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?

Well done on the second chapter comewhinewithme!

Well, I got off to a shaky start today. Last week I finished my 8th chapter much earlier than anticipated and rather than simply cracking on with the 9th chapter or editing the 8th I took Thursday, Friday and the weekend off. This morning I simply couldn't be bothered - I guess I'd lost the momentum (lesson learned!).

However, I fired up the PC anyway. All my chapters are plotted out scene by scene but beginning Chapter 9 just seemed too daunting. I thought back to my resolve to write 1000 words a day.

So I simply picked the last two scenes in the chapter and started typing. I hit 1000 within an hour and will later write another scene. Yippee!

I find beginnings (of chapters) so hard, but jumping into the middle really jumpstarts me.

Okay, this is a too-long post to basically say I hit my 1000 words today in an hour. So I will crack on with more writing today.

Have hit 2485 - two scenes (the last two). Think the momentum is back enough for me to tackle the first two scenes of the chapter now... well, tomorrow. If I finish this chapter "early" then I vow to you all that I will crack on with chapter 10 rather than thinking I can give myself a day (or three) off.

the editing is paying off but it's uphill work
part one with a reader for comments

Well done ninah! Out of interest, how did you go about getting a reader - is it a friend or did you find one online?

hi ,I am a complete novice but have always wanted to write ,constantly having ideas but never seem able to get it down on paper. In jan , I decided that this was the year. I have outlined the plot, and broken it down into chapters, I have written short biography/ description of each character and mapped out a timeline of events, I am quite excited to have got this far. Are there any online writing groups that i could join so that i could practice my actual writing skills before I embark on my novel? I would love any tips that you could all offer. I am not expecting to become a published author, I would really like just to achieve this for myself (maybe let my mum and some friends read it).

Well, I've completed Chapter 9 (5000 words) in two days. Very chuffed as I was writing in pockets of time. Just seemed to be on a roll and couldn't get the words out fast enough. So tonight/tomorrow will edit it and then if no glaring holes/problems will start on Chapter 10 on Thursday.

Welcome Frazzled, sounds like you're doing well with the detailed outline. I done the same and the writing is finally flowing as I know as I write each scene what's supposed to be happening and what's coming next.

Sorry, I'm not sure about online writing groups but to participate in one you need to have started producing some writing - no point otherwise. So until someone suggests some groups, I suggest you may as well start writing out a scene now .

The only way to write is the write, the only way to improve your writing is by writing. (And then reading and then sharing and then courses etc.)

I agree, you need to be your own best critic. But I have two friends who are literate and prepared to be honest, and read my stuff on occasion. Other friends have expressed an interest but I know will feel constrained to be polite, or aren't all that widely read (not a negative comment, but not helpful for the job in hand), or promise and don't get round to it. I wouldn't use anyone online as I wouldn't know how effective that would be ... and I can't/won't afford the agencies. An objective view is really helpful, before it reaches the objective view of agents/publishers who are looking for reasons to say no; but ideally an informed view you can trust. Someone who isn't afraid to tell you it's crap if necessary.

Bssh - I love it when that happens to me! I'm stuck right now - I've got lost in my plot and need to do a recap on index cards of the outline that has appeared so far. I know that will get me back on track and I can get back to my 2000 words a day days!

Hi Frazzled - I decided not to do an outline at all, and just started writing. THe story and the characters are writing themselves - it's great fun Good luck with yours. I'm using the forums at Absolute Write which are very welcoming. Mostly Americans but there are a sizeable number of Europeans there. Also, I find the majority of writers there write fantasy, but I'm finding it hugely encouraging and helpful there. There are options for getting critiques on your work, and for you to critique others too, which is very good for your own writing. They will be as honest as you ask them to be.

Ninah, that's really useful information. Thanks. I need to think of a couple of beta readers that I know. I prefer the idea of real life people too. However, apart from the money involved, do you think it's worth paying for an outsider to read a manuscript? If not, why?

It's interesting: the first novel I wrote (the one that got picked up by an agent on the first try and immediately by Random House but then fell by the wayside due to personel changes at both agency and publishers and due to me travelling) was read by no-one but myself, the agent and the editor. I did put in a lot of effort polishing it though - it went through a first draft then each chapter got polished as I went along (like I'm doing now) then another very quick but very intense "pass-through". I trusted my judgment a lot back then - but then I was a very confident student . Hmmm, perhaps I need that confidence in my abilities back...

Frazzled, I don't contribute to the AW forums but I do find them very addictive. If I'm not careful I can spend too much time browsing posts and not writing . Fantastic forum (though don't you find it's overly focussed on fantasy/horror writers? Not that I mind...).

There was a thread on the book doctor agencies not so long ago. Professional writers tended to think that they were not on the whole worth the money. Have a look, it makes interesting reading.
I agree, fwiw. At the end of the day you need to acquire the skills and judgement to edit your own work - it's part of the process. Nothing wrong with paying for advice if you have a few spare hundred, as long as you are aware it's an industry, and most of their profits come from hobby writers.
I'd prefer to trust my own judgement.
You've done it once, you are older and wiser with more to say, you can do it again!

