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Published?
I'm a rubbish writer by most standards; bad grammar, punctuatuion of a madman, an often confusing style and worse still - procrastination. Given all this I nonetheless suspect (like most of us) having at least one story in me. Because of this I've started a few pages (over the years) yet fear of not making the grade is stopping me put the work in. Physical graft is something I'm unafraid of, even enjoy it - yet always found mental graft to be exhausting. I'm wondering if the brain is like a muscle and I'll enjoy using it once it gets a stretch? A regular workout? Like swimming - where I started out a desperate splashing ape only to become addicted, competent, even (dare I say) smooth?
Anyway - wondered of any of you have written a book and how!? Did you use an editor or just booze and spellcheck?
I have one published academic book, with another on the way. I am also writing a non-fiction, but non-academic work, so am soliciting an agent for the first time.
I would strongly suggest that you first think of writing for yourself. Write stories that you would enjoy reading. And stop to read what you write out loud from time to time - as if you were reading the words to an audience. Ask yourself: does this make sense? Does it sound good? Is there enough happening to keep the audience interested?
Above all, enjoy the process. And yes, booze and spellcheck can both be your friend. Just don't depend on them.
I have had a few articles published in magazines including some in STW. Mostly lighthearted fiction or loosely based on truth.
I tend to write as the thought flow so quickly and quite long winded results. Then harsh editing normally reduces the content by about 40%. Then read it out loud, or even record and play it back to yourself to really hear how it sounds. That normally gets rid of another 20-30%. The result might be a 4,000 word story from the original 10,000 words written but hopefully it is clean, concise and entertaining to read.
I just do it for fun so send the stories in and if the editors like them and have space they may use them.
I have wondered about doing it for money but not sure if I can be bothered with the hassle. Let us know how you get on though.
My sister is a published author, with several books to her name (fiction for young teens).
Apparently it's a pretty brutal market these days - don't go into it expecting to earn much money.
I write science fiction/dystopia. Everyone gets writer's block; my strategies for bypassing it are to work on another part of the plot or just pedal on slowly against the stiff headwind. You could try writing up to 500 words in short spells or just leave it for a few days until yuour muse returns - as it will.
As for publishing or self-publishing in paper or ebook form, I took a look at it and decided not to bother. For we amateurs there are sites such as Wattpad or Widbooks to make your work known.
I have, but it was back in the days of typewriters, paper and editors that actually read, marked up and submitted back to you for consideration. SInce then most of the stuff published in magazines or other vehicles have been self edited or published at my own control, so less work intensive.
With the advent of internet, loss of the book price control, things have become very cut throat so unless you have been commissioned or are going to publish it yourself (there are online outfits that will even print it for you)or have previous history it is a very tough world nowadays.
I have three good things I'd like to write, but won't, simply for fear that the time would be wasted and nothing would see the light of day, nor really do I have the self discipline with all of lifes other distractions (like this place)to sit down, focus and dedicate the correct amount of time. Last time I did it ended in divorce, my dad co-incidently dying, then my hair began to fall out with the stress of it all.
So not to be undertaken lightly.