For anyone else who wants to start/progress/finish writing a book in 2011

[artifarti]

As the title says really!

Me: After several years of dithering with short stories, I committed myself to Nanowrimo last month and managed to bash out a 50,000 first draft of an idea I've had for ages. There is some excrutiating crap in there but also the bare bones of a plot and some interesting characters. So I'd really like to spend 2011 trying to develop it into something better.

But I need some company so that we can mutually kick each other's arses when the temptation to watch Holby City is proving too great. Anyone else?

Welcome TondelayoSchwarzkopf - wow, many congrats on completing draft of novel and on embarking on novel two! How long did it take you to write the first novel?

into 3rd draft and up to chapter 6, yay! just found something that needs adding, and another theme that I might play up a bit, the first will require a bit of work, the second a fair amount of rewrite
pleased with the title and opening chapters now.
Am aiming to critically edit/redraft 3 chapters a night - if you cheerlead nag me bb I'll cheerlead you, deal?

Deal, ninah . Hope you report back on Tuesday that you did edit/redraft a chapter on Monday...

You know, this evening I was thinking to myself, "Tomorrow is Monday but I have XYZ to do, so perhaps I'll resume writing on Tuesday."

Then I remembered I'd posted on this thread my plan for Monday and felt guilty.

Now I've publicised my intention to write (and what I'm going I'm going to write) - I would feel ashamed to back off now.

Hurrah for public accountability!

Can I join in?

I just read the first half of this thread avidly; skimmed the third quarter, and will go back to read the last quarter in the morning, but I just wanted to post myself before I go to bed!

I have wanted to write my whole life - I wrote a bonkers little story about a new school being set up when I was about 8. I wrote to my step-sister's mum's step-mum as a 14yo to ask advice about how to write fiction, as she is a published writer; but I never did anything with the advice. I did write a couple of very short stories as a teenager, that were praised by my school.

I wrote crappy essays at university because I wasn't interested in the slightest in the subject matter; but when I did a diploma after having DD1, my essays were brilliant and renewed my self-belief. I have written articles for local charity newsletters; and had a big article published in the-charity-I-work-for's specialist workers' journal; which was then published in MIDIRS. So I know I can write.

I have always wondered how on earth I could get into writing fiction and felt rather uncreative for a long time; but last month I wrote a children's book (for around 5yos), which I'm really pleased with, but with which I don't really know what to do!

And I've just decided to get a notebook and pencil and just start writing a novel and see what happens...and something I am very excited about is emerging . I've written 2500 words in three days, and a plot and characters and a 'point' is forming.

And I am realising that this is how I have alwasy written my best essays and articles - by just writing without planning; and then going through and tidying up afterwards. The more I plan, the crapper I write, bizarrely.

So I'm enjoying discovering that maybe I can write fiction...but if anything more public than that ever comes out of it, I don't know. Anyway, I'm very pleased to find MN has a topic about this, and a lovely, supportive, friendly-souding chat thread as well

hi flamingo, it's exhilarating starting to write, whatever the eventual outcome. For me, just finishing a novel felt like an achievement, it was something I'd meant to do for ages (result was utter drivel, but that's another story - have carried on from there and improved, without doubt).
So keep at it
and bb I will be giving you a black mark if you haven't done the first item on your list! imo to do your whole list in one session is ambitious - if I've had a break from writing I tend to start gently and build up, otherwise it seems too daunting. Eg for nano the target was 50k words but I knew 30k would be my personal max, and I felt v pleased with this. My advice is don't be too hard on yourself, be realistic - but don't put work off, better a little every day than a plan that is so daunting you never begin. Also deferred gratification; I'll watch that dvd, etc after I've done what I set out to, as a kind of reward. Childish, but effective! depends how much time you have free to write of course, I am confined to the 8pm to whenever slot but if you have more free time you could certainly work down that list ... good luck!

Hi Ninah

I've read the whole thread now .

Belle (and anyone else) - Can I ask you what you would suggest I do with my children's book, which needs to be a picture book. It's about children's feelings and my 6yo found it really helpful. A few people have read it and helped me write a second draft. But I don't know what to do next! I can't draw/paint so I can't illustrate it myself, but I'd like to try to get it published. Any ideas?

Don't sort out the illustrations unless you are able to do them yourself. If you want a publisher then send it directly to them without pictures as they like to chose their own. A writers and artists year book has a list of publishers and agents, there's a childrens edition. Agents are very hard to find though (but then again so are publishers). Keep sending it though.

There needs to be a specific word count for a picture book, Little Tiger Press won't accept anything longer then 750 words, others 800. Look at each publisher's web site for their requirements.

Thanks, Belle. Will check the word count. I 'm going to get hold of the yearbook, but I've seen on publishers' websites that they all seem to say 'no unsolicited submissions'. What does that actually mean in practice? And what are the advantages/disadvantages of having an agent? Is it worth trying to find one?

No unsolicited means don't send them in as they only want to see them via an agent.

Disadvantages to getting an agent:
A) you have to actually find one that is willing to accept you as a client
B) they will take approx 15% of anything you earn

Advantages:
A) they will help you to rewrite your work so it's more attractive to a publisher
B) they will approach the 'no unsolicited submissions' publishers for you (along with others)
C) they will negotiate your contract with the publishers to ensure you receieve the maximum royalties etc.
D) they will chase up any outstanding royalties for you, these are paid twice a year (usually).

