arrfep
Platinum Member
- Sep 7, 2006
- 2,314
- 16
- 81
I know these are old quotes, but they echo a thought I had recently.
I was in Powell's Books in Portland (if you haven't been there, GO!), just wandering around for hours. In the last few years, since getting my degree, I've told myself that "one day I'll write a novel" should happen sooner than later. I've bought some novel-writing books, tried NaNoWriMo a couple times, etc. I consider myself to be an above-average storyteller with a vivid enough imagination to produce a readable genre novel. But Still looking for that "inspiration," or whatever.
Anyway, walking through Powell's, it hit me: "Look how many books are published every year! I could totally get a book published."
Seconds later: "Uh, look how many books get published every year. I'll never get a book published."
Just wondering (sorry if this was mentioned) what your lead-up to publishing was. Straight to self-publishing, or did you try traditional methods first? And in terms of the actual craft, do you ascribe to the "just get thoughts out and put words down and your story will write itself" school of thought, or do you favor a more structured approach, with an outline and key events you know will occur ahead of time.
And congrats. When I get one of those e-reader thingies I'll be sure to buy a d/l of your books.
Thanks for the support everyone!
Arrfep -- There are thousands of books published every year, and it can be very, very difficult to sell a manuscript to a publisher. It's virtually impossible to sell one to one of the big six houses (Penguin, etc.) without an agent.
With the first novel, I attempted to find an agent, and received some great feedback regarding the manuscript. Essentially, it was not ready for publication. After more rejections than I care to mention here, I rewrote it again, and hired a professional editor. That process took nearly a year. When I was finished, the last thing I wanted to do was go through the query process again to find an agent. With today's technology, especially ebooks, it's extremely easy to bring a book to market. I actually think this is a detriment, to some extent, but that's a discussion for a different thread.
The first novel took me over 4 years to bring to market. The sequel, though, took a little over a year.
As for style -- with the first novel, I highly recommend the 'just get something on paper' method. There are a lot of aspiring authors who never progress past the 'I want to write a novel' stage because they simply don't follow through, sit down, and put pen to paper. That's how I got started. I sat down and started -- no outline, no plot, just an idea for a character.
The second novel was a completely different story. I knew what I wanted to do, I had an outline, and the entire process was much more structured.
Arrfep -- There are thousands of books published every year, and it can be very, very difficult to sell a manuscript to a publisher. It's virtually impossible to sell one to one of the big six houses (Penguin, etc.) without an agent.
With the first novel, I attempted to find an agent, and received some great feedback regarding the manuscript. Essentially, it was not ready for publication. After more rejections than I care to mention here, I rewrote it again, and hired a professional editor. That process took nearly a year. When I was finished, the last thing I wanted to do was go through the query process again to find an agent. With today's technology, especially ebooks, it's extremely easy to bring a book to market. I actually think this is a detriment, to some extent, but that's a discussion for a different thread.
The first novel took me over 4 years to bring to market. The sequel, though, took a little over a year.
As for style -- with the first novel, I highly recommend the 'just get something on paper' method. There are a lot of aspiring authors who never progress past the 'I want to write a novel' stage because they simply don't follow through, sit down, and put pen to paper. That's how I got started. I sat down and started -- no outline, no plot, just an idea for a character.
The second novel was a completely different story. I knew what I wanted to do, I had an outline, and the entire process was much more structured.
rockyct
Diamond Member
- Jun 23, 2001
- 6,656
- 32
- 91
I finally got around to reading the new book and it's as good as the first. Although, I am a bit disappointed in the lack of elbow descriptions of the characters. I don't feel as though I have a complete image of the character until I know the angle of their elbows.
and damn you for that scene description as Morelli closed the door to the apartment 
It would be more riveting if Evelyn was interested in taking it up the butt, but inhibited by her modest mid-west upbringing that indoctrinated her with the stigma that anal was 'unnatural' and 'dirty' and 'sinful'. The tension and conflict between wanting it in the butt and the feelings of disgust would make for a sphincter-gripping read. Maybe you could work that into installment #2? Just a suggestion, take it or leave it.
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I finally got around to reading the new book and it's as good as the first. Although, I am a bit disappointed in the lack of elbow descriptions of the characters. I don't feel as though I have a complete image of the character until I know the angle of their elbows.
and damn you for that scene description as Morelli closed the door to the apartment
Glad you enjoyed the descriptions of pointy elbows, Rocky -- especially after the doors were closed.
Sorry, Tcs -- I don't write erotica.
Have you read the Fifty Shades series? I hear they're good....
I hadn't fired up my Kindle app in quite some time. After purchasing another book, I opened up my Kindle app (which hadn't been used in quite some time) and saw Keyser Run. Then I checked and saw book #2 was released and bought it.
Will be reading it later this week, looking forward to it. :thumbsup:
Will be reading it later this week, looking forward to it. :thumbsup:
Finally had time to finish the new book, will be waiting for the next installment.
Two things:
Two things:
1. While a fitting end considering how he betrayed Khalid, it still sucked to see Ben Iblis meet his end like that. Sheeeeeit, that bitch needs to go.
2. I hope the situation with Dean is expanded upon in the next book. After all the buildup, the reveal was underwhelming. It seemed he would be the most likely suspect given the few number of major characters in the story. Of course, since it was never explicitly mentioned who was behind it prior to the last Wogan meeting, Morgan could have been lying also.
2. I hope the situation with Dean is expanded upon in the next book. After all the buildup, the reveal was underwhelming. It seemed he would be the most likely suspect given the few number of major characters in the story. Of course, since it was never explicitly mentioned who was behind it prior to the last Wogan meeting, Morgan could have been lying also.
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Finally had time to finish the new book, will be waiting for the next installment.
Two things:
1. While a fitting end considering how he betrayed Khalid, it still sucked to see Ben Iblis meet his end like that. Sheeeeeit, that bitch needs to go.
2. I hope the situation with Dean is expanded upon in the next book. After all the buildup, the reveal was underwhelming. It seemed he would be the most likely suspect given the few number of major characters in the story. Of course, since it was never explicitly mentioned who was behind it prior to the last Wogan meeting, Morgan could have been lying also.
Both are being addressed.
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