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  1. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    Novel How many novels do you have in you?

    Discussion in 'Genre Discussions' started by deadrats, Sep 29, 2019.

    Do you want to be a writer or are you trying to write a book and believe that's where the writing process will end for you? Or maybe after the novel you go on to write other things? Or maybe you're already a novelist turning out multiple books and on a regular basis.

    One book can become famous and there are authors that never publish another book like To Kill a Mocking Bird. I know another book by her was put out not to long ago, but that was a draft of To Kill a Mockingbird, if I'm not mistaken, which just shows how much the author played and reworked her story. That was her story.

    Other authors have books coming out all the time. I don't even know how people can possibly put out a book a year. I don't even want to think about how little progress I've made on writing my novel compared to them.

    But I'm writing differently, maybe. I'm not in a rush to finish. I've gone back and rewritten and reworked it. I make changes along the way with what I'm working with. The story does continue to grow. I am progressing and that word count is going up. I have no reason to believe I won't finish it. It's just this will be the second novel I've written. The first was stupid and rejected from everywhere accordingly. I would like to believe I am a better wrier now. This is a better story. I want it to be published.

    If this novel is published I would hope I write another, but what if I don't? Even if I become a prolific novel writer there aren't more than four or five stories like that in me tops. Actually, I would be amazed with myself if I produced that many novels. How many novels do you think you've got in you?

    I think it would be interesting to hear where we're all coming from on this. A lot of people on here talk about series and sequels. I would be happy being a one-time novelist, though, I would always continue writing in other forms. Is your book THE ONE or one of many?
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2019
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  2. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    So far ive written and self published eight (well six novels and two novellas) I have about the same again in various stages of the editing process. In total numbers its hard to say If I wrote everything that's currently an idea I'd have twenty three... but assuming I live a while yet I'd be surprised if it was less than thirty total
     
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  3. Katibel

    Katibel Member

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    I have endless novels. I enjoy writing original stories, variations of original stories, variations of pre-existing material (despite the fact it isn't publishable as-is), and playing with ideas in my head. I just love stories, patterns, variations, nuance differences in patterns, and there are so many millions of stories to hear / write. I feel like I won't ever have the time to finish all the stories I want to feel, see, and write.

    That said, there are certain stories that are closer to my heart than others. Personal stories, mostly, and some I hope to publish. These are the ones I've been focusing on. My works are novels, primarily, although I have dozens of short stories, too. Wow. Having a count, I have 50+ stories with outlines and individual folders. I've only completed...six novels? Four of a series, one the beginning of a series, and one standalone. Maybe four or five shorts? None published. Not sure if any of it is publishable, haha.

    I think I have...as many novels as there is passion in me. Maybe. Lately I've been a bit bored with writing though. I've been finding myself slipping away to other hobbies, leaving me to wonder what I should do with all my unfinished work. It's as if as soon as I dream a story up it's been told and I'm satisfied. I must secretly be a reader.
     
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  4. TWErvin2

    TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

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    More novels than I probably will be able to finish over what remains in my lifetime. I have right now, 9 novels, two novellas and one short story collection published. I have another novel started, two more outlined, two more bouncing around in my head...and there are ideas for more.
     
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  5. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    Realistically, two for me.

    I'm 70 years old. It took me basically 24 years to write and edit my first novel to the stage it is now, where it can be published. (I started late in life, when we bought our first computer and I discovered wordprocessing.) I have another one in progress—a direct sequel, although my first is a stand-alone—although I've only written two full chapters to date.

    I really don't see myself writing any more than these two. With any luck it won't take me 24 years to write the second, though. I now know a LOT more about the novel-writing process. I won't make the same mistakes I did the first time.

    I do like constructing a complex story, and I don't mind taking time to get it to 'fit' my vision, and to do research to make it accurate (it's fiction set in the past.)

    Making money (or a living) as a writer was never a goal of mine.

    If I had started writing novels in my 20s, I'd be on a different trajectory. Maybe. But I don't mix business with pleasure. I love writing and making stories, but it's not my profession. Pressure to produce at a particular rate of speed would suck the fun out of it, for sure.

