Seems like every post in here is for beta readers (this IS a mentor forum too, right?)... but I'm not that far yet with my project. Actually, I've been having a bit of a crisis with writing lately, wondering if what I'm writing is any good, whether or not I have "what it takes"... and it's weighing me down.
I guess what I'm asking for is someone who can help gently whip me into shape. My project and main interest is YA fantasy, with some sci-fi elements in there as well. I get embarrassed when people ask me what my book is about. I feel like no one cares because it's not big, important Adult Fiction, firmly rooted in reality. I don't want to feel like this about something I've put so much time into and care about so much.
Another thing I'm struggling with is reading. Since I've signed up here, I've been reading a lot of threads, including Uncle Jim's and Miss Snark. I read the news or magazines when it's convenient. I enjoy reading manga every now and again. Reading non-fiction (particularly writing help books) is usually not a problem. I can read novels for school well enough. But none of this seems to matter, somehow. I have the hardest time reading novels for my own reasons. There are a few I've loved (Markus Zusak and M.T. Anderson are two authors whose novels I can generally get through) but for the most part, I'll pick something up at the library with good intentions but never read it after the first day. It drives me nuts, because I feel like if I can't even READ a novel, how am I ever going to WRITE one? I feel like there are a million other things I'd rather do than read, even though I like reading.
What I'd like, ideally, is someone who has maybe been through this before who can maybe share some experiences of how they got through it. I'd like it if there was someone who could give me some gentle pushes now and again about reading through emails or PMs, maybe suggesting books I might be able to get through. Someone experienced and interested in YA fantasy who I can explain my novel to, give excerpts to, who can tell me honestly if they see any potential there, or if I'm wasting my time. Any one-time feedback on this thread would be much appreciated too.
These are things I should be able to do for myself but I honestly struggle. Writing is what I'd love to do for a living but there's something wrong right now and I'm hoping some kind of push in the right direction might help, or at least confirm to me that the writing life isn't for me. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum or anything. Thanks for reading.
I guess what I'm asking for is someone who can help gently whip me into shape. My project and main interest is YA fantasy, with some sci-fi elements in there as well. I get embarrassed when people ask me what my book is about. I feel like no one cares because it's not big, important Adult Fiction, firmly rooted in reality. I don't want to feel like this about something I've put so much time into and care about so much.
Another thing I'm struggling with is reading. Since I've signed up here, I've been reading a lot of threads, including Uncle Jim's and Miss Snark. I read the news or magazines when it's convenient. I enjoy reading manga every now and again. Reading non-fiction (particularly writing help books) is usually not a problem. I can read novels for school well enough. But none of this seems to matter, somehow. I have the hardest time reading novels for my own reasons. There are a few I've loved (Markus Zusak and M.T. Anderson are two authors whose novels I can generally get through) but for the most part, I'll pick something up at the library with good intentions but never read it after the first day. It drives me nuts, because I feel like if I can't even READ a novel, how am I ever going to WRITE one? I feel like there are a million other things I'd rather do than read, even though I like reading.
What I'd like, ideally, is someone who has maybe been through this before who can maybe share some experiences of how they got through it. I'd like it if there was someone who could give me some gentle pushes now and again about reading through emails or PMs, maybe suggesting books I might be able to get through. Someone experienced and interested in YA fantasy who I can explain my novel to, give excerpts to, who can tell me honestly if they see any potential there, or if I'm wasting my time. Any one-time feedback on this thread would be much appreciated too.
These are things I should be able to do for myself but I honestly struggle. Writing is what I'd love to do for a living but there's something wrong right now and I'm hoping some kind of push in the right direction might help, or at least confirm to me that the writing life isn't for me. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum or anything. Thanks for reading.
