Hi, JSassy. First I'll tell you where I found your short story "Lost Family History." Browsing the "Please Review," page, I saw your request and something about what you asked hit me like a lightning rod.
I gave this two stars not to be mean, but only because I had to chose something. As you read further you will come to understand why.
You wrote: Please be kind gentle but honest. New to forum and to the gene. Trying to write more original things and get put of the fan fiction writing.
Now JSassy, I am by no means a professional critic, not even close. By no means am I a literary agent and I'm not here to pass judgement on your grammar, when I- myself struggle in that area.
To be perfectly honest, I didn't even read "Lost Family History" and before your brows furl, I'll tell you why. Not to say that will not read it but there is something more important that I want to pass on to you. And I hope against hope that this will aide you in your journey on becoming a writer.
In your request, you asked three thing: to be kind, gentle, but honest. I cannot tell you how many times I've read those same (or close to it) words from people requesting a review. A long time ago, I was one of you, with that same heartfelt request.
In the literary world there is no such thing. Don't get me wrong, they're not Ogres----grouchy and terrifying.
Author Steve Berry, while being interviewed by "Author Magazine" gave some very good advice on the subject of writing.
"You have to learn critically. If you want to know how great your work is, ask your family. Ask your husband, wife, children and they will tell you how good---great whatever, it is. If you want to know "HONESTLY" how it is, ask other people going through the same misery your going through. Who are going to be honest with you because they want you to be honest with them when the time comes."
Writing is hard. It's an extremely difficult indiver. It is not impossible. It is an acquired skill. It's just like drinking liquor. You're not born liking the hundred proof Vodka and brandy and beer. Nobody's born loving that. You have to teach yourself to like that stuff.
It's the same with writing. You're not born a writer, it has to be taught. And you teach yourself the craft. So it is a difficult indiver, but it is not an impossible indiver. Anybody can do it if they want to.
Keep writing everyday. You have to read your genre and write your genre everyday. The best thing would be to find a critique group. get yourself in it and go to it. But you have to find the right mix. About 75% of what you hear in a critique group is garbage. Same can be said for some of the reviews given on the "Review" page. JSassy purge it from your mind. Now 25% of what you hear in critique groups and on the Review" page is pure gold.
How do you tell the difference, "Time" Time will teach you the difference. The only way to learn how to write is to write. Writing is a discipline. You must set your own discipline to do it.
Argumentatively, I don't believe writing to be an obsession as some people have said it should be or later become. In my humble opinion writing isn't an obsession, it's a discipline.
A good rule-of-thumb would be to study your genre. Sit yourself down and write everyday. I don't care if it's just to put that period that's missing, that misplaced comma correctly, or give your protagonist, antagonist or background character, voice. Do something. If you write everyday religiously eventually you will learn the craft.
Now, I'm not saying everybody will judge your work with the brutality of macabre killer. I'm just saying this based on your heartfelt request.
Just please keep in mind whatever, you do---don't and I cannot express this enough; don't expect the literary world walk on eggshells for you. It's not going to happen. But I promise that I will read your story an email you via WDC email, my thoughts. From one struggling writing to another, have a bless day.
DJ. Venson
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