[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40432530]Wow I really don't know what you want from me mate maybe instead of criticizing me on a personal level take a look at the fucking book.[/QUOTE]
You could've gone "ok, thanks for trying to help I'll give it a go and take it on board"
But nope, you're still being defensive. Ok, I'll stop trying.
[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40432530]Wow I really don't know what you want from me mate maybe instead of criticizing me on a personal level take a look at the fucking book.[/QUOTE]
Maybe learn not to take perfectly valid criticism as personal attacks, and conduct yourself professionally when you're trying to sell yourself. Everyone in this thread is voicing the exact same thoughts which will be going through the head of anyone reading your work.
No matter how much you think your writing 'just works', you'll only be able to sell it to yourself with that attitude. "It's just my style" is the same excuse every kid on Deviantart uses to defend their ugly, badly proportioned drawings from criticism. Nobody owes you a compliment.
If you're selling your writing, then you're writing for other people, and you'll have to learn to deal with criticism that will be far, [I]far[/I] less polite than what has been posted here.
I'm sorry, but this is terrible. Your voice is just not interesting to read at all. Not to mention the grammatical errors. Did you happen to do any in depth research for your historical fiction?
[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40432530]Wow I really don't know what you want from me mate maybe instead of criticizing me on a personal level take a look at the fucking book.[/QUOTE]
that isn't how to handle it
if you ever want to make some actual money from this, change your attitude. nobody wants to deal with somebody who refuses to listen to criticism, and in real life, people aren't going to lie in your face if something is actually bad.
that's how you improve, you take that criticism, and instead of throwing it back and acting like a dick, you change what you're doing and improve your works.
Wow this thread. Lemoncurry nominated for biggest asshole in FP 2013.
You're sixteen dude. You are far from being a famous writer, let alone a good one. Good artists can take criticism, but since it's clear you can't take it, I'm not gonna waste my time on nice words to you. I read your 'sample' chapter and I think it's quite boring. Your writing is also somewhat cringe-worthy because you make a lot of mid-school level grammar mistakes and keep mentioning the character's names over and over again (and this is coming from someone who's first language isn't english and who does like historical fiction).
Seeing you're such a cocky guy and you're selling your grammar-errors infested book for 4 pounds when it's actually not even worth 1 pound (in fact, your whole OP reeks of greed: "my blog which will soon have adsense incorporated" <- who actually cares?), you should quit writing and try becoming a businessman or a used car salesman, you've got quite the profile for it.
[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40429184]I make do promotional offer things most weekends, in those periods it's free.[/QUOTE]
is this even english
[QUOTE=LordCrypto;40437303]I'm sorry, but this is terrible. Your voice is just not interesting to read at all. Not to mention the grammatical errors. Did you happen to do any in depth research for your historical fiction?[/QUOTE]
Yes, I did countless hours of research and i'm pretty sure most of what I've done is accurate, except the parts set in Ireland. Which part did you read to make you say it is [I]terrible[/I].
[editline]27th April 2013[/editline]
OK I sort of assumed this was kind of a jokey forum didn't realize everyone took it as seriously as reallife maybe I should just stop trying to be funny since you all obviously think i'm retarded, guess that's what happens when you tell people your age online.
[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40440394]Yes, I did countless hours of research and i'm pretty sure most of what I've done is accurate, except the parts set in Ireland. Which part did you read to make you say it is [I]terrible[/I].
[editline]27th April 2013[/editline]
OK I sort of assumed this was kind of a jokey forum didn't realize everyone took it as seriously as reallife maybe I should just stop trying to be funny since you all obviously think i'm retarded, guess that's what happens when you tell people your age online.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Now, after sending out 15 extensive emails to agencies, hoping to get represented, i'm trying to make a name for myself online.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Back to my hopes of getting published, i've set up various blogs and accounts in order to make a name for myself, for instance:[/QUOTE]
Even if you thought this was a "jokey" forum, why do you get angry when you get a serious response on something you're trying to [I]get published?[/I] We're saying "fix up your writing, improve it, try again" not "lol u suck stop writing", so fucking man up and take that advice. No one is holding you're age against you, they're just saying you're young, and you have a lot of time to practice your writing - but you seriously need to change your attitude.
