Any writers trying to get published?

[cheesecake]

"Writer" was the first thing i ever wanted to be. i love books, obviously including Harry Potter, and i still want to write more than anything else. i'd like to write novels, maybe plays, almost certainly poetry. i'm only sixteen now, but i plan on living for a long time, and i cannot imagine going my whole life without writing. i have always prided myself on my imagination, and talent for "phrasing things" - the only things about myself i have never doubted. is there anyone else here who feels similarly?

[Midnightsfire]

Are there any would-be writers here?

You're joking, right? The Library (http://www.cosforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=10)

[Chartreuse]

Hi there budding writer! I'm also 16.. guess we share the same sentiments. I'm more of the opinion/essay type of writer. I love to put my thoughts on the matter... been writing them since 14! Would want to delve into Journalism in the future! Just nurture your gift... once you know what you want to do, start doing it! Write drafts, and ask people for their opinion. Hey, who knows, you might be the next JK Rowling! :)

Good luck!

[Weatherby]

I wish people wouldn't assume just because someone isn't published or making a living off their work that it isn't actual wrting.
Even if you're stuff isn't any good you're a writer.

[Brachah]

I'm with you! :)

I'm a "writer" But i'm too scared to show anybody my work...which is kinda stupid when I think about it...(That's where someone say's "you're right about that one!")

[Dark Fallen Pride]

I am a horrible writer, I have some pretty good book ideas but I have no clue how to set it up and make it sound great. I used to want to be a great fantasy writer, but I have never been able get it right, I think I might take a few classes in college to see how things are and maybe, if I don't give up on it (I seem to do that on everything) I will become a writer.

[Dedalus Diggle]

I am a horrible writer, I have some pretty good book ideas but I have no clue how to set it up and make it sound great. I used to want to be a great fantasy writer, but I have never been able get it right, I think I might take a few classes in college to see how things are and maybe, if I don't give up on it (I seem to do that on everything) I will become a writer.

The genre of Harry Potter fanfics is an excellent practice field for writing fiction. The characters are largely set up, though you can develop them more. You can see how to set up story lines, establish facts needed for the resolution of the crisis, practice editing your own work, develop the knack of writing in a particualr tone, etc. Many fanfic sites also have a mutual editing arrangement where you can buddy-up with someone to polish the work.

Think of it like learning to be a musician. If you wanted to be a drummer, for instance, you would get a drum set, practice at home at first, then find a couple of other aspiring musicians with more enthusiasm than skill and form a band and try to learn to play some songs. You keep doing that till you are either good enough for a better band or the practice shows those lunkheands you've been playing with actually had some talent.

Or in painting, you learn at first by copying others' excellent work, to learn the techniques that allowed them to get the effects they wanted and to develop the control and skill needed. It's not forgery if you don't try to pass it off. Same way with HP fanfics - nobody is fooled that any of these are the 'real thing.' But many are haunting, or thrilling, or hilarious, or ... well, okay, some are just appalling. But it's all good practice and an excellent place to start. Give it a go!

[Buckbeak]

Being a writer is my biggest dream too, i have written lots of stories many of them are terrible but i keep them, i would love to write somehting that changed the world, like Harry potter for instance, it seems that very few people have never heard of Harry Potter and to think he started off in the imagination of some thirty-something-single mum from England. Just to think of the impact its made on the world and that it came in the form of a book is amazing, and i would really love to be able to do that. I just have to keep saying to myself 'one day, your going to think of something really good' and keep trying.

[HarryPotter]

They say I'm a good writer, but I've never tried really to publish anything...
I would like to practice by writing some fanfiction here in the Forum, but I'm afraid my English is not good enough yet to join...

[Honeydukes]

I've tried.. Generally when we're set story writing in English lessons I get pretty good grades, and particually when I was younger my teachers were very impressed with my stuff.. But I'm not so sure. I think my writing lacks structure and depth, and the end result is too weak, so I doubt I could ever really make it as an author, although I would love to try.

My brother is a great author, and most people would agree. He's only 15 but his work is greatly admired by everybody.. He's also a good poet and artist and all manner of creative things. I reckon he could be famous some day..He has great ideas

[leenielou]

"writer" was the first thing i ever wanted to be. i love books, obviously including Harry Potter, and i still want to write more than anything else. i'd like to write novels, maybe plays, almost certainly poetry. i'm only sixteen now, but i plan on living for a long time, and i cannot imagine going my whole life without writing. i have always prided myself on my imagination, and talent for "phrasing things" - the only things about myself i have never doubted. is there anyone else here who feels similarly?


First off, your name is making me HUNGRY.
Secondly, you sound exactly the same as me :) I was always a writer-kid, my teachers used to have to set me special assignments etc to try and make me to write loads and loads. Even now, the only thing I know that I definitely want to do at some point is write a book, and carry on writing always.

Just as a shameless plug, check out The Library (http://www.cosforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=10) and my fellow Authorteers' work, miri, true_heir_of_slyth, Barbara Kennedy, thethirdman, Loz, Guardian Angel, and many many more within there. Looking at all of these wonderful writers just give inspiration :)

[Rowlingfan1]

Ooh, I want to be a writer so badly! Oh, yes, I'm twelve. So what? I write poetry very well, at least that's what my teacher says.

I was trying to write a haiku on trees, and I thought It was sort of good, until one of my friends started spouting them off a mile a minute!

Dark poetry is my specialty. It'll get you very depressed. I'm not worrying about it, but my friends do.

The question is: What if you write a book and it doesn't make any money? Well, you'd have to have something to fall back on.

I try to write stories, really, but I look at them a week later and rip them up, wishing I hadn't ever even thought of them.

Help?

[leenielou]

The question is: What if you write a book and it doesn't make any money? Well, you'd have to have something to fall back on.

I try to write stories, really, but I look at them a week later and rip them up, wishing I hadn't ever even thought of them.

Help?


If the stories you write really do suck, which they probably don't, then look over them, decide what you did wrong and how you could do better. Don't regret your ideas, because you might be able to use them one day :) In the meantime, good luck, and keep trying. The hardest thing that I find is to not lose interest halfway through, so make sure you've always got it planned out where you're going and what you want to happen. As to writing a book and getting no money, just write a better one! :lol: Besides, it's your work, and if you're proud of it, stuff what other people think :)

[Larry Potter]

I am going to go to college and study children's literature. In the past, I have won a few awards on my writing and hopefully I can persue that dream to become one.

[Snapefan]

I'm with you! :)

I'm a "writer" But i'm too scared to show anybody my work...which is kinda stupid when I think about it...(That's where someone say's "you're right about that one!")

yeah...you're right! :D
It may seem obvious, but I want to give some advice to all the wannabe writers of this forum: whenever possible, let someone you trust read your work!
It doesn't matter whether you want to be published or not, if you want to become better writer don't be ashamed of your work and have someone read it; it's very important, you can become better writers by reading what you have written until you're sick of it, but listening to other people's comments is definitely the best way to improve your writing skills.

(ehm...if you are thinking "ok, but why didn't YOU become a good writer?", forgive me, but English is not my first language! :p )

[MSLupin]

I profess myself a poet and a scribe of prose. To that effect, I am as yet unpublished. I don't mind.
(I am 16 years old as well. Perhaps it is a bug of adolesence.)

[~oSiRiS~]

I believe everyone should write atleast one book. Everyone can come up with one good story in thier lifetime.

Oddly enough I am in the process of starting to write a romance novel. I had a weird dream a few months ago about me and some old friends from high school that would make an excellent book and movie. However, I am not a great writer and have never read a romance novel in my life. So that is making things difficult. Thankfully my sister is excellent at writing so she can help me a bunch with the minor details.

[Classical_Wizar]

Yeah I want to be an author, editing, and making background notes at the moment. I wrote something but need the background notes. Since if I did get published I would be ashamed if you guys were analyzing them to the level that you are and I couldn’t defend my poor self.

[LynorEclipse]

I do not consider myself a writer. I have great ideas - no doubt about that! So many ideas, in fact, I can't keep up with them! I actually consider that one of my talents! Just thinking up ideas for anything! My problem lies in the further planning and actual sitting down to write. It just takes me forever to write anything longer than a poem or a scene. I've had several fanfic ideas for a tv show for the past 4 years! I haven't got very far in writing them; for most I haven't even begun! But I do plan on doing them, eventually...

Unlike writing, composing comes quite naturally to me. I can write a 3 minute piece of music, for 3-5 parts, in one day, provided I know the technical bit of the instruments I'm writing for. I find music theory almost unbearably easy, where a lot of my classmates complain that it is hard. I admire those who can write, whose writing comes naturally to them, like my music comes to me. When I actually do sit down, and force myself to write something, and have it finally turn out, then read it over, I think it's pretty good, but the effort involved was just too much to do all the time.

Now, I've excluded poetry from my difficulties with writing, because poetry actually does come naturally to me. And most of my poems are (or are going to be) lyrics for my music. But again, I don't think my poetry is extremely deep or complicated like those poems we read in English class, but they are an expression of myself, and I guess it suits my music, which is more on the simple/traditional side than complicated/20th-century-atonal stuff.

I am not aspiring to be a writer. I am aspiring to be a composer (and I'm thinking of minoring in film - composing for movies looks like fun!), and also (sorry, this is sorta random) an Olympic athlete (swimming, sprint freestyle, Beijing, here I come! That's 4 years from now...).

I wish luck to all those of you who do want to become known writers. The way I see it, you should follow your dreams. What have you got to lose but your happiness in this life?

[KatWeasley]

I think I am! I write millions of fics... I've only recently started writing fics about Harry Potter though... Don't think I'm very good as of yet, but my other fandoms I'm quite confident in. I wanted to be a writer when I was younger but I'm not sure if I would be able to now...

[Nox182]

I think of myself as an "aspiring" writer. I've written loads of things (some good, some terrible) but I generally can't seem to get past page 20 when writing something, so I've stuck to short stories.
I have to say, though, that Harry Potter has been a great infuence on me, JK Rowling has taght me loads on structure, depth and whatnot.
Hopefully, one day, I'll get published.
P.S. To everyone around, if there's one thing I've learnt, is to keep at it. It's like Dedalus Diggle says: it's the same as learning to play an instrument, practice makes perfect.

[Deliah]

Yeah, thats strange with me. My dad is a writer and seing how much work this actually is and how bad he got payed at times made me want to become anything else but a writer ... but for some reason I did end up in journalism. Maybe just because I wanted to make 100% sure that the subject I study has nothing to do with maths *g*

[Yang]

I am writer now:D

[Mercedes]

I sorta write. I write whenever I get some sort of inspiration. Though I've never truly written anything but drabbles & essays. I just...don't write very much whenever I write. Not sure why. Maybe lack of ideas or something.

[Safia]

I am. Sorta. I haven't really in about a year though. I just suddenly stopped. I think I lost confidense or I got writers block. It's like I have no imagination, maybe I never had any to start with, who knows. But as soon as my A-Levels came along, whoosh - couldn't really write a thing again after that. :(

[Kazza]

I've never really been into reading books, but I've always enjoyed writing them. Short stories and poems are my fave. It's a great form of expression.

[evenstar06]

Wow, we have a lot of aspiring writers on here. I consider myself a writer, too. I think writing fanfics is great practice for writing your own stories, because you already have the characters (most of them, you can always add some if you want), and the settings, and all that stuff. I've published some with MNI.

