January 1, 2021

Beta is better...

First up, Happy New Year for 2021 to everyone! While COVID remains a real threat, Trump is stalling to leave the White House, China continues to expand its Belt and Road initiative, the Taliban and multiple other organisations and nations continue to oppress women and people of colour, Australian leaders don't understand that white Eurocentric supremacy in world politics is no longer an unchallenged force, and greed and selfishness continue to drive too many ordinary people, I hope that, for you and your families, 2021 is kind and full of not just promise but fulfilment. Take a moment to tell those you love that you do love them. Do random acts of kindness. Smile and laugh.

I stopped writing on Dec 28 for a short break, but that was after I edited and shared Chasse's Song (Book Two The Last Wizard) with a beta reader for feedback and also shared sample sections with artist Kirsi Salonen for consideration as basis for the cover illustration.

The beta reader report is in and generally favourable, with some important but minor recommendations made, and I have attended to them today as part of my new year's resolutions.

My concern was capturing style after a 25 year gap between books, but the beta reader confirmed that it wasn't an issue. One challenge is to link Book One and Two for readers who might have a 'break' between books so they can recall key Book One events. In the case of the original novel, the dragon's egg and threats to it need to be clear from the outset in the second. I have made adjustments accordingly, without a ham-fisted recount.

Curiously, I also began book three (or did I say that last entry??) Anyway, I'm looking forward to growing Jaysin's character in the third book against the tapestry of a larger and more threatening world than either Chasse or Tam encountered in their initial tales.

I'm about to enjoy a week of family flying in from Queensland, daughters and grandson I haven't seen for more than a year. I doubt I'll be writing in that time. Next post will be in a fortnight then, when I've chosen what to work on next.