I was going to rant about how everyone writes for different reasons and how it’s not fair for people to push their reasons onto other people. But I think I’ve done that before and it’s Friday so I don’t want to be grumpy ^_^
So instead…
No one really knows this yet, though some people may assume based on some things I’ve written in the past. The story I’m working on right now is different from any other novel I’ve worked on, finished or otherwise. My CP’s don’t know this yet, because I haven’t been brave enough to feed out later chapters of the book (as in, they have access to less than the first 8k words). No one else knows it, because I don’t tend to talk details about my WIP’s to anyone else ^_^
So, what’s the big secret here and why am I more than a little nervous to share this with the people who usually critique my work? It’s the tone of the story. It’s darker, and raunchier, than anything else I’ve done. It has more than one graphic scene. It also covers some topics that don’t really fall under world-building (because I didn’t build them, they are already a part of this world), that the average person may or may not know.
Nothing military. There are no guns in this story. Or scientific, computer-based, technical, anything like that. No, it’s just the terminology and business that goes hand-in-hand with working in a strip club.
I’m not bothered by the content. This has been my favorite novel to write so far. And I’m not concerned about my CP’s thinking less of me after they read it. No, I won’t make jokes about their opinions not getting much lower thankyouverymuch 😛 It’s because they’re familiar with my work and the things I’ve had published.
This is what has me hesitating. They’re not my target audience. They never really have been, but this story pushes some different boundaries. And a portion of me is terrified that if I let them get into it, regardless of how well-intentioned the feedback is, it may not be right for the story I’m trying to tell.
I’m sure they would provide fantastic input. I trust them to be objective. But…
I’m trying to think of an appropriate analogy. It would be like taking my Volkswagen (if I owned such a thing, which I don’t, because I like simplicity) to a Ford certified mechanic to help me rebuild the engine. Or…asking an Apple genius (that’s what they call those people, right?) how to edit my Windows registry to disable the AckFrequency. Or…asking my Spanish tutor to help me with my Portuguese homework.
Or maybe I’m just overreacting because this is my newest baby and I adore it more than all the others combined…
What would you do?
PS: If you’re one of the people I’m talking about, I hope you haven’t taken this personally. I still adore you and value your input ^_^
I’m super intrigued now! Especially since the new one I’m plotting at the moment has a whole chunk set in a strip club too….
Well, I’ve never actually worked at a strip club, so I’ll be pretty much just believing whatever you tell me about that–but mostly I’m just like Kate: now I really want to read your dark raunchy boundary-pushing novel. 😀
In short, I don’t know how useful my feedback will be, but I never know how useful my feedback will be–because like you said, everyone writes for different reasons, and may or may not care about the same stuff I notice. Ce la vie, I use the feedback thing as an excuse to read awesome stories before everyone else.
And I’m perfectly certain this one is awesome, btw.
You’ve been kind of vague about content. What are you afraid your crit. partners are going to do or say? Are you afraid they’ll feel embarrassment? If they’re embarrassed, that’s they’re issue, not yours. Are you afraid you’ll feel embarrassed? If so, then maybe you shouldn’t be writing this kind of thing. Are you afraid you’ll offend they’re morality? Again that’s their problem, not yours. You can always advise your crit. partners that the content is raunchy and to not read it if they can’t stand that kind of stuff.
Just noticed I used the wrong form of their. Oh well.
Look for new betas?
When I couldn’t fine anyone interested in my historical novel, I went to Goodreads and found someone in a group about historical fiction…
If you know your target audience, see if you can find a reader there. Or maybe your crit partners are more open to different things than what you think!
Happy writing
Barb
What have you decided to do? I would just give it to them and see what happens.
I wrote a story, of which 1/3 of it takes place in a strip club. I found the research fascinating. All internet research, by the way since I live in a place with very few strip clubs. When I get to the point of editing, I will probably have to visit a club or two. But I’m a ways off from that as I’ve been concentrating on my YA writing instead.
Your CPs opinions will be like any others. You have to weigh it against your feelings anyway.
As I understand, you think they might not be able to give valuable criticism because they’re not in the industry. But that’s not a good excuse because then no CP could offer opinions on any type of fantasy novel. Because we don’t live in a world of vampires or werewolves or ghosts… you get the picture.
Just my opinion. And I’m curious about your story now too. I would be interested in reading it if you would consider that.
I recently found your blog. Impressed by all your postings. You are busy!