Any Authors On Here ?

Von Smallhausen · 23 Dec 2009 at 18:31

I fancy having a stab at writing a book of short stories. Is there anyone here who has tried their hand at writing and had something published ?

How did you go about it ?

Meridian · 23 Dec 2009 at 19:27

Advice from a friend who has had a couple of books published: get an agent. Get a good agent. That said, the other published author I know (children's stories - a very crowded market) uses her mother as her agent.

M

semi-pro waster · 23 Dec 2009 at 20:57

Dark_Angel is writing a book at the moment but hasn't been published as far as I'm aware. I think you might be better looking for a forum for budding writers though for advice, I'm sure your book will be an interesting read at least. For what it's worth I'd be happy to give it a read over if that would be of any help.

m0r94n · 23 Dec 2009 at 20:59

What about dvdbunny?

eggyoke · 23 Dec 2009 at 21:19

I've been writing a horror/Vampire novel on and off for about 9 months now. Because it’s my first attempt at serious writing I'm a bit low on confidence and tend to hesitate over decisions and my writing style. I've totally went about it in the wrong way, yet I can say it’s been a big learning process and I'm sure my next effort will go much smoother.

If all goes well I'm hoping my first draft will be finished by March, and then it’s a matter of sharing it with a few people for pointers and to highlight blatant errors that I've missed from looking at it too closely for a long time.

Pestilence · 23 Dec 2009 at 21:31

Head over to AbsoluteWrite for some great advice and insight, and also checks on reputable agents and publishers.

Von Smallhausen · 24 Dec 2009 at 04:16

Thanks for the replies.

Plots running around in my head revolve around the supernatural but not horror.

SexyGreyFox · 24 Dec 2009 at 08:21

I'm having a book released in early January and there are orders for 1600 copies already.

Azza · 24 Dec 2009 at 09:08

Well done you.

khimbar · 24 Dec 2009 at 09:11

In January get to Waterstones and get the Writers and Artists Yearbook for next year. It's the writer's best friend.

Cosimo · 24 Dec 2009 at 09:16

dmpoole said:
I'm having a book released in early January and there are orders for 1600 copies already.

What is it?

Big Chris · 24 Dec 2009 at 09:26

eggyoke said:
I've been writing a horror/Vampire novel on and off for about 9 months now. Because it’s my first attempt at serious writing I'm a bit low on confidence and tend to hesitate over decisions and my writing style. I've totally went about it in the wrong way, yet I can say it’s been a big learning process and I'm sure my next effort will go much smoother.

If all goes well I'm hoping my first draft will be finished by March, and then it’s a matter of sharing it with a few people for pointers and to highlight blatant errors that I've missed from looking at it too closely for a long time.

In the nicest possible way, you need to tighten up on your written English if you're going to take this seriously. For example:

I've totally went about it in the wrong way...

Should really be, "I've gone about it the wrong way".

I'm sure my next effort will go much smoother.

Should really be, "I'm sure my next effort will go much more smoothly".

Edinho · 24 Dec 2009 at 14:28

dmpoole said:
I'm having a book released in early January and there are orders for 1600 copies already.

link? title? author? book number?

Writing is like painting. You need to do it for yourself rather than hoping its going to be a million dollar seller when it isnt. Far too many think they can write and usually go for kids stuff, which is the hardest to go for, its crowded, and its by far the hardest to be good at.

Calabi · 24 Dec 2009 at 15:09

I havent written much of anything, but I would say Dont join NanoWrimo. Dont focus on writing a novel, at least to start with, write little short stories, even parts of scenes of short stories, get a feel for it to start with, the only way to learn is to read, write and get feedback from what is written.

J1234 · 24 Dec 2009 at 15:20

dmpoole said:
I'm having a book released in early January and there are orders for 1600 copies already.

Fabulous.

Von Smallhausen · 24 Dec 2009 at 15:39

dmpoole said:
I'm having a book released in early January and there are orders for 1600 copies already.

Stick me down for a copy DMP.

E-mail in trust when you want postal details. Sorry if this breaks rules but I am genuinely interested in getting a copy.

SexyGreyFox · 24 Dec 2009 at 17:31

Von Smallhausen said:
Stick me down for a copy DMP.

E-mail in trust when you want postal details. Sorry if this breaks rules but I am genuinely interested in getting a copy.

It also comes in a proper presentation folder and a CD-Rom version and has taken 18 months waiting for others to proof read.

Von Smallhausen · 24 Dec 2009 at 17:40

OH is a staff nurse for the NHS and would find that interesting as well.

ElliorR · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:04

Hmmm. The structure of the NHS looks like an early blueprint of the Enterprise.

SexyGreyFox · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:11

Von Smallhausen said:
OH is a staff nurse for the NHS and would find that interesting as well.

One of my last amendments was taking out a word because I'd put "will need a diploma or degree in Nursing" but it's only a degree now

Now the deadline date is coming from Aimhigher everybody has decided to look at it this last week and I've been making changes.
What they can't understand is if I change one word in the main book I then have to change PDF's and everything else that goes on the CD.
Just got to wait for the Trust Chairman to add his bit now.

My next project will be interesting -
I'm making a film on Aseptic Techniques (ask the wife) and they've bought me Adobe Premiere to do it with.
We already have excellent camcorders because of the 3D stuff I use.
This will then have to be shown to all 1500 SN's and they will have to pass a test on an e-Learning platform.