Need another category

I wanted to post about writing; maybe you should add a new category? That way, I can complain about writing or the inverse when all is well.

Warning: Not an inspirational post.

Writing a long-worded novel can become a quagmire. You worry about contradictions, character development, and plot, which can become disheartening. My biggest complaint is my lack of beta readers. I have no way to gauge whether all my work makes sense.

I don't trust beta readers who charge for their services. What incentives do they have to be critical? I started a Meet-Up group. One person showed up in six months and then disappeared.

Think about writing 140,000 words and then editing a second draft. Then, after six months, a complete rewrite. I am now 50,000 words into my rewrite, and I'd like to know if my first act was too boring. Is my main love relationship built on a good foundation? Who knows? Not me.

I am losing steam after four years and several thousands of dollars and hours. The cost of editing and beta reading overshadows any realistic returns from sales by a factor of ten. So, it can only be a labor of love, which is fine. But that means my quality will decline if I ever decide to continue writing. I will not invest my time and money like I am now. I am not even sure if any of my efforts have made a difference.

So here I am, sitting at my keyboard, making this post instead of typing words on the page. I am at the point of no return. Do I go back and rework the rewrite, or continue and say, "To hell with it?"

What a difference it would make if you could have just one trusted person to work with and bounce ideas off of. I do not mind spending money; this is not about my relationship here. I wish I met Steve a long time ago. You have no idea how much one can spend over four years on Grammerly, Prowriting Aid, Fiver, and so on. And you know, when it's all done, ten people on Amazon will buy your book.

Okay, that's enough bitching for one day. I just needed to vent. Steve, I have several chapters that need editing. I will contact you later. I will finish this thing if it's the last thing I do, damit.