Writing a book

[broganreynik]

I'm not sure how many people frequent this area of the forum, but I thought it'd be interesting to talk about the process of writing, whether it be short stories, poetry or novels. Granted, that'll be a pretty small group. At any rate, I'm in the process of writing a book with my brother. Writing with a partner has benefits, but there's also some struggles.

I've noticed my brother writes a lot better dialogue, and I write more descriptive, so putting that together, to me, seems like it should make for a pretty good read. We're close to finishing it up, and will then go forward with having friends and/or family read and proof reading and all that jazz.

I'm nervous about the self publishing aspect though. My aunt has self-published two books and it seems like those publishers really give her the run around, but then again she's pretty gullible. I work with some people that have written books and screenplays that are getting a lot better feedback than my aunt's books, so I'll look into how they went about it. Since I work at a tv station, and our morning talk show is always looking to fill guests, I feel like I have a bit of an advantage as far as marketing goes.

So go ahead, share what you want about your experiences in writing and self-publishing, etc.

[Secretagentnumber6]

Self Publishing can be a racket. I would be very careful about that. Not speaking from experience just from different stories I have seen or read.

I have written a couple of film scripts (one short, one feature length) but just for fun, nothing i have tried to market really.

If you could, send out copies of your book to publishing companies or perhaps a literary agent, but I would recommend Queries first to see if any companies are looking for books of the kind you are writing otherwise you are probably wasting time. It is a very tough process, otherwise we would all be published.

[OrlandoEastwood]

I write screenplays. I have six full 100 page screenplays laying around hoping to be filmed here in the next few months to years.

[Secretagentnumber6]

Originally Posted by OrlandoEastwood

I write screenplays. I have six full 100 page screenplays laying around hoping to be filmed here in the next few months to years.

Eastwood if you need another script I can send you mine. It is not polished but I like it. Others that have read have enjoyed it. I by no means am pro though.

[Moleman1138]

I've been working on the same book off and on for about 12 years now. But the whole thing is finding time to write with a job, social life, going to the movies and doing reviews.

[Al_The_Strange]

I've been writing since I was 15 or so, but I never had anything "good" to write until I was 18. I'm 28 now and have several novels finished, but only one is published (and it kinda stinks, since it was print-on-demand, no editing done, immature writing style... ). I've made some submissions for commercial publishing, but no success so far. I have half a mind to return to self-publishing and/or POD, but it truly is a racket at times.

At any rate, it's National Novel Writing Month, so I've started yet another story, and I hope to finish it by the end of the month.

Got some short stories of varying quality, but never got them published either.

One of these days, I gotta get around to proofreading the whole lot of them and getting them released somehow. As Moleman12 said, it's hard finding the time between working and doing other stuff.

I got a couple of short stories posted on my blog below if anybody wants to check them out (links on the left-hand side).

[Spikes-of-Fury]

I've been trying to write novels since I was a kid. Have never finished one, and all of them were bad, but I get a little better every time. It's all part of the learning process. Lately, I've also been trying to learn and study more in order to improve my writing. If anyone thinks they might need help, I can recommend a couple of extremely useful books on writing:

Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon - This book dives thoroughly into every single aspect of writing a novel: plot, character, dialogue, theme, style, imagery, viewpoint, conflict, pacing, editing/revision, language, sentence structure, grammatical rules, everything! It's so well-rounded that it should probably be mandatory reading for anyone who wants to write.

Getting into Character by Brandilyn Collins - This one is focused on character, of course, but it takes the approach of using a method actor's techniques and applying them to writing characters so that you can get a better handle on how their core values and motivations affect their behavior.

I don't mean for this to be a spam post, but maybe those books will help someone. I see this thread hasn't been updated in months - hope everyone is making progress!

[Abby is Q]

I've never had issues writing at length, and I think I do well with character and plot. My biggest issues with writing have always been language, as I'll go on marathons of writing and then go back and read what I wrote and it comes across so dry and mechanical.

I'm currently working on another novel. I pretty much have quit trying to sell the last one I wrote since I found a job I currently love. I'm actually hoping to move up the corporate ladder and write for pleasure. After I finish this current manuscript, I may go back and work on my previous title and just start putting stuff up online just for fun. I enjoy writing and just want readers. At this point, making money isn't something I feel I need to do and I've found a good balance between work, writing, reading, and movies.

Anyway, I wish this thread was more active. It's nice talking to others who write.

[Al_The_Strange]

Hope everybody's projects go well. Thanks for the book recommendations, I might see if one of our libraries have 'em.

After some feedback and reflection (which equates to a vicious cycle of self-loathing, rejection, then acceptance and newfound resolve), it seems to me that my problem stems from a mix of POV and voice issues. I've also been thinking and focusing more on hooks (especially character hooks, finding likable traits and making them apparent earlier in stories). Trying to nail down the whole "show don't tell" rule. I think I do have plenty of good story ideas, I just need to edit like hell and put more consideration into capturing and maintaining readers' attention (which, as I keep hearing, lies more in developing characters to relate to rather than action or plot, which I've probably overdone to the point of making things too cold and mechanical).

