World, Writing, Wealth discussion
IMPORTANT: Info & Member Intros
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Introductions: A few words about yourself, please
Hi Jason, welcome and congrats on winning the award!Numbers are important, especially those at the bank account, so the numerical literacy is of essence. Electricity and global economy (in your other book) are also frequently discussed here.
Hope you'll enjoy and contribute from your knowledge and experience
Nik wrote: "Hi Jason, welcome and congrats on winning the award!Numbers are important, especially those at the bank account, so the numerical literacy is of essence. Electricity and global economy (in your o..."
Thank you! I plan to...
Jason wrote: "Thanks for the opportunity, organizers :)Hi - Jason Makansi here. Since the group description starts with "current events" and my book, Painting by Numbers: How to Sharpen Your BS Detector and Sm..."
Hey there! I just grabbed a copy of your book so I can continue to work on KEEPING MY EYES OPEN! Thanks, Jen from Quebec :0)
Welcome, Jason and Paul.If you haven't already, you might want to check out our group FAQ:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hi, I'm new to the group so hello to everyone. As a self-published women's fiction author, I'm struggling with the angst that comes from questioning my writing to receiving lackluster reviews (Three stars!!! WFT!!!) Be patient with me as I get familiar with the group's rhythm. Blessed be, Tinthia
Tinthia wrote: "Hi, I'm new to the group so hello to everyone. As a self-published women's fiction author, I'm struggling with the angst that comes from questioning my writing to receiving lackluster reviews (Thre..."Welcome Tinthia!!
Tinthia wrote: "Hi, I'm new to the group so hello to everyone. As a self-published women's fiction author, I'm struggling with the angst that comes from questioning my writing to receiving lackluster reviews (Thre..."Hi Tinthia and welcome!
Angst and writing (or any art for that matter) seem inseparable, but if there are also those brief moments of joy pertaining to it, then all is good probably -:)
Don't want to sound ignorant, but would be actually interested to know a little more what exactly women's fiction stands for.
Hope you'll enjoy and contribute
Hi Tinthia. I'm with Nik on that question
Hi Tinthia, welcome!And all writers question their work. And we'll all experience high and low reviews. I think the thing is to not agonise too much over them. Clearly, if enough reviewers are saying the same thing, then we need to listen to them.
I will be forever grateful to a Netgalley reviewer who gave my second book a thumbs down on his ARC. My publisher and I chatted, identified the issues, and agreed that he had at least one point, I rewrote the first chapter (which was the issue) and ended up with a better book. Let me link the review for you :)
I might add that the reviewer still didn't like the book, but lots of others did, so I'm good with that.
http://ianwoodnovellum.blogspot.com.a...
Leonie, yes that sort of insight from an outsider is invaluable. He obviously didn't get your genre - which wouldn't be my blag either - but he did try to be honest without being too destructive. I would review the reviewer though; the correction should have read, 'Given us time to clean up and to eat.' In a post about writing-groups here, I did mention how a scathing reception for a book of mine at a reading-group needed analysing and then became something positive. It is of no use dismissing a bad review without trying to understand reasons for it and taking the specifics of it onboard
Nik wrote: "Tinthia wrote: "Hi, I'm new to the group so hello to everyone. As a self-published women's fiction author, I'm struggling with the angst that comes from questioning my writing to receiving lacklust..."And @ PK too.
Women's fiction is a catch-all for books that purport to focus on women and major events in their lives, invariably emotional or relationship/family-based and/or work/careers, leading to a sense of inner strength and development. Etc. A posher version of chick lit perhaps?
I'm not a fan of genre labelling at the best of times, and I think this should fall under contemp or lit fiction. But I don't set the rules. There are some good books in this category, but equally, Danielle Steele could fall into it, and her books are just long drawn out romances.
I think it's silly to label books for women or for men, eg Clive Cussler, Andy McNab – boys' books. Helen Fielding, Jane Austen – girls' books. Is Madame Bovary or Jane Eyre regarded as women's fiction? No.
