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Just a short post today. I'm sitting in an ICU room with a family member, and after two nights with snatches of sleep, I'm having a hard time stringing coherent thoughts together. So I'm sending you over to the very worthwhile blog of Kendra Merritt, a fantasy writer I met at a query workshop earlier this year.
Kendra is a writer full of amazing ideas. Her twist on fantasy includes main characters with disabilities. Kendra herself makes use of a wheelchair, the result of a spinal cord injury three months before her wedding. I can't wait to read her books when she's published. What fantastic plots she's concocted!
Her recent post shows her thought process as she's tried to decide whether or not to post some of her work online in order to get feedback. You know the argument: you need feedback to make it better, but what about all those people who are poised to snatch your words away? Kendra cuts through the confusion with some real wisdom and clarity on why you might want to post your work on your blog.
You might be interested in checking out more of Kendra's posts, like Breaking the Block (if you're experiencing writer's block), or What's In a Name?, where she includes a great link to search for names by meaning or country of origin. Definitely something I can use.
How do you feel about posting excerpts of your novel online? Would the benefits outweigh the risks?
Hello Deborah.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences. I hope things work out. Thanks for posting this note about disabilities. I'll look out for her work. Re: posting pieces of novel on line--before or after publication? As you know, Smashwords and amazon let you sample pieces for free. My thoughts are about what constitutes publication? If you post before the piece goes into print, is that publication? If so, how do you sell an already published work? Just thinking on the page here. Any comments from other quarters are welcome.
Thank you so much for your good wishes. You've got some great questions here. I think if you stick to excerpts (short ones) it could be alright, but it would be interesting to hear what others think.
ReplyDelete~Debbie
Sending prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteI'll check out Kendra's posts now.
Looking forward to checking out Kendra's posts. Take care in what sounds like a very tough situation. With prayers that all goes well...
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your family member Debbie - sending get well wishes.
ReplyDeletePosting your novel online is an interesting idea. I have posted my short stories on my blog for quite some time and I consider it an opportunity for readers to get to know my style of writing. I think it's important to share your writing even if it's just really short pieces of flash fiction. They could even be bits of writing which serve as backstory to your novel.
Oh no! I am praying for health for your family and strength for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. Writing your stuff online can be scary. I think it's something many probably don't think about too much.
Praying, Deborah. So sorry about the situation.
ReplyDeleteBut thank you for the blog links. They'll be useful.
Thanks so much everyone! Heading home from the hospital for a night in my bed. And we've seen some encouraging signs. :)
ReplyDelete~Debbie
Glad to see some encoraging news in the comments. Still praying for your family. This is an interesting topic. I was researching a Picture Book author the other day. When I traced back to the original site where the book was published (a free website), there was a note that one of the author's series were not long available as it was being traditionally published. While I couldn't find anything else, I thought this was interesting as it had been self-published, taken down and is now being published by one of the bigger presses. I know that doesn't work for everyone, but I'll keep an eye out for this author to get a better understading of "why" his did.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers, Stacy. We continue to see some tiny steps in a positive direction.
ReplyDeleteThat is really interesting about the author you researched. It makes you wonder why things work that way for one person and not another!
~Debbie
Prayers coming your way. As a critical care nurse, I know some of what you are dealing with and no sleep is definitely a big problem. I always thought small paragraphs could be posted to entice the reader to want more but I am looking forward to the thoughts of others. My illustrator for my upcoming PB is posting excerpts along with initial sketches to get people interested and without my permission although I wouldn't have thought to object.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, Teri. I wonder if your publisher knows what she's posting. But I hope the strategy works out. Thanks so much for your prayers!
ReplyDelete~Debbie
Sorry to hear about your family member being in ICU, Debbie. I hope everything works out well.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for directing us to Kendra's blog. She strikes me as a very inspirational person!
Thanks so much, Trisha! And Kendra is inspirational. Glad you're enjoying her blog.
ReplyDelete~Debbie
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips/links to Kendra's blog. I also hope everything continues to go well for your family member. You bring up a good question here. I do know of at least one author who shared his work on his site and had to pull it down because people were "stealing" it. But, I also know some authors who give away "freebies" to entice readers, like free samples at a grocery store. What about posting work that won't appear in your published pieces but that could attract readers (ie a short story, etc.) By the way, you are one of my winners from last week's vocabulary challenge! Great job!
Debra, I hope things are working out. Sending prayers your way. I'm going to head over to Kendra's. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie! I think posting work you don't intend for normal publication would be a great idea. And thanks for posting the challenge. It was fun!
ReplyDeleteLeah, thank you for your prayers. Yesterday was the first really hopeful day we've had. Hopefully, it'll keep up.
~Debbie
Offering prayers for continuing hopeful days. I've spent time with a family member in critical condition and understand how difficult it is--don't forget to take care of yourself also. As for posting the novel online, I think its okay to do an excerpt, like one chapter. But more than that and I'd worry a future publisher might not like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers, Charlotte. Things are finally turning around!
ReplyDelete~Debbie