Kurt
asked
Allison Hurd:
Hi Allison: thanks for moving my other note to the appropriate place. BTW - how do YOU use GR for collecting feedback on your ideas? Or do you not because of the IP issues I touched on? Just curious. Thanks for your advice to a baby screenwriter!
Allison Hurd
Hi Kurt,
No problem! I love my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ community, so I generally constrain my discussion of my work to people who ask me direct questions. I have friends "IRL" I bounce ideas off of and who do most of my beta reading--having a creative community around you is really just a huge benefit!
As far as ways Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ helps me creatively, there's lots of ways. Seeing what people are reading; what subgenres or tropes are "hot" and what people are tired of; threads about what people do and do not like in their stories; and of course people find me because I don't shut up in the forums and if they sought me out because they liked how I don't ever shut up, well, then I happen to have a book they might like! Reviews are hugely helpful to me, even bad ones, and have helped me both with confidence in my authorial voice and shown me some areas in which I can improve.
So, long story short, I think Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ works best when you come in to honestly talk about your love for whatever genre, and kind of passively get some great market insight and direct feedback. For bouncing ideas and cleaning up early drafts, finding a local writing group, avid reader or writer friends who are willing to read your work if you read theirs, or some of the online beta read communities can all be great places to get your concept off the ground.
Good luck!!
No problem! I love my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ community, so I generally constrain my discussion of my work to people who ask me direct questions. I have friends "IRL" I bounce ideas off of and who do most of my beta reading--having a creative community around you is really just a huge benefit!
As far as ways Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ helps me creatively, there's lots of ways. Seeing what people are reading; what subgenres or tropes are "hot" and what people are tired of; threads about what people do and do not like in their stories; and of course people find me because I don't shut up in the forums and if they sought me out because they liked how I don't ever shut up, well, then I happen to have a book they might like! Reviews are hugely helpful to me, even bad ones, and have helped me both with confidence in my authorial voice and shown me some areas in which I can improve.
So, long story short, I think Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ works best when you come in to honestly talk about your love for whatever genre, and kind of passively get some great market insight and direct feedback. For bouncing ideas and cleaning up early drafts, finding a local writing group, avid reader or writer friends who are willing to read your work if you read theirs, or some of the online beta read communities can all be great places to get your concept off the ground.
Good luck!!
More Answered Questions
Chris Brown
asked
Allison Hurd:
Hi Allison! Are you still practicing law and writing? Are their any skills or processes you learned while practicing law that help you write? I curious if you have any Sci Fi recommendations. I've recently read Rosewater and Rosewater Insurrection (based upon your review/advice) and I loved them both. Is there any other Sci Fi you recommend? I like to try some Sci Fi that's a little different. Thanks!
Norton Beckerman.
asked
Allison Hurd:
Thanks Allison. Great answers. It also sounds like you don't stand still for very long. The best with both your legal profession and your writing. Did you know that Amazon and KDP (Kindle) have come together and that Kindle is now promoting books? Did you know that Kindle is reviewing books in which they have a financial interest? Don't you think that's a little unfair to both authors and readers?
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