Anyway, hope that gives you some sort of an answer.
Roughseasinthemed wrote: "A posher version of chick lit perhaps?...Anyway, hope that gives you some sort of an answer."Thanks, RS. Certainly clearer now than before!
My thanks also, RS. I think I have posted somewhere about genres. I find it difficult to place some books in any one category as Amazon insist on doing; I have one coming and I haven't a clue how to categorise it; it has a crime element, it explores sexual preferences and social behaviour. how can that fit into a hole?But this female/male thing reminds me of another similar thing that the expert readers here might care to talk about; I have noticed, at reader/writer groups and elsewhere, there is a definate separation in how books are recieved, male/female. So much so that I suspect it affects the chances of getting published or getting an agent, as most agents/publisher readers are female.
Has anyone else noticed this?
P.K. wrote: "My thanks also, RS. I think I have posted somewhere about genres. I find it difficult to place some books in any one category as Amazon insist on doing; I have one coming and I haven't a clue how t..."Well, this is a recent article from Australia. https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
P.K. wrote: "My thanks also, RS. I think I have posted somewhere about genres. I find it difficult to place some books in any one category as Amazon insist on doing; I have one coming and I haven't a clue how t..."I think the issue with Amazon is that authors have to bite the bullet with one main genre and then go for sub categories. I agree that it is intensely annoying however. I'm not your typical Amazon reader though as I don't search by category, and I read pretty much anything.
Plenty of women readers – and writers – are pretty broad-minded and open about books. Agents may well specialise in a particular genre – and therefore know which publishers are more likely to consider a MS. Commissioning editors are more bound by company preferences and what makes money than any personal choice.
We're a bit off topic, but Nik did start it!
P.K. wrote: "most agents/publisher readers are female.."At any given time when one looks who's online here on GR, 70-80% will be female. Either there are more female readers or women frequent more this kind of sites, or both
Yes, Nik, I've noticed that too. I don't wish to start a sexist war but I do wonder if there is a feminine bias now in the industry?
P.K. wrote: "Yes, Nik, I've noticed that too. I don't wish to start a sexist war but I do wonder if there is a feminine bias now in the industry?"Leonie brings us an opposite data above. Since it's an intro thread, maybe indeed it's a better idea to have a separate thread on gender factor in lit, if anyone wants to start 1
That is an interesting article, Leonie. It seems to say that there are more male reviewers than female; that I would agree with. I have just looked at my Telegraph weekly review section and there are four male reviewers to one female, and three female authors to one male. Your article also notes that the trend is changing regarding authors, in that there are now more female authors than male. The review thing is probably historic, like women in top jobs; it just takes time to change entrenched work positions. I don't think the differences affect non-fiction but I wonder if fiction writers do get chosen for review on their gender
Hi Leonie. It is all enlightening. But I wonder if Catherine is analysing accurately. It seems from what she said that she had sent the pages to fifty agents before she sent out the six by George. I'm not clear where she is but here, in the UK that is exhausting the amount of agents availabe, and they are all generally 'full' for taking new clients. So I wonder if, by the time she got around to sending the George queries, that she was at the bottom of the barrel and got a better response because they were seeking new clients? But, I liked her style. However, it seems she still hasn't sold the novel.
Leonie wrote: "I will be forever grateful to a Netgalley reviewer who gave my second book a thumbs down on his ARC. My publisher and I chatted, identified the issues, and agreed that he had at least one point, I rewrote the first chapter (which was the issue) and ended up with a better book. Let me link the review for you :)"Great example! It takes self-knowledge and -confidence that come from a solid amount of experience to be able to know what to take and what to leave from a review (or any feedback, for that matter).
Welcome to all of the new people! I'm sorry I'm so late in my greeting!Side note: If I recall correctly, Bookbub identified women as 80% of its subscribers. The other ebook newsletter sites show similar stats.
