Please come and talk to me. Just for some general writing chat and support...

[BiglyBadgers]

I am about a third of the way through editing my stupidly long book (this'll teach me for writing epic fantasy) and need some chat!

I really loved the chat and support on the nano thread, but now novel writing month is long gone and I am alone! There must be other people out there bumbling along needing a friend to chat to...surely....I can provide coffee, cake and excellent free WiFi

Mostly commercial memoir when traditionally published, but anything if private commissions!

Yes , that's exactly how I feel - I hate social media and I see clients having to do it all the time, the horrible stuff they get, the threats and attacks (I mostly work with women). It all has so little to do with the actual writing

I was reading tips on what to do to get an agent and all of them included building an online profile so an agent finds you when they search and sees you have followers, support, etc. I just don't think I have the energy for it all. Particularly as I would have to use a pen name, so would need to start from scratch. With the job I am currently training for it would not be appropriate for me to publish under my real name and would restrict both my writing and my employability in that job.

It's a real bind. I've always had an agent until last year - long story, but decided to try on my own. I have to say, it's worked much, much better, but, for fiction, I'd want an agent as I don't know anyone amongst commissioning editors there really. They'd laugh at my twitter numbers, I'm pathetic online! I think that's one of the things holding me back actually - every time I decide to crack on, all of that pops into my head. What do you think you'll do about the name issue?

At the moment I'm trying not to think about it to much as like you say it just gets too overwhelming. Also I didn't start this out planning on creating anything worth publishing. I just fancied have a go at writing something big and it sort of escalated from there.

I think, for now, I'm going to carry on ignoring the issues until I at least get this book into a finished state and I've shared it with a few people. Then I'll see how I feel.

Yes Bigly, I didn't start writing my book thinking it would ever turn into a novel or anything worth publishing but it has taken shape over time and as you say, I'm going to finish editing it and then see what happens from there. I feel enormous satisfaction from having written it because it has been cathartic in relation to my own personal circumstances and could be of benefit to others too, plus there is a historical element to it and it has been a fascinating project.
Does anyone belong to a writing critique type of group? Unfortunately, the small group I belong to seems to be more of mutual appreciation group and I am a little suspicious that I am not getting much negative feedback...whereas I feel I have made more of an input into critiquing others...some of it has gone right over one persons head...fair enough I suppose but what the group is doing is motivating me to try and complete my next chapter in time for the next meet up, so it does have some worth.

I would love feedback when I start on my proper project. I tell you what I have found interesting as a current fanfic writer, fanfiction.net gives you great stats so you can see how many people not only clicked on your story but how many chose to read each chapter. I find the drop off rates interesting, how many bothered to make it through to the end?

Maybe we should start our own mumsnet reading and feedback group?

I'm interested in a group but I think I would prefer face to face. Good to see one person's feedback on theirs. Does anyone else have experience of a writing group?

I wonder if people are more likely to give honest, critical feedback if it is not face to face. I would find it much harder to be critical of someone I have a coffee with every week and is sitting opposite me looking expectant. I sort of like the idea of having feedback from someone who doesn't know me and will be more likely read it on its own merits.

Well, on that note I have just signed up to Scribophile and am mooching about getting a feel for how it works. Might have a go at doing some critiques and see how it goes.

I'd be interested in a reading and feedback group

Bigly, you are conflating writer and writing and criticism with negativity. I know it feels very personal now but the more you do it the more it will feel like an analytical process on a piece of work

No experience with writing groups but in other groups I've noticed confidence can be a huge issue that can hamper critique. It usually improves when confidence levels rise. You might get more out of them by guiding them a bit.

I know you are right Queen! I just need to get on with it and stop being such a woose.

It's silly really as my Alston job involves a lot of group work and criticism. I spent more time supporting my team on how to give and take constructive feedback than I did helping them with anything else. I shave no issues with people seeing and talking about my professional work, but when it comes to my writing I get the fear. I think I need to stop thinking about it as this secret thing I do for myself and try and consider it a professional piece of writing with the same detachment. I need to put my work head on.

I have done my first critique of someone's work on Scribophile and it was actually kinda fun, once I stopped worrying about it. I think I'll do a few more and then try popping up my first chapter to see what I get back.

do it!

How did "old" end up getting changed to Alston? Auto correct is a mystery to me sometimes!

I explain to my reviewers mates that I am a bit of a hoarder and need permission sometimes to get rid of words/sentences/paragraphs/sub plots/characters etc.

Otherwise they are just too damn polite!

Oh great! Now I'm addicted to reading peoples random draft fiction and critiquing it. Another thing to distract me from my revision

does anyone here pay for editing?

Oh PLEASE pay for editing, people. There are so many 'writers' who self-publish and come of them even have something to say, but they either don't pay for editing or they 'edit' each other's books and therefore reinforce each other's errors...

I don't think I would dare self publish without paying for good editing. It's a lot of money though if you are a poor and starving student.

I just put my first chapter up on scribophile for critique. I think I need a lie down!

I am using the name Jay Roberts (not my real name) on there if anyone else uses it and wants to hang out or read my chapter.

Let us know, how if goes (the critiquing) BiglyBadgers. I have decided to get my book finished, using the group to motivate me to complete chapters and then send if off for some serious critiquing later. We are all novice writers in the group, who seem to write in very different genres (though of course we seem able to appreciate each others work)...I think this is where it might be useful to have someone else's opinion who has managed to publish etc. through an agent. but I can't see the small group I'm part of managing to attract anyone like this - we are all first-timers. Who is doing the critiquing on scribophile?

always happy to read and critique, as someone who reads widely (when I ever get the time)

Sorry, Bigly...let us know how 'it' goes, obviously.

Just joined scribophile and read the start of Bigly's chapter... it's really good! Sorry, crap critique, but I like your style.