C. M. Clark's Page

What I read:

I read mostly fantasy and urban fantasy. I have written science fiction, but I don't read it that often to be a help. (I tend to watch SF – movies, tv shows more then read the genre.) I don't read straight romance (if the romance is weaved into fantasy and urban fantasy that is fine), mysteries etc. I wouldn't be any help with those genres.

What I've done in writing:

I haven't sold anything because I'm stuck on the editing part of writing. On that note I have however completed 26 novels and over 2.2 million words wrote (novels only, not counting outlines ;) )

How I crit:

I've have a list I go through that I comment on as I read, opening, plot, characters, dialogue, setting, ending, over all and other comments that jump out. If I'm reading a chapter at a time I'll send something like this back with each chapter.

How I want to be critted:

I do know that I might not have the best grammer and if the critter wants to point that out, then I can learn from it, but if there's a glaring mistake, mention it once, I can catch the other times. Mostly I'm looking for over all plot, how the characters feel (are they real etc etc) if the story is solid or needs total reworking.

Turn around:

I'm faster on chapters, reading one or two a week. If you want a fast return on a novel, I can give you a quick over all thought on a novel in a month or two. A few months longer if you want chapter to chapter thoughts.

For returns on my work… I've never had a good return rate to how many people ask to read my stuff. Anytime I get something back is good, I've learned over the years to not… expect that return email with a crit. So any emails back and forth even a small note, saying yes I am continuing to read etc would be enough to know that the critter is still moving forward.

Extra:

In a crit partner I would like someone that read the genre I write.

Someone that could help bounce ideas (be it book they're reading or any idea and offer the same back. Idea bouncing is quiet fun once you get into it)

I don't want to join up with another writer that hasn't edited at least once. (There have been some chapters I've read that I wonder what the writer was thinking posting pieces I wouldn't want to let anyone see.)

Also someone that wouldn't mind helping with query letters and getting that 'what the story is about' down just right.

In ending – I'm not afraid to tear a piece of writing apart if that's what the writer thinks it needs. Or if the writer wants a soft crit, either can be possible.

You can contact me through this site, I'm also on MSN at bookofmagic@hotmail.com (sometimes I might be offline, but I'm really there... maters the day... time etc.) I'm also online via Yahoo Messenger my ID is cmclarkwriter (this is not my yahoo mail though) I do have an email at writer.c.m.clark@gmail.com

I thought I would add a list of novels I believe are ready to go to a crit partner:

Family of Fortune

Genre: Urban fantasy

Cassandra left her family to get away from the world of magic. Yet she couldn't say no to a job working at a magic shop and reading tarot cards, a gift she has always had. Moving into a new job with the FBI her past comes back to haunt her as she starts on a case that involves the occult, magic, and tarot cards.

Progress: Ready to go.

Concerns: That the first half and the second half doesn't mesh.

Word count 90K

A Plague of Ghosts

Genre: Urban fantasy

Brian has always seen ghosts, always ignored them. When one shows up at the police station he is dropped into a new world. A world of magic, a world where people like him are needed. Because there is something praying on the ghosts in the city. Something that wants their power and it's up to Brian to find out what.

Concerns: That I don't have enough detail in the novel.

Word count 90k

Midnight Illusions

Genre: Urban Fantasy

An accomplished thief of magic, Astra is commissioned to steal two souls from Death himself. Without knowing the consequence one soul is unleashed and becomes a threat that will bring down the barriers that keeps magic safe for mortals. United with a group working with Death, she struggles to correct her mistake before the wall that holds the magic back shatters the world and her soul.

Progress: Ready

Concerns: at this point, I think it just needs a polish and for someone to find any plot holes.

Word Count: 100k I think

Battle Queen

Genre: Fantasy

Katrien only wanted her nation back. After the rebellion eight years ago, she's been forced to depend on the citizens that trust her father, the King. After his death she is thrust into another rebellion that is starting to simmer. It's up to Katrien if she wants to become the pawn or the Queen of a nation under and emperor's rule. But can she become a Queen when the path of the throne will only be open by the blood of her people?

Concerns: Right now I think this novel needs someone that can tell if the timeline is insane. If the reader can understand the dates. Does the plot work? I wrote this novel without an outline and I'm not sure if it feels disjointed to someone other then myself. Are there any huge plot holes? Did I tie everything up by the time the novel ends? etc

Word Count: 105k