Julie maand het baie vinnig in ‘n besige maand verander met heelwat
uitdagings. Die rede dat ek nou eers kans kry om te skryf. Iets wat vir my
nogal baie uitstaan op al die groepe die afgelope tyd is kritiek. Daarom my
bietjie meer formele Nuusbrief vandag.
Om die breër skrywersmark te bereik
het ek goed gedink om dit in Engels te skryf.'
How to handle critique as a writer.
Critique remains an extremely
controversial subject to talk about. The mere suggestion of an analysis of your
work causes much debate, and every person’s interpretation differs.
This letter is not a lashing but
rather help any aspiring author coping with the effects.
Critique is valuable in essence. It
either influences us to become better or derail us. Many people cannot detach themselves
from it and personalize it. Then, as a protection mechanism, they will attack
first. The reason for my writing is to address the issue so that you can be
aware of the advantages of a good critique and how to view it. Putting you back
on the track.
With my first book, I was unaware of
many of the hurdles. Hurdles that had almost thrown me completely. I was naïve
and unfamiliar about the proper book cover, beta readers, proof-readers or
editors and everything in between. Back then there were very few groups on
Facebook and in South Africa, there was none that I could find. In stupidity, I
published my first book, as a free read and was shot down immediately. I had
two one-star reviews within a few hours and deleted the book immediately from
the website. I was in total shock, not prepared for the critique I had
received. I was devastated, for sure. Heartbroken and brought down a peg. That
feeling lasted about two days. I realized that there is much more involved than
just writing a book. At that stage, I
was in no financial position to pay someone and had to rely on the Internet and
the resources I could find.
It took me another year of asking questions
and learning to publish the book again. This time I was more aware of all the
steps involved. Investing hours of learning the craft to really be successful.
I learned about book marketing and familiarized myself with all the book
websites available. Joined many writing sites, all in an attempt to learn.
It is hard work. As an author, time
with the family is limited. Now time is spent in front of the laptop; writing. Sacrificing
and learning every day but the harvest will be reaped for the diligence shown. There
are times that mistakes still pop up, even after nine years being a full-time
author. But I pride myself in the fact that I have learned. It was an incredibly
difficult road but one that has developed me the most. It has opened doors to me that I would not
have had previously.
1. The first trait you need to develop
is a thick skin to become a published author. Writers are very prickly
when it comes to their work but to be on the defensive will not help. Approaching
a person for advice you need to know; it might not be the answer you were
looking for. Be prepared for that. Not all of us are good at putting our
thoughts into the correct wording and then the critique comes out belittling or
demeaning to the person which was not attended.
Make sure you understand the
feedback before you react.
2. Be objective about the critique and take it for
what it is worth. I have learned over the years that critique comes in many
forms. Some leave you stunned to the core; others shape your craft. Profit
from the latter.
3. If unsure, ask questions
until you comprehend the reasoning. School yourself with enough information
beforehand.
4. Don’t inquire from a person that
knows nothing about books or publishing. Rather speak to an experienced author;
self-published or a traditional author. Or people involved in the writing community.
Remember, we all have started where you are right now. We know the feeling of
rejection.
5. Distance yourself from your work. Yes, I know it is not easy to do.
Writing is very much part of you. It is your thoughts, your experiences and
dreams put into words for the world to read. When someone attacks it you feel
it deep down, almost like a stabbing directly into your heart. Although the
person giving it did not attend it in that manner. Especially when you are
still an aspiring writer you need to be level-headed.
6. Ask yourself: how can I use this
critique to better my craft? Grammar is one of the biggest stumble blocks
in writing. Invest in a good grammar book and learn.
7. Write As Often As You Can and Read.
What to know before publishing?
1. You require a draft. This will often lead to many
drafts, accumulated over several years even. But it doesn’t help that the book
is in your head, it should be on paper. Therefore, write that draft.
Tools
to invest in:
a)
Dictionaries
b) Grammar
or Scribens. Just a note about the two: Grammar is for the American language, and
Scribens has an option between British and American. Make sure, when writing in
English that you use the correct one. They will help in many cases, but they
are not one hundred per cent accurate.
c)
Rules of grammar. Have it in print next to you. If you can fix the basic stuff
before it goes to a beta reader or proof-reader it, then you are halfway there.
d)
Read up about your genre, how to write a perfect plot about it etc.
e)
How to write a fight scene or how to write a perfect love scene… there are many
forums with the correct information. Don’t be lazy and do research.
