Why writing friends are a must!

My first book in the Surviving Midas Series came out two weeks ago, but for years, this book had been completed and on my shelves waiting for the right publisher to come along to bring it to life! So far the sales for this novel have been doing well, but one of the most beneficial parts of this journey has come from the friends I met along the way! 

I knew the value of critique partners. They helped me get my writing from beginner stages to where it is now. Unfortunately, the relationship on the website I used to find my buddies usually ended after the critique exchange was completed. They would leave their comments and move on with their lives, probably back to their own writing. Then I would be left with their comments and the process of figuring out best how to work with the suggestions they left. 

But, until now, I have not had many people to brainstorm with. 

My family is exhausted from being asked questions about writing scenes or changes that could be made to characters. They played nice, but I didn't want them to start hiding any time I came around. It was time to find some real-life writing friends. 

The sequel to Surviving Midas, Escaping Midas has lived for about six months less than its predecessor. In that time of existence, there has always been this scene that has bugged me. I knew it was a bit too similar to another scene and a bit cliche on top of that. Beta readers mentioned it too, but all my efforts to change it just did not make the problem go away! It was still too alike! 

Recently, however, I became friends with an author and manga artist. We both have the same publisher, and while I’ve promised to look over her work (if you’re reading this, I swear, I’m still going to do it!), she has already read two of my books! While she was reading through book two, however, the mention of ye ole scene surfaced once more . . .

And what was worse, she described it as causing weariness. 

Weariness! Now that just can’t be. That’s the OPPOSITE a writer wants to hear, but still, what to do, what to do? 

Well, she made a suggestion. 

Immediately, I shot down the suggestion. That wouldn’t work because of X, or, if I had to change X, I’d have to change Y. Unless . . .

Whenever you hear yourself saying unless, it’s time to sit up and listen. That’s the creative juices starting to flow. Your writer’s wings are just starting to stretch. Dust will soon be flying off your pinions as you take flight with this idea. 

Unless . . . 

I wish I could describe the scene. I wish I could say exactly what she said, but doing so would give away some AWESOME spoilers. All I can say is that in this one little suggestion, she has injected more heart, more emotion, and more stakes into this novel (and the one that follows!) than I could after staring at it for literal years. The old frightful scene works and it sets up everything else that follows. 

And THAT is why writing friends are a MUST.

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