The neverending summer is winding to a close. We’ve all experienced this weird Quarantimes distortion–the clock and the calendar make no sense anymore. Some days last about eight hours, others last 1,937 hours. My mood bounces from upbeat to abysmal to mightily pissed off. It’s enough to make a person dizzy!
One thing that helps is communing with people slogging through the same mud. And the Insecure Writers Support Group is a great place to find our fellow sloggers. The awesome co-hosts for the September 2 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, J Lenni Dorner, Deniz Bevan, Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, and Louise – Fundy Blue! Be sure to give their posts a look.
Today’s optional question: If you could choose one author, living or dead, to be your beta partner, who would it be and why?
Hmm. I still haven’t tracked down my perfect comparison titles. I write steamy contemporary romance, medium on the angst scale, high on the heat level. I enjoy a good slow burn and gutsy, determined heroines, popular tropes/character types in historical romance by authors like Sarah MacLean. Having her beta read my work would be a dream come true, but we’re separated by the contemporary/historical divide. You won’t find my characters racing through the midnight streets of London in carriages, nor scampering over the rooftops of Covent Garden. No ballrooms, no gambling hells, no duels. No swashes are buckled in my stories–not yet, anyway.
![Real Men Knit by [Kwana Jackson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-kxlkr1mL.jpg)
One author I’ve recently discovered whose work embodies the tone, heat level, and complexity I’m trying to create is Kwana Jackson. Her Real Men Knit takes place in Harlem, but she infuses the story with the small-town atmosphere I aim for. Her slow burn was delicious, her hero and heroine worthy of love, respect–the kind of people I’d enjoy knowing in real life. She surrounds her main couple with an interesting supporting cast (as do I), no doubt the heroes and heroines of future books. She centers the story world around a small business, something I also do. She even incorporates cute (but not saccharine) kid antics–something I also aim for. Ms. Jackson would make an excellent beta partner.
I benefitted from the help of four beta readers for my upcoming indie-published romance, Christmas Rekindled. Funny story: I wanted to set a series in Tacoma, Washington, my hometown, and thought a neighborhood bar would be the perfect setting. Hah! By the time I was far enough into the story to ask questions of local bar staff, the bars were all closed. Fortunately, I connected online with someone with lots of restaurant experience.
It’s hard to see the positives in 2020, but one I’ve experienced is increased connectivity among writers. I’m loving the online writers’ conferences and hope that option will continue when this pandemic finally abates. While attending a conference in person is my first choice, cost and travel keep me away from most. Think of how many more people could attend conferences if online participation remained an option!
Life is change, eh?
Did this month’s question resonate with you? Do you have a dream beta reader?
Great post! I’ve added all these books to my wishlist, including yours 🙂 I’ve only recently written a couple of contemporary romances, and mostly write historical romances. Maybe in a dream world, we could share a beta reader!
I think this question is an interesting one. I had to do some unpacking around it as well when I answered. It is a different idea to have a writing partner that you admire. I liked your take. Thank you!
Hi,
The Real Men Knit novel interests me too. It looks like an enjoyable read. I attended the RWA Online Writers Conference and it was fantastic, and I will remain in the RWA.
Wishing you all the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I can relate. My moods have been all over the place. Meditation is my go-to. I don’t write romance, but there is generally a love affair in my novels. Love is so complicated, it’s hard not to write about it.
You’re right. The writing community is really helping me too. Somehow connecting with the group has relieved a lot of stress.
Hang in there. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I’ve relied a lot on the support of the Writing Community, as well. It does help one keep a bit of perspective to connect with others who are experiencing the same sense of disorientation. My choice for a beta reader is George Orwell. I’d love to discuss not only his insights to my writing, but his general take on the world today.
Sarah MacLean would be a great beta reader to work with.
I have noticed the increased connectivity among writers, and it is a beautiful thing. We need that right now.
I feel incredibly lucky to be writing romance, because the other authors are so helpful and welcoming. I can’t speak for other genres, although it’s probably similar. But every time I reach out to another romance author asking for beta reading or critique I’m met with nothing but positivity and honest answers. It’s so nice. Although, yes, getting a famous author like Sarah MacLean to beta read would probably be like reaching for the stars, LOL.
Some things don’t work online, but a writer’s conference certainly does.
Couldn’t ask any bar people here – they’ve all been closed for six months with another month to go at least. Very sad.
This is outside my genre norm, so I appreciate reading what other writers like. It is good to have some recommendations for when I want to branch out!
My moods have been all over the map too. This has been a heck of a slog. Maybe a slow burn romance is what I need, Sadira! All the best to you!