[Mercedes]

Poetry is nice. Don't write it myself, but I love reading it. & short stories--I love those. I think Roald Dahl does them well. I like the cliff-hanger style. I don't really write any cliff-hangers, nor do I actually write official short stories, but I'll do it one day.

By the way, who all is in that picture in your signature, Kazza?

[Lovegood_004]

I write all sorts of things, some inspired by other's creative works. But most by tapping into the depths of mine heart, and passing through the feelings in a sad mournful poem. Or a 750 page manuscript. What ever happens to spurt resoundingly into my brain.

[Kazza]

Poetry is nice. Don't write it myself, but I love reading it. & short stories--I love those. I think Roald Dahl does them well. I like the cliff-hanger style. I don't really write any cliff-hangers, nor do I actually write official short stories, but I'll do it one day.

By the way, who all is in that picture in your signature, Kazza?


It's the Marauder's, Snape and Lily Evans. Great pic isn't it! Just wish I could make it a little smaller - it's slightly large for a signature!!!

[valky]

yes I wrote some short stories and I also let many people read some of them...they liked them but I'm not sure I'm a good writter....

[Lovegood_004]

The talent of a writer almost always had to be ridiculed, and torn apart before you learn of your real talent. Try putting your work out there, it being picked apart will only improve your talents.

[Padfoot_08]

*raises hand meekly* would be writer here also.I've tried my hand at several short stories,but it's something i need to work on and develop.I've had many compliments on my poetry though,so I'm hoping that one day I'll be good enough to make it as an author and/or poet.My teachers in high school seemed to think it was possible,so I'm willing to give it a shot.

[Quillmagus]

I write as a hobby, but as not even having a job yet, I can't say I am a "would be" writer. Who knows? Maybe I will be!

[PhillyMuggle76]

I consider myself a would-be writer. I started when I was about sixteen and I really can't remember when I haven't had a story in progress. I started out writing teenage romance stuff (since I was a teenager and had no love life to speak of), but lately I've branched off into fantasy (due to my Lord of the Rings obsession) and just last month I started a ghost/horror kind of thing. I've never had the guts to send anything off to a publisher because (like a lot of others I've seen post here) I just don't think it's good enough. I let my friends read what I wrote when I was still in high school and they always told me it was good, but deep down I always thought they were just being polite and they really thought it stunk. My creative writing teacher thought my assignments for his class were good, but he wasn't a professional editor or anything like that, so I didn't put much stock in what he said. I used to have a website that I posted my completed stuff on, but I can't remember the address anymore. Shows how long it's been since I finished anything! *lol*

[ThePalestPirate]

I used to be a really good writier. People admired me for it, and my teachers thought I was great. (well, some of them) ...they put me in gt for it, and it was the one thing that I did the most.

...then I didn't write as much and now I am not very good at it, and I am someone who doesn't like to do things unless I'm good at them. (the wanna-be perfectionist lol) ...so I don't write that much anymore.

I have, however, announced to people that I am going to write a playscript for a certian movie, so now that it's been announced I have to do it. Still, though, writing a playscript for a movie is more about planning technical stuff than creating new stuff. ...I mean, the plot and most of the lines are already there, you just have to make them fit together right. This movie is mostly a musical, anyway.

I do still have stories that I get really into written in my head, though. ...no one would wanna read them, though, they'd find them boring. Also, they change a lot with my moods. Since I have never written them down they are very unorganised and depending on what I feel like doing I just skip around the scenes.

As for poetry, I suck at it. I wrote a poem a few nights ago, just because I couldn't think of anything better to do and I was too exhausted to write in detail about the fight my mom and I had just had, so....yeah. ...it could be a song, I suppose, but it's not good poetry.

[emma madison]

I am.:)

My literature professor once told me I'm composed of two things --- 50% imagination and 50% passion.

My favorite people with an amazing power for imagination: George Lucas, J.K. Rowling and J.M. Barrie.

[hp007]

meeee!!!!!!! i love writing! i wanna be either a journalist or a writer. if i finally choose to become a writer, then i hope i'm as successful as j/k/ rowling!hehe. not to brag, but i've also written some poems. in fact, i entered in a poetry contest and won!

[Tarja]

Writing is more of a hobby for me. I see to much in my mind and have srious difficulty in actually outting it down on the page, which why I'd never be able to do it professionally. Though I do write scripts for short films (my short films though). As ThePalestPirate said, scripting covers a rabge of technical aspects, so I don't have to worry too much about describing. And since my scripts are all originals I write speecg mostly.

BUt yes, I do fancy myself as a bit of a writer.

[GodricHollow]

i've got a few stories up my sleeve as it were, my problem is that i like to cut straight to the point, and so they always end up being like 20 odd pages long when i wanted nearer fifty, (im only 14 here.)

[mouood]

I'm aspiring to be a writer, but for television and movies. I've written some screenplays based on television shows (Seinfeld mostly) and I really like it. I'm not sure if I'm good or not but I hope to improve my skill, if any, in college.

[TwilightSky]

Hey, I'm 14 (Well I will be in 30 days) I really really love writing. I remeber exactly what it was that made me start it. In grade 6 I wrote this short story for school. I actually ended up really loving it, and the teacher made quite a fuss over it. I had no idea where it came from, since I had never written like that and used the words that I used there. And so, shortly after that, I began a novel (Yikes) I got as far as 5 chapters over the summer. (which was 20- some odd pages on the computer) But then I kind of drifted off and began wrting other stories, dropping them and then moving on to different ones. So far I havnt really settled on anything. But I'm working on one now that I really like, I just hope that I can keep on going.
I've looked at the very first story that I wrote, and was kind of shocked at how good it was (Not great, definatly, since I was only 11) It's not something that I would go back to writing now, but it got me started :D

I've been wondering something for a while. What are the chances of people around our age getting published? I mean, would they be any worse for me because I'm a teenager? But if a book is a good book then they have to take it don't they?

Anyway, I love writing and I can't see myself giving it up. I've got to write a novel someday :D

[TwilightSky]

Writing is more of a hobby for me. I see to much in my mind and have srious difficulty in actually outting it down on the page


That's exactly the same thing with me. I'm capable of just sitting there and thinking up the story. I can say it word for word on my head, but when I got to write it down it sort of escapes me.

[phelps_phanatic]

I would-be a writer, if only I could stick to one plot and finish the story while keeping the would-be readers interested, y'know? So far, I've tried a little bit of everything, yet never really finished a story. :upset:

[miss_flow]

I do write but it's more teen stuff. I dont think I'd be any good writing a Harry Potter.

[Inkwolf]

I was just curious...we have so many fan fic writers, and many of them are excellent at writing...how many of you are working on your own stories or books to actually publish? :)

[thethirdman]

Right here. Although I've had a photograph published, I'm still trying to get some of my writing published. I've made some decent connections though. Maybe that will help.

[Neon]

[Raises hand]

I'm slowly trying to work myself into the world of professional writing. As of now i've had my poetry published in a textual anthology and an audio tape; unfortunately that's hardly as far as i hope to be in a few years time.

[MalfoyIsMINE]

Im starting writing poetry and hoping to be published. My best friend is into writing fantasy stories and she is also trying to get published. She is an amazing writer, so i bet it will happen for her!

[starxgazer]

I'm also trying to get some of my writing published. My friend inspired me to write, because she wrote a story and got it published, and all she kept saying to me was to try to publish some of my writing because she knows I can do it.

[dink]

Hello! :) Me too, although so far my efforts have been largely in my head. :D

[Qeomash]

w00t! I'm another one!

I'm not sure when I'm going to finish it...Heck, I'm not even sure what I'm going to call it. :p I haven't tried getting it published yet...simply because I want all four books completed before I try that. I'm not going to force people to live through years of waiting for the next installment (hint, hint JKR...)

Anyway, I'll get it published one day. I'm finally getting to some fun parts of Book 1 (90% of exposition done), and I'm already over 40 MS Word pages. I can't wait to finish it! (And to come up with an overall title. The individual books are already named: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind respectivly.)

[starxgazer]

Hello! :) Me too, although so far my efforts have been largely in my head. :D

Same here. Most of my thoughts are in my head instead of on the paper, I think it's easier for me, since I'm prone to loosing everything I have, then I usually find it a couple years lader, and I am like "OHH.. thats where I put it!" :rotfl:

[Prosperine]

In Progress Works of my own- The start (bits and pieces mostly) of a series idea, amazingly for adults, which is a bit off for me, almost everything else I have written is for young adults. I'm also working on a full length stage play as I have the undergraduate playwriting independant study for next semester at Uni.

Already published: six poems and a short story in small, very minor, publications.

I'm hoping to get my MA in creative writing so I'd say publishing is something I'm hoping for ;)

[Classical_Wizar]

Editing a novel and making better background notes, more details to the character's family and those that live in the city, etc. I'm revising my gods and villains.

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Gosh, some people have actually done quite a bit - good on you then. :)

Me? I'm very proud to say that so far I have had three real life rejections! Very pleasing. I have them blu-tacked to my wall, with the nice bits highlighted! :D I mostly write bad satire, though I also dabble in tremendously naff short stories, and I've made one foray into poetry with an allegorical sonnet about... erm... porridge.

I also have a very informative and exciting story about horses that was started when I was six, which I think is going rather well - Black Magic has just given birth to Blue Champion, who is going to win the (Shetland) Grand National against all odds, with three broken legs. :p

Ok, perhaps my writing career isn't coming to fruition quite as quickly as I'd anticipated... But seriously, I hope I can one day get something published. I'm not sure what sort of writing I want to do... I envisage myself as a satirist or comedienne oneday, if I ever get funny, but if not, there's always Big Brother.

[Loz]

I've been lazy. I've been planning on starting writing one of the three or so novel ideas I have, but I quite obviously haven't done this. I should be trying to get some articles and short pieces published so that I can go about hiring a Literary Agent, but I've been terribly lax about that too.

Then the years roll by and I realise I'm getting older and far more removed from my dream. The wonderful thing about fan fiction is instant feedback, the bad thing is forgetting that you actually have the yearning to write your own original fiction!

[Picko]

I've been meaning at some stage to put pen to paper and write some form of epic parody of something, possibly just life in general. And then I come to the conclusion that I possibly suck and forget about the ideas for a bit :p

[Classical_Wizar]

Me? I'm very proud to say that so far I have had three real life rejections! magazine or novels? i gotten several magazine rejections havent submitted the novel yet still working on it. Yeah i collected them i got one that was sent back unopened felt so bad about it but i think it was a dead company.

[Bouncing_Ferret]

I've been meaning at some stage to put pen to paper and write some form of epic parody of something, possibly just life in general. And then I come to the conclusion that I possibly suck and forget about the ideas for a bit :p

Mm, same thing here. Occassionally I'll get all 'deep', and I'll start writing 'the novel', which is usually a witty, Waugh-ist society satire that will enlighten the public and make them realise 'what a deformed thief this fashion is'. Then, after a few hours or so, I realise that I'm writing quite a load of rubbish, and I'll bake some biscuits instead. I figure, however, that I'm only seventeen, so I shan't be expected to write a novel of satirical genius until I'm at least twenty five. :D

magazine or novels? i gotten several magazine rejections havent submitted the novel yet still working on it. Yeah i collected them i got one that was sent back unopened felt so bad about it but i think it was a dead company.

