Get the best advice you can. But when do you ask for it?

Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.

Don’t forget to click the purple button to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.

At which stage in the writing process do you seek feedback and from whom?

There are several points during the creative process where I’ll share my work with people and seek their opinions.

When I first get an idea, if I think it’s likely to be more than a short story, I’ll share the basic concept with my wife.

While she doesn’t read my completed work, or like the style I write in, I’ve found that she does have a good appreciation of what makes an interesting plot.

If she likes it, it has to be a good idea.

If it passes that test, I will then produce an initial version of a book cover, one that suggests the idea and pass it around for comments. Once again, my wife will have considerable input into the layout and typography of the image. That’s another one of her skills.

That’s the easy bit done.

The next thing I’ll do is actually write the story. Once I have done that, I’ll get my editor to take a look at the first draft. I usually book this early, to give myself a target to work towards.

When I’ve got the corrected manuscript back and applied all her corrections, it’s time for my beta readers to get a look. These are a group of people who I’ve befriended over the years. Some are authors, some not.

I make the eBook available to them via social media and my newsletter, with a deadline for comments.

They read a wide range of genres, so are quite a demanding bunch. But I like that, it’s similar to asking my wife for her thoughts.

If I can convince her, and them, there must be something good in my efforts.

Depending on what they make of it, the story will be amended or enhanced. Or changed into a short story. In extreme cases, if none of them like it, it might even be dumped.

If it’s still a novel after all that, it’s now time for a final edit, choosing a publication day and the start of the marketing process.

At all times, I listen to the opinions of everyone who is prepared to give up their time to read my work.

If the people who read it for nothing don’t like it, I’m hardly likely to sell many copies.

What do you think about this week’s subject?

Let me know below.

Then, please click the purple button to check out what my fellow writers have to say about this week’s topic.

Until next time.

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