Alpha, Beta, and Gamma

We writers speak in code. Whenever we're huddled in a group, the term "beta readers" can usually be heard. Time for me to de-code.

You've heard the expression "Alpha dog?" It's the leader of the pack. I ultimately write for YOU, the alpha reader; the person willing to plunk down $2.99 for a Kindle (or Nook) download of one of my books. And for those who like to hold a book in their hands, all of my books are available in trade paperback through Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

When I use the term "beta reader," I'm referring to the select group of people that I ask to read and comment on the finished product. I trust them to let me know if the book "works," by providing big picture comments on plot or characterization. One of my beta readers spotted a major continuity issue in BLOOD PORN, and I was easily able to fix it. In another book, a beta reader found the tension between two characters a little hard to swallow, which sent me back to the computer for corrections. I ask them to look for typos as well, but usually by the time it reaches them, those problems have been corrected.

For the last eighteen years I have been blessed to be part of a writers' critique group. First, in the Annapolis, Maryland area, and in Celebration, Florida since I've moved. I like to think of these people as "gamma" readers. They are writers who understand the craft of writing, and who appreciate things like viewpoint, voice, subject agreement with verb tense, use of punctuation, internal monologue, etc. When I share my writing with them, I can count on plenty of "tough love." As writers, we open ourselves to critique from others so that by the time the story reaches your hands that you don't find yourself stopping every few paragraphs because you've spotted a spelling or grammatical error, or couldn't understand whether the "she" I'd just used referred to Sharon or Beth.

Following my first book, which was published by Five Star, I've self published the others. Indie authors get a bad rap for not tending to their editing the way a traditional publishing house might. I work hard to provide the best product I can, since I want to be able to come back to you the following year with a new story. Hopefully, I will have earned your trust and you'll want to read more.

I appreciate my alpha readers, because they help provide a monetary reward for my writing efforts. But I love my beta and gamma readers, who continually challenge me to bring my best work.

Any thoughts? Please join the conversation.

My Writing Process

Here is the cover of KISSES OF AN ENEMY, my novel of political suspense. You can read the opening chapters here.

In this post, I want to share a bit about my writing process. I've been writing for at least 25 years, but except for the last year, my writing was limited to Saturday and Sunday mornings. I was too busy with work during the week, and usually too tired to begin writing in the evenings (though I could occasionally edit stuff I'd already written).

When I retired at the end of 2013, I was convinced that writing would become my full-time job. I've found myself much busier with various aspects of writing, including preparing this blog, promoting my books, and devoting time to critiquing the work of fellow writers in a critique group.

But I've found it difficult to work on my Brad Frame novels every day (or at least five days a week). I was concerned that I was procrastinating, but after a bit of analysis I concluded that "putting words on paper" or, in my case, on the computer screen, is only part of writing process.

Before retirement, although I only "wrote" two mornings a week, I spent a considerable part of the rest of the week (during my commute, while out running errands, as I lay in bed at night, etc.) thinking about what I wanted to put on the page: the name of a new character I planned to introduce, resolving a plot issue, digesting the critique I'd gotten in my writers' group, thinking through an upcoming dialogue scene, or how to conclude a chapter in a suspenseful way that would guarantee the reader would turn the page.

I now find that while I have more flexibility in when I write, that I'm still spending the same kind of time addressing those exact same questions. Once I've resolved the questions in my mind, I become much more productive in getting words on the page.

So don't look for four new Brad Frame mysteries each year, you know, now that I'm "retired." But do count on me trying to maintain the quality of my craft, as I keep striving to take it to the next level.

Any other writers want to weigh in on their writing process? By all means, join the conversation.

Recovering from Surgery

Why do I have those pictures of body parts at the top of the page? Because I'm hoping they're all back in place after my surgery. Especially my stomach and intestines, not pictured above.

I'm able to work on blog posts in advance and schedule them to appear on an orderly schedule (usually every two weeks). As I write this post, I'm anticipating surgery. As you read it, hopefully I'm on my way to a full recovery. Let me explain.

In 2010, I had an emergency appendectomy. My appendix had ruptured, resulting in life threatening complications. When I awoke from the anesthetic, I learned that I'd had a heart attack during the procedure, my kidneys had stopped functioning, and I'd developed sepsis. I later heard that the surgeon had called my wife to tell her that I might not make it through that first night.

Fortunately, I recovered from that surgery, but my stomach was never the same. A hernia forced the small intestines outside the normal confines of the stomach muscles, and while I've never been a skinny guy, my abdomen has had a distinct basketball-shape for the last few years.

Since moving to Florida, I've tried to be more active, especially walking and enjoying the pool at my condo's community center. With the Disney parks nearby, I've enjoyed strolling through Epcot, but with this increase in activity has come the realization that my center of gravity has been thrown off due to the abdominal hernia, and I needed to correct that. Last November I consulted with a surgeon, and he assured me that it was "fixable."

But it would involve a team of doctors (including a plastic surgeon to remove excess skin at the conclusion of the procedure). They would use a combination of biological mesh and re-position my own abdominal muscles to make the repair. My surgeon made sure I understood that this would be a major operation lasting about four hours.

I was told to expect an initial hospitalization of up to two weeks, followed by three or four weeks of physical therapy in rehab. Once I return home I'm to act like a couch potato for several months (walking is permitted, just not lifting).

I'm an optimist. Time spent in hospital and rehab is bound to provide more fodder for a future mystery, and I'll make use of my "couch potato" time by finishing FINAL JUROR (the latest Brad Frame mystery). It's all good. And I will appreciate finally getting my abdomen back to its original size.

Do you have any tips to make my recovery time more enjoyable? I'm open to suggestions. Please join the conversation.