So, even though I've been really busy trying to find a job and a home while trying to still move towards grad school, I've found myself with a lot of down time, so I decided to revisit a novel that I had been conceptualizing for over 20 years.
Basically, it is a post-post-apocalyptic existential sci-fi comedy set in a deterministic universe with a style characterized by its Douglas Adams/Dave Barry-esque tones. I have three novels and one short story planned, but I am currently working on the first, which will have many chapters over the course of five books. I have a solid first draft of the first book done, and I'd like to start getting some feedback.
If anyone has the time or interest, I can email you a copy of what I have.
I have some feedback without even reading it:
Don't describe it as "Dave Barry-esque" if you want people to read it.
(That's only partly snark.)
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on October 19, 2015, 06:56:06 PM
I have some feedback without even reading it:
Don't describe it as "Dave Barry-esque" if you want people to read it.
(That's only partly snark.)
:lulz: I mostly put that in there to see if anyone even remembered him.
Free reading material and license to be a dick about it? I'm down for that. I'll PM you my email address.
I would be all over this if I had time to read for pleasure right now!
yes!
I'm down.
So, I'll still send out copies to anyone who wants to read it, but I'm going to take another day or two to polish up what I have, and maybe get a little further in the narrative. The beginning is intentionally misleading, so it might be better for me to get a little further in before asking for feedback. In the meantime, pm me your email addresses, because I don't think I have them for any of you.
Sounds awesome!
I'm not a particularly well-read sci-fi nerd, but I am a fan nonetheless. So if there are anything besides completely obvious references to other sci-fi I won't get them, but it's not your fault.
Ok, I sent out a few copies. I started feeling a little unsure about it, so I want to get some feedback from a few people before I send it out en masse. So, if you didn't get a copy, I'm either waiting for initial feedback from others first, or I don't have your email (mostly looking at Roger and Waffles on this latter point).
Didn't necessarily want to bump this (a thread about someone's "novel that they've been working on" is a little embarrassing to have floating around the front page). But, a friend of mine who has read pretty much every book ever gave me my first piece of feedback.
I quote: "...Yours is one of the strangest books I've ever read."
I'll take it.
Anyhow, if anyone is planning on looking it over, there is an updated draft with about twice the content of the last one I sent out. Just let me know if you're interested. Otherwise, I will refrain from bumping this topic.
I'll take it. Not that I've had the time so far to read it, but, well, my weekend is coming up...
BUMPING. GIVE ME, GIVE ME, TELL ME NOT OF FEAR!
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on December 04, 2015, 07:59:04 AM
BUMPING. GIVE ME, GIVE ME, TELL ME NOT OF FEAR!
Give me a few days. I'm at a particularly difficult chapter to write (I have to incorporate some backstory, so I have to make sure everything is problem-free and presented properly, with style) but once I'm past that milestone, I'll send you a copy. Mind you, It's currently at over 35000 words. It's quite a bit to look at, so I'd understand if you didn't have the time. (Though, it would be nice to get some feedback from some of you spags, BUT NO PRESSURE :fnord: )
Ain't scared of no 35k words.
Plus it'll give me something new to read.
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on January 09, 2016, 05:53:03 PM
Ain't scared of no 35k words.
Plus it'll give me something new to read.
I've actually finished the first draft since I've posted (currently sits at 72099 words) and sent it out to a handful of people. If you want, I can get you in once I slap together a 2nd draft.
Ok, so it seems I cannot get anyone to read my manuscript (not that I think that anyone is obligated to, but I'm really anxious to get to re-writes, and I can do literally nothing until I get some feedback) so I am considering finding a professional. Does anyone know what I should expect for rates?
EDIT: nevermind, this shit is actually very expensive.
Quote from: Cuddlefish on January 15, 2016, 05:25:41 PM
Ok, so it seems I cannot get anyone to read my manuscript (not that I think that anyone is obligated to, but I'm really anxious to get to re-writes, and I can do literally nothing until I get some feedback) so I am considering finding a professional. Does anyone know what I should expect for rates?
EDIT: nevermind, this shit is actually very expensive.
It's horrifically expensive. :(
I would volunteer to read it, but the last manuscript I volunteered to read (LMNO's) sat on my bedside table for, um, I guess four years, mostly unread. I have since gained the sense to recognize that there is no actual way I'm reading anything but textbooks during the term.
I can take a shot at it, but can't promise anything.
Trying to set expectations, here. I didn't do too well with your last work, if I can tell.
I did listen to and like the last album, though.
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 15, 2016, 09:44:16 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on January 15, 2016, 05:25:41 PM
Ok, so it seems I cannot get anyone to read my manuscript (not that I think that anyone is obligated to, but I'm really anxious to get to re-writes, and I can do literally nothing until I get some feedback) so I am considering finding a professional. Does anyone know what I should expect for rates?
EDIT: nevermind, this shit is actually very expensive.
It's horrifically expensive. :(
I would volunteer to read it, but the last manuscript I volunteered to read (LMNO's) sat on my bedside table for, um, I guess four years, mostly unread. I have since gained the sense to recognize that there is no actual way I'm reading anything but textbooks during the term.
As weird as it might sound, I really appreciate you NOT signing on for something that you don't have time for (it should be standard practices, I feel, but is uncommon). I don't want to come across as impatient with others, either. It's just frustrating when many people give me a time-frame (which I then plan around) but then they disappear off the planet. I'd rather people just flat out say that they can't do it, than be led to expect something from someone that they don't even intend to doing. I think I even remember you mentioning similar situations in a post or on FB, and I agree that things like this seem to be more common these days... Or maybe I'm just noticing it more... IDK.
Quote from: LMNO on January 15, 2016, 09:56:00 PM
I can take a shot at it, but can't promise anything.
Trying to set expectations, here. I didn't do too well with your last work, if I can tell.
I did listen to and like the last album, though.
I would really like your feedback in particular, but why don't you let me know if you have time that opens up? That way I won't have yet another copy potentially floating around in limbo nor the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not you've had a chance to look at it. I'm sure that at some point, even if it's a few drafts down the road, your input will be just as valuable.
I am definitely down to do this. I have no actual idea how long it would take me to read on a computer, though. But I have all the time in the world to read things.
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on January 16, 2016, 09:39:35 PM
I am definitely down to do this. I have no actual idea how long it would take me to read on a computer, though. But I have all the time in the world to read things.
PMed you.
OK. I realized "free time" isn't something that happens, so I must choose to make time. Send over a copy, and I'll endeavor to read a little bit each day.
Quote from: LMNO on January 19, 2016, 05:29:50 PM
OK. I realized "free time" isn't something that happens, so I must choose to make time. Send over a copy, and I'll endeavor to read a little bit each day.
I suppose that's true. You're going to have to refresh my memory and send me your email address, it's been a while since I had to use it.