Excited to be here and maybe, just maybe, finish a draft

[hotdogwater]

Hello!

I’m a newer writer. Although I’ve started countless novels, none of them have really made it past the first act. Publishing at least one book has been a lifelong dream of mine, and for the past year, I’ve been stewing in a world that even I want to know what happens next.

This time around, I took a different approach. After a lot of thinking aloud and ping-pong brainstorming, I (mostly) crafted a world and loosely planned my story arc. I even have some devastating twists lined up for both my character and the major plotline.

My biggest struggle isn't coming up with ideas, it’s taking my writing from average to next level. I’ve taken a couple of creative writing classes, but I haven’t yet gotten the deep, constructive feedback I’m looking for.

I want to understand how to elevate my writing: why certain sentences should be removed, how to improve my dialogue, and how to avoid getting carried away with description (even though it’s so much fun to write).

I’m also excited to read and critique other writers' work. I believe evaluating other stories will help me recognize the strengths and weaknesses in my own while also providing feedback to others that are searching for the same thing as me!

Looking forward to learning with all of you!

 

[Rexenm]

I’m much like you, I dabble in the art. There is a fine line to draw between thinking and just writing. I want to follow the rules, of grammar and story form, but I don’t know where to go off my own back.

It is good that you take such a logical approach. There are a few published authors here, and whilst most don’t show their work, it is easy to read between the lines.

There is a great gap in the market, for those who want to turn over a new leaf, but, alas, that is the truth…

 

[pmmg]

Howdy HotDog, Welcome here.

See the rules in my siggy. Finish it is rule two. If all you ever do is start, you never get experience in how to finish. You need that too.

All of us have ideas, its getting it written that makes all the difference.

If you post up samples of you stuff, you will get some feedback of the type you want.

If you want the fastest path to improvement....see rule 5: review the crap out of other peoples stuff. Nothing works better than that.

Goldie's Rules

 

[Karlin]

Howdy HotDog, Welcome here.

See the rules in my siggy. Finish it is rule two. If all you ever do is start, you never get experience in how to finish. You need that too.

All of us have ideas, its getting it written that makes all the difference.

If you post up samples of you stuff, you will get some feedback of the type you want.

If you want the fastest path to improvement....see rule 5: review the crap out of other peoples stuff. Nothing works better than that.

Goldie's Rules

I like "you can't edit what isn't written".
I'm feeling good about my current WIP, hope to finish a draft in the next couple of months. And I know it is going to take several rounds of editing to get it into shape. First- myself. Then, family. And I will probably pay someone professional to go over it afterwards. If I manage to get an agent and publisher, I'll be in for more editing.

Having managed to publish one book, I feel more confident, but who knows?