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McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: Mickey Finn on August 17, 2006, 02:00:20 PM

Title: Author In Progress
Post by: Mickey Finn on August 17, 2006, 02:00:20 PM
Are you learning to become an author, but haven't yet published professionally?

Tell us about yourself and your work here. (Please don't post samples directly to the board. Links ok.)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LoVeBoOkS on August 17, 2006, 03:41:14 PM
HI!

My name is Amber, and yes, I am an up-and-coming author. No, nothing published yet, but i am trying!!

Right now i'm writing two books, which is difficult with school and everything else a 14, almost 15, year old has to deal with. I write murder/mystery novels, seeing as how that is my favorite genre, along with fantasy of course. I've talked to many people to help me get my facts straight. I know the State Supreme Court Justice, who is a very nice lady. I've been interviewed by the local newspaper. I enjoy writing so much. I've email about 3 authors, counting Mr. Butcher, and have gotten emails back, except from Mr. Butcher lol.

My first book i started about two years ago and it's called Silent Death. It's in third person, and it's actually going very well. I'm about half-way through, and very excited about when i finish. Hopefully i can get out there!

My other book is a little different. I started it maybe a year ago, when i was originally typing a journal entry but decided it would make a good plot line. It's called Found Missing, and it's in first person, although i don't use myself. It's going along well too, although it's about a fourth of the way through. I'm also very excited for the finished product.

I like picking titles that contradict. For example, Found Missing. If you're found, how can you be missing? And if you're missing, how can you be found and missing at the same time? Do you see? Silent Death is a bit more complicated. Death is supposed to be posted. Whether it's murder or natural causes, you usually see something about it in the paper. But yet there is the silent part. Hence the contradiction.

I don't feel comfortable letting anyone see my work considering it is not copyrighted and i don't need people stealing my ideas. However, i may be lenient to offer a small tidbit:

The heat around her was thickening, stifling, like a blanket. Branches whipped out at her, cutting her face and tearing at her clothes, slowing her down. Death lurked behind her, a merciless being with a heart blacker than ebony. She tries to scream, but the humid air cuts her off, like the fear that chokes her. Trees flash past, twisted and gnarled things that look nothing like the regular beauty of the swamp. Like the hunter that stalks behind her, hurtful and predatory. She looks behind her, tripping over a tree root and stumbling, sending her sprawling headlong into a weeping willow. Too late, no one to come and answer her screams for help, for mercy, never coming.
  The hunter lurks over her, a smile curling the corners of the mouth. Her screams intrigue something, send something stirring inside. Excitement, happiness. The predator knows this little slut has no more control over her life. The knife is the only one that does. The knife is evil, like the murderer that holds it.
  Smiling, the knife is raised and plunged, drawing blood as alluring as red champagne.........


Tell me what you think!!!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kalshane on August 17, 2006, 05:20:17 PM
So, about 13 years ago I started writing a book, and then later some short stories, about a smart-ass 20-something wizard with a prediliction for wearing long black coats living in Chicagoland who fell in love with a girl who turned out to be a vampire, had a mentor in the form of a talking peace pipe and battled various supernatural nasties. It was very derivative of a certain RPG, considering the character originated in said game, and had some other issues, mostly due to being written by a 17-year-old kid without a clue and while I still made occaisional stops in for a thousand words or so from time to time and I had 10 years of the character's life developed in my head, it never really went anywhere.

Over a year ago, I decided to revisit this character, as he's still the favorite of everything I've ever made, and re-write his story from the ground up, completely divorcing him from his RPG origins. I've gotten about 40,000 words of the new novel done and I'm liking how it's shaping up. However, since there's already a series of books about a dark-coated wizard fighting evil in Chicagoland (maybe you all have heard of it  ;) ) I have a feeling when it's time to do my second draft, I'm probably going to have to re-work things quite a bit so it doesn't seem derivative.

In any case, in its current form, it's a 3rd-person urban fantasy with a sense of humor set in a fictional Illinois college town within a couple hours of Chicago. I'm currently doing my best to slog through "The Great Swampy Middle", as Jim puts it. I know where I'm going, just having trouble getting there.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: pathele on August 17, 2006, 07:53:41 PM
I have been writing since I was a kid. Mostly short stories.  About five years ago I decided to try my hand at a novel.  I wrote a totally crappy 90,000 word monster, and put it on a shelf. I take it out once in a while to remind myself that I had a lot to learn. 

I have learned a lot since and am currently working on a couple of novels.  Jim's livejournal and several books by Jack Bickham have helped my craft tremendously.
The main novel that I am working on is kind of cyberpunk in that there is strong use of technology, but it is more like magic. 
I have plotted the first book and have written the first couple of chapters.  It seems to be going well, but of course I am biased.  I hope to some day be able to mark my name in the published professional authors list.

-paul
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Tersa on August 19, 2006, 04:22:16 AM
I've wanted to write a book and be an author for a long time, and recently I put together the beginnings of a book.  I don't know how it's going to end yet or even if it will be half decent when I'm through, but I'm trying!   

It's about magic and wizards and all that jazz, since that's what I've been reading and in the mood for lately, but in the world I have the wizarding world is a kind of altered reflection of our world with its own set of rules and customs.  All that exist are wizards and archangels.  Vampires used to be running about, but they've been exterminated and the only traces left of them are various families that have vampire in their bloodlines. It's being written in first person from a wizard prodigy named Jacob Bowen, who is preparing to take on his first apprentice at the beginning of the book.

My wizards are strange because I don't see them as doing magic in the traditional wave a wand and a teacup turns into a cat sense. They can rearrange molecules, protons, quarks, all the building blocks of matter, but they can't change the particles themselves, just what they combine to make, and they cannot create or destroy matter.  I suppose they're more alchemists than wizards, in that sense.  This is my first totally original work, so I'm just trying to watch and see where it goes.
 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Benchleyfan on August 19, 2006, 04:38:19 AM
My name is Shelley and I have been writing and/or telling stories since I can remember.  What I'm working on now, I hope to get published one day.  Mostly I want to see how the story ends.  It's a pretty straight forward private eye mystery.  My detective used to be a cop, but got badly burned out and decided to go the private eye route.  I'm not very nice to him.  Instead of the sexy secretary, in his first case, I have saddled him with his older bossy sister.  Just until he "gets established."  Insert evil author laughter.  ;) 

Anyway, my guy Nick might have dreamed about being a lone wolf investigator, but he comes from a large family which won't let him.  His family and some friends who won't cut him any slack, that is.  On the plus side, he does have a sultry redhead as a girlfriend so I'm not being entirely harsh to my hero.  The story I'm writing is about Nick's first case.  A simple missing person case that turns deadly.  It's been a lot of fun to write and I'm hoping someday to be bugging people to be test readers.  :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Danielle/Evie on August 20, 2006, 02:34:39 AM
Hey, Danielle here.

I've been writing forever..or well, as soon as I could write on the lines. Somewhere in the 7-10 age range I went ka-boom with writing, working on a disastrous assortment of diary entrys that I added extra plots to, a few goofy poems and a few deeper, darker poems, and a lot of short stories with blood, fright, and an incredibly dramatic twist in the end. Before, during, and after that I was/am a frightfully intense reader of every kind of book (except maybe War and Peace, which I'm am terrified of), which is where I've learned most of what I know, in addition to every spare scrap of artical or interview I can get my hands on.

Right now, I've got my sights set on a fantasy novel (which in my head has sparked a series) that gets me more and more excited everytime I think about it. It's growing up, finding love, keeping love, losing love, evil, goodness, a journey, a war...but still based on characters that are meant to be real, complicated, and themselves, most importantly. I'm learning as I go, and it may turn out to be absolutely ridiculous.....but I absolutly love it.

Amoung many others, I'm trying to get this short story out. This ones about a man named Eddy Flies who is a vampire in a world where vampires don't exist. I'm considering called it Redemption...and have it be about his struggle to be human and his physical inability to never be able to do so, what with being known as the son of the devil. Now, I have no idea where the redemption part is going to come in, or whether there will be any redeming at all (I'm really only at the part where he makes his first kill), but so far I really like the character, and I'm going to keep working on it until it's fit to be published! :D

All it all, though, the biggest struggle is finding time. It exists, yes, but so far my biggest problem is getting myself to take advantage of it. But, hey! I'm 15, and while I'm planning on writing as much as I can, I still have a few other things to learn.
     
On a less me-note, everyone else's ideas sound absolutely fantastic!!! I really look forward to picking up a book or a short stories mag and saying, "Hey!!! I recognize that story!" and being able to brag that I have a sort-of, not-completely-existing "in" with the author.  :P
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Dom on August 20, 2006, 03:42:21 AM
Wow, sounds like a lot of urban fantasy here. (I didn't mention it before, because I'm already the one whose blabbed the most about themselves, but I do Sci-Fi too.  It's just on the back burner at the moment.)

DannyJD--hope your last name doesn't start with a "G".  My first name is Danielle too, and I go by "Danni"! We might get mixed up on the shelves if we're both ever so lucky to be published.  ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Richelle Mead on August 20, 2006, 07:43:28 AM
Oh, wow, I am psyched at all the writers around here.  I love how everyone has such strong ideas for stories!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Danielle/Evie on August 20, 2006, 04:02:41 PM
Dom- ACTUALLY..while my last name starts with D (oh the horror that has been wraught with the initals DD  ;)) ...it actually means "of the Gardens" in French. Coincidence? I think..so. But amusing nonetheless.  :) I'll make sure to keep the name foreign for the shelves
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kiriath on August 21, 2006, 04:36:03 AM
Hello. I'm Ryan.  :)

Since November 05, I've worked on a fantasy novel with the title Vortex Trigger. It's about a dreamer elf and a shady rogue who chase a sentient storm and its elemental army.

I'm shooting for Vortex Trigger as a full 400 page fantasy novel, and I plan to revise it as viciously as I need to and publish it. It's light and romantic; think The Dragon and the George, Anne McCaffrey, The Dark Crystal and Renaissance festivals.

My next novel, Enemy Territory, occurs within a space empire of a hundred planets where an impatient prince battles a mad genius, psychic supersoldiers with abilities suppressed with drugs and a powerful insect race. Think Gundam, Godzilla and Phantasy Star.

I've written one novel already as a concept generator. Titled Oracle Dream, it's 150 pages and about a girl who sees ghosts and a bank robbery.

I don't think it's especially well written for many reasons, but that really wasn't the point of it... I wanted to show myself that I could write a novel! My sister adored it, though, and she's drawing short comics with the characters. I have many stories in mind. It's just that Oracle Dream wasn't the story I wanted to tell about them.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: terroja on August 28, 2006, 03:58:20 AM
TL KINCAID here.

I am a writer. I don't write very well, but if most of the books I read are any indication, that doesn't really matter.

I completed the first draft of a novel called Red Day when I was 18 years old, but realized that no one with a sane bone in their body would ever publish it. It was completely morally abberant and probably would have had lynch mobs forming in my front lawn if it ever got any sort of notoriety. So I shelved it and began working on a new book.

I'm still wroking on my new book. It's called The Plague of Meaning. It is currently 77,000 words long and nowhere near finished. I suspect its final length will be a hurtle when it comes time for me to publish it, but I really don't particularly care. I know that I'm supposed to pander to what readers and publishers want, but I don't really care about that stuff. I write for me. If a company is stupid enough to publish me and readers are smart enough to read me, than that's their business. I'm only interested in the ego-boost of saying, "I wrote a novel!"

Anyway, that's me.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: ethyachk on August 28, 2006, 08:45:08 PM
While technically I've been writing on and off since high school, I'll only admit that what I wrote since '03-'04 is mine. I actually started writing again because of Fool Moon; Jim inspired me, what can I say? Anyway, I started writing a book as a first person, modern fantasy, stream of consciousness novel, got 40 pages in and realized how bad it was and stalled. Later I eventually pushed on and finished the book, but I've done massive rewrites to it.  I've since finished two sequels, and I have plans for a fourth sequel, and started a seperate high fantasy book. My favorite bookstore owner in the world edited my first book recently, and he's helping me prepare for trying to get the thing published. So much work! The basic plot is a wizard goes to college, meets a vampire who becomes his best friend, then tries to help stop someone from taking over the world. Plenty more than that happens, as it's a 150k word book, but it's complicated, so you'll just have to wait and see if I manage to get published. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Dom on August 29, 2006, 02:21:09 AM
TL KINCAID here.

I am a writer. I don't write very well, but if most of the books I read are any indication, that doesn't really matter.

Motto.  :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Divolg on September 01, 2006, 09:56:39 PM
Hi, my name is Kurt, and I'm an alco---alcoho--err, an unpublished writer. 

My first novel, The Interesting Accountant, was about an accountant who is turned into an elf with a revenant on his tail after pissing off a necromancer.  He's up against the clock with the necromancer trying to bring back the Wild Host led by the Yule Alf (Santa's real predecessor).  I know, I know, I have never heard of an "interesting accountant" either.  No nibbles on it, but I had fun writing the story. :)

My second novel, Loki Moon, was about a commune raised ex-Navy Seal who's sent into a subglacial research facility (200 meters below a glacier, with miles of tunnels) to investigate a potential outbreak of an infectious agent.  The infectious agent, released from the ice, transforms people into various manifestations of beings bearing similar traits to those of Norse myth (various conditions the victims are in determines what they become).  After the military move in to deal with the threat, the facility is overrun and the main character and a handful of survivors are trapped inside one of the subglacial labs.  After making homemade bombs from lab chemicals (flashbacks to my childhood) to use on the creatures pounding and weakening the lab hatch, the survivors flee through the maintenance tunnels, then through the meltwater tunnels into the depths of the glacier, where they find the source of the infectious agent.  They find an old Nazi ice drill vehicle preserved in the cold (abandoned when the original occupants investigated the depths) and when the host of beings stir to life to feed on the survivors, they drive the vehicle down the subglacial river artery and out the snout into a proglacial lake.  As they're surrounded by the host of beings, the main character realizes the link between a scientific solution and the purported solution mentioned in Norse lore for the threat.

Had loads of fun writing this story and learning about the subglacial world of scientists in Norway.  Talk about rugged scientists, they're the real deal.  They study microscopic life frozen in the lightless, airless ice for space travel applications--cool stuff.  That was where I had the notion of an infectious agent frozen in a glacier being the cause for the beings out of Norse myth. 

Still piling up rejection letters for this one, but I'll keep plugging away.  The next novel I'm working on is a murder mystery set in Navy Seal training (BUDS), where an officer trainees' fellow officers start getting murdered.  I don't care much for delving into my personal experiences in BUDS (each day we were served a different variety of shit sandwich, but no matter how they served it, it as still a shit sandwich), but it might be fun for people to read about a guy struggling through training one minute and the next he's trying to figure out who's killing his classmates (before its his turn).

Great stories from everybody on the board.  Good luck to all of you with your writing.  We're so fortunate to share this passion.  You all inspire me, thanks for your posts.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: weever on September 11, 2006, 02:07:23 AM
It's nice to know that I'm not the only aspiring novelists in this genre.

I've been writing since about the third grade.  You know the stories.  The ones with all of your friends as the lead characters.  Whoever pissed you off that week appeared as the new antagonist that ended with a justified flogging of some sort.

For years I told people I wanted to be a writer.  I had high school teachers pushing me in that direction.  My biggest problem then was meeting deadlines.  I also didn't believe that I could make a decent living at it.  So as with most thing at that point in my life, my inner writer got shelved.

Within the last few years that inner writer resurfaced a monster.  I was fortunate enough to marry a woman that understood the creative side of life and kindled the tiny spark back to a flame.  I'm currently transforming that flame into a furnace.

Since then I have written several short stories.  None of them have piqued the interest of any editors, but I still have some out there.  When my fingers aren't crossed, they're typing away on the next twisted story.  Sometimes I think it's more like playing scribe to voices in my head.

One of my favorite short stories is about a company that sells ogres.  It's kind of a day in life of the owner.  It follows him as he interviews a possible new employee and as he deals with opposition to his business.

I'm currently working on a larger piece about a thief.  It follows his exploits as he raises in the ranks in a crime organization.  It takes place in in an alternate world where science takes on more magic-like qualities.  I've got a basic outline that will stretch over three novels.  The first book is just now being fleshed out and changes to those original ideas are being changed almost daily.

I find writing is like riding a bike.  Even after putting it down for almost a decade, I can still do it.  Although, if I plan on doing those jumps and wheelies that keep people watching, I need to keep riding(writing) everyday.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: bookgodess15 on September 14, 2006, 11:42:04 PM
Hey all!  Um, my name's Monica.  I've been writing since I was about 10 (I'm 15 now), and I'm very obviously unpublished.  But I hope to be published one day.  Actually, I'm hoping my current novel will get published, because I think that a lot of editors are looking for the younger people (look at the attention Eragon got). 

The current novel, mentioned above, doesn't really fit any genre.  If anybody can help me on that...?  But anyways, it's the story of... well, it's just easier if I use names.  Mary and Jesse have a young daughter named Hannah, and they are on good terms with Mary's sister Bridget, and her partner April.  Mary and Bridget's parents live a little ways away and highly disapprove of Bridget's style of living, but have never openly said anything.  So when Mary and Jesse die in a sudden car crash, little Hannah goes to live with Bridget and April.  The grandparents contest this, and that's where the plot kicks up.  It's told from Bridget's PoV, and it mostly focuses on the emotions of the family that is being torn apart.  Everything sort of goes downhill for Bridget... her parents are forcing her into a long, public court battle, her sister is dead, Hannah has, of course, been taked into government care  until her final home is decided, and to top it off, she and April are beginning to fight. 

Whew.  Either I'm just bad at summaries, or this really is hard to summarize.  Well, I could just say that it's about a custody battle, but that's not even the main focus... really.  Maybe.  I don't know.  I'm going to go study Biology and stop thinking about this.

Moni
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Opalescence on September 18, 2006, 12:34:58 AM
I write.

And not just board posts, either.

Okay, so I'm not published. Yet, I say! I have illusions--delusions, whatever--that someday that will change.

I'm part of a writing group over at Kelly Armstrong's forum. They've helped me a lot. When I'm there, I don't have to worry about passing this writing disease on to anyone else. They have it already.

I guess you guys have it too?

*sighs in relief*

Once again, I am not alone.

Not that a writer is ever alone. Pesky characters won't stay quiet. It's like haveing five TVs on.

Or is that just me?

Factoids about moi;

Name: Andrea Miccaver (at least that's the one I'll admit to. *wink*)

Writing History: Started in third grade. My mom cried so I stopped for a while. When I got old enough to figure moms cry even when all is well in the world (like during milk comercials) I started writing again. Went through a dark period where things got really bleak. I'm talking all alone during a storm in a lighthouse that won't friggen work bleak. Took up writing again to keep me sane. Now can't stop.

