racing romance but a fellow author challenged me to write something different. I am already deep into it and will let you know how it is progressing.

This Labor Day weekend has been fun so far. Yes, I started off with much needed lawn work, followed by being taken out to lunch; selecting dinner to grill and lots of swimming! Dinner was totally yummy and so has been the 'sleeping in.'

I am also doing a lot of reading. Right now I am totally into Lis Wiehl with April Henry. Good stuff!

Stay True to Yourself

August has not been kind to me, but I'm tough, right?

I went to an all girls' Catholic High School and a Catholic Junior College before I went on to get my masters degree in Music Education. My grades were not really that good, but I plugged away. I will tell you why. The nuns that I had as teachers were the best at helping you reach your potential. Yes, they were tough and I got angry at them when I felt they pushed me too hard but at the end? It was worth it. My piano teacher, my vocal instructor and the principal were behind me 100%!

One of my hardest subjects was Journalism. I remember my teacher's name. Sister Victorine. She would give me C's on my papers. We had to write about a variety of subjects. I wrote to get good grades. Finally, she told me the secret. Stay true to yourself. When I discovered my voice, my grades improved dramatically.

I had to make a very hard decision this week and it had to be one of the hardest things I had to do, but it wouldn't be me.  Thank you, Sister V!

Busy Writing

Busy working on my next book. Watching lots of Funny Car qualifying and eliminations. I'm hooked!

Still no word about The Sin Bin, my romantic comedy about hockey. Waiting is so hard.

Yay! School starts tomorrow. The library will be quiet again!

Sequel to When the Runway Went South

This week of my life reverts back to this book. What else can go wrong with things in our house? I'm afraid to ask. My husbands wants to stick a "For Sale" sign in the front yard and use the clause, 'as is'.

I ask myself if we are the only other home owners who have problems?

So far this year, money wise, has been the pool. I love my pool, but what a money pit! New pump, new O-rings, the Polaris gone wild, you name it. And that's just the motors! The surface needs to be redone and the pool's interior needs fixing.

Stopped up sinks to the tune of $250. Ouch!

Landscaping - previous owners planted trees outside our bedroom windows for privacy and noise reduction because this room does face the street. Guess what? One half of it's dying and we pay for grass, tree and shrub treatment.

Our rose bushes of six years have caught a disease and they're all dying.

Our fence sorely needs to be replaced.

The ceiling in the master bath over the window needs to be fixed from some water damage from the 'historic' rain fall we experienced this spring.

And just when I thought that was it, the garage door is not working.

Dealing with service men here in Texas is a nightmare. Not only do they cost and arm and a leg, they're always trying to sell you service contracts. Yes, they advertise coupons for $50 off repair services but then turn around and charge you a fortune for the service call.

My week ahead, as I'm trying to write my next book, is dealing with all of this.. ugh!

Maybe I will have a sequel to When the Runway Went South!

www.loiskasznia.com

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I don't know if you have been following, but I have a new website! www.loiskasznia.com, designed by Monica Dyess. I think she did a fantastic job!

Part of the old systems person I used to be, I do want to be able to update certain pages of it such as my blog and books I'm currently reading. Monica has been kind enough to teach me some basics to do so.

Since I assisted in the Help Desk area of Dimensions, back in Reading, PA, I used to love trying to solve computer problems and learn new things. The downside of the job was the temperament of the VP's who would carry on like crazy if they had computer problems and they wanted it fixed RIGHT NOW! The rest of the employees were so much more understanding when their computers acted up.

Therefore, when we moved to Dallas, I kind of shunned away from computer related issues and concentrated on my writing. When my laptop crashed in the middle of writing Not Just an Act, I was forced to learn Windows 8.1 with the purchase of a new laptop. I know just enough to get by but not like I knew Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7!

Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Stimulating My Brain!

As an author, I do need my alone time with my characters to tell me what to write. I told you last week how busy my family has been with vacation and playing catch up.

I finally got a breather this Friday and it was wonderful. I was able to devote over eight hours of uninterrupted quality time with my new work in progress!

Of course, that all changes with the weekend. Mowing, gardening, house chores and more parties. Taking this Sunday to do what I want. Read some of my favorite authors work and keep up with my writing skills! I call it a Brain Refresh!