reenah

My question is: do you tell anyone around you about your idea for a book, and what you're working on, and if yes, how much do you tell them?
I'm writing a book, and there are now only 2 people who know about that fact anyway. The first person kept telling me in the beginning that she didn't want to hear anything about it, because I should think about it and do it on my own at least until I got a huge part of it.
In the beginning I wanted to tell someone to test the idea, and also get input for ideas etc. But then I got used to 'do it by myself', and even if it is hard at times, I can be sure that it is all MINE, you know.
Now, a friend of mine learned that I am writing a book, and she got all excited as if she was writing it. But maybe I just misunderstood her. She offered to read it and check it, like an editor (what's the correct english word again?), and she asked me if I already knew the storyline and all that.
I am wondering how much I should let her in on that, you know. Of course this is MY book, and I don't want her to be a co-writer, but I like the idea of her reading it when I have done a huge part, and I wouldn't mind having someone to talk about ideas. But I don't really want to give the story away to anyone yet...

What do you think, and how do you handle such things in general?

Thanks!

Oracle

Most of my friends know about my novel series. I have no problem telling people what it's basically about, but I try not to give away enough to spoil anything. Only a couple people know anything about the series in detail, and still not nearly as much as I've planned.

As far as friends who want to get involved go, simply tell them that this is your book, and a solo project. I know what it's like when friends get like that. I've had a few in the past.

I think if your friend wants to read it though, let her read what you've read, and listen to her advice. Just make sure she knows that you're writing this book; not her.

If you don't want to share the details of your plans with her, but you're concerned about hurting her feelings, then just tell her that you don't want to spoil it for her, and she'll have to find out when she reads it.

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Clockwork

I usually don't share my ideas with most people on my writing. But if someone asks what I want to do with my life I say I wanna wright.

If I were in your situation I would do what Oracle adivsed. In the end it's really up to you though.

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Posted by: Clockwork

daniela

I share my ideas without worry because I know that no one will be able to write the story quite like me. In fact, I posted one in the C & A forum a while back to find out if it was worth continuing and if people would want to read it once I was done. I didn’t give everything away because I still wanted people to be surprised at the ending if I posted the finished product on the forums, but I think I mentioned enough so someone could try to copy me if they were desperate for ideas.

Reenah, I believe your friend just wants to help. Editor is the correct word, and just because she is editing your book does not make her a co-writer. When it goes to an editor at a publishing house, that person does not automatically become a co-writer so neither will your friend. It would be nice if you said thanks to anyone who helped you on the acknowledgements page when it gets published, but it is still your novel.

If you do not feel comfortable about sharing your story yet, then tell her and mention that you would like her to look at it sometime in the future when you have more done. I am sure your friend will understand.

--DM--

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Clockwork

Yeah, She's just getting excited. Maybe you could let her look over it but still make it your own. She doesn't have to write it too, She can give you constructive critisism.

I don't think I've ever told anyone
but relatives the ideas for my stories.

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Posted by: Clockwork

Talia_Brie

I sometimes have trouble talking through my ideas with other people because they're fantasy, and it just feels a little odd. "There's a sword that's been blessed by a priestess when the hero was using it to kill a demon from the eighteenth gate of Hell. . . "

But I also think you're friend is making a genuine offer to help. I'm always a little suspect about he advice you get from friends, because they're unlikely to be as hard on you as I would be, as we don't know each other and I don't care if I hurt your feelings. I just want your book to be as good as you want it to be.

Only you can judge how far your friend is going to want to go with it. If you make it clear that you're not looking for a co-writer, I'm sure she'll tell you she doesn't want to be one.

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lisajane

There's a couple of people I tell. My best friends know I'm witing a novel but they don't know what about because they're not interesting in my writing anyway. I don't like telling the classes I'm in when we're told to tell our idea, so I explain it very briefly but don't go into it.

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spirituous

Besides sharing my story in here, I only share my story with my two closest friends. I then force them to read and critique it. And if they don't like it, well, read my signature.

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reenah

Thank you for all of your opinions and advice!!

Sox

"Oh, I only tell my most trusted friends. I only tell the mute. I only tell Jesus Christ." For goodness sakes!

People, what do you think your friends are going to do? Steal your writing? I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I am pretty darn sick. There's this one person I know who won't tell me what her novel is about. "I'm planning on publishing it," she says. Whoopee!

We're all teenagers, right? What, honestly, what are the chances of somebody stealing the idea of a book from a teenager?

One in a million, I bet! Only a select few people actually publish crap when they're in their teens.

Personally, I tell anyone who wants to know.

Scratches

Er. While I may be teenage, a lot of the people on this forum are not. And then, sometimes it's not a "patent-pending!" thing but just a need to keep it under wraps so it stays special. It's individual to the person, isn't it?

I show to one friend and this forum, simply because I know nobody else who would care to read.

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evadri

I don't generally tell my ideas, even if I'm just bursting to tell someone, because I see it like this: You're telling a story right? Well, once it's told, it's told - verbally or on paper, the brain doesn't care. So I reckon, if you want your first draft to be fresh, write it before you tell anyone all the details.

Also, I find once I tell an idea, especially more than once, it looses it's magic and excitment, and I think the writing suffers if you aren't completely excited about your story.

I have no worries that people would steal my ideas though.

My sister also writes, so if either of us needs to talk something through, well we live in the same house, so it's kinda convenient...often we just talk, ramble on at each other, without listening to what the other is saying...it's hilarious actually, but it really helps. We never really make suggestions for each other, but just by talking a loud, a lot of plot problems get solved.

Gee, I always loose track of my posts, what was the question again?

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Ilan Bouchard

I don't mind telling someone about my ideas, but I usually keep it to a one sentence description.

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whiz_bang

I'm attempting my first story/novel, but haven't really shared anything that specific with people I know. One of the reasons is because it's really not all that clear in my own mind, and the other big reason is that I don't have a lot of confidence in myself (I don't want my ideas being told they're stupid or something). I guess if I'm serious about being a writer, I'll need to share my work with others, and work on getting a thicker skin.

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Oracle

Well, if somebody just flat-out calls your idea stupid, then chances are they don't know what they're talking about.

If somebody cares nothing for writing, literature, reading, etc, and you share your idea with them, and they call it stupid, it really is an empty opinion. They have no athority on the subject to back it up.

Now, someone who is interested in literature, reading, writing, etc, AND the particular genre you're writing in, then chances are, no matter how much they dislike your story, they aren't going to flat-out say it's stupid. They're more likely to tell you what they like and dislike about it, and why.

Constructive criticism shouldn't be a scary thing. I find it quite helpful.

And as for destructive criticism, I just roll my eyes at those people for not being able to back up their opinion.

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