Novel Writers support group

[pinkroses]

Hi. I have started this thread as I am currently trying to find the inspiration to begin my first novel...and I can imagine I am alone.

Even if you're not writing a novel, you are very welcome here. We all enjoy writing on here.

I will begin by asking a simple question. How would you write a novel from the perspective of two people?? Would you write it like chapter one is Bob's point of view and chapter two is Fred's?? or would you write two seperate stories on one book. Bob's first, then Fred's to follow??

can anyone with inside knowledge about publishing advise me please?
I have written a novel (serious fiction), it is around 65 000 words long. I have had a few rejection letters from agents. Am I getting automatic rejections because it is too short?

Have a look at this thread nightynight.

You are best to find an agent. They know what publishers are looking for. Search the net for agents and send them a few chapters and a synopsis. Make sure your synopsis is perfect as this is what agents and publishers read first. If this is no good, you be rejected.

Hope this helps xx

Message withdrawn

Have written about 40,000 words of a children's book (it's obviously aimed at older children...!).

It's not finished, but it will be soon... Then the rewriting begins! It's amazing how many "OMG why did I write it like that?!" cringey bits there are when you go back and read through - tell me that you all feel the same?!

Mind you, there are lots of bits that I think "Ooh, clever!" and "Nice!" to, so I think I'm on the right track

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

anorak - sorry, I can't see what you meant! I have the writers and artists yearbook, but it doesnt give me the answer though very useful in other ways.

gggl - I havent rung any agents, because it feels so pushy (probably a mistake). But Im pretty sure that the rejections have been bog standard ones, I have not had any proof yet that my stuff has even been read.
I am sending a synopsis and the first chapter only, which is about 15 pages.

Message withdrawn

Sorry nightynight I thought there was more information on that thread about how to get published but when I looked again it was mostly about poetry.

oh goodness, gggl, its the postage! Im in France you see. I wouldnt care if they didnt return the mss, but not sure if this gives the wrong impression?

I must try and pluck up some courage to ring one of them. I dont want to look like one of those mad wannabee novelists who submit trashy work bound up in blue leather and ribbons and get devastated when its rejected. Get a grip nightynight, and get professional!

thank you anyway anorak.

Message withdrawn

You"re in the lovely south arent you? far from me. (Vosges)

Message withdrawn

I've wittered on about this before, but I think anyone seriously looking for an agent should get a professional edit done first. Believe me - it will save you a lot of grief (and postage!) in the long run. The one I know is called Cornerstones. You pay up and they tell you exactly what is good and bad about your work.
Also, it's wise not to just send things off to agents without checking what their submission procedure is first - they are a busy bunch and may reject you before even reading reading. I thoroughly recommend a book called From Pitch to Publication by a top agent called Carole Blake.

Never attended one but just curious if any one has? Are writers conferences useful to an aspiring writer? I wonder if one would actually learn anything or would I just feel like I wasted my money.

I'm thinking of trying Cornerstones - but does anyone else have any experience of them before I shell out? It's a lot of money.

Droile
I know you're not asking me (!) but I have really found them to be excellent. I know some organisations offer something similar for a fraction of the price, but I don't think they have such experienced old hands at the publishing trade.
Just thought I'd add that.

Thanks Annie, I did wonder about that.

My dream is to become a children's writer/ illustrator. I often have really good ideas for characters or situations but have real trouble developing plot. I hope to find a good art course to help me with the illustating and have a couple of books but do you think I should try to find a writing course or just put pen to paper and stop procrastinating?

Hello,
Can I join this thread, please?

I've written half a novel. And just can't seem to get going on the second half. Having huge crisis about plot, character, writing ability, etc, etc. I've written articles for magazines before but this is my first stab at fiction. Thing is, my book has been dragging on for ages.

I think my problem is that I am a subsconscious plotter who kids herself she is a conscious one, so I wrote out a plot and synopsis which now doesn't seem to fit my actual writing style. Feel very torn. Know I should just get to it, but find myself doing everything but!

Any kind or motivating word would be much appreciated.

read stephen kings book on how to be a writer. IT is the best and clearest book on the subject and will get you motivated. In a nutshell, it simple says, get pen and paper and sit and write everyday, something and if you are a writer at heart, it will come together.

The title is "On Writing, a memoir of the craft" by stephen King.

Hi TaiTai
My advice for what it's worth is to keep forcing yourself onwards with your novel. The middle section is I think the hardest part. It's been in your life for a long time, so novelty value has waned, and it still feels as if there's a heck of a long way to go. Crises of confidence are perfectly natural, horrible though they may be! Good luck.

ps I agree about Stephen King;s book, it's excellent. I love Natalie Goldberg's writing guides too, find her very inspiring.