Welcome… I’m New Here! Hello literary world!

[JamesJCooper]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is well! I'm new to this whole literary scene. I'm currently writing a memoir which covers addiction and the recovery of it. It covers dark subjects including some of the trauma I had suffered in my twenties, which consequently lead me to seek solace in escape and my addiction. I'm here because I have no experience in writing whatsoever and am keen to seek advice, and potentially critique of my work so far.

I come from a working class back ground in the North-East of England and with no writing experience to speak of

I look forward to speaking with some of you and am hopeful to improve on my writing.

James

 

[Sedayne]

Hi James,

Welcome to Litopia. I hope you're finding your way around.

I too am working class by background, from the Northwest and back here now, but I lived in Durham for several years, so I know the Northeast well.

It might feel daunting as a new writer, especially sharing something as personal as memoir, but I hope you'll find the Litopia Lab a safe and nurturing space to give and receive critiques. Any questions, just ask.

Rachel

 

[Claire G]

Welcome xx

 

[RK Wallis]

Welcome aboard

Memoir is a good space to introduce yourself to writing. It's easier for the words and pain to flow. Just remember to ask. What will make my reader care? You're aiming for around 70K words.

Good luck!
xx Rachel

 

[Lakeland Waffler]

Hi James

It’s lovely to meet you.

I’m originally from the north of North Yorkshire, now living in Cumbria, so I know the north east pretty well too. A lovely region, so often overlooked.

Looking forward to hearing more about your work in progress and seeing you around the colony.

Clare

 

[Vagabond Heart]

Hi and welcome to Litopia.
Let yourself settle in and get to know us, bit by bit. I hope you find all the help you need.
xxx

 

[James Charles]

Welcome, James. Great to have another James here!

 

[JamesJCooper]

Thanks all for the messages!

I'm aiming for 75/75,000 words for my memoir. The arc of my book progresses over three parts. Given that I don't generally read much unless it's something I'm particularly interested in. Is three parts enough, considering each chapter covers different subjects?

And a quick question to part with - I don't use any AI within my writing, however I am at a stage where I'm considering sending submissions. Would we consider it cheating if I use AI to assist me in putting a proposal together?

I'm not sure what I think personally. It's a modern tool that I think should be utilised, however I know that it would be very easy to over use it if you're not careful. What are your thoughts?

 

[JoanUP]

Greetings from USA James!
Your memoir sounds compelling. Looking forward to learning more about you. Congratulations on your recovery.

The short posts you wrote here suggest to me that you don't need AI. Your grammar and self expression are

Plus, it's my understanding that using AI can be a risk, since the "engines" might use your writing to suggest writing to others. What part of the submission process are you finding difficult? Maybe those here could give suggestions for that.

Joan

 

[Sedayne]

Thanks all for the messages!

I'm aiming for 75/75,000 words for my memoir. The arc of my book progresses over three parts. Given that I don't generally read much unless it's something I'm particularly interested in. Is three parts enough, considering each chapter covers different subjects?

And a quick question to part with - I don't use any AI within my writing, however I am at a stage where I'm considering sending submissions. Would we consider it cheating if I use AI to assist me in putting a proposal together?

I'm not sure what I think personally. It's a modern tool that I think should be utilised, however I know that it would be very easy to over use it if you're not careful. What are your thoughts?

I wouldn't use AI for any part of creative writing including the submission process. Agents and their assistants are likely to spot it for what it is and reject your submission. If they recognise the pitch/proposal as AI they will suspect your writing.

And have faith in your writing - as Joan says, you don't need AI.

If you need help with your submission package, ask real humans - like us at Litopia! You can get advice in the Lab or, if you upgrade to full membership, you can have a real-time discussion of your project with expert input from Agent Pete in the Huddle.

As for reading, you may not be in a regular reading habit now, but it's worth getting into because it can only improve your writing, and agents and publishers want to know that you are familiar with other works in your genre. It will also help with structuring your memoir to have an idea how others are structured – although it probably depends on how your story unfolds whether you split it into three parts or more (or less). Have you read any comparative titles? Or are there some you could start with

 

[Vagabond Heart]

Hiya.
Am also a memoir writer here.
Can I suggest that you take a look at the Lab? This is where we put work for feedback, and it can make a huge difference in terms of refining what we send out to submission.
You'll need to get involved and critique a certain number of works first, but then you could put up your opening chapter, say, for feedback.
I think most of us here wouldn't even think of sending something out until our fellow Litopians had given it the once over, and helped us make it as shiny and perfect as possible.
And it is so important to have a killer opening as that's where you catch people's attention.
xxx

 

[JamesJCooper]

Thank you for the replies.

I wouldn't say that I'm struggling exactly. I guess as it's all new to me, I'm quite nervous about the process. It's also obviously a very personal thing to be writing about. While the writing is very honest and I hold my self accountable for everything, it's still a totally different thing to actually having people read it.

I do still have the thoughts of self-publishing a first draft so it's a much smaller audience, and many less people to be judged by!

 

[JamesJCooper]

Hiya.
Am also a memoir writer here.
Can I suggest that you take a look at the Lab? This is where we put work for feedback, and it can make a huge difference in terms of refining what we send out to submission.
You'll need to get involved and critique a certain number of works first, but then you could put up your opening chapter, say, for feedback.
I think most of us here wouldn't even think of sending something out until our fellow Litopians had given it the once over, and helped us make it as shiny and perfect as possible.
And it is so important to have a killer opening as that's where you catch people's attention.
xxx

Thank you so much for that. I appreciate that guidance. I'll take a look!

 

[Sedayne]

Hi @JamesJCooper

If you haven't found it already, Watch this video for more info about how to use The Lab. It's a safe place to get supportive and non-judgemental feedback on your work-in-progress.
You'll need to read and feedback on some pieces by other writers first - you can choose which - but that should give you some confidence to post your own stuff.
Any questions, just ask.

 

[JamesJCooper]

Hi @JamesJCooper

If you haven't found it already, Watch this video for more info about how to use The Lab. It's a safe place to get supportive and non-judgemental feedback on your work-in-progress.
You'll need to read and feedback on some pieces by other writers first - you can choose which - but that should give you some confidence to post your own stuff.
Any questions, just ask.

Thank you for that! I'll take a look as soon as I get chance!