1 magazine and 2 newspaper/journals. It would be horrid to get something sent back unopened - it just seems so absolutely unfair. I hope the company was dead, otherwise, no excuses! Ah well, better luck next time, eh? BTW, hope your novel's going well! :)

[rmjoots]

I used to write stories when I was quite young. Actually it was fan fiction before I knew there was a term for it! In 1988, I was 12 and wrote up a long story based on "Duck Tales" a Disney TV cartoon. I entered it in a writing contest for ages 8-13. I won 2nd place and the judge said it would have been first place if I had created new characters. (But then it wouldn't have been written.)

I find J.K. Rowling's writing style similar to my own, and if I had an original idea pop into my head, I would LOVE to delve into writing it all out, as it plays out in my imagination like a movie.

[Micoura]

I want to be a writer. I actually want to be a screenwriter, but writing books isn't too shabby either. But I always dream of twisty turny plots for movies and then I write them down. My screenwriting abilities are getting stronger. I do write fan-fiction and what not, but when you write stories it's hard to just write a scene, while I can just show it, but I like to write stories because I can be omniscent, screenplays aren't really that. But either way, I love writing.

Sincerely,
Paige

[dink]

I figure, however, that I'm only seventeen, so I shan't be expected to write a novel of satirical genius until I'm at least twenty five.
Have you read "Twelve" by Nick thingy? (Possibly McDonnell or O'Donnell?). He was only 17 when he wrote it, and it's not a bad piece of satire. Or how about "That Certain Age" by Can't Remember Her Name - she was only 17 too, and it's frighteningly good, funny, sad, and shocking. If you have the ideas then you should write them. I reckon (sadly for me :D ) the younger you are the better - it gives the publishers an angle for publicity, and youth is a celebrated thing these days. :)

[Classical_Wizar]

I realise that I'm writing quite a load of rubbish I figure, however, that I'm only seventeen

It would be horrid to get something sent back unopened - it just seems so absolutely unfair. I hope the company was dead, otherwise, no excuses! Ah well, better luck next time, eh? BTW, hope your novel's going well! :) Some rubbish might be good for another tale so save those stories because they might find their way into another story look at Jo she said that the opening was 13 years in the making and just didn’t fit in for the others. Jules Verne one act played the broken straws was performed when he was 22. Yeah I might have wrote the address wrong too but I think it was dead was surprised when I checked the mail and got unopened return to sender. Thanks you currently waiting for the next rejection should be coming in the mail anytime soon. Thank you again third rewriting figured that the ending wasn’t needed and that I could add some chapters too it, now if I can get off the internet to edit it.

[~Tonks~]

My dream has always been to be a writer. I've been writing since I was four. My book was called the Littlest Kitten. :rotfl: Anyway...

I majored in business so I wouldn't graduate from college with an English degree and have the option of either teaching or living in my parents' basement until I was 35. I want to be able to support myself, but I write like a fiend in the meantime and I'm going to try to get published when I think I have something really great. Then if I ever take off I'll just be a writer. I watched my parents struggle growing up though, so I'm taking precautions and not putting all my eggs in one basket.

I'm not too sure how one goes about getting published. For some reason I always thought you had to pay someone to publish you but I don't think that's quite right. I guess you have to just send it out and see what happens.

[Classical_Wizar]

For some reason I always thought you had to pay someone to publish you but I don't think that's quite right. I guess you have to just send it out and see what happens. If you mean a agent then yeah, but some publishers would take your novel without a agent you just have to find one, most prefer agents. Pretty much its the first three chapters of your novel and a synopis of what is going to happen. Then they ask for the manuscript if they like what they heard. Yeah i can understand the all eggs in one basket. Edit: I need to get away from this thread posting and hijacking it.

[HarryPotter]

I'm trying to get published as well... so far I've only published a couple of articles, but my goal is publishing any of my novels...

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Have you read "Twelve" by Nick thingy? (Possibly McDonnell or O'Donnell?). He was only 17 when he wrote it, and it's not a bad piece of satire. Or how about "That Certain Age" by Can't Remember Her Name - she was only 17 too, and it's frighteningly good, funny, sad, and shocking.

Bollocks... now I feel very lazy! :p It's amazing how some very young people can write quite good stuff when you wouldn't expect them to have very much life experience. That's my problem - I don't really feel as though I'm exactly qualified to write very much, even though I have a lot of ideas. Silly, silly. :D

Some rubbish might be good for another tale so save those stories because they might find their way into another story look at Jo she said that the opening was 13 years in the making and just didn’t fit in for the others.

That's too true. Ever, ever so occassionally when I'm cleaning out my desk or something, I'll come across something I've written which is actually alright. It's my favourite way to see if something I've written is worth reading. I just stick all my bits of paper in a desk, leave the country for a few years, and if it is still readable when I come back, I feel there might actually be something worthwhile keeping in there. Too often I get caught up with something I've written too quickly, especially if I get praise from friends and so forth, and then when I read it a week or so later, it's the most awful thing in the world. :huh:

I majored in business so I wouldn't graduate from college with an English degree and have the option of either teaching or living in my parents' basement until I was 35.

Excuuuuse me! Well, I suppose I'd best get used to my parents' basement, then! :p Actually, I'm studying English/History, which is twice as bad - I can live in my parents' basement and go to re-enactment fairs on the weekends! But there do seem to be a few options out there for English graduates - of course an MA helps a lot, but areas like publishing and some newspapers and journals have opportunities for Arts students. Though I'll conceive that business is prolly a bit more likely to get you a job... :)

[Tim the Wiz]

I am. But foolishy I've started writing a war epic. Its so hard to mirror the gritty horrors, joy, tribulations and bravery of war.

I think I'll mainly dabble in historical fiction, although I'm doing as much reading as I can for the next few years of my life.

I figure for the next two years I'll read as much as I can. However I have hundreds of ideas for stories! So I plan to at least finish half a dozen decent-sized novels, one or two epic novels and a few compilations of short stories before I leave for University.

While I'm in Uni I plan to make connections, market my books for publishing, get into journalism and even start writing and making movies.

At least I can say I have a plan. At least I have a few back-up plans. I'll probably get into the state team for soccer and get selected to play in the under-21's for Australia at some stage if I do so. So thats a possibility. Even getting into video game design is a possibility, however I think that would be far to hard, as I'm not that good at computer programming.

However, its pretty good considering I'm thirteen. :D

[dumbleedore]

I would love to write something original and have it published... except for a few minor problems...

1) I'm my own worst critic- I go through stages where I think 'bollocks to this, I can't write, who am I kidding' and then I get down and think that what I'm writing is rubbish and it goes on and on.

2) I'm not a long fiction writer- if I did publish something, it would be a book of short stories.

3) I give up on what I'm writing very easily.

We'll see what happens :D

[DarkMark]

I wrote a screenplay a few months ago and had it sent out by my Media teacher. He has been helpful that way. I have planned out stories that i want to develop, but as of yet i have not had a lot of time to get them down on paper. Hopefully i will begin to write something in the next few weeks.

[Bouncing_Ferret]

1) I'm my own worst critic- I go through stages where I think 'bollocks to this, I can't write, who am I kidding' and then I get down and think that what I'm writing is rubbish and it goes on and on.

2) I'm not a long fiction writer- if I did publish something, it would be a book of short stories.

3) I give up on what I'm writing very easily.

Ah, the true marks of a writer, though, eh? :D

[Loz]

Dumbleedore, I often think I'd like to publish a book of short stories. Problem is;- they don't publish books of short stories by one author in Australia very often - not unless you're writing for a fairly young demographic. I'd say you write a series of short pieces for publication in magazines and then try and get your work in collections. You are a fantastic writer - you have all of the workings of a success.

Tim the Wiz, I was reading your post and just about to say "But Tim, you're younger than my little brother!" until I saw your last line :D. You'll do great, I think. At least you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Don't be afraid to dream. My tip for a war epic is;- read as much non-fiction as fiction - but try and keep the fiction removed from what you want to write about (i.e, you want to write about Riflemen, but you read fiction based in the Navy). It will give a clue as to how you want to approach the topic, show you what other writers have done in a similar yet vastly different field and hopefully it won't overwhelm you or your plot idea. And don't be afraid to start off with short pieces first. Co-incidentally one of my pet novel ideas is set during WWII (yes, a perilous thing to choose).

Hmm, here I am giving advice and I'm not even brave enough to take it myself... :whistle:

[dumbleedore]

You are a fantastic writer - you have all of the workings of a success.

:blush:

I'm nothing- nothing compared to you.

[Loz]

:blush:

I'm nothing- nothing compared to you.

:blush:

Liar :p.

Anyway - whilst we're doing the group hug thing, continue to post :D

[Qeomash]

I'm not too sure how one goes about getting published. For some reason I always thought you had to pay someone to publish you but I don't think that's quite right. I guess you have to just send it out and see what happens.

Usually, the process includes first making phone calls/writing letters to different publishing companies. Usually, they then request either a summary or the entire draft itself before they say yes or no. Then, when they decide to do it, they'll make you a deal to publish it. Basically, it's saying "This is what we would offer you." Some might offer you a flat price tag for your book to be published. Or they might give you a percent of the profits from your book (JKR, not surprisingly enough, has this deal). Either way, they'll make money off your book if it sells. They're just trying to figure out how much you get. If you submit to several different publishing companies, you might get lucky and get several offers that you can choose the best one out of.

But, unfortunantly, for authors just starting out probably won't get a percentage deal. Once you've got a sucsessful book or two out on the market, the publishers will be more keen to keep you, so, therefore, give you better deals.

[TruFortune89]

After years of writing short stories and several Family and Friends ( Including my Online People who are crazy about my Fanfiction's) encouragement (and threats lol jk) I did start a book recently. It is Fiction but not Fantasy :) It's still a work in Progress obviously but some day I hope I will be Proud enough of it to send it to a few Publishers to have a look at it :)

[Loz]

Usually, the process includes first making phone calls/writing letters to different publishing companies. Usually, they then request either a summary or the entire draft itself before they say yes or no. Then, when they decide to do it, they'll make you a deal to publish it. Basically, it's saying "This is what we would offer you." Some might offer you a flat price tag for your book to be published. Or they might give you a percent of the profits from your book (JKR, not surprisingly enough, has this deal). Either way, they'll make money off your book if it sells. They're just trying to figure out how much you get. If you submit to several different publishing companies, you might get lucky and get several offers that you can choose the best one out of.

But, unfortunantly, for authors just starting out probably won't get a percentage deal. Once you've got a sucsessful book or two out on the market, the publishers will be more keen to keep you, so, therefore, give you better deals.


Just to add to that - you know how actors have agents? So do a lot of writers. Some Publishing Houses will not commission writers without agents, in fact, so if you're very serious, and don't mind parting with a bit of your money - hiring a Literary Agent is a good idea.

Usually you have to have had pieces published before this too (it's like they don't want the percentage they'd get :grumble: ) - in magazines, newspapers - heck, even just competition pieces and depending on their methods, you'll have to submit a sample to them. Do your research thoroughly - make sure you're not applying for a non-fiction Literary Agency if you write fiction and vice versa :). Make sure they are actual literary agents, etc. etc. In a way, you do pay someone to be published :rotfl:. Once you're hooked up with a respectable Literary Agent, though, you'll find they usually work hard to get you published - because they take a chunk of your income.

Becoming a member of Writers' Guilds and checking out periodicals and journals in your chosen field of writing helps a lot. Know what's going on in your genre. Keep up-to-date. Research and review.

