Wow, another possible topic, or at least something that we need to remember: the trust that has to exist between the writer and someone who reads a draft. After all, you are exposing part of yourself and the possibility exists for damage to a relationship. A long time ago I was asked to read a first draft of a a romance by a friend. I took the blue pencil to it just as I would have any other document and, in hindsight, I should have been kinder and I should have taken into account where the writer was in her development. We stayed friends, but she never asked me to read anything again.
Thanks, Ms Holcomb.

denise

Whoa, good catch! I think that could be the subject of an entire essay. What V. M. Sang has pointed out is the obligation of the reviewer to make clear to the author and to understand that the final decision to implement a comment or skip it is up to the author. If you read something and suggest a change remember that it is just that -- a suggestion. Don't get your feelings hurt if it doesn't get implemented.
Thanks, V. M.

Thanks, Terry! That's a detailed, thoughtful response. I have struggled with that issue on the rare occasions when I have allowed someone to read a chapter before there's a full draft. I think you have helped the WITS community. If you are not familiar with her work, check out her page on Amazon Prime or her web page for book notes and blogs.

I'd have to say "it depends" on when I make changes, but usually before I get more than 3 chapters behind. Unless there's a major plot change, we don't re-sub. It's easier to give feedback on chapters than have ask them to read 90,000 words, although one of my partners and I do swap the completed first draft, usually while our editors are doing their thing, to see what we might catch that the editors miss, and vice-versa. I try to have the ms fixed as I go, so yes, if a valid point is made about chapter 3 that contradicts something in chapter 1, I want ti fix it rather than worry about having to make changes in 30 chapters rather than 1. By the time I finish the first draft, it's more like a third draft.

I like the title! And thanks for letting us be an early part of your promotional effort. Ok, folks, you heard it here first.

James, my fantasy romance is called The Witch Whisperer, publisher is The Wild Rose Press. Thanks for calling me out!

Barb, thanks for the excellent comment. You are correct -- it's your book. In the Acknowledgements to his novel Amazonia the bestselling author James Rollins thanks no less than twenty individuals before going on to say that any errors are his alone. (Side Note: if any of you want to study pacing take a look at any of his works. Wow! Sandstorm -- the first of the Sigma series -- is a great example and a good place to start.)

Congratulations on the contract! Good luck, and we'll look for your name on the NY Times list. My only criticism of your comment is that you did not include the title of your novel. C'mon, it's never too early and the WITS readers will be glad to keep an eye out for it so we can say, "We knew her when."