Editors and Writers discussion
Totally confused new Auther on what to do next after writing my book.
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Ann
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Aug 01, 2019 07:28PM
Alright i have wrote my first book and started on book two. I am looking for the next steps. I have had a couple people read it. They said it was good but i am not sure what next to do. I thought it help during i am laid up due to some injuries and thought this might be a chance to see if i can write. I love my stories i came up with. I just don't know what to do next. I see so many different things. Help!!
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You could either go two ways. Traditional Publisher or Self-Publish. Whatever you choose, the first thing you should do is get an editor to read it. There are plenty of freelance ones on this site or a site like Fiverr. It may cost a little but its definitely worth it. If you have a friend who does copy editing, could save you some money. Hope this helps.
Thank you. I got confused cause you see so many different things to do.
Yup, I just went through the self-publish route recently. It's not easy but its worth it when you see your book published and for sale.
Yea unfortunately I am not working right now due to injuries. So I am just right now looking into what ways to go cause I can't afford anything. So I was searching options to see the best way to go and I am lost more then before.
Well if funds are tight I would start with a program like Grammarly. https://www.grammarly.com/ It will do a lot of the simple copy editing. You can download a widget for free and attach it to your Microsoft Word.
I just want to hold my books in a book form. To see all the work I have been doing worth it. Something I set out to do worth something others can enjoy
Step one--you have your story finished.Step two--you get other writers to read and critique it. All writers need feedback to learn how to polish and improve their craft.
Writing is like learning to play the piano, you practice to get better, and you practice every day.
Right now, it it too soon to rush into getting published, you are still learning. This is a marathon, not a sprint, so take a breath and learn how to put a sentence together, learn the basics of grammar and punctuation.
Those are the shiny new tools of your art. Just like a painter learns how to mix paints to get the right colors, you need to know how to mix words to get the right emotional response from your readers.
One way to do that--and ALL writers do it!-- is to READ. Read everything you can get your hands on. Fortunately libraries make this easy.
Read how other writers structure their stories, how they use words to create an effect. Figure out how they put a sentence together that makes you go "Wow!"
You have the desire and energy to write, which is huge. You can't buy that fire in the belly! Now is the time to channel it into learning what's called "Craft."
Wanting to see one's words in book form is what we're all after, but you have to put in the time to teach yourself Craft.
Fortunately, this is easily done by kicking back and reading!
The library should have books like these for you:
https://www.amazon.com/Telling-Lies-F...
https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Novel-...
One book you do need to buy is ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk and White. EVERY writer has one on their desk. It has the basics of grammar, punctuation, and sentence construction. After 29 years in publishing my copy is a bit battered, but I still use it!
You can get a good copy at any used bookstore. It will be in the section with the dictionaries.
Next--join this FREE writer's message board, Absolute Write. It's safe, troll and flame war-free, with 7000 writers there paying it forward.
https://absolutewrite.com/forums/foru...
Check it out, they have topics for everything and you can read everything without joining. The "sticky notes" are especially helpful for new writers.
They have betareaders--these are people who offer feedback--and they encourage members to give feedback in turn. Please check into it and enjoy the company. It's like having 7K friends watching your back.
Read this blog post. It will help you avoid expensive pitfalls. There are many publishing predators out there, consider this blog to be a trusted guide in strange territory.
https://accrispin.blogspot.com/2007/0...
And finally, bookmark and read this website. It's perfect for beginners!
https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/...
One last time, get to the library, read 200 stories for each one you want to write. You have the fire in the belly so this should be an unholy joy. Cut loose, learn your Craft, and write every day!
PS, here is an online library to get you started on reading. I am housebound most of the time and borrow books from this site all the time. It is free.https://archive.org/details/americana
Thank you for all your help. I try hard to get writing in every day. If I am not writing I am brain storming. Yes I read all the time too. I do it on kindle and in book form.
