I’ve been working on a longish short story, using a plot bunny that bit my ankle while I was reading something about chefs. I like chefs; in fact, I adore anyone who will cook for me, and there’s no reason not to use research already done, right?
So, Jude Marshall and Howard Bell hit the page, and a query letter hit a different page, when I realized, I really have to have Howard vetted by someone who knows what a native Londoner sounds like.
What a good move that was. My main beta, Eden, had already helped me find stray verbs and bad blocking, and swatted me for a couple of excesses. We really didn’t know what to do about Howard. So, I asked JL Merrow, who definitely knows how an Englishman should sound, if she’d take a look. I am SO glad I did.
Multiple emails later, Howard is now Tommy. Howard was bland. Tommy is fun. Howard kind of blended in with the woodwork; Tommy might wipe sauce on your nose for a joke.
And Jude? He might be in love.
I’ll keep you posted.
Intriguing…
Betas are always amazing…..
They always see something the writer doesn’t, and it’s usually important.
New, different, and not one mountain in the entire story, soI hope it’s intriguing!