Advice for a First Time Author

Discussion in 'General Writing' started by Alice in Wonderland, May 17, 2007.

  1. DarfieldDudette

    DarfieldDudette New Member

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    I sense that distinction may not have been your point in bringing it up ... it is a bit stereotypical, but I've never thought of it that way. The entire town's built on the logging industry ...
     
  2. Jack Asher

    Jack Asher Banned Contributor

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    Do you hunt moose too?
     
  3. DarfieldDudette

    DarfieldDudette New Member

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    My brother has a ticket for a bull in the coming weeks ... me, personally? No. But my granddad let me and my cousins shoot beer cans on my fifth birthday ...
     
  4. MsScribble

    MsScribble Member

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    I wondering what you envision at the end of this story? Are they still in the forest, living in huts, hunting and growing food? Or have they moved to some other place to settle, or have they returned form whence they came? The idea of people starting out in a forest with nothing seems a little difficult - in her lifetime the best they could hope for is to survive. (I have no idea what I'm talking about - I'm just imagining the contestants of 'Survivor' being left on an island for good after a major apocalypse or something and having to re-start human civilization.)
     
  5. psychotick

    psychotick Contributor Contributor

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    Hi,

    First game I ever got for the computer was Civ II back in 1995. Sid Meir's a genius!

    Having said this I can't see your story spanning thousands of years and buiding a huge civilisation. (Which would sort of ruin my usual strategy for winning the game - grow science and more science, advance, advance, advance, meet the neighbours and swear undying loyalty, and then when you finally have atomic power - nuke them all!!! Have I mentioned that I'm running for office - Vote for me!!! You can trust me!!!)

    However back to the topic. With a hundred people you're never going to get past a tribe. Not in the months or few years that I would guess the novel would cover. So most of the Civ game would be irrelevant to your story. You won't need an economy. Technology - well it's not going to advance significantly in a year or so. And usually in such a small tribe you wouldn't even have a queen. You'd have someone who might fill the role of a chief - but to begin with I wouldn't even expect her to have any recognised role. Just a voice when everybody's trying to think what to do.

    Given the scenario - I'd also suspect that the military option would be all but useless. And you wouldn't be expending resources scouting either. Not very far anyway. The only thing to begin with would be survival. That means buiding shelters, growing food, learning to hunt and fish. And I would expect that state of affairs to continue for a number of years. By the time you'd be expanding you'd be at least two or three generations along with population reaching into the hundreds at least.

    And my other thought would be to ask what is it that makes the woman's memories so important? How will knowing say the nature of the plot that landed them on their island or what have you, help them survive?

    Cheers, Greg.
     
  6. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    I want to be a freelance writer, as in writing short/long stories for novels and write-visualize poem.. That sells... How do I do that? I have a friend who is a family of writers and she could help me pitch in working with her dad who has his own publishing company. Though it will happen when I've finished my diploma finals. But the only problem is that when without her, I have to struggle. I love writing and I'm pretty sure everyone struggles. I started writing since I was grade 9 and started writing professionally when I start my diploma. Anyways, I just need an advice on how can I do this freelance writing that I said above without my friend? Cause I thought freelance writing has to be independent as well. Any great advice?
     
  7. TDFuhringer

    TDFuhringer Contributor Contributor

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    You might try reading some helpful books on the subject. My personal favorite is Stephen King's On Writing which is a must-read for any fiction writer.

    I'm afraid the rest of the books I could recommend are all on the subject of writing itself. (such as Browne & King's Self-Editing for Fiction Writers which is a very useful book)

    But there's a reason why I'm talking about writing as opposed to publishing. There is no kind way to say this... Every writer whether freelance, traditional, self-published etc. needs to go through A VERY LONG process of learning the craft. There's a reason why there are very few professional writers in their twenties.

    If I'm wrong, I apologize, but from your writing style and comments I get the impression that you are relatively young (i.e. under forty). If this is the case, I would spend some time writing like crazy to hone your craft. Why? Because nothing will get you noticed (and picked up) faster than being able to consistently turn out good writing and great stories.

    Hope this helps.
     
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  8. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

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    To begin with, "freelance" means that you are not hired by a specific publication to write for them on a full time basis, such as a newspaper reporter. Novelists are, by definition, freelance writers. So are writers of short fictional pieces and many reporters (those who work for newspapers on a part-time basis are also called "stringers"). But I have to ask if you know what you want to write? "Short/long stories for novels and write-visualize poem" doesn't really tell us anything (I'm not even sure what a "write-visualize" poem is, let alone how one would publish it).

    What do you mean by "started writing professionally"? Do you mean that someone paid you for something you had written? What kind of writing was it? Because (and please forgive me for being blunt) it would have to have been of much higher quality than your paragraph above. You say that when you write without your friend's help, you struggle. Does she edit your writing as you go? Does she point out the errors in grammar, for example? If so, then the first thing you need to do is improve your grammar skills. It's not difficult, and it will be well worth the effort.

    Writing is a business, one in which there are many more potential writers than actual ones. It's a business in which the gatekeepers - those who decide whose work gets published and whose doesn't - look for reasons to reject before they look for reasons to accept. That means your submissions have to be perfect before you even think about submitting them. The good news is that if you have a passion for writing, that will impel you to do what you need to do in order to acquire the necessary skills.
     
