Just write
I have written a lot in my lifetime and it shows in some of my posts.
It has been a while since I started a project larger than a short story, but I also have a couple of stories in mind I might decide to write someday. One set in the way back past, the other set in the future.
What style do you guys like? Wing it, plot it, or "as needed"?
Ooohhh.... ask me about writing, and I will give you a good answer!
I want to do this professionally (write, the dream job!), but my goals for myself have to be realistic.
My philosophy is write, write, write, edit later! I have test readers give me really good, clear feedback, and go back and fix what doesn't make sense, or an oops
I write with the flow, whenever I have inspiration. I brainstorm, take notes, research, hit the library, read, read, read... and then just go for it.
If I worried about mapping out every plot point in the story from A-Z, I'd never get anything written. Sometimes I don't have all the details worked out in my head yet, or I change my mind, or I get stuck.
I've done a few short stories before, but I think my moves or computer crashes made them disappear... (hit head on brick wall)
I also have more than one project to work on at a time, otherwise writer's block can set in and I will sit and stew about not making progress. I dabble in writing in other genres, like Horror/Suspense. I do mostly SF and Fantasy.
I've found myself writing on restaurant napkins, or waking up from a dream, running for paper and pen, and going for it before I forget what I thought would be such a cool idea for a story.
The main thing is JUST KEEP WRITING!! And READ, READ, READ, and read some more! I've learned a lot of things from other writers. They're usually really nice and open to sharing information about what they do, and how to get one's foot in the door. (At least in my experience.)
Plotting is recommended, for obvious reasons, but every writer works differently. Work the way that feels best and the most comfortable to you. I write off the cuff, very much the way JRR Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, was said to have worked. (I'd like to see an editor EDIT an English professor!
)
How to Write books give the author's opinions of what worked for that person, and it may or may not work for you to do it the same way. That's OK.
I have participated in writer's groups in school and college a few times for some good feedback. I have people I trust not to steal my story and market it, or post it on the Internet, to read what I'm working on. (This happened to Twilight author Stephanie Meyer. Someone she trusted posted an unedited rough draft on the Internet without her permission.
That is not very nice! It's also a violation of the author's copyright.)
Professionals have to do an outline, book synopsis, and three sample chapters, and some other stuff for marketing purposes. However, I've been told again and again don't try to submit if a book is not finished! (Cart before the horse theory.) I still have my DAY JOB since I have to eat (starving artists are still starving). (Stephen King used to be a high school teacher before he made it with writing full-time.)
I have also attended local Science Fiction conventions and I've gone to discussion panels where groups of people sit listening to speakers. They take questions and make sure that information is shared. The ones I have been to have had guest writers, guest artists, and guest editors from the big publishing houses in New York.
All the editors I talked to said YOU DO NOT NEED AN AGENT UNTIL YOU HAVE A BOOK DEAL!! Agents get 10-15% of whatever you make on a book sale. Some authors use an entertainment lawyer to go over a contract and hammer out details, protecting the author's rights. (I haven't gotten that far yet.)
The short story market for pros pays $0.03-0.05 per word. Anything under that is not considered pro level sales.
I know a lot of fan fiction authors who only write stuff they want, but can't sell it. I'd not want to be on the receiving end of anyone crazy enough to try and market fan fic to Pocket Books, the Star Trek book publishers. BAD IDEA... Paramount and Pocket so far haven't sued or gone after fan fic writers for copyright infringement yet.
However, music companies will go after you for it!! I see a lot of notices about it on You Tube. A lot of people DO NOT understand WHAT infringement is. Basically if it's not yours, DO NOT copy it!They don't CARE if you make a profit off it or not-the POINT is buy a legal copy of the music and play it, or pay to download, but do not redistribute it or upload it for FREE on the Internet. Pirating is stealing. The artist and music company didn't get paid for their work unless people BUY a copy. Plain and simple.
I'm a stickler about infringement. If it's out of copyright or public domain, that's one thing. You have to check, because it varies by country, too! University libraries in the UK have copyright on medieval illuminated (art) manuscripts, where they would be considered public domain in the US because no copyright was ever filed with the office, and no one renewed an existing one.
Plagiarize and sell someone's work as your own, you will get sued! Or worse... (This happens more frequently than most people hear about). Make sure your work is not too close to someone else's. You can wind up in court if it is! Don't write a book almost exactly like Harry Potter, for example.
OK, I'll get off my writer's/artist's soap box for now.
If you just want to do it for a hobby, that's fine, too. Not everyone wants to go pro.
Hope that helps give you a few ideas.
JM
again
- if you want to know that is...
