Writers and Readers discussion
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Questions and Help
Kayla wrote: "This may just be me, and I'm a bit curious to see if others do this, but I find that it helps to take online quizzes from my characters POV to overcome writer's block. Does anyone else do this?"I do!
Jennifer wrote: "Kayla wrote: "This may just be me, and I'm a bit curious to see if others do this, but I find that it helps to take online quizzes from my characters POV to overcome writer's block. Does anyone els..."I do, after a few quizzes, I feel myself thinking like them, and I just want to get them out... I guess. It's a little hard to explain, considering I don't fully understand it! And plus, it's fun and simpler than "interviews" or journal entries.
Baxter wrote: "I wonder what other writers think are the best writing books. My favorite is Stephen King's "On Writing." Tough Love 101 for writers, it's filled with good, simple tips: never use adjectives; avo..."
I love "On Writing" as well. But I just recently read "You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)" by Jeff Goins. I loved it. And I had just finished reading "On Writing" for the 2nd time the week before and "The War of Art" before that.
All good reads if you want to focus on writing.
Question for authors. Do you add your own book to your "read" bookshelf and rate it? I just did it for mine. I hope that isn't too tacky 8=)I also created a "wrote" shelf. Only 1 entry... so far!
Mod
I also created a "wrote" shelf. Only 1 entry... so far!"
Most authors do that on this site, so I wouldn't worry about it. And I like the idea of the wrote shelf.
A.F. wrote: "Most authors do that on this site, so I wouldn't worry about it. And I like the idea of the wrote shelf."Thanks A.F. It felt a little weird, but I've always been a bit shy when it comes to promoting myself. Good to know I wasn't out of line 8=)
Bill wrote: "Question for authors. Do you add your own book to your "read" bookshelf and rate it? I just did it for mine. I hope that isn't too tacky 8=)I also created a "wrote" shelf. Only 1 entry... so far!"
I like this idea, Bill! You worked hard for your "wrote" shelf, and I think it's great to have 1 entry!
Anyone know where one can find willing betareaders for contemporary romance shorts?
Mod
Why don't you post a request here in the group. You might find some willing subjects among the writers here.
Thanks A.F. :) Where should I post?
Jessa wrote: "Thanks A.F. :) Where should I post?"A.F. wrote: "Bill wrote: "Question for authors. Do you add your own book to your "read" bookshelf and rate it? I just did it for mine. I hope that isn't too tacky 8=)
I also created a "wrote" shelf. Only 1 ent..."
rjray here AF: where should i post?
you bombed my earlier post
now what????
Mod
A.F. wrote: "Bill wrote: "Question for authors. Do you add your own book to your "read" bookshelf and rate it? I just did it for mine. I hope tha..."
Perhaps you should review the group navigation folder: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...
It explains what the folders are for.
Bill wrote: "Baxter wrote: "I wonder what other writers think are the best writing books. My favorite is Stephen King's "On Writing." Tough Love 101 for writers, it's filled with good, simple tips: never use ..."
I am currently reading "On Writing" now and it is one of my favorite to read. It is practical and it feels like Stephen King is right in the room there with you just giving his opinion on what works.
Jessa wrote: "Anyone know where one can find willing betareaders for contemporary romance shorts?"I review debut authors on my blog. I would be happy to be a betareader for you and if you would like, once published, I'd be happy to review it and give feedback.
Thanks so much Rebecca! Will be in touch!
I am writing a story. Or I have a story in my head, but I have some problems with developing the charachter. ´Here is one draft. What do you think?
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3...
Mod
´Here is one draft. What do you think?
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3......"
I'd be happy to take a look, and for future reference there's a Critique Folder (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...) in the group for posting links to stories you want feedback for.
If I get a positive comment from a reader on my kindle book is it good form to post a thank you comment? I finally got my first review and I never thought about how I should proceed from there 8=)
I think a thank you is nice. I review debut authors on my blog and I know that I really appreciate a thank you.
Thanks Rebecca. I've decided to thank the reviewer for the feedback and taking the time to prepare the review.
That is nice, Bill. I am sure that they appreciate that very much! :)
I have a question about a comma.For my new book title would I...
Come October, Here
or
Come October Here
I have been using the comma, but now am not quite sure.
???
It doesn't really make sense to me either way. I assume this is calling October to come here. Perhaps "Come Quickly October" might be a better way to phrase it. Or "Come October, Come Here" maybe.That is if I understand the meaning you're trying to convey.