Reason for Writing: The sound of a clicking keyboard is the best salve for any wound.

Novels written: 2

Novels that will be written by end of year: 4 (If NaNoWriMO works)

Novels in progress: *takes off shoes* This could take a while.

Novels in head: Hah! Like they ever pause long enough for me to count.

Other info needed: Don't be insulted by what I write. I have a really bad filter. *makes note* get filter changed--by an expert this time.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: terioncalling on September 18, 2006, 01:13:56 AM
Been writing stuff for as long as I can remember.  Or just thinking stuff up in my head with stuffed animals or various other toys as the characters.

Currently I've got various and assundry original stories in production.  Some in perpetual production and that I don't know if I'll ever complete.

The main thing I'm working on right now is a world I've created called Medi Varnl.  Basic fantasy style world with my own type creatures and races (some dragons too) and a history full of magic and betrayals.  There's two stories currently in production within this world (they also tie in with each other a ways in) and 5 that I'm going to start working on after I get those completed (3 are history and the other 2 will branch off the stories I'm currently working on).

Another story I'm working on is a werewolf story - which is a continuation of a short story I wrote for my junior college creative writing class.

That's the two things I've worked on a lot in the recent past.  Everything else original of mine that I've got...well, I don't know when it'll be worked on again.  If ever.

And maybe - HOPEFULLY - someday I'll get my stories published.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: fjeastman on September 19, 2006, 04:55:09 AM
The "On-Line Writers' Groups" thread sparked something, so I decided it was better put here. 

When I was in high school I wanted to be "a writer".  From when I was about eleven on I read voraciously.  My folks had moved from southern Wisconsin (about an hour or so from Chicago, a place that was even then turning into a Chicago suburb) to nowheresville Lower Alabama.  I had alot of transplant anxiety, so I went to the library ... started with Sci_fi ... read EVERYTHING they had (everything ... seriously ... all of it) and was forced over into fantasy.  (I also read all of that and moved over into old pulps and hardboiled crime fiction, later).  My favorite author became David Eddings, and for YEARS I would read all of his fantasy series over the summer, start to finish, chronological order ... sort of a bizarre ritual. 

At some point in there I decided:  "This rocks, I'm going to be a writer like David Eddings."  I was probably thirteen.  So I wrote.  Short fiction, long fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry.  My teachers (because that's what teachers DO) encouraged my writing ... my folks encouraged my writing ... my mother still has boxes filled with my notebooks from that period.  My teachers suggested I enter various local contests for short fiction and poetry, which I did well in, so all the way into early college that was my thing.  I won local and regional fiction contests by the boatload (my mother still has all of the plaques and trophies ... that's what mothers do).  I figured I was "hot stuff". 

About 8 years ago (I was 18, early acceptance and a year into college) I decided it was "time" to write that fantasy novel ... which would sell and net me a deal for the other four parts in a five part epic and propel me, not into the realm of Stephen King, but into a comfortable life writing similar five-part epics with a strong fan base and the easy freedom of "doing what I loved". 

I started doing alot of research into "the industry", and publishing, and reading about authors and reading the writing authors did about writing ... I've always been a research nut ... more and more the reading in the industry suggested things were getting tight.  New authors were always submitting manuscripts, there were too many young authors to publish them all, but because nobody knows where the next break-out hit would come from it was reasonably easy to get a first book deal ... impossible to get a second.  Mid-list authors were feeling the pinch ... why buy a fourth book by Joe Midlist for 4th-book advances when you can get two or three fresh new writers for that price and maybe get the next LKH in the deal?  Like trading cards. 

"But," I figured, "If I'm the next Stephen King, then it won't matter, right?  I can write a break-out run-away hit.  Right?  That wasn't the plan, but I'm adaptable, I'll just write a best seller."

At the time, where I was, reading what I was reading, the "new" and "big" thing seemed to be online critique groups.  Like traditional writer's groups, but without all the hassle of having to, y'know, live near any freakin' writers.  Remember, I'm in nowheresville.  The only other local guy calling himself a writer is a year younger than me (and today he sells used cars.  I know, I saw him a week ago.)  So I joined an online critique group.  It was the best I could find, had very strict rules about critique and required X critiques before story submission, etc etc.  So I joined up.

I wrote, I think, the first two chapters to a planned fantasy novel as part of the group.  It sucked.  Alot.  It's something I think I could do again, as far as concept goes (sort of a Dutch Mercantilist setting with a fat Bilbo-esque merchant protagonist).  I'd done a lot of historical research prior to starting, including Dutch naming conventions.  I put some forethought and work into character names.

A few people pretty harshly ripped on ... my character names.  I think, today, it was a pretty odd thing to be critical of ... and, remembering my style back then, they could have done some critiques of obscure vocabulary and purple prose ... but for whatever reason it totally deflated my bubble.  I walked in having done my reading ... I was going to be thick of skin and quick of wit, taking lumps and learning "craft" ... but one person said the lead's name sounded like an expensive shampoo and I was GONE.

I think, mostly, it was that I'd done specific research on a subject in order not to sound silly doing it ... and then got called "silly".  Also all of the industry reading basically said:  "You're doomed!  Unless you write a runaway Best Seller as your first book, and get a great agent, and don't sign a bad contract, you'll sell one book and be blacklisted for life if it isn't an instant hit!"  That may not have been what was actually being said, but that was my impression.  I figured if I can't even get past "Name The Character", I wasn't going to write a best sller and would be doomed instantly to career crash-landing.

So I decided that week that I was going to shelve my writing "career".  I figured I should do some living and learning, get educated, practice in other ways, get a degree in English (two of them!).  I decided I wasn't going to go for the Creative Writing major, but I took some courses ... that was GREAT for my craft.  Both the classes and not making it my career choice.  Where I was, all of the writing classes concentrated on contemporary literary fiction ... and I wanted to write fantasy.  The teachers were all mid-list or low-list contemporary literature authors whose "day job" was teaching mid-list literary fiction to college kids.  They had TONS to teach me about craft ... but most of them also looked down their nose at people who didn't write contemporary literature. 

So I wrote contemporary literature.  Just excercises, mostly.  Vignettes.  Shorts and short stories.  We focused on prose and the dramatic/tragic contemporary literary plotline.  I saw why some teachers outright refused to work on fantasy/sci-fi when I got into a class that didn't, outright, refuse to work on fantasy or sci-fi.  Then I stopped writing fiction entirely until recently.

Various things led to my picking it back up.  The desire had been growing for a long while.  My wife came across some of my old writings and encouraged me to write again.  Butcher's series was something that I'd been wanting to read, but nobody had written.  That it sold said that maybe what I liked wasn't entirely outside of what the market desired.  I read up on the industry some more, this time things suggested it wasn't as gloomy as I'd thought. 

My WIP is a little hardboiled crime, a little mystery, a little supernatural.  Set in Birmingham, Alabama and surrounding area, with some focus on Muscogee, Cherokee and Navajo mythologies.

Just a minute ago, for practice, I put together the plot in a story skeleton (which is a little more action-oriented than the question we used in our classes):

"When a young woman disrupts his life and then disappears, a man with no memory tries to track her down.  Will he succeed where a black cult, organized crime, old gods, and his own past want him to fail?"

It may end up being garbage.  I believe now, where I didn't before, that I CAN write fiction that will sell ... it may not be a break-out run-away best seller, but if the prose is solid and the story is exciting ... it'll get picked up.  Maybe not this book, but perhaps the next, or the one after that will be where I reach the point. 

Then, after that, it's just a matter of continuing to write solid, exciting fiction that people enjoy reading.

--fje
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LoVeBoOkS on September 24, 2006, 03:01:24 AM

"When a young woman disrupts his life and then disappears, a man with no memory tries to track her down.  Will he succeed where a black cult, organized crime, old gods, and his own past want him to fail?"

It may end up being garbage.  I believe now, where I didn't before, that I CAN write fiction that will sell ... it may not be a break-out run-away best seller, but if the prose is solid and the story is exciting ... it'll get picked up.  Maybe not this book, but perhaps the next, or the one after that will be where I reach the point. 

Then, after that, it's just a matter of continuing to write solid, exciting fiction that people enjoy reading.

--fje

That part that you put in quotes was brilliant. I'm interested in hearing something about that.

--Amber
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: storytellersjem on October 16, 2006, 03:44:13 AM
Just call me SJEM.  Those are my initials.  :)

I'm on leave from work for a few years and I am working on a mega fantasy novel in the spirit of George R.R. Martin as well as a much smaller children's fantasy book.

I'm based in the Bay Area, male, thirty something and very appreciative of mythology, archetypes of fairy tales.

Best,

SJEM
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: casualimp on October 18, 2006, 03:12:58 AM
Hi, my name's Paul and I'm not an aspiring procrastinator -- I've mastered that trade. I'm not sure if I should be writing childrens books because my writing is quite unpolished and reads as though it's written by a young writer even though I'm in my 30's. Growing up I always wanted to be a comic book writer/artist, the artist half wasn't good enough for the industry, so I consintrated mostly on poetry. I don't have a lot of them in the span of 12 years (maybe around 150) but a lot of them are conceptual in nature that could be fleshed out into prose if I just jumped in to give it a shot. I'm still a little apprenhensive, the last story I wrote was from the perspective of an orange.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Corvidian on October 18, 2006, 03:21:57 AM
My name is Clifford, yeah make with the dog jokes, and I have been attempting to write since I was in seventh grade. Currently, I am working three ideas, and they are just that ideas.

The first one deals with a world where many of the creatures of myth are real, but they hide themselves amoungst humanity, original, I know. The main characters are a husband and wife team who enforce the laws of this hidden society. He is a wizard and she is a Naga, the mythical creature, not the tribe from Southern India.

The second one deals with a small Midwestern town, and a large house that sets on the outskirts. The house and and the land it sits upon exist on more then one world, and if you walk through the woods on the property, you might also find yourself traveling in backwards or forwards in time.

The third one grew out fo the fact that I have never come across a ganster novel mixed with magic. This one takes place on a parallel earth that just happens to be much larger the our own. The main character is really a place, its a neighborhood in a large city, and a nightclub run by a group of people who are not what they play at being.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Corina on October 31, 2006, 01:25:03 AM
My name is Corina Noble and I am a werewolf, no really, ohh ok I'm a writer. But I would play one on tv if... Naw just joking. I have written stuff ever since I was in Junior High. I've always had stories running through my head. I am glad to see that so many different people have the same symptoms as I do. I can't wait to play pretend with you guys.

Oh I guess I forgot to mention my stuff, the story I'm working on is kinda like Sopranos meet Mansfield Park. But in a galaxy far far away lol. I’m still thinking on it got half of it written down. The other half is still spinning in my head.

Another story playing in my head is about Vampires, werepeople, and their idea of police. Starting off with a 12 step program for werewolves and eating humans.

Another, one with dragons...

TTFN
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: trboturtle on November 01, 2006, 06:39:31 AM
I suppose I should toss in my two cents.....

My name's Craig, and I've been writing for nearly 35 years, on and off. The usual sort of stuff -- a Star Wars Novel that didn't go too far, same with a fantasy novel. It wasn't until I bought a computer that I found that I was actually finishing stories.

I got involved in Fanfiction back in the early 90's. Mostly in the anime field, several long stories that have received a favorable responce from people. Back in the early 90's, I had a story I co-wrote published in Battletechnology, an offical magazine devoted to the Battletech gaming universe. In addition, I did submit to the approprate publishers, a Doctopr Who and two Stargate novels (All three rejected, of course)

I have finally decided to start trying my hand at original fiction. Top priority is the first in what I hope will be a series of novels. the first one, called Merlin's Legacy, is about a nomal guy who suddenly finds that he is the direct decendent of the wizard Merlin. Now, with the help of a talking cat, a smart-ass dragon, and a magic-based AI, he has to solve the murder of the previous holder of the title, prevent a demon invasion, and try to keep himself from making an idiot of himself in front of the girl of his dreams. Well, two out of three isn't bad. . . . ;D

Craig
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Grogtard on November 09, 2006, 02:14:40 AM
Many years ago it I decided that I wanted to be a writer.  And I tried pretty hard for a couple of years.  Just some stores and an article or two.  I got lots of rejection letters which I still have.  The best was one that an editor actually took the time to hand write some notes and suggestions on the back.  Trust me folks this is encouraging.
I got lucky a couple of times for some very small pieces.  A short article for a small newsletter (I actually got paid for it!) and some little humor bits for a novelty company.  So in that sense, I guess you could say I got "published". But day job and life got in the way and all that fell to the side.
I jumped on to the blogging bandwagon for a chance to write whatever, whenever I wanted.  I've being doing that for a couple years now.
Last year, a friend of mine mentioned NaNoWriMo and well I got interested. Also over this past year, I've been lucky enough to hear quite few good writers speak (including Jim).  I decided to get back into the biz.  My first test is to complete this years NaNoWriMo.  If I can do that I know I'm ready to rehone those skills and start banging on the old keyboard again.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Lady Geektastic on November 15, 2006, 04:37:34 PM
I wrote my first short story when I was 5, since then I have started several...and finished two. I've got a few solid ideas for novels/book series, but I'm not very diciplined. I plan to write professionally, since I really have no taste for anything else.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Jack_of_Names on November 15, 2006, 06:28:32 PM
Hello, my name isn't Jack, nor anywhere close to being Jack, but that's what most people call me now... and you should never tell anyone your real name, right? ;)

I've been doing "fantasy" in my head for as long as I can remember, but only started butting finger-to-keyboard when I was maybe 12. My first effort, was, I admit, such utter garbage that the first time I read it thorugh I also deleted it. My second attempt, which actually had a title (*Pauses for gasp*) Was called Runeweaver, and the concept wasn't bad. But, unfortunatley, the Reading It Back To Myself fairy deleted it into submission.  I wrote a couple of starting chapters after that, well, I say  couple, but I mean probably quite alot, with titles such as Chronomancer, a book about an introvert who ws born 3000 years after he died.
In the last 9 months or so, I've gotten more serious (9/10 years after writing that dreadful thing I called a story when I was 12...) and currently have 4 major projects in the works, including NaNoWriMo, which I intend to flesh out just a tad when I'm done. I tend to think in fantasy, as I mentioned earlier, but what I seam to write most is a kind of parallel reality urban sci-fantasy. I don't quite know why.
My titles this year are:
Jack Avalon and the New Suit
Lost Tommorow
Blades Twilight
and for NaNoWriMo,
A Break in the Mists.

I seem to have a problem making my characters into Supermen, far to tough to make a decent story, but I'm working on that by letting them get beat up in my head before I write.

Although my writing has deffinatley come on since I was 12 (I sould hope so too!), and I'm actually at the point where I can read my own work, and not immediatley delete it, I still tend to just set off writing with little or no idea where I'm going, letting my fingers do the thinking, which is why somtimes I really have to think, "Why did he just DO that??" when looking at my characters.

And again, although I've improved, I still believe my best description of a story ever came early on, in a story called "To What The Hell, And Back." when I was maybe 14. This was that description.

James DeNicé has gone to hell and he dressed for the heat. But Hell has frozen over and things are starting to slip down there. Only James and his unique brand of running away and hiding can possibly return hell to its former glory...But does he really want to?
I just love it :D

Anyway, thats me, I'd really like to be an auther, but I get distracted easily (Less so these days, gladly!) and I still consider mys work a little... well, "crap", to be published quite yet, but if you ever spot an auther on the shelves called Nathan Paige, I hope that'll be me  ;)

Jack out.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JDuncan on November 17, 2006, 07:30:45 PM
Hello everyone.  My name is Jim, and like everyone else here, I'm an aspiring writer too.  I've been writing off and on, mostly on for the past 3 or 4 years, for the past 25 years.  Fantasy was my first love as far as writing went, and I have the rough on the first book in a trilogy, the epic sort with a fairly large cast of characters being drawn together to avert a war that occurs every millenia thanks to a goddess who has a panic attack anytime a culture gets advanced enough to threaten the belief system.

Currently I am editing a paranormal suspense involving a troubled fbi agent who gets caught in the middle between two vampires, one who is exacting a century long scheme of vengeance upon the other. I am editing like mad at the moment because I have an agent who wishes me to send the whole ms to him.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Tasmin21 on November 28, 2006, 04:00:13 AM
New to the boards, but I've been lurking a bit and thought I'd throw my two cents' in.  Call me Tas.  It's an online name from a million years ago, and I've never managed to shake it.

I was reading by age 3, and I'm fairly certain I started writing shortly thereafter.  The first "grown up" book I remember reading was The Hobbit...at age five.  And I've been in love with fantasy ever since.

I wrote my first complete novel in highschool.  It's total drivel.  Someday, when I think I can do it without wanting to gouge my own eyes out, I'll revisit it and make it palatable.

In the meantime, I am currently working on a trilogy (working title for the first one: The Avarice).  Standard fantasy adventure/political intrigue whodunit kinda thing.  I have been lucky enough to find a friend online who has turned out to be an unbelievably good editor, and I am more hopeful and confident now than I have ever been.  My goal had been to have the first one finished and ready for submission by this Christmas, but an unexpected battle with cancer this summer has put me behind schedule.

I also have two different urban fantasy stories percolating in my head (darn them, don't they know I'm trying to write something ELSE right now?), one of which I intend to write as a form of therapy for my own zombie phobia. (don't ask)

I think I will always write, whether I get published or not.  It's not what I do.  It's who I am.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Tex on November 29, 2006, 06:11:39 PM
Howdy, I'm Tex, dangit, already a stereotype.
anyway, I'm simply a wannabe writer, currently engaged in spinning out a story that encompasses a lot of my favorite genres. I've got about a thousand pages of attempts and failures, under a hundred pages of back story and just general ideas and theories. I'm just all out for something that's been boiling in the back of my mind. Well, thanks for listening, er, um, reading. Take it easy.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: prime_spirit on December 07, 2006, 03:57:36 AM
Ooo… aspiring inspirers. I’m humbled.  :)

My name is Liza and I too am a fantasy reader. Writer is a vague sense because I made a promised that I get myself a job and grounded before I embark on a magical journey.

But I've made my homework on the future of any books I may be able to publish and it's not looking good. Fiction reading is not a large market here (most of us Asian are business driven and no time for a book and a cup of tea). Majority of English fiction are imported, thus it's all way out of the local price range at the age range I've targeted. I myself sneak into bookstores and stay there for hours; Borders, MPH, Times, Popular, Kinokunya, all the security guards there know me by face and nods at 'that girl who never buys anything'.

But hey, all that doesn't mean I can easily ignore my dreams. Nothing bestseller, just a hardcover with my name and story title on it. I've even looked into self-publishing. I don't have anything I've wrote with me at the moment. It's high-fantasy so I'm currently making an outline of the world I'm working on (characters, species, secret of magic, specific locations, that sort of thing). The Dresden Files really helps me in choosing a particular writing style. Maybe one of these days I'll start on the Codex Alera.

