jvj

What can I say? It breaks my heart to see an empty forum. There's certainly no shortage of would-be writers out there.

Anyway, I just thought I'd point-out that whenever JV touches on writing matters in her journal, those entries are also posted to the new On Writing page. Hopefully, as time goes by, this will grow to be a useful resource.

-Paul

I would bet that anyone who really enjoys reading aspires to become a writer. I know I always wanted to write Science Fiction or Epic Fantasy but that has not happened so far. I have managed to write one book on finance that is waiting for me to put the final touches on.

Who would have thought from one end of the spectrum to the other!

One of the biggest problems I keep facing is that my mind is running faster then I can write and I end up loosing thoughts. Believe it or not I did find that actually writing rather then using the computer helped me stay more on track.

The loss of thought/focus is probably why I end up writing short stories, or multiple chapters at different times and I have a nasty habit of rereading, editing, adding or rewriting entire passages way too many times. Usually well after I should be sleeping
I do feel I write better when overtired, it puts my mind in creative moods. Of course that backfires many times when I actually do go for sleep and get this "great idea".. and roll outta bed again to write or at least take notes!

While at times I just "sit and go", I attempt to draw an outline for the story inside my head before doing anything. At other times I think about what I want longer than I actually write it out, but something I find true for myself: Inspiration comes while writing. Sit down, write..even if its crap, it might give you a better idea! Sometimes a story just takes on a life of its own, discards your original plan but comes out much much better.

I often stop and reread my writing, trying to look at it from a reader perspective, not a writers. I try to find a balance of being descriptive and leaving enough to the imagination. I like when things are descriptive, but there is the risk of "too much". As a writer, I want to entertain and stir the mind..not hold hands. If you spend two pages on describing the color of the sky, then I think you have problems

What I find helpful is that the characters I typically write about, I'm very familiar with, they have had plenty of time to grow and develop some kind of "life", usually have a background attached to them. Basically I like my characters to be more than a random thought, or a few sheets of paper. Think 'em up, let 'em boil a bit, write and see where they end up at! Just add some dimension to them, it makes writing their tale down easier. To me, anyway.

I think its important to keep a good ending in mind. I've read too many really great stories with just..a lame brief ending that left me thinking "uhh..what?" rather than "wow..that was good". I admit its a problem that plagues me from time to time. Mostly when I run out of steam, so to speak..it does annoy me.

OK so speak of steam..I run low, but at least its not an empty forum anymore!

I am a writer. I started about three years ago, and so far have about ten short stories and a novella-sized piece. I try and write at least three days a week or so. I will most definitely use this resource, especially if JV is giving some hard-earned advice, as I think she is one of the most original voices in modern F/SF today. Reminds me of a cross between Clive Barker and G.R.R Martin, but also totally unique. I have been a fan since early '97 or so and will remain one for as long as I am able to read. Any other writers here?

I write all the time. I have been working on my own 5-part saga for many of the years of my fairly short life (I am only 23, won't even be 24 until March). Each book in this series takes place in the important part of an age in the world in which the story is set. There are some "eternal" characters that arc through the story to tie it together, and it is set around the theme of prophecies and those who would see them fulfilled/thwarted. Each book also has a collection of short stories to familiarize myself with writing for each character.

I would love nothing more than to one day have even just one of the short stories published. Awhile back, though, somewhere between getting involved in tech support (and later further into the computer field) and getting involved with my band I gave up. I don't know anything about getting published, where to go, who to speak to, etc. etc. etc. Call me lazy, but it just seems like something I know too little about to put the effort into getting published.

I am also in a band, and we are still a new band, so there is a lot of work to be done still. I write as well, and have a family, and work 40 hours per week, so it leaves little time for anything else. Don't give it up though, for you might do something with it a few years down the road. That is my hope, too. Good luck to all us aspiring writers.

aaron wrote:I am also in a band, and we are still a new band, so there is a lot of work to be done still.

I'm looking at that avatar and I'm thinking you guys don't play much country and western!

-Paul

Drew wrote:Each book also has a collection of short stories to familiarize myself with writing for each character.

That strikes me as a good idea. I think a brief biography of each character prior to their involvement in the story would be helpful to both writer and reader (if included in the book itself).

-Paul

I would also like to add my voice to this growing band fledgling wordsmiths and phrasewrestlers.

I had an idea for an epic fantasy concept some years ago but I never carried it further than mulling on the basic premise of the story. Writing, to me, is all-consuming passion and I would describe myself as a mercurial writer, forever running hot or cold.

A few weeks ago I began writing what was supposed to be a stand-alone short story that would tie in to the main arc of the storyline. It has since developed into the prologue which I intend to attach directly to the story.

At this time I am also conducting some unstructured research into various subjects and themes, constructing an appropriately dimensioned map and building charachter-files whilst battling with a flurry of story-notes made on various papers.

I hope this will be a valuable forum for interaction with other people who aspire to bind words and phrases into fantastical writing.

