Monday, September 9, 2013

Get drunk before letting someone else read your unfinished manuscript, it makes it SO much easier...

Source
I'm currently at that point in a writing project where what I really need is an outside perspective.  So, because I'm a grown up who isn't scared of letting people read her stuff (except for the fact that I'm TOTALLY scared of letting people read my stuff), I decided to ask a friend.  And yes, I may have had a glass of wine or three before I worked up the nerve to ask.

But whatever gets you through, hey?

The following conversation was the result.

Her:  So, what sort of book is it? 
Me:  It's an erotic novel, kind of in the 50 Shades genre, but hopefully better written and without all the borderline abus... 
Her:  (interrupting)  You had me at erotic novel!  Gimme! 
*hands iPad over* 
Her:  So these are the main characters? 
Me:  Yep. 
Her:  And who's this one? 
Me:  That's the best friend.  Every novel has a best friend. 
Her:  She seems very familiar. 
Me:  (looks sheepish) Well, she might possibly sort of kind of be based a teeny little bit on you... 
Her:  .... 
Me:  I mean, I can always change it if you don't like it.  I didn't mean to offend you... 
Her:  .... 
Me:  I know she' seems a bit flighty, and really she's only very loosely based on you... 
Her:  Kellie, stop!  This is... 
Me:  Awful?  Offensive?  You hate it, don't you.  You want me to change it... 
Her:  ... IT'S AWESOME!!!!  I'm a character in an erotic novel!  How cool is that! 
Me:  So you really don't mind? 
Her:  Of course not!  Why would I mind that?  But I do have one request. 
Me:  (suspiciously)  Okay. 
Her:  She needs to get laid.

Sue:  Lots. 
Her:  Like, at least once a chapter. 
Me:  .... 
Her:  ... every other chapter?

I actually did get a few good tips out of her, once she's stopped giggling like a Catholic schoolgirl over it.  There's just no substitute for a fresh set of eyes.

But no matter how grateful I am, the best friend is NOT getting laid every other chapter!
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52 comments:

  1. PickleopeSeptember 9, 2013 at 12:13 AM

    Holy crap, I would PAY to be a character in an erotic fiction novel. No, I'd pay to be a character in someone's disturbing erotic slash fiction story involving Scooby Doo. I don't care. Please, someone, anyone, write Pickleope into a pornographic story and mail it snail mail style to Penthouse, or just post it on Literotica (yes, I know what Literotica is, I've revealed too much).
    In all seriousness, that was seriously brave of you. I barely have the guts to post anonymously here right now, let alone hand over a manuscript. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:22 PM

      Oh wow, erotica about a sentient pickle ... I'm not sure the world is ready for that. A gherkin, maybe ...

      Delete
  2. Southern GirlSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:43 AM

    My ex said the same thing. Was overly flattered and then mad we didn't act that scenario out. Since it was totally made up and was actually kind of mean to one of the secondary characters I was slightly dumbfounded.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Optimistic ExistentialistSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:45 AM

    I think every other chapter is a good compromise LOL.

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    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:23 PM

      Nup, she's just going to have to put up with perhaps the odd mention of off screen shenanigans.

      Delete
  4. RobinSeptember 9, 2013 at 2:29 AM

    Hahaha. She needs to get laid. Lots.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ChristineSeptember 9, 2013 at 3:45 AM

    Just so she isn't getting more than the main character, I say give her all she can handle. I'm sure that won't mess up the flow of the story at all. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:24 PM

      LOL! It would be hard to explain why the focus of the story changed from my hero and heroine over to the "funny one liner throwing best friend".

      Delete
  6. Three Hoodies Save the WorldSeptember 9, 2013 at 4:17 AM

    I would pay for someone to read my work. My daughter would rather make her own bed than read my stuff and she haaaaaaates making her bed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:25 PM

      LOL! Sounds like a great punishment option to me. Why bother with grounding? Just make her proof read your stuff!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2013 at 4:30 AM

    Every third chapter?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Garrison KellySeptember 9, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    I can't wait to see the finished product, Kellie-Pie! You're an awesome writer with your blog, so why should it be any different with your book? ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  9. CperzSeptember 9, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    What a good friend you are to write your friends into erotic novels. None of my friends are writing novels but I had a friend that wrote mathematics text books. I don't remember her using my likeness in any way.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Faerie EyeSeptember 9, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    Ha, what a great friend! I'm glad she was able to give you some useful feedback :)

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    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:27 PM

      She is a great friend, and was very obliging about reading my smut ;D

      Delete
  11. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    That's why no one I personally known has EVER seen my manuscripts!!!!

