Work: Today, I finally asked some friends to read the beginning of...

By Anonymous - 19/04/2012 04:46 - United States - Sparks

Today, I finally asked some friends to read the beginning of a novel that I'd been slaving away at. One of them said it was the literary equivalent of aquarium gravel. Another asked if I'd been sniffing boot polish while writing it. FML

I agree, your life sucks 21 878

You deserved it 4 644

Labour Day: Rest or Disaster?
Find out how a day off can turn into a series of hilarious, unexpected events. More…

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Same thing different taste

The reviews are in

By Anonymous - 23/04/2014 07:17 - United States - Rapid City

Today, my teenage son gave me the completed manuscript of the novel he's been working on for 4 years. Surprised and excited that he showed so much dedication to something, I volunteered to read it. I'm only on page 16 and it's absolute drivel, with grammar that makes my eyes bleed. Only 281 pages to go. FML

I agree, your life sucks 44 492

You deserved it 6 660

National bard

By bad poet - 02/12/2013 01:57 - United States - Millerton

Today, my boyfriend asked me to write him a poem, as I am an avid writer. Happily, I agreed. After hours of working, I proudly presented it to him. He read it, laughed, and said, "No babe, I meant a real poem." Maybe I should rethink my career choice. FML

I agree, your life sucks 43 744

You deserved it 4 642

Booksmart

By Angry Bookworm - 28/12/2022 09:00

Today, my biggest form of entertainment of the week was when I read a blunt, scathing, brutally honest review of an absolutely horrible book I read a few days ago. I need a life. And better books. And friends with better tastes in books. And a bonfire to toss this book into. FML

I agree, your life sucks 639

You deserved it 292

Reading skills

By yudencow - 18/09/2019 18:00

Today, I showed my parents the latest excerpt from my first book. It's about narratology. My dad thought I was writing about meat. He read "peaks and valleys" as "pork and veal." FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 228

You deserved it 164

By WishIWasAWriter - 08/09/2011 18:03 - United Kingdom

Today, I bought a book by a #1 bestselling author, hoping it would distract me from having my manuscript rejected, as well as learn what made their book so successful. Now I realize I need to say stuff like, "I wish I had great boobs (hehe... boobs)" to get my works published. FML

I agree, your life sucks 27 376

You deserved it 3 329

Help!

By technicallywroteabook - 21/08/2015 05:15 - United States - Grapevine

Today, I turned in an essay about a book I'd read over the summer. My teacher later called me to her desk and began to gush about how interesting the book sounded and asked to borrow my copy. The book I wrote about isn't real, and the main characters are named after my childhood pets. FML

I agree, your life sucks 23 095

You deserved it 17 383

By Apparently not a writer - 20/02/2013 16:36 - United States - Hockessin

Today, I uploaded the first chapter of my best writing yet to a popular writing website. After ten minutes, I was thrilled to already see one review and five comments. Each comment was telling me to immediately delete the story because of how horrible it was. The rating was half a star. FML

I agree, your life sucks 30 148

You deserved it 8 411

We got a reader!

By Anonymous - 28/09/2012 05:18 - United States - Hobbs

Today, my new boyfriend came over to my apartment for the first time. Up until now I thought he was great, but when he spotted the book I'm currently reading next to my couch, he uttered the immortal question, "Why do you read?" FML

I agree, your life sucks 29 672

You deserved it 3 784

By snappyPi - 28/01/2011 06:21

Today, I wrote a poem and was very proud of it. I showed it to my mom. After reading it, her response was, "What is this shit?" FML

I agree, your life sucks 30 117

You deserved it 5 696

The early bird gets the worm!

By WhatADickens - 20/01/2018 19:00

Today, after working on my novel for two years, I found out that another book has recently been published with an almost identical plot. I was going to submit it to a publisher in two days. FML

I agree, your life sucks 4 796

You deserved it 389

DocBastard 38

Thursday 19 April 2012 11:55

But aquarium gravel is tough and gritty! If your novel is a mystery, I think that was a great compliment. Wait a second...it's also really disgusting and slimy and smells like dead fish...

ycrem0n 21

Thursday 19 April 2012 12:00

Aquarium gravel? Sniffing boot polish? In that case, I suggest you write erotic literature instead..

Comments

melrose90210 10

Friday 20 April 2012 5:12

I find it hard to believe it could be as bad as they make it sound. I say **** 'em.

ezrabc 0

Friday 20 April 2012 5:18

With so many comments, I'm incredibly surprised that no one mentioned the irony of this supposed writer ending a sentence with the word "at", which is, of course, incorrect.

ash1rose 11

Friday 20 April 2012 6:10

Sorry OP. I'm am aspiring writer, too, and something like that would make me want to drive of a bridge. You can critique something without ripping it apart :(

spottyblanket 8

Friday 20 April 2012 9:34

Well not being funny but did you proofread it first and correct all your grammar and sp mistakes? Nothing is more annoying than having to read through a friends story where they clearly have not bothered to set up paragraphs and dialogue properly, etc, particulary if it is a massive block of text... Also, make sure your friends want to actullay read it--don't force them to. Try writing a little bit at a time and cutting out all the 'padding' and edit as you go along. I always go back to the first chapter and re-read it after doing another chapter

electroguy02 4

Friday 20 April 2012 18:55

Honestly OP, I wouldn't even bother feeling bad from such unhelpful comments from your friends. If they can't even provide constructive criticism, their opinions aren't worth anything. You see how lots of people here are giving bits of advice, like watching for walls of text or grammar/spelling issues? These are the opinions you should care about. So not FYL. Good luck!

JuuChan 3

Friday 20 April 2012 19:05

This sounds like some douche I know named Brandon... Oops, hope that's not you.

reilyn 10

Friday 20 April 2012 22:56

At least you have honest friends. Rather hear it from them than critics.

Bebbo_fml 21

Saturday 21 April 2012 0:29

At least they were honest!

saidawhiting 14

Saturday 21 April 2012 1:44

At least they're clever, if not exactly tactful.

at0micmin3r 23

Monday 23 April 2012 2:01

Write it anyway and don't stop. Look at all the flack Harry Potter and Twilight (EWWW) get... and yet look how much they sold. Usually I'm a complete jerk, and maybe I am by giving you this advice. DON'T STOP FOR ANYONE!1