Anonymous
Post 01/21/2023 08:17     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
I write non fiction, so my agent has my latest book proposal and is about to start shopping it around (if my previous publisher doesn’t go for it). Even though I publish non fiction, if my new proposal doesn’t sell, I’m working on a fiction idea and I would love to finish it this year. It’s out of my comfort zone but a total dream of mine to publish fiction as well.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2023 08:05     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
Anonymous wrote:I've published several romance novels and started out 2023 with a new plan: a serial YA novel of sorts, where I reveal a bit of the story to my son each week. On Sunday night, my weekly deadline, I read the next installment to him. I kind of use his reactions to feel out what's working and what isn't.

The idea is to have a complete work...well, when it's done. Then I'd like to have him involved in the next steps in some way as he seems interested in the whole shebang.

I needed something to reboot my writing process and this seems to be helping. I'm a lot more excited to get started each morning.

(I should say that I don't necessarily recommend sharing drafts with family but in this case it's been pretty fun.)


I love this! It reminds me of the Princess Bride. It would be fun if you could build this process into the book itself (or into A book).
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2023 19:29     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
I've published several romance novels and started out 2023 with a new plan: a serial YA novel of sorts, where I reveal a bit of the story to my son each week. On Sunday night, my weekly deadline, I read the next installment to him. I kind of use his reactions to feel out what's working and what isn't.

The idea is to have a complete work...well, when it's done. Then I'd like to have him involved in the next steps in some way as he seems interested in the whole shebang.

I needed something to reboot my writing process and this seems to be helping. I'm a lot more excited to get started each morning.

(I should say that I don't necessarily recommend sharing drafts with family but in this case it's been pretty fun.)
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2023 11:47     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Much respect to the writers out there.

Question my daughter has (she's in middle school, and writes well for her age, but can't write anything longer than 1500 words): how do you develop the stamina to write lengthy texts???


Published novelist here -- this is what I tell kids when I do workshops, or they approach me at book signings (which is basically the cutest thing ever):

Everyone starts short, Stephen King started short. James Joyce started short.

Master the short story first! Try to get them published in school literary magazines and in contests and in other periodicals.

Stamina helps, but what writers need to write novels is a big enough idea that can sustain you for 80+k works. That's a tough ask of a MS kid. I come up with great ideas all the time, and 90% of them are not enough to carry a whole novel. Short story? Yes.

Maybe approach it like training for a marathon. You go for short runs, then longer runs, then a 5k, 1a 10K etc. Then you run the marathon.

Once you have mastered the short story, MS and HS is a good time to tackle the novella. It's actually having a resurgence right now -- there are tons on Amazon.

There's plenty of time for novel writing in the future. Get the basics of storytelling down first.


PP you replied to. Thank you for taking the time to explain!


My pleasure!!

I am actually procrastinating on DCUM when I should be editing my book, which is due in a week!
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2023 11:13     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Much respect to the writers out there.

Question my daughter has (she's in middle school, and writes well for her age, but can't write anything longer than 1500 words): how do you develop the stamina to write lengthy texts???


Published novelist here -- this is what I tell kids when I do workshops, or they approach me at book signings (which is basically the cutest thing ever):

Everyone starts short, Stephen King started short. James Joyce started short.

Master the short story first! Try to get them published in school literary magazines and in contests and in other periodicals.

Stamina helps, but what writers need to write novels is a big enough idea that can sustain you for 80+k works. That's a tough ask of a MS kid. I come up with great ideas all the time, and 90% of them are not enough to carry a whole novel. Short story? Yes.

Maybe approach it like training for a marathon. You go for short runs, then longer runs, then a 5k, 1a 10K etc. Then you run the marathon.

Once you have mastered the short story, MS and HS is a good time to tackle the novella. It's actually having a resurgence right now -- there are tons on Amazon.

There's plenty of time for novel writing in the future. Get the basics of storytelling down first.


PP you replied to. Thank you for taking the time to explain!
Anonymous
Post 01/20/2023 11:09     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
Anonymous wrote:Much respect to the writers out there.

Question my daughter has (she's in middle school, and writes well for her age, but can't write anything longer than 1500 words): how do you develop the stamina to write lengthy texts???


Published novelist here -- this is what I tell kids when I do workshops, or they approach me at book signings (which is basically the cutest thing ever):

Everyone starts short, Stephen King started short. James Joyce started short.

Master the short story first! Try to get them published in school literary magazines and in contests and in other periodicals.

Stamina helps, but what writers need to write novels is a big enough idea that can sustain you for 80+k works. That's a tough ask of a MS kid. I come up with great ideas all the time, and 90% of them are not enough to carry a whole novel. Short story? Yes.

Maybe approach it like training for a marathon. You go for short runs, then longer runs, then a 5k, 1a 10K etc. Then you run the marathon.

Once you have mastered the short story, MS and HS is a good time to tackle the novella. It's actually having a resurgence right now -- there are tons on Amazon.

There's plenty of time for novel writing in the future. Get the basics of storytelling down first.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2023 20:21     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
Anonymous wrote:Much respect to the writers out there.

Question my daughter has (she's in middle school, and writes well for her age, but can't write anything longer than 1500 words): how do you develop the stamina to write lengthy texts???


Practice, discipline, and deadlines.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2023 19:48     Subject: If you’re an author or aspiring author….
Much respect to the writers out there.

Question my daughter has (she's in middle school, and writes well for her age, but can't write anything longer than 1500 words): how do you develop the stamina to write lengthy texts???
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2023 19:43     Subject: Re:If you’re an author or aspiring author….
Anonymous wrote:I admire those who have finished or heck even started their books. Y'all are amazing and should be so proud of yourself. My ideas never make it out of my head.



This!!!! I’ve researched to death and am all ready to write, but the book isn’t happening because writing is hard and I’m not disciplined enough to make myself sit down and write when I could be doing something lazier. The fact that any of you manage the time and dedication needed to write a WHOLE BOOK is something to celebrate, no matter what ultimately happens on the publishing end.