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My alpha readers gave me feedback!!!! | A WRITING VLOG

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  • čas přidán 13. 08. 2024
  • It's time to analyze my alpha reader feedback! My favorite part is seeing where readers agree vs. disagree and if the same "issue" comes up multiple times. There are a couple things I was prepared for before I started my own re-read but it was SO FUN keeping all the feedback in mind as I read and made notes for future changes. I'm feeling super encouraged and can't wait to start Draft 3!
    ☟↓ QUESTIONS & TIMESTAMPS FOR YOU BELOOOOOW! ↓☟
    0:00 Why I used "alpha" readers & looking forward to my brother's "4 C's" of feedback lolol
    5:22 Corralling the feedback from both alpha, reviewing where they overlap, and brainstorming solutions!
    11:32 The return of the notecards & placing some new chapters!
    15:40 The re-read BEGINS!
    23:49 A brief insecurity that re-reading is bringing up about my story...
    26:26 Finding a solution to a "clue" that wasn't clue-ing hard enough.
    28:15 Brief jaunt to Dallas!
    30:45 Finishing my re-read!
    33:49 Wrap-up thoughts and plans for Draft 3, ahhhh!
    D I S C U S S I O N Q U E S T I O N S :
    What story are you working on right now? What's the thing you're most looking forward to writing TODAY? (Or tomorrow, if you're watching this after you've already written bahah.)
    Do you use alpha readers or have you had someone read as you've drafted? How "clean" does your story need to be before you hand it over to your first readers?
    L I N K S M E N T I O N E D :
    ‪@BeccaCSmith‬ for her "mom meter" of feedback bahaha 💜
    On using the word "modified": pluralistic.net/2024/05/27/cm...
    F I N D M E O N L I N E :
    ❤️ Instagram: / katecavanaughwrites
    🧡 Newsletter: landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
    💛 Twitch: / katecavanaughwrites
    💚 Patreon: / katecavanaugh
    💙 Website: readwriteroam.blog
    💜 Medium: / katecavanaughwrites
    🎥 E Q U I P M E N T U S E D & W H A T I W R I T E W I T H :
    *My bullet journal / writing & travel notebook: amzn.to/2UkrF0r
    *My main camera for vlogging and time-lapse: amzn.to/321RbtW
    Scrivener for my word processing needs: www.literatureandlatte.com/sc...
    *My "rainbow pens": amzn.to/2ZAiWIw
    *My tiny camera with a gimbal for on-the-go and motion-lapse: amzn.to/2ZtQzzF
    Aeon Timeline to create visual timelines for my stories: www.aeontimeline.com/
    *these are affiliate links, where I receive a small commission that helps the channel! Feel free to ignore. :)
    💌 S N A I L M A I L M E :
    PO Box 1022
    607 E. Blanco Road
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    #authortube #writingvlog #writinglife

Komentáře • 74

  • @singingsanja167
    @singingsanja167 Před 2 měsíci +19

    Loved your brother's clever cuestion. 😂👍💕

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +9

      Forever going to use the 4 C’s now! 🦇

  • @kristine5801
    @kristine5801 Před 2 měsíci +30

    I'm sure someone suggested this, but to give a pronunciation in-text, I love when an author does it by having someone mispronounce the name early on, and the character (or their friend) corrects it. It's always funny to me since the "long suffering sigh of needing to correct someone" is so familiar.

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +9

      Lolol I do enjoy that too! That's a great suggestion and might be the way I go! :) Thank you!

    • @nadyap.1532
      @nadyap.1532 Před měsícem +4

      It's also useful to have a little page (like a dramatis personae haha) of the names and their pronunciation. i use a lot of slavic/invented names that get mispronounced very easily, and its such a get out of jail card to have, right after the map page :)

  • @olivia-dv7zm
    @olivia-dv7zm Před 2 měsíci +17

    5min into the vlog and i just need to say that the bat clips are the best thing ever

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +5

      LOLOL THANK YOU. Easily one of the best purchases I've made all year hahahaha.

  • @samantharose1001
    @samantharose1001 Před 2 měsíci +8

    How you described the difference between alpha and beta readers was super insightful for me !! Ty

  • @bencunningham826
    @bencunningham826 Před 2 měsíci +7

    I have been watching your videos since pre pandemic. I have loved every step of your journey. I can’t wait to read this and your other works!

