Hi everyone,

I am new to the site and requested people's views in the 'getting published' forum about what makes writing 'uncommercial'.
Dee suggested that I upload the first chapter, which I have, but I can already see from other uploads that mine is probably far too long!
I would just appreciate any views on any chunk of it.
The title is 'Poppy Love', in the fiction section.
Thanks.

Sammy

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/13592.asp

link above because I couldnt find it in the fiction section - but then im new here and there seem to be several fiction sections.

It isnt a genre that I read so Im not competent to comment. (but thats never stopped me)

I would say that I have read published work which is not as good.


How targeted were your applications ? Which agents/publishers ? I would be inclined to keep trying - You have some positive feedback after all and you've done the writing - It doesnt take lots of effort to keep putting it forward, even if you only get more feedback that you can put towards your next work.

M

Thanks M, for putting that link on this page, and for your comments.

It's hard to know when to stop putting a particular work forward - I've read 'stop at your 15th rejection letter' and reassess. Another site said don't doubt your work until your 50th letter!

6 chapters into my second novel I guess that time comes when you are more enthusiastic about your next piece, and perhaps begin to see flaws in your previous work which weren't there before.

Sammy

The biggest mistake new writers make is sending out their work too soon. We’ve all been there, and those of us who've been around the block a few times cringe at the memory. I do. I actually got an agent on the basis of one of my novels but he was unable to place it with a publisher. With hindsight, I can see why… it just isn’t good enough.

As Emma has just said in another thread, most ‘successful’ writers have several unpublished manuscripts under their beds. I have four. I may try to resurrect them at some point but, for now, I see them as practice runs.

Word of advice - if you're seeing flaws in your novel – STOP SENDING IT OUT. I can't stress that too highly. If you can see flaws, so will agents. You're wasting your time and theirs and, believe me, they have elephantine memories.

Sammy, I gulped when I saw the length of the piece you uploaded. I should have warned you… sorry. I’ll see if I can have a look at it this evening.

Dee

Now deleted - will upload a more sensible size next time.

Sammy

Sammy, it's good to see you fully joined-up and getting involved.

Dee

Thanks Dee!

Sammy

I think Dee is spot on there about the cringing thing. It's taken me three years and about six rewrites to get a book deal, and also to get the novel in a shape I'm more or less happy with. I'll never be truly happy as I guess that's for the reader to decide and I'm generally too close to my work to be sure.

In the rush of ambition to be published, it is easy to hurry and miss vital editing. The emphasis is really onthe edit and polish as the writing should come naturally. The more time you take, the better the response.

JB