I personally think you stop charging money for your stuff - I mean, £20 is barely anything and if you're trying to "make a name for yourself on the internet", asking people to pay for your stuff is a very good way of not doing that. Really, the "making big bux" picture I posted earlier on is exactly what it seems like you're doing - you can't expect to be an immediate success, and you should just keep on writing because you find it fun, not because you want to make big bux.
[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;40441283]Even if you thought this was a "jokey" forum, why do you get angry when you get a serious response on something you're trying to [I]get published?[/I] We're saying "fix up your writing, improve it, try again" not "lol u suck stop writing", so fucking man up and take that advice. No one is holding you're age against you, they're just saying you're young, and you have a lot of time to practice your writing - but you seriously need to change your attitude.
I personally think you stop charging money for your stuff - I mean, £20 is barely anything and if you're trying to "make a name for yourself on the internet", asking people to pay for your stuff is a very good way of not doing that. Really, the "making big bux" picture I posted earlier on is exactly what it seems like you're doing - you can't expect to be an immediate success, and you should just keep on writing because you find it fun, not because you want to make big bux.[/QUOTE]
yeah you're right tbh, I haven't got a very good attitude in terms of the whole publishing thing. It's a pretty bitter process though if i'm honest, and rejection letters don't really do much for that.
I'm only charging money as I need to save for living expenses next year, otherwise i'm screwed but maybe i'll stop doing that, I can see why it wouldn't be a very good idea, thanks.
Dude this whole thread is telling you why your stuff is rejected. It's just not good and some people even went as far as posting examples and you brushed it off as "it's my style".
Well, this thread has been incredibly useful for me, seeing that I'm writing a novel set in an apocalyptic scenario. Learning from the mistakes of others truly is enlightening.
Thanks lemoncurry, you are a good example to learn from and I already fixed several defects in my writing.
For example, I fixed the length of a flesh monster's cock barbs.
[sp]too bad only STALKER fans get the joke[/sp]
[QUOTE=Killuah;40441720]Dude this whole thread is telling you why your stuff is rejected. It's just not good and some people even went as far as posting examples and you brushed it off as "it's my style".[/QUOTE]
Oh most of the mistakes people pointed out I fixed immedietly, including numerous errors pointed out by you.
So my writings "just not good", that was a wasted couple of years :L, I don't really mind whether you guys don't think it's good, I mean I've got loads of people saying they really like it and over 100 people have bought it for kindle, and it's been up there less than a month. I don't know if they read it or not but it's enough to know that it caught their fancy. considering all of the errors I've corrected have been grammar based, maybe take a peek at the story, I mean in my opinion that is what makes a book good or bad, as oppose to grammar and spelling.
[editline]27th April 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE='[Green];40442196']Well, this thread has been incredibly useful for me, seeing that I'm writing a novel set in an apocalyptic scenario. Learning from the mistakes of others truly is enlightening.
Thanks lemoncurry, you are a good example to learn from and I already fixed several defects in my writing.
For example, I fixed the length of a flesh monster's cock barbs.
[sp]too bad only STALKER fans get the joke[/sp][/QUOTE]
I'll try my best to take that as a compliment!
basically i would really love some input on how the story could be changed, as that is my priority at the moment, i've been in contact with a proffesional editor who will help me in the process of correcting grammatical and spelling mistakes, but if anybody would have the time to give it a read, pm me and I will send you some, and if you can bear through reading enough to get a jist of the plot, then maybe you could help me with plotholes, anomalies etc.
[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40443519]Oh most of the mistakes people pointed out I fixed immedietly, including numerous errors pointed out by you.
So my writings "just not good", that was a wasted couple of years :L, I don't really mind whether you guys don't think it's good, I mean I've got loads of people saying they really like it and over 100 people have bought it for kindle, and it's been up there less than a month. I don't know if they read it or not but it's enough to know that it caught their fancy. considering all of the errors I've corrected have been grammar based, maybe take a peek at the story, I mean in my opinion that is what makes a book good or bad, as oppose to grammar and spelling.