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  9. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Work on your grammar. That is my advice. Your OP was riddled with grave errors. That's tough love, but it is meant to be love. :)
     
  10. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    yeah thank you :D I am turning 20 this May. I am still learning and observing how the real world works. I will also be working part-time to support my writing. :/
     
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  11. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    I meant like writing seriously sorry.
     
  12. TDFuhringer

    TDFuhringer Contributor Contributor

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    Well you sound like you have a positive attitude. Hang onto that. You're going to need it :)

    Don't let the grumpy, complaining, critical, chronic "no" people get you down.
     
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  13. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    Is my grammar really that bad :( yes, I have lots of people pinpointing out my grammar. ALMOST ALL THE TIME when I can't even tell myself what is the mistake? :s the good news is that, I am reading again :) People also told me that I have low comprehension skills (this is why I stopped reading), but I just love writing, (again cause,it help me to express myself) but I will read because I like the way the words are crafted. It's never too late to read again right? It's never to late to learn English back from the basic too right?
     
  14. TDFuhringer

    TDFuhringer Contributor Contributor

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    And that right there, is why you have a chance. I know very few people in their twenties who know this, or care. You are absolutely right. It is NEVER too late to learn.
     
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  15. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Of course it's never too late. I can see you are posting from Indonesia, so I assume English is not your first language. English grammar can be quite a chore to learn when it's a second language because it's rather inconsistent when compared to other languages. Keep reading and writing, and when someone corrects your grammar, ask them why it's not correct. ;)
     
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  16. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    yay thank you guys!
     
  17. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    Eh wait, wait, what should I do when I'm done with my diploma? Meaning I'm done with school. (I can't really afford to get degree :( oh no) What's the first step to get my idea or me going? Other than to keep on reading and writing. Just the first step :D
     
  18. graphospasm

    graphospasm Member

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    My advice? Ditch your friend.

    I say that because you seem to be scared of struggling, or at least unhappy with the idea of doing so. Well... sorry, Charlie, but all authors struggle. Fact of life. Ray Bradbury talked about the "snowstorm of rejection letters" he received when starting out. None of the Greats (or Goods, or even the So-Sos) will tell you they had an easy ride. As the saying goes: Those who never risk never drink champagne. Props to wondering how to do it on your own, of course, but don't let anyone tell you that doing it on your own (or probably even with your friend's help) will be without struggle.

    This is more a general statement than one directed at you and you alone: Stop believing there's an easy way. Stop believing working at a publishing company will suddenly turn your writing around. Writing and publishing are different beasts. Many who work in publishing never see their own creative work in print. Go write, and struggle, and struggle to write, and take comfort in the knowledge that with every rejection and misstep you're following a long line of authors who made it... and a long line of authors who didn't.

    Struggling isn't the problem, my friend. Believing there's an easy way, however, is.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2014
  19. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    Woah, no one has ever told me to struggle, trust me when I fail, people usually look down on me (irl people) :( thank you so much! *hug*
     
  20. teeekilicious18

    teeekilicious18 Member

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    Thank you all for making me stronger and sharing the advice. I am now proud to say that "I'm not afraid to fail".
     
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  21. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

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    You mentioned that your friend's father has a publishing company. Perhaps you could get a job there in a clerical or secretarial function. Once there, you could get to know some of the editors, who might be able to give you some guidance. Does your school have anyone who helps graduating students get jobs?

    In the meantime, you should read extensively, all kinds of writing - fiction, nonfiction, advocacy, the works. You need to widen your knowledge base (so you'll know what kind of writing you really want to do) and to see how professional writing is done. At this point I wouldn't worry so much about the specific techniques of writing stories. Better to focus on the basics.

    Best of luck.
     
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  22. graphospasm

    graphospasm Member

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    People who look down on you for failing need to be reminded of all the times they failed. There is nothing wrong with failing.

    Sidebar: I'm a philosophy person. My favorite philosopher (to the horror of my peers) is Bruce Lee. He said the following: “Don't fear failure. — Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.”

    I won't (and I'm certain no one on this forum will) ever look down on you when you struggle. Failure is a reminder you're still trying. Writers know too well what it means to struggle toward a goal. When you need help, talk to us and the other writers in your life, and we'll do our best to lift you up.
     
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  23. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    yes, sorry to say, it really is... which is why you have people pointing out mistakes you make 'almost all the time'...

    and if you can't tell what is wrong with what you write, that means you definitely need to upgrade your knowledge of basic english grammar, as well as your writing skills...

    if your comprehension levels are low, that will be an additional problem to overcome, since to become a good writer, you first must be a good reader... and that includes having decent comprehension, so you can distinguish what's good from what isn't, when you read it...

    bottom line:
    you're right!... it's never too late to learn english from the bottom up... and with your determination to succeed, there's no good reason why you can't improve... i applaud you for being honest enough with yourself and others, to accept reality and not let anything stop you from doing what's necessary to reach your goal...

    i mentor many would-be writers like yourself, so if i can be of any help to you along the way, just drop me a line any time...

    love and hugs, maia
    maia3maia@hotmail.com
     
  24. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    @teeekilicious18 - I'm just wondering, if English is not your first language, is there some particular reason you want to write using it? Could you maybe do your writing in your own language, where you feel familiar and comfortable? Translations are always possible afterwards, if you've written something like a novel or a collection of short stories.
     
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  25. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Advice is not a countable noun, so you ask for "advice", not "an advice" or "advices."

    That's free advice, and worth every penny.
     
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