Tomas’s Comments (group member since May 15, 2018)

Tomas’s comments from the Support for Indie Authors group.

A few days/weeks ago, I had this idea crossing my mind and thought I might ask for your opinion.

It's quite common (and has its good reasons) that writers ask the readers for writing a review in the back matter of the book. As I am still more a reader than a writer (at least on the outside), I thought that from a reader's PoV, maybe authors are doing it wrong?
Now, don't get me wrong: reviews help authors and all that's usually said by an author on that matter makes perfect sense. But, will a reader see it the same way as a writer does? What does a reader want the most (to read good books, ofc) and how does writing a review help them?

What if we said that writing the review helps other readers as well as the authors? After all, as a reader, who do I write the review for? The author? Nope, the author will probably read it once and that's it. I write it for the other readers, to help them see whether or not they might like the book.

So, what if we pointed that out? What if we said something like "writing a review will help fellow readers find a book they might like"? Something that'll be closer to the average reader that has no clue at all about writing and all it takes?
Now, I don't expect such a small change would suddenly make everyone write a review for everything they read, but it might work on some. More like in the scope of single percents. But then, if some saw that point... 3% or 5% of readers writing a review is a difference, right?

It's probably nothing but a shower thought but I wanted to share it and see if anyone else had this idea, or thought about it. I'll definitely try it when I am close to publishing my debut but that's still months away so I thought I might try at least talking about it now.

Thanks for the answers. If you'll still be doing this when the time comes, I would be up for it when I'm ready to set up pre-orders at the earliest. Exact timing is almost impossible for me to say now, probably not sooner than late summer or early fall 2019.

For your own good, don't post your e-mail address here. Do it through personal messages. You never know when some bot comes across it and decides to put your spam filter to a test.

I have a few questions that might be helpful for anyone who might be interested, not just for me:
- are you focused on authors of a specific genre?
- is it focused on those already published or at/beyond some stage of development (such as having at least a beta version, or being just weeks of publishing, I hope you understand what I mean), or can it be someone in an earlier stage of the process?
- anything else you'd like the author to know beforehand (asking for book cover image and/or the author's photo, etc.)

Anyway, good luck with your effort. If your answer to my first two questions doesn't disqualify me, I'll consider it (though I don't feel ready for it yet so probably not sooner than the second half of 2019).

Dwayne wrote: "@Tomas - Now that you have a better idea what the story is about, what do you think of the name?"

Seeing
Dwayne wrote: "The boy is the protagonist. Kind of the reluctant, anti-hero type."
I'd say it's a good fit. Especially as your responses to others mention him as ninja-like.
Also, I am not sure that getting too precise on the age group would work well. "Teen of shadows" or "Young man of shadows" don't have the same ring to it. "Man of Shadows" feels more generic to me, for some reason.

As for #1, my biggest challenge is self-doubt. I often feel like I have no idea what I am doing. I never studied anything related to writing so I am learning on the go (and I am glad for all the tips people around here are willing to share), which makes me even more vulnerable to doubts.

As for what I'd like to achieve... well, people liking my story would be nice. I write as a hobby which alone brings me joy but the best feeling would be to know that there are people who enjoy reading what I write. Considering how many books exist, I'd take the top 1000 in my genre as a success. Hell, I'd probably take selling 1000 copies as a success...

Lydia wrote: "Just based off the title I would think it could be an adventure fantasy or in general literary fiction. I don't think mystery, but perhaps that's because I read less of mystery. The title is so flexible it could expand across multiple genres and I could easily see it doing that (fantasy, mystery, horror)."

I agree with the flexibility. Also, I don't think I've ever tried to guess what a book might be about just by name - I use the blurb more when it comes to that.

Hence, without a blurb (or any other hint about the story), I find myself unable to comment on the name.

Ian wrote: "I am coming in for the first time, and I rather feel it need surgery. Sorry, but you did ask."

I did ask because I'd like to improve it and well-meant advice is welcome, even if it might be harsh. I'll consider it when I'll be writing the next draft.
I think the first part can be fixed by rewriting the sentence (moving the "unmatched expertise" so it's clear it's meant to be about the ED). The others, I'll think about what you said and see what I can come up with. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

AmarS wrote: "no sale dont know why"
Please mind the "no link" and "no self-promotion" rules. I deleted the two posts with links. Plus, this is not the correct topic for discussing (lack of) sales unless it's directly related to giveaways (which your post does not seem to say).

