GingerGunlock

We talked about it a little bit on this thread, but I wanted to ask again (after all, we get new members all the time!)

Does anybody else on DT write? Are you taking part in National Novel Writing Month? The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November.

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Meldrew79

I'm more of a reader then a writer, but everyone tells my DH that he should write a book. I'll have to let him know!

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Toby'shuman

I am an aspiring author, having penned 3 books so far. My first attempt I sent off to a publisher received a rebuttal and then years later saw it or so close a version as to be it as a movie. Of course thousands have probably said this before, but it is the truth and because of I am loathe to risk my books to theft again even though I now know more than I did then.

Unfortunately here in Europe the publishers now demand you have an agent submit your book to them, (not as it used to be, direct from author to publishing house). This means yet another slice of the pie is cut from the whole as well as makes it that much more difficult to get into publishing.

I admit I am no J. K. Rowling, my talent is perhaps a millionth of hers at best, but I just love to write. But who know's one day I may get lucky, but until then, I will keep on doing the lottery as back up.

lolonurse

Before you submit a book anywhere, make a copy of it and mail it to yourself, certified. Or save it, with date/time stamp from your computer, on a memory stick or CD/DVD. Do NOT open it when you get it - just set it aside, so that if you ever see anything so close, you can present yours, unopened and with a witness (or send a second one to your lawyer for safekeeping). Unfortunately, ideas are easy to steal, or modify just enough that unless you have lots of money and some fame, you won't win a suit.

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GingerGunlock

The notion of having your work stolen is a horrible one

I've thought about doing Amazon/Kindle publishing with some stuff, but haven't gotten there yet.

My NaNo novel is a sequel to one that I finished last month. I haven't really done that yet (this might end up being a trilogy), so even though I've done the event before, there's still a newness.

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Darkevs

i have thought about writing a book for years.

even though english was my least favorite subject of all, i cannot spell, what the he!! is the right punctuation to use and when. Do not get me started on where, were, their, there, i before e, except...................... !!!!

maybe a short story................The View from the Outhouse by DLS

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

Zeblar

I have thought about writing for a while. This is just what I need to get me started so I have just signed up, I may be a day late but never mind lol I shall see where I end up!

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GingerGunlock

Woo, awesome!

Even if you don't "win", you still get some writing done!

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Zeblar

To be honest I don't think I would ever win! I don't even know where to start. I just took Odin out to see if I could gain any inspiration and I may have found an opening line. I read a lot, and I mean a lot, so hopefully it may stand me in good stead for getting going! Maybe I should open my own book store in stead of writing!

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Toby'shuman

Heck, some of the best writers in the world are practically illiterate when it comes to grammer, spelling and punctuation. Every publishing house before it sends a manuscript off to the printing presses have their proof readers go over it in order to find any mispelt words, any slips in grammer, etc, etc.

Darkevs, get writing, I bet you have many a story or three about Magic and Pearl you cpuld write and now there is Chuck, not to mention your life in your corner of the world.

Darkevs

Zeblar..............I too have no idea how to get started.

I need a 'plan'.

is there some 'guide' to how to start a story.......how to end a story............etc. ?

and then..what to write about................

I have so many different interests.

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

Zeblar

It says on the website that you don't really need to have a plan. I think a plan of action would certainly help but I am going with the "winging it" option they mention

The what to write about depends on what type of novel you wish to write. Pick a genre and see if you can come up with any ideas from there? I seem to have an over active imagination up until it comes to the point I try and transfer it to paper! Gah

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Darkevs

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............... step one.........pick a genre......

thank you Zeblar.

sounds simple.........................

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

Zeblar

Oh I wish it was lol I have been sat here for over an hour now and I have 66 words! Currently looking at a map to try and find a town to home my character in!

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Toby'shuman

My English teacher told me once that the best book to write is one based on something you really know about. About events you know about.

Say for instance, there was a flood in your town, you can base the story around this event. You can create characters either out of your head or based upon real people, but for heavens sake make them different to the real people in enough areas so you can say they are just imaginary. You set your story in a town not unlike your own etc, change the name, whilst using some of the landmarks like the bank stands next to the bakery etc.
Create one or two central characters who will appear thoughout the story and of course because you know the end of the real life drama you have a possible ending.

Leliel

Not I, but I did sign up for NaBloPoMo (what a horrible abbreviation, but I digress.)

A blog post a day for the entire month. So I'm resurrecting my LJ for the umpteenth time and we'll see how it goes!
Leliel's LiveJournal ~ Mimsy Like a Borogove

Any of the doggie bloggers on here participating? Elka? Niz? *looks hopeful*

Darkevs

Toby'shuman, that's the thing I do not have..................imagination.

so fiction novels are off my list......................

or maybe it is time to kick start that part of my brain that I rarely use.

going to have to think on that.

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

Toby'shuman

So write about something you do know about. Living of grid, (you can embellish or keep accurate) set your piece in the now, in the past. Create characters either from people you know or even your animals. Chuck could be the main hero, Pearl the heroine, you can make them into people or keep them as dogs. I can feel a story coming on right now as I type this. You would be surprised at what you will be able to do if you just let it come from the heart, not the head.
Don't overthink a story, if you do that, it will be a disaster.

I expect a mention in the foreward if you ever get published you know,

Zeblar

You know this writing thing would be a lot easier if my pesky Doberman would allow me sit in front on the computer to type! I have had to pull a armchair next to the computer so he can sit next to me and leave me alone!

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Darkevs

Toby'shuman, thanks, you have given me a lot to think about!

I do tend to overthink almost everything.

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

Zeblar

I feel like I have bitten off more then I can chew here peeps. 50k words is an awful lot...

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Toby'shuman

Stop thinking of the number, if you concentrate on the story they will soon be eaten up. You may find yourself having then to cut bits out to fit.

Darkevs

Zeblar...............

Keep calm and carry on.

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

RedFawnRising

I do not know how it works in other countries, but this is so absolutely not true, in the US, at least not anymore, and not for a long time.

Gone are the typewriters and the editors visiting Hemingway and smoking with him and coaching him and hashing out pages and chapters.

I also disagree that "some of the best writers in the world are practically illiterate."

That's just not true. I participate regularly in workshops--and those who do not know their tools, or are not able to effectively and accurately use those tools--really are starting out in a huge hole. This is a very competitive field.

Nope, anymore you have to sort of build your own body of work, and it MUST be as near-to-perfect as possible when you submit, for you to have ANY chance of an unsolicited piece being accepted.

In fact, you really need to be published and somewhat successful anymore to even attract an agent--and most publishing houses will NOT accept un-agented pieces.

Of course there is vanity publishing, which is DIY and PIY, and some writers even make a success of that, but...not really my cup of tea.

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Rosemary

Don't worry about the total number. One of the writers I like to read frequently sets her goals as simple as "write the next scene in the story before lunch".

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