WWYD friend shared writing sample/dream of becoming a writer

[Calmondeck]

In a nutshell… A friend has long harboured a dream of becoming a professional writer. She has been working on a novel for over a year and just shared with me a chapter. I have no editorial skills or experience in reviewing books, it was just for my initial reactions. I almost couldn’t complete the 10 pages - it is…. Cringy on a whole new level. Not to mention, extremely obvious who “characters” are based on in real life. She’s asked if I’ve read it and I made a quick joke “You’re going to have to publish under a pseudonym - your husband will die! just picking up DC1, will text later” (Basically it’s a description of her falling in love/having sex with someone from her past). How would you respond to this?

You're really brave to have a go, I could never attempt it.
I think you should join a creative writing class because they will be able to identify strengths and weaknesses.

As you’ve got editorial skills I’d use them and do a cursory line edit so it looks like you’ve taken it seriously. I’ve also got skills and qualifications in this area and have been asked to do this a few times. Once with whole novel. They’ve been variable in quality🤣 😬Re: the mortifying parts, I’d ask a couple of questions in track changes about the more egregious bits as in, ‘could rework this to be a bit less graphic/literal?’ Treat it with respect.

As to what comment to make I would say ‘it’s got a lot of energy and was a very fast read. Might be worth attending a writer’s group for more focused feedback from beta readers?’

As it’s a friend with a dream I’d say don’t lie but don’t discourage - I always think tread softly cos you tread on their dreams sort of thing. Some of the ‘worst’ writers I’ve read are now published in some form or another (crowd funded etc) -people do improve.

She doesn't have any editorial skills.

@determinedtomakethiswork

off the hook then, phew

A friend of mine shared something a few years ago - it wasn’t great - fast forward 10 years and she is published in a small way ( not self published either)

Making non-committal noises but recommend that she joins a writing group as a PP says. My Dsis works in publishing and often has to let friends down gently when they ask for feedback on their writing but as she says privately to me there's no way she'd have published the Twilight books or Fifty Shades and look how successful they've been so many things have an audience.