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Hey everyone, hopefully ive got the right forum now 

My name is Steven and I'm a new member

I’ve been reading books for a few years and really devoted my self to it for the past 2-3 years. I’ve had a good idea for a few years now and finally I started putting it down after a number of people persuaded me to. I've never seen myself as a writer but I don’t have a bit of a crazy mind    and a good imagination. Anyways, I've written a rough draft of the story line and I've got about 10 000 words now on main characters and a few main twists. Few mature writers have read it and they said that it is a very good idea with alot of potential. I write sometimes once or twice a week and sometimes four or five times, sometimes i really feel like it and ideas keep popping up. Now I’m at the point where I’m not sure what’s enough and what isn’t, if i should make it first person or third, order of things, style etc etc so no i need advice and help from someone. It is a fiction/crime book, with a lot of feelings/events I’ve experience thorough life incorporated in characters as well some true crimes. Setting is based in 90's "i think". I’m in Brisbane, so If you know someone on here or a place that could have a look at what i have and evaluate it professionally or point me in right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

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Hi Dmso

I find the Queenland Writers Centre is great and has some fantastic seminars and workshops.  Certainly worth calling them and seeing what they have coming up.  They also get fantastic writers running their masterclasses and workshops.  (Fiona was actually at one last year that I was able to attend).

As crime isn't currently my genre, I'm not sure what they have specifically focussed to that, but they do have a couple of good ones coming up in April.

Good Luck

Trosen

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Excellent advice. Head straight for QWC and they will certainly point you in the right direction for mentors, manuscript assessment services, freelance editors, proof readers, local writing groups, even groups specifically for crime. You should really join a crime reading group if you can so you get to know what fans - other than yourself - think about crime writing, who they like and why, which characters really tick for them and so on. You can learn loads from simply listening to them discuss books. QWC runs regular workshops and will almost certainly run one on crime. You'll need to become a member but we're not talking huge expense here and it's a really worthwhile membership to have. You'll hear all the latest buzz on writing directly through the newsletter and be first to hear of events, competitions, festivals, visiting authors, etc. Good luck. I'm writing my new crime book now too....so my head's in a similar zone as you right now. All best, F

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I was thinking of joining the NSW writers centre but was unsure, are writers centres really that helpful? I think I might need some mentoring (lol), I've got around five or so manuscripts with an average of 50,000 words but can never seem to finish them! I just get bored and move to another one...

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Hi Clove

I'm not sure what the NSW Writers Centre is like, but QWC offer workshops for that exact purpose.  They call it the "Year of the Novel" and run workshops over periods of time.  Have a look at the NSW Writers Centre's website, or give them a call.  You really need to decide yourself what motivates you best, but as Fiona says, you can usually access workshops, mentoring, or you may even meet someone that you can use as a draft reader to give you encouragement and direction.  It sounds like you need someone to reinforce that your ideas are good, and a writers centre has a lot of different areas that you can go to for whatever you need.

Good Luck

Trosen

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Hey!
DMSO: Obviously Fiona is the authority on this one but here are my 2 cents (as always)...
Aside from the above, your local writers centre will have some basic/intermediate/advanced seminars or lengths between an evening, a day, a weekend or several weeks/weekends.
Have a look what is on offer in your genre and maybe consider start/meeting with a smaller event/group to get some idea.
You are bound to find an objective peer as well as professional sources for reviews.
IF you should consider classes/ seminars...Check out a seminar or writing class that you think applies to you. Fiona gave me some good tips and it is no help to pay huge bucks for something that doesn't fit by a "bestselling" author whom you've never heard of.
I.e.: They can be great but they can be a waste of time/money if they do not address your problem.
Have a look, do a basic course or group if you can and ask around in that crowd of peers about positive experiences! 

CLOVE: I'm with the NSW writers centre. They are in Rozelle, just of Darling Rd, and I like the venue.
Quite a bit like your personal coffee chat community.
You can join online or via phone etc and their emails / newsletter give you regular updates.
The people I spoke to know what they are talking about and have thus far been lovely.
Only issue is that some of the seminars are quite expensive and the above problems apply. They are often by unknown quantities or do not exactly hit the spot for me.
That's more due to the frequency of specific seminars. The right one will come around but you have to wait and check frequently.
They have frequent meetings, readings, get togethers, focus groups and initiatives.
Grab me on email (Messages Board) if you want some more more details.

Inkwell