The Read ... almost wasn't a read due to spoiled expectations. Picked up Allyson James' Stormwalker with high expectations without looking at it because the Dark Wyrm http://tinyurl.com/2eacf3o gave it a thumbs up. Then, I opened the first page to the not-so-hook: "It was already dark by the time I zoomed out of the mountains, heading east toward the desserts, and the town of Magellan." So? Not until that last third of page two did what I consider a real hook appeared -- nasty mama. All in all, the first chapter was stuffed with back story which almost made me throw it on the trade pile.
[My infernal, internal editor would have started the book somewhere in the middle of Chapter 1.]
Beginning with Chapter 2, I found the book well constructed with two interesting story arcs: 1) the book's arc about finding a missing young woman and 2) a possible series arc about controlling nasty-goddess mama. First third introduces an appealing cast of characters while dealing with the discovery of a dead body. Second third complicates the situations of the first third highlighted by a hard-hitting surprise about the love-interest. Third third gave a very nice resolution with the main character growing up a bit. -- If only I could do it half so well. [I still think my openings are better than this one, especially after my new critiquer tore into Britt.]
Web Notes ... 1st Turning Point caught my attention the longest among the blogs again with a post by Judith Laik on Promo Primer for the Unpublished. Lots of good basic info which I'm mostly ignoring. Primer for the Unpublished I definitely need to go back and study it.
If you haven't noticed, you might check out the Nashville Relief Auction: http://dothewritethingfornashville.blogspot.com
Janet Reid offered a critique that I drooled over, but it was already up to $750 when I first looked at it. Personally, I'd love to pay Janet Reid to rip apart even a part of one of my manuscripts. I do have a bid in, but it sure is hard to find it among all the good offers. Check them out. You can find many offers of professional critiques by authors and agents -- if you're ready for them.
Progress ... Squeezing in revising first three chapters of Britt while working on Voices.
