Boarders Writing A Novel: Part 13

[Neumond]

I wish you the best of luck with your Sailor Eloisa. :)

Congrats Charles.

I might be a little too in love with death scenes.

The nature of what I'm trying to write about them for too long, which also plays a role. And death and its consequences is a integral part of the themes. Of the 30 most important characters in my current project, 2 survive the book. And it's debatable if they're that important. It's important that all of the deaths feel vital and necessary, but I freely admit I might be going a little overboard. I'm just not very fond of happy endings.

Wow, you are blood thirsty. ;)

If those deaths feel good for you, everything is fine. You are the writer, it´s your story.

So go for it. :)

[First of My Name]

Wow, you are blood thirsty. ;)

If those deaths feel good for you, everything is fine. You are the writer, it´s your story.

So go for it. :)

I think it definitely serves a purpose in the story though - especially in the planned sequel, in which the main character tries to piece together what remains.

[C.T. Phipps]

I liked David Webber's statement on it. "War where only the antagonists die isn't military fiction but military pornography."

[First of My Name]

I liked David Webber's statement on it. "War where only the antagonists die isn't military fiction but military pornography."

Exactly. That's the reason I want to have as few cliffhangers and close calls in my story as possible. One mistake, and the POV characters are as dead as anyone would be.

[henderson]

I published Hartshire Bank, the fourth novella in the Nambroc Sequence, yesterday on Amazon.

[Magnar of Skagos]

So I have a few different storylines in my novel, all in third person limited. The majority of the characters are all fixed around one geographical location, while only a handful of secondary POV's (who are important later on in my series, if I ever make it past the first book) are on a different part of the world. What is the best way to separate them? Put the secondary POV chapters adjacent to one another as a sort of "intermission" every four or five chapters or so (the secondary POVs aren't very numerous) or spread them out evenly?

[Andrew Gilfellon]

Brandon Sanderson separates his side P.O.Vs quite well in WOK. Just having something like you suggested would work fine. I'd say spread them out evenly but try and place them in the relevant place like a mirror.

[Starkess]

Having trouble getting any writing done for the past couple weeks. This draft has turned into such a slog. This morning I only managed like 200 words! I know I need to just power through and it might not be as terrible as I think, but at the moment such realization is not helping. Sigh. Well, tomorrow is a new day with more words to (not) write!

[Zoë Sumra]

Having trouble getting any writing done for the past couple weeks. This draft has turned into such a slog. This morning I only managed like 200 words! I know I need to just power through and it might not be as terrible as I think, but at the moment such realization is not helping. Sigh. Well, tomorrow is a new day with more words to (not) write!

*huggles* 200 words is more than 0 words. Every one of those days is a day you are keeping your cogs oiled for the moment it clicks again.

Have you tried jumping to the next chapter? This sometimes works for me if I'm not getting anywhere. Staring at a different blank page might pep you up a bit...

[C.T. Phipps]

Having trouble getting any writing done for the past couple weeks. This draft has turned into such a slog. This morning I only managed like 200 words! I know I need to just power through and it might not be as terrible as I think, but at the moment such realization is not helping. Sigh. Well, tomorrow is a new day with more words to (not) write!

Eh, sometimes that's the way it goes sometime. I understand 500 words a day is the minimum to shoot for but the important thing is to set the stage for when they get flowing.

On my end, I'm pleased to say I got my advance for "The Rules of Supervillainy" today. A check for $1000.

Which, I am happy to say, means that I can now, officially, say I am a professional writer.

Well, semi-professional.

Book sales are decent as well. The reviews have been pretty kind.

[Neumond]

That´s awesome Charles.

Congratulations! :cheers:

I would like to hear some of your experiences with beta-reader.

So, which ones where the Beta-readers that helped you the most?

Friends and family? (Random) People from the internet?

I want to ask a friend to read my ramblings. She is an avid reader and devours book after book.

And I´m pretty sure she would tell me the truth. So that´s a good thing.

The problem is: While she likes Fantasy. She is really not into the kind of story I tried to tell...

And I´m not very active in other communities...

So where to find people into the right kind of stories and willing to read something that´s probably terrible?

[Neumond]

double post :uhoh:

[C.T. Phipps]

That´s awesome Charles.

Congratulations! :cheers:

I would like to hear some of your experiences with beta-reader.

So, which ones where the Beta-readers that helped you the most?

Friends and family? (Random) People from the internet?

I want to ask a friend to read my ramblings. She is an avid reader and devours book after book.

And I´m pretty sure she would tell me the truth. So that´s a good thing.

The problem is: While she likes Fantasy. She is really not into the kind of story I tried to tell...

And I´m not very active in other communities...

So where to find people into the right kind of stories and willing to read something that´s probably terrible?

My general impressions from 5 years of trying to break into writing are this:

1. Friends and Family are kind of useless. God bless them, they're supportive and if you want to be a writer you do not support at least during the beta session. One of the worst things they can do for you is to tell you you're writing is good when the purpose of a beta is to tell you you're writing is BAD and where you need to fix it.

2. The best sort of writing groups can be find on the internet in places where other writers are going and finding the write one can be difficult. You should probably go to independent publishers websites first and see if there's any groups around them since they tend to be hungry yet also approachable. A fellow writer is the best sort of person you can get to review your work.

There's also an endless number of writer's groups you can find on facebook.

3. A big piece of advice I've found as a writer was that, five years ago, I was a terrible writer. The only way to improve was to take EVERY PIECE OF ADVICE seriously. "This character is stupid" he probably is. "The entire first three chapters are pointless and boring" They probably are. "All this exposition is unneeded" It probably is. "You use the word that too much" I did. It's a horrible embarrassing process and absolutely necessary to improving. You want to be savaged to identify your weaknesses.

