Fringe Fiction Unlimited discussion

This is one of my more candid moments. And it's at the risk of being ridiculed that I'm finally asking the one question that's always on my mind when I hear/see authors, and soon-to-be published authors discussing all the amazing feedback and support they've gotten from their writers groups and such.

How do you guys choose your betas/groups? Are they fellow writing friends you've know a while or are they really (as I've interpreted them) random aspiring writers/indie authors who join forces simply because they have a common dream/goal?

The reason I ask is because I DO NOT have complete confidence in my writing itself. That's not to say I think myself a bad writer at all. I think I write well but, like most if not all writers, it would be beneficial to get honest feedback throughout the process from first draft to finished manuscript. In fact, I'm not inclined to oppose those who think it mandatory when you're going the indie route. And I mean critiques from people that are all too happy to be objective (unlike close friends/family who are often bias.)

Here's the thing though.....

In a world where everything has been done under the sun, where originality is hard to come by....

I have all the confidence in the world in my IDEA.

So yeah, I know, this is the part where you tell me that everyone thinks that about their ideas, but this admission comes from a place of genuine fear, not hubris. Execution is everything in writing. There are a lot of amazing writers with bad plot ideas. And even more novels that had an awesome idea that was poorly executed by a lackluster writer.


I've read/heard so many speeches about how "no one is going to plagiarize/steal/copy a manuscript" from a writer who doesn't even have their foot in the door in terms of publishing. But the way the cynical voice in my head is set up....

Just to be clear ... in this scenario I'm the aspiring writer with a great idea that needs major work on executing. The one who would probably (read: definitely) benefit from a writer's group if I could push past this ridiculous, yet unwavering fear of a better writer than me swooping in faster than the label producers for Beyonces "If I were a boy" did to that poor girl who (allegedly) auditioned for the label with it (her original song) and had to settle for consolatory punitive damage money after they stole it from under her to give it to KING BEY lol.

I'm not accusing any of you "Beyonces" in this group, but, to continue the analogy, I'm without a label, And while I know my "voice" can use some directing/support, I'm scared to let people "hear my song".

ANY ADVICE?

Is this something anyone else has had to get past?

Am I being paranoid (okay that one is a gimme)?

How did you choose your writers group/beta?

I can understand your reticence to trust in case someone steals your idea. It does happen, I'm not going to lie, but it's not too common, so it's unlikely it will happen, especially when it comes to people whose names you know. It's more likely to be someone who is unknown to you.

There is no doubt you need the feedback. You're right - family and friends are not enough. In fact, even these groups are not necessarily enough. You need to find a professional editor. Industry professionals are going to give you more reliable feedback because it's their job. Also, because it's their job, and there's a record of them editing the book for you (with money changing hands), they're unlikely to steal it. It would be too easy for you to prove they did.

Lynne wrote: "I can understand your reticence to trust in case someone steals your idea. It does happen, I'm not going to lie, but it's not too common, so it's unlikely it will happen, especially when it comes t..."


Good point! And i agree. I believe professionals are less likely to steal because editing/critiquing is their livelihood. Im more talking about a writer's group of people you would never know otherwise. The group hosted at your local library, or a virtual group like nanowrimo where people give the run down on their novel's whole plot happily when their MS isnt Even a completed first draft.

You might check out the writers' groups in your area--there may be several if you are in a biggish city. Visit each group just to observe at least once. Groups vary in how they operate. Some groups will allow authors to bring in printouts of x number of pages, to pass out for comment and to be collected at the end of the session. That way there can be no copy/pasting by unscrupulous group members. This doesn't help protect your idea, however.

Yes, you are being paranoid, and workshop members may take umbrage at being suspected of nefarious idea stealing. For one thing, they are bringing their own ideas to the group, so it does seem a bit high-handed to declare that your idea is so much better than theirs that they will be tempted to abandon their own babies and abscond with yours. For another, ideas are free and serendipitous by nature. You may have a story about a bear walking into a bar at about the same time as a guy in New South Wales has the same idea. From a legal standpoint, the only thing you can protect is the execution--how you tell the story.

