More Than a Beta!

As authors, I’m sure you all have beta readers and critique partners. As non-authors who might not be familiar with these terms, let me fill you in. For me, a critique partner is someone who reads your early drafts, letting you know what wrong with your story early on. Beta readers get to it after your ‘done’ and give more advice, usually of the editorial variety. They can also just let you know if it’s good or not!

Now, these aren’t official descriptions, just the way I’ve been using the terms. It could differ (and probably does), but that’s not the point of this post. This time, I will be explaining how I utilize these tools.

My go-to beta, Leyna Paige, is also my critique partner. She’s wonderful and she is the only critique partner I’ll have! But I have several betas, all in different demographics to get the most range. I like to use honest people close to me but have sent it to fellow author friends from the internet.

Beta’s are important! They can serve as you extra sets of eyes, they can become your street team, and they can become your closest friends. If you can send your dumpster fire first draft to someone and have them lovingly tell you how to fix it without both if you ending with an argument, that’s something special. So, thank you to all the beta readers and critique partners!

Sorry for all the short posts lately. My husband and I are in the process of moving and I am also working hard to get The Devil’s Maverick promos prepared. There’s a lot going on, so I will not be posting next weekend. Keep an eye on my Twitter (click the picture to your right to access that) to find out when I’ll be back! Until then, lovelies!

Priorities and Making Time…

I’ve been in a rut lately and have plenty of excuses to justify it to myself. I’ve told myself that I’m focused on getting my first book out, but edits are done and everything’s planned so there’s nothing to do except wait. I’ve told myself that I’m taking time to refill my creative well, which is important! But, let’s be honest, binge-watching Versailles might be helping but I only need so much inspiration.

There have been days when I simply wasn’t up to the task, with either a mental or physical ailment keeping me away from my computer. During those times, it’s good to step back and take a breath, recommended even. But, a majority of my set-back has been me sitting in front of a blank screen and a dial-up tone emitting from my brain. I’ll just call it an off day and plop down in front of the TV. This is a bad thing.

You can have off days, there’s nothing wrong with that. But I’ll be real with y’all: I am being lazy. Maybe I do deserve a break. My first book is coming out soon, I already have a second ready to submit, and I’m halfway through a third. All of this in less than a year! But I know I can keep writing. The story is there, I have plenty of time, and I really do want to write. There just comes a point where you have to make it a priority.

I don’t want to have just this handful of books! I have too many stories to tell! That’s when it becomes about making writing a priority. I know plenty of other authors with much less time on their hands who come out with bigger books than mine.

I guess this is the moral of the story: Take time for the important things in life, just don’t confuse doing important things with being lazy. If your dream is to be a writer, an artist, a dancer…make it a priority. It’s worth it. (And I will try to start following my own advice.)

Sorry if this is a little hard to read. I’m just trying to get my idea’s out and, like I mentioned, my brain isn’t wanting to cooperate!

A Fun Q&A (Video Link)

First of all, I'm sorry for not posting yesterday. Instead of my normal post, I thought I'd share this Q&A I streamed yesterday with my friend, Leyna Paige. In the video, I answer all of your questions about my upcoming novel, The Devil's Maverick, and writing in general. If you have more questions or ideas for videos, please don't hesitate to send them over! Click the link below to watch!

Lori Fayre Q&A

Desa Kincaid: Bounty Hunter, a review

When I was contacted to review Desa Kincaid: Bounty Hunter by R.S. Penney, I almost declined. Almost. Because it wasn’t romance or anything like my usual read. But the summary I was sent sounded so enticing, I had to give it a shot. Fantasy/Western? I’m a Firefly fan, so I can get behind this. I thought I knew what I was getting into…

Let me start by saying this will be spoiler free! I want all of you to follow the story for yourself, so, if you’re interested, there are links to the book as well as the author’s twitter at the end.

The description I was given is as follows: Desa Kincaid has spent the last ten years in pursuit of a man whose experiments have killed over a dozen people. Blessed with the power to transform ordinary objects into devastating weapons, she journeys through trading ports, backwater towns, forests, deserts and the haunted remains of a dead city. But can she stop her enemy before he unleashes something terrible on the world?

Now, I’ll try to be brief and not give too much away and I want you all to know that this is my completely honest opinion. This. Book. Was. Amazing! I don’t like to read outside of my preferred genres, and it usually ends badly when I do. This was a rare exception.

First of all, the book was wonderfully formatted. Not important to some, I know, but it’s a big deal for me. The action scenes are superb, the changes in point of view are handled well, and it has a compelling and immersive story line.

Vivid descriptions take you right into their world and there is a constant, looming sense of danger that keeps you turning the page. The ‘magic’ system is awesome, with its power being energy based and limited. There is diversity in the characters and LGBTQ+ representation, which is important.

The characters are all great. You have Desa, with her no-nonsense approach to whatever life throws at her. She truly is an inspiration. But my favorite character had to be Lommy-I mean, Tommy. He is flawed and relatable and goes through some interesting development. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for him!

All I can say in the end is that Desa Kincaid: Bounty Hunter is a fantastic read and I cannot wait for the series to continue. If you want to read it for yourself (which I highly recommend), you can find it here at  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PFB635W. And don’t forget to give the author some love by following him here https://twitter.com/keeperssaga. I plan on doing more reviews soon, so stay tuned!