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Creative writing

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Original poster

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

962 replies

artifarti · 06/12/2010 20:21

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?

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 13/05/2011 18:28

I'd ask her to clarify. See it as something positive, it's a step up the ladder Revision notes are incredibly helpful, don't follow it word for word though but incorporate her notes if you can. Congratulations, I have my fingers crossed for you.

I've still not heard from the publisher yet. It's on my Monday list. It does drive you nuts, I now understand why so many writers are neurotic.

ninah · 13/05/2011 18:32

thanks a lot and good luck on monday
back to reality ... still on target with current project but only because dd was sick, off school and slept a lot
think she's on the mend now

belledechocchipcookie · 13/05/2011 18:38

I'm a little worried. Common sense tells me to leave it until I've finished the novel, I won't have to think about looking for a publisher again this way.

I'm pleased DD is on the mend. It's really not easy.

ninah · 13/05/2011 18:57

well you only have another

belledechocchipcookie · 13/05/2011 19:04

3 scenes; he needs to meet the earth sorceress (I don't need to do a lot to this as I can recycle the scene I'm cutting), then a fight, then a major fight with the evil dude and the end.

I'm of the 'if I've said I'll do something then I will' school of thought. I don't think I can work with someone who doesn't reply to emails/do as they say. A simple 'I'm sorry, I'm still really busy so it will be another week' will do.

BsshBossh · 13/05/2011 19:55

ninah, superb, but yes gut wrenching! Wait for whatever comments come through over weekend - if their comments do not recommend huge revision then give yourself a few hours to really think about what you think about your work and then just send it in to the agent asap early next week (imo).

ninah · 13/05/2011 20:59

I just called the reader and she has not started yet! is a favour so can't push. She is free now to look at it 'asap'. You are right, I don't want to delay much beyond next week. I'll give her a few more days and send next week, after having a really detached read through myself, with the agent's comments in mind. Let's face it, it's down to me ultimately. I don't think the reader will be suggesting major stuff, more tightening up ... but I do think that leaving too long to send it will be counter productive.

ninah · 13/05/2011 21:00

how about you bb? have you come down from your good news and recovered from you flu?! hope all's well

belledechocchipcookie · 13/05/2011 21:04

The agent will suggest revisions/edits anyway (or will do what 'mine' did and advise me to get it edited). I wouldn't hang around too long.

ninah · 13/05/2011 21:08

that's my instinct too. Esp if she has something similar in pipeline. Will print it off tomorrow have a damn good session with the red pen and get it out next week.
the scenes you have left to do look enticing

TimeWasting · 13/05/2011 21:12

Just reporting in. I'm now up to 410 words.
And it's not amazing. Letting myself just write and not worry right now is such a breakthrough.

I look forward to the tension and heartache I'm reading about here.
Hope it all goes well for you all.

belledechocchipcookie · 13/05/2011 21:13

Best of luck with it.

I know exactly what I want to do, I'm finding it hard to sit down and do it though. It's not at all like me.

ninah · 13/05/2011 21:52

nice one tw. when I started writing properly I used to aim for 50 words a night. It's increased over time but I still don't worry too much about content until it gets to the edit stage.

BsshBossh · 14/05/2011 08:09

Well done TimeWasting!

ninah, I'm definitely on the mend but last week was definitely a write off (ahem) which frustrates me because I've given myself a self-imposed tight deadline for a July finish for current draft. But I resume writing on Monday - hurrah.

We do ultimately all need to trust our own judgement when it comes to writing, editing and submitting. I'm a complete novice but I do remember back in the dark ages when I wrote my first proper novel that I showed it to no one because I didn't know anyone who I would want to have read it. I drafted it once, took a week off, drafted it again, took a week off, tweaked it a little bit then sent my synopsis to the first agent on my list. She took it on and suggested her own edits. Then the publisher suggested her edits. You've nothing to lose but to send to agent asap, ninah. If it's the right piece of work for her/him then s/he'll recommend changes; if it's not right for her roster then send onto the next agent.

Oh dear, it sounds so simple but of course when it's my turn to send out queries and dealing with requests for more and rejections then I will be wondering what to do, and panicing, too!

I hope I will tell myself to leap into the fire - surely life has to be about that some of the time.

ninah · 14/05/2011 10:20

well I've re read it and while it's no Anna Karenina, the rest of the book is as good if not better than the bit the agent has seen. It's consistent, in short.
A rl friend has said wait and get the rest of the opinions but frankly it's as good as I can make it right now. I am expecting feedback and a rejection, realistically. In which case I can incorporate the other opinions and sub elsewhere. Another friend has given me a couple of suggestions for that.
bb you obv have innate talent, my first novel was laughable, cringemakingly inept. It has taken me five years of rejections to get to this point, at a novel a year, you can see why I'm nervous!
As for your deadline, you write prodigiously and you still have over two months to end of July.
my current project is languishing 500 words short of target.

belledechocchipcookie · 14/05/2011 11:01

Don't expect a rejection, hope for the best. If you do get a rejection then use the feedback to improve it. I don't mind reading it for you. I read the last Harry Potter in a day so read very quickly.

ninah · 14/05/2011 11:54

bless you belle. likewise

belledechocchipcookie · 14/05/2011 11:56

I need to pull my finger out and get it finished! I'm usually very motivated to write. I'm even doing housework as an excuse!

ninah · 14/05/2011 16:31

haven't yet sunk that low lol

ninah · 14/05/2011 16:32

just do it belle. they're key scenes, exciting ones! go for it

belledechocchipcookie · 14/05/2011 16:34

Words written so far today: 0

BsshBossh · 15/05/2011 20:04

Still feel ill with cold, but slightly better than last week, so will endeavour to write tomorrow.

ninah · 15/05/2011 22:06

I've taken the day off too I am now a bit behind BUT the previous ms is wrapped up and ready to go. Once it's gone I'll be focused again. See you at the desk tomorrow!

belledechocchipcookie · 15/05/2011 22:40

I've done some writing today, 1500 words. I'm going to do some more in a minute or three.

Very best of luck to you all.

DandyLioness · 15/05/2011 22:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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