Discussion
funkyrobot said:
No worries.
It's difficult to compare your writing quality and style to anything else I have read as I haven't experienced a book like yours before. I have read other people's first attempts and they have been quite disappointing, despite getting huge praise. These have been full-blown published books too.
I'm not saying that your book was disappointing at all!
The feel your book gave me was similar to the following one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eve-Empyrean-Gollancz-Tony...
I found it similar because, just like your book, the characters needed a little more work and some scenes didn't read so smoothly. However, I found the story interesting.
Anyhow, I've reviewed the book on Amazon and have only hinted at a few of the things I have mentioned to you previously. I didn't feel the need to go into detail about some of the criticism as we have already discussed that. Also, I admire anyone who can actually write a bloomin book.
Hopefully, the review should appear within 48 hours. We'll see if people agree with my comments.
Thank you, I think that's a fair review. I appreciate your honesty; it gives me both the courage to continue writing and the knowledge to improve. If only I had access to an editor from a big publisher!It's difficult to compare your writing quality and style to anything else I have read as I haven't experienced a book like yours before. I have read other people's first attempts and they have been quite disappointing, despite getting huge praise. These have been full-blown published books too.
I'm not saying that your book was disappointing at all!
The feel your book gave me was similar to the following one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eve-Empyrean-Gollancz-Tony...
I found it similar because, just like your book, the characters needed a little more work and some scenes didn't read so smoothly. However, I found the story interesting.
Anyhow, I've reviewed the book on Amazon and have only hinted at a few of the things I have mentioned to you previously. I didn't feel the need to go into detail about some of the criticism as we have already discussed that. Also, I admire anyone who can actually write a bloomin book.
Hopefully, the review should appear within 48 hours. We'll see if people agree with my comments.
I'm glad you enjoyed it and I am extremely grateful for the feedback.
andyroo said:
StoatInACoat said:
Just bought Thrid book I've bought by Pistonheads authors!
Thank you very much! If I can be cheeky and ask for feedback and an Amazon review (unless you hate it, haha!) when you've read it, I would be very grateful Thrid book I've bought by Pistonheads authors! Might take me a while as in the middle of reading something else at the mo and get confused if I try and read two at once!I have no Kindle to download your book with, but it is very interesting to see your take on the writing process.
I am working on my own book at the minute also! It has gone through various forms since I have started, the plot has changed, characters have, yet I am finally at a point where I am happy and ready to start research and planning in big detail.
My writing itself, is a bit 50/50. People who have read extracts of my older attempts have liked it, yet I go through phases of loving and hating it.
Anyway, if you don't mind, can I ask you two questions. (Sorry if they have already been done, but I have only really skim read this thread.)
1. How did you plan your book? Did you find it better to do it on the computer or by pen and paper?
2. How do you deal with the itching feeling of wanting to improve your writing or plot? Even if you once thought your current was really good?
I am working on my own book at the minute also! It has gone through various forms since I have started, the plot has changed, characters have, yet I am finally at a point where I am happy and ready to start research and planning in big detail.
My writing itself, is a bit 50/50. People who have read extracts of my older attempts have liked it, yet I go through phases of loving and hating it.
Anyway, if you don't mind, can I ask you two questions. (Sorry if they have already been done, but I have only really skim read this thread.)
1. How did you plan your book? Did you find it better to do it on the computer or by pen and paper?
2. How do you deal with the itching feeling of wanting to improve your writing or plot? Even if you once thought your current was really good?
LSsupercar said:
I have no Kindle to download your book with, but it is very interesting to see your take on the writing process.
I am working on my own book at the minute also! It has gone through various forms since I have started, the plot has changed, characters have, yet I am finally at a point where I am happy and ready to start research and planning in big detail.
My writing itself, is a bit 50/50. People who have read extracts of my older attempts have liked it, yet I go through phases of loving and hating it.
Anyway, if you don't mind, can I ask you two questions. (Sorry if they have already been done, but I have only really skim read this thread.)
1. How did you plan your book? Did you find it better to do it on the computer or by pen and paper?
2. How do you deal with the itching feeling of wanting to improve your writing or plot? Even if you once thought your current was really good?
Sure, no problem.I am working on my own book at the minute also! It has gone through various forms since I have started, the plot has changed, characters have, yet I am finally at a point where I am happy and ready to start research and planning in big detail.
My writing itself, is a bit 50/50. People who have read extracts of my older attempts have liked it, yet I go through phases of loving and hating it.
Anyway, if you don't mind, can I ask you two questions. (Sorry if they have already been done, but I have only really skim read this thread.)
1. How did you plan your book? Did you find it better to do it on the computer or by pen and paper?
2. How do you deal with the itching feeling of wanting to improve your writing or plot? Even if you once thought your current was really good?
