Great novels are forged in the fires of … The Furnace

Timothy Pike

June 19

There's a brand-new Facebook writing group in town!

It's for writers who want to get started on their novels ... or keep going once they've started. It's a place where we encourage each other, share ideas and knowledge, and hold each other to account.

It's called The Furnace: Where Great Novels Are Forged.

Can you stand the heat of getting feedback on your writing? Can you write with beads of sweat rolling down your face? Then join us!

It's a private Facebook group, so just knock and I'll let you in.

Feedback is very important in the early stages of writing a novel. In fact, I would argue the feedback you get in the beginning is even more valuable than feedback you get once your first draft is finished.

Knowing what others are loving—and what might be falling flat—is the key to writing a novel that stands out.

That's why in The Furnace, we encourage honesty.

For example, maybe you read someone's chapter and think it drags a little. Tell the author!

That way, they can take a closer look and tweak it to make it a little more exciting so it pulls readers along for the ride.

Or another example: maybe someone tells you that the very beginning of your Chapter 2 might work better as a cliffhanger at the very end of Chapter 1. If you agree, go ahead and make the change. Your novel just got that much better!

There's a lot at stake when writing a novel, and every little bit helps.

See you in The Furnace! Request to join here and I'll let you right in.

Sincerely,
Timothy Pike
Writer, editor, and self-publishing coach