I have great news!!
During my initial conversations with the publisher, they were asking how I received criticism. What I found to be odd, is that I also had forms to fill out describing my book and incredibly, how I received criticism. It brought me back to the times when I had been handing in creative-writing exercises at school. Such hope which was shattered with a bad grade. I always said the same thing, "Are these people nuts?!? Why can't they understand that I did "this" intentionally and I did "that" because later "this" happens? I don't deserve this grade because the professor doesn't understand me or my writing."
So, yesterday I got the manuscript back from the editors.
It felt like I was just punched in the neck. I literally felt the wind leave me when I saw how badly they beat up my manuscript.
Right now, all I can say is that "I got what I deserved." Something I couldn't say when I was younger, but it's as true then as it is now.
My job is to tell a story to the reader. I'm sure a Sci-fi/Fantasy reader would have understood a bit more with certain aspects to the review, but that's not the point. The book is supposed to be intuitive. At no point should a reader have to say, "Poorly written, but I know what you mean." I feel really good about this now. I was worried that I would publish the book and later have regrets with the fact that readers didn't understand what I was trying to say. With this, I can be pretty sure I'll be delivering a quality product for everyone to enjoy.
I want everyone to enjoy Alorya. I want people who have never read the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre to "get it." It's actually the story of my son's first week of life translated into fiction. When they come to book signings and see Aiden with me, I want them to see how it all turned out.
