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Care and Feeding of Beta Readers

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

Stephanie Snow’s post, Care and Feeding of Beta Readers, could not have come at a better time. I’m currently working with a few beta readers on a story collection I’m in the process of self-publishing. Her tips are excellent. Give Stephanie a shout out at Bare Knuckle Writer and as always, I’d love to hear your comments.Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood,  Pinterest,  Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, Contently, and Instagram.

bareknucklewriter's avatarBare Knuckle Writer

Writers Tears DO: give thematically-appropriate gifts.

DO give them a properly formatted, grammatically-correct, spell-checked manuscript.* It’s annoying as hell to wade through someone’s poor grammar to try and understand their story.

DON’T respond to critiques about poor formatting, poor grammar, misspellings, or misused words with “that’s just how I like to do it.” That’s fine if you’re journalling just for yourself, but the second you give someone a manuscript to read you’re on their time and you owe it to them to follow the rules of engagement. Also, you sound like an entitled twat.**

DO include any relevant reference material. Maps (especially for alternate world settings) and glossaries are useful for understanding some stories.

DON’T foist your whole world-building bible off on them so they can be awed by your genius. They won’t be.

DO offer compensation. Some don’t want it, but you should still offer. It doesn’t have to be money…

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Do You Find The Submission Process Stressful?

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 13 Comments

SylvesterI don’t know about you but submitting my work has become very time-consuming, confusing, and stressful. The sheer number of journals, magazines, and contests from which to choose is overwhelming. Where to start? Which one is the best fit for me?

In the past, I’ve used Duotrope, NewPages, and The Review Review to help narrow my selections, but hell, by the time I get through reading and researching, I’ve missed the deadlines. And, it seems I’m not alone feeling so frustrated with the process.

In the June issue of the Literary Hub, Erika Dreifus discusses the submission process and provides a list of 13 questions to ask before submitting to any literary journal. You can read her article and the questions, here.

Want a way to stay up to date? Get the details on awards, contests, general submissions, and deadlines? Now you can.

Download your free copy of the 2016 Literary Calendar from The Master’s Review. Click to Tweet.

What methodology or resources do you use when deciding where to submit? Share your pointers with us.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, Contently, and Instagram.

Darkness has Descended

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 12 Comments

DAILY PROMPT: Darkness

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Darkness has descended on our nation, but it didn’t arrive on its own accord. The horror that happened in Dallas last night is a new low for our country, and now we find ourselves more divided as a people than every before.

I want each one of us to stop and think for a moment – What would our world look like without the brave men and women who wear the badge and walk the beat every day to keep each one of us safe? I can tell you, without police officers, the world we know would turn into chaos and anarchy.

I’m not minimizing the concerns of officer-related shootings. I understand people are upset and want answers about the shootings in Baton Rouge and Minnesota, but we don’t know what happened. It’s time to reserve judgment and let the investigation and the facts speak the truth.

Darkness has indeed descended on out country. We have a choice, to buy into the dishonest rhetoric, blame it on guns, or band together as citizens and support those who run toward the danger so we might stay safe.

I stand with every officer and first responder. I pray for the families who lost a mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband, or wife. I stand with each officer during this dark time and say, thank you for your service. Thank you for keeping me and my family safe. You are my hero.

I Met My Husband Learning to Shag at the YMCA

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 22 Comments

“Today I’m participating in a group blogging! WOW! Women On Writing has gathered a group of blogging buddies to write about finding love in unimaginable places.   Why this topic? We’re celebrating the release of Michael French’s twenty-fourth novel. Once Upon a Lie (Terra Nova Books) is an exploration of the secrets families keep, and the ways those secrets can tear a family apart.

Visit The Muffin (http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com) to read what Michael has to say on finding love in unexpected places and view the list of all my blogging buddies. Visit Michael’s website (http://www.michaelrfrench.com/) to find out more about the author.”  You can find a review of the novel here (and a giveaway): http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2016/06/once-upon-lie-book-review-and-giveaway.html

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Growing up in South Carolina, one would expect me to know how to Shag. No, not shag – I’m an American, not a Brit. I mean, I had two daughters, so I knew how to shag – but I didn’t know how to shag. Okay, that’s way too much information and not what I was trying to say.

Let me start again – I grew up without learning how to do our state dance, the Carolina Shag – a partner dance done primarily to Beach Music. I loved dancing but as a single mom, I had long outgrown my high school dance moves. It was time to learn more adult moves – I meant to say sophisticated dance moves. Jeez. Getting this story out is harder than I planned.

When the time came, after my divorce, to get back into the dating game I decided a good place to start was to learn our state dance. Our local YMCA offered lessons and I signed up. However, with two little ones, a busy work schedule, and a very tight budget, I was unable to attend those first round of classes.

Months later, I tried again and with both young daughters in tow, I showed up at the YMCA  ready to dance. Settling the girls in a corner, the oldest child with her homework and the youngest her blankie and pacy, I joined the other late bloomers for my first lesson in the art of the Carolina Shag and then the unimaginable happened. On the very first night, I met my husband – the love of my life.

I still remember the first time I saw him walk through the door. Tall, dark and handsome wearing  black slacks and a red sweater, his dark brown eyes had me at ‘hello’.  Over the course of eight weeks, I learned to shag, twirl, spin, and follow his lead. That was nearly thirty  years ago.

I went to the  YMCA to learn to dance, but I found love. Unimaginable.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood,  Pinterest,  Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, Contently, and Instagram.