JParker

Thanks you guys. I should add - don't hesitate to recommend works from authors on here. I would love to know about and support not so widely published and self-published material. The only thing is, it would have to be available in print.

Hello Lovely People, the holidays are approaching and I a) intend to curl up with a good book in the not too distant future, and b) might want to give a good book as a gift. (a physical book with paper pages). Hence: recommendations more than welcome. I'm thinking anything with a gay protagonist that has some depth, some humor and is ultimately upbeat or at least hopeful. I love love love first person narrative, but that's not a must. Basically anything that did touch you, sucked you in and left you with good feelings (that sounds unintentionally naughty, I know, but ya catch my drift ). Thanks, Alex

Recently read Bill Clegg's memoirs 'Portrait of the Addict as a Young Man' and the sequel '90 Days'. (Just discovered that both books are available in one by now). I'm a total sucker for well-written (gay) first person memoirs (also: Augusten Burroughs) and Bill Clegg's memoirs on battling crack addiction totally fit my bill . Gritty, vulnerable, courageous, - and of course (well, to me): entertaining. [speaking of Augusten Burroughs: just re-read 'Lust and Wonder' - thoroughly enjoyable]

@Northie - see, this is exactly the kind of thing that I've been discussing with my current main Brit Beta (a Londoner)- who said pal she never hears, but guy is more common according to her experience. Thank you for the feedback and for the good luck!

Thank you Dodger and Ivor Slipper, that's certainly helpful feedback. I'm not even trying to reproduce real street slang, I know that's impossible with my background and not even my aim. I intend to keep the language as neutral as possible, which of course isn't always possible It starts with simple things like 'would this person use 'guy' or rather 'bloke' or would they use 'pal' now and then or rather always 'mate' (I heard pal for the first time in the UK by native Brits ...) It seems like a science in itself ... Anyway, your thoughts on the matter make me feel better about the changes I have made so far

Calling native UK writers, especially younger ones, say around 16 to 36. I've written a novel that is located in London and features an upper middle class private school kid (16) , a working class girl around 18 and a working class bro-kind of guy in his early thirties. I have been working with older (40+) British Beta readers to weed out American English as I am not a Brit native - and it's turning out to be a tad tricky as there is quite a difference in vocabulary, depending on class and background, and I wonder if they might be a bit out of touch regarding younger folks' lingo. Long story short - my question essentially is: To what extent would you think the folks mentioned above would use American idioms/vocab? I know, each person is different, and I think it differs greatly, depending on how much US-media the person is consuming, but also on background. Also: how posh would the average upper middle class private school kid talk? A hint of an idea would be much appreciated. Thank you

Besides the reasons mentioned you might be bored by the story - then make it interesting, excite yourself. You may be unsure as to how to progress with the storyline - write on, regardless, because eventually the right ideas will crop up. Or - and I have a suspicion that this might actually be it - your inner critic has become way too loud and has thus begun to choke off your creativity. Solution: Allow yourself to write badly, and keep writing. Suspend criticism for a while. Bottom line: Just carry on, no matter what, and things will fall into place eventually.

That's gruesomely unimaginative (bad) writing, hands down. Unless you're dealing with a wanted poster. Describing people is so much more than stating age and height and offers countless options. (Also: it is fun To practise think perhaps of people that you know in real life and describe them vividly to someone who doesn't know them (the reader). What are the things that catch your attention? What are markers that hint at a certain age (haircolor, skin) or status? How do they smell, who do they resemble. What is pleasing or annoying about them? How do they hold themselves, what color and texture is their skin? What's their voice like? What's their body type & body language? Etc. Height only needs explicit mention if the character is particularly small or tall. If two people interact you can easily show which one is taller, if one of them looks up or down at the other etc. I really don't care if a character is 5'9 or 6' or about any explicit number. One character might have to take care not to bust his head on the doorframe another might be able to buy clothes in the children's department or to travel in a suitcase etc.

Oh absolutely, not denying that. The POV of choice needs to serve the story. It is possible though to present such info while sticking to 1st person POV - if you switch between different protagonists (eg. in alternating chapters or by splitting the narrative in different parts etc.) It is not common practice and there will be people who find it disruptive, but that doesn't mean it can't be done or won't work.

It is absolutely possible and I actually find it intriguing to read. I have done it in my own writing several times. I've only just recently read a book in which the author switched between four different POVs (Alan Hollinghurst: The Spell. He's a booker prize winner, if that's any legitimization . I personally don't give an eff about what someone might regard as "unprofessional". Those are just personal opinions and tastes. Some people disregard 1st person POV for some absurd reasons. I am not so keen on 3rd person as it always keeps a distance whereas I prefer to get as close to a character as possible. So ultimately: You can do whatever you want as long as you pull it off, it is just possible that different people will like what you do.

Hello there, I'm in the middle of the second draft of my novel and the feedback-craving part of me can't wait to share with beta-readers. On the other hand of course, that second draft is still unfinished business. So, I'm curious - at what point would you say does it make sense to send out the whole shebang to beta readers for the first time?

For one thing I'd say: write what you feel like writing. Too much self-censoring and political correctness kills creativity and a story. A good story has ambivalence, is thought provoking and doesn't smooth down and explain everything. Go with your flow and then check back with beta readers who can plausibly explain to you if and why something doesn't work for them or offend them in a way that's not perhaps not intended on your side. However (!): That is not to say that I endorse all kinds of stories being put out there that involve those topics. Not at all. I think there is a lot of stuff out there that I'd personally censor because I think it is toxic. If a third person narrator: - objectifies victimized people - presents abusers and their actions are as eg. 'cool' (or otherwise positive or attractive to emulate) - offers no credible insight as to what abuse might cause in the abused and how debilitating and destrucitve it is. - uses violence as sadistic delectation Any of the above I would not be interested in reading and would quite likely find offensive. Characters however can act in that way and while they can be important protagonists they should not be presented as unquestioned shining heroes.

Actually - if it is done well I'd totally read it. I utterly dislike cheesy overemotional romanticized stuff but I love getting into a character's head. If what is going on in there is captivatingto me I'm in. It depends entirely on the language and if I am invested/ can identify with what is going on on the inside. I find most narratives neglect this part, and that makes them less interesting to me. You see, no size fits all. Go for what you feel like writing and expressing and then check back with beta readers who are generally open to what I call pychological storytelling (dealing more with the thought processes, psychology than e.g. action) and see what they say. I'd be willing to have a look at an excerpt of yours and give you feedback, if you like.