    Yes publishers, agents, two people from a writer's group and a few who were judging competitions have seen them but NO ONE I KNOW PERSONALLY!!!!

    Your story reminds me of NCIS when the team found out McGee had written a novel and had it published. They all pointed out how they were the characters in the book and only Abby seemed really excited by it.

    By the way, when did you start writing a book and have you ever mentioned it here? You know I'm writing my fourth (full of sex as usual) so good luck with yours, hope you give us more details on the journey through the pain and exhaustion of it all, and if you need any help I'm available :)

    By the way, is it actually erotica or would it come under another genre? I've found that just because there's lots of sex in a book doesn't make it erotica sadly, otherwise I would have labelled all of mine that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:28 PM

      I wrote a book a few years back, but I haven't written one since then as I was finishing off my degree and didn't want to split my focus. But now I'm trying a new genre (the last one was a children's book). I'm not sure what you'd officially call it. Erotic romance, maybe?

      Delete
  12. stephen HayesSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    Wow! Your friend is a fast reader.

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    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:29 PM

      LOL! It did take her a while, we were sitting out there for a few hours.

      Delete
  13. AndreaSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    Awesome!!!!! What fun. Thanks for the drinking recommendation, as I think it would help me...a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  14. JoJoSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    I'm sure most people would be flattered to have a character based on them...unless of course they are the 'bad guy'. lol Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:30 PM

      Mental note, never let the people I base my bad guys on read my stuff.

      Delete
  15. LowandslowSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    Be sure and spell my name right. It's SCOTT, with 2 "T"'s. ;)

    S

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    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:32 PM

      LOL! Well I do need to name the male lead character's best friend...

      Delete
  16. Sandy@SinsationallyMeSeptember 9, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    Good on you for having your friend be your first reader! Alcohol doesn't hurt either.

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    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:32 PM

      Alcohol ABSOLUTELY doesn't hurt.

      Well, it hurt the next morning of course, but that's the price you pay.

      Delete
  17. ScarlettSeptember 9, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    I didn't know it until now but it's my dream to become a character in an erotic novel! xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. A Beer for the ShowerSeptember 9, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    And now you've got me giggling like a Catholic schoolgirl for getting some "tips" out of her. Yes, just the tip...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:34 PM

      LOL! Ooh, that's not exactly the way it goes. Lets just say that he's more likely to receive "the tip" than she is.

      Delete
  19. Tony Van HelsingSeptember 10, 2013 at 4:42 AM

    Christian Grey was actually based on me.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AlexandraSeptember 10, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    Love how you tickled her by casting her. Sweet. And how she is going to live through your manuscript. xo

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    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:35 PM

      Yep, nothing wards off unpleasant criticism like blatant flattery.

      Delete
  21. ValerieSeptember 10, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    I would be honored to be in an erotic novel!! That's awesome!

    Hugs!

    Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:36 PM

      Actually, now that I think about it, you're rather like that character too. You and my friend are terrifyingly similar in personality.

      Delete
  22. JJSeptember 10, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    alcohol and erotic novels go quite well together :p

    ReplyDelete
  23. JJSeptember 10, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    alcohol and erotic novels go quite well together :p

    ReplyDelete
  24. L. Diane WolfeSeptember 10, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    I think she's sold on your story!

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    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:36 PM

      I certainly hope so, I plan to use her shamelessly for bouncing ideas off.

      Delete
  25. Adam LloydSeptember 10, 2013 at 9:53 PM

    I'm already the star of an erotic novel, if by erotic novel we can include my police rap sheet, which lists "public exposure" and "constant nudity" as chapter headings.

    Letting other read your work is always nerve-wracking though. Good luck and I hope the finished product comes out better as a result.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:37 PM

      Well your rap sheet might not be published, but sounds like a hair raising tale of debauchery and sin!

      Delete
  26. SuziSeptember 10, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    Cool. I would totally love to read your work!

    Handing it over to someone for the first time is hard, but I have learned so much from not only the critiques I get (from writer friends), but also from being a beta myself. I love critiquing other people's work. Editing is kind of fun, except when it's my own novels.

    (Seriously, if you need someone else to read, let me know.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kellie @ Delightfully LudicrousSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:38 PM

      Thanks, I appreciate the offer! I'm thinking that I might ask people when I get a proper first draft done, and I'll probably just ask on the blog, so keep an eye out!

      Delete
  27. CathySeptember 15, 2013 at 3:43 AM

    Oh, I would love to read a draft. If it has your blogging voice, it's sure to be a hoot. Racier than Bridget Jones. BTW Harlequin.com is having a contest "so you think you can write" beginning in about a week. Google it. They have New Adult categories. It could be that that is where you will be discovered.

    ReplyDelete

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