Here's what I got so far. It's five book series but I'm thinking of making it longer as soon as I see how the first set turns out. It's plot driven, in third person and I've even invented two different languages for it (my style though, nothing like the Tolkien's or Forgotten Realms'). I haven't got a title for the books but the series is called Suvon Story, even though it's more of Kia's story.

Quote
Book One:
A sequence of actions led a young Malaysian girl into an alternate world called Suvon. Kia's wish to return back to Earth lies in the hands of a baby boy who she calls Niq. Together, they must travel across a war-torn country as refugees to Niq's homeland, where in the capital, Niq's true origins were revealed.

Book Two:
Kia knew that her actions was not without ramifications and she was feeling the pain of its effects as Earth's magic contradicted with her Suvon energies. She returns to Suvon to find a cure and found that years had passed in her absence but none of the wizards or sages could help her foreign condition. It was with Niq, now a student caster on the verge of manhood, who's misadventures led her to a forgotten and very forbidden secret.

Book Three:
Kia had vowed that she would never go back to Suvon and was ready to travel to London permanently to receive her long-lost mother's legacy. But dark creatures attacked her world as a major shift had aligned Suvon's and Earth's timelines together. Kia and her half-brother, Salil, had to walk a fine line through the secrets and deceits of the Nobility Circle, of which Niq, a grown man, was once again at the centre of it.

Book Four:
The secret of Kia's magic branded her as both a traitor and a freak. After being rescued by the leader of the Unshackled rebellion, Kia instead turned toward her enemies' stronghold on a flying island in Suvon, to find Salil and Niq, despite questions regarding their true loyalty. On top of all that, Kia's pain of her magic returned and she wonders if she could even survive long enough to secure the safe passage for the outcasts to Earth.

Final Book:
It was final battle of an event that happened 1200 years ago on Suvon and 170 years ago on Earth and Kia's the catalyst. A painful incident was her final cure but the price she paid with was her faith. She isolates her emotions from her family and friends, keeping focus on saving the future of both her worlds and a possible dark ending. Especially when the man Kia loves was ready to kill himself to protect her and her cause.

Yeah, ambitious for a possible self-publisher. I'm writing the books for me and duly hope to get it distributed. There's just something about browsing for your favorite titles and suddenly seeing your name on the same shelf as theirs. But for now, I have to keep my essentials. Study first, job next, and the dream will come true.  ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Aerhen on December 11, 2006, 09:43:04 PM
As I said in the previous blog... I am an aspiring writer... but i have done a great deal of fantasy rpg.. and sci fi rpg..

I have many ideas that i want to convert into books eventually.

One is an alternate reality time line where the civil war was not about blacks being slaves.. but about the emancipation of the Demons who were being used as slaves.. and what h appened when Lincoln attempted to free the demons..

Another .. demon oriented.. is the world is invaded by demons from 7 gates... about how our world changes.. how we might fight them... and how they were defeated in the past..

but the one i am currently working on .. is an epic saga..

an evil theocracy is trying to conquer the last group of nations that have escaped its grasp.  5 great heroes are bound to save the young man who is destined become an emperor and begin a war to hopefully overthrough the theocracy for good.  but they soon discover that there is more than just the theocracy at work.. a deeper darker threat eventually emerges and challenges their understanding of the world they know.. and they begin to see that their world has become the last stand for an evil which refuses to forgo its existence
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Aethon on December 12, 2006, 12:46:37 PM
I coulda/shoulda posted in this thread a while ago, but I'm kinda lazy and yeah...

My name's Jake and I'm sixteen.  Most of my experience as a writer comes from one or two dedicated role-play sites, including the number two site in the RPG-Directory.  I've got two or three ideas for books, but I want to try them out as an RP site first.  Once I get a reaction from the members there, I hope to make them into something more.  Also, I've got the first few chapters of another book that's been greatly inspired by Mr. Butcher and a few others.

I hope to get it finished by the middle of next year.

I used to take photographs like crazy and be okay at it, but then my friend dragged me to an RP site the middle of '05 and I've been hooked since.

Writing isn't about making money.  It's about the stories.

For me at least,
~ Jake
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: pinkdoom on January 11, 2007, 04:53:08 AM
Name's Amanda, I'm a college student, part-time librarian, and fledgling novelist.  The title (cause I finally have one) of my modern-day fantasy novel is Chaos Unbound.  I'm writing it, most importantly, for me, to show myself that I can indeed write a novel.  It actually started out as a drabble...just bits and pieces of things, and then one day I sat down and saw that I had a...gasp!...novel forming.  It went from there, to become this fully-fledged world...I'm sure most, if not all, of you know what's that's like.  I'd say I'm doing all right so far...190 pages, 17 chapters, typed, and counting.... :-)

I wanted to encompass elements that I love about modern fantasy novels, like Jim's and Kim Harrison's, but I also had something I really, really wanted to focus on...a team.  With the story being first person, obviously one member sticks out from the rest, but I wanted the reader to feel as if they'd been thrown in with these four people, and they were seeing it from Lauren's (my narrator) point of view.  Maybe this is pretentious, but I wanted to throw the reader into the situations and have them, perhaps, feel as Lauren feels...like they don't have all the pieces sometimes, but they will eventually. 

It's my first attempt at a longer first-person narrated story, and I must admit, after writing in third-person for so long, I'm really enjoying doing it from one perspective.  Lauren's an interesting gal, and her relationships with her team members are very different, given that some of the members haven't been a part of her life as long as...well, Morgan has.  And no, that's not a reference at all to Jim's Morgan...I started writing this novel before I read any of Jim's books, so it's just one of those funny coincidences. ;-) 

I don't know about the rest of you, but I enjoy a story with a puzzle to it...I know when I read Storm Front I had a great time trying to piece out Harry's puzzle right along with him.  So I tried to encompass that kind of element into my novel.  We'll see what happens...if I think that, eventually, I've edited it to a point where I'll send it into a few publishers, great...if I get rejected (which will happen, I know), no big deal.  My life's pursuit isn't staked into this novel.  I wrote it for me, like I said earlier...I've got a few friends that want to read it when I'm through, and that's all fine and good.   I will be writing at least one more book, if not three or four to go along with Chaos Unbound, but I plan those to be later...far later in the future, unless by some ungodly chance my novel gets picked up by a publisher.  That's a different matter. :-) Good luck to you all...happy writing!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on January 13, 2007, 03:22:00 AM
Hi, I'm Drew Henriksen.  My third novel comes out this summer.  I was very LUCKY to final get published.  If anyone gets a chance to come to I-Con, come say hello.  A group of stuntmen asked me to write a low budget slasher flick.  They liked it and it looks like it will get made.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mack on January 19, 2007, 12:48:11 AM
Hi, I'm Alyssa.
I like to write short stories, and I'm told that I'm good at it. Though I try long stories, since I have so many ideas, my brain needs a secratary to file them all, but I can't come up with the "little things". The "quirks" so to speak. The beginning, the middle, and the end come to me like moths to a flame, but how to get from points A to B to C all the way to Z are freakin' hard!

Let me share with you a little story of my own life about my writing...
In 10th grade, I was taking world history with a teacher that I paid more attention to than any of my other teachers (mostly because a had a bit of a crush on him, but that beside the point). We were doing a section on the Romans and then we had to do the classic 3 paragraph essay on it (Intro, Info, Conclussion). I was really into it and my paper was 2 pages long, handwriten, and I have small handwriting. The paper came back to me with the teacher's comments in the margin stating, "You didn't have to write that much. But good job." I got a nice A out of that paper.
It's one of those memories I like to remind myself so that I never loose interest in writing.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on January 19, 2007, 03:15:56 AM
Sounds like you have the knack to let it flow.  Write a story that takes place back in the days of Rome.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: etoiline on January 19, 2007, 03:47:53 PM
Hello all...

I'm Jennifer, but everyone online calls me Cal.

I've participated in NaNoWriMo for the last three years, and while only one of those resulted in a story that I actually got to write "The End" on the last page, I think all three have promise. This last year's story is the most polished and I'm seriously thinking of trying to get it ready to run the gamut of rejection slips that is publishing. I write fantasy and there's quite a lot of Jim's influence in my books.

The three stories are, respectively, a modern-day King Arthur story (Artorius Rex Novare), a story about the missing archangel Gabriel (Artist of Heaven), and The Sixth Ring, set in a land where bells toll to bring the news, and the sixth ring foretells destruction...

I've also got a big piece I've been writing since I was in middle school, and a vampire-werewolf horror romance bit.

I'm really looking on advice on how to plan fight scenes. I'm not very good at it, possibly because I never had a chance to play any role-playing games ;) T6R has a moderately complex battle in it, and I'm not quite sure how to write it.

Thanks for any help, and if you want to check out some excerpts, I have a livejournal (http://starry_nano.livejournal.com).

Good luck to all! I hope to see you in print someday...

~Cal
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Rashad 117 on January 22, 2007, 08:04:22 AM
Shad here. I've been working on a novel off and on for awhile now. It's my take on the usual stuff. It's about vampires and there's magic and demonic flying fire breathing squirrels that try and claw your eyes out and werewolves. A lot o' werewolves. the usual. It's kinda epic. Pretty much been writing everyday even if its only for a few minutes a day. It's a pain at times but I love it and hope to do it professionally one day. A lot of good ideas floating around here I've noticed. Hope to you all in print one day as I hope to get published myself. Good luck!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Josh on January 22, 2007, 02:38:12 PM
I might as well toss my coin into the wishing well.

My name is Josh (Hello, Josh) and I've been an aspiring author for yea these past five years. Always have loved writing and reading since I could first do either, but the first book I tried to write kind of discouraged me a little and I put off the career change until my sophomore year of college. (For reference, my first book attempt was when I was eight, and it ended up being three pages long, single-space, and in the end I killed everyone off)  Right now I have an agent I am working with, shopping a novel around, and I've managed to get a few short stories into magazines. While waiting for that first signing of my blood on the dotted line, I continue to work on new stories, both fantasy and science fiction, plus I have my little corner of the internet and a blog, which, for anyone who wants to drop by and say hi, I try to keep daily stocked with links on writing advice, resources, authors, magazines, other blogs, and just fun, cool, spiffy things having to do with the speculative fiction world, and the occasional tidbit about my own writing ventures.

www.jrvogt.com

That's the main website and the blog is linked from there, if anyone is so inclined. I'm enjoying these boards, and am grateful that there is a lot of dedicated people out there who enjoy this craziness as much as I do.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Deneb on February 05, 2007, 05:09:25 AM
 I guess I might as well since I finally found the URL for here again.
 
  Hi I'm Alex (pen name Jynx-of-Time) and I'm an aspiring author. I'm slowly re-writing and writing a fantasy story which I hope one day to turn into a novel or graphic novel. So I'm constantly on the look out for an artist while on the side improving my very own limited drawing skills. I'm hoping to find a good editor out there so I can get my work proof read and killed through an editor so the final product will be gold. I've been working on this book for maybe a year....so I don't feel that bad that's I've only got maybe 4 chapters that aren't that polished out there.
 If you feel like reading the piece I'm working on it's currently titled "Trails of Fate" and in my DeviantArt gallery here http://jynx-of-time.deviantart.com/
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on February 06, 2007, 03:28:31 AM
I guess I might as well since I finally found the URL for here again.
 
 So I'm constantly on the look out for an artist while on the side improving my very own limited drawing skills.

Here's the guy who illustrated my last one and working on my new one.


www.paintedjesterstudio.com
 (http://www.paintedjesterstudio.com)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Druwydd on February 06, 2007, 05:37:55 PM
Greets,

Yes, an aspiring author here, never published. I seem to do well with the initial
skeleton overview of a story or world I want to begin putting together and then,
almost inevitably, my eyes glaze over and a string of drool begins forming at the
corner of my mouth.  Anyway, new to the Board and wanted to say "Hi"

Dru
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on February 07, 2007, 02:12:00 AM
Hey Dru, looks like like we're both the past tense for draw.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Wolfhowls on February 12, 2007, 07:54:18 PM
Hi, my name is Randall Dickey... yes life was hard....did you catch that. Anyways a little about me, I was in the Army for eight years, I loved and I hated it, I wanted a career change so I got out and now I am in school to et my Creavtie Writing Degree from U of H. The writing style that I like and seems the easier for me to write is horror and dark fiction. I'm very unpublished for right now but hopefully that will chance here soon. I'm also working on two comic books that go along with the novels that I want to write. The only problem is I have no artist so all I can do as of right now is write the comics. I only have four characters developed for both the books and comics. And believe it or not only two of my characters have had a military life style. Thats about it in a nut shell. There is more to it but I'm too darn paranoid to talk about it. Yeah so sue me, I'm ex-military.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Fineous on February 15, 2007, 08:04:17 AM
Howdy everyone.  Finally decided to stop ghosting, and post something.

I have been working on several different books for several years, but suffer from an intense hatred of typing.  I have the whole story in my head, but hate putting it down.  In fact, one of my books is plotted out as a trilogy, and I know most of what happens in all three of the books.  The other is an open ended series, which once again I know a great deal about, and even have ideas of when certain facts will be revealed, how much the main character knows, and how much he thinks he knows, but actually doesn't .

So, from time to time I will sit down and belt out 5 or 10 pages, and then get sick of typing.  I guess some day I will finish one of them and see if anyone else (i.e. publishers) like it.  If they do, perhaps I will actually be motivated enough to write them faster.

Hmm, maybe I just need to find some good voice recognition software.  Of course, that would take money.   :(

Edit - Moved my introduction to introduction thread.  Hmm, seems like too good of an idea to me.  There must be something wrong with it.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: swalizer on February 15, 2007, 08:11:48 PM
Hi, name's Steve Walizer. I'm currently in the process of world development and plotting for an urban fantasy novel. I'm tentatively setting things in Seattle. My current plan is to come up with 3 plot outlines using the characters and world I'm developing and run with the one that seems strongest after some feedback. This will also give me additional material to fall back on for sequels should I manage to find an agent and publisher that wants more than one book ;)

I've wanted to be a novelist since I was 15, and I'm now 35, so I figured it's about time I put my nose to the grindstone and do it ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: CynDe on February 16, 2007, 08:59:31 PM
Hey! My name is Cyndy and I am proud to join this group of aspiring novelists. *waves*
My current project is agent shopping for my paranormal urban fantasy. I am proud to announce that I have two rejction e-mails (but one directed me to try a specific other agent) and one agent who is reading my first 50 pages and summary. My goal is to send to several more agents and collect 25 rejection letters by Summer vacation, unless someone accepts the book first!

 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: swalizer on February 16, 2007, 10:56:38 PM
Hey! My name is Cyndy and I am proud to join this group of aspiring novelists. *waves*
My current project is agent shopping for my paranormal urban fantasy. I am proud to announce that I have two rejction e-mails (but one directed me to try a specific other agent) and one agent who is reading my first 50 pages and summary. My goal is to send to several more agents and collect 25 rejection letters by Summer vacation, unless someone accepts the book first!

Good luck! Hopefully someone takes you on before you get your full collection :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: SaraCollins on February 17, 2007, 07:54:00 PM
Hey, I'm Melody, and I'm an addicted writer. I've been writing since I hit puberty (I'm 17 now), and I have sorta an OCD-type thingy going on with my writing. Usually I just write a few chapters, and then I put it away indefinitely, maybe come back to it again. It's kinda hard writing when you've got high school falling around your head but I try to deal with it. I started off with Star Trek Voyager fanfiction and now it's sorta half fanfiction and half original. I really am obsessed with vampires, magic and werewolves, so the Dresden Files really connects with me.

I'm a big fan of alternate history-esque things, and the current project I have on now is called The American Empire which is basically "what if America became a constitutional monarchy instead of a democracy?" It's a huge challenge since politics isn't my strong point and it's a tough job creating new political situations in a AU world. The other project I want to start is a companion fanfiction to the (axed) TV show Vanished.

Good luck to all of you guys!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Maiafay on February 18, 2007, 11:22:08 PM
Hey all,

I have a slightly different story...about the writing bug at least. I had written my first story I believe in the third grade, but the only one I can really remember is the tale my '4th' grade teacher read aloud (in which I had hid in the coat room until he had finished...), about the epic events of me, my best friend, a boat, and some weird alternate world complete with running and screaming from beasties every time we came across them. The tag line of my 'novel' was "and we screamed and screamed." Best seller...yeah.

Anyway, I was a big horror nut and my best friend (no, not the one from my little 4th grade novel; she had moved away by then and I never saw her again), and I traded 'dreams" back and forth through junior high (ah...middle school now is it? LOL) about Freddy Kruger and all the people we hated. Though, when I think about that now, if one of those 'dreams' had been intercepted (especially nowadays)--our butts would have been expelled. We were nasty...and descriptive.

Then came high school and my first Creative Writing class (which I found out the next year you could only take once since the teacher merely regurgitated the lesson over and over again), and I did pretty well in that. The teacher (whom I can't spell his last name to save my life...it starts with M), could choose one student to go to some seminar, and he chose me to go. Yes, whoo hoo, but by then I had other ideas that consisted of artwork and illustrating professionally--and figured writing would get me no where. So, I didn't go.

Now I'm kicking myself in the rear for not going, since I have finally, after 12-13 years of not writing a thing--decided to start up again. Been back on the wheel for two years now, and yes, it has been cutting into my drawing. Yet, I strangely don't mind.

I carry two jobs on top of artwork--and writing, so I'm a pretty busy person. I normally cannot write small scale things...they must be epic and complex...LOL. And also, to hone my skills a bit, I write fanfic. Yes, I will admit I write fanfic. Not of the Dresden Files...I know better than that ;)--but of other fandoms not book orientated. Either way, I have many fandom readers nudging me toward publishing my original stuff, but right now, I'm concentrating on my 'practice until I square things with my style.

That said however, I do have something in the works...a new take on Vampires...and elves, and magic, etc. and will share a little excerpt. I've been told it's a bit heavy-handed, but hey, it's a dream sequence, I'm allowed some surreal, flowy descriptions.

The figure levitated as he drew near, bare feet several inches from the ground, toes curled inward and gnarled. He was clothed in black robes that billowed around him, frayed tendrils reaching for the sky. His skin was gray as ash, hands wizened like his feet. A dark aura churned and rolled behind, lagging like a moldering wedding train. Long white hair snaked from his back like ivory weeds--floating, as if this being approached from beneath the sea. Moths, huge and gray silently fluttered around the head of this creature, their dust settling onto the shoulders of his black robes. There were about three dozen of the insects, flying possessively close as if this being was their only source of light and heat.

