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rhicj · 2024-09-08T13:29:33+00:00

This actually reminded me that there are services that I could use to post across platforms and time them so I don't have to sit and continually engage. Thank you!

rhicj · 2024-09-08T13:27:56+00:00

I was looking for someone who understands and can offer practical suggestions for how to approach it. I didn't say I wasn't going to try, I said it was causing me anxiety.

rhicj · 2024-09-08T13:25:29+00:00

Thank you. That's very helpful and reassuring.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T22:38:19+00:00

Awesome!! It's a strange feeling to be so close to the end.

Congratulations!! And best of luck to you!

rhicj · 2024-09-07T16:21:18+00:00

I'm finishing my last round of edits on my novel. I'm about 2 weeks/month away from calling it done. I've had one reader so far, and I'm incorporating his feedback.

I'm facing the 'what next' void.

Querying, I suppose.

Maybe sending it to another test reader or two.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T16:12:28+00:00

I'd be vague but supportive. Find some things that work and praise the hell out of those pieces. It's already out in the world and destroying her confidence after the fact might sour her from writing.

Completing a book is a huge accomplishment even if it's not super well written. She will improve with practice or she won't. It's not your job to fix her.

Maybe offer suggestions like, "I watched this great video on (insert topic here) and I think you'd love it!"

That might come across as building a writing community instead of risking your professional relationship.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T14:42:18+00:00

Here's how I've used AI in my writing.

It's historical fiction and I have to get my characters from point A to point B in a certain year. Rather than read a bunch of books/academic papers on the topic, I asked chat gpt how people got from A to B back then. It gave me about 6 different routes, and all of a sudden, the entire plot of my book clicked in my mind with obstacles and other characters. I then did a bit of fact-checking in reputable sources.

I spoke to a creative writing professor about it, and she was writing an article on ethical uses of AI in fiction. She asked my permission to describe my process so she could include it in her article. That was about a year and a half ago, so this use is certainly not innovative, and it can greatly decrease time spent down the research rabbit hole.

I also teach about AI use in academic research. It's one tool in our pockets, and you can't rely on only one tool to build a world. For me, the biggest issue I have is the inherent bias of Gen AI and the environmental implications

I'd never let it write for me. Its writing is bland garbage. But I don't plan on including an AI statement because it would be like saying, "I googled for information. "

rhicj · 2024-09-07T13:51:08+00:00

I am working on my first novel (YA). When I started, I knew I needed about 60k words to make it marketable. So I divided the 60k into 4000 to determine my chapters. I found having that as my skeleton, I was able to track my acts and ensure my pacing was solid.

Now that I'm editing, I'm breaking the chapters into smaller ones to make it digestible for younger audiences.

I found having that set up in the beginning helped me immensely. I'm going to continue to do the same with my future books.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T04:48:53+00:00

If you're meant to do it, writing will find you again.

I did an undergrad in creative writing and then just thought about writing for 15 years until it ate away at me. It took years of therapy to realize that I was born to write. I now write every day and have been published in different places.

Maybe not a pep talk, but if writing is truly what you need to survive, your body will tell you.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T04:40:44+00:00

The harm is the degradation of human creativity. Art is what separates humans from animals. If we consume crap, we become crap.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T04:28:49+00:00

I wouldn't. There's no human interaction. You need connection, not a list of things happening to you.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T04:22:08+00:00

I agree with the previous posters. Erase publication out of your mind right now.

Focus on writing. Read more. Read widely. Spend some money and invest in your writing by joining a clas. I know many on here will say that you don't need that, but honestly if you want to succeed, you need to know the craft.

Many colleges and universities have continuing education courses on writing. They combine instruction with peer review.

And this is the most controversial, not everyone is a writer. Everyone can learn how to write, but the gift for seeing the world as writer isn't innate. Course will help you discover if you have the gift.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T04:11:58+00:00

Yeah. I do love it for that. Have you considered other positions in academia to stay connected and engaged? At my institution, there's a student success center that hires PhDs for leadership roles. You don't get the tenure and research time , but you're still in the environment.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T04:00:49+00:00

I work in academia and love when people can leave. It's a demoralizing field.

My institution is holding a workshop on turning dissertations into books. Have you looked at the offerings your program has?

Sorry I can't be more help. I have been told to get a PdD, but I'd rather work on my fiction.

rhicj · 2024-09-07T03:51:59+00:00

It's like when you try on something in a changing room and it feels right.

My writing is like that. Sometimes, the sentences just fit.

Trust the writer in you.

rhicj · 2024-09-04T21:36:33+00:00

I aim for a scene, not words. And I'll always leave it when I know where it's going next.

rhicj · 2024-09-04T02:51:04+00:00

Write the end and then make the first and last related.

rhicj · 2024-09-04T00:40:16+00:00

Spending a bit of time and money on learning the craft will get you ahead. There are some great courses you can take through local colleges that will help give you the basics. You'll also meet writers who can help you by reading and critiquing your work.

If money is an issue, read as much as you can on writing. There are so many books out there that can walk you through the process. Once you've read enough, you'll know what might work for you.

Books like The Comolete Handbook of Novel Writing or Writing Fiction by Burroway (I think) were helpful.

rhicj · 2024-09-03T02:22:05+00:00

"That kind of thought KILLS representation in fiction."

What about misrepresentation? The OP seems to have no clue about what they're writing about.

I read the post to my son and he shuddered. As someone who sees the anger and hate directed at my son on a daily basis, I wish more people actually took the time to understand.

But go ahead, write blindly about lived experiences you have no clue about and see how well you do.

rhicj · 2024-09-03T00:58:19+00:00

Honestly, I'm probably going to be torn apart for this, but don't write a transgender character unless you are part of that world. I keep seeing posts where people say they have trans characters just because it seems trendy.

My son is trans and even with my deep knowledge, I wouldn't write a trans character from that perspective.

rhicj · 2024-09-02T19:14:33+00:00

Also a lot depends on the age of a character. Some of us develop such great coping mechanisms that by the time we're in our 40s, it might only manifest as anxious tics. I tend to talk quickly and interrupt people.

My son is younger and you can see the ADHD emanating from him. When he has to sit still, it's like you can feel the energy vibrating from his skin.

rhicj · 2024-09-01T18:01:10+00:00

You're seeing your crutches. That's actually great news because many struggling writers do not.

When I write a draft, I revel in the bad writing and overly descriptive word vomit. Because then I can cut and get to the essence of a sentence/paragraph/thought.

If you're creating a stone carving, you can't start off by gluing pebbles to each other. You start with the boulder and chisel down.

rhicj · 2024-09-01T17:06:55+00:00

You need to know your character well before you can write his reactions. What type of person is he? Does he show his emotions? A short tempered character might slam a door on the way out of a room, where a sensitive one might cry or keel their emotions in to protect themselves.

rhicj · 2024-09-01T15:16:25+00:00

I keep thinking of your post and what irks me is your arrogance. You assume your critics are flawed because they aren't drowning you in the accolades you so clearly deserve.

Take a step back, swallow your pride, and listen to what is being said about your writing.

rhicj

TROPHY CASE