Bssh - I did say in my post it's full of fantasy writers

Wrote 2700 words yesterday - very pleased with that. It went really well, and I'm now on 27,500 words in total. As long as my first draft comes out at over 40,000, I'll be pleased - I know that re-writing it is very likely to increase it's size by quite some way, as I'm writing it long-hand right now, so the language is fairly bare.

Excellent, Flamingo - you really are powering on, aren't you. It's terrific .

I have just slipped over 50,000 words - today. Hurrah! Still only half way there but fingers crossed the next 50K will go more speedily than the first 50K did now that I seem to have got my writing mojo back.

I've realised that I am definitely editing quite heavily as I go along now - each chapter I've completed in this "first draft" has had one or two edits/revisions/"pass-throughs". Just revised Chapter nine yesterday. Started writing Chapter 10 today.

Thanks ninah - will hunt through for the thread.

I've just gone past the 40,000 word mark and feel exhausted now. I'm about a third of the way through this book and keen to get on!

Book One is currently selling amazingly well on Amazon and has been getting lovely reviews - only one of which is from someone who has actually met me! Cor!

Book Two is out this summer - I'm just waiting for my editor to send its mutilated corpse back to me.

I had a moment of madness and emailed an agent earlier week (something I swore I wouldn't do as it was so scary) and they replied almost straight away and asked me to send some stuff in. They haven't rejected me yet so I'm a bit on edge right now. They are well known and have some very prestigious writers on their books so I'm not very hopeful but it's nice to have a bit of interest! :)

I'm hoping to book my spot at the Romantic Novelist's Association conference at some point soon, which should keep me focused. Is anyone else here going?

I'm a bit confused. The agent didn't like my picture books but has said that the novel has a lot of potential, it's charming and is 'written from the heart' but it needs editing, which she wants me to sort out. She has given me the contact details for a freelance editor though and has asked for first refusal once it's done. Is this usual? I have a publisher interested in it already, can't I just sign and use the advance to clean it up?

god they are showing a lot of faith in you belle! great. If publisher will sign I'd do that; use their editorial input. If you get an agent, you still have to get a publisher anyway. is the agent expecting you to pay the freelancer, and how much? like I said before I will look at stuff if you want to post it to me.

I don't think the publisher will sign in it's current state as it does need editing. I'm expected to pay the freelancer, I've just emailed to see what her fees/requirements are.

I will send it to you if that's OK, I'm nearly out of ink/paper (again) though so will do it ASAP Thank you.

While of course it is possible to edit on screen, if it is done on paper you can see the changes, and decide if you want to make them. It does seem a pity if detail is holding you back. I'd be delighted with such enthusiastic feedback, however. It shows you are pretty far down the road now!

The agent has not given me specifics. The editor has said it will take a week and £400 though. I still have the picture books to sort out with the publisher, I could use the advance maybe. I was under the impression that agents helped with this sort of thing so am still

I'll print it off and post it to you I mean. I'll be enthusiastic when I get the contracts signed

Belle, I would be a bit suspicious of being farmed out to an editor in this way, especially for that much money. If the agent was truly interested, she would put the time and energy in on giving you some revision notes.

yeah that sounds off, belle, don't pay £400. The way publishing works is THEY pay YOU, and anything else rings alarm bells for me.
I am a bit rusty and I only used to copy-edit non fiction but I am happy to do a run through for typos, grammar, sp etc. The friend who reads my stuff is happy with the latest offering and 'it has less spelling mistakes than the last one!' so it is easy to let these things through in your own work because you are too close to it. If that will help you I am delighted.
Don't pay anyone! unless you are loaded and it would be that or a handbag

Definitely sounds strange, Belle. I would find another way of revising your novel (take a good look at it yourself, try and be objective; send to some other trusted readers who won't charge; send out to another agent) and in the meantime continue to work with the publisher on your children's book and ask her/him for agent suggestions (you'll need an agent for when your children's book gets a contract).

I'm going to look at it myself and send it to a different agent I think. I know that I rushed the last third so this could do with some more work. I think you're right, if she was truly interested then she'd make a bit of an effort.

I've been through it a few times to check the spelling, grammar wise I think I've used ; a bit too much. I checked her out thoroughly before and she's a very well known agent. Grr!

I'm waiting for the publisher to get back to me about the picture books.

Belle - try going on a forum like Absolute Write and see if someone will critique parts of it for you. You need to make 50 posts before you can get critiques on your own work, but they're usually thorough, if you ask them to be, and very helpful. And free...you pay in offering your services to other writers in critiquing their work.

1275 words for me today. Most of the way through Chapter 10 but a busy weekend is nearly here so will crack on again on Monday. See you next week!