  • @nutshell93
    @nutshell93 Před 2 měsíci +7

    How exciting ! Omg when you said “grown up Halloweentown” I was like I’M IN! Hahaha i’m outlining my story at the moment. Very early stages haha

  • @lesleyann5118
    @lesleyann5118 Před měsícem +5

    As someone who reads and is currently working on starting a cozy mystery series herself, I can tell you that the rumor is publishers prefer the murder to happen within the first 30 pages or so. However, in most cozies the murder is the one big mystery. Obviously, the mystery doesn’t even have to be a murder at all. I think the concept is the reader wants to read a mystery, so publishers want that to start as soon as possible to get the reader invested quicker (just like they might want any main elements of any genre introduced as soon as possible). A mystery that is not the main murder/mystery would still serve that purpose. Not having the murder so early on does not mean your book is not a cozy.
    All my opinion, of course, but I have been researching. 😜

  • @MidnightLuminous
    @MidnightLuminous Před 2 měsíci +4

    Hello Kate! I don't usually comment on youtube videos, but here I am! I'm currently rewriting the very first book I wrote when i was a wee little tween, and so far I'm having so much fun 😂. This story is by far the biggest world I've ever created, with tons and tons of worldbuilding and tons and tons of characters, and now with the rewrite I've realized how many of these characters were just for filler words! 😂 Your writing streams are so fun!! I've never realized that a writing community can help my writing so much! 🎉
    Also, I CANNOT wait for your book to be published!

  • @terencejohnson4502
    @terencejohnson4502 Před 2 měsíci +3

    Working on the hardest thing I've ever written. Think the big problem is there is no story! Still this one is just for me. I only have two readers, send it out to them last possible moment. You only get that first impression once.
    Weekend plan to buy bat hair clips. I have daughters. Glad you're having fun.

  • @ringsroses
    @ringsroses Před 2 měsíci +3

    Yay about the Pluralistic link 🎉
    The interesting thing about pacing is that I think a lot of readers will excuse a certain amount of issues with pacing in books vs movies. I know that modern literature is more tightly paced as a rule but as a reader I kind of like a bit of a meander... especially if it ties into a later payoff or is just generally enjoyable. Sometimes that lingering reveals a lot that only makes sense later (like your introduction of the murderer).

  • @marywockenfuss-thecraftypl6461
    @marywockenfuss-thecraftypl6461 Před 2 měsíci +8

    Eoghan is pronounced "Owen"? I learned something today! It's always a struggle when I see names I don't know how to pronounce. I hadn't ever seen the name Ewan until Ewan McGregor in Phantom Menace, but I never heard it pronounced till 102 Dalmations. So I was pronouncing it Ee-wan when it's You-en. And then along came the fourth Twilight book with Siobhan and NO pronunciation guides. See-oh-bahn? Nope-- eventually found out it's shi-VON.

  • @MartaCanPixel
    @MartaCanPixel Před 2 měsíci +4

    I don't know what it is, but 'other exciting news, I found a tomato today' made me almost spit out my tea I laughed so hard 🤣🤣
    So relatable though, 'look, honey, my lettuce grew a new leaf!' has been a regular first thing in the morning greeting since I got my balcony plants 🪴💕
    Also there's no better feeling than rereading your own work and finding a scene you'd forgotten about and actually enjoying reading it 🥰

  • @writewithme-24
    @writewithme-24 Před 3 dny

    Great vlog, all the best with your next revisions!

  • @linseybachko4470
    @linseybachko4470 Před 2 měsíci +2

    I am going through this process with my novel right now - the re-read and first re-write. This time I’m doing it before sending it to beta readers because I had some pretty big pivots along the way that make for a choppy read. I love how excited you were after getting feedback! It’s so nice to get critiques that make you excited to jump back into writing. Can’t wait to read your book.

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci

      I totally understand that! I usually have to go over my story at least twice before I feel like I can give it to people, too. Even when I've outlined and think I know my story completely, there's always a pretty big curveball that necessitates a rewrite before other eyes can be on it. And thank you so much!! Completely agree, the best critiques are the ones that invigorate and inspire us!

  • @vic.4497
    @vic.4497 Před 2 měsíci +2

    I enjoyed this video so much!! It's so lovely and also inspiring to see you so excited and passionate about your story

  • @giuliaidiometri186
    @giuliaidiometri186 Před měsícem +3

    Hi Kate, I'm a blind girl and I'm not able to use Twitch because of my disability. Could you, please, do Live write in here on CZcams as well? Please! I loved them so much! Please, do it for me. You have a beautiful voice and you always motivate me to write, read, brainstorm etcetera, so thank you with all my heart.

