I Am Writing A Book And Nobody Cares:

[sttngfan1701d]

Sometimes I write stories if the fancy strikes. Not fanfiction, but original stuff. I'm a pretty decent writer in my own opinion.

But I found out quite quickly if I ask friends for opinions on stuff they know I've written, they'll either drag their feet about reading it, or they'll be incredibly critical (and of course, criticism isn't a bad thing when it comes to writing, usually). However, if I give them a few passages to read in either text message or WhatsApp form, or email them a PDF without my name on it (and have it all professional looking)...they get all enthusiastic and say "Who wrote this? It's good!"

When I say "I did," they're like "Really? OMG it's good you should keep it up, it was really interesting! Blahblahblahblah."

That always makes me chuckle.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Finding a writing group sounds like a good idea. I'm not much of a book reader. The last one I ever read was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and this was when the movie version came out.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Finding a writing group sounds like a good idea. I'm not much of a book reader. The last one I ever read was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and this was when the movie version came out.

You call yourself a Hogwarts student, but you haven't read the whole series?! Shame on you!

 

[Gryffindorian]

You call yourself a Hogwarts student, but you haven't read the whole series?! Shame on you!

I should probably listen to the audio books.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

I should probably listen to the audio books.

Absolutely! They're excellent. And there's so much you don't know about if you're going only by the movies. Okay, okay, I'll back off now.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

I've only read the first 2 1/2 volumes - then the plot got boringly predictable. The movies are not bad but in my opinion a bit too dark. When it comes to wizards, I prefer Merlin or Catweazle.

Audiobooks are a splendid invention as you can listen to them while driving or during monotonous work like ironing or tidying up. Also, at a certain age, reading gets harder (even with ebooks) and audiobooks are easy on the eyes I'm atm "reading" a Doctor Who novel while working on the microscope.

How about publishing your book as an audiobook? It'd be cheaper than a printed version and offer a larger profit for you.

 

[Triskelion]

tl;dr



Ok on a more sincere note, friends' feedback isn't that useful anyway, they'll just tell you something to be nice. Or worse, be honest with you!

No, for writing, you're far better off joining a community writer workshop - and then you can put your money where your mouth is - and read other people's work in order to earn feedback on yours. Now you know what it is to be asked to read - not a passage, not a chapter - but a whole book! That you didn't pick out yourself. Granted for some, it's easy, but for many others that is like asking them to pick you up at the airport every week for the coming year.

Anyway, a writing workshop will give you much more valuable suggestions for you to ignore.

 

[Kail]

I've spent countless hours writing and illustrating Star Trek comic books, and no one cares. I release them to grave indifference. Same with my music. I write music, play all the instruments, spend weeks obsessing over the details... nobody will even listen. You know what? I don't care. I enjoy the creative outlet and it's very satisfying knowing I can do things that not everyone can. Maybe they'll play them at my funeral.

 

[Finn]

My wife is going to a writer's guild meeting tomorrow. Perhaps there's such a thing/event in OP's area?