Advices Needed

[CharlesEBrown]

Congrats ?

Thanks!

Thanks for the advices, @CharlesEBrown and @melchi !

Though I don't think they will get some Amazon kindle stuff for now. If anything, they'd go to Wattpad.

Ream looks to be growing quite well (again) - adding features and stuff. Might be worth looking into.

 

[EphemeralEmperor]

Focus on writing the draft first before making edits. And don't worry about perfection, if you wait long enough someone will find a way to critique your work so its better you just write the best you can and improve through writing more instead of trying to squeeze every word. Good luck with the class? Club?

 

[Zagaroth]

To repeat an old quote: "Write the story that you want to read that no one else has written." You will never put more energy and effort into a story than a story you love and enjoy. One of the side effects of me editing older chapters is that I sometimes get caught up in reading my own work all over again. :)

Which does not mean ignore advice. But when given advice about plot or characters, consider how the advice changes the story, and whether or not it makes for a story *you* like better.

Grammar/punctuation/etc. advice is for readability, and does not change the story. When sincerely and correctly given, advice here will make your story more readable and accessible, but does not change the story itself.

With these two guidelines, I now have a very nice story that is over 700K words long (and growing), written in just under 3 years. There's still editing and clean up to do, just because my writing has improved in that time and it makes me want to improve my early chapters, but you do eventually need to end that cycle too. I'm working on finishing that cycle as I have an agent negotiating a contract with a publisher right now.

Note: Yes, an agent takes a percentage. But that means they are incentivized to get you the best deal possible. And their work does not end at just getting you a good contract, they are obliged to work toward protecting your fiscal interests with regards to your work. They won't help you with accounting or anything, that is not their job, but they may give you advice like "You should talk with a tax specialist about creating an LLC to receive your payments through."

Also, they deal with BS you do not want to deal with. They have the experience and distance to be patient and draw out negotiations to work things in your favor.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I make money on a regular basis from my writing so I might be able to offer a few things.

I mentioned in another forum post the necessity of commitment so I'll repeat that here.
Make sure they understand what they are getting into. Those wanting to monetize their writing need to understand the commitment involved - a lot like owning a pet you care for their whole life. They're going to be forced into a situation where they must produce words sometimes daily, so for sure, lay out to them the importance of writing as a career. It is a huge undertaking. They're giving up their own lives for entertainment, and they're going to have to do it for as long as they live - unless they want to "retire", of course.

Secondly, know the limits. While that $1000 job for a story about zombies and gore might be attractive, if you're squeamish about blood, don't take it, for example. On the other hand, that $250 job for a fiction piece about cats might be right up your alley. I'm willing to bet you'd write the $250 story perfectly whereas the zombie story might be flat because you're not "into" it. So, choose your "battles" - you want the stories you would feel good writing, because that's where you'll shine the most.

Sounds like you have a fun job to look forward to, being able to teach fresh minds. I'm envious. <3 good luck!

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

For some reason, I wasn't notified when these replies were posted here. Any case, thanks for the answers!

Good luck with the class? Club?

They learned I'm into writing, so the adviser invited me to speak to their club.

To repeat an old quote: "Write the story that you want to read that no one else has written." You will never put more energy and effort into a story than a story you love and enjoy. One of the side effects of me editing older chapters is that I sometimes get caught up in reading my own work all over again. :)

Which does not mean ignore advice. But when given advice about plot or characters, consider how the advice changes the story, and whether or not it makes for a story *you* like better.

Yeah, I can relate on this part, hence I only take whatever advice is useful to improve my work.

Grammar/punctuation/etc. advice is for readability, and does not change the story. When sincerely and correctly given, advice here will make your story more readable and accessible, but does not change the story itself.

With these two guidelines, I now have a very nice story that is over 700K words long (and growing), written in just under 3 years.

Yep, you're faster than me. Mine's done after six years with only 1.2 million words long.