  • @ash_days_
    @ash_days_ Před 2 měsíci +2

    I had never heard of alpha readers before your videos talking about your own experience and I’m learning so much about the process thank you for sharing! ❤

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +1

      Ahh, I'm so glad!! It's fun to hear about how others get feedback. I'm super impressed by those who have a friend or CP that reads concurrently as they write, or even chapter-by-chapter!

    • @ash_days_
      @ash_days_ Před 2 měsíci +1

      @@KateCavanaugh my sister is a lawyer who originally wanted to be an editor so she acts as mine and boy did I need help 😂

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +1

      @@ash_days_ First off, love supportive family. Doubly love that she gets to live out her editing dreams with you as her client, too! ;)

    • @ash_days_
      @ash_days_ Před 2 měsíci +1

      @@KateCavanaugh Creative people supporting creatively! 🥰

  • @sarabreugelmans4859
    @sarabreugelmans4859 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Hi, Kate! i just wanted to say that you're my favorite writing channel, and that I can't wait until your book is published! Good luck on the next draft

  • @AnnaRobbinsWrites
    @AnnaRobbinsWrites Před měsícem

    The bat clips!!!!!! I've literally never seen anything cuter hahaha ❣️

  • @LauraNettles
    @LauraNettles Před 2 měsíci +2

    Yay bat clips!!!!! I love them!!!! If you need another reader once you get the plot hammered out and are onto line level stuff, hit me up!

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +2

      I will definitely be in touch!! Thank you Laura and thanks for inspiring the bat clips, they are SO fun. 🦇💙

  • @sophielafleche3803
    @sophielafleche3803 Před měsícem

    living out HGTV dreams!!! I love that! I love watching home renovation shows.

  • @Wallisimo
    @Wallisimo Před 2 měsíci +2

    I AM SO SEATED FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!!

  • @caroleannrandall330
    @caroleannrandall330 Před 4 dny

    I just came across u again, after years. Have you published yet!!!!!

  • @angelofmusic997
    @angelofmusic997 Před 2 měsíci

    Oooh this was a lot of exciting alpha reader fun. I'm currently working on revisions for my main fantasy project. I'm working on writing two different projects: contemporary novel and main fantasy project book 2. I'm going to be trying to plan out a Peter Pan retelling, which I had previously written as a short story, but want to completely retool as a novella.
    So I've got a lot on the go, as usual.

  • @ceceliacrowley385
    @ceceliacrowley385 Před měsícem

    I love reading other works it’s awesome and a great motivator to write! Also, red is your color!!!!❤

  • @sappholily
    @sappholily Před 2 měsíci +2

    how do you share your project to your readers through scrivener? i'm always curious about that because scrivener doesn't have a collaborator option.

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +3

      Most of my readers like it best in Google Docs, but I'll send it over in Word sometimes, too! I'll usually Compile and Export it so that it's already formatted and then copy/paste over into whichever format they want!

  • @gerindakappert
    @gerindakappert Před 2 měsíci

    Loved this video. And I am so curious and 🎵excited about this story!! ;)

  • @Rei.Eatsfoods
    @Rei.Eatsfoods Před měsícem

    Such a fun vlog. Besides the cards how do I keep of all the details in my story? Anyone have any tips?

  • @johntubbs6617
    @johntubbs6617 Před měsícem

    At 39:55 - the Black Cat figured out that he would be a good sub-plot character on the pink cards. No one figured out that the cat with the glowing eyes was the culprit all along. dido

  • @boltlight1244
    @boltlight1244 Před 2 měsíci +3

    Those note cards progressively getting more messy on the floor 😂

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +3

      As I’ve started the re-write, I finally cleaned them up again completely. But omg. It made me giggle in real time and then during editing. It had gotten SO bad.

  • @AScreenwritersJourney
    @AScreenwritersJourney Před měsícem

    I had a name pronunciation issue with one of my scripts. I used my uncle's name, Izatt (EYE-zut), as one of the characters. During the table read the narrator introduced the character as EE-zat. I did the easy thing and changed the name to Earl (my grandpa's name). If you don't want to change your character's name, I agree with the suggestions about having someone mispronounce it, then being corrected. Remember when the Harry Potter books first came out? Before the movies? I had no clue how to pronounce Hermione. My friend called her Her-mee-OWN. One of the main characters from my favorite fantasy series, The Riddle-Master Trilogy, is called Raederle. I still don't know how to pronounce it. The author died a couple of years ago, so I can't ask her. I think it's pronounced Ray-der-lay. If anyone knows, please reply to this comment! Last question: How do I get on your beta readers list?

