How do I tell a friend her book is awful?

Question

So my friend has a BA in English and that somehow translated in her mind to "I must be an amazing author". So she wrote a book...kind of. I saw kind of because it doesn't tell a complete story, all of the characters are flat, the world is colorless, and there's nothing about the "plot" that draws the reader in, making them want to read more. I've tried many times to give her tips on making her story better but she doesn't take any of my advice to heart. I tell her that she needs description, she adds that the character in question has brown hair and a snubbed nose. I tell her she needs to work on plot, she takes things out but doesn't add anything. I give her advice on the pagan ritual in her story she adds a single line, spoken by one of the characters and nothing more. I really want her book to be great because she is my friend, but she just doesn't see that it really isn't right now. A couple of days ago I gave her several pages of notes on what could be improved (not "your book sucks, make it better" but "this section doesn't flow right, have you tried doing this instead?") and she shined me on like she was going to read them. But then I over heard her saying to someone else that there's no way her book needs that much work and she writes just like Steven King. How do I help her with her book without making her feel horrible and destroying our friendship?

Update:

I would like to add that she came to me with her first finished draft and asked for my help (otherwise I wouldn't even bother). I have absolutely no aspirations toward becoming a writer. There are some people who are made for that, and some who are not. I am not. But since she asked, I gave her advice as a reader would. I tried to be as objective as possible.

Update 2:

Austin, Twilight was better written than her book. Which hurts me to say, but it's true.

MsBittner · Accepted Answer

Ugh, what an awful bind she's put you in.

You've got two options. One is to dive in and genuinely try to help her make her book better. This requires hundreds of hours and is really too much for her to ask, especially of someone who does not want or need the favor returned. Giving critique to someone who's defensive to the point of hostility requires even more time and tends to be thankless.

But it's just as honorable to say you value your friendship, lack the qualifications, and simply cannot expend the time an effort required to help her book be "even better." (She'll eat that up.) So you direct her to a website like AbsoluteWrite to let strangers level with her about its quality, with tact and truth both in play. They can also instruct, critique, recommend, be firm yet gentle, and pretty much give her the education she thinks she already has about how to write fiction.

So I'd strongly recommend you bow out, saving the friendship.

? · Answer

The best way to enhance the quality of a book, is to be your own worst critic. A common mishap for aspiring authors are that they believe their work is perfect. But honestly, just tell her how you really feel about it, because that helps get the point across better.

Besides the point, even if she doesn't listen to you, it could still become extremely popular. I mean, think of Twilight. Basically the same concept, of flat characters and no real plot. *Kidding aside.* I hope this helped.

? · Answer

Well, because the historical announcing is going, "Honesty is the excellent coverage." A larger solution to inform him maybe that it is beautiful hard and demands a few modifying. It certainly not hurts to invite him a couple of questions approximately the publication, and via those you can uncover out how he did it. If he asks your opinion, you might endorse that you simply could've performed matters in a different way. Or endorse that subsequent time he writes a publication, he might have an editor or writer learn it earlier than it is released so he can determine the 'unhealthy' spots, or quandary places.

Steven J Pemberton · Answer

What do you value more - being right or your friendship with her? It sounds as though you can't have both, at least not at the moment. You've told her what you think of her book, and she seems not to have taken any notice. If you persist in offering advice and criticism, you'll only annoy her. She needs to hear it from someone else - preferably someone who doesn't already know her. If that means trying to get it published and getting knocked back, so be it.

Anonymous · Answer

She's beyond help.

If she has an ego as big as you're making it out to be then there will be no helping her one bit. What WILL give her a swift kick in the a** is when she goes to submit to agents and publishers. After a few dozen rejections she will more than likely tone down her ego. Someone, somewhere will eventually get through to her...but she needs the tough love first, even if it is harsh. 

Just don't bother trying to help. You will never get through to her. She needs someone else who has no problem giving it to her bluntly.

Anonymous · Answer

I would just tell her that you love her and want her to succeed but that writing isn't really your thing and you don't want to mess her book up.  Then just let her go on her merry way and think she is a fabulous author.  If she sucks that badly noone will ever publish it and you won't have to tell her how bad it is.

? · Answer

It's not your job to make her book excellent, it's hers. Don't make this your problem. You've given her your advice and that is all you can do.

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How do I tell a friend her book is awful?

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