    I'm in awe of good writers who are also prolific. They give their readers a lot of good stuff over a long period of time. Damn.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2019
  6. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

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    I barely have one.
     
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  7. Lifeline

    Lifeline South. Supporter Contributor

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    I'll write one novel. And a bunch of short stories, novellas, and novelettes to tell the full story of this first novel. This is what I'm doing now.

    After they are finished, in a few years? As many stories in whatever form they'll take as my lifetime permits. There's no limit to the stories I can tell around my first.
     
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  8. Mary Elise

    Mary Elise Senior Member

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    None that I know of. <hangs head in shame>
     
  9. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    I want to be a work horse like Stephen King. Neigh.
     
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  10. Mary Elise

    Mary Elise Senior Member

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  11. Mary Elise

    Mary Elise Senior Member

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    Just curious, what do you think of The Dark Tower series?
     
  12. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    Never read it.
     
  13. Mary Elise

    Mary Elise Senior Member

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    Those and The Stand are the only King novels I can read. Just wondering.
     
  14. peachalulu

    peachalulu Member Reviewer Contributor

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    How many novels do I have in me? Dozens. Maybe more. I've got books in line after I finish my WIP.
    Ideas have never been a problem for me what has been is this drive to take the idea and turn it into something beyond its bones. I want it to mean something more than just a romance, a good story, an exciting thriller, I want it to say something lasting, add something to a universal truth. And for me that takes a while just sorting out what it is that I want to say.

    My WIP is especially tricky to me because its tackling something that I wanted to tackle for a while - issues about my love/hate for Hollywood, how we view stars, the creative process, entertainment in general. It's adding layers to the story but I have to keep it under control and not shoot off into too many directions.

    I think if I could just write a story without over thinking it I might be more prolific. But if I could get in a groove after this book is finished I'd like to shoot for something more practical either a book every two years or a book a year.
     
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  15. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    If we are talking in general, IDK. Technically I am working on my 3rd, counting a sequel that
    may or may not ever be finished (110k unfin). So as many as I can I suppose. :)
    Not going to be considered a 'factory' of books, like some, but I will see how many I can write
    before my mind goes and my fingers fall off. :D
    [​IMG]
     
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  16. Lew

    Lew Contributor Contributor

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    Like @jannert, I started late in life, at almost the same point, sometime in mid 1990s on the Eagle and the Dragon, finished in 2015 and published in 2017. Another novella about the same time. Just submitted my first non-fiction about my aviation community to the US naval Institute Press, got a request for the manuscript. Have another book on, of all things, relativity physics about 90% complete, and about half done with the sequel to E&D. After that? Whew. That is a lot of work! But I am just 71, got a few more good years if I can stay off Sudoku
     
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  17. D.Clarke

    D.Clarke Active Member

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    The amount is unknowable because I am one of those creative mediums, who just keeps creating, even if I have the greatest work sitting in front of me. For some reason my mind operates like, "Oh ok... that's nice, but... I can do better," and because of this constant mental chatter after every completed work, I end up doing another. .. and another... and another.

    I think, personally, there is some neurological reason as to why I keep going. I think it has something to do with my dopamine receptors. Usually the accomplishment of one book could flood a brains receptors, and last for a long time. For me, I believe the excitement or rush that comes with that accomplishment is more fleeting than the average person, so when it leaves, I have to chase that feeling again, hence writing another book.

    This is also a weakness as it takes away from my ability to actually market my work because I spend so much time creating and not focusing on promoting my own books. So they are created, but they never get pushed because I'm too eager to get back into the creative process. I care not for all those other particulars, which has impeded my progression both in writing and music. With writing however, I am trying to rectify that, but it is difficult. I am what you call, a traditional artist.

    So to answer your question, no. I probably will not just have that ONE novel. I'll probably write until I die or get bored, and try another artform.
     
  18. darkriver1988

    darkriver1988 New Member

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    I have 8 possibly. It's just writing them that is harder.
     
  19. OurJud

    OurJud Contributor Contributor

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    After many years and several failed attempts, I think I can safely say I have zero novels in me.
     
  20. Mary Elise

    Mary Elise Senior Member

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    I was recently stunned to discover that at one time I had three stuffed up in there. Who knew?
     

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