[Tim the Wiz]

Tim the Wiz, I was reading your post and just about to say "But Tim, you're younger than my little brother!" until I saw your last line . You'll do great, I think. At least you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Don't be afraid to dream. My tip for a war epic is;- read as much non-fiction as fiction - but try and keep the fiction removed from what you want to write about (i.e, you want to write about Riflemen, but you read fiction based in the Navy). It will give a clue as to how you want to approach the topic, show you what other writers have done in a similar yet vastly different field and hopefully it won't overwhelm you or your plot idea. And don't be afraid to start off with short pieces first. Co-incidentally one of my pet novel ideas is set during WWII (yes, a perilous thing to choose).

Thanks for the advice, Loz!

I think, as you say, need to put a bit more realism into my war epic. And don't worry about competetion (Not that you'd need to. You're in a class of your own compared to me :D), mine is set in World War I. Its pretty difficultto get as much info as you would setting it during the second war.

[dumbleedore]

Its pretty difficultto get as much info as you would setting it during the second war.

My advice to you is to go to the library, into the newspaper archives on the viewing machine doobies. You can find a lot of information there- you just have to read a lot of newspapers. I used to spend my weekends buried in old newspapers.

And then, of course, a large innercity library would have even more ;D

[loony4moony]

Finally- a thread for writers! :D I've always been tempted to start one myself, but I've never had the nerve. I'm paranoid that one day I'll start a thread and nobody will ever reply to it...

I'm nearing the end of a first draft of a new novel. I intend to try and get it published once I'm as happy with it as possible, but I don't know if I'll have any sucess. Anyway, whatever happens I'm going to study creative writing at university- I can't imagine a time when I won't be writing stories, either for myself or other people.

You're brave, to go for a war epic, Tim the Wiz. My short stories are generally set in the second world war, but for novels I have a tendency to stick to fantasy, something I'm slightly embarrassed about. When I've got this one finished, I might go for something a bit more realistic.

Notice that I say 'when'...I'm being positive. :D

[GryffindorSeeker]

I seem to have a pattern. I write a fair amount, get stuck, stick it in a folder, find it, read it, rewrite it, and write a fair amoung, get stuck, ect. I'll get it finished someday. The problem is, the ending really needs work, but since it's not all written, I have hope. It's fantasy, but I'm scared to death I'll end up with something totally messed up or something just fluff.

[Wab]

Ex-journalist and published author. The trick is to wrote (a rule I'm breaking as work is collapsing all around and at the end of the day I'm too knackered).

Start small, short stories in small mags. Even if they only pay in copies they're credits you can put on your CV.

[Prosperine]

Excuuuuse me! Well, I suppose I'd best get used to my parents' basement, then! Actually, I'm studying English/History, which is twice as bad - I can live in my parents' basement and go to re-enactment fairs on the weekends!

Woot, that makes two of us, except I don't mind teaching! Been doing it in one form or another since I was 16 anyway.... :)

Also helpful is getting registered and making use of the Writers Market online- it's frequently updated by publishers and will let you know who and when are accepting unsolicited manuscripts, which require you to have an agent (saves you some time and money) and does break down all the companies by genre, letting you know about some companies that you might not expect to be publishng in your area that actually are.... (I'd post a link but I'm on the wrong computer for it....)

[Inkwolf]

Just to add to that - you know how actors have agents? So do a lot of writers. Some Publishing Houses will not commission writers without agents, in fact, so if you're very serious, and don't mind parting with a bit of your money - hiring a Literary Agent is a good idea.

And an agent can protect you from being ripped-off or screwed over by your publisher. In fact, if you have previous work published, it may be more worth your while to apply to agents rather than publishers.

But it amounts to about the same thing as submitting to a publisher, you send in your stuff and get back rejection letters saying 'Sorry, we're not taking new clients at this time.' :evil:

[Tim the Wiz]

My advice to you is to go to the library, into the newspaper archives on the viewing machine doobies. You can find a lot of information there- you just have to read a lot of newspapers. I used to spend my weekends buried in old newspapers.

And then, of course, a large innercity library would have even more ;D

I already knew about finding info at the library. ;) I was mainly remarking on how there is alot more information on WWII than with WWI. However thanks for the newspaper tip!

I'd never really thought of looking at old newspapers. I do go to the library every week, unfortunately they don't have those "viewing machine doobies" of old newspapers. But I'll try to find a library that does.

Thanks again, Jen and Loz.

[Prosperine]

Aha, and now I have a link for you all....

Writersmarket.com (http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp)

[ragga]

erm i try in my spare time to write, its just some story ive came up with though i know i wont be finished it for a while yet. But i would love in the future to try and have it published. I also write a little poetry but ive never tried to get any of that published or anything, i wouldnt really know where to start.

---------
i know this is a little off topic here but...how many standard sized book(eg POA size)pages would you think would be made up of one page of A4 typed writing at size 12.

[Loz]

ragga - manuscripts generally have to be at double space type with left justification and 4 cm margins all around, so your average novel of 100,000 words (and novels are generally 50,0000-110,000 words) would be around 100-250 A4 pages (it all depends upon amount of dialogue, length of paragraphs, etc.)! This then equates to around 400 book pages in final print.

It's best not to think about it too much when first starting though... :D

[dink]

I'm sorry - I know it wasn't the intention behind this thread, but now I'm really depressed about writing. There are so many people either trying to get published, or in the process of being published, or who are already published; and it's such a huge world; and so many books are printed (and pulped) every week; and there seem to be no original ideas left; and, basically, I haven't got a hope of ever making this castle in the air a reality.

I'm not fishing for sympathy, saying all that - it seems to me that these are just the plain facts. The odds are stacked against us and it will only get more difficult in the years to come.

[unwanted_geek]

it isn't that hard to get an agent, and once you do, they do alot of the work, they find the publishers and such... I have an agent, for my childrens book, and she's staying my agent for the novel i am writing... and, to me, fantasy is the same basic structure-good vs evil in some epic quest, journey, battle, whatever... i don't read many other kinds of books, but I assume they all have the same structure... it's all about all the little details that have rarely been used or heard of... (this is all my opinion, based on my readings and experience, sorry if i sound like a know it all, cause i really know nothing)... but even though i have an agent, that childrens book still has not been published, and has a low rating, she just wants me for the novel... and uuummmmmm.... well, some of you might hate me for this... but I hate having an agent, she is always on my case, no matter what... and i don't want to be published at this moment, as I am not finished or even have time to write since i have to make straight A's for the next 2 years to get the scholarship i want... uuummmmm.... i am just rambling now... i starting this to say, don't lose hope, watch the stars, and if you write for the same reason you breath, to live, then you will make it and may all your dreams come true... laterz

[Classical_Wizar]

it isn't that hard to get an agent, I hate having an agent, she is always on my case, no matter what... and i don't want to be published at this moment, as I am not finished or even have time to write Yeah i'm still working on my story, and dont want to be pressured i heard that happens sometimes, you work on the first book for like 5 years and then the second one they want in x or so months. How did you pick a agent?

[unwanted_geek]

i know this will make me sound stupid, i just went to ask.com and emailed the first 5 that didn't want money... and one of them wanted me... i was going to say no for the novel, but my mom made me get her, and listen to her and stuff... i know that they aren't a scam or whatever because my uncle is an agent and he knows them and stuff... and i did not use my uncle to get an agent, so many people think that, but its not true... two other things i did while searching was checked out writersdigest.com has alot, they have some good agents, and you can buy the writers market books....laterz

[Loz]

I'm sorry - I know it wasn't the intention behind this thread, but now I'm really depressed about writing. There are so many people either trying to get published, or in the process of being published, or who are already published; and it's such a huge world; and so many books are printed (and pulped) every week; and there seem to be no original ideas left; and, basically, I haven't got a hope of ever making this castle in the air a reality.

I'm not fishing for sympathy, saying all that - it seems to me that these are just the plain facts. The odds are stacked against us and it will only get more difficult in the years to come.

If everyone had that mentality it would be the death of literature. As it is, surprisingly, more people are reading.

Of course there isn't such a thing as an original idea left - you really are dreaming if you think you can produce something which is wholly original and new. The first scientific Time Travel story - H.G Wells' "The Time Machine" used themes and conventions from stories much older than itself, yet still managed to be something which hadn't been done before (and look at the legacy it left behind). Shakespeare, Eliot, Dickens, Orwell, Le Guin, Rowling, all the big (and talented) names use themes, plots, conventions and ideas which have all been done before.

A very wise person once told me that it is the way you look at an existing idea that makes your story unique. It doesn't have to be wholly original, the best stories never are, because they say nothing about the human condition. It is the age-old story of revenge, the confrontation between rivals, the coming-of-age story and the journey fiction that sells. Your use of vocabulary, your vision, your perception and take on a well-worn theme or basic plot is what makes your story yours. You do create something original, even if you notice the references to Milton, or the similar plot-line of Don Quixote (which I have to say would be a feat). Those referential stories are beloved the world over.

Yes, there are many, many writers but you shouldn't give up hope just because of a little competition. Competition is what makes the world go round. There are many readers also. Many agents and many publishers. You have to be determined, you have to believe in yourself - or no-one else will.

Don't be disheartened by the fact there are lots of aspiring writers to be published, be thankful that there are. How terribly dull life would be without books, short stories and poetry to read. A good reader is a good writer.

Oh, and depression is a fantastic writing tool, use it. It's amazing how your view on the world radically changes when you start to feel depressed.

[Qeomash]

Yes, different moods in your life definitly work well for writing. For an example, as many of you probably have heard, JKR invented Quidditch after having an argument with her boyfriend. I think I know what Bludgers were invented for. :D

Also--just a general tip, try different writing styles. Try writing in first person (I went to the store...) or third (Stephanie went to the store...). Figure out what you feel best writing as. And, no matter what happens or how big that writer's block is, keep trying. If you get stuck badly, put it down, walk away, do something else for a bit. Then come back and have another go.

And, never, never think you have no chance of getting published. Yet another example from our common love of JKR...but, I believe that PS was rejected by several publishers before Bloomsbury settled on it.

[Classical_Wizar]

Try another field too, sometimes you might find your knack in something other than your usual reading. Think Jo said she doesn’t really like reading fantasy or something like that. Manscripts are also with no bolds and italics.

[Inkwolf]

Yes, Dink, don't lose hope.

If you want a lift in your spirits, I suggest you find a copy of Nancy Stouffer's original Muggle book and read it. It (and many other books out there) are living proof that even utter drivel has a chance of being published and sold, and no matter how badly you write, you're better at it than SOME people who actually got paid to do it! :lol:

There are no new ideas. So? There are no new rocks, and yet people keep making new and unique sculptures and buildings. And Ye Droll Storye of ye Carpenter, ye Blacksmythe and ye Nekkid Nunne in ye Pitte of Mudde can always do with a new modernisation. :)

Even if they print 2000 copies of your story and 1900 are recycled, maybe one of the mere hundred that sold will brighten someone's day, help them through a patch of boredom, or even be remembered years later. Maybe someone will quote you on the internet. :p

It's always worth trying. It's a fair chance that none of us is the next Tolkien just waiting to break out, but not every reader wants Tolkien. There's bound to be someone out there just longing to read something in YOUR style.

In any case, persistance is the real key to getting published. Keep working, keep dreaming, keep sending your stuff out, keep trying to improve, and sooner or later they'll publish you just to get you off their backs. :p Seriously, though, persistance is what makes success! The world is filled with unrecognized genius. And unless genius gets off its buns and padlocks itself to the publisher's front stairs, it's going to remain unrecognized.

