Insecure Writer's Support Group
The list could go on forever, so where should I begin? :)
Right now I'm wondering if the WIP I'm currently editing will seem realistic to readers. Or if it'd be interesting at all to them. Did I put too much detail or not enough? Is the environment so real that they'll feel like they're there? Are the characters jumping off the page? I want to have written an amazing page turner that readers just can't put down. But what writer doesn't? Who doesn't want to hear someone say that they absolutely love your work and can't wait to read more?
I guess the problem is that, right now, I don't have anyone critiquing my work. So if anyone would like to do some reading, let me know. :)
From now on I'll be posting the first Wednesday of every month for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Hope that you will join in if you're feeling insecure too! :)
Till next time,
Madi
Great post. If you are interested in critiquing, check out a great online critique group.... www.critiquecircle.com
ReplyDeleteI've found it a neccisity for my writing.
Hi Madi, I don't know if this really works, but I like to think that when it comes to whether my book will be interesting to others, I really think about if I like it. I am a avid reader and I write stuff that I like to read. Trust yourself in that. I would love to read you stuff.
ReplyDeleteHello Madi, I think we all suffer from this anxiety - I know my family are constantly barraged with my worries and fears for whatever is the 'chapter of the day'. Good luck and nice to meet you on the Insecure writers' Blog!
ReplyDeleteEmma
http://www.emmacalin.blogspot.com
I have days when I freak out about the details of my book - like yesterday - I spent an hour making a timeline of events that led up to the beginning of my fantasy novel - just so I was sure I had that background ready to pop out, if needed, during my novel. It was slightly obsessive. Even though I'm working on a fantasy novel, I want my characters and their situation to seem realistic . . . it's a dilemma we all face.
ReplyDeleteSometimes what helps me with this worry is to step back and take a break from the book. This is usually the point where I send it out for critique, then have a bit of a wait to get it back. I find that when I haven't looked at the story for a while, I can then actually READ it, almost the way a reader would and then I can see where it shines and where it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for a critique group, I am a member of Critters (http://critique.org/romance/). It has a bunch of different workshops. You could go to YA or you could go through the romance workshop. They have a nice systematic approach. You can put up chapters at a time or a request for a whole novel to be read. Maybe I'll see you there! :)
I always freak out about the details of my book, no matter what project I'm working on. I just need to learn to trust myself, and how to tell when my freak outs are justified.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the support group. I just joined myself.
Hi Madison! Welcome to the IWSG. I'm a new follower. We are all insecure from time to time. Okay, most of the time. And for the very same reasons you are. Good thing for you, there are lots of YA romance writers here in the blogosphere. Find their blogs and connect with them to find the right critique partner. When you do find one that fits, hold on for dear life. Put together a team of CPs you can return to time and time again. It took me a year, but I have a good one in place for my genre. Good luck to you!!
ReplyDeletehave you tried to enlist beta readers? Sorry I really can't offer too much I struggle to even get my ideas onto the paper, but good luck!
ReplyDelete-MJ here from the support group http://creativelyspiltink.blogspot.com/
Having a critique partner or two will really help you with that. They will see what you can't.
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome to the IWSG!
Oh the fun of critiques -- I've been working on the same project for longer than I care to admit. I was stuck for several months because I didn't want to show my work to people and hear how much they hated it. I took a risk a few months ago and threw a chunk of it on my blog -- I got good feedback. I never recommend having someone you care about do a first read. Put it to some strangers first and see how they respond. Always keep in mind that the greatest writers of all time were not totally satisfied with their published work.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the IWSG! Critique partners really do help a ton. I've learned and grown as a writer because of being critiqued. You have to be prepared to have your work torn up and commented on and worked over though, which is not an easy thing.
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Hi there Madison, I'm from the IWSG & I just started last month, so newbie-ish myself. Wow, I can't imagine trying to write a whole book, I'm overwhelmed just getting articles written. From the comments above, it looks like ya found the right blog hop for your YA genre, what great tips!
ReplyDeleteThe only tip I've got, if you're not already doing so - is find some YA book publisher editors and authors on Twitter to follow. I've stumbled across a few that follow back, here's a couple @jim_devitt @LisetteBrodey
Yup, beta readers or critique partners will help with this. Have you ever heard of SheWrites.com? It's an online writing community. There are a lot of groups, including ones where you can find great readers!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to IWSG. :))