This is sort of off the thread of introducing yourself, but as far as the women aspect goes, I believe there are far more women writers now than men, and by far more women readers. As to why this is, there are probably numerous reasons, and the last thing I want to do is get engaged in a sexist battle, so I shall bow out on that one. However, there is one further feature: women predominate in the romance genre, which happens to be the biggest, and probably predominate in non-military historical fiction. Because women tend to gravitate to those genres, you have to ask, are those the genres that you are considering being reviewed? Some major review sites might want reviewers to review genres read by a wider audience.
I'm far from a neat freak, but this topic might gain more traction with a more accurate title in the All Things Writing folder. ^_^ it is worthy of discussion.
Hi, I just joined. Long time GR member, but this group just popped up on my radar. I'm a fantasy (sometimes horror and sci-fi) writer with a few pen names. I write for the Trads and for the Indy, short stories and novels. I like the outdoors. I'm a bit of greenie. I'm an engineer by day. Glad to meet everyone!
Hi Nat and welcome!Sounds like you are a diverse, experienced and multidisciplinary author with a potential for a candid input, as I've noticed you've mentioned on another thread -:)
Hope you'll enjoy and contribute
Welcome aboard, Nat. We need green engineers, even if Trump doesn't
Hi, I'm new to this group. I joined to talk to people about politics, current events, etc. and learn more from other people, share opinions, etc.About me: i'm starting college this fall. i have mixed views on politics. I have an interest in science, the arts, psychology, and human nature in general. I watch a lot of youtube. I like discussing various topics with people on a deep level.
Hi Nik, and wow. Thanks! I am feeling a bit shiny right now. :)I hope to meet awesome people here.
Hi Artsy and welcome!Unlike many other groups, politics and current events is one of the most popular themes here. Having 'mixed feelings' is probably something shared by many. Feel free to join in on any discussion or debate and voice your view and opinion.
Good luck with the college.
Hope you'll enjoy and contribute
Welcome Nat and Artsy. Nat: If you haven't already, be sure to check out our FAQ:
FAQ - What are all the great things you can do in this group
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Welcome Artsy. You've come to the right place to talk about politics. And it is so good to know someone so young is interested in the subject
Hi Melvyn and welcome!Hope you'll enjoy and contribute (not necessarily trillions)
Hi all, my name is Andy, fairly new to GR and stumbled upon this group... I'm a big fan of the written word, with aspirations towards writing some of me own... also a big fan of talking to interesting people about a menagerie of interesting stuff and this group seems to be brimming with interesting people talking about interesting stuff, so hope you guys don't mind if sit in and mumble a thing or two occasionally. Thanks.
Hi Andy and welcome!Hope you'll realize all of your aspirations, particularly writing something and meeting/speaking with interesting people.
Speak loudly and frequently about anything you find interesting. Debates happen, sometimes heated, but we still clink glasses thereafter -:)
In addition to aspirations, hope you'll enjoy and contribute
Hello everyone!I'm super honored to have been invited to join the group. I love meeting readers/writers, especially since I don't know many in real life. :/
I love reading, writing, playing video games (and DnD) and I actively refer to myself as a nerd. I write all manner of novels (fantasy, sci-fi, and thriller being my wheelhouse) but I find more genres interesting!
I'm a member if International Thrillers Writers Association and they recently hosted my article about writing tone!
http://thrillbegins.com/2017/06/19/ho...
I do like writing advice articles (or blogs about my writing experience). So far the group looks great and I can't wait to participate. :3
Hi S.A. and welcome!The honor is equally ours. Well done on writing in different genres and all the accomplishments. Excellent article and tone setting examples!
Feel free to be eccentric-:)
Hope you'll enjoy and contribute
Nik wrote: "Hi S.A. and welcome!The honor is equally ours. Well done on writing in different genres and all the accomplishments. Excellent article and tone setting examples!
Feel free to be eccentric-:)
Ho..."
