Rainbow Snippets*-- Feedback

I love getting feedback from beta readers. Sometimes there's a moment of depression when the first sentence isn't "I love it, it's perfect!" Which, of course, never happens. And when I pick through the comments, it's usually not that bad--it's the things I pretty well knew were problematic but hoped weren't! A good beta reader will be truthfully critical but will also say what works, what is good. My surprise with Headphones? Readers really like Elinor-- a side character that is important to Headphones but which I didn't give a high word count. Funny how that works!

This week's snippet from Headphones: In From the Cold;

Elinor’s shop was everything good--Earth hues swirled at the edge of Headphones’ vision as she stepped inside. Flowing brown and green silk hung on the walls, creating a soft organic ambiance enhanced by air that smelled of sage and sandalwood. The small shop was tranquil and relaxing, much like the woman who ran it. Headphones wove between the cases and shelves, admiring the jumble of colors and shapes of occult items that college kids loved, if for no other reason than to shock their parents. 

“Most of it’s made in China. Not very authentic, but it pays the rent,” Elinor said as she came in from the back, pushing aside the bead curtain directly behind the service counter.

*Rainbow Snippets is a (Facebook) group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers who gather once a week to share snippets from a work of fiction–-a WIP or a finished work or even a book recommendation. If you're interested in following a diverse group of authors, check it out here.