1. My first book I just wrote and then refined, but it was a very clunky way of doing it. My second book is being assembled using a book plan, broken down into chapter plans as I go along. This gives me more direction and focus. All done on a computer.
2. I haven't ever thought my writing or plot was good enough - every time I read it after a break I want to rewrite. It just gets to a point where you feel like you're changing for changing's sake.
Don't forget that my book is also available as a paperback
Forgot to reply to this thread, but I agree with everything that the FunkyRobot earlier, for me the writing style at the start of the book is a bit too descriptive with the bit in italics at the start of the book being a bit OTT with describing everything.
It was only about a third of the way through when it settled down and from then on I really enjoyed it, having to stop myself scanning to the bottom of the page to see what happens which is always a good thing! May have to re-read it to find out which bits were a 'dream' and which bits were reality so maybe there could've some kind of 'fix' to make that more obvious when thinking back? Or maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, I'm a bad reader like that in every book I read!
It was only about a third of the way through when it settled down and from then on I really enjoyed it, having to stop myself scanning to the bottom of the page to see what happens which is always a good thing! May have to re-read it to find out which bits were a 'dream' and which bits were reality so maybe there could've some kind of 'fix' to make that more obvious when thinking back? Or maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, I'm a bad reader like that in every book I read!
FunkyNige said:
Forgot to reply to this thread, but I agree with everything that the FunkyRobot earlier, for me the writing style at the start of the book is a bit too descriptive with the bit in italics at the start of the book being a bit OTT with describing everything.
It was only about a third of the way through when it settled down and from then on I really enjoyed it, having to stop myself scanning to the bottom of the page to see what happens which is always a good thing! May have to re-read it to find out which bits were a 'dream' and which bits were reality so maybe there could've some kind of 'fix' to make that more obvious when thinking back? Or maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, I'm a bad reader like that in every book I read!
Thank you for your feedback, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. as far as I can remember, there is only one dream sequence, and that's when Alex wanders outside his house at night and sees his wife in the back of the van. It was only about a third of the way through when it settled down and from then on I really enjoyed it, having to stop myself scanning to the bottom of the page to see what happens which is always a good thing! May have to re-read it to find out which bits were a 'dream' and which bits were reality so maybe there could've some kind of 'fix' to make that more obvious when thinking back? Or maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, I'm a bad reader like that in every book I read!
If I could be so bold, would you mind leaving a little feedback on amazon please?
andyroo said:
The kindle version is free again today: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Noahs-Ark-ebook/dp/B00B2YA...
Just looked and you have 9 good reviews now. Bravo. 
ali_kat said:
Downloaded & I paid for it!! 
based on recommendations here , no idea when I'll get time to read it!
Thank you very much! I hope you enjoy it. I will be releasing an edit soon (which you should be able to redownload for free) so you might want to wait until then to read it. based on recommendations here , no idea when I'll get time to read it!All the edits are based on the extremely helpful comments I've had from you wonderful people on Pistonheads
andyroo said:
Thank you very much! I hope you enjoy it. I will be releasing an edit soon (which you should be able to redownload for free) so you might want to wait until then to read it.
All the edits are based on the extremely helpful comments I've had from you wonderful people on Pistonheads
All the edits are based on the extremely helpful comments I've had from you wonderful people on Pistonheads
Glad it's going well Andy.
11 reviews now.
funkyrobot said:
Glad it's going well Andy.
11 reviews now.
andyroo said:
75% complete on the edit and I'm shocked how much I've been unhappy with... again! I have a few plans for marketing, and if that goes well but doesn't land me the interest of a bigger publisher, I'll probably self publish next time.
Don't get stuck in that loop where you are never happy though. Yes, self publishing is easier now with Kindle etc (as you probably know). Or how about doing a web series (just like Dmitry Glukhovsky with Metro 2033)? You may not get much immediate return from a web series, but it gets a story out to the masses.
andyroo said:
StoatInACoat said:
Of course Might take me a while as in the middle of reading something else at the mo and get confused if I try and read two at once!
By all means! You should try writing a book and reading one at once... serious brain tangle Might take me a while as in the middle of reading something else at the mo and get confused if I try and read two at once!
funkyrobot said:
Don't get stuck in that loop where you are never happy though.
Yes, self publishing is easier now with Kindle etc (as you probably know). Or how about doing a web series (just like Dmitry Glukhovsky with Metro 2033)? You may not get much immediate return from a web series, but it gets a story out to the masses.
I know what you mean about the loop, but this is really obvious stuff that I'm changing. Just one quick proofread and its done!Yes, self publishing is easier now with Kindle etc (as you probably know). Or how about doing a web series (just like Dmitry Glukhovsky with Metro 2033)? You may not get much immediate return from a web series, but it gets a story out to the masses.
I don't know much about web series - enlighten me!
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