Cross Words, Puzzled

Only look towards unbiased people for initial reviews of your book.

Family will only see themselves in, or misinterpret , characters that are always composites ,and no matter how many times you try to frustratingly get this a-cross, just give up before cross comments are said or written. Either they get the definition of 'fiction', 'poetic license' , 'character synthesis' or they don't, and being family, most probably won't :)

Friends tend to want to make you feel good, because that's what friends are for (unlike family :) so you'll never get the straight goods there either, even when you plead for some real feedback. They, kindly meant, don't want to hurt your feelings or if they can't figure out where you're going with 'all that' in the plot, they don't want to look ill- literate.

Neighbours , although also tending to the 'humour you' side , might be a bit more (hesitantly) forthcoming, but they live beside you, so don't expect too much. 'Good fences make good neighbours.' They might be glad of one.

Best bets : Laundromat acquaintances, the cop on the beat , your garbage man ---