[dumbleedore]

Dink- don't get too depressed. I've read what you've posted here and it isn't just fantastic- it's a word that hasn't been invented yet :) and if that's what you can do with someone else's charecter, I've got high hopes for what you can do with your own :)

Also--just a general tip, try different writing styles. Try writing in first person (I went to the store...) or third (Stephanie went to the store...). Figure out what you feel best writing as.

I love experimenting with different styles- usually it happens after I've read something written like that and I think 'oh I wanna try that!'. Reading a style you like and then semi-copying it can sometimes help you find your own style- my own style in my non-HP works comes from one of my fav books. And it gets reflected in my HP stuff too.

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Don't be disheartened by the fact there are lots of aspiring writers to be published, be thankful that there are. How terribly dull life would be without books, short stories and poetry to read. A good reader is a good writer.

Precisely! Anyhow, even if there are kazillions of other would-be authors out there, just reason that your work is better than most of them, so you've got a better chance of being published. It might sound a bit mean, I know, as there are so many great writers out there - but there are also so many not so good writers as well. Some people have the talent, but not the ideas, and others have the ideas, but no talent in transferring them to paper. So if you believe that you've got the ability to write aswell as the creativity, then you're already far ahead of many other almost-authors in the world! :D

Oh, and depression is a fantastic writing tool, use it. It's amazing how your view on the world radically changes when you start to feel depressed.

I agree - I like to write when I'm depressed, as it helps to keep me away from the biscuit tin. :p

[Qeomash]

Yes, my style is very much like JK Rowling's style (honestly, I have been using the same style since long before HP was even heard of). I originally wrote the first first attempt at this current story in First person, but quickly learned that I could never do it that way. So, I've since switched.

And, now, all this talk of writing makes me want to get going again on mine. Oh--one more tip: if you're not sure how to write something, just go at it and see how it comes out. The part I wrote I had no idea how I should go about it, and it turned out wonderfully first time through.

[emma madison]

Someday. ;)

[Neon]

My novel in question, which truth be told has been written and re-written three times at this point (v1. 300 Pages - v2. 375 Pages - v3. 390 Pages - v4. 435 Pages) probably needs to be re-written one more time before i'm satisfied with it. I'm horrible as far as editing goes with my stories, i'll edit a single chapter five-ten times after the first time i've written it. From there, when i re-plot certain events and add or remove chapters i edit all the chapters a few times again...

I think all my chapters have been through 20+ iterations... Its almost down to the point where i have nothing i want to do differently...

Needless to say; if it ever gets published... Another book would be several years in the making...

Yay satire... Yay society... Yay realism... Drama...

Make FanFiction writing a tedious job :

[dink]

:whistle: I have to admit, most of my depression last night was based on tiredness and hunger. :D Still - you've all made great points about why it's important to carry on trying. I too have read some dreadful books over the years and found myself thinking, "How on earth did they get published? There's hope for me yet!" On the other hand, I know that a few publishers have closed their doors to unsolicited manuscripts, and that can only be because they already have too many mediocre talents in their catalogue. These writers (who are possibly worse than me, who knows?) have effectively clogged up the market - and that's what causes me to worry, when I'm in the mood for worrying.

Oh, and I was also depressed because I followed Prosperine's link to writersmarket.com and then somehow (a few links later) ended up on a website that was full of 'rules' for writing for children. And rules are always depressing. :D

[Loz]

There are no rules for writing for children (though I suggest restriction of expletives and explicit sex scenes). There are no rules for writing. All of the novels that have won prestigous prizes in recent years have broken common conventions.

[dink]

I know that, and you know that, but do the publishers?

EDIT: of course they do :blush: else how did those prestigious books get published in the first place? Sometimes my own stupidity really frightens me...

[dumbleedore]

There are no rules for writing for children (though I suggest restriction of expletives and explicit sex scenes).

*tosses manuscript out of the window* :lol:

Erm, now onto a serious note- what 'genre' does everyone here write in? I'm a romance/drama writer...

[dink]

Children's Fantasy, for me. :) I've been a Children's Fantasy fan since I was 7 years old, and I suppose I just haven't grown out of it yet.

I notice that Loz suggests 'restriction' of expletives and explicit sex scenes - so as long as there aren't loads in my story, I should be alright? ;)

[dumbleedore]

Well, it is fantasy :lol:

[dink]

:D It's a shame there's not a better name for it, really. My love for the genre was sparked off when I was 7 by the accidental purchase of a book called "A Dark Horn Blowing" by Dahlov Ipcar. I had no idea what it was about, got very confused by the way his first-person narrative kept switching characters, and could barely understand the magical elements of the story - in short, I was hooked. :)

I also really like silly stories (did anyone see that coming?), again because of a book that I read when I was 7 - "Bottersnikes and Gumbles" by S.A.Wakefield (you might have heard of this one, Dumbleedore, because it's Australian :) ). I only got it because the cover illustration was so weird.

Anyway, because of those two chance purchases, more than 20 years ago, I now find that the two styles I like to write in most of all are children's fantasy and half-comical-silliness. I wonder what I'd be wanting to write now if I'd accidentally bought "How to Make a Screwdriver"...

[Kimmetje]

I write Fantasy books too though sometimes I look back and think; "Did I write that?!"

I liked the 'swapping with Snape' story Loz wrote! :tu:

[dumbleedore]

"Bottersnikes and Gumbles" by S.A.Wakefield

Never head of it :blush:

The book that got me writing was... I don't know. I've loved doing it for as long as I can remember- the book that got me into my 'style' was Summerland by Malcolm Knox, which I never shut up about cause it's an awesome book :lol:

[Loz]

I notice that Loz suggests 'restriction' of expletives and explicit sex scenes - so as long as there aren't loads in my story, I should be alright? ;)

Darn right ;) "Dear Miffy" by John Marsden is an absolute success amongst older children/young adults range and contains some very questionable material.

I write serious/comical self-awareness fictions myself, either to do with the journey to get self-awareness or the overwheming influence it has, or the complete absence of it. This manifests itself in various genres. I'd never written fantasy before Harry Potter fan fiction. Mostly I write in first person autobiographic style, or third person limited omniscient, but I like to experiment. I also occasionally write utterly depressing pieces that I store away on my computer and view at my lowest moments.

The first books that made me want to write were by Roald Dahl. I adored him when I was a kid. Also I gained a lot of inspiration from television and films I saw on television. Whoever said tv was bad for a kid's imagination must have been barmy.



Oh Kimmetje, thanks very much :) :eyebrows:

[dumbleedore]

"Dear Miffy" by John Marsden is an absolute success amongst older children/young adults range and contains some very questionable material.

You bring up the one Marsden book I haven't yet been able to lay my hands on :p

[GodricHollow]

it isn't that hard to get an agent, and once you do, they do alot of the work, they find the publishers and such... I have an agent, for my childrens book, and she's staying my agent for the novel i am writing... and, to me, fantasy is the same basic structure-good vs evil in some epic quest, journey, battle, whatever... i don't read many other kinds of books, but I assume they all have the same structure... it's all about all the little details that have rarely been used or heard of... (this is all my opinion, based on my readings and experience, sorry if i sound like a know it all, cause i really know nothing)... but even though i have an agent, that childrens book still has not been published, and has a low rating, she just wants me for the novel... and uuummmmmm.... well, some of you might hate me for this... but I hate having an agent, she is always on my case, no matter what... and i don't want to be published at this moment, as I am not finished or even have time to write since i have to make straight A's for the next 2 years to get the scholarship i want... uuummmmm.... i am just rambling now... i starting this to say, don't lose hope, watch the stars, and if you write for the same reason you breath, to live, then you will make it and may all your dreams come true... laterz

err, is that including little kids going solo on that one?

[dink]

The first books that made me want to write were by Roald Dahl.
Oh, well, if we're talking about books that made us want to write (rather than books that inspired our choice of writing genre) then I would have to say "Clifford the Big Red Dog" or any other picture book, really. I was a book addict before I'd been potty-trained :D I can remember reading "The Magic Turnip" and wondering what the author was like, how they managed to think of the story, how ace it must be to write books.

[dumbleedore]

Oh, well, if we're talking about books that made us want to write (rather than books that inspired our choice of writing genre) then I would have to say "Clifford the Big Red Dog" or any other picture book, really. I was a book addict before I'd been potty-trained :D I can remember reading "The Magic Turnip" and wondering what the author was like, how they managed to think of the story, how ace it must be to write books.
Another early reader :D

And that just made me think of this then- first story you ever remember writing? Mine was about an unnamed family when I was five- and my mum still has it...

[dink]

I can't remember the first story I ever wrote (even including stories written for schoolwork) :( but I can remember the first book I ever wrote. :D It was a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure story where the central character had to climb up a rainbow, ski down the other side, placate an angry dwarf and then choose between 7 doors (one in each stripe of the rainbow). I lavishly illustrated it with my new coloured pencils, and got really obsessed with the whole project... until I got stuck on what to put behind the yellow door. :D

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Er, I don't really know my genre. I suppose you could call it self-absorbed adolescent drivel more than anything else. :D If I could write in any genre, I'd really like to try some old school crime writing, but I'm not sure if I'd be organised enough with twists and murders and so forth.

I'm not sure if I could ever write anything for children - fun as it would be, I'm sure I couldn't think of anything that wasn't blatantly stolen from other children's authors.

EDIT: Lummy! I didn't realise how quickly this thread had grown. So my post is kind of out of place, so ignore and carry on! :D

[Loz]

Oh, well, if we're talking about books that made us want to write (rather than books that inspired our choice of writing genre)...

Well, I don't write in one specific genre. I'm not really sure where I got my usual writing style from. It just appeared one day, in a story from the point of view of a fox ( ;) ).

I'm not sure if I could ever write anything for children - fun as it would be, I'm sure I couldn't think of anything that wasn't blatantly stolen from other children's authors.

EDIT: Lummy! I didn't realise how quickly this thread had grown. So my post is kind of out of place, so ignore and carry on!

Your post is not out of place at all, dear :). Writing for children is such a broad genre that I'm sure you'd find yourself able to write something. Adolescents are still considered children by some publishing houses ;).

[Bouncing_Ferret]

I can almost remember the books that made me want to write... Anything by Enid Blyton, I think - especially the 'Famous Five', I was obsessed with them for quite a time. A few years later, I read and wrote as many horse stories as possible, and wore riding boots everywhere. But I think the book that made me really decide I wanted to be a writer was Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh. I'm not entirely sure why. I just wanted to be able to do the same thing, I think. Other influential authors - Charles Dickens, John Galsworthy, Iris Murdoch, Daphne Du Maurier, Jonathan Swift... A pretty odd selection, really! :D

[ragga]

I think i write things which would interest me. Like what i am working on at the minute is more of a fantasy type story which i prefer, and the main characters i have found are more or less the same age as my self. I also think i have developed them insuch a way that they seem to reflect different characteristics which i also posses. Its such a great hobby developing a story and adding the little clues and hints all the way through.

[SnapesProdigy]

I, sadly, do not have time at present to attempt any writing outside of fanfiction. All my time has to go on getting my English Degree first. I did once start writing a film script and have fifty pages of that done, but was then told that it would work better as a novel. It is rather an old fashioned idea actually, bringing back thoughts of a film called 'The Dawning'. I also have an idea for another novel, revolving around a group of teens with, well, spiritual gifts...how they cope with those gifts with the help of a rather interesting mentor. I think I basically lack the confidence to put most of my ideas to paper.

