Struggling Writers discussion
This topic is about
Heather Farthing
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The hardest part about writing a story
Well you have plenty of time to get it done - I have a feeling it's going to be sensational ;-)
I think so, too. :P
Don't doubt yourself Heather - I'm sure it will be awesome :-D
Heather wrote: "Irene wrote: "Heather wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result us just as much a surprise to me as the reader."That tends t..."
Don't put the cart before the horse...you have to find a publisher first and then comes the long slog of re-writes, because if you do manage to snare a standard contract you will be at the mercy of the publisher's editing staff, and if you want to be taken seriously you will have to bend over backwards to comply with their wishes. They are programmed to make your book the number one bestseller and only by polishing your manuscript until it glows in the dark will they push the button and print!
I am hanging on a thread with my third book, it is with a well known English publishing house under scrutiny, and has been for a week now, this part of the process can take anything up to 7 weeks, especially at this time of year, now is when then choose their titles for next spring/summer release.
After they convey their interest I will have to print off my manuscript, and post it to them, together with a cd of the same, which will cost me a fortune in postage with no guarantee of a contract. LOL who'd be an author!
I know you should never answer a question with a question, or so my elders would tell me, but may I ask why it is you all write? Personally it is for the love of telling a story that I hope others may enjoy reading. Nothing I have written was done so with the intention of hitting deadlines or making me famous/wealthy, and so when ‘life’ gets in the way I simply shelf whatever it is I’m writing until a time that I can come back to it. I feel, and you can jump on me all you wish for this, but there should be no hard part to writing. Authors write, editors edit and publishers put it all together. As an author I let the words flow, even if they don’t make sense to anyone but me (queue people pointing at this post) and so wonder if others are driven to write for other goals than the love of writing.
Sarah wrote: "Heather wrote: "Irene wrote: "Heather wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result us just as much a surprise to me as the reader..."So far I have been very happy with Amazon's indie services.
Chris wrote: "I know you should never answer a question with a question, or so my elders would tell me, but may I ask why it is you all write? Personally it is for the love of telling a story that I hope others ..."Yep me too, House of Death has taken me over a year to write, bearing in mind I moved house, and from January to the end of April I was working on the house to get it ready to move in, and did no writing at all. I don't set deadlines, I write when I feel like writing, and if I don't I do other stuff, like baking or embroidery or read other peoples work. I know this will change if I secure a three book contract, writing will become my job for the next three years or so.
I just want to be taken seriously as a write. I'm not after fame, but a little extra cash would be nice. I'm not looking for millions, just enough to install an indoor pool, and maybe buy myself and my man a new car each. Lol a Lambourghini would be great, but what the heck would I do with a sports car in the middle of the countryside - with roads limited at 90 kms. No, I think a little Nissan Micra would do me just fine, and maybe a Dacia Duster, last of the big spenders, that's me.
Heather wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Heather wrote: "Irene wrote: "Heather wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I never have a direction in mind, I write the story from start to finish. The end result us just as much a surprise to me..."Amazon is a good place to start, but the time I spend marketing my books is time I could spend writing, or painting the rooms I still have to paint!
don't disagree. I may want a publishing house someday, but right now Amazon works for my uses.
Sarah wrote: "Chris wrote: "I know you should never answer a question with a question, or so my elders would tell me, but may I ask why it is you all write? Personally it is for the love of telling a story that ..."The day I have people telling me I need to “write this for then” will be the day I stop enjoying writing.
Heather wrote: "don't disagree. I may want a publishing house someday, but right now Amazon works for my uses."I think it's what we all aim for. My Dad always told me aim high and never give up. I hope he's watching now.
Chris wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Chris wrote: "I know you should never answer a question with a question, or so my elders would tell me, but may I ask why it is you all write? Personally it is for the love of telling..."What, not even for a paying contract? I don't say I'll enjoy being chased for a manuscript but, I will enjoy sitting back, and letting someone else take care of my publicity, and for the first time in a while seeing my bank account in the black at the end of the month! And most exciting of all being able to give my man a brand new car, and not worry how I'm going to pay for it!
Sarah wrote: "Chris wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Chris wrote: "I know you should never answer a question with a question, or so my elders would tell me, but may I ask why it is you all write? Personally it is for the l..."See then that to me make writing nothing more than a paying job, and I know from experience that when a hobby turns into a career choice, the love wains. I'm sure with the burden of that three book contract comes the temptation to fulfill a contract rather than live and breath your writing
Chris wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Chris wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Chris wrote: "I know you should never answer a question with a question, or so my elders would tell me, but may I ask why it is you all write? Personally i..."I disagree, I have already completed 3 books in 3 years, and have several pieces at 10,000 waiting in the wings. So a 3 year, 3 book option, won't stress me out at all. I have already started book 4, Growing Old Disgracefully and am at 13k+, so I am already ahead of the game, which should give me enough of a head start.
