Struggling Writers discussion
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Questions/Comments/Concerns
has anyone tried to sell your books on ebay as an electronic download?
Kathryn wrote: "has anyone tried to sell your books on ebay as an electronic download?"Hi Kathryn,
Try heading over to this folder and making a topic requesting advice on electronic books and such here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...
That folder is just a better place to place your question so that it gets the most attention possible. :)
Good luck!
xx
Jessica
Struggling Writers Moderator
Terry wrote: "I constantly get stuck after the first couple chapters of a book because i get lost with where i want the book to go, but i always know the ending i want and what events i want to happen. Is it a g..."Setting a word count minimum (I just hit my 70k mark today for my first novel, actually) worked for me. I only hit about 58k after my first draft, but revisions have boosted me up another 12k.
I think just getting through a full book (even if you don't like it so much as you're doing it) is important. I've read how even good writers lose that creative spark during most of their books. That's when you can put it away for a while or write a short story and come back.
Aj wrote: "Terry wrote: "I constantly get stuck after the first couple chapters of a book because i get lost with where i want the book to go, but i always know the ending i want and what events i want to hap..."Hi Aj! Why don't you check out the Writer's Corner and associated folders? You will have a better chance at an actual discussion on this :)
How do you sell on Goodreads?How do you upload a kindle file (mobi) as free on the ebook for downloading?
Kathryn wrote: "How do you sell on Goodreads?How do you upload a kindle file (mobi) as free on the ebook for downloading?"
Hi Kathryn, you will have better luck taking a look at our writing folders and making a thread there.
Irene wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "How do you sell on Goodreads?How do you upload a kindle file (mobi) as free on the ebook for downloading?"
Hi Kathryn, you will have better luck taking a look at our writing folde..."
Thanks, not very good at electronic things.
Just a friendly reminder, this is the place to go if you have any technical concerns (ie, bugs within the group, thread glitches)! For writing questions, book related topics, ect, feel free to make a thread in an appropriate folder. :)
Prices for KindleI recently lowered the prices for some of my Kindle books to 0.99 - Amazon as of this date still has the old prices -
I notice that Amazon often lists prices for my books that are higher than the ones I set -
Does the writer for Indie books set the prices ?
jeromevbrooke@yahoo.com
Jerome wrote: "Prices for KindleI recently lowered the prices for some of my Kindle books to 0.99 - Amazon as of this date still has the old prices -
I notice that Amazon often lists prices for my books that a..."
Jerome, you will have better chance with this question over in the discussion areas :)
Hello! I had a few questions regarding sharing stories. I saw the writer's folders alphabetized, and nearly everyone has a link to another page where their work is. Is that something I need to set up in my home page? I'm not in the author program, so I'm not sure what the standard is regarding those links! Also, I read I need permission by a moderator for opening a folder, what's the best way to contact a moderator for this?
What type of folder are you wanting to open, Sean? Also, to set up another page, go to your home screen. (Note that this is a different page than your profile page. The home screen is where you're taken right after logging in.) Scroll down the page. On the right side there will be a section headed with your name and something else, I can't quite remember but it's either how many friends you have or how many books you've read. Anyways, there will be two columns of links. They will say things like "groups" "friends" "quotes" etc. Click in the one that says "My Writing" and you'll be taken to a page where you can add your writing. You can then create a link to that page by copying the url of the "My Writing" page into a post in the group.
I hope this helped, post here with any more questions! :)
Thank you Tara, that did help! I have a few more questions, is there a limit to word count on the writings that are shared? I'd planned to post one of my stories, but at 5600 words it's far longer than any of the entries I've seen. Is just an excerpt more encouraged? Or is the whole thing ok to post?
Sean wrote: "Thank you Tara, that did help! I have a few more questions, is there a limit to word count on the writings that are shared? I'd planned to post one of my stories, but at 5600 words it's far longer ..."I'm going to jump in here on this one, if you don't mind. As for posting in the "My writing" section that Tara directed you to there should be no word limit overall, though you may run into issues posting more than a few thousand per chapter. This area is for you to post whatever writing that you want to share. It is convenient for longer works since you can set up chapters and such (also it is a lot easier for others to read as opposed to posting your 5600 word work on a thread).
