While outlining “The Holders…” I found better places for character introductions and discovered plot holes before they were written out. Because I got a big picture view and made sure I saw the forest instead of just one tree, I was able to talk some of these plot holes through. This was with someone who is not much of a fantasy reader, but one who is good with the whys and wherefores of human interaction.
What happened was, during the course of introducing a new character to my basic story because something was missing, I came across a problem. There was what appeared to be a snag in my original plan for my characters due to this new character. I talked it through to my friend for all of about five to ten minutes. Then, she turned around and told me that I really didn’t have as big of a problem as I had originally thought. One of my critical characters had already become who I needed him to be in this situation, and so all I had to do was to make use of his known traits and strengths, bringing these more to the forefront than I had. Voilà; problem solved. He is the mentor and guide, let him be that in a more powerful sense.
Now, if I had gone to another friend or mentor to help talk this through, I might not have gotten this answer. It is quite possible that I would have spent more time trying to talk through the answer with another person who thought like I did, or who didn’t think in such a ‘use what you already have’ manner and one thing I don’t have, is extra time to lose in needless discussion. Something I never want is to do extensive rewriting, or any rewriting for that matter.
This is a “Mentors, Family, and Friends” subject here. Talk to people you know using their strengths. Even if they won’t ever be a beta reader because it’s not the genre they are interested in, therefore wouldn’t be able to give you the most useful feedback in comparison to others who already read that genre, they might have some technical insight that might be of use.
Make sure you are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of those in your personal network so that you can ask them for their help in areas that are best. Don’t ask people to do things that they would not be able to do well. If you are looking for help, look for help from those who can give you what you need, and save the other people for the times when you need their expertise. This will make sure you don’t overuse anyone. Who would want to continue helping you if you ask for their help over everything, even issues that this person is not good at, even issues that this person can’t stand? Eventually, you would wear them out and use them up.
Something you must also understand, is that your friends, family, and mentors have their own lives and problems. You must be there for them as much as they are there for you, if you are to reasonably expect them to continue being willing or happy to help you with your writing endeavors. They will not always be able to read over your second draft right away. There are family issues that they might have to handle, difficult work hours, finance troubles, or even a simple desire to live their own life with their own family and friends. You must not expect them to be at your beck and call because you want them or even need them. They might need you at times, or they might even want time to themselves; space. We all need space at some time or another.
Consider this as well. Reading a first draft might be one thing, but rereading is entirely another. Reading a third and fourth edit is tedious. It is tedious for an author who is in love with their story; who poured their heart and soul into the story. If it can become difficult for the author to read again and again, it is all the more difficult for anyone else, no matter how much they want to support their loved one.
These are all things to keep in mind. Don’t demand too much, or people will begin to dread hearing the words, “Could you?” or “I need.” Use the skills that people have and avoid giving them projects that will make giving you assistance harder on them. You want to make use of their abilities and their help without using your helpers up, wearing them out, or alienating them. Respect that they are giving you their effort and time. Leave something for them and make sure to give plenty back. No one likes being always asked for more and more without any consideration for their own needs or desires.
So, in summary, if you wouldn’t use a pickax to cut cloth, neither should you ask someone without a romantic bone in their body to read through and give feedback on your romance novel, or any task that is not in their list of strengths. When you do ask for assistance, consider what might be going on in your helper’s life before asking. Make sure you don’t ask too much from any one person because you don’t want to overburden them. Certainly, make sure you give them of your time and effort when they need it, and show, more than tell, how you appreciate their help.
While you take care to be as good a friend as you ask your friends to be, remember to enjoy the wonder.