I'm the exact opposite. Novels come naturally to me, but I struggle over short stories! I just can't seem to make a go of that. And it's not just me - I've had readers tell me that they enjoy my novels, but my short stories miss the mark. I feel so weird, because most authors have trouble with the longer stuff. Leave it to me to love the complexity of novels and not get short stories! :)
Sherri wrote: "I'm the exact opposite. Novels come naturally to me, but I struggle over short stories! I just can't seem to make a go of that. And it's not just me - I've had readers tell me that they enjoy my no..."I see Stephen King as being the opposite. He gets such praise for his novels but every single one I've read the ending has left me wide-eyed and...confused, not in a good way. His short stories, however, are where is talent lies.
Heather there are an awful lot of authors who's endings leave me confused. My pet hate is crappy endings. Like when you get down to the last few pages of the book and you know the end is coming but there are so many unfinished sub plots, it makes me want to scream. I have been known to throw the book into the corner in disgust.
That's what I'm trying to do, show the ending with utmost clarity but without making it heavy exposition or treating the readers like they're dumb.
Heather wrote: "That's what I'm trying to do, show the ending with utmost clarity but without making it heavy exposition or treating the readers like they're dumb."I was so concerned with making the ending right in Cally's Secret I split it into 3 parts, with each couple having an ending to their part of the story whilst leaving a door slightly ajar leading into the sequel, Almost Perfect, which is still to be written.
What's the Goodreads Choice Awards and the rules? Can authors nominate their own books? How does that work?I know what the ending has to say, I just don't know how to say it or who to have say it. Fortunately, I've realized a portion of character development was dumb. Unfortunately, that makes the ending harder to write. -_-
Heather wrote: "What's the Goodreads Choice Awards and the rules? Can authors nominate their own books? How does that work?I know what the ending has to say, I just don't know how to say it or who to have say ..."
I don't know you will have to ask one of the moderators on that one.
I have already written the ending for my 4th book, before I started writing the middle...As to whether I stick to it is another story.
The Goodreads Choice Awards? Honestly I'm not sure. Hopefully your other moderators can help out with that because I'm clueless. :)
♪ Tara ♪ wrote: "The Goodreads Choice Awards? Honestly I'm not sure. Hopefully your other moderators can help out with that because I'm clueless. :)"Jess would actually be an awesome person to explain this because I tend to goop things up in explanation *peers around for Jessica*.
This has been fun. I think when I'm ready to show my cover, I may display it here first. Anyone else is welcome to show their covers, of course. ^_^
Heather wrote: "This has been fun. I think when I'm ready to show my cover, I may display it here first. Anyone else is welcome to show their covers, of course. ^_^"Thanks, Heather, I look forward to seeing your cover, are you going to design it yourself? I am teaching myself to draw...again. I amazed people with my drawings at 7 years old, dogs, ballerina's, you name it, and I could draw it...then as quickly as my ability developed it disappeared. It would be great to be able to design my very own cover...I think.
I use CreateSpace's cover creator. I've had a few problems lately with their stock art not quite lining up with my vision, but when this came together, it did so beautifully. I'm considering my options for a Smashwords release, though.
Heather wrote: "I use CreateSpace's cover creator. I've had a few problems lately with their stock art not quite lining up with my vision, but when this came together, it did so beautifully. I'm considering my..."
My two covers were made with CreateSpace's stock photographs, but you can use your own creations too, there is a blank cover enabling those creative souls who can either draw, or take wonderful photographs to use them. I am planning a day out looking for haunted looking houses to photograph, run down, sad looking properties are two a penny here in France, but I need a granite town house if possible in a cul de sac with a park in front...Lol poetic license can sometimes bite one on the bum when one least expects it! It is more likely that it will take several photographs and the expertise of my sister to bring them all together. We shall see...
I don't draw. I hope to one day afford an illustrated cover from them, but for now I'm trying to maximize profit.
Heather wrote: "I don't draw. I hope to one day afford an illustrated cover from them, but for now I'm trying to maximize profit."I can draw a little, mostly portraits, and if I try to paint them I ruin them. My dad accused me of tracing my drawings from a book when I was little, until I asked him how do you trace?
I may have an ending. Now it's just a matter of finishing the beginning, then stitching it to the middle, and then stitching that to the ending.
Heather wrote: "I may have an ending. Now it's just a matter of finishing the beginning, then stitching it to the middle, and then stitching that to the ending."I refer to this chore as my knitting project! I just opened my emails to find I won a signed copy of Grey Water Blue! I'd forgotten I'd entered the competition! Maybe my luck is changing!