[Tim the Wiz]

Hmmm, I think I was inspired not only to write but read as well from the great book: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

I remember myself, (an eight year old version of me ;)) looking at the bottom shelf in one of the most out-of-reach corners of the library. Then opening the book and deciding to read the whole thing.

Bless me, that whole year I don't remember looking at my TV for anything else than playing video games (my other still-burning passion) ...

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Gotta love that swashbuckling! :D

[GryffindorSeeker]

:lol: My genre???? I'm playing around with fantasy lately. Well, I always have. Historical fiction's always been another one, but I don't have much time for research at the moment. Anything I write has to have a tiny touch of romance in it. It has to. :p

[Tim the Wiz]

Gotta love that swashbuckling!

Definitely! :D

I learnt the phrase: "All for one and one for all!" Not knowing it was a cliche. To this day I can say it without losing a shred of dignity.

[Inkwolf]

Hmmm, I can't say any particular book inspired me to write. I loved the Doctor Dolittle books, and Mistress Masham's Repose and Treasure Island. My evil, Snape/Umbridge-like teacher let me keep her antique copy of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, which I must weigh in her favor whenever I remember all the rotten stuff she did. :p I remember Dwarf Long-nose being the first story I read in my new school library after moving, in third grade.

I was probably more inspired to write by my mother, who wanted to become a writer herself, and frequently seemed to be trying to live her dreams through me.

I'm sure the first stopry I wrote was long before my memory. The first story I REMEMBER writing was about finding an orange genii in a bottle, who forced me to do bad things. So I guess I was always a fantasy writer.

What I'm working on now is a silly children's fantasy book. It's going very well! :)

I have several picture books written, but the market is so tough I don't have the heart to keep sending them out. I worked about four years as a hack writer on the Mickey Mouse comic strip, and wrote several other things for King Features projects that, sadly, never took off. I also have about 8 chapters of a Redwall-inspired anthropomorphic pirate novel, which I dumped when i lost interest in Redwall and in old ships. :lol:

As to rules for writing for children, I haven't seen the list, but I bet that what it ACTUALLY is, is a list of Rules for Writing for Persnickety Parents who might Protest the Publisher.

[ragga]

I think my ambition stemed from a young age, when an author from my village acme to do a talk at my primary school. I remember it quite well actualy. He used to go to the shop my mum worked at and she managed to persuade him to go to my school and talk to us all about his books, and how to get into the publishing business.
I remember in preperation for the day we all had to make up these little stories to display for him and i remember actualy taking this a step futher and writing a long story which i stuck into this big book and made many little illustrations with it. It was, if im right, about 2 bestfriends, and i think they both had dolls, and it went along the lines of them falling out and then when they were older and had there own children, they ended up naming the babies after their best friends. Its oddly clear in my mind, i can even see my self sitting at home the day before writing the whole thing and rememebr being very excited.

In alll honesty i think it did emerge from this point, as i went on to collect about 30 of his books(and still do) and even got some from him signed for my birthday and christmas.

So sorry that was a little drawn out there, but i dont actualy think ive ever spoken about that story befreo. Its unusual how things just come to you when you least expect it.

[CraZy_Kender]

I love writing, and I hope to get something published some day. I mostly write fantasy.
Yup yup

[Jeff Sears]

Well while I like writing and have started a novel called "Mako Dim",I really
don't think I'll ever be published.It's hard for me to write something that's
not fanfiction for HP.Plus I'm trrible at editing and I worry over how long is enough.

[Qeomash]

I don't know where my original desire to write came from. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, and I was never much of a reader when I was younger. I think the book that first got me actually reading beyond those books that the school library would force onto you was Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn. I think I was ten or something when I got it. It was way above my reading level at the time (heck, I basically skimmed the first 100 pages, not taking anything in). Later, however, I picked it back up and was able to understand what it was about. Then I tracked down the two sequels, along with a whole stack of other Star Wars books at Powell's (the old one) in Portland, Oregon.

So, I think since the beginning my genre has been apparant: SciFi/Fantasy. I don't think I ever tried writing an actual real life story. It's always been Fantasy, and since Star Wars SciFi.

[Neon]

*tosses manuscript out of the window* :lol:

Erm, now onto a serious note- what 'genre' does everyone here write in? I'm a romance/drama writer...Drama/Romance for myself as well; everyone question me what kinda guy only write Drama/Romance... And then i cry :p

I've gone into comedy and Mystery as well...

My love for writing was crammed down my own throat from the age of 5; as soon as i entered school i was praised perpetually for my talents as a creative writer. Needless to say i didn't pay them any heed for six years :p

[Please dont take my posting grammar as an example of what comes out on the page; man its late and i'm tired] :rotfl:

[loony4moony]

I honestly can't say what started me writing. I've been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, and making up stories in my head was something I did from a very, very young age. I always loved writing stories for school, and it was something I knew I was good at.

Then at the age of about eleven I started writing things down. I accumulated files and files full of random fantasy ideas, though I never tried an actual novel until the age of 13, when I wrote two (both very short, *cough*andabsolutelyrubbish*cough*. I then had a break of a few years whilst struggling with a futuristic/fantasy blend that was really too complicated for me, but in February started writing a novel again for the first time in ages.

I never took my ability seriously until a particularly enthusiastic English teacher told me I had talent, and that I should do something about it. Up until then, I'd never really considered writing as a career. It was something I did, just like breathing was something I did.

I generally write in the fantasy genre, but often overlap into either science fiction or a 'modern' style. My writing style is very different from JKR's- I don't really know where it developed from. I tend to be very wordy, overly wordy in some cases.

I don't generally write fanfiction, but in the aftermath of OOTP I couldn't resist. [SHAMELESS PLUG] One of my two fanfics is buried somewhere in the COS library...:rolleyes: [/SHAMELESS PLUG]

[GryffindorSeeker]

I can't really remember what inspired me to write, except I remembered loving stories and decided I'd make them on my own. I was five, I think. It wasn't until a couple years later that I realized I actually need a plot. :p

[charredtwilight]

I've always loved books since I could remember (my mom was one of those who started reading as soon as we were born) and it's continued throughout my life. I didn't really start writing things until middle school, and then it was mainly to amuse my friends, but then as I hit my teens I started writing more for myself...I found it very theraputic. When I didn't want to talk to anyone about what was going on in my life I would write a story and play out my problems through the characters.

I haven't really had any major influences in my writing (with the exception, of course, of the X-Files and HP.) Probably anything I've ever read has influenced me in some capacity. One of my secret ambitions is to actually write and publish a novel, but I doubt I ever will because I'm so picky. I hate everything I write, no matter how many people tell me it's good. I'm very critical of myself which makes it very difficult to write anything longer than a few pages! Being a perfectionist only adds to the trouble!

My style, I've been told, is very direct. (I've had several teachers who are adamant about not having any more than necessary aka say what you want to say in as little words as possible.) I think that greatly influenced the way I write. Also, I first started writing fan-fiction with the X-Files and the moved on to Harry Potter. I've written a few stand-alone pieces with original characters, so hopefully I'll be able to expand that in the future!

[Tim the Wiz]

I think the book that first got me actually reading beyond those books that the school library would force onto you was Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn. I think I was ten or something when I got it. It was way above my reading level at the time (heck, I basically skimmed the first 100 pages, not taking anything in). Later, however, I picked it back up and was able to understand what it was about. Then I tracked down the two sequels, along with a whole stack of other Star Wars books at Powell's (the old one) in Portland, Oregon.

So, I think since the beginning my genre has been apparant: SciFi/Fantasy. I don't think I ever tried writing an actual real life story. It's always been Fantasy, and since Star Wars SciFi.

My first SciFi book was also a Star Wars one! It was Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole. I later read the Thrawn Trilogy by Tim Zahn. Both were truly inspiring authors to me too. Moreso Stackpole as his writing style is somewhat more similiar to mine than Zahn.


I never took my ability seriously until a particularly enthusiastic English teacher told me I had talent

Same, although that English teacher didn't actually teach me. And she was my mother. :D

As for the genre's I genrally write in ... They are: Historical Fiction/Thriller/Adventure.

[Prosperine]

My inspiration to write- well, you know how you do what your parents tell you not to???? My dad dabbled in Sci-Fi writing and always told me not to go into writing. But the head of his writers group, Mickey Zucker Reichardt, encouraged me to read everything I could until I had an absolute favorite and then to read more in that genre and after all that, if I started writing as a result of it, she'd help me learn the process of writing. (Dad was NOT happy!)

But a year later I was hopelessly addicted to Tamora Pierce (and still am) and started writing with the group and in school in 6th grade. I got majorly inspired by the fact that I wrote a letter to Ms. Pierce and got a personal reply- just never stopped from there.

I write young adult and adult fantasy genre stuff, especially if I can bend history and create something interesting (like I do a lot in my fanfics!)

Hmm, not to bash English teachers since I'm going to be one, but most of mine had no clue I wrote three book length stories in high school. :shrug:

[Qeomash]

And then there was my English teacher...published three books in two years. :scared: The fourth is on the way, but wont be around several years. It's a biography of all the people executed by the State of Idaho.

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Hmm, not to bash English teachers since I'm going to be one, but most of mine had no clue I wrote three book length stories in high school. :shrug:

But it isn't as if they had an obligation to, right? Sometimes I think poor old English teachers must have it tough - my last high school English teacher had about three people in the class continually show her their progressive works, which I suppose is nice because they trusted her enough to let her look at them, but would also be annoying in a way, because every teacher knows how little it takes to make a student hate them. Anyhow - after one of the more self-absorbed aspiring authors got her story back from the teacher, with comments, she asked to change classes and refused to speak to the teacher again. Pretty harsh, I thought, considering she was asking for it in the first place. :)

My charming mum's an English teacher as well, and she's always being asked to look at various novels/short story collections/poems by the students and teachers at her school. I've read most, and I must say, there hasn't been a single very promising one among them. And I feel sorry for my mum, because she has to think of something nice to say to the people, without letting them get their hopes up. But you still have to be honest to people when you tell them what you think of their writing, don't you? All the teachers who've shown her their work take criticism alright usually, but the students - eek! I just think that if I ever turn out to be an English teacher, I'm going to have a complete policy of refusing any of those 'have-a-look-over-and-tell-me-what-you-think' requests. It would just make everything too hard.

Anyhow, if an English teacher is switched on enough, they should be able to tell from a student's class work as to whether they have talent or not, and more often than not, in my experience, they do, and take the student aside to tell them that (hopefully without letting them get an enormous head! :p).

[Tim the Wiz]

Yeah, I understand the feeling. My mum teaching her Year 11 (Not sure what that equates to in the US) English Literature class had this one student who was continually bugging her to look at her work. My mum being the kind, considerate person that she is, took a look at her work and added comments to the work. The aspiring writer wasn't that happy with the comments and wasn't so friendly afterwards.

Then for several weeks they were doing work on the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. The one book my mother didn't really get. I mean she has a Masters Degree in Playwriting literature and an Honours in English and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Drama and maybe one or two diplomas. She has read every book from every author that I know in the world. Sophocles, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Dickens, the Bronte sisters and even the whole of Homer's Illiad for Pete's sake. She's read everything. Even other books by Joseph Conrad like Lod Jim and Nostromo. (besides of course Heart of Darkness)

Now this book comes along which she just doesn't get. So this student really knows Heart of Darkness, had probably read it several times before and therefore knows alot about this book. So my mother really doesn't get it and the student decides because of this my mother must be a bad English teacher. So therefore the advice my mother gave to her was not worthy of her in her puny mind.