I am looking for one as I want my life to be as stressfree as I can get it (laughs)

I assume you pay out nothing initially, though, so the onus is on them to sell your book to a publisher, so they get money?

As I'm not in it for big bucks I think an agent may well be a good idea. I ordered the Childrens' Writers and Artists Yearbook from Amazon today, so that should come tomorrow.

Ninah - you were right, my schedule for today was ambitious. I've completed task one though, after which I am now knackered so I am stopping for the day.

So, all part 2's scene are sketched out scene by scene, chapter by chapter and I am ready to start writing chapter 7 tomorrow. Yipppeeee!

My aim is 1000 words a day (averaged out as I know from writing part 1 that I can write 500 words one day and 3000 another!).

I'll keep publicise my word counts every few days to see how I am progressing and keep myself accountable to you all.

See you in a few days .

Terrible spelling/grammar but you know what I mean .

FlamingoBingo - an agent will fight for you and back you up all the way, if you get a good one. It's in their interest to make you are good as you can and to get the best deals for you. Do not pay anything to an agent. A reputable one will not ask for money upfront but will only take fees once you've sold to a publisher.

Great news that you've finished a children's book and excellent news that you've made progress on your novel .

Thanks BsshBossh. I think an agent is definitely the way forward! I'm not a good salesperson or entrepeneur so more than happy to get less money for the benefit of someone else doing all that bit for me!

Hi BsshBossh

I started in 2005! (1 child, 2 houses, 3 promotions in that time - excuses, excuses)

It started as a third person, multiviewpoint drama and is now (same story, same characters) a first person comedy. I love it but I am just having a confidence crisis now I've had the feedback - did people really like it when they have mentioned so many improvements?

Did 3 chapters of editing today.

Hi all
bb I was really tired last night and the thought crossed my mind to leave it but thinking of this thread I plodded on through my chapters. Because I was in a really bad mood I was quite harsh on myself and have marked up a chapter for complete rewrite. Also a new marginal character has crept in. Doing the small amount of work I managed to do in the end has actually created a whole lot of unpicking, but it will be worth it and I'm pleased!
well done for completing your P2 outline. That was a major task in itself, and one of the most challenging I find. Good for you! cheers!

I woke up at 5am this morning with an idea for a children's story - a longer one this time for older children - 8/9ish? I had to write down some of what was going through my head. Is this what it's like being a writer!? I've now got two stories on the go at the same time . I guess having a break from each one from time to time and doing the other one will be good for them.

I'm finding I just can't write in the evenings. I'm too tired and everything I come out with is shite. So I'm going to have to just accept that I'll have to write in the few hours I get here and there in the week in the daytime when I can sneak away from the children; rather than write every day, which I'm a bit sad about.

I struggle with writing in the evenings too Flamingo - morning is the freshest / most creative time. Can you get up at 5am every day ?

I'd go for either 7-8 or 9+ Flaming, there's different language and subject matter for each group so it depends on your plot. Write in a way which you feel comfortable with, there's no rules.

FlamingoBingo - I think your best bet is to write in small snatches of time, whenever you can find them. However, I've often thought I'm too tired to write in the evening so I make a start - telling myself I'll just write some notes - and end up writing far more than I thought I would.

I also remember reading an interview with Anne Tyler who wrote raising all her children herself - she said she simply learned how to write at the kitchen table with mayhem all around! I guess we should train ourselves to write with noise and interruptions (actually I think Toni Morrison said a similar thing when writing with small children).

I got the day off to another good start by writing 2243 words of my Chapter 7. Yippeee!

Yes BsshBossh - I hear that Joyce Carol Oates writes everywhere and anywhere - I once saw a picture of her writing her next novel in a notepad while at an awards ceremony for her latest one

I can only write with lots of chaos going on round me if I am really in the zone, ie have worked my way into a regular 1000 word a day habit and am really involved with the book. I am a single mum with a full time job and yes, I do get tired, but it is also the most satisfying thing I do for myself and I don't think I'd get the same buzz from an evening of tv, say. At the moment I am quite focussed and snatching moments here and there to make notes, just counting down to half term when I get my bi-annual child free week!

I can write with noise around me, just not constant interruptions and requests for water and/or bum-wiping . I will definitely have a go at training myself, though. I home ed my kids, though, so getting time away from them is very difficult - writing is so therapeutic, though, so I don't mind filling any time away from them with that

Managed another 550 words of my adult novel, though, while my oldest two were in an art class and DH had the younger ones.

Also managed to pick up the 2010 Writers and Artists Yearbook in The Works for £2.99 which is great, considering I won't need uptodate information for adult's writing for a long time yet, but can make use of all the fab help etc. in there without forking out £14.99 . And my copy of the children's 2011 one came from Amazon this morning. I've decided I'm going to start submitting my children's picture book next week, giving me a few more days to make adjustments based on the feedback I've been getting. I'm very excited!

I've often thought about home edding, fb. If I was in a relationship and I had the patience I would def go down that road.
Good going on the writing! I'll check out the works. Nice price!

Hello, can I join? Have been trying to write for years and have had lots of start/stops.
Have now had an idea and I can't stop thinking about it and taking it further in my head, all I can think about is writing it down to stop it bugging me.
The only think I think might be a problem is I find it easiar to hand write as the ideas seem to just flow out but when I try and type I pause a lot instead of just getting it all out .
It's going to be a massive PITA putting it all into a word doc .