BIG NEWS, I Am Actually Writing A Novel. Just Wanted To Share With You Guys!!!

[Musicman408]

So, you all might have seen this floating around here, but I just wanted to share this with you all because I am so excited!!!!

It is very Sidney Sheldon-esque mixed with a little bit of Stephen King. I am not going to tell you the general plot yet because it isn't copyrighted yet, so you know.........

I started last night and I haven't been able to put the pencil down, although last night we had a party and tomorrow we are going to the G-Rent's for Christmas Eve....

For Christmas I am hoping to get Writers Market, and see if I can get some tips on how to send this to publishers.

I know a lot of you all are probably thinking I am a silly dreamer, but I have always wanted to write, not even necesarrily to get my work published. So I can take your heat if you choose to dish it out.;)

You'll be happy to know that the lead character's wife is kind of Stevie-esque in her apperance, so that is my little Stevie triubute in the book, aside from the fact that they love the Mac, but I really haven't mentioned that yet, but we'll get there.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know, and if you have ever written a novel or anything, feel free to share....:nod:

I hope all of you all have the happiest of holidays, and enjoy yourselves, and take care....

[Musicman408]

HAve any of you all written things???

[sasja]

Yes, and it's always slow going. I have been working on my YA novel for over 5 years now, and I weigh every word for beauty, effectiveness, style and power AND then in context with the words before it and after it, so you can just imagine.
Then, to be original, and distinctive and with mass-appeal in the material as well....

And then, keeping the different characters and their distinct voices in the dialogue consistent, and the characters' developments logical to the climax and the conclusion.... Besides writing good, literary prose, with correct
syntax, style and modern appeal.... Sigh.

It's gone through lots of editing already. Maybe in 7 years when I am 50 I will try and dare to send it to some publishers as my 50th birthday present to myself. I harbor no illusions though.

And I know this. Until you are the one-in-a-million-author who has that gleaming talent and originality and feel for language that comes along once in a plublishers' lifetime, your manuscript will most likely not even get to the desk of the lowest copy-reader on the totempole in the building.

You will need to hire an agent, if one will take you on as unpublished young writer, and you will have to pay her/him a big percentage IF you get published, and a big advantage beforehand to get her/him to make the rounds for you and try to get you considered even, by any publisher.

It's about as easy to get cast in a hollywood movie, getting published, these days. Hundreds of thousands of people submit manuscripts and many never get looked at before standard rejection.

However: some very few tenacious, talented, skilled, incredible first-time writers DO get published eventually.

Read quality books and see if there's something you can add to the world of literature, and give it your best shot.

Sasja

[Musicman408]

Yes, and it's always slow going. I have been working on my YA novel for over 5 years now, and I weigh every word for beauty, effectiveness, style and power AND then in context with the words before it and after it, so you can just imagine.
Then, to be original, and distinctive and with mass-appeal in the material as well....

And then, keeping the different characters and their distinct voices in the dialogue consistent, and the characters' developments logical to the climax and the conclusion.... Besides writing good, literary prose, with correct
syntax, style and modern appeal.... Sigh.

It's gone through lots of editing already. Maybe in 7 years when I am 50 I will try and dare to send it to some publishers as my 50th birthday present to myself. I harbor no illusions though.

And I know this. Until you are the one-in-a-million-author who has that gleaming talent and originality and feel for language that comes along once in a plublishers' lifetime, your manuscript will most likely not even get to the desk of the lowest copy-reader on the totempole in the building.

You will need to hire an agent, if one will take you on as unpublished young writer, and you will have to pay her/him a big percentage IF you get published, and a big advantage beforehand to get her/him to make the rounds for you and try to get you considered even, by any publisher.

It's about as easy to get cast in a hollywood movie, getting published, these days. Hundreds of thousands of people submit manuscripts and many never get looked at before standard rejection.

However: some very few tenacious, talented, skilled, incredible first-time writers DO get published eventually.

