OK! About time.

[I, Brian]

If it's any consolation, polymath, a lot of the points raised are exactly the same as were raised against my chronicles, when I first offered it for critique.

A couple of books suggestions that may be helpful for you:

1. Stephen King - On Writing (general and basic overview, with simple explanation of verb tense issues)

2. Orson Scott Card - Characters and Viewpoint (last couple of chapters cover Point of View use very well)

3. James N Frey - How to Write a "Damn" Good Novel (some very good pointers on theme and meaning in a novel)

Hope that helps.

[polymath]

Thanks Brian,
I've read the Stephen King one....understand about the tense problems, active and passive etc. (From my perspective present tense seemed to fit, obviously not from anyone else's though I don't mind that, it's being changed and that's a good thing.) I will definitely get hold of the other two books.

Anyway, I'm not discouraged at this point, I'm actually raring to go - but when I began writing this, I was able to make the decision not to work, so I was doing a good 1000 words a day for months on end - I've kept about 20,000 words from that, that I thought were any good.
My problem now is finding the spare time to carry on writing and re-writing. I'll have to sacrifice other hobbies I suppose. Oh well, it must be done.

[I, Brian]

I know the feeling.