Well, I have allowed a couple of people to read my story (first few pages of it) and so far they’re liking what they are seeing. There is a bit of ego that is involved in writing. You’re engaged in this solitary exercise and you never know if it’s working or not, so you need some stroking to keep you going. The wife used to beta read, (and she was great at being critical about it) but she refuses to do it anymore saying that she is tired of getting wrapped up in stories that never get finished. I can’t really blame her, why invest the time to read something that won’t be completed? Too bad for her then that she is out of the “development” phase on this new story. I plan to finish this one, even if it kills me. The bad part is, that aside from mechanics and things of that nature… when I’m done, I’m done. If she hates what happens to this character or that character… too bad, so sad. I’m a real bastard about commiting to the way I’ve developed things by the time I’m done and I won’t be inclined to change anything.
Right now I find myself at a bit of a crossroads. Sure I had a basic blueprint going into all of this, but as you go along “opportunities” arise in the work. There are other courses of action that can be explored.  One of these opportunities has come up and I am at a complete loss as to how to proceed. *Shrugs* I’ll consider it for a bit and then commit but there is always that “what if” element. Can’t rely on the betas for this… it’s all on me… so I don’t even consult them on such things. It’s better that way, nobody to blame but myself if I hate it!
Bleh… I better get back to writing… something, anything… just to keep the words flowin’.  Â