Read quality books and see if there's something you can add to the world of literature, and give it your best shot.

Sasja

Thanks For Your words.... My faves are Sidney Sheldon, Stephen King and John Grisham, all big time sellers and they are my biggest influences. Their style is SOOOO simple, and yet they are giants.

It would be so awesome if your book got published. I would be the FIRST to buy it.

[Miss Vicky]

Yes, and it's always slow going. I have been working on my YA novel for over 5 years now, and I weigh every word for beauty, effectiveness, style and power AND then in context with the words before it and after it, so you can just imagine.
Then, to be original, and distinctive and with mass-appeal in the material as well....

And then, keeping the different characters and their distinct voices in the dialogue consistent, and the characters' developments logical to the climax and the conclusion.... Besides writing good, literary prose, with correct
syntax, style and modern appeal.... Sigh.

It's gone through lots of editing already. Maybe in 7 years when I am 50 I will try and dare to send it to some publishers as my 50th birthday present to myself. I harbor no illusions though.

Man does this sound totally familiar.

I've been working on my novel for six years now, with no real end in sight. I need to write oh... about another 20-30 THOUSAND more words before I can consider it a true novel, and I struggle to even add a sentence or two each time I sit down to write. Why I didn't just stick to writing short stories for my own entertainment, I'll never know. :laugh:

Maybe I'll finish mine in another 5 years or so and give it to myself as a 30th birthday present.

[sasja]

See, Ethan, I think that is what is deceptive... I think with writing it's like with everything else, like ballet, or sports, or art, or just being very good at your job - you make it LOOK simple, seem simple, effortless, flowing, natural. Creating that illusion takes very hard work.

Do you have a writer's group at your school? Literature and creative writing classes you can take?
Also, submit your drafts for feedback and input from teachers and other (peer) writers. It'll help you indentify your blind spots and weaknesses to work on!
I highly recommend this if you are truly serious!
Also, submit some short stories in the style of what you want your novel to be to magazines. Just to get a feel for if there is a market for what you are writing.

Even established best-selling authors such as you mention still have to work with editors, re-writes, and lots of criticism and feedback before their next manuscript finally hits the presses so prepare yourself for lots of that. Starting with a writer's group where you read each other's progress each week and comment on it to help improve it will prepare you for that process.

Sasja

[Musicman408]

I say we start our own publishing company, and sell all of our books...:nod:

[Miss Vicky]

BTW...

Here's an early bit of criticism on your work:

Writing has only one T.

Invest in a good dictionary and thesaurus.

And since you're writing fiction, another thing you might want to pick up is a good book of baby names. I've found that a name can make or break a character.

[sasja]

Oh absolutely invaluable advice there from Victoria! Take it Ethan! Take it! Free advice is great! :nod:

Sasja

[sasja]

Beh no, I am a snob. I want a real good quality publishing house, that publishes the kind of literary and important work I esteem! :D :nod:

Plus, I don't have the millions laying around to start one, alas. Wish I did! :lol:

Sasja

[Miss Vicky]

Beh no, I am a snob. I want a real good quality publishing house, that publishes the kind of literary and important work I esteem! :D :nod:

Absolutely. And you really do need to be careful about which publisher you choose and BE SURE TO READ EVERY WORD OF THE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN.

I nearly had a publishing deal (through a small publishing house), but backed out when I discovered that the contract gave them the right to "modify" any content that they deemed "objectionable." The terms of their contract also did not require them to gain my consent or approval of such changes. After I read this, I contacted the publisher to ask if they had found any such "objectionable" content in my work and was told that they would only give me specifics about my own submission after I signed the contract.

F*ck that. :mad:

[irishgrl]

My mom is trying to break into the children's stories market. anything we need to know? (I am helping her........)

[Musicman408]

Miss Vik, thanks for the tip on the dictionary. I must say though, I am a much more accurate writer than I am a typer.:)

When my story gets a little farther along, I will give you all some more info:blob1:

Again, thanks so much for the tips all. Like I said, I will hopefully getting Writers Market for Christmas, so that could help:cool:

[Miss Vicky]

My mom is trying to break into the children's stories market. anything we need to know? (I am helping her........)

