Sharing your work

[Stacey Sweeney]

I'm curious to know what gets you guys interested in reading someone's work, and what makes you willing to critique it. Especially those of you who have sold a novel to a publishing house.

I've noticed that in a lot of the sections of the Share Your Work part, most of the stories don't have many replies. I just posted a story in the Mainstream/Contemporary section (which means there's no way anyone has had time to even notice it yet) and I was wondering what is the best way to get people to read it and tell me what they think. Again, especially those who have sold a novel already. (Not to put anyone else down, but I'd assume that if someone has sold a novel, they are a bit more experienced than the rest of us.)

I've sold some smaller stories, but never a novel. I'd really like to know how to improve mine.

So, how do I get people to read it??
Thanks,
Stacey

[DamaNegra]

You may pray or you may pay them. Join a critique group or something like that. I know how you feel, and I'd critique your work but I'm a novice writer, so I wouldn't be of much help :)

[Sage]

Down in SYW, people tend to critique their genre, from what I can tell. Those sections that tend to have more works posted, seem to get the most & fastest responses. I know, I'll at least glance at the things under SF/F & childrens, just because I write those (well, YA). Occasionally, a title will catch my eye in another section. Another thing is length. If I'm really in the mood for editing, I might be willing to go through a long piece, but if not, I'll probably just skip it. If there are lots of critiques already, I might go through & read those & either add my two cents or just learn from them.

Covers & titles are what catch my eye at stores. If I know an author is good, I might seek out that author's newest works, but if I come in to, let's say, Borders & the front table has something that looks interesting, I'll at least check out the back (or front flap) to see if the story sounds as interesting as the cover, & read a page or two to see if I can stand the writing.

[zeprosnepsid]

I only go down to the critique section when I get a chance (aka have some extra time) and only read stuff in my genres of interest. Oftentimes, I'll read and/or critique people who I recognize from the forums since I've usually heard them talk about the book before.

For instance, I think I just read a chapter from Sage's book if I remember correctly. I ran out of time before I could critique. I should probably go back and do that...

[Sage]

For instance, I think I just read a chapter from Sage's book if I remember correctly. I ran out of time before I could critique. I should probably go back and do that...

Ooh, yes, please! :kiss:

I give out rep points for critiques too :D

[Cathy C]

I volunteer as a first round judge in a lot of unpublished contests where the author submits the first 25 pages plus a synopsis. If those pages grab me (and usually there's at least ONE that does), I'll add a note on my score sheet that requests the rest of the book and offer to give suggestions. Several times now I've introduced the writer to agents I know, or talked them up to editors at conferences. Two have been taken on by the agent! That always makes me happy! :)

Twice in the past, I tried to do the same with work I saw on a website forum. Both times, I was embarrassed, because the writer NEVER contacted the person I tried to introduce them to. It was mentioned by the agent/editor, which is not a good thing for their opinion of me. The writer got scared in both instances. I don't know if it was a "fear of success" thing, or an "Eek! I didn't mean for you to do that! It's not ready to go out!" But in the long run, they're the same thing.

Again, I tried that same thing with some writing group members, with the same frustrating result. It taught me something. It doesn't seem to matter if the work is equal quality (quite often it is) to a contest entry, but it DOES matter whether or not the writer is READY to take the step to put it out for judging. Agents and editors all judge stories -- it's how they decide what to buy. A writer who isn't ready to enter a contest might not be ready for the realities of publishing. The ones who throw it out there to the wolves, probably are.

Just my own personal experience, FWIW. :o

[JerseyGirl1962]

I'm curious to know what gets you guys interested in reading someone's work, and what makes you willing to critique it. Especially those of you who have sold a novel to a publishing house.

I've noticed that in a lot of the sections of the Share Your Work part, most of the stories don't have many replies. I just posted a story in the Mainstream/Contemporary section (which means there's no way anyone has had time to even notice it yet) and I was wondering what is the best way to get people to read it and tell me what they think. Again, especially those who have sold a novel already. (Not to put anyone else down, but I'd assume that if someone has sold a novel, they are a bit more experienced than the rest of us.)

I've sold some smaller stories, but never a novel. I'd really like to know how to improve mine.

So, how do I get people to read it??
Thanks,
Stacey

Stacey,

I put one chapter in the Fantasy/SF section awhile ago (a WIP that I've since set aside, NOT because of crits there - I got 3 - but because I reread my opening chapter and decided that chapter and the rest of the novel had too many things/scenes tacked on). What Sage said about title and genre is certainly true for me - if the title grabs me and it's in the genre I like to write in, then I'll give a critique.

I have to admit, I haven't been over there in some time because I've since joined an online crit group. You might want to check in the Mentoring section; I remember a thread about a certain crit group looking for members (free, BTW).

I joined the Online Writing Workshop which works with spec fic - fantasy, science fiction, and horror. You might want to do a little research and consider something along like that. I think Critique Circle has all sorts of genres and straight mainstream (http://www.critiquecircle.com). Or you can do a search in the Mentoring section for "crit group" or something similar.

If you do decide to join an online crit group (and it's not an easy thing putting your stuff out there - I know!), it seems to me that most require you to return a certain number of crits.

Ack, that doesn't really answer your question, does it? Sorry. But I reached the conclusion that a specialized group separate from this board is working better for me.

And I must get back to the OWW today and start critting again...

Good luck!

~Nancy

[Maryn]

Several factors affect whether I offer critique here.

One is that the work is in a genre I read. I'd be grossly unqualified to do anything beyond a grammar/spelling once-over in other genres, and my abilities are only strong in the genres in which I also write. (So that while I read some fantasy, for instance, I rarely critique it.)

Another is whether the person is active on the 'serious' boards I visit. Someone who's been around a long time but never makes him or herself part of the traffic on the writing boards, meh. There are some very, very busy people who make time to post about the craft and/or the business, sharing what they know, asking questions, etc. That the person seeking critique hasn't been among them may stop me.

If the person is new to AW, I'm disinclined to critique. I prefer to see the person contribute to the boards, not financially but with input, before donating my time and effort. I feel used if the request for critique is, like, their third post.

Okay, I'm shallow, but whether I like the person is a big factor. There are scads of people here I adore (although I try not to gush!) and a few people who really grate for whatever reason. I don't help the ones who grate. So sue me.

You thought I was shallow before? Dig this. There are a few AWers who use Take It Outside as their personal soapbox from which to promote their view of the world and how things should be. If I strongly disagree with their opinions, regardless of how pleasantly presented, no critique.

A good subject line in Share Your Work has been known to reel me in. Something clever, or that piques my curiosity, like that.

A private message telling me why my particular input is sought and how helpful it's sure to be is so flattering I can rarely resist, unless the person is clearly just brown-nosing or worse, sending a generic 'personal' message to a bunch of people.

Maryn, perhaps too honest

[banjo]

To the first part of your question, I read what grabs my interest in the first few pages. Sometimes, I'll go down the isles at book stores and pick up several books at random, from different genre. I don't even look at the title or author.

I sit down an read a few pages of each. If one grabs my interests I may buy it and take it home for later. This expands my personal field of interests. so many of the books I've looked at, seem to wander aimlessly for far too long to interest me.