Don’t ask me why! Read the rest of the book!
I’ve had a few beta readers now and they’ve all been fabulous. Every comment has made me think and reconsider and in some circumstances re-write mammoth sections (Vicki, you and Kerrin are solely to blame for my current madness ;p). But occasionally I get thoughts back after someone has read say, oooh the first seven chapters *grin*.
And their thoughts are basically a bunch of questions. Why? How? Who? When?
And my response is this.
Don’t ask me questions about the story if you haven’t finished the book!! It’s like reading chapter one of a murder mystery and complaining that the author hasn’t told you who the killer is – it’s supposed to be a MYSTERY!!
Okay so I realize my story is fantasy but I’m not writing a list at the beginning of the book explaining how things work. I’m not going to make the ‘important’ things/places/events/people outrageously obvious. I want to slip it in there until it pounces on you later and you do the head smack ‘OMG – of course!’.
That’s subtlety you see. Clever and sly you never know when it’s going to appear. I love how a good author does that. Slips in something that doesn’t really trigger any alarm bells till later on. It’s clever in my humble opinion.
So in short. If you are generous enough to offer to read my manuscript, please read entirely before asking questions! Suggestions are welcome at any time but questions.. Wait till you’ve seen the whole story first *grin*. Though of course those who read mine have to keep in mind that this is part 1 of a trilogy – there is LOTS happening in the next two books *grin*
Now back to the rewrite!
p.s – if you happen to love one of the blog backgrounds I’m trying let me know : ) I’m spoilt for choices here! Of course if you’d like it yourself let me know too *grin*
p.s – if you happen to love one of the blog backgrounds I’m trying let me know : ) I’m spoilt for choices here! Of course if you’d like it yourself let me know too *grin*
I have occasionally as a beta reader asked questions midway to make the author aware of what I as a reader have "gotten" so far. That way they can add more clues or take out a few if I have figured out the mystery too soon (or is completely on a wrong track). And some why/how/who/whens during will have to be answered – occasionally we are unintentionally vague as well as the intentional kind. At least I tend to do this all the time.
I agree with you, though – if they ask those kind of questions while reading, they should follow up by reading the rest, explaining when they realized what was really going on and whether they are still left with questions after the last page. After all, beta comments aren't supposed to be cliff-hangers…
Cruella is right – some questions let us know as writers if we have given too much info or not enough at the right times (like in my Secrets one!)
Nope the water background doesn't work!
Very true Cruella 🙂 those are the good kind of questions *grin*
And K – what this background now? Or the purple splash I tried first?
I have the who questions as well and while sometimes it makes me explain further, sometimes it's just annoying.
I like the background. Very spring.
CD
I totally agree, most questions are answered if you keep reading! But then some of the questions make me realize that maybe I am not being clear enough. I love to put in little sneak peeks and BAM…enter the big reveal later.lol
It's very hard to find a reader cognizant enough to ask thoughtful questions right at first. Although, on the other end, I hate when I'm reading something and pay close attention to it only to feel a quarter way into the book like I've missed something. Hate to feel confused or out of the loop.
It's like watching the US show Lost when you've missed an episode. LOL!
I'm not even gonna say I'm sorry! But I would like to read the updated version when you're done….
Depends on the questions for me. Sometimes there's a point that does need to be clarified then and there, and as the writer I've missed it. I worry more, however, if there are a lot of unanswered questions (that are meant to be answered) after the book is done!