Can't help you there... :sorry:

The type of writing that I'm interested in is decidedly not for young readers. As certain Ledgies know all too well... :laugh:

[irishgrl]

Can't help you there... :sorry:

The type of writing that I'm interested in is decidedly not for young readers. As certain Ledgies know all too well... :laugh:


Bless you anyway, my friend. Have I told you lately that I love you?

[Miss Vicky]

Bless you anyway, my friend. Have I told you lately that I love you?

Love ya, too. But I still think that Sean Combs is a money-grubbing, greedy bastard who had to have had some idea of what was going on with his own products, and if he didn't he should have and deserves blame either way. :laugh:

[Musicman408]

Can't help you there... :sorry:

The type of writing that I'm interested in is decidedly not for young readers. As certain Ledgies know all too well... :laugh:

I am totally with you. My writing isn't for younger readers either. Especially with influences like King and Sheldon.:laugh:

[Miss Vicky]

I am totally with you. My writing isn't for younger readers either. Especially with influences like King and Sheldon.:laugh:

Yeah.. well mine's borderline erotica, so... :o :laugh:

[Musicman408]

Yeah.. well mine's borderline erotica, so... :o :laugh:

Yeah, mine isn't QUITE that extreme.....:laugh: But I am sure yours is classic:nod:

[goldustsongbird]

Yeah.. well mine's borderline erotica, so... :o :laugh:

Well! *pretends to be shocked* :p Little smut writer, eh?

[Miss Vicky]

Well! *pretends to be shocked* :p Little smut writer, eh?

No, no, no... it has a plot. It really does... AND character development... I just think maybe I put too many sex scenes in it...

And was maybe a little too... err... GRAPHIC in my descriptions. :lol:










Yeah, I'm a smut writer. :o

[carrie721]

as long as you didn't use the phrases "quivering loins," "throbbing member," or "love meat," you're golden!

[goldustsongbird]

No, no, no... it has a plot. It really does... AND character development... I just think maybe I put too many sex scenes in it...

And was maybe a little too... err... GRAPHIC in my descriptions. :lol:










Yeah, I'm a smut writer. :o

One can never, ever have too many sex scenes. :D So, willing to reveal what it's about, aside from the obvious?

[Miss Vicky]

as long as you didn't use the phrases "quivering loins," "throbbing member," or "love meat," you're golden!

What about "throbbing organ"? I think that's in there, somewhere. :lol:

[carrie721]

What about "throbbing organ"? I think that's in there, somewhere. :lol:
lol ... the jury's out on that one. "organ" is a funny word. :lol:

[goldustsongbird]

as long as you didn't use the phrases "quivering loins," "throbbing member," or "love meat," you're golden!

Or stuff about a "hose" to put out the fire. Remember that XF fic? :shocked:

[Miss Vicky]

One can never, ever have too many sex scenes. :D So, willing to reveal what it's about, aside from the obvious?

It's about a teen-aged boy that gets thrown out of his house, turns to prostitution, and gets involved with a much older man who becomes his "father figure," a domineering/controlling/abusive but hotter-than-hell slightly older man, an introverted teenaged girl, and his twenty-something female next-door-neighbor and must choose between them.

In short: It's about gay sex. Lots of gay sex. :laugh:

[carrie721]

Or stuff about a "hose" to put out the fire. Remember that XF fic? :shocked:

oh god ... yes i do. :lol:

[goldustsongbird]

It's about a teen-aged boy that gets thrown out of his house, turns to prostitution, and gets involved with a much older man who becomes his "father figure," a domineering/controlling/abusive but hotter-than-hell slightly older man, an introverted teenaged girl, and his twenty-something female next-door-neighbor and must choose between them.