Before
you send your draft to a person remember these few rules:
1. Be committed to your writing. When they send an email response as
soon as possible. So make time in your own schedule.
2. Make sure you understand their
payment plan before you commit. They normally ask 50% payment upfront. There are reasons for this. On
the last day of scheduled completion make sure you pay them any outstanding
monies; unless prearranged. Otherwise, you will not receive your book back.
3. Don’t disappear. These people have a life, respect
their time.
4. Don’t assume they can help you immediately, set
a date and time.
5. Keep to scheduling.
6. If life happens inform them so that they can commit
to other projects. Every day they wait they lose an income.
7. Work with them, don’t take offence when you receive
a page back marked in red. If they say rewrite, you rewrite that page.
8. Show your professionalism.
9. No need for tantrums. Or hate posts
on Facebook! To
belittle the person willing to help you will get you nowhere and any other
professional will avoid you after that.
2. Consider a beta reader or critique
reader. Someone who
is willing to help you to build the story. Listen to their advice. They don’t
want to ruin your story; they want to help you. Trust them. Get as many as you
can. Remember, it is their time they are offering. Time equals money or any
other sort of barter. Be wise, be clever. But don’t be stingy.
“Beta
readers read your book prior to it going to the printer. You could also use
them before submission to an agent or publisher. They read the manuscript for
comment on the structure, characters, plot as well as grammar/spelling or
anything else they notice that may need revision. Their comments will generally
result in another rewrite although of course, you don’t need to action
everything. Beta readers should be people who like the genre you write in, and
also need to be able to give honest feedback. There is no point in just hearing
praise at this stage. Criticism only makes our work better!” Joanna
Penn
3. Conduct research on the story, the more facts you can add the more
believable it will be.
4. Get an experienced proofreader. Make sure to use references when
looking for one. Again, their time is valuable.
If
you want them to work for free, consider the following:
a) How
serious are you about writing?
b) How
much time will they really put in?
c) What
kind of work will you get back?
5. Get an experienced editor. Again, value their time. They are
expensive for a reason.
6. Book cover designer. The cover sells the book. It is
the first contact the reader has with your book. These collage apps are good
for making collages but not for book covers. Pay them something.
7. Synopsis - it is about 250 words long that informs the
reader what to expect. Let a proofreader assist you with it. Draw the reader
in with the synopsis. That is your one and only chance to woe them.
How
do you write a good back blurb?
This
is a list of what featured most often from a number of bestselling thrillers
reviewed as research from my bookshelf. The principles hold true for any genre
although the details change for each.
·
A hint of the plot. “Secret experiment. Tiny island. Big mistake.” (Scott Sigler,
Ancestor); “must fight their way past traps, labyrinths and a host of deadly
enemies” (Matthew Reilly. Six Sacred Stones);
·
Use of words
that evoke images and resonate with readers of the genre. Examples, “ancient
monastery” (Raymond Khoury, The Sign), “hidden esoteric wisdom, Masonic
secrets” (Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol), “the secret behind Noah’s Ark” (Boyd
Morrison, The Ark), “Druidic pagan cross” (James Rollins, The Doomsday Key); “A
buried Egyptian temple. A secret kept for 6000 years. A race for life worth
killing for.” (Andy McDermott, The Pyramid of Doom)
·
Main characters are named and characterized. “TV news reporter Gracie Logan. Matt
Sherwood, reformed car thief” (The Sign); “Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon:
(Lost Symbol); “Trapped inside a paralyzed body, Rhymes brilliant mind is
channelled through his partner, policewoman Amelia Sachs” (Jeffrey Deaver, The
Twelfth Card); “Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma Force” (James Rollins, Doomsday
Key)
·
Idea of setting. Washington DC, Rotunda (Dan Brown, Lost Symbol); “from the Roman
Coliseum to the icy peaks of Norway, from the ruins of medieval abbeys to the
lost tombs of Celtic kings” (James Rollins, Doomsday Key)
·
A question or a hint of mystery that draws the reader in to be solved or
answered. “Is the
sign real? Is God talking to us? Or is something more sinister going on…”
(Raymond Khoury, The Sign)
·
Hyperbole.
“stunning controversy that’s spinning out of control” (Raymond Khoury, The
Sign); “..never before seen revelations seem to be leading him to a single
impossible and inconceivable truth” (Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol); “The mission
is incredible. The consequences of failure are unimaginable. The ending is
unthinkable.” (Matthew Reilly. Six Sacred Stones) Quotes about the book or
previous books by the author. “Part Stephen King, part Chuck Palahniuk…a pulpy
masterpiece of action, terror and suspense” (James Rollins on Scott Siglers
Infected)
·
How long.
