[ SECRET POST #5216 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #5216 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 48 secrets from Secret Submission Post #747.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

Re: Original fiction advice

[(Anonymous)]

DA

Find a good beta

I am SO SICK of this advice. It's been ten years, I've asked in three fandoms, asked in beta communities, put out general requests. There's no one out there, or at least so few people who are willing to beta stuff these days that finding one is like winning the lottery. 'Find a beta' is not a helpful tip for improving.

Re: Original fiction advice

[(Anonymous)]

(Cozy Werewolf Anon)

I'm sorry to hear this. I really am.

Um, in some ways going out to find a beta and asking in those communities isn't actually going to net you a beta. I found my writing buddy/editor by making friends with her first in our shared fandom. We established trust first. And what she really does is listen a lot (to her amusement) and helps me apply general advice to my own manuscripts. (We also barter, so I help her with her MSes.)

Like, on tumblr and youtube, there is a lot of really good general advice. And sometimes you get so deep into your own MS you can't see what needs to stay/go/be changed. All a beta reader does is probably save me from editing my work 3 different ways to see which way I like the best.

But here is the thing, even PAID editors might only give you general advice, like "read your work out loud." And editors can give bad advice that might not fit your style/character/writing needs. (I had a couple people blast me for 3rd Omni. Guess what, my story doesn't work for me in 3rd limited. No.)

Editing is a lot of work. And being a good writer doesn't always equate into being a good editor. (Writing and knowing the nuts and bolts of how you do it are 2 different things.) Or having the time/want to do it. Really, start with tumblr, people like heywriters and the 960writers have a TON of good info on their blogs. And they also have ask policies! Lit agents/former lit agents also put good advice on youtube. I really wish I could help you more.

Re: Original fiction advice

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks CWA, I appreciate you taking the time to give me advice at all.

' I found my writing buddy/editor by making friends with her first in our shared fandom. We established trust first.'

This is the only thing I haven't been able to try. Ill health and the financial consequences of that mean pretty much all of my previous relationships have been eroded away, and I have no time to build new friendships IRL or online, and no money to pay an editor. So I'm stuck.

Thanks for the tip about advice on Tumblr. I've been considering signing up for a free course, but all of my work has MLM relationships and sometimes erotic content in and I think it would be too embarrassing.

Anyway, thanks again, CWA. I always love reading your comments about the writing process.

Re: Original fiction advice

[(Anonymous)]

(CWA)

You're welcome!

I'm sorry to hear about your ill health. I understand from one spoonie to another. Many of my own relationships have faded over time too, so I cling to my editor.

Hey, on tumblr no one will judge your MLM relationships! And I don't know how many of those 'free' writing courses have 'homework' so I wouldn't worry too much about it there. Or find one without turn in homework? Like writing master classes can really be less workshops and more the author going "this writing process works for me." And that can be helpful too!

And again, you're welcome. always glad to be helpful!

Re: Original fiction advice

[(Anonymous)]

If you're trying to write original work you want to publish, it should be "get feedback about your writing from multiple people," not "get a beta." Find and join one or more writing groups.