By Valerie Routhieaux

Day Three – Join a Writer’s Group

Okay, let’s assume you’ve finished your novel. Now what? You have a masterpiece, and you proudly let your friend, mother, sibling, or other relative read it. In order not to offend you, they tell you, you have a work of art. It’s fantastic. Your head is swelled three times bigger than it was when you finished your masterpiece.

Then you take it to someone you don’t know and they read it and they tell you it’s a piece of trash. Your head is properly deflated.

So, who do you believe? Not your friends or relatives. They will always try to make you feel good about what you do and never give you a good critique. Not the first person you hand it to either. They have their own reasons for not liking your work.

So, what do you do? Check with your local library and find a writer’s group. You should probably do that the moment you decide to write, but if you want good criticism, a writer’s group is the best way to find it. You will get good feedback, and you will know how to proceed with your manuscript.

You have a long road ahead of you yet. Your manuscript needs revision, editing, research, and when you have that all done, you do it all over again.

If you’re a writer or thinking about becoming one, I recommend a writer’s group. You will get great feedback and they will keep you on track with your work. If you’re a writer or author and have anything to add, please leave a comment. If you’re an author or writer, do you belong to a writer’s group?

Tomorrow’s perspective: Just write!