A blog about the topics of writing, Working on your writing craft

The joy of Revising One’s Manuscript:Yes, I’m joking

Leave a comment

I always figured the hard part of being one was writing the book. I soon found out writing the book was one of the easiest parts of the journey.

Revising is a big part of getting one’s book in the best shape possible. If you don’t have all the ducks in a row, the novel may not go very far.

But how many revisions and editing is too much? Can you go overboard and make it worse?

I get the fact that we want it as perfect as we can make it. But revision can take up a lot of one’s time. If you are fortunate to be part of a critique group or beta group, that can help you shave off some of that precious time.

But there comes a point when you have to say enough is enough. I’ve done all I can do and move that manuscript forever. That is not easy to do. We want it to fly as well as possible. It may even come to a point where we become obsessive in our revisions and editing. I have been there a few times. It is not fun. LOL

But at the end of the day, we need to step back and evaluate how close we to being done, are we just tired of it all and let move on or realize that you have done all one can without ruining your story. Only you can decide when you are ready. Let’s hope you don’t keep your fans waiting so long they move on.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writers and Support

How much support do you get for your writing?

Leave a comment

What kind of support do you get from those around you and in your circle about your writing?

When I started on this path, my first encounter was with a new group out of a local library. There were seven of us, six being librarians. I even kid if I needed to be a librarian to be in the group.

But from that group came so much information, support, and help in a way I didn’t have before and didn’t know I needed until I met the ladies.

It was eye-opening and amazing at the same time.

How many of us have such support? Do we get it from our friends who aren’t writers? Do we get it from our family members?

If we get any support apart from other writers, that is huge and just welcoming. Some of us get most of our support, if not all, from other authors.

But when our relatives and friends purchase our books and support us in any way, that just is added boost to our mental and writing state.

As I have said repeatedly on this site, writing is a solitary profession. One has to have discipline and motivation, to name a few, to write when it is up to you to get it done. So, when one has support, regardless of where it comes from, that helps.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing thoughts

How do you feel about reviews that don’t require text?

2 Comments

    A small while ago, Amazon changed how a person can review one of the many products on the site. Now instead of writing a review, you can leave just a star. At the moment, the rating is up to five stars.

    As an author and a consumer, I am not a fan.

    As a consumer, I look at reviews to determine if I should spend my hard-earned money on something. But if someone gives it a three or less with no text on how am I supposed to judge that. Is it a personal reason that you did not like it? Is there something wrong with it that would be helpful to me?

    As an author, not seeing any text means no constructive criticism of my work. All one will get is the rating.

    It gives people a way to rate anything in any way with no regard to it being unhelpful. A person out of spike can leave any star they choose. A troll can go on a tear with any product as well.

    It is a shame but also something that will not be going away anytime soon. If one gets a bad rating with no text, all one can do is move on. One can get mad, scream and cry, but that is about it.

    When I give a review on anything, I will continue to leave a reason for my rating. It is only fair to the person or company that is on the site.

    I won’t leave a person wondering or seething at a review that only involves clicking on what star they should get.

    The Musings of A New Englander