Even as the man hovered, the ground that he passed rotted away, white sand dissolving and falling into darkness, bodies that he floated over crumbling into dust--and then the dust into wind. Even the mighty pillars dissolved in his presence, faces screaming no more. The earth opened beneath his feet, a yawning chasm of darkness that spread wider with each step forward. Nathan could not move, could not draw breath into his lungs as he stood mute and transfixed in horror. The space twisted around them, between him and this being--energy crackling with a cold hiss. Nathan sucked in a lungful of tainted air, gathering the courage to peer into the creature’s face--



Ahem...will go back to lurking now...   
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: esper on February 27, 2007, 08:13:47 AM
Hi! I'm new here. My name is Callan Souza, and I'm an aspiring author. I have two fantasy books published by an extremely small house that I don't tend to count as really being published. I have a horror-based RPG in production by Silven Publishing and a first-person cyberpunk adventure game in production  by Mythopoea Studios. I write short stories, novels, and screenplays, and I wouldn't mind getting into comic book/graphic novel scripting. My single greatest desire in life has been, since time immemorial (to me anyways) to be a full-time author. My two preferred genres are fantasy and horror. Right now, I'm revising my completed horror/mystery/romance novel "Dark Hearts." I tend to write a lot of supernatural/occult material, and when I first saw a patron at the hotel where I work with a copy of one of Mr. Butcher's novels I was intrigued. I went to the library and looked it up, and alas!!! My main character, Ian McDermott, seems to be the result of John Constantine and Harry Dresden raising a kid together.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Nemo on February 27, 2007, 09:42:16 PM
I'm Johnnie, 36 yrs old and been writing since I can remember.  I had a few things published back when I was in highshcool but got fed up with unconstructive criticism when I tried college the first time.  Now that I'm back in school, most of the writing I do is class related stuff.  I have an article that I will be writing for an internation magazine within the next few months.

As far as fiction goes, my inspirations are Lovecraft, Lumley, Howard (Solomon Kane rocks!), Dan Brown (though many of my Masonic Brothers would frown on it), and now local-boy Jim Butcher.  I'm thinking of starting a new Dresdenesque project centered on Frankenstein's Monster.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Claire on March 06, 2007, 10:16:54 PM
Hey.  Megan here. 17, almost 18, and I've been majorly writing for four years.

I've been working in a sereis since I began high school four years ago.  It started as a way to get out of my life so that I could have a place where my mom's fight with cancer didn't touch me as much.  The characters were people I had RPed with a Text-based internet RPs called The Suns Shadows.  The city it was taking place in was as well. 

Well, one book turned into two, and two into three.  I'm working on the third one now...for the second time.  Yup.  Fifty pages into the last book and I realized that I was going NOWHERE!!  Time to restart.

As others, I'm working through the great swampy middle now in the last book.  BUt I've grown a lot as a writer in four years.  I look at my first book and think "what is this crap?"  Thank got for editing.

So...basic sumary of the first book is thus-

There is a place in this world where magic still exists.  It is a place where vampires and slayers, mages and witches, mortals and immortals have co-exsted in relative harmony for centuries.  But all that is about to change.

When an Immortal warlord joins forces with a centuries old mage to control Clennon, all know that the eventual control of them all is not far behind if they succeed.  So, bound and determined to keep Clennon a haven, Drake Coldheart teams up with the slayer Xzior and her friends to save it.

However, it will not be an easy task.  And, on top of it all, a trusted friend may be betraying them.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Lord Khym on March 07, 2007, 10:15:20 PM
I have been writing for a very long time.  Unfortunately, no one wants to print what I write.  I am about half way through with a screenplay about a haunted house, the third screenplay I've written (none of which has been made into a movie). I am also in the begining stages of a sci-fantasy about the end of the War on Terror, (a fringe group unleashes a virus that kills 99.9% of humanity and mutates the rest into giants, elves and halflings or leaves them as mere humans).

I have written lots of fan-fic and a childs story or two. Here's hoping that one of my stories will get published.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on March 12, 2007, 12:49:19 PM
Hey all (waves his hand in the air) No urban fantasy over here for me.  Besides I'm a rural country boy and keeping all that urban stuff internally consistant sounds like too much work for me.  Nope.  That stuffs fun to read but its not for me as a writer.

Instead I'm currently 50k words into a space story involving a Noble Insect Lordling and his effective exile to the outer rim of the insectoid empire, which takes place soon after returning from a small victorious battle, at the massive Hoth Front, to reinforce his troop of warriors.  The space station he soon arrives on is about to go to heck in a hand basket and its up to him to kick butt, cut off heads and take names in a courteous fashion or else all is lost in this little piece of the empire.

Unfortunately I am currently bogged down.  But!  Our side has hope and I will soon start the word count march march marching along!!

Have fun guys and gals
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: BobSkull on March 12, 2007, 07:27:43 PM
Heyo, I'm Luke and I've been writing for about 14 of my 18 years alive. Of course I would hope I have improved since then.....

But anyways, I actually have 10 novels in outlining, the majority of which are just random ideas that took on a life of their own in a way that made me think I could easily write a book about them. They vary from urban fantasy to serial killer crime novel to satirical fantasy. Basically there is only two that I am entirely focused on at this point and those are both over 30,000 words. One is a fantasy about an errandrunner for God and Lucifer who gets caught in the crossfire when he "borrows" an item that could cause the apocalypse. The other is just regular old fantasy, Demons, etc.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Druwydd on March 19, 2007, 04:40:47 AM
Heheh, Dru, Drew....so long as we can avoid being quartered we're good.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on March 19, 2007, 10:16:32 PM
Heheh, Dru, Drew....so long as we can avoid being quartered we're good.

I'd settle for a nickle.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: eviladam on March 22, 2007, 03:05:00 AM
I've been writing for over ten years. It started with a couple of really horrible novellas in middle school that will never see the light of day. I have a dozen different stories laying around in various states of completion and I tried to publish my own horror comic for a while but it all ended up stuck in limbo over some issues with my artist.

I have a friend who used to be a literary agent who's generouslly offered to represent me, only I looked over my latest work and noticed that there wasn't a "plot" perse. Just a bunch of action scenes randomlly strung together. So I'm now doing a massive rewrite.

That said the stuff in Jim's blog has been majorlly helpfull. I wish there was a decent creative writing program in my area I could get into.

So I've set the goal for myself of being done with my rough draft this year.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: BobSkull on April 04, 2007, 04:12:16 PM
Same here. My debut novel should be done somewhere around September, and the total words should be around 100,000.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: PrimaKrieger on April 08, 2007, 08:02:23 PM
Hi my name is Josh and I'm an aspiring author (obviously).

I'm working on two novels bother of them pretty much still being outlined.

The first one is traditional fantasy, the idea was sparked by a lot of fantasy roleplays on various sites, most of which I'm glad that I can't remember. I've been writing for about five or six years and the idea for this story has been nagging me for about 3.5 years. It's basically about a war for freedom where the slaves rise up and try to take down their masters because they can no longer stand how they have been treated for the past four hundred years and remember what it was like to be free. It's about the sacrifice of the main character who is leading the slaves into battle. (It's written in the third person)

The second one is an urban fantasy novel that was sparked, rather ironically, by the Dresden Files. It centers around a pyromancer, yep, you read that right. I'm a pyromaniac so I figured that I might as well have as much fun with my character as possible. Basically my character is looking for a Wizard to take him as an apprentice and train him- specifically in the area of emotional control- so that he can become a full Wizard. His main talents are- of course- in the fire elemental but he had other strong areas too. Basically he's just your average kid until he's arrested for burning someone to death. During the book he tries to prove his innocence and find out who framed him, all while trying to find a master.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Rashad 117 on April 17, 2007, 08:54:57 PM
Eh, writing one myself and I should be done by late October early November.
Hmm, to sum it up quickly. It's fantasy/horror and there's some action and hot monkey love in it too with actual monkeys. But minus the feces throwing.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: RMatthewWare on April 18, 2007, 06:31:21 PM
I decided January of 2006 to actually start writing.  I had played with the idea since my 10th grade English teacher got me into it.  The one thing holding me back was the thought that I would spend so much time writing, and never have anything to show for it.    I finally decided that I would write for the fun of it, and if I was published, great.  If not, then at least I did something I liked.  I've now written a few short stories, and I'm polishing off my first novel.  My writing habits are very eclectic, though.  I hit a lot of genres with my different stories, all withing the umbrella of speculative fiction.  I like stories that are strange or out of the ordinary.  I especially love any story where a character has other worldly powers.  That can include fantasy, scifi, horror, or anything in between.

Matt
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: ballplayer72 on April 18, 2007, 09:03:16 PM
I'm working on my first book right now so wish me luck. ;D


It's an urban fantasy inspired by Dresden, but i want it to be different and unique, not fan fic. I basically took the idea of magic existing alongside our world, and ran with it. It needs alot of work, but I think it has some potential. I've hit a snag with what to call and how to introduce the governing body of the magic world. Don't want to go for a White Council. Thinking more like a fuedal lord or something like that. With some sort of minor branch, dedicated to seeking out and training those with a newly developed talent.
Criticism is always appreciated.

BP72
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: black roses on April 22, 2007, 10:24:42 PM
Sheena here. I write alot of different styles, but mostly realistic fiction & romance. Right now, i'm working on two projects:

One series, which I refer to as the Lawrence Edwards Chronicles. It consists of 4 books, the 1st his life from 1-21, narrarated by him, the 2nd from 23-24, narrarated by Jake, the 3rd 27-29, narrarated by Aurelia, and the 4th 31-33, in third person.

He's a billionaire, extremely handsome, happily married to Aurelia Delarose, a psychologist. He has one son. He's perfect. But for one minor detail: Lawrence Edwards is a sociopath. He states when he was 27 that he had killed 18 people. The first one was his father. His father, in a drunken rage, had killed his mother before his eyes when Lawrence was only four. It shattered his life forever.

The second one is called Magic. This was more of a I'm-bored/annoyed-at-homophobia thing, but it ended up pretty good. Two boys, Thomas Rowley (yes, I know, T.R, but only name I could think of) and Malachi Clementine go to the same school. Circumstances begin to force them closer and closer together, then Malachi's world is destroyed. His boyfriend dies in a war, and he almost kills himself trying to kill the people who killed him. he ends up in a come for a month and is paralyzed from the waist-down for a year.

Basically, it's the tale of Thomas and Malachi,a nd their love. That's really all there is to it. It's a kind of urban fantasy, though, because the reason they have to work together is simple: Malachi is a mage. Not a full-blooded one, there aren't anymore, but 2/3rds. So is Thomas, only Thomas isn't trained, and Malachi has to teach him. And considering that the rift between this world and the Faerie Realm is weakening, Thomas has to learn fast. Because a war's coming, and they need all the help they can get simply to survive.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Silver Phoenix on April 24, 2007, 01:56:45 AM
I'm a writer too. I've been working on the first few chapters of a book about a woman who gets transported to another world and is set on a quest. Something is going very wrong on the new world she's in. The entire system of magic is starting to twist and warp and as the only person on the planet with no magic, it's up to her to figure out why. Of course there's lots more details and cool characters, but that's the basic gist.

Also, I've actually had an idea for a tv script for the Dresden Files show. It actually sprung up from an idea I have for a feature film...but I won't give it away just yet. On the very off, off, off chance that I can get it written and the show goes into more seasons, and they actually like the script. Ah, so many variables. :)

Good luck to you all, keep writing, and no matter what...don't give up.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Cyclone Jack on May 01, 2007, 05:02:25 PM

I scribble.

Tessellation (http://markettheocracy.blogsome.com/2007/05/01/tessellation/)

Round Eyes (https://tcftalk.com/clairefiles/index.php?topic=11373.0)

Xangurl (https://tcftalk.com/clairefiles/index.php?topic=10348.0)

Lullaby (http://www.theswordreview.com/Published/128_Lullaby/128_Lullaby.htm)

Tessellation would probably go down the best with this crowd, being a modern fantasy. It's not urban, though. In fact, it's decidedly rural. It's set in the same world as my in-the-works novel The Crumbler.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Doormaster on May 06, 2007, 12:58:34 AM
Jeez.  Lotta people writing books around here 0_o;

Ehhhh... I'd like to be an author, but I try not to kid myself about it.  I write when I can, but my attention span just isn't long enough.  I start a story well enough, but I generally get distracted by a new idea before too long.  Hopefully I can fix that during college next year.

As you can see, I also have supreme self-confidence.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: hntdsoul on May 09, 2007, 06:12:04 PM
I started writing poetry in the mid 70's and had finished my first book in the early 80's. It never saw anything but the inside of my desk. That started a very long writing path that has yet to see a publish. I'm on my 5th novel now. Of the 5 that I've written, two survive. The other three and most of my short stories and game campaigns were lost in a flood a few years ago. I've written many MANY shorts, quite a few that have been submitted. They never seem to meet current need. The same is true with my 4th novel, which was actually requested by 15 different agents and houses based on my queries. Again, it didn't meet current needs.

I'm a story teller, and I always will be. Do I want to get published? Absolutely! If I knew right now that I would never get published, would I stop writing? NOT A CHANCE!!!

To the art of storytelling, and may we embrace it as long as we draw breath!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: RMatthewWare on May 17, 2007, 02:48:36 PM
I just finished by most recent draft of my novel.  I just need to get a critique, then I'll start agent-hunting.  It's take just under a year and a half, which I think isn't that bad for someone with a full time job and a baby.  I think it'll be ready for the world in just a month or two.  Very exciting.

Matt
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 17, 2007, 11:47:29 PM
I write compulsively, frequently obsessively, as my filthy house contests.  I literally share with no one but after 30 years the stories and characters are really good and sometimes great.  Better yet the stories consistently have an easy flow and drop like a waterfall onto the keyboard, especially my sci-fi.  I visited Jim's journal and read some of his advice to newbies and decided that I was at a turning point, get better at the craft I love or just ferment.  Of course fermintation has it's good points, i.e. Mac's ale--but I did some research on line and dropped a sample onto mediabistro.com to see if they would accept me in a novel writing class.  Ouch--they accepted.  So I researched again--I mean if they accepted me, they must suck to be perfectly honest.  Turns out they are quite legit.  Had a blast and pounded out a novella with enough in the hopper to reach a full length novel eventually. 

It was a wonderul learning experience and the professionals in the class were complementary.  I plan on a grammar course (another big ouch!) this summer and then I'll try a class on line again with the same teacher.  None of them had the vaguest notion about sci-fi/fantasy but they enjoyed the ride and especially liked the ill-fated love relationship between two characters; so much so that they wouldn't let me kill off the female.  Luckily with sci-fi you can always figure a way to bring back a released soul from the ether, right?

Author?  no.  Wanna be?  no.  but it would be nice if I continue to grow and enjoy the craft!  Let's face it, once a character has you, it won't let you go until it's on paper.  Now I fear that the characters are yanking me out of my private nature... 

And this is my first posting. So again, a big step.

Meg

 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: hntdsoul on May 22, 2007, 10:07:57 PM
Great share Meg. Welcome and happy writing.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: traycon3 on May 24, 2007, 11:48:15 AM
Hi...I'm t3, who might (if I ever finish anything) be published under the name A. LeIon or Ana Leion or something similar. I am also a worshiper of the great Spell-Check.
I have written a bunch of poetry and short stories this year for classes. Because, yes, I almost need a deadline to be inspired to write. Also, I've written a few fanfiction short stories, which are pretty ok, if I do say so myself.
However, I do co-write with my best friend. We're working on a story involving magical organizations. Um...*Pulls out notebook she has been working in for over three years* Yes, it did sit for over a year in my friend's dorm collecting DUST!!! *Glowers*
...I had a point. Story.
The story is about organizations, particularly one called The Organization of Sword and Sorcery, an organization intent on keeping the peace. Dean-Walter Houdini, Vinny Malone, Sereno Davis, and Dymphna (Dee) Goldman are the prominent members of this organization.
Dee meets a woman named Zalika Aldram, who finds anything that has to do with magic illogical, despite the fact that she is a Magi herself. Dee enjoys dragging Zalika on random missions with no rhyme or reason, except that Zalika is almost a security blanket when Dee is around her partner Sereno Davis.
On one of the missions, Zalika meets Donovan, a "sleezy hit man", to quote Dee's description.
Um...it hasn't gotten too far into the actual plot, though we do have (had?) a story arch. Somewhere...over the rainbow...with my luck...
Beyond that, I've started a few ideas, but they haven't gotten off the ground. I've been busy, lazy, lazier, reading, lazy again, dealing with writer's block, lazy, and generally just plain lazy. I do hope to actually complete something by the end of college, which doesn't technically start 'till '08. Well, I figure I'd better stop rambling on and on about the fact that I have no social life, let alone a personal life.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: redneckwitch18 on May 25, 2007, 06:11:34 PM
Hi, I plan to write under the name Caroline Peters.
 I began writing in middle school and haven't stopped since. W/ at least 6 started ( and each one well over 50 pages), I am always carrying around a small notebook to jot down new ideas.

Writing mostly sci-fi and romance dramas, I tend to get pretty attached to mine.
For instance, I am writing about a female vampire named Sage. She is the head of a so-called "association" of vampires, yet she doesn't know her past. Her Werewolf lover was assassinated, so she goes on a international investigation with a native American ("Indian") shifter/ bounty hunter to track down all the things her dead man had been doing. Uncovering gov. secrets, she also digs up her Otherworld past involving a Fae male and lost brothers and sisters.

Eventually, she defeats a supernatural entity who was controlling a fairly influential man and finds happiness with her new life, leaving her destructive lonely one in the past.

I know it kind of reeks of un-originality, but hey, it's the stuff that is packed in my head so much that it oozes out of my ears ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Pippin on May 27, 2007, 05:01:20 PM
Hi

I don't clase myself as anything but I enjoy creating stories and working out plots, making worlds and taking the journey with my characters - I guess I write for myself not with the aim of other reading or enjoying them.

I've had about three concepts on the go for the last 7 years but each time I have run in to block and started anew with a different story. One I'm very passionate about but I worry that on paper the idea isn't as good as it seems in my head. Now I have recently found the Dresden Files and this forum I feel a renewed inspiration to have a go.

I'll keep reading your posts and see how things go
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Evergrey on May 28, 2007, 08:54:35 PM
Hey, all.

It's my dream to write novels for a living, though thus far I've only written a few short stories and poems. I'm not published, though some of my writing is on Writing.com. This is my portfolio, here: http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/user_id/ledzep. I have a novel outlined in a notebook and I started typing the actual thing up, but haven't worked on it as much as I'd like. Hopefully I can get a lot done this summer. The novel is in a fantasy setting, and I hope to write in mostly that genre as well as horror.

If I do get published, or maybe I should say when I get published, hehe, I'm not sure if I'll use my real name or not. I know I'll use my first name and middle initial, Christopher M.