I was cruising through the rest of this site today and found a snippet where JV said..Write every day, even if you don't feel like it. Do it anyway!
It reminded me of a dedication in a book I've read years ago. Unfortunately I don't recall the author or title anymore but in essense.. the guy had to go and get aid money from the state just to survive and he was saying he told the person he is a writer, to which she responded "good, writing is work, you just haven't found employment yet".

He dedicated his first book to that person, which is a cool touch.. but the point is.. Writing is fun, but writing IS hard work (good example? Dealing with writers block and an impending deadline haha). While I'm sure the author enjoys their craft, and the best job in the world is one you love, it can't be done halfhearted if they want to have success.

That is my opinion anyway..and mind you, I'm not a published author or anything like that I write shorter multi chapter stories for fun, for friends and to improve my skill. The idea of writing a monster of a book like JV does..is very scary hehe, its a different beast.
I'd have plenty material but I fear I would lose focus. Anyway..getting myself off track here so I stop!

With the "write every day", JV is definitely right.

In my days as a writer, I used to churn about 30 - 40 pages a day, if everything went alright and I've been in a good mood. In not so good days, I managed approx 10 pages and called it a day.

I have to add: Keep the writing straight and up to usual language. I for one used to write an a kind of obsolete Style with long sentences I considered cool - well, for my capability of stringing together thoughts, they were, but others found that rather hard and tiring to read.

So, conclusion: Keep your sentences straight, light and without complex grammar structures people don't want to be confronted with.

I've als found out, that having a rough narrative of where one want's to go with the story helps enormously to steer the writing in spite of all the whims of the characters.

Well ... isn't it like that in the realm of Operating Systems Development too? *wink* The same creative power just directed towards something completely different.

@souldrinker: Oh ... but it is feasible. I've done the thing, Paolini has done -- I've started writing a monster of a book with 14 1/2. But I lacked the support of the parents that helped Christopher Paolini to lift off . And I know very well how it is to say goodbye to such a vast world of its own after having spent quite a set of years in it.

distantvoices wrote:I've als found out, that having a rough narrative of where one want's to go with the story helps enormously to steer the writing in spite of all the whims of the characters.

Well ... isn't it like that in the realm of Operating Systems Development too? *wink* The same creative power just directed towards something completely different.

Yeah, I can see numerous parallels. Submenus = subplots. Too many and your user is lost, your reader confused.

Let's just hope this doesn't lead to a whole new thread on writing metaphors.

-Paul

I write all the time aswell. Infact the rest of life - i.e. work for uni and general day stuff get in the damn way haha. Though I can't complain - it's not like I'm doing a course like Economics or Medicine - yikes! I do film making which is pretty cool - at times.

I've been trying to finish the first book of a trilogy for some time now - I started when I was 16 and have had to squeeze it in between GCSEs, A-levels and now uni ^^ And I fell seriously ill last summer which put me behind a year, darn, but I truly feel like my writing is actually really good now - I am so happy the way its developing and shfiting but then I had to go back to the beginning of the manuscript and change it accordingly.

I also write short stories, poetry and scripts. Writing is the first natural thing for me - that's why I want that to be my main core thing, not necessariyll film, which rocks too, but is soooo much work! (as is writing as well but you get what i mean right?)

Drew:

I

don't know anything about getting published, where to go, who to speak to, etc. etc. etc

for short stories, the easiest two places are Ralan (www.ralan.com) or Duotrope. (www.duotrope.com)

some people prefer one, some the other. Both update often, and include regular listings of all the top markets for short fiction in Fantasy, SF and horror. I like Duotrope because it has a refined search engine that allows you to set criteria you're looking for (semi-pro markets only, themed, etc), and it also has an inbuilt tracker system that counts the days your subs are out and lets you know when it's been too long and time to query.

For short fiction, all you need is an internet and email. Most mags take email subs, and only some like Realms of Fantasy still insist on snail mail.
And you don't need to know anyone. Write the story and send it. Prepare for rejection, that's quite needed and part of the game but that's it. That's all you need.
There are also a legion of writers on livejournal, browse and you can learn a hell of a lot from them.

Novels are a little trickier, but there are many agents who blog. Some of the most highly rated, that a quick Google search should turn up instantly, and these ones often blog and are very informative about what to do and what they're looking for:

Nathan Bransford; Kristen Nelson; Rachel Vater; Jennifer Jackson; Jennifer Lyons; Jonathan Lyons.

The only editors I know of who blog are Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden, who work for TOR Books and they blog at Making Light.

Keep reading the agents blogs and they'll tell you everything you need to know about how to submit, how to write the query letter, etc.

JV has some links on her website to publishers, but I don't know how up to date they are.

and then there's Publisher's Marketplace, at www.publishersmarketplace.com
where you can do searches for agents or publishers.

Golden rule for novels - never pay an editor to read your work, the money is supposed to flow to the writer.

Yeh another great resource just to understand where to go and what publishing involves etc is 'The Writer's and Artist's Handbook' - they come out with an updated version mostly every year - they even have accounts of other writers. My 2005 version has J K Rowling's own account of getting her work published.

It's usually the first reference for most writers I know. And a wonderful list of agents and publishers both in the USA and UK.