Mod
For my new book title would I...
Come October, Here
or
Come October Here
I have been using the comma, but now am not quite sure.
???"
Yes, it does seem a bit awkward. Perhaps, "Here, Come October" would be better.
Thanks for the responses!It's a poetic way of saying Come October...in this place, so Come October Here is an arrival of the month of October in a specific place. Perhaps it is too archaic and that could be a problem for a book title. I don't want it to sound awkward.
Edited to say: An example of the archaic would be Thomas Tyron's Harvest Home. Harvest Home is when the harvest is brought in from the fields...brought home.
Still, I don't want to sound awkward. I'm thinking a comma would not do at all if I were to decide to keep the title.
Thanks again :)
Mod
It's a poetic way of saying Come October...in this place, so Come October Here is an arrival of the month of October in a specific place. Perhaps it is too archaic and t..."
That's the trick isn't it? Getting the archaic feel without it being awkward for modern readers.
Harvest Home has the advantage of sounding okay even if you don't know its meaning. Could you use "Come Here October"?
I actually like the sound of "Come October, In This Place"
It might be best to go with something simple like Haunted October, although I worry such a title might sound too cliché. Crazy how one question can turn out to be a discovery of something far more more vital. Thanks again everyone!
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Crazy how one question can turn out to be a discovery of something far mo..."
I like Haunted October.
A.F. wrote: "Thayer wrote: "It might be best to go with something simple like Haunted October, although I worry such a title might sound too cliché. Crazy how one question can turn out to be a discovery of s..."
I like Haunted October too. It is a catchy title with no time restriction, it could work for any time period. :)
Here's a question...I have an eBook that I wrote and self published back in March. The title is Time Management for Work at Home Moms -- and Dads Too! It's quite a mouthful but it explains the content and target market for the book quite well. Plus it's full of the keywords that I'd like to target with it.
But I'm working on the 2nd edition (I hoped it would be done already, but you know how that is) and I'm thinking of changing the title. I'd keep the current title as the subtitle and the new title would be either Tick Tock Tyranny or Tick Toxic. The second one ties in with the site I'm building for personal development/health issues which is called Toxic Habits.
Anyway, I'd like to know if changing the title for a 2nd edition is a good idea. And if it is, which of the 2 title options would make you take a closer look at it?
Thanks so much for your help!
Mod
Hi there,I'm new to the joys of goodreads. I write a little [it would be alot but work keeps making me go in] and have just set up a amateur writers group in my home-town.
My problem is that the first few weeks have been better then we could have hoped. Now we have over a dozen members all writing in different ways. Does anyone have any ideas for taking a group like this forward in a focused way. Everyone seems eager to learn but we don't really have any teachers.
Thanks for reading.
Kierans wrote: "Hi there,I'm new to the joys of goodreads. I write a little [it would be alot but work keeps making me go in] and have just set up a amateur writers group in my home-town.
My problem is that the f..."
Maybe you could divide into smaller groups by genre, and critique one another that way. By doing this, you are focusing into areas of interest as well as expertise, so the critique would also be more focused. As a reviewer, I have found that it is much easier to review the genres that I prefer, although I do read almost all genres. I have been thinking about focusing more on a certain genre however, because my blog has taken off as well with almost more requests than I can handle. In some ways, I hate to do it, because I enjoy books from other genres too..so, that is still an issue for me. For you though, I think this would work. If you try it, let me know how it works out for you.
Not sure if this is the thread on which to post a contract question; apologies to mods if it isn't. I'm a writer who's recently finished and is polishing an MS for submission to 'traditional' publishers and agents (spreadsheet, first and second rounds selected, etc.). Since I try to be realistic, I've done similar research into self-publishing also.
The question I have is this: My research into traditional and self-publishing has left me uncertain as to whether or not to pursue traditional publication, at least with this first MS. The rationale for serializing the first half of my novel and then self-publishing is fairly strong. And today I read something about new non-compete clauses here that scared the pants off me.
Are they, indeed, as standard as this writer seems to think? Do publishers really walk if you won't sign a non-compete? I've been to law school (I'm a dual-degree student), and am well aware of how tough contract disputes are to resolve, and how much they cost the smaller party. I've read a lot of scary things about traditional publishing, but nothing till now has made me question whether it's worthwhile--only whether it's achievable with my first few books.