I guess I can give the basic plot of the novel, hopefully it hasn't really been done yet and I'm not making a fool of myself. The title is Ancestors' Blood, and it's about an evil lord named Damos Medraut who discovers an unknown magic called the Hidden Arcane. The magic was kept hidden for centuries when a family discovered it, when they realized the immense power behind the Hidden Arcane, they kept it secret. In order to keep it from being found, they wrote it in their bloodline rather than on parchment or in a tome. Damos discovers the current bearer of the Hidden Arcane, a girl named Justinia Sioddonel, and creates an army from creatures called malgogs in order to abduct the girl and use her hidden power.

The malgog army, led by Damos' right-hand lizardman, Kar'as Bral, attack the town Justinia is in. She escapes with the help of the hero, Althane Holm, and two visitors to their town, a bard named Thallion Steed, who is half-elven, and a mysterious fighter named Razul Nightfall. Thallion knows of a ghost city named Nazlamath, a place where no magic can enter. They hope to go there to try and hide from Damos' magic while fleeing from the remnants of malgogs chasing them.

That probably sounds really cliche, but I feel my plans for it are original enough.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Valkryst on July 31, 2007, 04:27:28 PM
Are you learning to become an author, but haven't yet published professionally?

Tell us about yourself and your work here. (Please don't post samples directly to the board. Links ok.)

Hello everyone, I am indeed an unpublished author...what those who spend far too much time in front of a computer might call a newbie or if their ability to spell without numbers involved is limited, a n00b. I have been writing for myself since I was in first grade, and have recently decided to try my hand at getting published. Honestly I still write for myself, I have no preconceptions about being published or read or even really liked but I figure that if I can share the enjoyment I get out of it then why not?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on July 31, 2007, 06:19:48 PM
Welcome Valkryst! :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: ihatepeas on August 20, 2007, 10:48:55 PM
Wow, lots of writers and wannabe writers hanging around here. (And I say "wannabe" in the nicest possible way.)

I am 28. I've known since I was 13 that I'd be a writer, but I didn't have a finished novel until I was 25. NaNoWriMo kicked my butt all over the place, but it's gotten me two finished novels and a huge chunk of a third. I started writing bad poetry in seventh grade. In college, two of my classes were poetry workshops--very scary, but I have a style now, thanks to them. After a couple of embarrassing longer stories in high school, I started churning out short stories in high school, but they are mostly crap. I'm better at novels.

I tend to write murder mysteries, not always by design. So many times I start writing, and then someone trips over a body, and it's all downhill from there. But I also write some sci-fi/fantasy, and really bad literary fiction. Right now, I'm working on a teen murder mystery, a sort of fantasy-literary hybrid, something that is a bit of a Doctor Who rip-off just for fun, and I'm running to finish a couple of short stories before a contest deadline rolls around. And somehow I have to find the time to edit, rewrite, and submit. Ha. I eat deadlines for breakfast, with bananas.

--Sarah
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Nessus_Wyndestrike on August 24, 2007, 01:41:50 AM
As I've mentioned in the Introduction thread, I am an "author-in-progress" so to speak. I tend to have many ideas, and never the time to sit down and write them out properly. So I am only able to write in spurts.

I hope my new method of planning will help with this.

If you like, I offer a small sampling of my prose. Please, PLEASE do not steal any of my ideas, names, etc., as I plan to publish the material.



***!***!***!***!***!

   The temperature dropped fast. The vast study, with its books strewn about, plummeted into a flickering darkness. He stood just below the coldly glinting chandelier in the center of the room.
   
   “You come to me now?” A cloud of breath billowed from thin, bloodless lips. He turned slowly, dramatically, to regard the man hovering in the doorway, “You come to me now, to kill me?” He asked again, a mocking lilt edging his voice.

   “To kill you,” The man in the doorway replied, drawing a sword from his side. The blade slid out and the edges gleamed coldly, “To have my revenge for this madness, I will kill you Ibial.”

   Ibial laughed then, his hands sweeping outward to gesture to an invisible audience. He spun around, his velvet black robes twisting about his sickly frame, “There is method in this madness!” He brought a long, pale hand to his chin, half-covering the bemused smile upon his face.

   “You will die.” The sword came up, to point accusingly at the Magi in the middle of the room, “You will die, accursed magician, I will be the one who will kill you! Your blood will be upon my blade!”

   “You are upset now. Poor ignorant Riléc,” Ibial’s back still faced Riléc, who stood in the doorway. He could strike at any time. He did not. Ibial turned his head back toward the sword wielding man, looking over his shoulder, “How can you kill me…. when you are already dead?”

~

   The stubs of candles on the mantelpiece flickered as a sudden wind blasted in through the door with a bang. The patrons of the inn shivered as a heavily cloaked man wrestled with the battered hulk of a door. The icy wind halted, and the man heaved a huge sigh, leaning heavily against the wall.

   “T’sa bigg’in.” He announced in a deep grunt, “Knew winter was cummin’, but came too fast ‘f ya ask me.”

   “Hail ye ta that,” The barkeep agreed, scrubbing at a grimy glass, “So what brings ya t’ these parts, Crais? No noblemen ‘r in need of yer sword right now, aye?”

   “Aye.” Crais removed his hood and pulled off his cloak awkwardly, “Yew remember that youngling boy I brough’ in, say ‘bout ten years back? Y’know, th’ boy who could only speak tha’ Elvish language, er whatnot?”

The barkeep scratched at his short, graying beard, “Ah, th’ boy, Riam, was’is name, tha righ’?” He noticed Crais’s hair, which had been chestnut brown the last time he had seen him, was now highlighted by multitudes of grey.

   “Aye,” Crais nodded, “Tha’s th’ one. I hear ‘is name now ‘n then, somethin’ ‘bout th’ rise of th’ Gods.” The barkeep’s steady polishing slowed, until it stopped completely. He regarded Crais with steady eyes. Crais rubbed his chin, scratching at the stubble with blunt fingernails.

   “Nay, never heard nuthin’ like that,” He frowned and picked up the glass again, not really putting much effort into polishing it. Crais looked thoughtful, leaning on his elbows, “Why would that learn’d boy trouble ‘imself with Gods an’ Temples ‘s? ‘S beyond me. His swordsmanship was fine, finer, almost then ye.”

“I dunna,” Replied Crais, shrugging out of his broadsword. He was safe in the Inn, there would be no need for a sword. At least, he hoped. The rumors of war had been growing, and the march of the third battalion of the Imperial Army was troublesome.

“So why were ye lookin’ fer ‘im?” The bar had gone almost deathly silent.

“I dunna…” Crais said again.


***!***!***!***!***!

Thank you for reading. <=) Ibial's name, in case anyone was wondering, is pronounced Ib-ee-uhl, I as in "ick", two syllables [Ibi-al].

~N.W.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on August 26, 2007, 03:54:29 PM
Hi Nessus,

Just some suggestions.  I'm not sure this is the forum for putting out our work, but there are apparently some great sites in another thread under authors.  I'd suggest looking into those and you can get someone to really do a thorough critique on your work.  One named was critters.com. I was impressed with the site when I visited and plan to use it myself.  I'm not published and seriously doubt I would ever go through all those hoops, BUT I've learned that the ability to critique others work will ONLY INCREASE your skill!

I've found that taking a class will help you stick to a structure.  Checkout sites on line, including mediabistro.com.

Good luck on your writing!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Nessus_Wyndestrike on August 28, 2007, 05:46:30 PM
Thanks, Meg. =) I'm still in the process, as it were, still in college and majoring in English. [Just started sophomore year, actually.] I know I'm still a fledgling writer and am always looking for a good place to gather critiques.

Thanks for the tips. =>

The piece, I know, is not anywhere near my best piece of work in my opinion. X) And I know the structure sucks. =x The writing’s almost a year old now.  :-\
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Saliath on August 30, 2007, 04:46:32 AM
lol now you all are probibaly gonna laugh at me. (Right now I am thinking "Oh S*** what the hell am I doing." And for the record hell is not a curse word.) Anyway.... where was I..... Oh yea. Name is Sam. I have 3 Books unpublished and still in the works. One is called The Solder. It is basically about a solder who first starts out in the military academy and works his way to  D-Day (WW2). As I said still in the making.
My second is not that great. I don't even have a title for it. I was just thinking about quitting on that.
Now my third one (Sorry Jim. I'm a big fan of Dresden files, but I can't do your kinda magik.... yet.) Its actually based off of star wars and am proud to say there is a lot of lightsaber action and takes place in the clone war era. (thats why i was thinking "Oh S***"} anyway I am 16 Sophmore. and hoping to live the...... whoever the hell wrote the eragon series and is hooked for life. But that seems a little far away since i lost my inspiration spark that makes you wanna write. so might just fall back on computer networking. lol
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Uilos on August 30, 2007, 06:44:08 AM
I've asked a couple of questions on this board already, but I haven't fully introduced myself. My name's Craig. I'm currently a senior up at a college in Albany NY. I wrote my first novella when I was in HS, it was drek, but it was mine. I started taking my writing seriously in college because it was the only real way I could express myself. Now I'm the new Editor and Chief of my college's literary magazine (though I still go unpublished).

I'm currently working on the first of a contemporary fantasy trilogy (I plan on writing an essay on the subject of Trilogies) set in New York City (where I live and love). The Backstory is about how a sub-set of humanity, more cousins than mutants as they've been around as long as we have. They are the basis for all the legends we've heard about Oracle's, Shamans, Witches, Giants, Werewolves, Vampires and nearly everything else. They all live their lives like we do, but they also have this other social world that they all live in. They've lived with us, protected us, tormented us, since time imemorial, until 1945, when humans decided to forge a power they were not ready for. After the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagsaki, the ones who were legends (known by each other as Alts), were weakend, any of their children born after that were born as any normal human would be.

This lead to what was known as the Blackout, the Alts had never before experience. The world had turned itself on it's head. the gods were no longer in power, and the humans were give more power thean they knew what to deal with. To compound problems, the generation after the blank alts were not born blank. So now these new alts, children just coming into their own powers are haunted by the might of beens of their parents and the long since dormant expectations of their grandparents. They're powerful and confused...but then again, aren't all of the young?

I've been reading the Dresden Files (and watching the show), The Dune Series, American Gods, The Dark Tower series. I've also been watching Heroes, which is perfect in blending powers with real life.

I look forward to talking to some of you and getting/giving feedback.

Take Care,

C

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Evergrey on September 05, 2007, 04:51:48 AM
I guess I can give the basic plot of the novel,

As of now I've made a couple changes to the plot, added in and changed some character and hopefully made the whole thing stronger. I've been typing up the outline and making it a lot more detailed, so I still haven't really written much of the actual story. I'm ashamed because I wasted the whole summer when I could've been taking care of the outline and now school has started again and I just keep denying my writing attention it needs.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: SunPhoenix on September 10, 2007, 11:32:52 PM
Names Curt. I've been a reader of lots of various books which the latest of which is the Dresden Files with Proven Guilty. I'm 17 in my senior year of high school and haven't really written anything longer than little snips of stories at most 3 or so pages long. I know some of my teachers have agreed that some of my written essays for some of the classes has been intriguing to read. While some of them as I've been told have seemed to be (plajurised?). I know it doesn't really amount to the tact needed to write a whole book but I know with some recent ideas that I really have spurred me to atleast atempt to write a book. I have a 3 page outline of what I want in 3 possible books that are kinda in a series but seperate unique events. So far haven't tried doing character boards or anything along those lines.

I just found this website and have been looking through the forums to find good sources of inspiration and hopefully get some good information also.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mightybri on September 14, 2007, 12:11:52 AM
Hey all-

Long time reader, first time poster.

I have a bit of an eccentric life that has led me in several directions.

I recently started a job that unfortunately closed off my time to write, but before that I was a storm chaser, photographer, ordained minister, and worked medicine for 13 years.

Here’s some chase logs and photos:  http://belzeebub.deviantart.com/ and http://members.cox.net/mightybri

I became interested in writing after a wonderful teacher suggested that I try it for a contest.  I didn’t place, but my teacher loved my writing.  My academic career took forever because I always forced a couple writing or lit courses to fuel my imagination while taking chemistry and biology classes.

Anyhow, I finished my first novel, a young adult adventure, back in 2002 and have not revisited it since.  My next novel was described as a detective novel meets Clive Barker, “Hell to Pay”.

“A man who thinks he lost his soul, meets a man who has.”

I’ve had several agents show interest and have been shopping it around.  I’m still waiting for that call though.  At least being a full time writer would allow me more chasing time in the spring while doing book tours.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 14, 2007, 12:49:17 AM
Wow, your super cell photo is beautiful!  Looks like a cover for your book! Welcome.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mightybri on September 14, 2007, 02:20:45 AM
Wow, your super cell photo is beautiful!  Looks like a cover for your book! Welcome.

Funny thing is I made a limited run (meaning three spiral bound) books, which I gave one to my father on his seventieth B-day.  He made me watch Cujo at a tender age.  A point that I will always attribute a little of my dark streak to.  Anyhow, storms play a part in the book and I did use it for the cover.  I filtered it with a little dark sepia, brought out the gold and brown colors and Bam  cover page.

Additional note:  That supercell was from a tornadic supercell over Andover, Kansas back in 2002.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kristine on September 14, 2007, 04:09:51 AM
Hi,
My name is Kristine (big surprise right?) and I've been making up stories since I can remember.  I got into fan fiction when original series Star Trek fanzines were still popular (there now, I've dated myself) and tried writing original fiction while getting my English BA a while back.  I stopped writing when I started living with a published writer and realized that, unless you are very talented, it can be VERY hard.  It also didn't pay well enough to live on for most writers, and I didn't want to move back in with my parents.  I still want to write and I am looking for my true voice.  I have a tendency toward purple prose and info dumping that I am trying to force myself out of.  Some of my latest practices are fan related fiction and can be read here if anyone is the vaguest bit interested:

http://kristine1967.livejournal.com/

comments/criticism very welcome.

And now some information...

Purple Prose
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
–noun
writing that calls attention to itself because of its obvious use of certain effects, as exaggerated sentiment or pathos, esp. in an attempt to enlist or manipulate the reader's sympathies.  Writing full of ornate or flowery language. Ornate, flowery speech can also be referred to as purple prose.


Info Dump - the whole piece this is from is pretty funny and I found it at: http://www.kith.org/journals/jed/2006/04/29/3504.html -its by Strange Horizons editor Jed Hartman

...
“Infodump content types include the Backstory Historical, the Backstory Personal, and the Explanation Specialized (which has subtypes Scientific, Magical, and so on for other fields of human endeavor). Infodump delivery mechanisms include Faux Dialogue Naive (in which one character explains something to another character designed to be the reader-identification character, a character who doesn’t have the necessary background and thus must have it explained to them), Faux Dialogue Redundant (in which one character explains something to another character who knows it already, as I am doing now), Faux Thought Redundant (in which a character thinks something to themselves that they already know), and Narrative.”

“And are there specialized techniques for delivering infodumps?”

“A great many, Doctor,” I said, gathering confidence. “For example, as you know, there is the famous ‘As you know, Bob’ introductory phrase. Another example: one character may interrupt to ask another character questions, avoiding the problem of an infodump turning into one gigantic endless paragraph.” Then, too, I thought, pieces of an infodump may be provided using different delivery mechanisms, again breaking it up. “I trust that you read that bit of narrative and thus that I don’t need to rep—”

“Yes, yes. Now, quickly, before our reader gets bored and turns the page: tell me the reasons that authors use infodumps.”

“That one is almost too easy, Doctor; like all members of our society born in the past thirty years, I learned it while I was but a mere squalling babe. As the scriptures tell us (the scriptures you should be familiar with, having written them yourself): ‘Thou shalt provide the reader with all of the information needed to understand everything in the story.’ In the old days, before the advent of the Total Narrative Society, fiction sometimes contained ambiguous or unclear passages. These days, thanks to you and your colleagues, all fiction is completely clear. It may be, as some critics allege, that it has become a bit dull—”

“I leave it to History to judge the charge of dullness, my young friend. But what I really want to know is this: Can the infodump be done well? Think carefully before you answer; humanity’s future may depend upon it.”

I mused over all the infodumps I had encountered. As you know, self, I thought, so many of them are so bad! And in recent weeks, they had only gotten worse, with many stories in which my eyes had glazed over at paragraph after paragraph of poorly delivered backstory and quasi-scientific explanation. Furthermore, in many of those cases, the material presented wasn’t remotely necessary to the story; they were cases of the author being so enamored of their worldbuilding and ideas and research that they felt they had to stop the story to explain them to the reader.

And yet, I had to admit to myself, sometimes infodumps are presented well. The best infodumps I had seen were generally presented as narrative, told directly to the reader, without explicit attempts to disguise them as dialogue or thoughts. Then, too, sometimes they took the form of encyclopedia or dictionary entries, though that was a technique that could easily be overused.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: BlueStocking on October 07, 2007, 11:59:07 PM
Hi :D  I'm Jessie.  I write fansty stuffs- some things are urban fantasy, but mostly they're set in Middle Ages-esque other worlds.  I haven't been published yet, but I'll hopefully be sending something to an online publisher soonish.  If I don't change my mind, anyway.  The story is kind of Halloween related and they may not want it a week after October XD  But who knows...

Umm...other than that, I guess I don't have much to say....except that I'm physically incapable of writing short stories, it seems XD
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Troubled darkness on October 10, 2007, 07:45:20 PM
I've been writing for a while now, my current WIP is an urban fantasy book, set in Britain and features all sorts of different races. It's hard to explain at the moment.

I have so many ideas, my problem is sticking to one and not deviating to all the other ones i think of constantly.

I don't write to get published however I write for myself, I will try but I'd write anyway even if I wasn't good enough to be published. I get something out of writing that makes me feel better when I'm down.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Vox Arcana on November 06, 2007, 03:51:44 AM
Hello!

My name's Kristen.  Started writing when I was in junior high, but it was pretty much all crap until I took a "Craft of Writing Fiction" class in college.  I've never really thought about trying to get any of my stuff published; it's just one of my creative outlets to keep the snarky, sarcastic side of my personality in line.

So yeah. I'm a big geek.  Hi.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Craz on November 06, 2007, 04:01:19 AM
Well, introductions:

My name's Justen, and I was an alchol-wait, wrong introduction. Let's do this again.

My name's Justen, and I am a writer. I've been doing this since the seventh grade (a remarkable four years). I live in San Jose, California, and currently attend a high school which currently shall go nameless. I try to write Star Trek, but urban fantasy also deeply captures my interest. I would say enthralled, but I don't want to inseminate the idea that any dark wizardry was involved. I'm seventeen years old, and my first story was just actually finished last week (at a disparaging 6,210 words). However, story number two of that series and number one of my fantasy series are in the works.

To get myself by in life, I work as a librarian's aide for the Edenvale Branch of the San Jose Pubic Library, and I also proof-read my mother's writing (It runs in the family. My mother's a writer on womens' subjects).
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: pj on November 06, 2007, 04:48:49 AM
Hey all, my name is PJ Lyon

Sadly an author-in-waiting as I like to put it.   

