What goes in the making of an author?

[Lakshmi]

@Hemant What do you mean by structured writing format ????

[Sheila]

I have read books in English since age of 3 years. I have tried to read a few Indian authors and my experience with these books has not been great. Few well written and edited books are enjoyable. Most books lack good plots, have bad book covers and poor editing. As a Canadian with Indian back ground I would love to read well written books by Indian writers. The few books I read turned out to be like Indian movies. Comparing Indian writers phrases in to English writers with phrase in Italian, Spanish or Russian

[Sheila]

oops.. Indian phrases are poorly translated to English which is a real concern to readers. If Indian writers want their books read international than they definitely need better edited books or people would not read them.

[Hemant]

Lakshmi wrote: "@Hemant What do you mean by structured writing format ????"

A 'structured' writer begins his story after he/she has written down the character profiles,(protagonist and antagonist(s)) a detailed write up on the plots and the sequence in which each plot unfolds from beginning to end. The entire story is a timeline, within which, chapters with plots(s) appear as milestones.

The writer, then allocates a certain number of words per chapter, though this is not fixed but indicative in nature. This particular exercise is important for the author because it helps the author to fix a deadline for completing the book. So each day, the author decides to type in a certain number of words, say 1000, 1500...

Now the 'in flow' author starts off with a lot of enthusiasm, allowing the creative juices to take him/her down the by lanes of the plot(s). There are tremendous pitfalls in this method. The author may end up in a dead end or a labyrinth from which it is very difficult to extricate oneself. (For instance a new idea of a plot within a plot). Even if he does so, it is done at the risk of being 'contrived'.

Now the 'structured' writer, saves himself from this pitfall because he/she has already laid down the plots in a sequence.

Secondly, sometimes,the 'in flow' writer, gets so carried away with a particular theme (which is close to the heart) that he/she risks losing balance and relevance.

Ideally, one begins in a structured manner, allowing flexibility within each chapter/plot, allowing the author to be fully creative.

In short 'structured' writing imposes discipline.
hope this has been helpful.

[Lakshmi]

yeah thank you so much.. now I am getting to know something about authoring..

[Ken]

I'll add my comments to the others who said that writing is hard work. Having a good idea by itself is not enough. Of course, for those of us who do this outside our regular jobs, it becomes even more challenging to find the time needed to write and finish a book.

@Hemant, I agree that a structured approach helps impose discipline. I've also seen very good work by those who write free-form. It all depends on what works best for each individual writer. My own writing style lies somewhere in between the two extremes.

[Lakshmi]

well ,what was this discussion originally about ??? newbie authors ?? seems like we missed that.

[Hemant]

Er.. actually both newbie as well as established authors. Generally trying to understand what makes authors tick.