Now, if you are going to post here in the group (in the workshop threads, or over in the alphabetized folders of member writings on your own thread) you want to read the guidelines. For example, in the critique workshop you can't post links and shorter sections are normally better (exploring these folders and the guidelines would be a good idea to help you understand what I mean).
Hope this helped!
Thanks for stepping in, Irene. I've been at school all day.
♪ Tara ♪ wrote: "Thanks for stepping in, Irene. I've been at school all day."No problem! I just happened to be online while I was waiting for my next class :)
Hello, I've been given a task in my creative writing class at college that we have to create a piece of writing using urban slang preferably from around London. I'm really struggling as I don't speak slang. Anyone help?!?!?!?!
Kelly wrote: "Hello, I've been given a task in my creative writing class at college that we have to create a piece of writing using urban slang preferably from around London. I'm really struggling as I don't spe..."Hi Kelly,
Why don't you try making a thread in this folder to inquire a little more help? You'll get a lot more responses that way. :)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
xx,
Jessica
Struggling Writers Moderator
Jessica wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Hello, I've been given a task in my creative writing class at college that we have to create a piece of writing using urban slang preferably from around London. I'm really struggling ..."Okayy, thank you Jessica xx
I joined this group today because I have searched high and low for a serious writers group that can help me move from draft to published. I need connections with people who are open, honest and constructive in their feedback. Just wondering if this group actually meets up at all?
Alenta wrote: "I joined this group today because I have searched high and low for a serious writers group that can help me move from draft to published. I need connections with people who are open, honest and con..."Hi Alenta,
We don't have in-person meetups (because we're scattered so far and wide!), and I believe that occasionally there are a few internet-based meetups, but not many. But I can assure you that everybody in this group (and your five moderators, myself included) are active in here as much as possible and we are always giving honest and constructive feedback. This group is also chock full of published writers who are always more than happy to share their tips and tricks and expertise (once again, myself included--this group helped me publish my novel in September of 2013).
So if you're looking for honest and constructive feedback on your work, I suggest posting a thread in this folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Let me know if you need anything else!
xx,
Jessica
Struggling Writers Moderator
Hi all!I have a question/suggestion: Is there a folder set up to connect with other writers of a specific genre? From what I've seen, the general threads right now are pretty broad. That definitely works for the majority of discussions about writing, but each genre has its own quirks.
I'd love to see something like a "Connect with other writers of your genre" Folder, with threads inside for horror, romance, fantasy, YA, nonfiction, etc. I think it could be a great way to meet up and chat with other authors of your genre in order to discuss specifics about your chosen genre.
Just a thought.
Rachel ~ SnapDragoness wrote: "Hi all!I have a question/suggestion: Is there a folder set up to connect with other writers of a specific genre? From what I've seen, the general threads right now are pretty broad. That definite..."
Hi Rachel,
That's an awesome suggestion! One of our fellow Mods, Tara, has already brought up the subject and the rest of us Moderators will see what we can do. :)
See you around!
xx,
Jessica
Struggling Writers Moderator
Hey there! Sorry to bother, but I have a question. I've just checked January's writing contest and although it says in the title of the topic 'short story', in the body of the topic it says poetry, so I'm just wondering whether it's open for both poetry and short-story, or only one type? Thanks anyway, and sorry if I missed it!ETA: Oh, also, I was wondering if it was okay to paste directly the first chapter to a WIP here or if it's better to post it somewhere and direct people to the link in the topic instead?
ETA2: I'm sorry for so many questions!
The contest is supposed to be a short story contest. We re-use the rule in contests from month to month, and I guess since last month's was a poem, that little edit slipped our eye. As for your work in progress, you can create a post in the "Your Writing" section and copy and paste the story or post links. There are some topics where we review work, and there are different guidelines for each one. Some require links, others actually prohibit them. :)
And it's perfectly fine. :)
Jessica wrote: "One of our fellow Mods, Tara, has already brought up the subject and the rest of us Moderators will see what we can do. :) ..."Looking forward to it!
I have thrivations. Where can I intellect?
S.A. wrote: "I have thrivations. Where can I intellect?"Hello S.A! I am not familiar with the term, "thrivations", would you please explain so I can assist you appropriately?
