Ron's profile

My two loves are travel and writing. Naturally, I sometimes try to combine them. I have written a narrative nonfiction book, Africa’s not for Sissies about my misadventures traveling from Cape to Cairo. I’ll be previewing it online at: http://ron-ruby.blogspot.com

First off I want to say that I’m new to Ubris, but not new to writing or critiquing. I’ve critiqued at many writers groups and other online forums. Four years ago I made writing my life’s work, but as yet still can’t make a decent living at it. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and every couple of years when I would look back at what I wrote a couple of years ago, I usually thought, “that was crap,” even though…

My two loves are travel and writing. Naturally, I sometimes try to combine them. I have written a narrative nonfiction book, Africa’s not for Sissies about my misadventures traveling from Cape to Cairo. I’ll be previewing it online at: http://ron-ruby.blogspot.com

First off I want to say that I’m new to Ubris, but not new to writing or critiquing. I’ve critiqued at many writers groups and other online forums. Four years ago I made writing my life’s work, but as yet still can’t make a decent living at it. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and every couple of years when I would look back at what I wrote a couple of years ago, I usually thought, “that was crap,” even though I thought it was brilliant when I wrote it. I have finally gotten to the point that when I look back at stuff I wrote a couple of years ago I don’t think it’s crap anymore, but of course I still think it can be improved.

So, the point of this rant is this: years ago, when I was crap, but thought I was brilliant, people in critique groups (and of course all my friends and family) assured me I was a brilliant writer, but the pros (agents and publishers) kept declining my work. I wish somebody back then had had the guts to tell me what was wrong with my work. This is my philosophy towards critiquing – tell it like it is. I think it’s important to hear the negative as well as the positive. I would expect nothing less in return. Over in another group many members say they are part of the “thick skin club,” meaning they want to hear the truth. That’s me.