Beta Reader Group discussion
Writing Advice & Discussion
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Questions and some more questions
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That's really a deep and very difficult question and I guess you can't answer it on your own. It's only logical that every author likes their own texts: But does that mean that others will like it? I think you need to get as many honest reactions from others to jugde wether you're a "good" writer or not. If nobody likes your writing stick to your diary, if everybody is thrilled that means something, go on and try to improve.A good book needs both: good writing style and a good story. Unfortunately not all "good" writers will become famous, and not all famous authors are "good". Besides talent, a good book, a lot of promotion you also need luck to become famous.
Of course without born talent it will be impossible to become a good writer regarding style and imagination. You might improve and produce something readable. As we all know there are uncountable average books on the market.
But there are some authors who "have it" and normally I recognise them after only the first few pages.
I'm aware that this is no answer to your question. Being a good author is certainly a mixture of both, talent and hard work, but I can't tell you at what point you'll know that you are good. Hopefully there are some good writers who can tell you how and when they knew.
I've seen really good writers, with awards and many published books, who still wonder if anyone will find out they aren't any good. I suppose I'll never stop wondering that myself. For some of us, it's just always going to be that way.
A great story. Everything else comes second.
We all look for validation in some way or another. Write your book and send it out to people who will beta read for you. I've had some amazing feedback on my own novel and I'm continuing to revise according to that very solid advice. Get it out there and see what happens. I'm not a beta reader, but I would love to read your opening chapter.
And remember, all of us have felt the same way at one time or another.
Randall wrote: "We all look for validation in some way or another. Write your book and send it out to people who will beta read for you. I've had some amazing feedback on my own novel and I'm continuing to revise ..."Thank you for your reply! I'm trying to gather all the advice I can.
Lately, I've been more into short stories, so I don't have anything REALLY up to date that's a chapter. But if you are still interested, I could send you a copy of first chapter of the NaNoWrimo I did last year. Or a short story. Or neither haha. :)
Thanks for the reassurance! ^_^
Why don't you send me one story and the first chapter.my email is:
rdavis060@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing what you wrote.
Randall wrote: "Why don't you send me one story and the first chapter.my email is:
rdavis060@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing what you wrote."
"Okay! I sent it!
Thank you so much (again) for taking the time to do this!
You're a really nice person. :)
Be safe and happy!
Madison wrote: "I was just curious, at what point do you know if you're a "good" writer?"When you have enough people that enjoy your writing enough to give you money to quit your job.
The thing is being a "good" writer isn't just about writing it's also about finding an audience and delivering to it.
You get good at it the same way you get good at anything, by doing it a lot and learning from the mistakes you make along the way.
edit: I guess I'm talking about being a good author not technically a good writer.
This is kind of a serious, deep question, but I thought I'd ask it anyway. I'm not so sure there's really an actual answer either.
I was just curious, at what point do you know if you're a "good" writer?
Obviously it's all very subjective and is a matter of opinion, but there is obviously something to it or authors wouldn't become famous.
You also become a better writer with time and practice, and I know writer's with natural "talent" that are not as good as others who work harder.
But, as I'm sure you've all encountered, if you care about writing you have to wonder if you have what it takes.
This isn't a thread for validation on my part, more of a simple(or not so simple) question.
Do you think that there's a lot of talent that just goes undiscovered? Or do you think there's some sort of secret to being an author? Is it born talent, hard work, or a mixture of both.
And if you don't have it, can you gain it?
Let me know what you guys think!
This concludes another session of deep thoughts past midnight with the night owl Maddie.