I still have book-writing in mind all the time and will try out drafting a new novel next month for Camp NaNoWriMo. But to help flesh out and toy around with craft, I might be focusing on more short stories for a while.

Looking back on life and learning curves, I think I spent too much time in my early years writing without learning. Now I feel like I'm learning without writing.

Originally Posted by Abby is Q

I pretty much have quit trying to sell the last one I wrote since I found a job I currently love.

Have you had many rejections up to this point? I know the querying process takes a long time to accomplish, finding the right agent/editor/publisher could take dozens or hundreds of submissions.

[Abby is Q]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Have you had many rejections up to this point? I know the querying process takes a long time to accomplish, finding the right agent/editor/publisher could take dozens or hundreds of submissions.

I had (I believe) four rejection emails, and another four never got back to me. I didn't really "give up," but after a brief stay in the hospital and then having to find more financially supportive work, querying took to the back burner. I know it takes many tries, but I also think the book may need more work anyway. So I'm hoping to work on this next piece, go back with fresh eyes, and then reevaluate everything.

I'm confident my stuff it publishable (I've read stuff that should have never made a printed page, but there it was), but I'm unsure if I care to have anything printed on paper at this point. I just want people to read what I have to write, and if I can potentially reach thousands of readers through online sites, why not give that a go? Though if I do choose to go that route, I may refrain for putting out some work in the case that I could one day get published. But like I said, I have a job that I love, so this is all for fun and not quite as stressful as before.

[Spikes-of-Fury]

Originally Posted by Abby is Q

I'm currently working on another novel. I pretty much have quit trying to sell the last one I wrote since I found a job I currently love. I'm actually hoping to move up the corporate ladder and write for pleasure. After I finish this current manuscript, I may go back and work on my previous title and just start putting stuff up online just for fun. I enjoy writing and just want readers. At this point, making money isn't something I feel I need to do and I've found a good balance between work, writing, reading, and movies.

Anyway, I wish this thread was more active. It's nice talking to others who write.

It's never a bad thing to have a finished manuscript lying around! If you happen to get something else published, it could make it easier to submit that first one. It sounds like you are currently having a nice peaceful life, though, so good for you!

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Looking back on life and learning curves, I think I spent too much time in my early years writing without learning. Now I feel like I'm learning without writing.

That sounds like my experience as well... Writing in itself is a way to learn about writing, but the other half is learning from others, which I only started doing somewhat recently. It tends to have a crippling effect when you see how much you've been doing wrong, so my writing has slowed until I can figure out how to fix it. One of my biggest problems is trying to find as much conflict as possible in scenes where there isn't any. My main conflict in the story I'm working on probably happens too late, but I see no way to move it up or insert smaller conflicts beforehand... I'll try and figure something out.

P.S. There are likeable characters and there are characters who sometimes do likeable things. Both can work, as long as they're interesting!

[HallMark]

I think it's quite common for first books to not be published until after another one has been. (If that makes sense...)
I finished my first book last year and was lucky enough to get an agent, but then it wasn't picked up by any of the publishers it was submitted to, not for any firm reason, as in they all gave different reasons, but I've since looked into it more and this happens to a lot of writers, they publish something else and then go back to that first book. It's all experience I suppose and you just have to keep going.

As for having a book that's too long, I wouldn't worry too much about making it shorter before submitting it as once you get signed the agent will work with you and there will be a lot more edits anyway. However 'ready' you think your book it's incredibly valuable having someone look at it objectively. When I first saw my list of edits I bristled slightly, and automatically disagreed with them, but then realized that actually these people do know what they're talking about and I needed to stop being so precious. That's not to say you have to agree with everything suggested change but give it a go.

The hardest thing i find at the moment is feeling motivated to write, I have a job and kids and responsibilities, but I've also realized that I need to stop waiting until I feel inspired, and just write, whether I feel like it or not. It's kind of like a musical instrument and you have to practice every day so at the minute I'm making myself write during my lunch hour. I'm really wanting to get the first draft of my second novel done by Christmas. Of course, I could be writing now instead of being on a forum...

Good luck everyone!

[Gamma_Winstead]

Going to be getting in some serious writing time over the next few months, and I can't wait!

[Moviefan2k4]

I've tried writing a book about my life so far, but it keeps getting stalled...mainly because I don't remember a lot of my childhood, or teenage years for that matter. I think its fairly accurate, that about 75% of my memories before the age of 20 are gone. I can recall pieces when I focus, but its still tough to assemble. I really need to interview some family members with a voice recorder, so I can make notes and get the history right.

[misthalu]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I've tried writing a book about my life so far, but it keeps getting stalled...mainly because I don't remember a lot of my childhood, or teenage years for that matter. I think its fairly accurate, that about 75% of my memories before the age of 20 are gone. I can recall pieces when I focus, but its still tough to assemble. I really need to interview some family members with a voice recorder, so I can make notes and get the history right.

