by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner
I got my haircut today and the person who cut my hair is someone I’ve in the past given a version of my thriller novel to. She gave me some feedback on what she read.
First, she said she didn’t finish it “because she didn’t have time.” But she did read about half of it, which makes me worry the novel may be too long. Yet you could also look at it as it just needs to be more engaging — she did read half of it, afterall.
The other issue she mentioned was my heroine having a “non Southside Virginia” name, ie: it’s Asian. I really like my heroine’s name, even though there are some contrived elements to her having it.
I guess I see her name as existential in its own way. Though, if an editor told me I absolutely had to change it, I guess I would.
I’m very pleased the young woman read at least half the novel. She also said that she didn’t think the novel’s spicy scenes were “smut,” which really made me feel good. I was kind of worried that’s how they would come across to her.
Anyway. I have a lot — A LOT — of rewriting to do.