I'm currently finishing up two novels in a series about a London based Albino vampire who runs a nightclub (polishing).  One straight ahead mystery series about a Columbo-like Hollywood gossip journalist called Joe Luna, who keeps stumbling across dead bodies (polishing and rewriting the last few chapters).

My latest project is here http://www.fictionmonster.com/lazarine

I'm posting it chapter by chapter as I write, and using NaNoWriMo as a motivator to get it done.  It's a cataclysmic tale of ancient evils that trigger a war of undead across America.

I studied English and got a Masters degree a few years back (absolutely useless in the real world).  Other than that I worked for a brief period as a teacher, and for the last six years I worked in the IT field as an indentured slave (technician) until I went 'Hulk' a few weeks ago with my boss and quit.  Hey, you've got to take a leap at some point, right?

In any case, glad to be here in good company, and any tips you have before I embark on the agent merry-go-round I'd be glad to have 'em.

PJ




Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: *Lady Disappearing Act * on November 06, 2007, 05:23:59 AM
currently working on a script for a graphic novel with complete story arc. 
ooo that sounds kind of lame.
but it's awfully fun!
some character sketches here:
fig 1 (http://www.gailajones.com/images/sketchbook%20images/danae%20lady%20full.jpg)
fig 2 (http://www.gailajones.com/images/sketchbook%20images/the%20prince.jpg)
fig 3 (http://www.gailajones.com/images/digital%20images/works%20in%20progress/romai%20boy.jpg)
fig 4 (http://www.gailajones.com/images/random%20(not%20viewable)/danae%20lady%20copy.jpg)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Zygoptera on November 06, 2007, 05:27:56 AM
Awesome sketches! I love the third one!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: *Lady Disappearing Act * on November 06, 2007, 06:07:09 PM
thanks! :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on November 06, 2007, 11:19:12 PM
Looks great!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ursiel on November 07, 2007, 05:19:11 AM
Hi. I don't wish to tell my actual name so I won't. I'm trying to right a story and it shall be my first. The problem I have with writing is sticking with one plot rather than making a story that has many different plots that aren't related, although, I feel confident that I will make this story work.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KevinEvans on November 07, 2007, 12:35:42 PM
Looks like i dropped this in the wrong place, cut it if you want. Ahh the risks of posting at the end of a shift....



Hi all,
I'm Kevin Evans, and I write, (sigh).

Lets see, I'm 51, My wife does all my editing, (see what happens when you marry an English major Grin), I live in New Mexico, and would sell more if I spent more time writing. This year we have sold about 65,000 words  @ .06 a word with about half of it scheduled for publication over the next 6 months. Samples of my stuff is at http://www.grantvillegazette.com/authors/Kevin_H._Evans

My writing started after the 06 world con where one of the GG ed board asked for a short story and two "fact" articles.
Current projects include a  SF novel, and about twelve short subjects set in the 1632 universe.
Hobbies include restoring steam engines (the 2926 a 1944 Santa Fe 4-8-4) Hot air ballooning, and experimental airship design.
Regards,
Kevin
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ursiel on November 07, 2007, 12:52:33 PM
I have an excerpt for a new story. I'll post the link soon.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on November 07, 2007, 08:17:49 PM
Welcome to Kevin (and why hasn't Karen checked in?  :D).  Your Gazette looks like a neat site! It appeals to my old west heart.  Pass the Colt 45 please---but only if I can shoot it!  I'll take a helping of silver bullets though at this point in my life.

Again--welcome to both of you!  Meg

(So did the tornado take you to Oklahoma? --via Oz of course?)

Would love to see some of your photos of the old steam engine!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KevinEvans on November 08, 2007, 05:37:51 AM
(Grin),
Alas, the only western influence is that Grantville was transported from "West Virgina" to 1630 Germany. It is actually a Shared universe created by Eric Flint when he wrote 1632, originally a standalone Y2K novel, that popularity pushed in to 3,500,000 of "paid for" words of fiction. It expanded into seven novels, two hard back anthologies, and 15 (currently, published bi monthly) collections of short stories. As a market the Gazette pays 6 cents a word, and prefers stories of 5000 to 15000 words. Also 25% of each Gazette is made up of "Fact" articles (my main contribution) about making things work with the limited tech base that came back through time.

However here is a link to the club site for the 2926, our photo section goes from the original move out of the park, to last week.

http://www.nmslrhs.org/
Enjoy,
Kevin





Welcome to Kevin (and why hasn't Karen checked in?  :D).  Your Gazette looks like a neat site! It appeals to my old west heart.  Pass the Colt 45 please---but only if I can shoot it!  I'll take a helping of silver bullets though at this point in my life.

Again--welcome to both of you!  Meg

(So did the tornado take you to Oklahoma? --via Oz of course?)

Would love to see some of your photos of the old steam engine!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ren on November 09, 2007, 04:15:15 PM
Hrm...Author's in progress...yep thats me...lets see how many 'projects' I have rolling that I can never seem to finish;
(listed in order started)

"Arkestone"  (tm) and (c)
Fantasy with Magic-Tech elements and people descended from bargains with Otherwordly Powers; Element-blood, Animal Blood etc...
Starts following the end of the Overthrow of the King of one of the largest Kingdoms. Story centers around the Fleeing Princess of said Kingdom, the Drug-Addicted Captian of Her guard and the Captain's former lover and Fallen king's Champion.

"Idol City" (tm) and (c)
A Super hero story that explores a world where heroes and viallains are treated like major Celebrities and the inevitable fallout form a Fall from grace. Also covers the Conspiracies that both created them and try to manipulate them. Story centers around a Young and popular Pop-singer/healer, her old friend with a Sad past whom she loves dearly and a Young, Arrogant Reality TV star who is secretly in love with her.

"Nevermore" (tm) and (c)
A modern day Faerie tale revolving around the "Nevermore Home for Wounded Myths, Legends and Faerie-tales". A Hospital/Sanitarium/Sanitorium for Supernatrual creatures. Most of the action revolves aorund a group of young students and friends who get lost on their way to elsewhere and eventually make their way 'Home' and on their way become involved with the return of an Ancient evil and their destined roles in those same events. Through the course of the story their own personal demons and backgrounds grounds are revealed and dealt with for better or for worse. No one comes Home who doesn't need to be there...

"The Tao of Od" (Tentative titles) (tm) and (c)
Actually a children's story series about a very Od man. I may post 1 of the stories labor. Funny and sweet.

"Living Dead Girl" (Tentative title) (tm) and (c)
My current project about a Xombie girl from the 1940's who awakens in the 2400's trapped between Life and Death by her own Willpower. The story I've so far come up with is that she is ultimatley ona quest for vengeance against the Corporation that revived her from a 400-year slumber then abandoned her when she became a Liability. She is accompanied by a Soul-eating Saurian Alien and afaithful and freakishly intelligent dog-like creature named "Phydeaux". It's eventually goind to involve her very odd romance with a Blood-morph bounty hunter...(simplest explanation I could come up with for him)

...now if I could ever actually FINISH one...8P
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Dante Inferno on December 25, 2007, 06:20:59 AM
Heh, I'm probably quite a screwed up case of an A-I-P.

Trying to write a novel based on Arthurian legend and failing. Miserably.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 26, 2007, 01:03:55 AM
so where are you messed up?  recently completed something with a nod to the same.  Glad to help you talk (or write  :) ) through it!  Love puzzles---and needing a challenge.   I'm in between projects.  Working on something that needs a lot of behavioral/isolation psychology research--so I'm booking the internet.  I'm not even sure if the science is grounded enough that I can make it fly.  First time ever I'm putting together the outline first--if it doesn't fall in place than I'll start something else.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: twinswin123 on January 30, 2008, 01:23:58 AM
Hey I just had one of those health things about cyber bullying and posting crap on the internet so i wont say my name but i am writing a story about two mercenaries living in the near futures that have to deal with all the unsavory things that the future has to offer. They have befriended the head of the cops and a priest who also beats the crap out of bad guys in the area. I had to write it for a class and decided to stay with it. I am having trouble knowing when to transition from chapter to chapter. IF anyone could offer help, that would be great.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: CynDe on January 30, 2008, 07:21:38 PM
I have been off the boards for a while, so here's an update. A wonderful agent accepted my manuscript and most of my free time has been spent editing and getting it ready for evaluation by an editor. Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on January 30, 2008, 10:39:06 PM
I have been off the boards for a while, so here's an update. A wonderful agent accepted my manuscript and most of my free time has been spent editing and getting it ready for evaluation by an editor. Wish me luck!

Good luck.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: twinswin123 on February 05, 2008, 02:13:33 AM
I have been off the boards for a while, so here's an update. A wonderful agent accepted my manuscript and most of my free time has been spent editing and getting it ready for evaluation by an editor. Wish me luck!

Hope you have success
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 05, 2008, 04:42:41 PM
Here's to you CynDe!  *lifts shot glass.  We are pulling for you!  Let us know how it goes!  Meg :-)
Title: Amazon Breakthrough Novel Competition Entry
Post by: conte on February 06, 2008, 12:53:50 AM
Thanks to everyone who checked this out.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DT777 on February 11, 2008, 04:36:14 AM
I guess this is as good a place as any to introduce myself.

I am more or less an aspiring author, like alot of people here I suppose. I've been writing(and, I'll admit it, roleplaying) for at least four years, but I've never really finished anything yet. I mostly didn't have the self discipline or patience to sit down and finish a book, but that started to change when I began (tenative title, at best) The Red Death, of which, portions of it are hosted up at deviantart.com, as well as other writing communities I frequent, in hopes of garnering some constructive critism and interest (which has so far worked out quite well.) Oh, and I'm also a Software Engineer major (weird, I know. Has absolutely nothing to do with writing.) at Auburn University.

Anyway, I wrote like 50+ pages (by Open Office's count anyway), and turned around and threw most of it all out and started over, because I realized I was never going to get anywhere if I simply wrote without doing some amount of planning out the storyline ahead. I went back and added a whole lot more imagery, detail, and general improvements to my original script, and find myself still in the process of doing so. If you're interested in reading it, the rewrite can be found here. (http://www.atercia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=490) (And those of you who are online roleplayers should visit to join in the fun =D)

I can't say I'm a long time fan of Jim, like some, because it was only last semester that I stumbled across Proven Guilty. (Which I only bought because I had just finished Darkfall by Dean Koontz, and I didn't want to read the Clive Custler or Stephen King books I yoinked from my mum.) I think it took me maybe a week, or two, to read through all of Jim's books, save White Night because the only Booksamillion in Auburn didn't have a copy at the moment, and I promptly went back and reread most of them. I think I read White Night twice in a row, in the span of like three days.

Though I do have something in common with everyone here: I'm eagerly awaiting Small Favor. I'm looking forward to at least two read throughs. Maybe more.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Noey on February 18, 2008, 05:09:39 PM
Deleted cuz I wanna get paid for this someday. ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on February 19, 2008, 08:24:12 PM
I just finished writing an ultra, ULTRA low screenplay for a local filmaker here on Long Island called Drive to Darkness.  Hopefully it will get filmed this spring.  Oh, did I say it was Ulta low budget, I'm getting paid in beer.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Meowsan on February 20, 2008, 10:22:16 AM
I just finished writing an ultra, ULTRA low screenplay for a local filmaker here on Long Island called Drive to Darkness.  Hopefully it will get filmed this spring.  Oh, did I say it was Ulta low budget, I'm getting paid in beer.

What one wouldn't do for some nice cold FREE beer...

low budget doesn't mean low quality... I hope we get to see them on Sundance!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on February 21, 2008, 04:33:53 AM
I hope so too.  I like how it came out.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Dusty Black on March 24, 2008, 08:57:24 PM
I have been off the boards for a while, so here's an update. A wonderful agent accepted my manuscript and most of my free time has been spent editing and getting it ready for evaluation by an editor. Wish me luck!

Good luck!

(I'm late to the party, as usual!)

I'm an aspiring author (duh), and I have recently finished my first novel.

It's about a normal dude, who opens a mental block inadvertantly revealing a "Strange Aura" that causes all manner of bizarre things to be drawn to him.  He has run-ins with the ghost of a novelty songwriter, a werewolf, bigfoot, and a secret society of senior citizens (say it three times fast!).

If anyone's interested in checking out, I've linked it below.  It's called Beyond the Graves, and I am currently seeking representation for it.  Also, I just like getting feedback for it.  So if you decide to read it, let me know what you think.

Also, if you know anyone in "The Biz" who'd be interested, send me a message (fat chance, I know, but I have to try!)


http://rapidshare.com/files/100053009/Episodes_1_thru_5_COMPLETE__single_space_.doc.html (http://rapidshare.com/files/100053009/Episodes_1_thru_5_COMPLETE__single_space_.doc.html)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kristine on March 24, 2008, 10:01:55 PM

Also, if you know anyone in "The Biz" who'd be interested, send me a message (fat chance, I know, but I have to try!)


http://rapidshare.com/files/100053009/Episodes_1_thru_5_COMPLETE__single_space_.doc.html (http://rapidshare.com/files/100053009/Episodes_1_thru_5_COMPLETE__single_space_.doc.html)

check on craigslist

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/

sometimes the ultra low budget indies are looking for scripts - but they don't usually just want to option the story - they want a fully developed script.  The pay is crap and alot of times they want it for nothing but if you want to try to get your name out there...it's up to you.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on March 24, 2008, 11:31:38 PM
check on craigslist

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/

sometimes the ultra low budget indies are looking for scripts - but they don't usually just want to option the story - they want a fully developed script.  The pay is crap and alot of times they want it for nothing but if you want to try to get your name out there...it's up to you.

Try www.Mandy.com too
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: sluice on March 27, 2008, 07:13:40 AM
To Dusty Black: 


Your idea, and no offense meant to anyone else on, is by far the best in this thread.

I think most of us have the same problem; all these sci-fi/fantasy influences, the desire to write in these genres, yet an enormous difficulty in creating a truly "original" idea.

So much has been done. Honestly as soon as I read words like "FBI, special ops, private detective, hidden magic, dark lord," and even at this point just "vampire" and "werewolf" I tune out. This idea you have of removing this "mental block" and things happening to him/encounters is like nothing I've heard before. I don't know where you can take it, but by all means keep writing/submitting.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Dusty Black on March 27, 2008, 04:41:47 PM
To Dusty Black: 


Your idea, and no offense meant to anyone else on, is by far the best in this thread.

I think most of us have the same problem; all these sci-fi/fantasy influences, the desire to write in these genres, yet an enormous difficulty in creating a truly "original" idea.

So much has been done. Honestly as soon as I read words like "FBI, special ops, private detective, hidden magic, dark lord," and even at this point just "vampire" and "werewolf" I tune out. This idea you have of removing this "mental block" and things happening to him/encounters is like nothing I've heard before. I don't know where you can take it, but by all means keep writing/submitting.



Thank you so much for your positive feedback!

I keep submitting it after several rejections, which tells me that my query letter must need help.  It seems no one wants to take a chance on anything that even lives next door to Sci Fi, even though mine is closer to comedy with a bizarre slant.  I've often been compared to Christopher Moore, although I wouldn't dare make that connection myself.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on March 27, 2008, 06:08:11 PM
There is a site where you may post your query to get feed back.  I've been told it's a good spot to let others help you peg that query down.  It's at writersnet.com, then go to forum.  Good luck! 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: sluice on March 29, 2008, 05:30:10 AM


Just keep at it. It took Jim years to sell Storm Front.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: purenightshade on April 01, 2008, 09:45:14 PM
Hi all!
So I write. I write a lot. I've finished a few small things while others are still works in progress. While I do indulge in the writing of fanfiction, I do write original stuff. Here's a rundown of what I'm working on.

Sword and Sorcery
My main project. if all goes well, this will be a trilogy. It's the story of ten college students who find themselves accidentally transported to a new world. They become caught in the middle of a conflict that has been going on for hundreds of years. Sword is pitted against sorcery in a struggle for dominance of the the world of Keverynn. Their arrival is the trigger to an ancient prophecy. Will sword or sorcery triumph? Will Keverynn be returned to a peaceful state or will it be forever plunged into darkness?
Book 1 ('Path if the Warrior') has been completed and sits at 100, 532. It still needs some work, but a friend of mine is an editor and she's already agreed to look at it for me when I can afford it.
Book 2 ('Path of the Sorceress') is in progress.

Some of the story is up at http://ss.keverynn.net but note that not all of it is there.

Angels of the Night
This project is much less developed than the previous one. I haven't been working on it for as long. It's presently undergoing some reworking in the earlier chapters.

Over a thousand years ago, Ardren, the mainland of the world of Melphor, was wracked by a centuries long bloody war referred to in the Histories as the Wars of the Roses, an endless struggle to rid the world of the forces of darkness. For countless centuries, the two countries fought before the country inhabited by the forces of the light called upon its neighbor countries and formed the Soulforge Alliance. Together, they beat back the darkness and reclaimed their lands. The land of the dark things became a forbidden place to go as the evils would corrupt your soul, and all who went there did so upon pain of death.

The year is now 1172, 1177 years after the creation of the Soulforge Alliance. Rumors of creatures long thought destroyed over a thousand years ago are being whispered about in the Alliance, creatures that once served the Dark One, creatures that, if they really did still exist, threatened the stability of the Alliance with their very existence.

The Knights of the Rose, the protectors of the Alliance and the world of Melphor, swore to exterminate them at the end of the war and, if the rumors were true, would rid the world of the evil once again and preserve the peace.

This project is located at http://aotn.keverynn.net

Miscellaneous
http://fiction.keverynn.net/
I keep all of my other original works here.
Poetry - some of this stuff is really old, dating back to junior high
Children of the Tiger - I'd call this a short story, but I'm not really sure how to describe it. Fantasy genre.
Stars of Destiny - This is an attempt to convert a fanfic into an original story. It's kind of corny, but it was fun. It's not really a serious project, just something I did to see if I could
Dragon's Flight - I'm in the process of converting this one over to the world of Keverynn. Eventually, it will be called 'On Dragon's Wings' to avoid any Pern imagery. It's pretty terrible plot wise right now.
Chaos Cycle - this was my NaNoWriMo project a couple years ago. I didn't get very far, but it's completely plotted out and just needs a small bit of tweaking in the fine points and needs to be written out completely. Otherwise I'm happy with this one.
Short Stories - 'Crazy' is one that I'm really proud of, but the other two... 'Torene's Story' will also soon be converted over to the world of Keverynn and is actually pretty important to the 'Sword and Sorcery' story line. Not directly, but it's still fairly important.