In short: It's about gay sex. Lots of gay sex. :laugh:

Ooh, dirty. (This hotter than hell older slightly older man doesn't look like Joaquin, does he?) I shall snap that up as soon as it is released. :laugh:

oh god ... yes i do. :lol:

I'm pretty sure english wasn't their first language, so I kept hearing them say things with a foreign accent. "Hi to you, Scully. How is? Can I to put out the loin fire? Ja?"

Why aren't you online? :p

[carrie721]

Ooh, dirty. (This hotter than hell older slightly older man doesn't look like Joaquin, does he?) I shall snap that up as soon as it is released. :laugh:



I'm pretty sure english wasn't their first language, so I kept hearing them say things with a foreign accent. "Hi to you, Scully. How is? Can I to put out the loin fire? Ja?"

Why aren't you online? :p

:lol:

because i'm on my stupid laptop. i thought i was only going to be on for a few minutes and then switch to the other computer, but the other comp is still in use ... :signs on:

[Johnny Stew]

I've outlined a story that I've had in my head for the past six or seven years, but I really need to get to work on fleshing it out.
I can't decide though if I want to make it a novel or a screenplay.

[Miss Vicky]

Ooh, dirty. (This hotter than hell older slightly older man doesn't look like Joaquin, does he?) I shall snap that up as soon as it is released. :laugh:

Well, maybe a little. Actually he's probably more Italian. Joaq's Puerto Rican, I believe.

Really though, the book is about f*cked up relationships. None of the relationships between the characters in it are really healthy (the relationship between the protagonist and the hotter-than-hell guy isn't the only abusive one) and it's not exactly an uplifting read.

Though I have been told by certain readers that while it doesn't lift the spirit, it does "lift" another part of the body... ;)

[michelle2677]

as long as you didn't use the phrases "quivering loins," "throbbing member," or "love meat," you're golden!
or "fastpussy" :laugh:

[sara1998]

or "fastpussy" :laugh:

LMAO!!!:laugh:

[Miss Vicky]

I've outlined a story that I've had in my head for the past six or seven years, but I really need to get to work on fleshing it out.
I can't decide though if I want to make it a novel or a screenplay.

Okay, spill it. What's the basic plot?

[carrie721]

or "fastpussy" :laugh:

LOL. :lol:

[goldustsongbird]

Though I have been told by certain readers that while it doesn't lift the spirit, it does "lift" another part of the body... ;)

:angel: Well, as long as it gets the job done, I have no objections.

[Wild_Heart03]

or "fastpussy" :laugh:

That would make a great James Bond movie title. :p

[michelle2677]

LMAO!!!:laugh:
god i thought for sure i was so late to the game that someone had already said it. I looked through twice :lol:

[Für Elise]

Well, maybe a little. Actually he's probably more Italian. Joaq's Puerto Rican, I believe.do any of the characters look like river phoenix or keanu reeves? when you mentioned the male prostitution and father figure thing I just thought of my own private idaho.

[Johnny Stew]

Okay, spill it. What's the basic plot?
Basically, it's about two intertwined gay relationships... but one is mainly set in the '40s and the other in contemporary times.

[Miss Vicky]

do any of the characters look like river phoenix or keanu reeves? when you mentioned the male prostitution and father figure thing I just thought of my own private idaho.

No, I've actually never seen that movie. :sorry:

The physical description of the protagonist is based on that of a friend of mine - very thin, pale, somewhat effeminate. The "father figure" character is described as having a muscular build, but his hair is silver with soft curls. I never actually assign him an age, but I'd say he's in his late forties/early fifties. The other guy (hotter-than-hell dude) is loosely based on the character played by Olivier Martinez in "Unfaithful" - only younger, gay, and far more ruthless.

[Miss Vicky]

Basically, it's about two intertwined gay relationships... but one is mainly set in the '40s and the other in contemporary times.

Romance? Comedy? Tragedy? Not sure yet?

