New - how do I know if it's any good?

[Felicity Wallis]

After five years of on and off writing, and re-drafting, with the creative excitement of plot twists and suspense, then a year of editing down 'til it bleeds, I'm left with no objectivity. Is it still a unique beautiful, tragic, story, or is it nothing? How do you gauge what you're left with, when the memory of the initial emotion might only be in my own mind, and not transferring to a reader? I should mention the novel is - Sercerts from the Remnant Forest. Set in Queensland Au.

 

[Marc Joan]

After five years of on and off writing, and re-drafting, with the creative excitement of plot twists and suspense, then a year of editing down 'til it bleeds, I'm left with no objectivity. Is it still a unique beautiful, tragic, story, or is it nothing? How do you gauge what you're left with, when the memory of the initial emotion might only be in my own mind, and not transferring to a reader? I should mention the novel is - Sercerts from the Remnant Forest. Set in Queensland Au.

Welcome!

 

[Peggy Lou]

Welcome.
I've been working on a manuscript for about two years - and yes, writing, rewriting, editing, every darn thing until some days it feels like my cross rather than my star.
You'll meet plenty of such souls here I think.

 

[Carol Rose]

Welcome!

 

[Paul Whybrow]

Welcome to the Colony, Felicity! Objectivity for a writer is a difficult state to enter, which is why an honest beta reader's opinion helps.

I've been writing psychological thrillers for the last three years, involving convoluted plot twists and detailed research, none of which take me by surprise any longer. I can just about tell if a piece of writing works technically, but not if it thrills a reader—for, after all, I know what happens next!

A beta reader reassured me by commenting she hadn't seen that coming!

The thing is, we need to persuade literary agent, then a publisher, that we're worthy of consideration. You'll find plenty of useful tips in the Colony's archive of threads.

 

[David Newrick]

Greeting from me too!

I don't think I can offer any advice except to repeat Oscar Wilde - writing is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. (He may well not have actually said that as a lot is attributed to him).

 

[Sea-shore]

Hi and welcome. I think the only way to do it is by putting some distance and time between you and your work. Hard to do sometimes, but easier when you work on something new. Hopefully when you come back to it, you can see it with fresh eyes. Good luck.

 

[KG Christopher]

Welcome Felicity, take a stroll along to the Flash Club, a space to express you emotions and let go in under 500 words.

 

[Felicity Wallis]

Thank-you all for your welcome, sorry to start on a whinge! I've had beta readers and it gets the thumbs up, but not quite able to catch an agent yet. Just downloaded Sex lies and publishing by Ruper Heath, for a bit of distraction. A 500 word Flash Club splash sounds good, see you all there.

 

[Lex Black]

Welcome to the Colony!

 

[AgentPete]

Hi Felicity, welcome to Litopia!

 

[Patricia D]

Hello and Welcome. Good luck getting that manuscript in the right hands.

 

[James Marinero]

Hi @Felicity Wallis - and welcome.

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Welcome!