Also, feel free to poke around my domain at http://keverynn.net for my other, less original writing projects if that's where your tastes are.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: sluice on April 13, 2008, 04:22:37 AM

Here's a question I asked in the "ask Jim" thread, and for lack of a better place to ask I'll ask it again here, to the general sci-fi/fantasy fan:


Which type of setting do you like better,  Dresden Files style, where the general public is unaware, or an Anita Blake style world where everything is out in the open? Other choices would be a fflat out fictional world, which I've rarely seen in contemporary fantasy, though I guess China Mieville, Glen Cook, or something like the Lord Darcy series, where history is completely re-written.

Which do you think is the best (better) setting?


Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Drew on April 13, 2008, 03:07:18 PM
The Dresden setting.  Most people are oblivious to things around them and would be able to relate more.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: ailishsmom on April 13, 2008, 10:40:07 PM
I like both for different reasons. Although I prefer Kim Harrison and Simon Green's worlds over LKH.
I think if I HAD to make a choice it would be the 'out in the open' settings. I like seeing how authors make the paranormal act normal.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paranoid Wizard on April 14, 2008, 04:37:28 AM
I never know how to describe the book I'm writing, it's my downfall. Honestly, if it gets published, I'll have to pay someone else to do the summaries for me because for some reason, I have a mental block on them.

Anyway. I suppose, if I had to summarize, I would say this; the novel is about two teenage girls who are, essentially, witches. Through their craft, they contact a vampire, who, in turn, more or less kidnaps them. He takes them in the middle of the night, and when they wake up, they're in an elaborate room, completely with miniature chandelier and scaling windows. Of course, the fact that the room is comfortable doesn't change the fact that they're in a rather sticky situation.

As the story continues the reader is introduced to a myriad of different vampires, each having their own unique personality, powers, and motivations. This novel is a love story, a mystery, a fantasy epic detailing a private war amongst vampires and humans alike. Factor in plot twists, and hidden agendas, and eventually you'll see everything as it is meant to be seen.

... And, damn. That really doesn't sound as good as I'd like it to.

Anyway. Currently, it's at about 70 pages. I send it to a published writer, Michael Koryta. He's my, mentor, of sorts, and he's helping me along with it. Personally, I think it's going along rather well. Maybe it will be on the shelves some day soon!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mycol on April 15, 2008, 08:35:21 PM
No books in Progress, something like 30 Short Stories on my COmputer and at least 3 or 4 notebooks at home on a book shelf of horrible hand written stuff. Including a few written in teh Field in my Army Days ^^
One day I might have to sit down and jsut write a book. ^^
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paranoid Wizard on April 15, 2008, 11:45:23 PM
It sounds like you have a lot of writing experience though. Maybe you should sit down and write a book sometime.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: bleet08 on April 16, 2008, 05:00:26 PM
HI...I feel like I am at a support group.  My name is________ and I have writers cramp.  Group then says "HI ______" 

I have been writing many many little stories.  Most were one pagers, and some were a few chapters long.  I am now in the process of finishing up chapter 15 in my book.  I know, go figure.  It seems that I enjoy writing about something that is half angel and half demon.  Poor thing wakes up arguing with it's self, and has problems keeping the good guys and the bad guys straight.  Being half and half, he ends up resorting to guns and being a hitman for who ever.  In this one I have him going after the pope.  should strike a chord with a few... ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paranoid Wizard on April 16, 2008, 05:07:17 PM
Hah! Pope hunter! I'd read that book!

(It would be immediately black listed by certain religious groups. But that's part of the appeal.)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 16, 2008, 05:14:49 PM
In this one I have him going after the pope.  should strike a chord with a few... ;D
And mayhap the NSA computer trolling programs just brought up your information while the Pope is in the US.  My aunt did this and the secret service showed up after a negative letter to Nixon..  :-)   Watch out, fellow reader  :-)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: bleet08 on April 16, 2008, 05:23:02 PM
LOL..well that is the dilemma he faces.  The first few chapters he lights up a few Cardinals, but then grows a conscience.  The god and the bad of being half and half.  I will not give away endings, but lets just say, he chooses a side, and life gets interesting.

If the NSA does show up, I will make them a kick butt honey tea, and give them some muffins!! 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paranoid Wizard on April 16, 2008, 06:50:08 PM
For some reason I don't think the NSA would be interested in tea or muffins.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 16, 2008, 08:43:28 PM
Actually they followed my aunt around the house the whole time the President was in the state--she offered them food and made them welcome in her home and I think they did appreciate it.

Also Mami Eisenhower's home was in Boone, IA and she had security agents until she finally died at 92 plus.  Remember that movie that Shirley McClain and Nicolas Cage...  It was like that, bridge games and golf.  The security teams did their shopping in my town. 

So serve up the muffins and tea!

My aunt really wasn't a crazy, but she did have a temper about something that some president did and wrote them a rather testy letter.  I never asked her just how testy....
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: bleet08 on April 17, 2008, 08:20:28 AM
I have been laughing so hard at that whole situation.  You would think eventually, someone would say, "I don't think she is planning anything boss."  Then leave.  Thumbs up guys, you can follow me to school, parents, and then home to sleep. 

I will post a small part of the story tomorrow. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: bleet08 on April 20, 2008, 04:14:18 AM
A small un-edited rough edition of the hit on Don Bravatta. 


     My gym bag was packed to the hilt.  Mostly with sandwiches, and snacks.  Hey I didn't know how long I was going to be here.  I moved the cup cakes out of the way, and tossed the slim jims to the same side of the bag.  You ever had one of those moments when you get caught.  Like when your walking around your place naked and someone unexpected walks in and catches you.  Another example.  The roof door opens wide spilling light onto my position, me and all my snack garbage.  From the look I got, even the informant was surprised at how much junk I ate.  After the light hit it, so was I. My cold fingers felt the little nine mm  Uzi in the gym bag.  I just froze feigning the deer in the head lights look.  He really had me dead to rights.  His gun looked like a field cannon aimed at my head, even though it was only a three fifty seven.  The barrel looked like a tunnel along a dark road, abruptly ending at a dead end.  Except if he did shoot me, most likely I would be back with in an hour or two, and just kill him even slower then I had planned. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LLJade on May 19, 2008, 03:55:28 PM
Hi all!

My name is Lauren and I'm currently in the process of working on my first novel which I hope to have published. It's gone through several revision and so far, this current one is the one I seem to be moving farthest along with. I'm intending this to be a YA novel and so far, though I'm not positive as of this point, the series is looking like it'll be a trilogy. The people who I've shown it to so far seem to like it so I hope it's a sign I'm doing a half way decent job. Right now, the biggest challenge for me is the editing because my grammar skills are just bad and trying to find time to work on it, I work nights as a TSO at an airport so by the time I usually get home, it's very late and I want to sleep. I seem to be coming to terms with that, though, since I've been working on it alot more recently, probably due to the fact I read in an article that Stephenie Meyer was able to finish the first book in the Twilight series in three months and that made me see how much I needed to stop whining and get the fire under my butt going. However, I still have issues with the editing. ;)

Anyway, if anyone here wants to take a look at it and give advice and what not, please feel free to send me a message on here or E-mail me. Just keep in mind that this story is very anime and manga inspiried, do if there's anything you don't understand, just let me know.

Lauren
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JourneyingMoon on June 02, 2008, 06:57:42 PM
Hi all,  E. Jay here :D

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I even completed a science fiction novel. I keep it in a drawer as proof that I can finish. I used to be able to just write and write, without thinking, without that voice that tells me every word sucks. Then I went to school for writing and sort of lost my voice and gained that monster that looks over my shoulder and points out what’s wrong with every word that hits the page. I spent years trying to find my voice again and to silence my monster.

I’ve read every book on craft and a psychotic amount of blogs and I seem to be stuck in a bit of a rut, like research has replaced actual writing. Once the research is done (for the day) there is the preparation, set up, lots and lots of outlining, and the reading of what I already wrote—so that I am refreshed and in the zone. But then the day is gone and I fool myself into thinking that tomorrow the real work begins. Months pass with lots of tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and few pages of actual written work.

This is not to say actual writing never gets done. When I do get to the page, after cranking out a few, I get stuck in an editing loop where I basically beat the life out of the writing. Or I’m always starting something new.
Now, I’m trying to force myself to finish the two novels most taking my attention. I’m trying to ride a wave of: the writing comes to life in the editing. I’m trying to push forward and not look back. But it seems near impossible because of voice in my head that screams: This is boring, try it in first person, actually third person is better, you’re telling not showing, nothing is happening, who cares this story sucks (under all that pressure I often forget how to write even the most basic sentence).

The two novels I am currently focusing on are 1) BSR. An urban fantasy with vampires, psychics, and witches (oh my!) . 2) BEAUTY. Sci-fi with a horror twist. BSR is outlined as a series. I have books 2 and 3 all plotted out. Beauty is stand alone.

The hard part is pushing myself forward. Moving from one page to the next without second guessing myself or looking back. And trying to remember that this is a first draft, that it doesn’t have to be perfect. When I wrote my first novel my hands were possessed. I wish I could get there again.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 04, 2008, 10:14:24 PM
You might enjoy this thread, yeah in typical JB fashion it got hijacked, still some people had some nice ideas. 

http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,4353.0.html

Also some people on this thread did the ?nano? writing thing--write a book in 30 days or something.  That kind of pushes you out of your normal habits, I would think.


I hate when artists are pushed in school to "be" a certain way etc.  I've a sister-in-law who would have been a phenomenal artist but her full ride scholarship at an elite art school in Phil completely did her in.  It crushed her creativity and then they stomped on her.  As far as I know she's never seriously worked on anything again.  Thankfully life is long, perhaps she will re-discover that path and put to rest what the idiots did to her in the name of education.  Same for writers. 

Hugs and best wishes on your writing.  enjoy the process or why do it and take a whip to the bear in your room to make 'em behave.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: reed on June 12, 2008, 04:31:05 PM
Hey,

I'm an aspiring author with way too much interest in way too many things, my biggest problem is that I have developed and designed several different games and stories for games that I'm lost in my own head sometimes, I'm currently working on designing a Fantasy world that would drive a physicist nuts and any sane person would drop dead with the shear amount of information creating itself inside my head. My second biggest problem of all is trying to organize and decipher all the info on my world(s) onto paper and develop the story.

Wow....perfect example of my head not being quite what I'm looking for it to do right now...let me say that a little better, maybe shorter sentences.

I'm an aspiring author in the Fantasy settings. I've developed a world that is a massive undertaking, considering that the world is approximately 10 times the size of Earth, and I have spent the last 2 years designing the maps, cultures, and populating the world with history, peoples, and creatures. I have figured out one thing out of all that I've developed lately is that, for me personally, taking everything that I've prepared and turning it into an RolePlaying Game is actually helping me develop the laws of nature, and magic. Oh, my other project that I recently started is a Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Comedy bit that involves a egotistical 'Verse Walker' that gets caught up in some goofy little bits throughout the many universes in, around, beside, and behind our own universe.

I just hope someone understands what I just said and can give me some hints/suggestions/nudges/ideas on how to get from mind to paper for my stories.

Ummmm, yeah, ..., later
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 12, 2008, 06:02:45 PM
welcome!

And uh uhmmm.....I guess just start writing now!  That would be my suggestion!  It sounds like the backstory and stage is set.  Go for it!  :-)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Captain's Honor on September 22, 2008, 05:59:35 AM
My name is Ani and I've being dreaming and writing for almost 22 years.  Don't have much to show for it yet, except a lot of learning and a faith that hasn't quite died yet.  There are some days I wonder though.  My dream started out in 1986 with a idea that we needed a good horse book.  That quickly turned into a series of novles that spanned from the 19th Century to the 26th Century and beyond.  The series in various stages of completiion with 3 novels that are done.  Two need major rewrites and the third could be published as is, but it feels like it isn't quitie ready for prime time yet. 

You can read more about it here:  www.starsofheros.com.

And no, heros is not a misspelling to avoid a copyright infringment suit.  It meant a play on horse because there are still horses in this series.  The heroes are there too, though in their own eyes, they are just normal people.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 22, 2008, 03:29:12 PM
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I even completed a science fiction novel. I keep it in a drawer as proof that I can finish. I used to be able to just write and write, without thinking, without that voice that tells me every word sucks. Then I went to school for writing and sort of lost my voice and gained that monster that looks over my shoulder and points out what’s wrong with every word that hits the page. I spent years trying to find my voice again and to silence my monster.

Ouch, feel your pain.  My sister-in-law was/is an incredible artists.  She received a full scholarship to an incredible art school in Phil---they ripped it all out of her.   She dropped out and hasn't picked up her brush since--and that is over 25 years now.  I keep hoping she will find that light again when her kids are out on their own. 

BTW--my monster is a bear.  :-)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 22, 2008, 03:54:33 PM
My dream started out in 1986 with a idea that we needed a good horse book. 

I agree, Ani! My favorite read this year was the small press book, "God of Animals"  -- if want a different and well received novel, you might enjoy it!
Montana Press, but it was so well received that you should be able to get it from your local library.  (Warning, it will keep you up nights for several weeks as you work through all the angst, but it is great. I swear she grew up in my old neighborhood.)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: kero319 on October 09, 2008, 07:36:20 PM
Hey Guys
I'm Alex.
I'm currently dabbling in the writing field, in my spare time from my studies.
My current work, the first "chapter"(its really just the first scene), as well as the teaser/prologue, can be seen in my post in this section.
The story, which im calling "Fallen" for now, is an urban fantasy. I don't want to spoil any of the plot right now, so if you want, you can read the posted stuff.

Please, if you don't mind, I'm thriving on criticism on my work, so if you feel like doing some straightforward (but polite) criticism, hit up my work.

Thanks everyone!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mythcantor on October 12, 2008, 04:53:07 PM
Okay, here goes,
I'm also an aspiring writer, but I've sort of lost my motivation after a few rejection notices.  The problem is that I'm a good enough editor that I look at the stuff that I write and look at the stuff that my favorite authors write and I sort of realize that I'm a long way off.

I've written about fifty to sixty short stories, mostly for my circle of friends consumption and to add flavor for the roleplaying games that I run.   Most of these short stories are unpublishible, because roleplaying games tend to become full of very inside jokes which would not go over well in the mainstream.  I've finished two novel length stories as well, within the science-fiction and fantasy genre.  I'd love to post a link for everyone to my writing, but none of it is published to the web atm.

I read what Jim and other authors had to go through to get published and it leads me to think that maybe I don't have the patience and willingness to take leaps of faith necessary to get published, even though I love sharing my stories with others.  For now, I'm content to share these stories via my RPGs, which I usually design and run myself without using published systems.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 12, 2008, 07:02:55 PM
welcome mythcantor! love your name! 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kristine on October 13, 2008, 03:29:35 AM
Okay, here goes,
I'm also an aspiring writer, but I've sort of lost my motivation after a few rejection notices.  The problem is that I'm a good enough editor that I look at the stuff that I write and look at the stuff that my favorite authors write and I sort of realize that I'm a long way off.

I've written about fifty to sixty short stories, mostly for my circle of friends consumption and to add flavor for the roleplaying games that I run.   Most of these short stories are unpublishible, because roleplaying games tend to become full of very inside jokes which would not go over well in the mainstream.  I've finished two novel length stories as well, within the science-fiction and fantasy genre.  I'd love to post a link for everyone to my writing, but none of it is published to the web atm.

I read what Jim and other authors had to go through to get published and it leads me to think that maybe I don't have the patience and willingness to take leaps of faith necessary to get published, even though I love sharing my stories with others.  For now, I'm content to share these stories via my RPGs, which I usually design and run myself without using published systems.
have you thought about making your stories into game modules and getting them into print that way?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mythcantor on October 13, 2008, 05:20:42 AM
have you thought about making your stories into game modules and getting them into print that way?

Once in a while... I'd need more playtester's though...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ambassador of Odd on October 18, 2008, 03:41:50 PM
Hey folks.  I guess I'm not really an aspiring writer, since I don't really plan to publish anything, but I write a lot.  Just not on the same project for any length of time.   ;D  I never get a story past a chapter or two before writer's block sets in, so I mostly just bounce from project to project.  I think in the last year, I've started a post-apocalyptic adventure, a super hero story, a sort of Arthurian fantasy, and the most recently project involves some kind of distopian war between technology and creatures of supernatural origins, with homunculi and golems slated as the protagonists.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kristine on October 18, 2008, 06:12:13 PM
Hey folks.  I guess I'm not really an aspiring writer, since I don't really plan to publish anything, but I write a lot.  Just not on the same project for any length of time.   ;D  I never get a story past a chapter or two before writer's block sets in, so I mostly just bounce from project to project.  I think in the last year, I've started a post-apocalyptic adventure, a super hero story, a sort of Arthurian fantasy, and the most recently project involves some kind of distopian war between technology and creatures of supernatural origins, with homunculi and golems slated as the protagonists.
Have you tried doing an outline of the whole story first?  Maybe it's not so much writers block but figuring out what to do next.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 18, 2008, 09:13:26 PM
Have you tried doing an outline of the whole story first?  Maybe it's not so much writers block but figuring out what to do next.
   
 
And do you find it satisfying?  If so, more plot lines the merrier even if it's a couple chapters!  Still don't the character haunt you from your buried computer files----"Write me!  Write me!"  LOL


Welcome!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ambassador of Odd on October 19, 2008, 03:51:34 PM
 Still don't the character haunt you from your buried computer files----"Write me!  Write me!"  LOL

No, actually.  I think it's because I'm a gamer, and am used to accepting that a character is gone, or at least on hold indefinitely.  Playing RPGA in the Bandit Kingdoms does that.  My first character died in 3 minutes to the first damage roll of the session.  Since then, I've retired dozens, maybe a hundred characters.  Not many of them have actually died, but there were some I wanted to. 

But no, I don't make outlines.  I tried with my post-apocalyptic book, but I ended up jumping the tracks pretty quick.  Mostly, I write because I feel like it, so when I don't, I don't.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mythcantor on October 20, 2008, 07:52:03 PM
No, actually.  I think it's because I'm a gamer, and am used to accepting that a character is gone, or at least on hold indefinitely.  Playing RPGA in the Bandit Kingdoms does that.  My first character died in 3 minutes to the first damage roll of the session.  Since then, I've retired dozens, maybe a hundred characters.  Not many of them have actually died, but there were some I wanted to. 

But no, I don't make outlines.  I tried with my post-apocalyptic book, but I ended up jumping the tracks pretty quick.  Mostly, I write because I feel like it, so when I don't, I don't.

That's kinda how I write.  I haven't written in months, but I make notes for story ideas all the time, due to my gaming.  What I do write is mostly just for the consumption of my friends and family.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: xXMemorieXx on October 20, 2008, 09:04:29 PM
I think i should post here, yeah~ i should. o.o
Anyways, i've been writing since 2007. Not very long :/

I've written several stories, yet, i never seem to have finished them. (they make it to the thrid chapter and end up dieing after that)
Two stories that im currently writing though, will not do that (im not going to allow it) and so far the first one is 3 chapters long :3.