[editline]27th April 2013[/editline]
I'll try my best to take that as a compliment!
basically i would really love some input on how the story could be changed, as that is my priority at the moment, i've been in contact with a proffesional editor who will help me in the process of correcting grammatical and spelling mistakes, but if anybody would have the time to give it a read, pm me and I will send you some, and if you can bear through reading enough to get a jist of the plot, then maybe you could help me with plotholes, anomalies etc.[/QUOTE]
Grammar IS important. It determines whether or not something is readable. Perhaps it is unfair to base my opinion of your work based on the sample chapter and the comments you have posted here, but the awkward phrasing/grammar/spelling errors aren't things to just shrug off as secondary. Like people have said earlier on the thread, ideas are omnipresent, but where the true value of a writer lies is in their execution.
I definitely do agree he needs to work on grammar and execution and all that, but isn't that what editors are sort of for? They heavily edit the book afterwards? I don't know the process of this, so I can't really say..
I do remember reading once though the author of Eragon Christopher Paolini or whatever wrote that book at 16 and when the editor saw it the grammar and everything was horrendous. However it was obviously had a lot of potential and the alongside the editor or publisher or whoever the fuck it was they helped him rectify his mistakes, and release his book without all those mistakes.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, the idea's are really important and if the book looks like it has a lot of potential to be a good read, then that's good writing as I see it.. sort of. I do believe in learning how to write better in terms of grammar and all that too though, as that seems sort of essential. Just offering an example.
[editline]27th April 2013[/editline]
I mean if lemoncurry is trying to release his novel unpolished I understand your guys criticism, but if he came here seeking for an opinion on how 'interesting' his novel has the potential to be, then I see his side as well.
[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40443519]Oh most of the mistakes people pointed out I fixed immedietly, including numerous errors pointed out by you.
So my writings "just not good", that was a wasted couple of years :L, I don't really mind whether you guys don't think it's good, I mean I've got loads of people saying they really like it and over 100 people have bought it for kindle, and it's been up there less than a month. I don't know if they read it or not but it's enough to know that it caught their fancy. considering all of the errors I've corrected have been grammar based, maybe take a peek at the story, I mean in my opinion that is what makes a book good or bad, as oppose to grammar and spelling.
[editline]27th April 2013[/editline]
I'll try my best to take that as a compliment!
basically i would really love some input on how the story could be changed, as that is my priority at the moment, i've been in contact with a proffesional editor who will help me in the process of correcting grammatical and spelling mistakes, but if anybody would have the time to give it a read, pm me and I will send you some, and if you can bear through reading enough to get a jist of the plot, then maybe you could help me with plotholes, anomalies etc.[/QUOTE]
People also buy dog poo bags with Hello Kitty pictures printed on them.
And if "people buy" it is your quality measure... well, no ifs. It already shows.
[editline]28th April 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE=lum1naire;40447995]I definitely do agree he needs to work on grammar and execution and all that, but isn't that what editors are sort of for? They heavily edit the book afterwards? I don't know the process of this, so I can't really say..
I do remember reading once though the author of Eragon Christopher Paolini or whatever wrote that book at 16 and when the editor saw it the grammar and everything was horrendous. However it was obviously had a lot of potential and the alongside the editor or publisher or whoever the fuck it was they helped him rectify his mistakes, and release his book without all those mistakes.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, the idea's are really important and if the book looks like it has a lot of potential to be a good read, then that's good writing as I see it.. sort of. I do believe in learning how to write better in terms of grammar and all that too though, as that seems sort of essential. Just offering an example.
[editline]27th April 2013[/editline]
I mean if lemoncurry is trying to release his novel unpolished I understand your guys criticism, but if he came here seeking for an opinion on how 'interesting' his novel has the potential to be, then I see his side as well.[/QUOTE]
His ideas ain't anything special either.
And it's all fine and dandy if my electrician knows very cool ways to lay the wires but I won't pay someone who never touched a screwdriver before.
Point being: In reading, the process itself is also a part of the experience and if your mindset is "I'm the ideas guy" you ain't gonna get shit done. Well maybe you will but that's not the kind of work that I can honour.
[QUOTE=lemoncurry;40443519]Oh most of the mistakes people pointed out I fixed immedietly, including numerous errors pointed out by you.
