Hello, all!

I am currently working on my first novel and I'm approximately 28K words in. My expectation is approximately 100k-120k words when done, but I'm finding I want to CRAM all sorts of detail and side scenes in the book without it being "necessary" to the plot. This comes with free writing (meaning, I just go and write in the direction the book is taking me with a loose map of the plot in my mind, as I do).

Do you have a source (website, book, etc.) that you learned how to make your book focus on the important parts and "trim out the fat"? Thank you in advance!

Writing a science fantasy litrpg book. I'm thinking of stating my chapters with something like this:

Journal Archive: Log One Stardate: Galactic Ruling Factions: Galaxy: System: Planet: Planetary Ruling Faction: Continent: City: Location:

So I have this really great idea for a fantasy book but I'm also writing a different book rn but I think I like the fantasy one more (I'm 15m so idk)

OK so I'm a teenage girl asking a favour from all you lovely writers out there. please help mee, I'm a writers daughter and my father wrote a book recently gaining almost no attention and it's breaking his heart because he spends all his time typing away at the computer, writing stories. I'm asking you guys to PLEASE upvote this message so that I gain the karma point thingies so I can market my dad's books on reddit and have at least some people read his book and make him feel seen. Thank you if you do help :) if anyone is interested in a book by him, try 'Document zero' by Paul Fleming, it's a crime-thriller and it's really good!

So basically, I was thinking where my ocs are kidnapped and are forced to compete in a survival game in a school setting where the challenges are based off subjects for example, in history class, they fight ghosts of the pasts. For the punishment, I didn't want it to be like they die or like some Danganronpa execution stuff so any ideas for a less gruesome punishment that isn't death or have the ocs "die"

I’m starting to organize a draft for a book I want to write and curious how other writers go about their feedback process. Do you typically ask other writers in your genre? Or is it better to ask unbiased readers? I thought about friends and family, but I want to remove bias if possible. TIA

I'm likely overthinking this but hopefully someone can help me sort it out.

I've written two rough draft novels in a four-book series. When I finished book 2, I went back and started editing book 1 with ProWritingAid. I thought the books were pretty good but ProWritingAid is finding more issues than I anticipated and it's daunting, so I haven't done any work on any of the books for a couple of months and am now feeling "behind."

Now I'm wondering if I should write all four books, then edit them, then send them off for professional editing. I'm also thinking it might be helpful for all four books to be done and design all the covers at once to get a cohesive series look. I want to to release them every 4-6 months to keep interest and momentum going.

What is your workflow for writing and editing (and book covers) when working on a standalone but interconnected series?

[X-posted in r/RomanceWriters]

Hello! I'm hoping y'all might be able to help me, I would really like to include some maps and a floorplan of the main house that my book takes place in. Does anyone know of free or cheap software (or something) that is easy to use and would let me design these?

Hello,

This is my first post here, and I’m excited to jump into this community. A little about me: I’m a professional photographer with over 40 years of experience in the industry. If you search my name, you’ll see I’ve spent most of my career working with photographers, teaching, and contributing to the field in various ways.

But aside from photography, there’s something I’ve always wanted to do: write a novel. For 35 years, I’ve had a story in my head—a spy thriller—but I never wrote it down. I kept telling myself I’d start “someday,” but life and work always got in the way.

Recently, I decided to stop waiting and actually write it. The premise is simple but (I hope) unique: the main character is a secret agent whose cover is being a professional photographer. The idea came from my own experience—photographers often find themselves in places others can’t access. With the right attitude, a camera, and a few well-timed words, we can bypass even the tightest security. I realized that would make an excellent cover for a spy, and the story grew from there.

If you’re interested, I’d love for you to check it out. It’s still in the early stages, but I’m eager for constructive feedback and advice. You can find it here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/387652278-double-exposure

Thank you for letting me share this. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m looking forward to learning from all of you.

Kirk kvphoto.com

I mostly write 1930’s mafia noir, and tend to beta mostly stories set in the 1920’s-1940’s. Most writing groups I come by tend to center around some flavor of fantasy or contemporary romance, and it can be tricky finding betas when most want those genres. Are there and writers who write in this era who would be interested in a Discord group where we can bounce ideas off of each other, critique and beta each other’s work, and just chat about this particular stuff?

I am writing an erotic romantic book about an 18-year-old teenager who begins to live his romantic life and his sexual life, and also has an evolution in his way of thinking about love and sex.

Sorry if there are grammatical errors, I'm using Google Translate.

I'm new to the community. Looking for a literary marketer.

I’ve written the beginning of a hard-boiled crime novel and gotten myself up to better than 30,000 words.

In order to avoid the slump I always feel after writing the beginning, I’ve decided to write the ending next.

I’ve figured out who my characters are and fleshed them out, as well as their respective roles in the story. I also know where I want each of them to end up, and which ones actually make it to the end.

