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Creative writing

Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

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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:

strandednomore · 19/01/2011 14:28

Thanks both - I think I am having a crisis of confidence because I have hit a wall. You are right, OMaLittle, when it is going well it is very rewarding. My problem is getting my head round having a lot less time than I previously did (until recently both dd's were at school/preschool 5 days a week) so I need to start finding little moments to write in (a la LitChick!) as opposed to having the luxury of 5 or 6 hours a day.

belledechocchipcookie · 19/01/2011 14:35

Could you do a rota and look at where you can save time? Shopping online for example takes up 1/4 of the time (if less), so you'll gain at least an hour. You can do a lot with an hour.

I know one author who wrote her MS on her Blackberry on the way home from work.

strandednomore · 19/01/2011 14:41

Belle - I think I just have to get my routine sorted out a bit, we've only been home a month and our stuff hasn't even been delivered yet (container due to arrive tomorrow). Also I am in the middle of applying to do a course which is taking up some of my spare time. I do write most days when dd2 is at preschool (I get round the shopping by doing it with her).

I think I might have to start writing while she is in front of Peppa Pig (like now). Or is that awful?

belledechocchipcookie · 19/01/2011 14:48

Of course not. You're not just a mother, you are stranded as well. Don't give up!!

strandednomore · 19/01/2011 14:50

Hee hee. I should also be writing and not on MN!

belledechocchipcookie · 19/01/2011 14:53

You can't force the words and ideas to come out. Take a little time and get yourself sorted.

strandednomore · 19/01/2011 16:13

Thanks Belle. I do need a bit of time to think through the next bit of the plot. I was about to take it off on a complete tangent and bring back someone from the dead but that would mean a lot of re-writing....

belledechocchipcookie · 19/01/2011 18:39

I've been told to rewrite until I don't feel the need to change things any more, then you know it's ready.

blackcoffee · 20/01/2011 21:34

Hi all, belle hope you get a bite from your publisher. Seems all is going well!
arti are you feeling a bit less despondent? taxidermy and opera, I'm intrigued!
am on about 14k this month, think I'll end January with 20k rather than the 30k I envisaged. Just finished quite fun bar scene and am heading off to Suffolk for an adulterous holiday (fictional).
Have ordered a second hand alpahsmart neo, that someone recommended on here, mainly as a bribe (I also do the reseach procrastination thing arti, but mine if really lame eg 'listening to 90s music' lol)
and hi to bertie, think we've talked before, anyway good luck. I sometimes imagine a scene to a specific track too
being single is v v good for productivity ime

is ninah here btw

storygirl · 22/01/2011 02:14

A question for Litchick: I have about 45k in my second novel and feel I have said all there is to say, I dont want it to be a long book for various reasons but should I add more or try to send it out as a Novella? I feel like the story is told and I dont want to force more words out just for the sake of it but maybe I am just having a lull in writing?

atswimtwolengths · 22/01/2011 12:17

Hope you don't mind an answer from me, storygirl.

The problem is this - how many novellas can you name that have been published in the last thirty years? Why do you think there are so few (if any)?

What are your reasons for it not being a long book?

Is there a sub plot that you could bring out?

Could you involve more stages in the story arc, so that the peak doesn't come too early?

storygirl · 22/01/2011 19:52

Not at all ATS, thanks for your reply. You are right. I will keep working at it.I didnt want it to be to long as it is about abuse in some parts and quite dramatic, also many Mums have a lot on and I thought a small book might be less of a challenge to finish.Many busy friends of mine say they just dont get the time to read?I like the idea of a light book that can easily be thrown in a handbag too?

atswimtwolengths · 22/01/2011 23:36

On the other hand, many people who buy books say the bigger the book the better - they don't want a book to end and the thought of a great big read ahead of them is comforting!

Maybe have some more background to the characters, or show some incidents in their lives that explain what happens?

mdavza · 24/01/2011 17:58

Hi all, I've decided to finish a few short stories. I think it's as good a way to go as any.

My problem is also lack of time - I'm writing this as DS is sitting next to me, watching Chuggington, and then it's bath, bedtime, dinner...finally exhaustion. Actually I think I'm procrastinating. Maybe I just love reading more than writing!

MmeGuillotine · 24/01/2011 18:26

Hello! Is it too late to join in? I feel the need for writerly talk and motivational chats with people in the same boat! :)

I have my first book coming out this summer - it's historical fiction set during the French Revolution. :)

I'm now working on a follow up, although it's tough and going so slooooowly as I also work from home and have two boys to look after! I totally get where lots of you are coming from as some days I just cry with frustration because I've finally finished my work and it's 1am and I'm too tired to do any writing.

grumpypants · 24/01/2011 18:29

Congrats Madame! I'm happy to witter on endlessly about word lengths/ target audience/ reserach etc as it stops me having to write and risk rejection...

MmeGuillotine · 24/01/2011 18:32

Thank you! Haha, oh me too. Sending stuff off is so scary - before I actually did it, I was full of excuses not to. I found it really unnerving.

Litchick · 24/01/2011 19:17

storygirl apologies for late response.

Novellas are really difficult to sell unless you are mega famous.

Yet I wouldn't recommend trying to stretch it either.

Could you transfer it to another media? A play perhaps?

storygirl · 25/01/2011 05:07

Thankyou Litchick,

My friend read it and said it would make a great movie so I could try writing a screeplay but I have no idea how to do that!

TandB · 25/01/2011 16:07

I am joining this thread too.

I am in the final stages of my first draft and looking forward to the re-write. This is something that has been at least ten years brewing but I have always lacked motivation to just get on with it and stop finicking around with every line.

I am in one of the groups on Writewords which was mentioned earlier in the thread and have had invaluable feedback, without which I suspect I would have decided I was an idiot and stopped writing for good.

My main concern at the moment is length. I am 127k words in and I am estimating about another 20k to go. I suspect this is too long to submit as a first novel.

grumpypants · 25/01/2011 16:21

Hi Kungfu. I like this thread because I hate talking about my plots and characters with people whereas I like general chewing over about writing, submitting etc with people who are in the same process.

ninah · 25/01/2011 17:24

kungfu that's a monster draft, congratulations!
Most of the advice I've come across suggests that it is good to prune during your editorial drafts. You may find this cuts your word count down considerably. The Stephen King book is particularly emphatic about cutting, from what I remember. Personally I struggle to do this and usually write a fairly slim (say 70k) first draft which gets expanded, I am sure this is a much less effective way to work but I don't get many of my ideas til I am actually writing.
I am not published though.

TandB · 26/01/2011 08:21

I am guessing the word count will come down quite naturally as you say, Ninah. I already have my eye on some superfluous material. My writing group have been very helpful in identifying unnecessary waffle!

I had a recap last night and, after I fed in some chapters which I wrote out of sync a while ago, I am actually on 135k and I think it might be nearer 25k remaining.

There are some earlier chapters which need to be contracted and I think I might have to lose a character to whom I am particularly attached.

I also need to re-write the chapters I just added as they no longer make complete sense in terms of the character's motivation due to unexpected developments in the intervening period. Mainly due to my two main characters' habit of desperately trying to cop off with each other. Every time I turn my attention elsewhere, there they are, snogging in a corner like a couple of teenagers! I think they may need to be kept apart until later in the story......

ninah · 27/01/2011 16:27

re-writing is such a bummer, isn't it!

belledechocchipcookie · 27/01/2011 18:23

I've finished the rewrite!! Please remind me to stick to picture books from now on though

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