Library Lady 📚 ’s Comments (group member since May 17, 2014)

Library Lady 📚 ’s comments from the Net Work Book Club group.

While I understand your pain, I do think that only writing for a year is, well, not very long. I thought my first book was amazing for several years, but when I read it now, I cringe. I'm glad I never published it. My advice is to keep writing. Read books about writing. You will get better.

And while "you need to write better" is not helpful advice for a critique to give, you could ask for specifics. I beta read for authors, and sometimes, yes, they need to 'write better.' If you respond defensively, they will probably not help you. Maybe they were having a bad day. Maybe they were rushed. If you show you are willing to work to correct things that need work, they might slow down and give you some really great advice!

-->one of my favorites

The Plot Thickens, mentioned above, is also great.

It also sounds like you got some good advice. Go back and cut some of your descriptions. For plot issues: Do you have a central conflict/can you say in one sentence what your book is about?
Does your MC have a goal? Does she/he pursue it throughout or meander to other goals?
Can you write a compelling query letter? Even if you are not seeking an agent, a query letter and back cover copy are basically the same. There are tons of online resources telling you how to write one. They are hard. But if you can write one, you probably have a plot. There are many critique groups on Goodreads and other sites where you can post a query for critique and get good advice.