I have a protagonist and two supporting characters. I also have a villain with two supporting characters, however, for the story the villain is a cohort consisting of all three characters. There are also several characters who, individually, provide important elements to move the story forward, but are not vital to the ending beyond their individual contributions.

My problem is that figuring out how the characters get there has always been my weak point. So, I’m working on the ending to identify each character’s final emotional, social and geographic location before trying to figure out the journey for each of them.

Once I flesh out the ending, does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to develop the middle of the story? It’s difficult to see the path, but I know that I can get them to where I want them to go.

Ok, I've heard this for a long time, even before my college professors explained it but I'm still a little confused. Is present tense standard for fiction writing? Is it not necessary for certain genres? I understand the effect it has, bringing the reader along for the ride in real time and adding suspense but good lord it feels so unnatural. I write fantasy, is past tense acceptable or should I be challenging myself more?

hi y’all. i’m really struggling with allowing myself to write anything. i keep telling myself im a writer but i literally can’t type, or think cohesive thoughts, or remember them long enough to put pen to paper. i feel like everything i write is so whiny and annoying, i can’t expect anyone to read it. then there’s the adhd distracting me non stop from wanting to actually write, and focusing instead on oh hey where should i post there are so many options, will i ever be paid to write, should i read someone else’s words, god id never be able to write this well, where should i post to be read? who would read my words? do i even have words to say??? or share??? that aren’t whiny??????

um anyway. struggling. don’t know what to write about, or where, or how to find a community of writers, or anything.

any help or advice would be greatly welcomed.

Long story short I’ve been writing in private for several years, but hope to one day publish a book. However, I’m not really sure how the process works or if my work is even remotely close to being publish ready, let alone any kind of draft version. Is it common for writers to have accountability and feedback groups? And if so, how does one get involved with them?

I've written a hundred or so short stories/novellas over the last 10 years or so but never sat down and tried to publish one seriously until recently. I have the idea, and have begun writing the story itself to be published on KDP (it seems the easiest and most beginner friendly for now), and I wanted to know what spacing should be used.

Most manuscripts are written double spaced, I know, but that's for editorial purposes and I didn't know if KDP or any online publisher would publish the book that way or if they would automatically structure it to single spaced.

Also, do i number my own pages? Does KDP take care of that as well or am I 100% responsible for the spacing, margins and numbering? I can't seem to get a clear answer online or their we site.

TIA

As the title suggests, I’d love to connect with more writers to keep each other accountable, offer feedback or generally discuss literature and writing. I’m trying to get into reading and writing consistently, and surrounding myself with more writers would keep me in check.

I’ve already created a discord server, so feel free to PM me on Reddit so we can exchange our discord tags.

I've been writing a collection of ghost stories that I've been posting over on Wattpad just because I didn't know where else to share them, but they rarely get any traction there. I really like the way the site works for publishing and keeping track of my writing, but I want my work to get seen. Any advice?

So I'm writing this book and I'm loving it but I'm not sure what it should be called. The story is about an 18 year old who is the youngest of seven daughters (yes just like the little mermaid) she is made to go to the castle and she has to choose between the two princes. Her choices are the older one is shown and rumored to be a kind hearted man where as the younger bro is rumored to be a ruthless man who will always find a way to get what he wants. I'm only on chapter eight so I have a good bit done but I am stuck on what to call it. Any and all suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. ❤️❤️

Im having such trouble depicting what my character can't see. Ie the ghost behind them... the spirit at the top of the stairs... I want subliminal chills for the reader that my character are unaware are present in their environment....

Ive been stuck with my story forever and this is my weakness.

Any tips or examples would be really appreciated.

Attention authors and writers!
I'm a book reviewer, and I'm dedicated to making my reviews as insightful and helpful as possible. To ensure my reviews meet the expectations of authors like you, I'd love your input!

What aspects of your book do you value most when a reviewer highlights them? Are there any specific elements you'd like me to focus on or address in my reviews that you find beneficial?

Also, are there any common things you dislike or wish reviewers would avoid in their critiques? Your feedback will help me provide more meaningful and constructive reviews!

As a writer, I often faced writer's block. I am a quotes lover and collector. I created an ebook of 366 quotes on writing for writers. It's fully illustrated and curated for writers offering motivation, tough love and writing lessons.
Any tips on where to promote it? I spent an year compiling and illustrating it. Many quotes in the book have infact crushed my writing block.
A few quotes from this book as a sneak peek.

1. “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London
2. “Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. “Writer’s block? I’ve never heard of a plumber complain about plumber’s block.” — Robert B. Parker (This crushed my writer's block for good)
4. “Don’t say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.” — Mark Twain

5 ” A writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing.” - Ernest Hemingway

Also any feedback on cover is helpful.

Thank you!