Consulting other writers on story direction

[Djmac1031]

I'm currently working on my longest story I've ever attempted.

I'm at a bit of a cross roads with it. Without giving away too much, it involves two characters forced into a strange situation together, with events out of their control eventually drawing them together emotionally as well as physically.

Its not a rape / non consent story, at all.

My problem is trying to decide how fast they advance sexually for a particular plot point reason that again is impossible to fully discuss without spoilers.

I know there are volunteer editors here who edit a story once it's finished.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever consulted with another writer, perhaps sent them the story in progress and asked for advice and feedback on how it should proceed.

I don't really have anyone in the real world I could let read it and offer constructive advice.

I know, I know; eventually I'm just going to have to make my own choice and let the chips fall as they will.

But I wouldn't mind letting someone read the damn thing and tell me what they honestly think so far before I try and finish it.

 

[SamScribble]

In my view, writing is a solo gig (unless, of course, you are writing in partnership with another or others). You write what you write. You submit what you have written to an editor or beta reader and, depending on how you feel about what they have to say, you tweak and polish and refine. Or you take up gardening.

Good luck.

 

[SimonDoom]

My advice is to zero in on some writers whose style and stories you like, after having read some, and contact them directly, with more information about your story so they can make a meaningful decision whether to read it and assist.

I'd also recommend writing a draft. Make it as good as you can. The better your draft is, the better and more meaningful the advice you will receive. And send that draft to the author to look at.

It's almost impossible to give helpful writing advice of the sort you are asking for in the abstract. Every story's needs are different.

 

[Djmac1031]

My advice is to zero in on some writers whose style and stories you like, after having read some, and contact them directly, with more information about your story so they can make a meaningful decision whether to read it and assist.

I'd also recommend writing a draft. Make it as good as you can. The better your draft is, the better and more meaningful the advice you will receive. And send that draft to the author to look at.

It's almost impossible to give helpful writing advice of the sort you are asking for in the abstract. Every story's needs are different.

I've already written a good portion of it. There's two problems I'm struggling with:

1: whether to hold a specific reveal until the very end, or have the characters figure out this plot point in advance and their deciding how to deal with it beforehand.

2: just how far these characters go in their interactions before hitting the above specific plot point, which will basically be the resolution to the story.

Your suggestion is a good one; I just feel like I'm bugging people if I reach out privately lol.

But if I can't figure it out on my own soon, I suppose I'll give that a try.

 

[KeithD]

It's almost impossible to give helpful writing advice of the sort you are asking for in the abstract. Every story's needs are different.

This.

I think the other comments are good too--that this isn't a committee sport and that you should make the effort to identify those writing what you want to write and to ask directly for reads/critiques.

 

[yukonnights]

Djmac1031, It's quite common to build up some "friendships" with other authors here. I've done both; helped with content review before their story is published — and have had others read over mine prior to publication.

I know that on more than one occasion their input turned an okay story into something better … and I also know that I have done the same for them. As has been suggested, try to connect with someone who's writing style you like and see if they're available.

 

[Djmac1031]

Djmac1031, It's quite common to build up some "friendships" with other authors here. I've done both; helped with content review before their story is published — and have had others read over mine prior to publication.

I know that on more than one occasion their input turned an okay story into something better … and I also know that I have done the same for them. As has been suggested, try to connect with someone who's writing style you like and see if they're available.

I've only been at this about two months now. So I'm only really just meeting people and interacting.

But yeah I'll see about asking around, or if someone volunteers lol.

 

[Djmac1031]

Funny, I suppose because I've been thinking about this story most of the day and wondering what advice someone might give me if they previewed it, I may have come across at least one solution to my problems lol.

I'm gonna work on writing it and see how it feels.

I'm still open to getting someone else's feedback though.

 

[8letters]

I'm still open to getting someone else's feedback though.

If you don't specify the category, I don't see you getting a lot of takers. I wouldn't want to commit to reading it then discover it's some category that doesn't appeal to me.

 

[lovecraft68]

In the past I've asked some people for opinions on something I already wrote, and based on feedback have made some small changes, but I've never asked anyone for major plot help, I think the story has to come from you.

If you're at a crossroads, try your hand at writing it in either direction you think it could go, and see which flows better, which feels better, which reads better. The way you're ultimately destined to do it, should make itself clear.

 

[HeyAll]

I've done that a lot with writers I respect and have somehow ended up being in contact with... meaning email.

What I try to do is provide bullet points of the plot, then ask for ideas if they have any. Sometimes I'll ask for a story skim to see if it's working. If I do that, that means my story is around 3,000 words so far, which is fairly short.

 

[gunhilltrain]

Funny, I suppose because I've been thinking about this story most of the day and wondering what advice someone might give me if they previewed it, I may have come across at least one solution to my problems lol.

I'm gonna work on writing it and see how it feels.

I'm still open to getting someone else's feedback though.

I only did that once; it was a chapter that had already been published and I was wondering why it hadn't done better. I put a link to the chapter in the Story Feedback forum and asked for opinions. I got quite a few, and I eventually submitted an edited version.

You are still writing it, so you can't link to it. if you wish, you are going to have to talk to other authors on a one-to-one basis. You have the option of sending them your present draft if you and they agree to it.

 

[gordo12]

Djmac1031, It's quite common to build up some "friendships" with other authors here. I've done both; helped with content review before their story is published — and have had others read over mine prior to publication.

I know that on more than one occasion their input turned an okay story into something better … and I also know that I have done the same for them. As has been suggested, try to connect with someone who's writing style you like and see if they're available.

This.

I've done a few for authors here and had feedback in return on my stories. It's not something I do a lot of, only when I'm really unsure.

 

[desecration]

Writers ask each other for help all the time. However, make sure you get consent, since you'll be using their suggestions without credit.

 

[Paul_Chance]

Over time as a writer you should develop a community of beta-readers (and yourself be a beta-reader for them). Those extra eyes help.

Consulting on story direction/plotting is a bit more touchy. You're basically asking people to do part of your work for you and most writers won't do it unless you're in some sort of mutual exchange.

You can certainly (and should) give them credit where they've contributed. Two options that are available here are a simple dedication at the start of the story or an acknowledgement at the end of it.

And of course, find an editor. A good editor is worth their weight in gold.

Here, where I'm writing just for myself and the free enjoyment of others, I tend to work alone (with a couple of beta-reader/fans). When I am writing for pay, it's a community approach - friends, family, beta-readers, proofers, editors.

 

[yukonnights]

Writers ask each other for help all the time. However, make sure you get consent, since you'll be using their suggestions without credit.

Like Paul Chance said above; I've mentioned and thanked other authors in the story's "Author's Forward / Introduction" who have helped me . It only seems fair IMO. In fact, it would feel really weird not to — unless they asked not to be mentioned. However, I've never asked for consent to use their advice and don't see the need for that. It's not like we're making money here.

 

[Djmac1031]

I've actually found my way over the hump with this story and once I did, the rest is just pouring out now lol.

I think my problem was I was worrying too much about one particular plot point, then realized that plot point, while important, wasn't the true focus of the story.

But I thank everyone for all the great advice and comments.

I've found this community very helpful so far, and I appreciate it.