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Q: SD, I'm trying to
edit/grammar check my own work and keep coming across different articles of
what I’m doing wrong and I’m starting over again. Suggestions?
A: There is only two answers to that question (actually
three). You can either hire someone or do it yourself (DIY). The third
possibility is if you have someone (family or close friend) who knows grammar
very well or is an editor themselves. I know this is a rare occurrence, but
there are people who know someone who know someone. This third choice falls
somewhere in between choice one and two. Don't forget that nothing is for free
and it would be nice to buy someone lunch or do them a favor in return. Oh, and
don't forget to give them a book credit. A bit of kindness goes a long way and
you would be surprise how quickly your name gets out there when you write about
your experience for the hired editor to place on their web site(s). Free
publicity is still publicity. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, A friend of mine
talked me into joining a writers group, but it seems as if whatever idea I come
up with someone say they had already copyrighted that. I soon found out that
they hadn't. I'm thinking about leaving the group, but how do I tell my friend
why without hurting their feelings?
A: First off, copyright your ideas and all the particulars
before you bring it up the next time in the writers group. Oh, and the people
who said they have the copyright, screw them. Take all your ideas back. Write a
detailed synopsis of each and an outline with all the information you wish in
your manuscript. Once you have your basic package together, do some cover art
and book internal design art if necessary (they don’t have to be good), the
book's 45 word description, and anything else you can think of to differentiate
your work from any other. Waite a few months (necessary for this part to truly
work) and asked each and every person who said they had copyright the same idea
you had that they may have a problem and leave it at that. They will either understand
what you had just said or be foolish enough to ask you for an explanation. At
that point, it would be advisable to inform them that you hope their work is in
fact copy written because yours is and they can look it up. As far as your
friend goes, tell them the truth. If they are your friend then they are your
friend and will understand. Your only fought in all of this was you delaying
telling them what was going on and how you feel being ripped off at every turn.
It might also be advisable to have him back check on all the ideas he had
brought to the club and look up the alleged mystery invisible copyrights that
are said to exist. My final advice to you is that not all writers' groups are
the same. Don't let one bad one stop you from looking for a good one that I
know are out there. I hope this helps. SD
Q: SD, Is it hard to
self-publish?
A: No, but there is a large amount of work ahead of you if
you decide to go that route. By no means is the traditional or self-publishing
route less frustrating or rewarding then the other. Each has its benefits and
drawbacks. I'm not going to go into detail of the pros and cons of each. There
are people on both sides of the fence on this subject, but two things that can
never be challenged. One is that Mark Twain’s book; Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn was originally self-published and the second is the fact that the
distribution and advertisement power of the larger publishing firms can elevate
you up on the world stage overnight. Do your homework and look into each for
yourself. There are a slew of companies out there that exist to help you
self-publish as well as publishing companies and agents looking for the next
big thing and you might be it. In the end, my advice is for you to trust in
you. You are the captain of this ship and the author of your manuscript. I hope this helps. SD
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