Haha, thank you again, Nik! Like I said, I love interacting with readers and writers! I can't wait to stick around here. :3
Welcome SA. i read your blog. Do you think Tone is different from Mood?
P.K. wrote: "Welcome SA. i read your blog. Do you think Tone is different from Mood?"The way I understand it, tone is the hard writing, and mood is what the reader feels because of the writing. A noir tone evokes a dark and gritty mood, for example. And a romantic tone evokes a lovey-dovey mood, as a second example.
However, I do think these are similar (and intertwined) which makes pointing out the subtle difference almost a moot issue. Tone and mood go hand-n-hand. :3
Was there a reason for the distinction?
S.A. wrote: "P.K. wrote: "Welcome SA. i read your blog. Do you think Tone is different from Mood?"The way I understand it, tone is the hard writing, and mood is what the reader feels because of the writing. A..."
What the reader feels must be what the writer has first felt, so to me, that is the mood that is set by the writer. I haven't heard Tone used in a writing sense before. The other equation, about which I am often aware is ignored by many writers is Rhythm. Words, to be attractive should have rhythm and one abrasive word can distort the rhythm. To keep the music analogy, rhythm could be said to make the tone
P.K. wrote: "S.A. wrote: "P.K. wrote: "Welcome SA. i read your blog. Do you think Tone is different from Mood?"The way I understand it, tone is the hard writing, and mood is what the reader feels because of t..."
Yeah, I can see how it's all confusing. We're all talking about how to make the reader feel a certain feeling - hopefully the message gets across even if the words used to describe this feeling are a little wonky! xD
Hi,New to the group, struggling writer here. Struggle with grammar, struggle with sales, struggle with alcohol, though that's a completely different topic and really I over exaggerate the issue.
World, Writing, Wealth
Books mentioned in this topic
Illiquid Assets: The Next Market Crash (other topics)The Autobiography of a Salaried Trader - Part 1: Discover the fundamentals of trading, investing, futures & options through the fascinating journey of a salaried employee to financial freedom. (other topics)
History's Assassins: Motives for Murder (other topics)
Black Sun Rising (other topics)
Florida Retirement Is Murder (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Cinthia Carolina (other topics)Nik Krasno (other topics)
Gary Diamond (other topics)
Gary Diamond (other topics)
J.P. Kobel (other topics)
More...
Hi - Jason Makansi here. Since the group description starts with "current events" and my book, Painting by Numbers: How to Sharpen Your BS Detector and Smoke Out the Experts, just won a GOLD IPPY from Independent Publisher in the category Current Events: Social Issues/Humanitarian, I figured members might wish to know about it. I'm happy to exchange reviews, cross-promote, and bounce ideas around to bring readers and authors together. I have several decades of experience in this realm. If you want to know more, visit www.jasonmakansi.com.
Here's the Painting By Numbers description, the Amazon link, and the Indie Bound link (support your community booksellers!):
BETTER NUMERICAL LITERACY ISN'T JUST DESIRABLE; IT'S ESSENTIAL TO SUSTAINING A CIVIL, DEMOCRATIC, AND FREE SOCIETY In the public sphere, numbers are supposed to be more solid than words, less subjective. They are not. "The numbers don't lie," say experts. Yet they very often do. Numerical results are used to further the political, business, academic, and personal objectives of those who wield them. In PAINTING BY NUMBERS, you get wisdom, humor, and twelve commandments anyone can apply to separate numerical BS from valid results. It will raise your numerical literacy, and that of your friends, family, colleagues, and students. Even PhDs have called PAINTING BY NUMBERS a "refreshing refresher," and "something every literate person needs to understand." Given polling controversies in the recent election, vociferous debate over climate change, economic meltdowns caused by bogus and fraudulent financial models, medical and health trends driven by dubious results from trials, even sports now managed by "numbers guys," better numerical literacy isn't just desirable; it's essential to sustaining a civil, democratic, and free society.
http://www.indiebound.org/book/978099...
https://www.amazon.com/Painting-Numbe...
Many thanks!