Can I get away with only using beta-readers or am I crazy?

I'm feeling a little conflicted today and I need your help, please. I have recently read a few books about self-publishing and some of the authors mention that you should have your work professionally edited, no excuses. Others suggest using critique groups and even beta-readers to get your story into publishing shape. A very small few say that you should reshape your novel so that you are happy with it and proud to put it out into the world.

I wanted to use beta-readers to tell me what they liked and hated about the story. But do I want fellow writers to think my work is a joke, no. So, do you think one can get away with only using beta-readers, or am I being stupid?

I can't afford professional editing. My budget only covers professional formatting and e-book + print covers. When I say budget, of course what I mean is that I'm still working to make the money.

Books I have read/are still reading 

• Ditch the Publisher (Finished)
• Indiestructable (Finished)
• Secrets of successful writers (Finished)
• Write good or die (Finished)
• The naked truth about self-publishing (Still reading)
• Indie Author Survival guide (Still reading)

Anybody have any suggestions or further book recommendations? Thanks.

The music really helps

When it comes to editing, I usually find the creativity leaving me. Mostly because I'm supposed to think with my logical mind to see things clearly. So, I tried to listen to a different type of music than when I write. I tried classical music and it really works for me. Something about the clarity and beautifully harmonious sound of the instruments really sooth me and it helps the editing a lot. Even opera music helps and I have come to really love it, along with classical music. In general I have a very diverse taste in music and books, so this is right up my alley.

The thing about family

When it comes to family we all have a different opinion or idea about it. Me? I love my family even though they drive me crazy and we end up arguing all the time. The thing that gets to me the most is that we never see eye to eye. I am always construed as the irresponsible one and dreamer.

But, having said all that, my family is always there for me when I need them. When I am at the end of my rope and I'm lying in a puddle of nothing but self-pity, my family comes along, picks up all the pieces and try to get me back on my feet. We don’t always get along and we are so different from one another it's ridiculous, but when we need each other, we are always there for one another.

When I told my family that I wanted to self-publish, I thought they would protest after so much had gone wrong for me, but they didn't. Instead they were super supportive and encouraged me to give it my all. For some strange reason they thought I could make it work and gave me their blessing. 

When things go right

Today is a great day for me. Why? Because today I woke up knowing exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life. I have been feeling really lost since I quit my awful job last year and having been unemployed for almost a year. But now, for the first time in my life I have the opportunity to have a say in my employment status. How you ask? Because I am going to be my own boss. I have committed myself to becoming a self-published writer.

I know what most of you think "You can't make a living off that when you are starting out and an unknown writer." Well, I am currently broke and sponging off my family, so when I'm self-published at least I will be doing something that I have been wanting to do for the last 7 years. Yep, that is how long I have been working on this book. I will be doing a job I love and would find stimulating.

For a long time I have been in denial of this fact, but I am a creative person with a creative personality. I want to wake up each morning knowing that I am living my life the way I want to live it and doing the things I love. For me life is too short and after that horrid job from last year, I couldn't see or imagine myself going back to any kind of job I was not passionate about.

Right now I am still helping out my brother and I have even been flexing my entrepreneurial muscles by offering to take over my family members' chores for a fee. Hey, I have to make money some way. Every penny I am making I am putting towards my potential book expenses like a cover, formatting, etc. Unfortunately I cannot afford professional editing, no matter how much I save. I will ask a few people to read my MS and get their input and try and make the manuscript as perfect as I can. I know many of you don't approve, but this is the best I can do at this point.

The best thing about working for my brother and doing chores is that I get to have lots of revising and editing time. This weekend I got a lot of editing done, which left me sporting a stupid grin all weekend. And yes, we might be adults, but my mom still makes us do chores. It keeps us humble.

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mother's out there, I hope you have a wonderful mother's day and that you will be spoiled plenty. You are special to your families, even if they don't always know how to show it.

How do you handle criticism? (IWSG)

In the past few weeks I have decided that I would love to be a self-published author. The option would suit my needs so much better and I would get to have more control. But now I want to know, how do you published authors cope with having your work out there for the whole world to read and criticize? I know that it’s hard to please everyone, but I’m afraid my work is too much of an acquired taste and that bad reviews could sink my potential writing career before it even begins. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I like having realistic expectations. I’m currently in the editing phase and would love to publish by this time next year. 

At this moment I think I should keep going and publish my book, even though most people might not like it. How I will react when people beg me stop writing crappy books, I don’t really know. But when the time comes, I hope there will be at least one or two people who might like it. At this point I think I need thicker skin. 

The Insecure Writers Support Group was created by the wonderfully talented Mr. Alex J Cavanaugh, so that writers can share the insecurities they have with each other and/or encourage others who need support with their insecurities. You can visit Alex Here, or if you want to join us in discussing our insecurities on the first Wednesday of each month, you are welcome to join by going Here.

The Trouble Series Cover Reveal

The Trouble Series by Rachel Morgan

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Four new heroines are about to enter the book world in this romance series full of swoon-worthy guys, comical moments, witty dialogue, and hot kisses…

#1: The Introvert

Sarah doesn’t talk to strangers, but the cute guy sitting next to her on the plane might have to be the exception. Hours of random conversation later, Sarah thinks Aiden could be her happily ever after. The trouble is, he’s gone now—and she has no idea how to find him.  ~ The Trouble with Flying

#2: The Nerd

Livi sees her first year of university as a chance to redefine herself and finally fit into the popular crowd. But how far will she go before realizing that what she really wants has always been right in front of her? ~ The Trouble with Flirting

#3: The Fraud

After a stupid miscommunication, everyone in Andi’s new res thinks she’s secretly dating Damien, boyfriend of resident queen bee Charlotte. Since the rumor’s already out there and refuses to be squashed, Andi and Damian decide to keep up the facade in the hopes of snagging the attention of the people they really want to be with. ~ The Trouble with Faking

#4: The Artist

With exam stress, family wedding craziness, and a spiraling relationship with her boyfriend, Sophie finds herself sucked further and further into the darkness of depression. The only thing making her remotely happy these days is her art—and the guy on the other side of the internet who seems to really get her. But is that enough to keep her from falling off the edge entirely? ~ The Trouble with Falling

Get the prequel novella, FORGIVEN, for FREE at most online retailers!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/126161-the-trouble-series

AUTHOR BIO:

Rachel Morgan was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in a fantasy land of her own making. After completing a degree in genetics, she decided science wasn't for her—after all, they didn't approve of made-up facts. These days she spends much of her time immersed in fantasy land once more, writing fiction for young adults and those still young at heart.

Author Links:

https://twitter.com/RachelMorgan13

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5458477.Rachel_Morgan

http://www.rachel-morgan.com/