I'm new to this but I am serious, and thats the important thing I actually have no work up yet because on 2,000 words off but I once I've polished the next chapter I'll break the 10,000 mark. I actuall have a lot more chapters written they just need typing up and editing. The reason I've joined here is to get more constructive criticism on my work, because while friends tellign you it's awesome is all very endearing it won't do more than motivate you. The only criticism I've got was off Kelley Armstrong who was given it at a book reading (much against my will), and told me to be careful of it being dubbed a Harry Potter clone :/ Which I think I've fixed now...hopefully. The rest is just a total obliteration of my work from the loving boy friend

I do want to finish this book, get published and be successful. But in the mean time I'm becoming a teacher

Feel free to ask me anything

Posted: 07/02/2012 19:37:07

Welcome to authonomy!

Posted: 07/02/2012 20:08:05

Hi Isabella,
Welcome to Authonomy! It's a good idea to go well over the 10,000 word mark so that when you edit you don't dip below and lose your ranking and backers, which has happened to quite a few poor souls here. There is a lot of constructive criticism here (and some gratuitous 'you scratch my back' sweetening). If you join a genre specific forum you'll probably get a lot of useful advice in the comments. Reciprocation is the key. It's odd how damning it can feel if your work is compared to one of the most successful authors around but it is important to develop your own unique voice and style. My book has changed a lot, and continues to evolve, as a result of invaluable (free!) feedback.

I did it the other way round - teaching and then writing the book. I hope you find success in both! I'll take a look at your novel when you upload it.

Best wishes,
Nick
'Where She Lies'

Posted: 07/02/2012 20:16:22

Thank-you, I understand what you mean because I've seen it happen with my coursework and my writing. I still have a lot of work to do before I even pluck up the courage to get it on here, but I feel that this community is much better for writers than ones I've been on before. i've already seen a forum that looks good for what I'm writing, so will look into it. I feel the key to giving criticism isn't to say whats bad and dishearten someone, but to tell them how to improve. She did give me pointers on how to improve which I've worked on, this all happened when I was fourteen and I actually started rewriting it in August. I can't wait to hear what people have to say, need some really critical people who aren't as involved as the boyfriend.

I'm probably going to be following the path of ' Those who can't do teach'

Posted: 08/02/2012 13:01:02

Hi Isabella! Welcome to the site !

I literally just uploaded my first short story today - so I know how you feel about being nervous! I also decided just to take the plunge and put my writing on here for constructive criticism - at the end of the day, it'll hopefully make me a better writer, so I'm prepared for people to say what's wrong/right with it (so long as they're not mean about it lol :P).

By the way, your book so awesome already - I love Harry Potter! Hehe, I'll definitely read it when you post it up .

Good luck!

Rachel

Posted: 08/02/2012 21:30:12

Truly... Why?

Posted: 08/02/2012 21:30:52