Reader Review

I don’t know if other authors do this or not.

I picked someone from a discussion list, someone I’ve gotten to “know” via email over the past few months, and sent her a copy of Suspicious Circumstances. I asked if she’d be willing to try to think of book group discussion questions to go with my book. Knowing that she’s participated in a lot of book discussions prompted me to ask.

Late last night she fired back her list of questions.

Wow.

I am so thankful that she took the time to read the book, and was willing to give this some thought. I think we can get too close to our own work, and it’s harder for us to look at it objectively.

But some of these questions… I’m not sure I want to know the answers to them!

“Do you feel that there were any underlying messages (feminism etc) and if so, what were they and how were they presented?”

Why do I suddenly have a feeling Ty is going to get roasted by some readers?

I think this was a smart move on my part, and that I picked an exceptional person, because I wouldn’t have thought of a lot of these questions. Honestly. And she did questions for each chapter, plus a few overview questions, like the one above.

The questions surprised me, but they’re good. I actually suspect this person could be a hell of an editor. Perhaps I should run all future manuscripts by her with an eye to hearing her answers to some of the questions.

It’s made me aware of the fact that there are things people are not going to find believable. Just reading the questions produced a, But I can name examples… response in me. I’ve always known that whatever criticisms I level at a book in a review can come back on me by some reader at some point… or another reviewer, for that matter. This is a reality, and it’s probably why this is the scariest part of the entire process for me, the waiting to hear back.

I’ve never read a book with a list of questions beside me. My participation in book discussion groups has been limited to online, and has been rare, so I’ve never been in something very organized.

It makes me wonder. What about you guys? Do you find value in book discussion groups? What is it about them that you like? Do you ever feel you come away with a better appreciation of the book?

Me, I just like gushing about books I like, and that’s it. And I’ve never downloaded the questions off of an author’s site and used them as a reading guide.

But I’m going to print these ones out and have them handy as I read my book this week.

And while I’m at it, I have to try to find some scenes to read aloud, at the very least for that school visit.

I find that hard as well. I’m not one that likes a lot of stuff read aloud…

Damn. It was so much easier when I only thought about writing the books! Now I have to think about all of this stuff!

But speaking of readings, I took Arriel to her first book launch yesterday, to see Anthony Bidulka. He’s got great stage presence and really does his readings well. In fact, he was so impressive I could feel chills trickle down my spine with the one scene – it was freaking me out. Arriel actually said that when he raised his voice at one point, she jumped.

I don’t like hearing people who read well. More pressure…

Here’s a question for those writers out there. What are the things that scare you the most? Is it readings, edits or fearing one of my reviews?

PS: In addition to a copy of Anthony's book, Arriel picked out a book by Tamara Siler Jones to add to her tbr pile. She loves fantasy, and was intrigued by the premise of the book. When I told her I read the author's blog sometimes, she chose it. I look forward to hearing what she thinks.

FYI, Arriel now thinks Eragon is better than Harry Potter.