Which doesn't help you at all, I know. The fact is, you either have to loosen up a little on letting others into your sanctum or hire a coach who will work with you to develop the book your way--but will charge you for his or her time.

You can hire a beta reader--check some editorial directories or poke around Goodreads--or have a manuscript appraisal done, if you just want some assurance about the shape of the book and an idea of what kinds of problems may be lurking in your prose. This would confine the book to a small number of known people. This means being your own hiring manager--check their profiles, ask for recommendations.

And/or choose a writers' group with presentation rules you are comfortable with. You can get to know people before you begin sharing the parts of your book you most wish to keep secret.

Another suggestion would be to take the long view and develop your writing chops with another story. Use a workshop to just get really good at writing, so that you can return to your main work with a more practiced sense of what works and what needs work.

Longhare wrote: "You might check out the writers' groups in your area--there may be several if you are in a biggish city. Visit each group just to observe at least once. Groups vary in how they operate. Some groups..."

I never suggested that my idea is better .

But if you're an aspiring writer, someone looking to make a career out of writing.... unless you're the one and a million who finds yourself publishing a future movie franchise adaption, it's safe to say you can never have to many ideas in your notebook of plots.

I'm hard pressed to understand how I could be considered declaring my idea better when I haven't heard anyone's ideas. This is purely from a hypothetical stand point as I have yet to join a group.

As I stated in my original posts, the paranoia element is a gimme. That question was more of a "am I alone in thinking this" kind of way inquiry so I'm sorry that I didn't make that more clear.

Aside from that, you did make a lot of great suggestions, for which I'm grateful. A lot of your statement echoes my own sentiments on the dilemma I'm having. My only option is to trust or whip out my checkbook to pay for insurance (even though nothing is a guarantee)

You make a good point about the theory of someone in another part of the world thinking of the same idea but I choose not to look at it that way. To me, doing so would be take away from the joys of creative writing. Personally, I think it also screams, "why bother?" When it comes to trying to be original unlike the countless number of authors who make their living fanfictionalizing other successful authors works. E.g: JK Rowling >> Cassandra Clare, EL James >>> too many authors to pick one, okay Sylvia Day?

(yes I realize fanfictionalizing isn't an actual term.... yet lol but you get the point)

There's a difference between having a similar idea and sharing it with someone only to have it taken. And not that this is particularly relevant to the subject of indie publishing, but in High School I had someone actual copy my junior thesis paper, because she assumed having a different teacher meant she could get over. I hadn't realize working on ours together meant her stealing mine from my desktop. Fortunately, she was honest about it or we would have both been penalized. But she was a friend who felt bad, and a friend who up until the was also in Honor's classes.


This wasn't a question of someone else's ability to come up with their own amazing idea. More than anything it was a need to (possibly) confirm that I'm not a total looney tune for having this fear.

Thanks for weighing in though. I appreciate the candor and ultimately you're 100% right. In terms of writing groups VS paying for feedback I just need to pick which one I'm most comfortable with.

"Put up or shut up" as they say lol

Lynne wrote: "I can understand your reticence to trust in case someone steals your idea. It does happen, I'm not going to lie, but it's not too common, so it's unlikely it will happen, especially when it comes t..."


Thanks for weighing in!

No worries. I think those groups are good, what I was really saying is don't let that be the only critiquing you get.

Katrice wrote: " "am I alone in thinking this" kind of way inquiry...."

No, you are not alone and not at all loony. I'm sorry I wasn't clearer--I wasn't calling you high-handed, but I have seen hackles rise up on the scruffs of writers in response to the very trust issue you bring up. I was trying to convey what other authors may feel if you come to the table with an "unwavering fear of a better writer than me swooping in" and stealing your idea. Remember, these are all people who have already pushed past their own fear that you are going to steal their ideas. It is important in a workshop situation to be humble and diplomatic. Having said that, you do open yourself up to the risk of being ripped off when you share your work with other people. It can happen, so shop around--there are plenty of helpful, trustworthy people out there. Plus, it helps to remember that all these people are wrapped up in writing their own stories--unlike the Beyonce situation in which the organization was actually looking for material.