I'm in a similar situation.
Have been writing on a semi biography for the past 5 years. When I got started I thought it would take about 2 years, but: First of all it ended up being a much bigger project than I thought it would be. As the project progressed I found myself remembering more and more, so it looks like it'll be about 3 times bigger than I initially thought.
Secondly, it also getting stalled by many different things. It's not easy to find the time when you also got a job and family to spend your time on.

This book isn't your traditional book in any way, because it will be release as a Blu-ray Disc your can buy (cheap), and at the same time as an ISO file you can download for free. You can call it a Blu-ray eBook I guess, and you'll be reading it on your TV using your remote control - or on your PC using a software media player that can play a Blu-ray ISO file.
I'm trying to re-create the cozy atmosphere there used to be in old diskmags.

The title of my project is "8-bit Memoirs", and it'll contain about 60 stories (equivalent of about 250 pages) from my childhood about how I experienced the 8-bit computers and gaming-consoles of the 80s. It'll have supplemental illustrations, screenshots and videos, along with background music when reading. I don't think anyone has made anything like this before on a Blu-ray Disc.

It's the first time I'm doing a project like this; writing. The process has been like this:
- Write the stories - then wait a couple of weeks.
- Read the stories, make corrections and edits - then wait a couple of weeks.
- Repeat previous step 50 times...

I'm hoping to be able to complete this project for Christmas this year.

Short info page at 8bitmemoirs com for anyone curious.

[ChainsawJedi]

It was always my ambition to be a writer but the art teacher at secondary school told me I'd starve if I picked that as a profession. Still, I've kept it up as a hobby and I've managed to get a few short stories written and published online.

I enjoy the art of writing but it's such a solitary occupation I could never do it full-time. It also requires more discipline than I possess. Consequently, I only write when I feel I have something to write about, which is hardly the basis for being a professional writer.

Anyone interested in writing should definitely get a copy of Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White (he's the fella who wrote Charlotte's Web). In my experience, it's absolutely essential and will cost you a lot less (in both money and personal pride) than those creative writing courses.

[KGHIma]

Funny I came across this thread. My other writer friend kept on encouraging me to start writing a book because I told her that I've been plagued with these stories that I just can't get out of my head.

Finally, after a few months of procrastinating, I finally decided to give it a shot. I wrote the first chapter in about three hours the other night. And now the plot keeps bombarding me day and night. I love it.

But it can also be very overwhelming. Good thing I have her. She's been writing for about a decade so she has way more experience than me. She never tried to make a living out of her novels though. She always puts them up on free reading sites (i.e. Wattpad).

I don't know if I want to publish my book. Okay, that's a lie. I DO want to publish it. But I don't even know how to go about doing it. I personally know a few bestselling authors, and I could probably ask for their help. But I feel like that's already the middle part of the process.

I guess for now, all I can do is write, write, write, and in a few months, I can start worrying about taking it to the next level.

[ChainsawJedi]

Originally Posted by KGHIma

Funny I came across this thread. My other writer friend kept on encouraging me to start writing a book because I told her that I've been plagued with these stories that I just can't get out of my head.

Finally, after a few months of procrastinating, I finally decided to give it a shot. I wrote the first chapter in about three hours the other night. And now the plot keeps bombarding me day and night. I love it.

But it can also be very overwhelming. Good thing I have her. She's been writing for about a decade so she has way more experience than me. She never tried to make a living out of her novels though. She always puts them up on free reading sites (i.e. Wattpad).

I don't know if I want to publish my book. Okay, that's a lie. I DO want to publish it. But I don't even know how to go about doing it. I personally know a few bestselling authors, and I could probably ask for their help. But I feel like that's already the middle part of the process.

I guess for now, all I can do is write, write, write, and in a few months, I can start worrying about taking it to the next level.

Get hold of the writers' yearbook. You'll find the appropriate publishers for the stuff you're writing. Then, when you're ready, send it off to them.

I can definitely recommend the Stephen King approach of having some trusted friends read your work to give you some critical insight before sending it to a publisher.

Best of luck to you

[jackmlt]

Originally Posted by KGHIma

Funny I came across this thread. My other writer friend kept on encouraging me to start writing a book because I told her that I've been plagued with these stories that I just can't get out of my head.

Finally, after a few months of procrastinating, I finally decided to give it a shot. I wrote the first chapter in about three hours the other night. And now the plot keeps bombarding me day and night. I love it.

But it can also be very overwhelming. Good thing I have her. She's been writing for about a decade so she has way more experience than me. She never tried to make a living out of her novels though. She always puts them up on free reading sites (i.e. Wattpad).

I don't know if I want to publish my book. I'd better keep providing essay writing help at https://www.wiseessays.com/essay-writing-help. Okay, that's a lie. I DO want to publish it. But I don't even know how to go about doing it. I personally know a few bestselling authors, and I could probably ask for their help. But I feel like that's already the middle part of the process.

I guess for now, all I can do is write, write, write, and in a few months, I can start worrying about taking it to the next level.

This is when people become professional. I didn't feel anything like this for years and I miss it when you are almost obsessed with what you are doing.

[Falaskan]

Last time I talked about a book I wrote, someone (almost certainly from here) trolled it on amazon. Be careful.