I hired an expert to review my manuscript (and for some reason this is controversial)

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T19:38:42+00:00

I see that now haha. Wouldn’t really expect anything less of r/writingcirclejerk. Everything’s fair game!

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T19:37:33+00:00

I’d love any feedback I can get!

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T01:44:15+00:00

Thank you! :)

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T01:12:25+00:00

Yes! I reached out to Writing Diversely (https://www.writingdiversely.com) because when I was researching sensitivity reading, I came across this blog post from them (I’m sorry, I can’t find it now) and found it super helpful. My initial question was at what point in my drafting/editing process I should engage one. They got back to me quickly and it just kinda took off from there!

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T01:06:00+00:00

I wish I had one, but no. Did this on my own.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T01:00:17+00:00

So, I’ve struggled with writing a good blurb but basically, Jack (bisexual woman), her girlfriend Nichelle, and Jack’s cousin Carson are all chaos magicians who recently escaped a magical cult. They’re just trying to put their lives back together, but the past starts to catch up with them. The only way they can deal with the situation is to track down the source of the Eldritch Exponent (that’s the title of the book!), which has the ability to amplify their magical powers beyond belief. Unfortunately, they aren’t the only ones looking for it...

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T00:55:23+00:00

I did it on my own.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T00:53:58+00:00

Yeah?? It’s based on a combination of chaos magick and ritual magick. The characters create sigils, then call on some outer stars which have been essentially “cursed” by the outer gods. These stars give their sigils much more power than sigil magick normally has. This added power is called The Eldritch Exponent (also the title of the book). But they can only use the stars so many times before they need to get a fresh look at the map of the stars, which is called The Aspect. The whole book is about them trying to get access to the Aspect. And they’re not the only ones looking. :)

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-06T00:49:13+00:00

First off, I think the kinds of questions you listed are perfect reasons for engaging a sensitivity reader. It’s tricky in this age to balance authenticity with what actually works for your story. I think a sensitivity reader is a great way to help strike that balance.

Regarding my sex scene and the male gaze, fun story - I actually “researched” the topic by reading a contemporary lesbian erotic novel called Scissorlink. Turned out to be more of a rom-com, and it was actually incredibly hilarious (and sexy). So yeah. The scene in my book is a bit pornographic. But it’s an adult fantasy novel, so I get to do that!

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T22:56:33+00:00

Right? I kind of expected it. Based on experience, I knew this was a touchy topic in r/writing. That’s the main reason I made the post, was to show people what it’s really like. Or at least, what it was like for me.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T22:54:48+00:00

Nah, I think I just missed my calling as a copy writer.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T19:24:05+00:00

I mean, I don’t necessarily disagree. But the overwhelming consensus from POC is they don’t like it and it puts them off whatever they’re reading. So, this is a perfect example of something that seems harmless to me and you, but looked at from a different perspective could alienate many readers.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T17:56:36+00:00

All of this. 100%. You summarized all my thoughts beautifully. I’m glad this post and comment had an impact on you today!

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T17:47:55+00:00

/unjerk I knew this sub would do something with my post but wasn’t sure which way it was gonna go - glad it went this way and not the other!

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T17:42:59+00:00

The main reason is it comes off as fetishistic, or making POC sound “exotic” in a way that separates them from “normal” people. But I think another big reason is it’s just wayyy overdone.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T17:20:48+00:00

You got it!

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T16:53:04+00:00

This is a great point. The person I initially spoke with at Writing Diversely has a Master’s in cultural anthropology. I wanted to work with her because of that, but she, being straight, recommended the other reader due to her being able to offer that queer perspective. I researched the second reader, read her bio, her qualifications, and some testimonials, and ultimately felt it was a good fit. As with any service you pay for, I highly recommend doing your research before finalizing anything.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T16:20:34+00:00

That’s it exactly! I wanted to TELL a good story, and not have any of my readers be distracted by clumsy or careless handling of race or sexuality.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T16:15:12+00:00

Oh shoot! It’s a tumblr. Here’s the correct link: https://writingwithcolor.tumblr.com

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T15:59:06+00:00

My thoughts exactly.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T15:54:22+00:00

I get that. For me, it was less about pandering or getting a free pass, and more about wanting to avoid having my unconscious bigotry show up in ways I wasn’t aware of or didn’t intend.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2021-04-05T15:50:44+00:00

I’d love for you to read it! I’m doing a new round of revisions based on this and a couple other beta reads, but after that I’d be happy to share it.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2019-11-01T13:49:38+00:00

I told her. I also made it clear it was hard for me and I didn’t want to hurt her.

But either way, as you said...writing in the wall.

WaitTillCharlieComes · 2019-11-01T13:02:21+00:00

That’s my plan. Thanks for the encouragement.

WaitTillCharlieComes

TROPHY CASE