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....

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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...

[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!

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!

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

Sasja

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by 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!

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.

[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

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

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

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...

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

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Can't help you there...

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

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