Most seem to be 100-150 words long as the blurb text itself, not including
about the author if included. That is also a nicely spaced blurb, not a
squashed one.
·
About the author. This isn’t done often for the blockbuster novels, but James Rollins
does it well with a rugged photo and a description that includes, “An avid
spelunker and certified scuba enthusiast, he can often be found underground or
underwater.” Now that’s a thriller writer!
Taken
from The Creative Penn blog.
8. You do need an ISBN - it is free.
9. If you want to have a print copy of
your book, ask
around. There are a few printers to choose from; get quotes first. Remember
their estimations will determine your selling price. Personally, I use Minuteman Press in Boksburg and at times Group 7. They provide expert service and
affordable pricing.
10. Investigate pricing in your genre. Look at the number of words and
pages. Don’t be ridiculous with pricing in paperback and/or Kindle. Remember,
you compete against thousands of other authors, well-known authors. Don’t put
yourself out of the market, be relevant.
11. Acquaint yourself with the various websites or get
someone to help you compile profiles on different websites. Smashwords,
Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter, LinkedIn, BookBub and Pinterest; all these sites
give you a platform. Use it. For this, you will need a good profile picture and
biography of yourself.
12. Be aware of target markets and all relevant resources. I
cannot state it enough, school yourself.
13. Always have a profile in Word ready. It is part of your marketing and will
be used often with every webpage created. Keep it simple, once your book is
available, remember to add all the links on it as well. It is time effective.
14. Converting the Word document to
Kindle can be quite
daunting, if you have trouble, sign up with a qualified person.
15. Create a marketing/launch plan. The South African authors have lots
to learn about this. Be informed and learn.
16. Create Promo images or teasers to draw your readers or ask the
person that created the book cover.
17. Marketing. Invite people to help you, get a
blogger or ten to do a review of your book. Gift them a copy, either in PDF,
EPUB or Mobi format. Bloggers remain a value-added service. Some do charge a
small fee to publish it on their blog, but they will get your book out. Their
followers are already in line, while you still need a followers base. Don’t
underestimate them. Remember it is a
service. Their time is valuable, and data is not free or barter your time.
I have done it many times when money was tight.
Use
the rule of thirds.
Your social media feed shouldn’t be entirely self-promotional. Instead, use the
rule of thirds. For example:
1.
One-third: promotion, whether it’s for yourself or fellow authors
2.
One-third: insight into yourself as an author
3. One-third:
a personal interest (bonus if it’s something your audience would enjoy or benefit
from hearing about, e.g. movies, politics, etc.)
Taken
from BookBub blog.
18. Get to know the different tags
and use them effectively.
19. Talk about your book, a blog is most effective.
20. A review is an effective tool for any published author.
You will resort to it often during your marketing campaign. Don’t underestimate
its value. One of my clients still uses my review I have given him back in 2015
and tag me in it. It spread the word around and is beneficial for us both.
21. Call your local newspaper for an interview. They are always
looking for stories.
22. WRITE SOME MORE.
How to be a proficient
reader/reviewer.
There is a fine line between a respectable
and dreadful reviewer.
·
When
reading a book from a first-time author, give them your honesty in a sincere
and sound way.
·
Don’t thrash the author within the review. Remember, you will post this on a social
website, open for every reader. If you write something demeaning, the spotlight
will be on you. Don’t be spiteful. It doesn’t befit you.
·
If
you have a problem and you cannot see your way to give an outstanding review, rather
send an email to the author and explain your reasons. I had to do it a few
times. They normally appreciate the feedback. As long as you haven’t berated
them or the book.
·
Be consequent in your reviews. Keep within the timeframe agreed upon. If you
cannot make it, let them know. Since they are waiting eagerly for your opinion.
·
Giving
reviews open your heart and mind and you connect with that person in a
very special way. Plus, you receive books for free - honour it.
·
Be respectful.
This is a question I am asked often
since many are lazy to give feedback.
A review consists of a few words -
between 50 - 100 words.
1) Don’t rewrite the story.
2) What did you think of the writing
style of the author?
3) Could you connect with the
characters?
4) Is the story believable?
5) A general overview of the story and
could you relate. No spoilers!
This feedback is highly valued and
appreciated by the author. They produced a story for a few hours of enjoyment,
so be kind and give them a review. It cost you nothing but kindness and with
the next release, you will receive a copy first. You will have insight
immediately before any other reader.
