Well, if the story is finished, just has a couple of parts that are questionable, I'd leave that up to the readers, without biasing them one way or the other. If there is a majority of them who comment on those sections specifically as problem areas, then you have your answer.
I'm afraid no one else will see the problem the way I do. Both are pretty inoffensive. And in both cases it might be the placement that's an issue not the content. I don'no. thanks for your thoughts. :)
We might have talked about this, but cold readers should be cold. Nothing in particular to look for or judge...just to read and take notes as they go along about reactions.
Maybe find two cold readers and leave the sections in for one and out for the other. Alternatively, you can always ask them AFTER they've read if the sections seemed good, necessary, etc., or if you could delete them without effect. Also, if it's subtle, does it really matter? I agree with Lanalucy about not swaying the readers.
((HUGS)) So proud that you are at this step. *dances*
I'm going to try moving both sections. One to the second chapter and way to the end actually to see if they flow better.
Although I'm also thinking that anything that bothers me this much I should maybe cut anyway. When in doubt cut is supposed to be my motto right now. ;)
As a cold reader, I would find sections marked as "removable" to be distracting, I think. I'd be wondering why those particular sections aren't important and why they were left in the first place.
On the one hand, if readers who've never seen the story before don't notice it as a problem, then it's probably not as big an interruption as you see it as.
On the other hand, if these sections bother you THAT MUCH, and they don't impact the story, then you should trust your gut and delete them before you pass the draft along to your readers.
Also, congratulations a million bazillion times on taking this step. You've worked incredibly heard and we're all proud of you. ♥♥♥
Both sections have been played with and moved around since being originally written. They are known problems. ;) One I'm almost certain needs to be moved. And the other most likely needs to be cut.
Worrying about this keeps me from having to rewrite another terribly clunky scene opening. hee.
And I have three really in my first chapter... The actual opening - which I like, the introduction of a reused (work) location, and setting up an important relationship. It's the second one that's giving me fits. As did a lot of the early scenes in that setting.
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Maybe find two cold readers and leave the sections in for one and out for the other. Alternatively, you can always ask them AFTER they've read if the sections seemed good, necessary, etc., or if you could delete them without effect. Also, if it's subtle, does it really matter? I agree with Lanalucy about not swaying the readers.
((HUGS)) So proud that you are at this step. *dances*
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I'm going to try moving both sections. One to the second chapter and way to the end actually to see if they flow better.
Although I'm also thinking that anything that bothers me this much I should maybe cut anyway. When in doubt cut is supposed to be my motto right now. ;)
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On the one hand, if readers who've never seen the story before don't notice it as a problem, then it's probably not as big an interruption as you see it as.
On the other hand, if these sections bother you THAT MUCH, and they don't impact the story, then you should trust your gut and delete them before you pass the draft along to your readers.
Also, congratulations a million bazillion times on taking this step. You've worked incredibly heard and we're all proud of you. ♥♥♥
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Both sections have been played with and moved around since being originally written. They are known problems. ;) One I'm almost certain needs to be moved. And the other most likely needs to be cut.
Worrying about this keeps me from having to rewrite another terribly clunky scene opening. hee.
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I'm trying to write one at this very moment.
I hate opening scenes.
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Yeah, I know.
and thanks. <3
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