27 Comments
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Danet's avatar

The crafting is good but the lack of communication with the first pages is kinda cumbersome. I wish there was more with them, since that seemed to be the carrot to get subscribers. I have yet see if you even received mine.

I understand time but some of us really would like to get better at our craft and would like actual feedback. I would pay a little more just to get a little more actual interaction on what I need to work on or focus. That is just my opinion and understand this isn’t a workshop but I wish we had more access and even writing exercises to help.

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

I totally get where you're coming from! I tried to be really clear that subscribing doesn't guarantee you a review of your first page and I'm so sorry if you felt misled! At this time I'm working solo over here so I just can't guarantee that I'll get to everyone but I will try my hardest! My inbox currently has around 500 unread messages and unfortunately there's not enough time in the day to respond to everyone personally--especially since I'm still writing novels over here!

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Emily Gregg's avatar

I agree with this! The first pages are the reason I subscribed, so I was a bit disappointed when I found out they would only be posted once a week.

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

Would love to do them daily! Maybe someday! For now I'm afraid once is as much as I can manage.

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Hannah Magness's avatar

I like having the combo of both types of posts! Your weekly first page posts have been super helpful. But I also really enjoy your regular tips. I came across those first, via TikTok. Having them go more in-depth here has been great. Honestly, as much as you can provide, I will be here for :)

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

Great! Thanks for the response!

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Ashley Orange's avatar

I really enjoy the craft posts as much if not more than the first page looks because it's like one of your TikTok videos but with more depth and detail. Also, sometimes I don't have the attention span to listen to a video but can absorb through reading.

Probably shooting myself in the foot since I'm one of the people that sent you a first page. But oh well! Haha

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Darika Ahrens's avatar

Agree! The craft posts are brill, more of these and fewer first pages (max 1 a week feels right).

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

Thanks for this!

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Ricardo Salarich's avatar

Agree. Just the insight from the post on dialogue was worth the subscription! More craft, please.

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Skye Rosey's avatar

I agree with Ashley Orange! I like the craft posts even better than the first pages. I would love to see some craft posts or social media videos that focus on the revisions process once you have your trash draft completed. Lmk if some of those already exist and I’m just missing them!

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Alexa's avatar

figuring out genre, how to stand out, what does well with certain markets, what elements make something more appealing to agents and publishers commercially

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

Ooh great topic ideas!

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Zahra Jebin's avatar

I would love more first pages but also it would be great to hear more about starting the process of getting your book out there. From the querying which you've covered a bit to the how to start looking for agents and editors, especially for the non traditional publishers. But I've loved all the content so far!

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

Got it!

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Tanya Grant's avatar

I've been loving all your content! It would be amazing to see more guidance on elements that help a book stand out in a crowded market and how to seed those elements while thinking about story structure.

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

Thanks! Will keep this in mind!

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Emily Gregg's avatar

I would absolutely love more first pages. Your tiktok content is excellent for craft and you go into more detail there. I feel like this blog is the perfect place to dive into more pages and will keep me coming back!

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Jessica Sorensen's avatar

The craft posts have been awesome, but I’d love to see more breakdowns of first pages. I’m a visual learner so seeing your thought process/feedback has been really helpful!

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Danielle Valentine's avatar

Got it!

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Stephen Duffy's avatar

Reading your reviews of the first pages has been a massive help ❤️

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Madeleine Voge's avatar

I LOVE reading your 'first pages' feedback. It's so specific and technical, which is usually the opposite of one-size-fits-all writing advice. Also, do you have any thoughts on perspective? Besides personal preference, how should writers be thinking about committing to 3rd Person vs. 1st Person vs. 1st Person Present etc.? Is there anything we might not know about how that effects publishing potential? Appreciate you so much!

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Mandie's avatar

This is so specific but I would love your thoughts on overcoming doubts about your ideas/WIPs/writing. Comparison is so hard and especially in the writing/creative arts world!

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Aina's avatar

I love everything you do! Thank you so much! I've realized that although I love your TikToks when it's training to write I like to read it more, that’s why I am here.

I love the analysis of the first pages, also the tips, I would like more frequency, 3-4 posts a week would be great, if possible.

It would also be great if you could give us homework, to try out techniques and get out of our comfort zone.

Thank you very much 🤩

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Megan Shade's avatar

And a little on querying!

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Megan Shade's avatar

I like both! What I REALLY like is when you’ve found a first page that has good visuals of how to improve craft (like your showing vs telling example). I find it helpful when you rewrite things to show the difference also.

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Nicole's avatar

Everything you teach through your posts has been extremely helpful and informative! I would say do whatever is easier for you and that you enjoy doing the most 😉 Having been an online entrepreneur for a long time now, I've learned that while it's good to get feedback, the best decision is going to be to design your business the way that makes it more fun (and sustainable, lol 😅) for you.

If it were me, I'd imagine that doing the first page reviews would be easier because then I wouldn't have to stress about coming up with a new craft topic each week to educate on...yet I could still educate on specific topics as they come up in the first pages. But that's how MY brain operates!

Either way, I trust that you're going to continue providing a ton of value, and I look forward to seeing what you decide to do! I've learned a lot from you already ❤️

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