You just can't be sensitive and want pats on the back. I had to leave a couple of writing groups because they were too nice and not serious enough about their craft.

My books became good entirely because my core writing groups didn't hold back. It took 2-3 years to make the books as is but the results are worth it.

[Neumond]

My general impressions from 5 years of trying to break into writing are this:

1. Friends and Family are kind of useless. God bless them, they're supportive and if you want to be a writer you do not support at least during the beta session. One of the worst things they can do for you is to tell you you're writing is good when the purpose of a beta is to tell you you're writing is BAD and where you need to fix it.

2. The best sort of writing groups can be find on the internet in places where other writers are going and finding the write one can be difficult. You should probably go to independent publishers websites first and see if there's any groups around them since they tend to be hungry yet also approachable. A fellow writer is the best sort of person you can get to review your work.

There's also an endless number of writer's groups you can find on facebook.

3. A big piece of advice I've found as a writer was that, five years ago, I was a terrible writer. The only way to improve was to take EVERY PIECE OF ADVICE seriously. "This character is stupid" he probably is. "The entire first three chapters are pointless and boring" They probably are. "All this exposition is unneeded" It probably is. "You use the word that too much" I did. It's a horrible embarrassing process and absolutely necessary to improving. You want to be savaged to identify your weaknesses.

You just can't be sensitive and want pats on the back. I had to leave a couple of writing groups because they were too nice and not serious enough about their craft.

My books became good entirely because my core writing groups didn't hold back. It took 2-3 years to make the books as is but the results are worth it.

That´s a great response. Thank you.

I figured as much with family and friends...

You are right. I need someone to point ruthlessly at my shortcomings as a writer. And I want honest answers. That´s why I´m struggling with asking friends.

My worst case scenario: I´m giving them some poorly written stuff. They tell me, I´m great and think I´ve just gone nuts with my unreadable ramblings... :rofl:

And it is great that you`ve become successful. And very encouraging. :)

Edit says: I´ve got a very nice message from a dear boarder who pointed out, that I am active in a community dedicated to a fantasy series. And that there is a chance I could meet a possible beta-reader on the board. Even if I´m writing in german.

So I´ll ask now: Is there anyone willing and able to read my stuff? And to give me some honest feedback?

(I´m not expecting anyone to go through the whole thing. Even a few passages would be of great help.)

[Bluetiger]

Eh, sometimes that's the way it goes sometime. I understand 500 words a day is the minimum to shoot for but the important thing is to set the stage for when they get flowing.

On my end, I'm pleased to say I got my advance for "The Rules of Supervillainy" today. A check for $1000.

Which, I am happy to say, means that I can now, officially, say I am a professional writer.

Well, semi-professional.

Book sales are decent as well. The reviews have been pretty kind.

Congratulations! ;)

[Magnar of Skagos]

Just a general question: are epic poems published and/or accepted by publishers? Currently reading Beowulf and really enjoying it, and also wondering why I don't know of many more epic poems.

[SpaceChampion]

I'd imagine you'd have to pick up a copy of the 2015 Poetry Market reference text to find out the answer.

[Malik Ambar]

I'm having trouble. All I have right now are ideas, but I'm unable to build anything substantial. I've got a basic concept , some idea of the direction I want to take and blueprints for some characters, but it all seems abstract. I thought writing down something might help but without any clear pattern to bind the abstract ideas I feel like I'm shooting in the dark.

[Tellus Explorer]

Hey :)

I think it was you guys I spoke to about making a comic book series....at least I hope anyway

So I'm nearly complete creating my story and I started drawing some concept art for it. Which I was all too excited for, and ended up making the more ludicrous of mistakes. Which resulted in an immediate disposal and production redo.

I'm kind of at a lost as to what I'll need for digitizing my work, and the other steps involved in digital work?

I'm really not sure what I need to ask for specifically.... Does anyone know what I should have for comic book distribution? What I need for scanning the art and resizing? Any particular scanner? Photoshop? Anything?

Also, is anyone here knowledgeable with steampunk? I've incorporated it into a story I was working on, however I've seem to come to a stand still. As I feel my science is off and would really appreciate some insight.

Before I ask my question, I'd like to know if there is anyone knowledgeable of the two?

[Neumond]

I'm having trouble. All I have right now are ideas, but I'm unable to build anything substantial. I've got a basic concept , some idea of the direction I want to take and blueprints for some characters, but it all seems abstract. I thought writing down something might help but without any clear pattern to bind the abstract ideas I feel like I'm shooting in the dark.

Sounds like you should give your story more time to evolve. If you have a great scene you should write it down.

Best of luck with it. :)

Hey :)

I think it was you guys I spoke to about making a comic book series....at least I hope anyway

So I'm nearly complete creating my story and I started drawing some concept art for it. Which I was all too excited for, and ended up making the more ludicrous of mistakes. Which resulted in an immediate disposal and production redo.

I'm kind of at a lost as to what I'll need for digitizing my work, and the other steps involved in digital work?

I'm really not sure what I need to ask for specifically.... Does anyone know what I should have for comic book distribution? What I need for scanning the art and resizing? Any particular scanner? Photoshop? Anything?

Also, is anyone here knowledgeable with steampunk? I've incorporated it into a story I was working on, however I've seem to come to a stand still. As I feel my science is off and would really appreciate some insight.

Before I ask my question, I'd like to know if there is anyone knowledgeable of the two?

Could you explain a bit more, what you´re doing exactly?

As I take it, you´ve drawn your panels and you´ve made photos or scanned the panels. Now you want a program for editing?

I know some people who do such things with gimp, which seems to be a free program similar to photoshop. I´m not familiar with it and can´t tell you what it does exactly. But I´m sure there are tutorials out there.

Do you have a graphic tablet?