I'm hoping to have this done before the new year. I'm curious as to what it's going to be like to finish and publish it. As long as I'm writing it, I can continue to daydream and change it and imagine what-if. Once I finalize my proof, that's it. If I come up with awesome dialog that works, it won't matter. If I find something that works better than what I did, it won't matter.
It's a peculiar feeling.
I definitely agree about that feeling--it's awesome.
Heather wrote: "I'm hoping to have this done before the new year. I'm curious as to what it's going to be like to finish and publish it. As long as I'm writing it, I can continue to daydream and change it and ..."
And then you will start your next project and the whole process begins again...I'm on book 4 now!
Finished a rough draft of the ending. I've got some ideas about the middle. Maybe I'll make my New Years goal, anyway. And made a cover to use with Smashwords. ^_^
I am such a terrible person at making covers haha I have my friends do it for me
Jessica wrote: "I am such a terrible person at making covers haha I have my friends do it for me"I am about to make the cover for the very naughty Growing Old Disgracefully...and a naughty book requires an equally naughty cover!
They suggested in the Smashwords group "Paint.net." I'm not particularly skilled at such programs, though.
Heather wrote: "I've had writers block on a major project, but I think I'm getting it together. It's an idea I've had knocking around since 2007 or so, and it didn't get off the ground until recently. Then, BO..."
I have found that to be very true for me. Sometimes I will have a specific idea for a setting or character, or maybe just a cool scene, but no way for it to take off and so it just sits there stewing. I'll keep it on the burner though and add bits and pieces to it until one day it all comes together and you just knock it out! That's a great feeling.
For me the hardest part I've realized is letting my characters breathe. I have my opinions of how they should be, but they have their own. And once I let them find themselves, they become more interesting characters that readers want to know about.
Another issue I've had is pace - I tend to fly through scenes with little description and leave it to readers to imagine the setting and the action themselves. I always felt that the more adjectives I throw out on paper, the slower the flow. But the other extreme is the reader has no idea what is going on when you blaze through it, which is something need to improve on.
Steven wrote: "Heather wrote: "I've had writers block on a major project, but I think I'm getting it together. It's an idea I've had knocking around since 2007 or so, and it didn't get off the ground until rec..."
I plan scenes in my sleep, well it's the only reason I can give for waking up of a morning with the next chapter all planned out in my head, and one that ties in a piece of the puzzle from an earlier chapter!
It's really weird, but so far with Growing Old Disgracefully its happened 3 times, and each time the chapter needs little or no editing....Reminds me of the tale of Rumpletstiltskin! And leaves me wondering when the gnarled up old dwarf's gonna turn up for payment!
For me the hardest part of writing a story is laying it out in my mind. Once I know the direction I want it to take, I can make pretty good progress. It's deciding on the story itself that I find most daunting.
Amanda wrote: "For me the hardest part of writing a story is laying it out in my mind. Once I know the direction I want it to take, I can make pretty good progress. It's deciding on the story itself that I find..."That bit's not a problem, it's stopping the ideas crowding out the current WIP I have problems with.
Then you have an enviable problem. Best of luck to you.
Amanda wrote: "Then you have an enviable problem. Best of luck to you."Thanks, if I live long enough to write them all that is. I seem to pick up at least one new idea every day, they come at me from all directions. It's just a case then of weeding out the weak ones and hoping I don't miss something important.
Sarah wrote: "Amanda wrote: "For me the hardest part of writing a story is laying it out in my mind. Once I know the direction I want it to take, I can make pretty good progress. It's deciding on the story its..."I get that way. It's why I'm ecstatic I might actually finish something more than a couple of pages long.
Great new for everyone! CreateSpace rescinded their fee for enrolling in expanded distribution! I just hope they don't put it back before I finish...
Here's a thought. When it comes to writing, a story can be about anything. I haven't even written a book or a short story because of the fact that it can be about anything. My thoughts are changing all the time and I can't seem to concentrate on ONE subject!
Jonathan wrote: "Here's a thought. When it comes to writing, a story can be about anything. I haven't even written a book or a short story because of the fact that it can be about anything. My thoughts are changing..."I get that way, too.
Heather wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Amanda wrote: "For me the hardest part of writing a story is laying it out in my mind. Once I know the direction I want it to take, I can make pretty good progress. It's deciding on..."That is great news even if it does mean I will have to put out new editions on both my books in order to comply! Worth it in the long run! Now all I need is Microsoft to relent and give everyone with the crappy Windows 8 office for free or at least a realistic price!
Jonathan wrote: "Here's a thought. When it comes to writing, a story can be about anything. I haven't even written a book or a short story because of the fact that it can be about anything. My thoughts are changing..."That's why I have two other books waiting in the wings at 10k + their day will come...eventually!
Struggling Writers
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Secret Admirer (other topics)Shipwrecked (other topics)
And thanks, I appreciate it. I hope to have it done by the new year.