Valerie, Thanks for offering your opinion even outside of your main genre. The fact you're intrigued and that you see improvement is a hint I'm taking it in the right direction and that I'm learning something. Well, I hope so.

Thanks, L.K.! As for underestimated, I've considered "(almost) forgotten" or "resurgent" but neither of those tells what I'd like to tell. While "almost forgotten" is true as well, it's the poor grasp of their potential that might cause the most trouble - hence underestimated.

Sorry for taking my time to reply. I've thought about what you both said but wanted to take a while to see if anyone else will add their insight. I've taken another shot, bringing it down from ~180 words to ~110-ish.
Version 4:
---
For generations, the blessed warriors and magi of the Order of Eternal Defenders had fought to defend their lands from the endless hordes of demons with unmatched expertise.

The legendary warrior Kraasian Darkwood lost friends and family to the demons. When Tyr'eshal, his twenty-year-old son, accepts the offer to wield an almost forgotten power, Kraasian realizes there might never be a better chance.

The resurgence of an underestimated foe with their eyes set on Tyr'eshal and the challenges of waging a war with merely a dozen Eternal Defenders will test Kraasian and his hope. More so when the cost of victory might be higher than he anticipated.
---
I hope the newest version cut the parts that seemed like a history lesson (much of it is told right at the first page of the prologue) and the repeated words. I'm still open to feedback and thankful for it, even if I don't respond right away. I'm reading it and listening.

Lynn wrote: "Anyone who takes on this writing life is brave and courageous! But it is SO worth it"

I still often think it's foolhardy but I have fun doing it so why not?

Leah wrote: "my mind doesn't exactly work that way. It often chooses when it's in writing mode and hates scheduled sessions"

I'm that kind as well. Maybe record your ideas (I believe you can talk to your phone to record it, for lack of better words) so you don't lose them and then work on them when you have the time? Just make sure the ideas you get when you can't write aren't lost and that you have something to go on when you have the time.

Also, to Dwayne: the line between research and looking up useless trivia is very thin. It's hard to say whether I needed to look up all felines for my purpose, or if the most likely would be enough. It's just as hard to guess if it was still a part of research looking up some of the creatures that comprise their diet. When I started to wonder whether or not their skin could be worth something, that felt a bit off-topic considering that fact would not be anything more than a side note.

Also, as I mentioned the time, something from my notes:
First draft of book one: 308 hrs (235k words, current draft down to 185k)
First draft of book two: 192 hrs (233k words) - which means the second book took me some 62% of the time despite the (almost) same length. Learning curve? I hope so.
First draft of book three: 113 hrs (176k words). Harder to compare as it's shorter but it's 75% length but ~60% of the time compared to #2 and ~37% compared to #1. Seems that beginnings really are hard and slow, though I still feel almost as clueless as I was when I began. At least I am clueless faster. *giggle*

One of the theories (that I am inclined to believe) is that people appreciate free stuff less than paid stuff. It was free so there's no loss if it gathers virtual dust for months. Personally, I find myself more likely to use countdown deals around 50% rather than free runs when my book is done and out. That way, I should avoid hoarders who eventually won't even read it and the fact the readers had to spend something might nudge some of them to share why they (dis)liked it.

Yes, the number is potentially misleading. I usually close the file if I know I'll be away from it for longer than refilling my tea or a toilet break. Not to mention the moments I've blankly stared at the monitor with no words coming to me. And, when editing, I usually take five-minute breaks after every chapter or two.

I won't lie, I had several sessions when the clock was ticking and I was doing something else - like the time I checked Wikipedia for almost all large felines and their habitats to choose the proper base for the "custom feline" for my story.

On the other hand, if there was a way to track the amount of time I've spent thinking about it, that would probably be a few thousand.

I've reached a very metal milestone: 666 hours of writing and editing done* on my current WIP.
Hell yeah!

* that's what MS Word says in file properties.

To J.M.: I wasn't around when you posted (and wasn't the one who deleted it either) - and I have no tools to see deleted posts, so I'll speculate.
I've looked up your profile and see that you've posted exactly the same post into several groups. With all respect, that alone is spammy. If it was that exact same post you've posted here, it can be seen as advertising, even though it contains no link. And even if it does not promote your books, it's still promoting something that seems to be connected to you.

This group was made for people to share advice and experience in a friendly manner, to discuss the process behind creating a book, not to serve as a place where you promote stuff - there are other groups for that.

Someone who's mod longer will probably be able to tell you more but that's what I know.