Opinions, please, and experiences from writers who've signed publishing contracts recently? I'd really appreciate any information you can offer. Thank you.
Mod
I'm a writer who's recently finished and is polishing an MS for submission to 'traditional' pub..."
I agree with the author of the piece about not signing a non-complete clause; it is always a good idea to have a lawyer look over a book contract. Smaller press publishers may not be so pushy though, so you may still want to shop around.
A.F. wrote: "I agree with the author of the piece about not signing a non-complete clause; it is always a good idea to have a lawyer look over a book contract. Smaller press publishers may not be so pushy though, so you may still want to shop around."Thank you for responding, A.F. I hadn't thought about differentiating small-press publishers from the bigger ones in this regard; thanks for the heads-up. (And I certainly will have a lawyer look over any contract.) Is it your opinion/knowledge that such clauses have indeed become standard for larger publishing houses, then?
Mod
On that I don't know, though it wouldn't surprise me if it had become standard. The big presses do seem to be getting more aggressive these days towards writers.
Mod
I'm a writer who's recently finished and is polishing an MS for submission to 'traditional' pub..."
It didn't occur to me in my original reply, but an excellent place to check out book publishers is Preditors and Editors: http://pred-ed.com/peba.htm
They recommend good ones and flag the less-than reputable.
(I love naming!) So, this creature has three halves. Hmmmmm. Is that even possible? LOL. How about: Meander. Or Glide. Or Saurian (a reptile suborder including lizards and crocs). You could add a last name to cover all three parts: Saurian Glide. Hmmm. Still thinking. . . . I'll let you know if I come up with any more ideas.
Rose wrote: "I'm writing a Doctor Who story but am having trouble thinking up a name for a creature. It's half lizard, half snake, and half croc.Anyone have suggestions?"Rose--I thought I just posted a response to your question, but it seems I must have made a mistake. Anyway, I'll try again. I am considering your creature's three "halves." Hmmmm. Is that even possible? LOL! Anyway, how about: Meander? Or Glide (all three of your creatures would). Or, Saurian (a suborder of reptiles including lizards and crocs). So, to bring in the snake part, you could give it two names: Saurian Glide. ?? I'm still thinking. . . .
I'll soon be putting out a new edition of my SF novel Twin-Bred, with a cover combining the original art and the design from the sequel. The new paperback design includes space for a few short quotations from reviews. I have no dead-tree publications to quote, only authors and book bloggers. What are readers of paperbacks likely to think of quotations from book bloggers? (This may be mostly of academic interest, since no one will see the back cover except those who frequent a couple of local bookstores and those who've already bought or received the book, but still . . . .)
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I don't think it's detrimental as long as the quote is presented professionally; many readers rely on book bloggers to find new authors.
Angela wrote: "I have a question about translations. Does anyone know how that works? Do you pay someone outright to translate your book in another language, and just share royalties and credit with them? So i..."I think it depends on what you are writing. I've done some work with getting some Japanese-themed stories I had translated, and for short stories, sometimes a person will charge based on word count. BUT, the most important thing is to find a translator who can write well in their native language. I'm not sure if a translator can receive royalties for your work (since they didn't create it) but I know giving credit is definitely something one must do.
Marcus wrote: "Angela wrote: "I have a question about translations. Does anyone know how that works? Do you pay someone outright to translate your book in another language, and just share royalties and credit w..."Dear Marcus, Dear Angela!
Yes, Translators should be good writers in the languages they translate and their mother tounge - which must not be the same! Giving credit- definitely. If you pay for the translation (which can be up to 3000€ or sometimes mor depending on how long and complicated the work is) then you only have to give credit for the translation - no royalties. If you do not have the money to pay the translation 100% you can make a contract where the translator may get 5% of the surplus from the saled books. Seems complicated - my advice: find some student of translation science and ask whether he/she would do it for free if you give them a litlle more time and big Thank You in the book (Thanks to everyone who...)
If you want a translation to german you may contact me.
Hope it helped.
Have fun.
Hey everyone. Quick question: What's the best piece of writing advice someone has given you? How did it change the way you approached writing?
Writers and Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Twin-Bred (other topics)Fantasy Encyclopedia (other topics)
Fabulous Beasts (other topics)
The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference: An Indispensable Compendium of Myth and Magic (other topics)
I've never done this before, but it does sound interesting. Do you feel like it really helps you to get inside your characters' minds?