Are you thinking of asking a writer friend for help with something? Maybe you should think twice.
Source: 6 Annoying Things Writers Are Asked To Do And How To Ask Anyway
Are you thinking of asking a writer friend for help with something? Maybe you should think twice.
Source: 6 Annoying Things Writers Are Asked To Do And How To Ask Anyway
Comments Off on Reblog: 6 Annoying Things Writers Are Asked To Do And How To Ask Anyway
Filed under creativity, editing, fantasy, Fiction, frustration, homework, publication, research, Small business, Writing
by Lillian Csernica on August 23, 2016
Whether or not you’re involved in a writing group, there comes a time when one of your fellow writers will ask you to read his or her manuscript. If this person has already done you the favor of reading one of yours, you are more or less honor bound to return the kindness.
If you and your colleague are at a comparable level in your writing skills, this could turn out to be a very pleasant and profitable exchange of ideas and perspectives. This is the best case scenario, and the reason why I urge anyone seriously considering joining a writer’s group to bear in mind these potential issues.
Sooner or later, the moment will come when you are faced with the terrible prospect of reading a manuscript that is so bad that every page is absolute torture. No amount of cheery and euphemistic commentary can conceal the fact that this particular stack of paper besmirched with little black ink marks is really, really bad. Your eyes ache, your fingers are cramped from making copy editing marks, and you’re left with the unhappy knowledge that reading this mess has taken up hours of your life that you will never get back again.
What can we do to protect our sanity, our writing time, and the integrity of our relationships with colleagues while still sparing ourselves the ordeal of forcing ourselves to endure really bad writing?
Honesty There are some types of fiction that do not appeal to me, so I rarely read them. Regency romance. Westerns. Space opera. Really gruesome horror. Since I don’t read much in these genres, I’m not a very good judge of what works and what doesn’t according to the usual reader expectations. Therefore I can step aside with a clear conscience.
Time Life gets more and more crowded every day. Finding the time to do our own writing and editing can be difficult enough. Making time for additional critiquing may not be possible. If one has a standing commitment to a regular writing group, that’s one thing. That commitment must be honored. Outside of that, however, a judicious application of the word NO might be essential.
Referral If you know somebody in your circle of writing acquaintances who might be willing to take on the burden of this critique, present your appeal with full disclosure. If your colleague agrees, make the connection between the owner of the manuscript and the willing victim, give them your blessing, and exit stage left.
What do you think? Am I being reasonable here? Or am I being to harsh in declaring some manuscripts way too much of a not very good thing?
Filed under Conventions, creativity, editing, fantasy, Fiction, frustration, Goals, homework, Lillian Csernica, publication, romance, science fiction, steampunk, Writing
by Lillian Csernica on January 31, 2016
I’m still mulling over the pros and cons of writing reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, et al. While I was wandering around the Web today, I came across a blog that talks about how to get our books reviewed. There’s a lot of info here, and much food for thought.
How to Get Reviews for Your Book (Without Begging, Bribing, or Subterfuge)
I’m leaning toward not reviewing that book I mentioned in Part One. Given that there’s close to a dozen more books in the series, it’s not like my opinion is going to make much of a difference. I came across the first book on BookBub, where it’s offered for free as an enticement. If I did comment on the novel’s extensive flaws, maybe I would be doing some readers some good.
Yes? No? Give it up and go write my own stuff?
As always, I welcome your thoughts.
EDIT: I did write the review after all. Thank you to everyone who has been contributing to the discussion.
Filed under creativity, editing, fantasy, Fiction, frustration, historical fiction, Horror, research, Writing
by Lillian Csernica on April 8, 2013
G is for (Writers’) Group
If you’re thinking of joining a writer‘s group, ask yourself these questions:
Is this group designed for the type of writing I want to do? Is the critique format based on a professional model (i.e. the Clarion method) or is everybody there to just cheer each other on?
Is the level of experience among the writers in the group close enough to mine for us to help each other, yet they’re far enough ahead of me so that I’ll be learning as I go?
Is this group committed to serious effort at production and improvement, or is it really just a social occasion? Worse, do any of the members try to turn every meeting into some kind of group therapy session?
Allow me to illustrate the different kinds of group dynamics you might encounter by describing three writer’s groups I’ve experienced:
Group #1: Ten members, some with novel sales, some with short story sales, some at the small press level. This was a good group for me. We were all working toward greater professional achievement, we used the Clarion method, and I learned a lot from the other writers. We had a few personality conflicts, but those didn’t become serious obstacles to the critique process.
Group #2: Just four of us, women writers who’d met through each other at SF conventions. We all have at least two types of writing in common, so we all bring something useful to each critique. We meet for the weekend when our schedules permit, talk shop, work on our stories, eat too much and stay up too late and enjoy the fact that we’ve become best friends. Thanks to each other’s help, we continue to make sales.
Group #3: Ten members, the emphasis on nonfiction and writing memoirs. What am I, the writer of fantasy and historical fiction, doing in this group? That’s a good question and a long story. I’m the youngest by at least ten years, but I have the most professional sales. While I defer to my elders, they defer to me about formal writing technique. In recent months the woman who organized this group has become very controlling and dictatorial. I really enjoy the people in this group, but my time could be better spent working at home. I now have to decide if the convenience and pleasure of meeting these people once a month is worth putting up with the control freak behavior of our Fearless Leader.
A writer’s group represents a serious investment of time and effort. Activate your social network for references, recommendations, and possible warnings. You want to find the group that will provide the best return on your investment according to your writing goals.
Filed under Blog challenges, Fiction, Writing
Sorcery, Swords, and Snark
Writer, Blogger, and Explorer with Words
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Building Books - One Step at a Time
Blog magazine for lovers of health, food, books, music, humour and life in general
Tales of Wandering Souls
Making the world a richer place, one story at a time
Sorcery, Swords, and Snark
Writer, Blogger, and Explorer with Words
Das Leben eine einzige Collage
Sometimes poetry gives you the voice
Mystery. Horror. Comedy. Oddities.
Fiction Writing
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." Cicero
Amin n'rangwa edanea
Putting ideas into words.
Technology
The Italian Thing Blog
When a mage is sharing what's on his mind. Business, Motivation, Positive life, Success, Marketing and Good Ideas.
Building Books - One Step at a Time
Blog magazine for lovers of health, food, books, music, humour and life in general
Tales of Wandering Souls
Making the world a richer place, one story at a time