So then, of course she makes lots of snide comments trying to show how much more she knows of the novel than my mum.

So this was happening for a long time and finally, lo and behold, this girl came out point blank saying that she could teach the class better ... Well any other teacher might have immediatley chosen to transfer her to another class, give her detention, etc., etc. ...

But, no my mother decided that this girl should teach the whole double period of English Literature. Which she bombed at. (And it only took 15 minutes :D) So after this exposition of her stupidity, this silly girl apoligised and everything to my mother.

Sure my mum is kind hearted and considerate but she gave her a week's worth of litter duty and a detention. With a smile of course.

Thats a classy teacher for ya. :D

I guess I went a bit overboard telling the story, but this one always gets me into a small rant. I just wanted to show how great my mother is and how great an advisor, helper and aide she is when it comes to me reading and writing. And the fact she's baking me scones right now helps me feel alot of warmth towards her too.

I also wanted to show there are some truly great English teachers and some truly terrible ones. (ala my current one)

[Edited my atrocious grammar ;)]

[dink]

Tim - your mother sounds great. :)

I'm beginning to feel guilty now for bombarding my poor English teachers with the surreal streams of consciousness that I used to call 'fiction'. :D

[Loz]

I want to be an English teacher like Tim's mum.

:D

If I get my wish and get into Bachelor of Education Secondary instead of the Bachelor of Education Primary that I have locked in for next year, I'll keep that story in mind :evil:.

Also I'll keep being aware of students' writing aspirations in mind too.

[Tim the Wiz]

Tim - your mother sounds great.

Of course! The person responsible for bringing me into the world, was always going to be great!

No, she's a really great mother. And she's always encouraged me to do more in the areas that I'm good at. :D Like writing.

[GryffindorSeeker]

:rotfl:
I've never shown an English teacher any of my work. Except for assignments, but that's different. Now I realize I have a good reason not to! :lol:

[loony4moony]

:scared: I only showed my teacher one of my books...and he did say to ask his advice if I needed help with my writing...

:lol: Hey, maybe he was Tim's Mum in disguise, and I was that annoying girl who kept showing her stuff...

Sorry. My hyperactive imagination is off on another surreal flight of fantasy...

[Inkwolf]

:

Sorry. My hyperactive imagination is off on another surreal flight of fantasy...

Keep it up! You'll be a writer in no time!

[samn]

I'm writing a 'book'. im not very far into it theres still a lot of very confusin notes in my draw and i've written a few chapters-its going quite well but as for getting published-i doubt it im only 16 and before this ive only write one other, which halfway through i stoped having fun and it became a 'chore' so i gave up :(

anyway getting published is just something i'd love to happen, not something im counting on. if it happens great, if not i suppose i'll always wonder 'what if...' fingers crossed. i'll write until i dont want to anymore-i dont think it will ever come to that though. ive always thought that things happen for a reason and life has the right road mapped out for everyone if they make the right choices and hold out no matter what.

[GryffindorSeeker]

I've noticed that if I get stuck and no one's really there to encourage me, I stop, so occasionally I'll show my friends a part of it and ask them to read it. I don't tell them I wrote it unless they ask. I haven't gotten that desperate just yet. ;)

[Qeomash]

Why does showing your friends make your desperate? A friend of mine's mother is also attempting to write a book, and we got into a big long discussion about them. So, I printed out the 40 pages I had written then and let her read them. If I was really desperate for attention, I'd put it up for all of you to read. :p

I would never do that to CoS's servers...A post that long would probably cause a few problems.

[Inkwolf]

If I was really desperate for attention, I'd put it up for all of you to read. :p

I would never do that to CoS's servers...A post that long would probably cause a few problems.

And people should also bear in mind: posting something publicly on the internet counts as self-publication....and if you're hoping to sell it, publishers may be much less interested in purchasing previously published material!

[loony4moony]

I was so desperate for some sort of recognition after I'd finished my first novel (the short, handwritten, rubbish one) that I asked one of my friends to read it, despite the fact that I've grown up thoroughly paranoid about anyone seeing any of my work. It just didn't seem right that I'd spent so many months working on this thing and nobody was ever going to see it (I wasn't about to send it to the publisher's- you should see how appalling my handwriting is...). Bravest thing I ever did. :lol:

Luckily, my friend liked it and was very encouraging. That helped, having somebody asking me how the sequal was going, that kind of stuff. This time (I now have my own computer, so the days of handwritten novels are over, mwahaha!) I'm keeping all my friends updated- you know, the casual 'I got to page three hundred today' remarks. They're very good at pretending to look interested and saying 'Oh, well done!' :lol:

Just out of interest, do you guys prefer working by hand or on computer? I used to work by hand, but since I've got my own computer I've got so used to word processing that I now find pen and ink very difficult. I don't know why...the physical process of writing a word on a page somehow keeps me in this reality when I want to be somewhere else. Somehow a computer screen allows much more scope for imagination.

Plus it looks nicer. :D My handwriting looks like a three-year-old's.

[Inkwolf]

I've always preferred the computer....when you write by hand, then you just have to retype it later. While that may be a great opportunity for a rewrite, it still seems like doing the same work twice to me.

[Qeomash]

I type it first on my computer, then print it out, reread it, and scribble changes onto that paper then retype them. I don't think of it as doing the work twice, my notes on the printed page are usually just as bad--entering the changes gives me a second oppourtunity to think about wording.

[GryffindorSeeker]

I prefer doing the work on the computer. It's so much easier, but that's because I can never read what I wrote, and I can't write nearly as quickly as I can type. :D Of course, I always end up using writing anyway; I have to share a computer, and I don't get a hold of it everytime I need to write. :p

As for the being desperate, I'm quite paranoid when it comes to people seeing my work, but I'm slowly over coming that. I think.

[dink]

I prefer to use the computer too. :) It's quicker, for one thing, and I'm less self-conscious about writing (if I use pen and paper then I find myself thinking, "I am Writing A Book." And it's very difficult to get past that thought :D ). Also, it's easier for editing purposes.

Posting fanfiction up on the internet is pretty much the same as showing your work to friends, isn't it? It's just a question of wanting to know what other people think of your writing...

For wannabee writers everywhere I recommend "How Not To Write A Novel" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0749006803/qid=1090308926/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5965310-2342466?v=glance&s=books) by David Armstrong. More than any other how-to-write book that I've read, this one really makes you see how it might be possible to scrape a living by writing. Plus, it's funny. :)

[Classical_Wizar]

The aspiring writer wasn't that happy with the comments and wasn't so friendly afterwards. I had a college professor tell me and the other students that if some one made a comment on your work and you didn’t like it or felt like giving up because of their comments then you should thank them. Critics are going to be criticizing your work so best to be prepare. Beside good comments could only help your writing.
what 'genre' does everyone here write in? I'm a romance/drama writer...Fantasy--Good old swords and sorcery is the novel that working on and my main, but i am working on a mystery/horror story still in the thinking tank. Plays--once again in the thinking tank. Thinking of a western but not sure might be a sci-fi western.

The Hobbit by Tolkien got me started read it in the second grade and was hooked, i remember because wrote a story called Ricky Firefly but not sure if i wrote the story first or read the book. My second attempt at writing was a brochure that i submitted to my friends and classmate called Karenzilla, and the return of Karenzilla.-- Karen if you are out there and reading this so sorry.---

On topic wise
I write long handed, able to take it with me everywhere besides going to rewrite the thing anyway. Then rewrite on the computer adding comments and fixing changes, the print it out and scribble comments, repeat several times. Because each draft is different sometimes I add a chapter, sometimes I take one out.

[Qeomash]

I write long handed, able to take it with me everywhere besides going to rewrite the thing anyway.

That's why I have a laptop. Ocasionally, I'll take it to work with me and spend much of my lunch hour writing on it.

[Classical_Wizar]

So do i, just happen to stare at the screen more often or find myself on the net. Longhand just drag myself to the library or some place with no tv or internet connection if i brought the lap top along would find something to do other than write.

[GryffindorSeeker]

Posting fanfiction up on the internet is pretty much the same as showing your work to friends, isn't it? It's just a question of wanting to know what other people think of your writing...
In a way it is, and in a way, it isn't. You don't know who's reading your stuff, and more often than not, the people giving you feedback on it are people you've never seen, and never will see.

As for that book, I'll have to check it out.

[Classical_Wizar]

Also it depends sometimes, some people just have nothing good to say or for some reason they want to bring a person down.

[loony4moony]

I've got a laptop solely for writing- if I had the internet on my laptop, I'd probably never get any writing done. :lol: I use my Dad's computer to get on the internet.

What kind of output do you guys normally have per day? On a good day, I'll manage three pages, which I think is fairly slow. I don't write to a particular amount each day- I just force myself to keep going until I'm sick of it! I work best in the mornings and evenings, but I try not to have too much of a rigid routine, as I find it limits me. I'll write twice a day whether I feel like it or not, and then if I do feel like it, as much extra as I can get in!

[SquibOnline]

Yes, I am trying to get a piece of work published but it's proving hard.

[Classical_Wizar]

I tried to write everyday but seem to get off track, when I do write it could be around anything between a page and 10 pages. I'm happy with just a page each day but when I do write it's until the idea is gone sometimes it’s a chapter other times I might stop in mid sentence stop to think and then finish it. Wish I was writing everyday or at least a chapter a week, but if I’m not writing at least thinking of information and the next steps to take.
Finding information to create the background is a lot harder though and sometimes just get a headache and find myself looking for information maybe every other day if I am luck at least once a week if not. It's a changing moment names are added or deleted here and there, etc.

[GryffindorSeeker]

How much? As much as I can, but that's not much. I'm doing a lot of writing, but it's just FanFics... On a good day I get five pages done, but as it's Fan Fiction, it doesn't really count, it's just practice.

[Classical_Wizar]

it's Fan Fiction, it doesn't really count, it's just practice. I never thought it as just being practice; hum might have to rethink my opinions on fan fiction. I always thought the fun pratice part was submitting a story to a magazine and getting those rejection letters.

[Qeomash]

What kind of output do you guys normally have per day? On a good day, I'll manage three pages, which I think is fairly slow.

:wow: Three pages a day? That's pretty fast for me. I'm currently sitting on 50 pages, and I've been working on page 50 (it happens to be a conversation that I need to be exactly correct, or it won't work) for two days now. If I get to an easy part, I can probably do three pages a day. But, for me, when I actually get time I rarely do more than a page a day. I rewrite too much as I'm writing. :P


So, what's the most difficult thing you've written/are going to write?
I've got to do a rather complicated action sequence in the next chapter. So many bits of foreshadowing and setting up occurs at that pivotal moment. Actually, it's so pivotal it will span two chapters--the actual event and the aftermath. It's going to be fun, but extreemly difficult nonetheless.

[Tim the Wiz]

Usually I aim for about 2000 words a day. So thats around 10 - 14 pages.

So, what's the most difficult thing you've written/are going to write?

The war epic I've started. Its too complicated, to even explain why. :D

[CicadaInvasion]

Hi, I usually write poetry and short fiction/novellas, but I have these ideas for a novel, and I wanted to see if there would be any interest in the ideas. I have the whole plot of the first planned out and the first five chapters written.