  • @vhaerya
    @vhaerya Před 2 měsíci

    I have just finished writing my current book so i'm at the weird stage of not knowing what to do next because i want to have a break from the world before thinking of draft 2, but at the same time i want to write something because it's just all i have been doing the past weeks so not writing feels very weird. Thankfully I have a never ending stream of new ideas, so I will find something to work on...

  • @roanfarnum
    @roanfarnum Před měsícem

    Dimension 20!!! 🎉 hell yeah!

  • @louisemunro9437
    @louisemunro9437 Před 2 měsíci +3

    For the pronunciation, you could have someone rhyme their name with something. How's it snowin', Eoghan?

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +1

      OMG this is genius.

    • @MeliMiyoko
      @MeliMiyoko Před měsícem

      All I could think was the very Aussie “How ya goin’, Eoghan?”

  • @VasilikiNikolaidou
    @VasilikiNikolaidou Před 2 měsíci

    Why do you remind me so much of Josh o’ Connor?!! In the best way possible

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci

      Looool, I will take this as a huge compliment. Great energy bahaha.

  • @herothebard
    @herothebard Před 2 měsíci

    Is it the 24 hour writing contest this weekend, I had lost track of it, Opse, yes I am I’ll start when I wake up tomorrow

  • @cryptidcollective1163
    @cryptidcollective1163 Před 20 dny

    its so funny watching your fav author youtube procrastinate on writing their novel.... while also procrastinating on writing your novel

  • @lunawolf6288
    @lunawolf6288 Před měsícem

    I already know one of the edits Grammar 😂

  • @agameoffangsandthrones584
    @agameoffangsandthrones584 Před 2 měsíci

    I’ve given my draft to my sister and a friend - hoping I can get my mum to agree to read it as well - waiting on my proof’s being delivered from Amazon

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +1

      AHHHH that's so very exciting! I'll keep my fingers crossed your mom agrees to read it too. But I will say that I found having just 2 alphas still REALLY helpful. And then when I got the feedback from the third, it really just solidified those feelings even more. Excited for your proof to come in!!

  • @Jencogneeto
    @Jencogneeto Před měsícem

    With name pronunciation, if it's someone at work, possibly have her see it written down (name on cubicle or something) and asking how to pronounce it, or someone auto-corrects it immediately because they're so used to people getting it wrong.

  • @Maddy-h4o
    @Maddy-h4o Před 2 měsíci +1

    Hi Kate!!!

  • @martiemary7569
    @martiemary7569 Před měsícem

    Maybe for the pronouncement of the name, put a star next to it and then put the pronouncement in the footnote at the bottom of the page?

  • @calmyourmind5665
    @calmyourmind5665 Před měsícem

    For some reason, I have an image of the Patrick Bateman meme where he's walking down a hallway with his headphones on as the representation of the Sigma Reader. He's heading to find all the things the Alpha and Beta readers missed.

  • @breemlew
    @breemlew Před 2 měsíci

    Please. I must ask how you have three monitors? What are they for? It doesnt distract you?

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +3

      They don't distract me at all! I love them. I got used to having two displays when I worked my corporate job and now it feels so normal. Typically I have one for my writing project, one that has research pulled up, and the third for streaming.

  • @hawkwolf
    @hawkwolf Před měsícem

    is smirking in OCD as you use physical notecards AND you are using Scrivener (which has a notecard function) :P No shade, just funny to me! Love the batwings, dear!

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před měsícem +3

      Bahaha thank you! 🦇 I do like the Scrivener function but there's something about moving the notecards with my hands that makes more sense to me when I'm at that stage of outlining or trying to insert a scene into the story. I don't know why either!!

  • @Heothbremel
    @Heothbremel Před 2 měsíci +1

    ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @inimitablebooksllc
    @inimitablebooksllc Před 2 měsíci

    Draco Malfoy: "I didn't know you could read."
    BECAUSE Tom Felton forgot his line!
    Love the video!

    • @KateCavanaugh
      @KateCavanaugh  Před 2 měsíci +2

      I ONLY LEARNED ABOUT THAT RECENTLY. Genius improv. So good. Perfectly in character bahaha.

  • @AtlanteanTimes
    @AtlanteanTimes Před 2 měsíci +1

    First.