McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Building vs. growing your story
The Deposed King:
--- Quote from: slrogers on July 12, 2013, 05:28:31 PM ---Fortunately my first book doesn't suck, well maybe the first draft did, but it's still not the amazing masterpiece that maybe it could be.
It's cool hearing how things come together for you, and how you work with your brother and others to build your stories. So don't worry about "rambling", at least for my part; I enjoy it.
It's hard figuring out what works for me and what new talents I need to develop. I think the biggest trouble I have is that the story has always been amazingly awesome in my own head, but it's hard to understand what "story" other's read and how and why those stories are different and what things are good about it and what things I need to change in how I write.
Also, and somewhat related, I play chess. And one of the things I've learned from chess is that sometimes practice is only reinforcing bad habits, and bad behavior and no real progress is made. I'm worried that this is probably true with writing as well. Since there are some prolific published authors that still have some of the same bad habits in later books that sometimes just come to characterize their writing. But I'm certain that there must be ways to practice, study, and learn so that I'm actually getting better.
Thanks for your feedback.
--- End quote ---
I'm glad if anything I do here can help writers. That's the reason I'm here. I want to help encourage and support and hope at the same time that I can benefit as well.
My main complaint here is actually how limited this forum is. Regardless this place has a large community of aspiring and a few actual authors.
Anyway another piece of advice or information or whatever you want to call it 'rambling' perhaps ;) This one regarding beta readers.
There are essentially two types of beta readers.
-copy edit/grammar nazis
-storyline/plot/character helpers
Now the first the grammar guys/gals are the ones you need to help you make your book readable enough that others will buy your book.
The Second are the ones that make sure that once they start your book they are actually interested enough to go past the 10% free read section on their kindle.
You have to have both of these types of people to help you with your writing. Edith Maor over at baen's bar is a prime example of the first. Spots those commas, improperly captialized words, will go through your chapters and red pen with suggestions. Almost no feedback on how good your story is or what sucks or what could be improved. Getting those kind of comments out of here is almost like pulling teeth. She went through 67 chapters of my fantasy book over at the bar and I got 'maybe' a dozen good story/plot comments.
Panesgray on the other hand is almost the exact opposite. I mean not exactly because he did a lot more catches with egregious grammer/sentace structure Fails etc. But when it came to story/plot/or-characters he had an opinion early and often. With not only identifying problems but good or great suggestions on what and how to improve. About 80-90% where pretty much bang on.
Whereas Edith makes you book more readable, PG makes your books more believable and fun.
You've got to have both kinds of helpers to one degree or another.
The Deposed King
Wordmaker:
I'm also a bit of both when it comes to my work. When starting something new, I typically dive in and write what comes to me, coming up with ideas for scenes and characters going to and from work. Then about at the midway point I start planning how to tie everything together for the end.
That said, with my third book, I've almost completely planned the story in advance, because I don't want to forget any loose ends.
slrogers:
--- Quote from: Wordmaker on July 13, 2013, 08:52:50 AM ---I'm also a bit of both when it comes to my work. When starting something new, I typically dive in and write what comes to me, coming up with ideas for scenes and characters going to and from work. Then about at the midway point I start planning how to tie everything together for the end.
That said, with my third book, I've almost completely planned the story in advance, because I don't want to forget any loose ends.
--- End quote ---
Do you also use beta readers, or is that harder to do with a publisher? Or perhaps having a one good editor has its bennifits over a swarm of helpful betas. (Though the expense to an indi feels a bit prohibitive -- especially if you need one for story and another for grammar.)
slrogers:
Oops, sorry. There's another whole thread on that. I should have gone there first.
Thanks.
Wordmaker:
Actually I have critique partners who help with every stage, betas who read the first draft, and my editor who helps me once I'm on contract for the book.
No matter how good your betas, I would always recommend having a professional editor. It's expensive if you self-publish, yes, but it's worth the investment.
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