[Johnny Stew]

Romance? Comedy? Tragedy? Not sure yet?Essentially it's a romance ("another boring romantic -- that's me")... but one of the relationships has a tragic end, while the other is more uplifting (but hopefully not in a sappy way).

[Miss Vicky]

Essentially it's a romance ("another boring romantic -- that's me")... but one of the relationships has a tragic end, while the other is more uplifting (but hopefully not in a sappy way).

Hey, my writing is greatly influenced by romance novels by the likes of Nora Roberts and Judith McNaught, so no worries there. :lol:
(Did I really just admit to reading that crap? :eek: )

I like that you are striking a balance with the ending. My novel doesn't end happily (I never do happy endings), but I did at least refrain from killing any of the characters - which is a first for me. I normally have to have at least one death. :D

[Johnny Stew]

I like that you are striking a balance with the ending. My novel doesn't end happily (I never do happy endings), but I did at least refrain from killing any of the characters - which is a first for me. I normally have to have at least one death. :DI usually HATE when one of the main characters dies... but one of mine does. He pretty much has to though, as it's the whole impetus for the other relationship.

[Miss Vicky]

I usually HATE when one of the main characters dies... but one of mine does. He pretty much has to though, as it's the whole impetus for the other relationship.

I actually like sad endings in novels (but not so much in movies, go figure). If a book makes me cry, I consider that a good thing. I guess I'm not so much into the escapist part of reading. I mean... things don't always work out in real life, so why the hell should they do so in fiction? On the other hand, people who read my work always complain that they "don't like" or "don't get" my endings, so what the hell do I know? :laugh:

[goldustsongbird]

Gad. dont feed the troll........ sorry, but if you need info just PM me.

Say what?

(extrawords)

[Miss Vicky]

Say what?

(extrawords)

I didn't understand that post, either. :confused:

[Johnny Stew]

I guess I'm not so much into the escapist part of reading. I mean... things don't always work out in real life, so why the hell should they do so in fiction?I think that's exactly why I want there to be something uplifting in the end of a story (well, obviously not in the murder-mysteries that I usually love to read! :laugh: ). Life rarely has happy endings. In fact, it usually sucks the big one.

[Miss Vicky]

I think that's exactly why I want there to be something uplifting in the end of a story (well, obviously not in the murder-mysteries that I usually love to read! :laugh: ). Life rarely has happy endings. In fact, it usually sucks the big one.

I can see where you're coming from with that. :nod:

You should get cracking on actually fleshing the story out, though. I know if I tried to carry a story around strictly in my head for 7 years, I'd forget most of it by the time I put pen to paper.

[michelle2677]

Gad. dont feed the troll........ sorry, but if you need info just PM me.
did you post in the wrong thread, dear? :laugh:

[Für Elise]

No, I've actually never seen that movie. :sorry:

The physical description of the protagonist is based on that of a friend of mine - very thin, pale, somewhat effeminate. The "father figure" character is described as having a muscular build, but his hair is silver with soft curls. I never actually assign him an age, but I'd say he's in his late forties/early fifties. The other guy (hotter-than-hell dude) is loosely based on the character played by Olivier Martinez in "Unfaithful" - only younger, gay, and far more ruthless.oh I wasn't saying you copied its only very vaguely like it but it did come to mind. the characters don't sound similar really.you should check that movie out anyway its one of my favourites.

[Miss Vicky]

oh I wasn't saying you copied its only very vaguely like it but it did come to mind. the characters don't sound similar really.you should check that movie out anyway its one of my favourites.

Oh okay. Maybe I will check that movie out. I'll watch anything for eye candy (River NOT Keanu) - although I still think Joaquin is the more attractive of the Phoenix brothers, though there's no telling what River would look like today if he were alive.

[Musicman408]

My parents go me The complete idiot's guide on how to get work published, AS WELL as songwriters market.....

I think my parents want to get me an agent after I finish my novel IF I feel that it could be worthy to be sent out to people. Needless to say, I really appreciate my parent's support.

Hope everyone had a GREAT holiday:nod: