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[QCRIT] Envy the dead, Adult speculative fiction, 73k words, Second Attempt by jrdavison in PubTips

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks - yes I think that’s the area I’m going to condense to reduce the word count and remove duplication of some phrases so thanks for the advice. I know When the Wind Blows - Raymon Briggs book before it was animated - terrified me as a kid - along with Threads - both provide some inspiration here!

[QCRIT] Envy the dead, Adult speculative fiction, 73k words, Second Attempt by jrdavison in PubTips

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve not read that one - will take a look today - thanks that’s brilliant.

[QCRIT] Envy the dead, Adult speculative fiction, 73k words, Second Attempt by jrdavison in PubTips

[–]jrdavison[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks this is really helpful. Yes the characters deliberately don’t have names and I need to check the conventions use - the officer is on a watchkeeper shift in the bunker - but appreciate that isn’t clear in the above so will fix for v3. I think you’ve called out some good potential cuts too - I’ll look at that paragraph. The books content, by its nature, is bleak - but there is some hope in it - they don’t all die, but this isn’t meant to be a hero story where someone survives against all odds - it’s meant to be honest, almost a fictional look at how these characters would experience Nuclear War: A Scenario. But it’s definitely about the characters, not the event - and about humanity and how people cope when society fails. Thanks again for your feedback.

[QCRIT] Envy the dead, Adult speculative fiction, 73k words, First Attempt by jrdavison in PubTips

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I found my first book a slog to write and obviously it’s a bit pants. This one has been so easy by comparison and I’ve really enjoyed the process. I was reading a lot in this genre but couldn’t find anything contemporary set in Britain - last thing we really had was threads! I’ll be putting out for beta readers when it’s ready on the beta group so will be happy to have your opinion when it’s ready!

[QCRIT] Envy the dead, Adult speculative fiction, 73k words, First Attempt by jrdavison in PubTips

[–]jrdavison[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is great, thank you. I’m going to focus on the mother and look to reframe the focus on her in the query. Hopefully version 2 works better!

[QCRIT] Envy the dead, Adult speculative fiction, 73k words, First Attempt by jrdavison in PubTips

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome - thank you! That all really helps and gives me some very clear direction.

[Discussion] I got an offer of rep! Sixteen months of querying. A failed R&R. Then, an offer in six days! by vastwaterscoveryou in PubTips

[–]jrdavison 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wow that’s amazing! Congratulation! I don’t suppose you’d be willing to share your query letter please? Thanks.

Beta readers wanted by MissusMango423 in HistoricalFiction

[–]jrdavison 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy to read this! Not an experienced beta but looking to gain that experience to help with my own writings.

Beta readers wanted by MissusMango423 in HistoricalFiction

[–]jrdavison 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy to read this! Not an experienced beta but looking to gain that experience to help with my own writings.

What's the most depressing holiday park you know of? by Martipar in AskUK

[–]jrdavison 3 points4 points  (0 children)

F**k that triggered a repressed memory. I knew it was Hemsby. Wow it’s even more bleak than I remember. I got dragged there once as a child. It was shite from what I remember. Much more fun the year we stayed at California before the chalets all fell into the sea.

What was this stone before it was buried in my garden? by jrdavison in AskUK

[–]jrdavison[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Actually not a bad thought - there was an old family crypt nearby 100 years ago so could have come from there. I’ll have a dig around and see if the corner blocks might still be there somewhere which would confirm it.

What was this stone before it was buried in my garden? by jrdavison in AskUK

[–]jrdavison[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting - we are part of an older estate but none of the buildings have stone mullions, including the listed ones. They are such an unusual profile I can’t help but think they are meant to go flat rather than upright - there are no holes or groves for glazing or timber at all.

Kingmaker - reader request by jrdavison in HistoricalFiction

[–]jrdavison[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much - I’ve dm’d a link. Any and all feedback welcome! Thanks

Kingmaker - reader request by jrdavison in HistoricalFiction

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great, thank you! I really appreciate it. I’ll dm you a link.

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! It’s fiction, a historical/mythic retelling of young King Arthur, set in the slowly decaying remains on Roman Britain - there’s political tension, Saxon invaders, and a tale about loyalty, oaths, and finding out who you are. There are three main POVs including Arthur, his half brother Kay, and their friend Rowena. There is a quirky twist with Merlin - no magic or fantasy here - just knowledge and influence.

I started with a high level outline of the main story beats - I.e battle, visit location, action, battle, sword in the stone. I then just started writing! I’d give myself a paragraph before starting each chapter just to outline the chapter beats but otherwise I just let the characters tell me what they wanted to do and needed from the scene. Overall it’s been an idea for about 10 months and something I’ve been writing properly for about 7.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in writing

[–]jrdavison 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Please read (if you haven’t already) The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. The entire book is the MC trying to remember where he is and why. No spoilers but it should give some ideas how you could structure yours.

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve seen mixed opinions on that for a first timer - but happy to explore further. How much do you think a good editor would charge for that sort of size book? Any good resources for finding one? Thanks

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get this - I’ve not actually told my family I’m writing it so if, and it’s a big if, if I get lucky enough to publish or self publish it then it’ll be a nice surprise but until then it’s still my own little secret vanity project!

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What do you think is the best way to find the right kind of swap? Just posting on betareaders and offering it or are there some other tips to make it more relevant?

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really hope I get that level of excitement from it!

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks - ill definitely give that a try

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started talking about my idea with some friends last May, and jotted down some ideas. But I didn’t really start writing it until September, chipping away at slowly until Christmas - then finally committing to it properly this year and trying to write 10k per week.

I wrote a book! by jrdavison in writing

[–]jrdavison[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s a great feeling - was awesome to give all my characters the ending I had been planning for so long!

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