So my writings "just not good", that was a wasted couple of years :L, I don't really mind whether you guys don't think it's good, I mean I've got loads of people saying they really like it and over 100 people have bought it for kindle, and it's been up there less than a month. I don't know if they read it or not but it's enough to know that it caught their fancy. considering all of the errors I've corrected have been grammar based, maybe take a peek at the story, I mean in my opinion that is what makes a book good or bad, as oppose to grammar and spelling.
[/QUOTE]
Listen, I remember a writer stating that your work can always be improved no matter how good you are, and to never think you're to good to take criticism. Writing is one of those talents that takes a thick skin and honest people that can tear into your work and tell you ways to fix it or improve it. Stories also can't stand up to the plot/idea alone. Think of it like a movie, you have this great idea for a movie lets say Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Giant alien robots kicking ass of other giant alien robots that can also turn into sports cars, semi-trucks, and even jets. Now doesn't that sound like an awesome movie? Well, if you actually saw it you wouldn't agree with that. The acting was terrible and the explosions were repetitive. Now lets go back to writing. Imagine your writing skills as the actors in the movies, the more in-depth and correct you are the better the readers enjoy the actors and the better the actor preforms. Bad writing can make the best story be unreadable and awful.
[QUOTE=Killuah;40448508]People also buy dog poo bags with Hello Kitty pictures printed on them.
And if "people buy" it is your quality measure... well, no ifs. It already shows.
[editline]28th April 2013[/editline]
His ideas ain't anything special either.
And it's all fine and dandy if my electrician knows very cool ways to lay the wires but I won't pay someone who never touched a screwdriver before.
Point being: In reading, the process itself is also a part of the experience and if your mindset is "I'm the ideas guy" you ain't gonna get shit done. Well maybe you will but that's not the kind of work that I can honour.[/QUOTE]
I don't mean to be defensive but do you know anything about the plot [I]at all[/I], or are you just jumping to conclusions? :)
[editline]28th April 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE=Mr.Goodcat;40448884]Listen, I remember a writer stating that your work can always be improved no matter how good you are, and to never think you're to good to take criticism. Writing is one of those talents that takes a thick skin and honest people that can tear into your work and tell you ways to fix it or improve it. Stories also can't stand up to the plot/idea alone. Think of it like a movie, you have this great idea for a movie lets say Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Giant alien robots kicking ass of other giant alien robots that can also turn into sports cars, semi-trucks, and even jets. Now doesn't that sound like an awesome movie? Well, if you actually saw it you wouldn't agree with that. The acting was terrible and the explosions were repetitive. Now lets go back to writing. Imagine your writing skills as the actors in the movies, the more in-depth and correct you are the better the readers enjoy the actors and the better the actor preforms. Bad writing can make the best story be unreadable and awful.[/QUOTE]
This is true, I actually agree believe it or not (I liked that movie :( ).
Wow.
So i got 50 quid from amazon today, i guess that's cool.
Good luck on your writing career, buddy. I've always loved writing, but I just don't have the drive to write a novel. As much as I enjoy it, I don't feel any particular inclination towards [I]being a writer[/I]. I've nothing but respect for those who do, though! It's a tough field to break through in, especially in these days, so persevere, and keep honing your craft. Don't ever think you're "good enough," because writing, like any other art form, requires a lot of practice, a lot of time, and a healthy dash of inspiration and natural ability to be worth a damn at.
[QUOTE=Big Dumb American;40481452]Good luck on your writing career, buddy. I've always loved writing, but I just don't have the drive to write a novel. As much as I enjoy it, I don't feel any particular inclination towards [I]being a writer[/I]. I've nothing but respect for those who do, though! It's a tough field to break through in, especially in these days, so persevere, and keep honing your craft. Don't ever think you're "good enough," because writing, like any other art form, requires a lot of practice, a lot of time, and a healthy dash of inspiration and natural ability to be worth a damn at.[/QUOTE]
thanks man that means a lot! im definitely not a great writer but the idea of being able make people feel the way i feel about reading is really something. If you ever get bored and want to read some of my book I could pm you a chapter or two?
I'm writing ambitious fanfiction as practice.
Character driven war epics that obey the laws of physics and rational human behavior are pretty hard to do.
Oh, and good luck OP, see you on the bestseller list.
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