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Self Review of Checkered Scissors

Giving my own book a critical look and writing my own review.

[Original Page Build: 2022-08-04 13:39:53]

[Content Updated: 2023-11-01 11:51:06]

I published Checkered Scissors about seven years ago. Since that time, I also have written over twenty other works, mostly short fiction and most of that I have shared. That does not include the individual stories in Pickled Bananas, a new collection of unique fairy tales, nor the episodes for Reality Fiction. If I were to count each individual element, that would push the count over fifty.

Also in this time, I have run numerous peer writing meetings, critiquing a variety of works, both fictional and non-fictional. I have taken online Master Classes. I have read books on how to improve my writing. I have embraced my editors' feedback. Essentially, I have grown as a writer, becoming more critical of what I put on the page.

Recently, I returned to Checkered Scissors to reread it. As I edit the sequel, something has felt off with the next story. By reading my first book through refreshed eyes with a refined set of writing skills, I had hoped to find a clue about what might be missing. Instead, I saw my original book differently.

Of course, I am biased about my own stories. I enjoy reading my own works. Also, after writing drafts of the sequel and outlining the third, I have a better idea of where I want the story to go. Hindsight may not be a perfect 20-20, because I continue to learn as a writer. I decided to look at Checkered Scissors more critically and write a review as if providing feedback to Dougie, my younger self. Because some people who read my blog may not have already read the book, I will try to be as spoiler free as possible, but with the possibility that you, too, may look at it more critically when you do read it. Is this a good thing? Maybe. Maybe not.

You ready, Dougie? I hope my younger self has some thicker skin. Here goes...

The Good

Dougie, for a fresh author's first attempt at a novel-sized story, you should feel very proud. You have written a simple, yet entertaining story.
You are very creative and include many interesting concepts in the story.
I enjoy your use of subtle, intellectual humor. At times, it is inspired by the humor of Douglas Adams. At other times, it reflects the odd things people will randomly say.
The dialog between characters feels natural. There are very few places where it comes across as forced, disjointed, or awkward.
One of the things I have learned is that a story should ask a Big Question, and then answer it by the end. You provide a nice set up for the story's Big Question. To me, it plays out like a game of Capture the Flag that adds more players as the game is played. The story first introduces the flag (the Checkered Scissors) with two of the main characters who will pursue the flag. As other players are introduced, you explain each player's obsession with them. The Big Question asks who will end up with the Scissors, how will they use them, and the results of such action. It may start out slow, but it builds up steam until it steamrolls to the very end.
As for the characters, they get painted into the corners nicely, and then they work their way out in a clever way.

That's the Good. Now, let's look at what needs work.

The Bad

Continue working on your character development, Dougie. You have invented some interesting, colorful characters, so take their development even deeper. To use Neil Gaiman's and Terry Pratchett's phrase, give each character a funny hat. Find their uniqueness and pull it out even more so.
On the subject of characters, play up the interaction between characters. Bring out the jealousy, the flirtations, what they really think of each other. Embellish the subtle hints of future interactions between characters. At times, the characters are almost too polite with each other, which is a reflection of yourself, Dougie. Really bring out the tension between them to build up a more dynamic story.
Some of the writing could be tightened up. There were a few sections that could be edited down to streamline the story a bit more. For example, parts in the beginning are a bit slow. Knowing what I know, many of these parts may seem unnecessary, but it is a set up for what is to come. For future stories, tighten up these sections.
Don't take offense at this, Dougie, but there are bits of the story that I am going to call Paper Towels. These bits are used once and thrown away. Most of these are passing characters and situations that do not go anywhere. I'm not saying to get rid of them, because they play their parts to help build character or the world. It also plays up the dreamlike nature of the story. Be mindful to not over use Paper Towels. Or, maybe use Paper Towels to build up a running joke. Something that gives them more function than a use-and-lose element.
In a few spots, there is a bit of flashback to help build character or to better explain a concept. These areas can come across as an info dump. When possible, try to work this information into the action or conversation of the story.

For the last section, I am not going to use the term "ugly" for this section, because you have a wonderful first novel that you can feel very proud about. Instead, I'll call it...

The Nice Personality

There are some sentences that could have used a bit more work, and these might be fixed without anyone noticing an updated edition. I have seen these kinds of mistakes in other, professionally published books.
Even in this earliest of works, the book definitely captures your writing style. The style is not for everyone. It is not a typical book. But, it is your style, Dougie. To have developed your unique writing voice should be considered a huge accomplishment. I have read other stories by other indie writers that try too hard to sound like someone else, and it sounds forced. There is a naturalness, a genuineness, to your writing voice. Keep working at it and keep using it.
Checkered Scissors is still such a fun ride. It is a glorified treasure hunt, and most of the treasure is found along the way to finding the Scissors.

How would I rate this book from one to five stars? For me, that fifth star is reserved for a book's reread-ability. I have reread it and I will reread it again. However, it could have used a bit more polish. Despite that, it is still a great first attempt. I definitely would not rate it under a three stars. Anyone who rates it under a three just does not get your style (which is a shame). It is not a perfect five, because you can always get better (which, you will Dougie). If it could be marked with partial stars, I would mark it as a high-end three-point-something. So, I will round it up to a four star book.

Again, you should be proud of a three-point-something to four star rating, Dougie. It means you are doing most things right, should focus on building up the parts that need work, and polish the parts done well.

I'm proud of you, Dougie.

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