31 Day Writing Tips - Day 3
@just4him (323168)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
May 3, 2019 2:13pm CST
Day 3
Okay, let's assume you've finished your novel. Now what? You have a masterpiece, and you proudly let your friend, mother, sibling, or other relative read it. In order not to offend you, they tell you, you have a work of art. It's fantastic. Your head is swelled three times bigger than it was when you finished your masterpiece. Then you take it to someone you don't know and they read it and they tell you it's a piece of trash. Your head is properly deflated.
So, who do you believe? Not your friends or relatives. They will always try to make you feel good about what you do and never give you a good critique. Not the first person you hand it to either. They have their own reasons for not liking your work.
So, what do you do? Check with your local library and find a writer's group. You should probably do that the moment you decide to write, but if you want good criticism, a writer's group is the best way to find it. You will get good feedback, and you will know how to proceed with your manuscript.
You have a long road ahead of you yet. Your manuscript needs revision, editing, research, and when you have that all done, you do it all over again.
If you're a writer or thinking about becoming one, I recommend a writer's group. You will get great feedback and they will keep you on track with your work.
If you're a writer or author and have anything to add, please leave a comment. If you're an author or writer, do you belong to a writer's group?
Thanks for reading.
14 people like this
12 responses
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
4 May 19
Sometimes finishing a story is hard. I have one I opened up after I sent the book I'm publishing back to the editor. It's needed finishing for several years now. I'm hoping this time I can finish it and put it with the rest of the finished manuscripts waiting for the day it will be published.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (89426)
• Rupert, Idaho
5 May 19
That's great advice about the writer's group. I would have never thought to join one! I
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (89426)
• Rupert, Idaho
5 May 19
@just4him That is good that you were :) Sounds very helpful!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23978)
• United Kingdom
4 May 19
I do think the standards in proof reading have been dumbed down. It seems acceptable these days to accept spelling errors which is annoying. Good idea about a group who ar elikely to give you positiive criticism.
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@garymarsh6 (23978)
• United Kingdom
4 May 19
@just4him I would think that it is also more valid having it proof read by your peers!
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
4 May 19
That's why I look for beta readers and people to proof my work before it goes to the editor. I noticed the editor even missed a few things and made suggestions that made no sense at all. Writer groups are essential if you're actively pursuing a career as an author. You get many good suggestions and criticisms that work to make your work better.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 May 19
We have time in the meeting where we read what we write. I'm currently reading one I plan to publish after this one. So, I think the best answer is yes and no. I do the reading and they listen. I then get wonderful feedback. I have one friend in the group who has been my beta reader. She read my last two books. The last one I published and the one I am about to publish. Her feedback and proofing are invaluable. So is the feedback I get from the group.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
3 May 19
It is a great experience. I have been a member of several groups down through the years.
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@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
4 May 19
Is there any risk that someone in the writer's group could steal the brilliant idea and use it it in a book that they are writing?
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