G wrote: "Hey there! Sorry to bother, but I have a question. I've just checked January's writing contest and although it says in the title of the topic 'short story', in the body of the topic it says poetry,..."Sorry about the contest mistake! I think I fixed it :)
I would like to post the opening scenes of my romance novel set in England in the 1830's for feedback and critique. Where should I put it?I looked at the entries in Romance but they were all contemporary, and I looked at the entries in Historical, but none of them seemed to be romances. Am I nether fish nor fowl, here? Should I just use the Authors A-G section since it's not clearly one or the other?
Chelsea wrote: "I would like to post the opening scenes of my romance novel set in England in the 1830's for feedback and critique. Where should I put it?I looked at the entries in Romance but they were all cont..."
Posting in the Romance is perfectly fine, maybe you will spark some new ideas with your "non-contemporariness"! We don't put a restriction on what type of the ___ is (in this case romance). If it is more than PG-13 though, we request you head over to the 18+ area.
I am looking for some people to review my latest book. What topic should I put that under?
You should make a thread in the Promotions/Giveaway folder and explicitly state that you are looking for reviewers.
Why do I keep fooling myself that I'm a writer?
John wrote: "Why do I keep fooling myself that I'm a writer?"If you keep starting work on a project yet can't seem to finish, it's not about fooling yourself that you're a writer but a matter of finding your voice.
Some find their voice early while others have to wait. I had to walk a few less-traveled roads so I understand where you're coming from.
John wrote: "Why do I keep fooling myself that I'm a writer?"Don't say that, John! You're a writer. You may be a struggling writer, but you're a writer nonetheless.
You can ask this question again and get much more feedback from other writers if you create a thread in this folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
xx,
Jessica
Struggling Writers Moderator
message 39:
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♕ ❤ ♕ Princess pink diamonds posh bird LINZY.x.♕ ❤ ♕
(last edited Feb 28, 2014 03:24AM)
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John wrote: "Why do I keep fooling myself that I'm a writer?"You are John,you're struggling but you'll get there.When I started my book I thought I'd taken too much on.I'm now working on my 17th chapter.I accept good and bad comments,luckily they've been mostly good which I'm happy about.
I had a space of 3 or 4 weeks this year where I came to a halt,although I knew what to write I couldn't get back to it.
I wrote a couple of words again and before I knew it I was in full flow.
I never thought I'd write poetry either.
If you really want to write just have determination and tell yourself that you can do it and you won't give up!
I want to post something in the critique folder but there's not a topic that suits my genre. It's a translation of a bunch of arias from an opera. What should I do?
Emma wrote: "I want to post something in the critique folder but there's not a topic that suits my genre. It's a translation of a bunch of arias from an opera. What should I do?"Let me inquire with the other Mods about this and we will get back to you :)
I've stuck on the same projects since leaving university.John wrote: "Why do I keep fooling myself that I'm a writer?"
Jessica wrote: "John wrote: "Why do I keep fooling myself that I'm a writer?"
Don't say that, John! You're a writer. You may be a struggling writer, but you're a writer nonetheless.
You can ask this question ag..."
Where's the best place to post questions about ongoing projects that you're struggling with?
John wrote: "Where's the best place to post questions about ongoing projects that you're struggling with?"If it is a writing piece that you are struggling with, check out the "Stuck On Your Writing?" Folder!
Cheers. Didn't see that folder when I was looking.Irene wrote: "John wrote: "Where's the best place to post questions about ongoing projects that you're struggling with?"
If it is a writing piece that you are struggling with, check out the "Stuck On Your Writi..."
John wrote: "Cheers. Didn't see that folder when I was looking.Irene wrote: "John wrote: "Where's the best place to post questions about ongoing projects that you're struggling with?"
If it is a writing piec..."
Thanks for asking where to post! I am not sure if you found it due to the phrasing of your post so just in case, here is the link to the folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Emma wrote: "Ok, thanks :)"Hey Emma! Sorry it took so long, but we decided to add a thread to the folder, you can post your work here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Holly wrote: "I'd like to do group reads!!"Hi Holly! Glad you know some of you are interested, we have actually put the group reads on hold for a bit due to lack of participation; however, I will let the other Mods know :)
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
*This previous topic was deleted and redone because of several null users and clutter.
*PLEASE NOTE:* These are questions regarding glitches, bugs, FAQ's, or any general questions you need help for. If you have questions about writing, books, advice, etc., please make a thread for that and/or post in the appropriate thread or folder.
*Also, if you have a serious, pressing question that you wish to discuss privately, don't hesitate to individually message one of your Struggling Writers Moderators.