Its about a girl, Saorsa Galahad. She grows up in a land that was invaded and conquered over a thousand years earlier. Her family is the leader of the rebel clans, who want to restore the people to power. She is called on by her countries patron goddess to drive out the invaders and free her people. She does try to do this, but she keeps running into all sorts of obstacles, which I can't reveal upon giving away the plot. Action, Adventure, Romance, Suspense - set in a medieval like era in another universe

Second novel,

The Civil War, a girl enters the Union army under her dead father's name because she had met a runaway slave who arrived at her house seeking shelter and was cut up and badly beat up. During her time in the army, she learns the meaning of friendship and loyalty, the horror of war, all the while having to keep her true identity a secret. Obviously this idea hasn't been taken as far as the other...it's actually based on a dream I had...

Just wanted to know would anyone be interested in reading books like these...or are they TOO unrealistic or cliche...Pray tell! :cool:

[ragga]

i kind of dont give my self targets each day as i know sometimes i haev to much stuff to do then anyway. So instead i soemtimes dedicate a few hours, sitting listening to some chill out music, with a few candels on and write.
I can normaly get about 5-7 pages wrote in one session. The piece im working on is currently 47 pages long, and i think ive been working on it for a couple of months now.

the hardest piece so far was i think writing some small romantic type sections, i find it quite awkward to be perfectly honest. Further in the book i think the most difficult pieces are going to be trying to explain about 3 different lives at one time really.

Its more of a fantasy type piece, i started to write before i found my own beliefs, its quite based on death, and reincarnation. There is a huge theme of fate and destiny, and im thinking once i have got this piece wrote, which i have an awful lot to doo n, then i will write a follow up.

my ideas have changed an awful lot since the start of this.

[loony4moony]

Usually I aim for about 2000 words a day. So thats around 10 - 14 pages.
Tim, I'm green with envy! That's a lot!

So, what's the most difficult thing you've written/are going to write?
I've got to do a rather complicated action sequence in the next chapter. So many bits of foreshadowing and setting up occurs at that pivotal moment. Actually, it's so pivotal it will span two chapters--the actual event and the aftermath. It's going to be fun, but extreemly difficult nonetheless.
Sounds like fun. :D I'm currently working up to the climax, which is proving far more difficult than I expected. The trouble isn't really the story itself, because I've got the ending planned out in a fair amount of detail- it's my motivation. For some reason, I can't work up the enthusiasm to just sit down and finish the darn thing, and instead I'm crawling along, a couple of pages at a time. Which is annoying, seeing as I've spent more than six months getting to this point.

I think in a way I'm reluctant to finish it. Probably because I have to kill two of my favourite characters...:scared:

[Qeomash]

I think in a way I'm reluctant to finish it. Probably because I have to kill two of my favourite characters...:scared:

That's exactly why it's going to be difficult for me, too. I've got to "kill" one character, though he really isn't dead and turns up in the last book, but I have to make it realistic so you THINK he's dead. And, I really have to kill the central character's mother. That gets the main character, Stephanie, to show exactly how a Fire Elemental can behave. And not to mention I've got to figure out how a magical sword fight between a Water Elemental and a Wind Elemental would actually look.

[Inkwolf]

Heh, I don't have to worry about killing anyone off. But I've finished setting up my story, and now I have to have several things happen...and I can't figure out what order to put them in so they make sense and build suspense suitably toward the climax.

[GryffindorSeeker]

I don't have to 'kill' anyone I like, which is a relief, but there's something wrong with the plot, and I haven't figured it out yet. :grumble:

Cicadalnvasion, they sound interesting! Good luck!

[loony4moony]

There's plenty wrong with the plot of mine at this stage, as well as a lot of inconsistencies with character motivation etc. I just want to get the whole story down, and then hopefully I'll be able to sort all this stuff out in the second draft.

[Mistress Lily]

I'm in the middle of writeing my story.It's really good so far.At least that's what my friends and family say. :D

[Wizard13]

I am. I am not far in the story, only 42 pages. I'm working for at least 300. The books a fictional story from the eyes of a squad of soldiers in World War 2.

[GryffindorSeeker]

There's plenty wrong with the plot of mine at this stage, as well as a lot of inconsistencies with character motivation etc. I just want to get the whole story down, and then hopefully I'll be able to sort all this stuff out in the second draft.
I'm hoping that will happen to mine... I hope! *crosses fingers* If it doesn't, I'll store it away for a year, then go back at it.

[loony4moony]

It's frustrating, actually, being at this stage. I'm not letting myself go back and read what I've done so far because I know it'll only depress me. I'm struggling to find the motivation to finish it as it is! if I remind myself how much nonsense the existing 315 pages is, it'll only make things worse.

I don't hate it, it's not entirely rubbish. It has its moments. But it also has its huge, gaping plot-holes, its cliches, its pointless scenes, and its character inconsistencies. :lol: Ah, the joys of the first draft.

[Qeomash]

All my characters are, hopefully pretty consistant. Stephanie: hot-headed brainy person. Daniel: clueless, speak-before-you-think. Isaac: leader, pessimist, wizard guy. Valtire: cold, cruel evil-doer lady who wants to rule the world. Yup, I think I'm on par with my character so far. My problem is the different facts...I think I've given Daniel two eye colors in the book so far. And a dream that Stephanie keeps having, I think I've done parts of it twice. Ah well, I also am waiting for the second (and third :p) drafts before I call it finished.

[Inkwolf]

I like my characters...my book switches POV frequently, though, and I worry about repeating too much information as I go through each person's reaction. I also worry that my vocabulary might be too complicated for the age group my book will probably get aimed at, if it's published.

[Padfoots_Realm]

I'm jealous. All of ur stories sound so satisfying. My kind of story to read!! If you get published, send me an owl. :rolleyes:

[Inkwolf]

If I get published, I will be spamming y'all with an advert in my signature! :p

[T_Z]

I've been writing during the latest months. I had an history on the writing, and when it turned 93 pages (Book fomat) I realised it wouldn't work: Too potterish, but I still keep it bcos I'll fix it up someday. Since then, I've been writing another story, wich I wanna finish during tha nexts few months. I've written 64 pasges during the last ten days, and I have the whole plot in my mind. I hope I'll get published, since I think it is quite original and different from anything else.

[loony4moony]

I've written 64 pasges during the last ten days,
64 pages in ten days? Not fair! :grumble: Wish I could write that fast.

If I get published, I will be spamming y'all with an advert in my signature!
If I get published, you will all be able hear delighted and disbelieving screams emanating from Great Britain, whether you're in America, Antarctica or darkest Peru...

[dink]

When ( :p ) I get published, you'll all find out when the international media goes crazy for my amazing writing style and incredibly original book.

:D

[Qeomash]

:lol: If I get published, which probably won't be for about ten years (I'm going to finish all 4 books before I get one published), I will certaintly be advertising it here on CoS!

[T_Z]

:lol: If I get published, which probably won't be for about ten years (I'm going to finish all 4 books before I get one published), I will certaintly be advertising it here on CoS!

Can I give you some advice? Not many people will be willing to publish the 4 books t once, since those guys are pretty untrusting. Even if you finished all 4 books before starting the edition, you'd STILL have to publish it by parts, not as separated as Harry Potter, but at least a book every 6 months or so.

[GryffindorSeeker]

When I get published, I'll be freaking out more than usual...

Mine switches POV. It's mostly one person, but I'm thinking about inserting some stuff with another person. I need the first POV to tell the majority of the story, and the other's to tell the rest of it, but I'm trying to keep their 'voices' so different that it's impossible to mix them up, not to mention, you'll be able to tell with the words. I hope. It probably won't work out! :lol:

[loony4moony]

Mine's all in 3rd person- part 1 follows one character exclusively. But then in part 2 all the characters get split up, and I'm having to use about 5 different POV's! It's kind of fun, actually.

I'm nearly at the climax now. To quote Lupin, "I'm getting there, I'm getting there!' :lol:

[Inkwolf]

I finished Chapter 8 this morning, and am pretty much at the turning point of the plot. :D

Mine's in 3rd person, too, but it still switches POV's. I mean, knowing what a character is thinking and feeling....that sort of thing.

[loony4moony]

Yeah, that's what I meant. Intimate 3rd, I think it's called.

[GryffindorSeeker]

That's what mine are in. I like writing this way, but I don't mind doing it in first person.

[Chloe]

Mine is written in third person through out the book, yet is elaborate on each character... Not just through the main characters point of view. My story is kind of like my life - well more like a very soap opera ish version of a teenagers life, it's called "Changing Faces..." I was working on a million stories- i can never finish them... but this one i think i am going to finish. I have been writing it for a little less than a year, and i am on chapter thirty two

[loony4moony]

I generally prefer 3rd- my style appears far more childish if I use 1st. I find 3rd less limiting.

I have been writing it for a little less than a year, and i am on chapter thirty two
32! Is it a long book, or are they short chapters?

[Qeomash]

Can I give you some advice? Not many people will be willing to publish the 4 books t once, since those guys are pretty untrusting. Even if you finished all 4 books before starting the edition, you'd STILL have to publish it by parts, not as separated as Harry Potter, but at least a book every 6 months or so.

That's exactly what I planned to do. Once a year, actually. I just didn't want my fans to have to wait four years in between books.


I mine is currently in third person, though it ocasionally switches to the bad gal's PoV. Though, unfortunatly, most of her plans are set forward already so I won't need to show her PoV untill Book 2, and in that it will be almost nonexistant. Each book switches to a different PoV, the first is Stephanie's, second (titled Water) is from Isaac's PoV with perhaps some Stephanie, third is from Daniel's (some of Stephanie & Isaac), and fourth is Lena (some of Isaac, Stephanie, Daniel.)

It's all in the same style of 3rd person as HP--info as one character sees it, but not "I went..."

[Loz]

You guys are depressing me greatly. Next year I'm going to start on my novel and all shall bow down before me. *cough*

I'm going to be writing in first person retrospect for my first novel. Then limited omniscient third person, alternating points of view for my second.

:whistle:

[Amadeus]

You guys are depressing me greatly. Next year I'm going to start on my novel and all shall bow down before me. *cough*

I'm going to be writing in first person retrospect for my first novel. Then limited omniscient third person, alternating points of view for my second.

:whistle:
Will you dedicate your novel to me? :D


As for writing.. I am no writer :p I get ideas but I could never bring myself to sit in front of the computer for hours and hours writing novel instead of going on CoS, etc. :p

[GryffindorSeeker]

As for writing.. I am no writer :p I get ideas but I could never bring myself to sit in front of the computer for hours and hours writing novel instead of going on CoS, etc. :p
:lol: That's usually why I sometimes do most of my writing why I'm waiting for a page to load up here! :rotfl:

They're depressing me too. :( I've made very little progress in the last couple of weeks, and I'm not even far enough to say anything. Not to mention, the next two weeks are too packed for possibly CoS, let alone writing!

[loony4moony]

They're depressing me too. I've made very little progress in the last couple of weeks, and I'm not even far enough to say anything. Not to mention, the next two weeks are too packed for possibly CoS, let alone writing!
I always go through stages where it feels like it's going well, and I get really confident- and then the next day it'll be going so badly it feels like swimming in mud. The worst is when I feel like the story doesn't interest me any more. And the trouble is, every time I feel like that I'm thinking 'Oh no, this is it, I'm never going to write again!'

So far, I've always been able to snap out of it. What depresses me is comparing my favourite books to what I'm writing- I always wonder how on earth I'm ever going to aspire to the standard of writers I admire.

[Qeomash]

Don't compaer yourself to your favorite authors. You will always feel that you aren't doing as well as they are, but I'm sure you really are. I thought I was absolutly horrible untill I let some of my friends read it, and they said it was wonderful. So, that's probably the whole reason I'm still writing on it.