Reba

don't trust online writing groups? Plus there aren't any writing groups in our little town. Trust me, I've looked (and tried to start one- it didn't work).
I've written a full-length novel, and now I'd like somebody to read it. I'm not even looking for a full critique, just a general "Overall is it interesting?" I know it needs work. But everybody I ask is like "I don't have the time" (or in the case of my little sister "I'll read it when its published) I had a few people take copies... three months later and "I haven't even picked it up yet (two cases lost the copies I gave them). I am very frusterated and angry and I have no idea what to do now. I work but barely earn enough money to pay the bills. There's no way I can hire a professional editor. All I want is some stinking recognition at this point!!!! Any advice would be great.

avid reader

Believe me, I go through this too. When you write something, you just want to know how someone else sees it. But, I've also been on the receiving end. For a lot of people, myself included, it's very tedious reading a novel which is still in the beginning stages and quite unrefined. To sit down and actually read an unpublished copy is exhausting; either you want to edit everything or you just want to put down the book. I suggest that you look for a beta reader. From what you've said, this will be hard to find. But do look for one. A beta reader is someone who reads through your manuscripts specifically to give a fresh opinion and help you edit your work. It can be anyone who is well educated in literature and can give you honest criticisms.

That's what I've started to do. I just write and edit and send it to my beta reader who gives me valuable suggestions. Sometimes I take it sometime I don't. But she helps me by giving an outside opinion, which can be very useful. And recognition will not come instantly. It will take a lot of time. It will take countless drafts to get your work as perfect as possible to be sent to a publisher. It is a long and tedious process and requires tons of patience and perseverance. The best thing to do is to keep editing your novel and trying to make it better. I hope I helped and don't get discouraged.

Sing to Me

No one owes you recognition, you earn it. Your writing has to be darn great and professional to earn it, and even then it might not happen because nothing can be predicted in the publishing field. Family and friends aren't a good source for feedback, and you'll need more than "I liked it" as feedback. You also need to know the technicalities of novel writing, of which your family isn't familiar. You're better off getting feedback from other writers and authors who understand the elements that make for a good novel and understand the technicalities of writing. Family and friends, IMO, are good for general feedback as "readers" and nothing more. Also, one more thing about having family and friends read it: make sure they're interested. You know a lot about their taste. If someone doesn't like reading then don't give them your manuscript because you'll end up frustrated. If someone likes Sci-fi and you wrote romance then don't give them your manuscript; not unless they read the genre you write. If you know someone is busy working full time and barely has enough free-time then they're probably not going to read your manuscript in a timely manner. Be discriminating when it comes to whom you give your manuscript.

If you're looking for a beta reader then be ready to offer something in return. Many will want you to beta their work in exchange. You can look on http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums for beta readers and you can also post your work in the Share Your Work section and have more people give you feedback. You have to register and be logged in to see the section. Many members are writers, published authors, aspiring authors, a couple own publishing businesses, and what have you. Just make sure that you've edited you work to the best of your ability.

You mention that you barely earn enough money to pay the bills. I hope that you don't see publishing as a way to get rich quick. Most authors have to keep a day job because they don't earn enough money in advances and royalties to live off of. Then if you are lucky enough to have a publisher buy your work then you don't get paid all at once. You might get 1/3 of your advance when you sign the contract, 1/3 when they accept your final manuscript, and 1/3 when your book is released. Most advance are much less than 10,000 dollars. Some can be only a few hundred dollars. And then you might not see that full advanced for 2 years after you signed a publishing contract, because it can take that long for your book to be released. Publishing is just a very slow industry.

I'm sorry that you're having financial trouble, but i just hope you don't see novel writing as your chance at the big time. Most authors write because they love writing, because the money isn't there.

Good luck with your manuscript.

[EDIT] If you don't trust online writing groups then you're SOL babe. You can always post pieces of your work here for feedback. If you're serious then you'll get serious feedback. I've posted pieces of my work on Y!A and got pretty good feedback both times from those who take giving feedback seriously.

~*Amber~*

I'm a writer and have a book published. I'm currently working on a series called "Heaven's Radio." If you would like to send your manuscript to me, I would be glad to look over it and tell you what I think. My email is wolfgirl83234@yahoo.com

:]