Note: Yes, an agent takes a percentage. But that means they are incentivized to get you the best deal possible. And their work does not end at just getting you a good contract, they are obliged to work toward protecting your fiscal interests with regards to your work. They won't help you with accounting or anything, that is not their job, but they may give you advice like "You should talk with a tax specialist about creating an LLC to receive your payments through."

Also, they deal with BS you do not want to deal with. They have the experience and distance to be patient and draw out negotiations to work things in your favor.

I think they'll love to hear this, coz our students love to write, and write alone.

I make money on a regular basis from my writing so I might be able to offer a few things.

I mentioned in another forum post the necessity of commitment so I'll repeat that here.
Make sure they understand what they are getting into. Those wanting to monetize their writing need to understand the commitment involved - a lot like owning a pet you care for their whole life. They're going to be forced into a situation where they must produce words sometimes daily, so for sure, lay out to them the importance of writing as a career. It is a huge undertaking. They're giving up their own lives for entertainment, and they're going to have to do it for as long as they live - unless they want to "retire", of course.

Secondly, know the limits. While that $1000 job for a story about zombies and gore might be attractive, if you're squeamish about blood, don't take it, for example. On the other hand, that $250 job for a fiction piece about cats might be right up your alley. I'm willing to bet you'd write the $250 story perfectly whereas the zombie story might be flat because you're not "into" it. So, choose your "battles" - you want the stories you would feel good writing, because that's where you'll shine the most.

Sounds like you have a fun job to look forward to, being able to teach fresh minds. I'm envious. <3 good luck!

I also advocate for dedication in craft, though unlike you, I wasn't able to capitalize on my work, since--as many here would say--I wrote for myself than for the audience.

Anyway, teaching is fun, and is pretty heart-warming when students finally appreciate what you say and teach them. Or sometimes, they also teach you something new, or something you forgot in your quest for career upgrades. Another benefit is I can 'play' at work and appease my boredom with whacky and silly stuff.

Yeah, like this one a former student sent to me just now.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

For some reason, I wasn't notified when these replies were posted here. Any case, thanks for the answers!


They learned I'm into writing, so the adviser invited me to speak to their club.


Yeah, I can relate on this part, hence I only take whatever advice is useful to improve my work.


Yep, you're faster than me. Mine's done after six years with only 1.2 million words long.


I think they'll love to hear this, coz our students love to write, and write alone.


I also advocate for dedication in craft, though unlike you, I wasn't able to capitalize on my work, since--as many here would say--I wrote for myself than for the audience.

Anyway, teaching is fun, and is pretty heart-warming when students finally appreciate what you say and teach them. Or sometimes, they also teach you something new, or something you forgot in your quest for career upgrades. Another benefit is I can 'play' at work and appease my boredom with whacky and silly stuff.

Yeah, like this one a former student sent to me just now.

View attachment 39790

I used to teach Sunday school long ago, and several of my students grew up to become ministers. So, I guess I did okay. *^^*
You're right; there's no better reward than changing a kid's life for the better - not just their life, but the lives they touch too.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

I used to teach Sunday school long ago, and several of my students grew up to become ministers. So, I guess I did okay. *^^*
You're right; there's no better reward than changing a kid's life for the better - not just their life, but the lives they touch too.

Am teaching high schoolers, Grade 8 and 10.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

Am teaching high schoolers, Grade 8 and 10.

My kids were 14 to 17. Very hellish, some of them. Greek kids can be a handful lol

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

My kids were 14 to 17. Very hellish, some of them. Greek kids can be a handful lol

Love to interact with teenagers. They can be pretty insightful of the world around them; only if someone would listen. ?

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

Hello, great author! Your story is fantastic. I’m a paid professional artist specializing in eye-catching covers and scene illustrations—perfect for helping your book stand out. Let’s collaborate and bring your vision to life!

Feel free to contact me via:
Discord: westerncreatives
Telegram-westerncreatives
Instagram- westerncreatives

I'm an author AND also an illustrator. I do my stuff with traditional pen-and-paper, coloring it digitally, and have been designing cover arts for fellow authors here.

And let's cut to the chase. You didn't even read a single chapter of my work...

...so quit following me up to this forum. Thanks!