The second one i just began to write so there's not much.  Here's a lil bit of the prologue of it:

    You know how, when you die, the people who miraculously come back always say there's a light at the end of a tunnel?  That tunnel doesn't exist, it's mainly there just to make you think that's how death would look like when you actually die. How do I know this? Well, let's just skip those wonderful details and get straight to the point, I'm death. Well, in a sense, I'm a grm_reaper, a person who works for death for all eternity, sounds harsh right? Not really, I can't officially age, so I'm stuck as a 19 year old forever, though if that's a good thing or a bad thing you can decide yourself. Let me tell you though, this isn't the nicest job out there,  carrying souls to the after-life and everything else related to death isn't fun, in any sense. Plus there is all the other jobs that come with it, course it was either this or be wiped off the face of the earth by forced fade away. Those aren't nice either.

annnnddd.... thats where im leaving it :o.
maybe ill make a lil thread eventually and type it all up :p if i like it.

I tend to write supernatural stuff ( vampires and the like) so that's mainly what my stories will be about o.o
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: myquasilatinphrase on October 29, 2008, 08:56:07 AM

So I've decided to go ahead and post here. My name's Liz, but WHEN I'm published it'll be under my full name. No worries, when it happens(if it takes a decade) I'll be sure to post here to let everyone know.
I tell the same basic story... Blah blah blah, I always read books, I always dreamed up stories, I got my first rejection letter at 15, but it was my own fault, I was trying to publish fanfic.

I basically decided that actually getting published required more backbone and strength of will than I had... Then my best friend ruined that for me by coming to me with an utterly brilliant plot idea, and the promise to co-write the whole thing... as long as I don't quit. We work well off each other, and so far I rely on him to prevent me from giving up... And vice versa.

Writing is a definite form of madness, and doing it in tandem has it's good and bad points. The good news is that when you feel like screaming at the computer, instead you can scream at a PERSON. The bad news is that it triples the amount of editing that must be done to make it all flow.

But we're 85% done with the first book, and we've got an outline for the next six. It's a unique sci-fi, in that it's THIS world, and everything was perfectly normal until literally EVERYTHING was destroyed over night by an invading race of otherworldly beings. The invading race have killed 99% of all humanity, and taken most of the rest prisoner. Our hero, as well as a small percentage of those he rescues find themselves developing otherworldly abilities as a side-effect of being around the Invaders. (think elemental powers for the most part)

I am hell-bent to get published, and my husband is very supportive. He wants me to succeed so he can live off of me for a change. I'd love to get some BETA feedback once the MS is finished. I need guinea pigs before I start flinging it at Agents.

Though I have to say right now, my favorite part of writing is taking beloved well known landmarks... And having them utterly destroyed by epic battles.




Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Uilos on October 29, 2008, 02:24:40 PM


Though I have to say right now, my favorite part of writing is taking beloved well known landmarks... And having them utterly destroyed by epic battles.




You'll be right at home here :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: myquasilatinphrase on November 01, 2008, 05:22:29 AM

You'll be right at home here :)

Thanks! I like to hope so... Being at MileHiCon let me discover a few things I have in common with Jim... (He's so awesome!) Now I'm even more hell-bent to succeed.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DrTrommashere on November 18, 2008, 11:04:39 AM
Okay, I figured I should intro myself...again (I introed myself almost a year ago here)

My name is Shao, I'm a 22 y/o Fire Fighter/Paramedic.  I didn't always want to be a writer, but you can blame that on my seventh grade English teacher who made us write a short story.  We got the assignment on the first day of school and we had to write at least a page a day for every day of school, 185 pages to be exact.  It was pretty non-structured, the only rules being we had to have at minimum 4 characters, a plot twist, and it had to be something that if we wanted to, we could go back and start writing a second story.

Needless to say, I wrote 300 pages of what I would now think to be a pretty bad story.  I thought it was phenominal then, and my teacher thought it was great, but being as if I was trying to write in a "non-fiction" kind of way, (Having nom-fictional ideas wrapped into one truly fictional story) it flowed pretty well, but to read it now, I cringe at every page...

Anywho, I was bit by the bug and I haven't stopped since.  I've now stuck with mostly fiction/fantasy/romance/sci-fi, but I'm also working on a book called, "Life Through a pair of Pink-Handled Trauma Shears" which is a non-fiction story about my life so far as an EMT/FF/Medic.  I have another story that is based upon a Star Trek RPG that I'm co-writing with a friend of mine...it's pretty jumbled right now, and I'm hoping to sort it out soon.

I might post links to portions of the stories soon, but I have to get up the cajones to actually do it.

Thanks for reading!

~K~
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: myquasilatinphrase on November 18, 2008, 06:30:00 PM
Okay, I figured I should intro myself...again (I introed myself almost a year ago here)

My name is Shao, I'm a 22 y/o Fire Fighter/Paramedic.  I didn't always want to be a writer, but you can blame that on my seventh grade English teacher who made us write a short story.  We got the assignment on the first day of school and we had to write at least a page a day for every day of school, 185 pages to be exact.  It was pretty non-structured, the only rules being we had to have at minimum 4 characters, a plot twist, and it had to be something that if we wanted to, we could go back and start writing a second story.

Needless to say, I wrote 300 pages of what I would now think to be a pretty bad story.  I thought it was phenominal then, and my teacher thought it was great, but being as if I was trying to write in a "non-fiction" kind of way, (Having nom-fictional ideas wrapped into one truly fictional story) it flowed pretty well, but to read it now, I cringe at every page...

Anywho, I was bit by the bug and I haven't stopped since.  I've now stuck with mostly fiction/fantasy/romance/sci-fi, but I'm also working on a book called, "Life Through a pair of Pink-Handled Trauma Shears" which is a non-fiction story about my life so far as an EMT/FF/Medic.  I have another story that is based upon a Star Trek RPG that I'm co-writing with a friend of mine...it's pretty jumbled right now, and I'm hoping to sort it out soon.

I might post links to portions of the stories soon, but I have to get up the cajones to actually do it.

Thanks for reading!

~K~

I'd say welcome, but you said you've been here for a while now,  so you already know the drill. ;)
I'd actually be interested in reading your memoirs when you get them finished. I'm the child of an ER physician on the night shift, and he always had some great stories, I can only imagine the paramedics must see some interesting things as well.
But belated welcomes and all...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: crihavoc on November 19, 2008, 03:53:53 AM
My name is Robert, or crihavoc.

I have a great life.  Family, home, career - check, check, check.  I'm a lucky sonfagun, and no mistake.

My muse, poor girl, is suffering from a wasting disease. 

Once upon a time: every SNIKT of razor sharp adamantium, every POOM from the gauntlets of Baron Karza, each diagonal carom of Daredevil's baton, every moan from the bloody length of rune-etched Stormbringer, each fish-scaled shadow at Innsmouth, every heart-busting push through the pattern of Amber, the thunderous cyan volleys from squads of fan-skirted, mercenary tanks, and the click-clock death-knell sound of a run-down pair of cowboy boots on the cracked asphalt trail of virus-wracked American damnation...

... once apon a time, my muse gorged herself silly.  And, I wrote and wrote and wrote.  Junior high creative writing, high school literary magazines, college literary magazines, post-matriculation rejection letters galore.

I have a great life, and no mistake.  But, every project charter and spend justification and statement of work and Return on Net Assets evaluation graph and knowledge article and training document... they grow like nightmare stop-motion anemones in the marble-carved catacombs of my imagination and clamp spear-tipped extrusions on to her stringy limbs and rubbery torso and drink deep, deep, deep...

I have a plan, to save her life.  I can't rescue my stringy muse yet, but I can keep her on life support.  So, I join websites where stories are told. And, I force her to eat and eat and then I write!  Nothing huge - short stories, vignettes, descriptive paragraphs, some world-building input - whatever she and I can craft between the 2 AM feeding and the 6 AM alarm.

I have a plan.  It proceeds slowly.  But, each story is another rod removed from the reactor core, another fragment of dilithium crystal added, another glyph locked in on the Stargate.  I have a plan.

My name is Robert, or crihavoc.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mikolicious on December 17, 2008, 10:39:51 PM
Hi guys! I just found this site today and was like, omg, I'm gonna sign up for here!

I read all the (most of the) previous posts and am like, "wow! C'mon people! start writing! I wanna read!"

I have . . . written . . . and I've posted my stuff on this site called Mibba.com and, I gotta tell ya, some of the people on there are GOOD!!!!

My works include
1) A fanfiction on Pride and Prejudice called "Night at Pemberley." My sister put me up to the challenge and I took it. She loved it and I had the most fun time writing it. It's pretty short, only nine short chapters, but I like it. Don't want it published though, and can you even publish fanfiction?
anyhoo, here's the link: http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/Night-at-Pemberly/ (http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/Night-at-Pemberly/)

2) I also wrote a story about a girl, Jaymine, and a guy, Troy, who practically hate each other who are forced to get married to avoid a scandal and Jaymine's dad being put out of business. Along the way, they find some disturbing things about themselves, called "Love Remains the Same." I based some of it on the song by the same title by Gavin Rossdale. I really enjoyed writing this one, especially the last few chapters! It made me cry, though.
anyhoo, here's the link: http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/Love-Remains-the-Same/ (http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/Love-Remains-the-Same/)

3) I am in the middle of writing a series. It's about this assassin who finds out she's connected to winter while trying to pull the job of assassinating a Prince. It's on hold though so i can write number 4
again, the link: http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/Vixen-Creed/ (http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/Vixen-Creed/)

4) And the last story is about this girl who learns piano, but, becuase of the way her teacher taught, has lost her spirit and passion. Can she ever get them back? This one is in progress as well, and I really have only written three chapter's worth of it.
But, here's the link: http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/My-Spirit-Buried-My-Chords-Broken/ (http://www.mibba.com/story/mikolicious/My-Spirit-Buried-My-Chords-Broken/)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Lisa™ on December 19, 2008, 10:53:34 AM
That's kinda how I write.  I haven't written in months, but I make notes for story ideas all the time, due to my gaming.  What I do write is mostly just for the consumption of my friends and family.


Sounds to me like your views on the stuff you write are a lot like mine, Myth.  No interest in getting published, personally - it would be an enormous pain and, honestly, more trouble than I want to go to for something I've only ever done for fun.

But fun it is.  Oh yes.  ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Dread Pharaoh Roberts on December 20, 2008, 03:40:29 AM
No interest in getting published, personally

I still say this is a tragedy, Lisa.  You're one of the finest authors I've read.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Dread Pharaoh Roberts on December 20, 2008, 04:00:05 AM
OK, since Lisa's mentioned her writing, I suppose I'll own up as well...

Crazy Gerbil Lady and I have just finished the first draft of our first novel, which is in the trusty hands of our beta readers.  It's book 1 of a trilogy, and we have another trilogy waiting in the wings.  We hope to be published sometime soon, once the book is ready to be submitted.

We're also writing short stories.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mikolicious on December 20, 2008, 11:28:45 PM
i know this is a little off topic, but how do you put your own avatar in?
and I'll say again, I am always surprised how many good, undiscovered authors there are (visit mibba) and I really want to read all these stories!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Lisa™ on December 22, 2008, 03:09:58 PM
You can use your own avatar by uploading one to photobucket and putting the URL (direct link) in the appropriate box in your forum profile info page.

On topic... *cheers for Captain and CGL*  ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 22, 2008, 04:00:22 PM
*eyes blinking looking at Lisa's post number*  Truly incredible!

And on topic as well...  Best wishes Captain H and CGL
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Noey on December 22, 2008, 10:44:56 PM
The Cap'n And CGL...sounds like a band, doesn't it? I am SO holding up a lighter at the book signing! *beams* Can't wait to see your stuff published so I can read it.  :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Uilos on December 22, 2008, 10:47:51 PM
Gratz Captain and CGL!

I'm still in the midst of working on my novel/trilogy. I'm still building the foundation for it, slowly adding more depth.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Danny-boy on December 27, 2008, 04:36:49 AM
well...all my life I have sort of thought of myself as a writer - though I have written very little of any real quality.

I am always the guy with the great ideas but who lacks the moxie to follow through and actually create something of it. (I mean...I shouldn't say that...because I do other things...play music...paint...make various other types of art - it's just a matter of different degrees of inspiration or something)

But now I am about to turn 40 in a few months, and I have really been making a project of getting off my ass and doing some of the things I have wanted to do in the past. So this has me really wanting to take another hack at writing.

I have ideas for two sci-fi novels and a series based around a what I think is a pretty unique character - I am not sure how to classify those, genre-wise.

I have been reading Jim's LiveJournal and that has helped a lot. I had no idea, in the past how to plan out a story before writing it - I just figured I'd sit down and write x-amount each day and it would just end up being a coherent story. Never too old to learn the right way to do stuff.

So yup...that's where I'm at. Oh...and I am new to this forum too, as you might have guessed.

-Danny-boy
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Uilos on December 27, 2008, 04:51:01 AM
well...all my life I have sort of thought of myself as a writer - though I have written very little of any real quality.

I am always the guy with the great ideas but who lacks the moxie to follow through and actually create something of it. (I mean...I shouldn't say that...because I do other things...play music...paint...make various other types of art - it's just a matter of different degrees of inspiration or something)

But now I am about to turn 40 in a few months, and I have really been making a project of getting off my ass and doing some of the things I have wanted to do in the past. So this has me really wanting to take another hack at writing.

I have ideas for two sci-fi novels and a series based around a what I think is a pretty unique character - I am not sure how to classify those, genre-wise.

I have been reading Jim's LiveJournal and that has helped a lot. I had no idea, in the past how to plan out a story before writing it - I just figured I'd sit down and write x-amount each day and it would just end up being a coherent story. Never too old to learn the right way to do stuff.

So yup...that's where I'm at. Oh...and I am new to this forum too, as you might have guessed.

-Danny-boy

Welcome to the Party, Dan. You're amongst friends here.

Personally, I use Stephen King's Method, which is to say I have a good idea in my head and I just go for it on the page. Although I have been using Jim's method to help establish the world
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Lisa™ on December 27, 2008, 10:34:38 AM
Welcome, Dan.  I'm inclined the same way - planning out a story before writing it never really caught on for me as a workable technique.  I just throw words at the page and whatever sticks is what I edit later.  :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mikolicious on December 27, 2008, 08:48:43 PM
Welcome, Dan.  I'm inclined the same way - planning out a story before writing it never really caught on for me as a workable technique.  I just throw words at the page and whatever sticks is what I edit later.  :D

haha!!! that is EXACTLY how I roll!! Although, I find that I write better when I have my headphones on with the radio blasting into my ears.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: saskatoonistan on December 29, 2008, 12:56:17 PM
My name is Sean Cummings. I live in Saskatoon where, as of today (December 29, 2008) igloos might offer some measure of warmth because it is frikin' cold outside. (-30 Celsius)

I'm a comic book geek of the highest order and self-described nerd. I've been writing since 1978 (as a means of liberating my "inner nerd") and at the ripe old age of forty-one, I can honestly say it's taken me thirty years to get a book published. My first book, Unseen World, comes out on March 2, 2009. Here's the back o' the book for any who might be interested. :)

Quote
Someone is murdering the good people of Greenfield, and there's talk of a serial killer on the loose. Finding him should be an easy task for a guy with super-powers: too bad he falls out of the sky.

If Marshall Conrad has any hope of ending the killing spree, he'll need a little help from a morbidly obese shop keeper who just happens to be a witch, and a hard drinking senior citizen with a penchant for lifting heavy objects... like automobiles. Corrupt cops, Ogres, thirty six-year-old Siamese cats, and of course, the netherworld. Some days it just pays to stay in bed.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kristine on December 29, 2008, 02:15:18 PM
My name is Sean Cummings. I live in Saskatoon where, as of today (December 29, 2008) igloos might offer some measure of warmth because it is frikin' cold outside. (-30 Celsius)

I'm a comic book geek of the highest order and self-described nerd. I've been writing since 1978 (as a means of liberating my "inner nerd") and at the ripe old age of forty-one, I can honestly say it's taken me thirty years to get a book published. My first book, Unseen World, comes out on March 2, 2009. Here's the back o' the book for any who might be interested. :)

CONGRATS!! 

I can't see the publisher well - will it be in bookstores or on line?  Both?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: saskatoonistan on December 29, 2008, 02:22:35 PM
My publisher is Lyrical Press and it will come out as an e-book first, then in print if people like it enough. I doubt it would be stocked at your local bookstore though, you'd probably have to order it. :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 29, 2008, 04:39:38 PM
"he'll need a little help from a morbidly obese shop keeper who just happens to be a witch, and a hard drinking senior citizen with a penchant for lifting heavy objects... like automobiles. Corrupt cops, Ogres, thirty six-year-old Siamese cats, and of course, the netherworld."

what's not to like with a mix like that!

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: saskatoonistan on December 29, 2008, 07:57:03 PM
Well my protagonist is a bit of a grumpy jerk - this is likely due to the fact that he must walk his overweight Siamese cat around the block whilst the cat is adorned in a flaming pink harness. :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Lisa™ on December 31, 2008, 08:24:34 AM
haha!!! that is EXACTLY how I roll!! Although, I find that I write better when I have my headphones on with the radio blasting into my ears.

iTunes FTW!  :D

My publisher is Lyrical Press and it will come out as an e-book first, then in print if people like it enough. I doubt it would be stocked at your local bookstore though, you'd probably have to order it. :)

I'll keep an eye out for it.  ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kahlan on January 10, 2009, 10:58:47 PM
Hey,
I must say that I am delighted I found this site.  I just picked up three much needed books for some lazy reading at the weekend yesterday and I have read two of the codex alera already and am on the third, absolutely and totally hooked!  I decided, I must check this guy out, Jim Butcher, and looked him up and saw that not only is he a talented writer but he actually cares for the (hopefully) up and comers as well!!  A rare find!  ;)

I am a writer before I am anything and I do everything with the aim of giving myself the time and the space to write.  I worked on a ship,(week on/week off) I lived on the dole (everyday off)  and now I am in my fourth year of teacher training (just so I can get the three months off every summer to write!)  I have finished one book which I have never shown anyone in entirety and is sitting on an old laptop that will no longer turn on!  I write short stories and poetry and enter every competition I hear of - and won a few too!  (Yes, I know, I am also annoyingly enthusiastic)  But on the bright side, knowing that this site is in existence has put a smile on my face in the middle of teaching practice and may I say - that in itself is a feat of epic proportions.

Anyway, I really couldn't contain myself, so good luck to you all, and hopefully we can spur each other on to grand heights in the future!

xxxxxx
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Wizwad on January 11, 2009, 12:51:35 AM
OK, since Lisa's mentioned her writing, I suppose I'll own up as well...

Crazy Gerbil Lady and I have just finished the first draft of our first novel, which is in the trusty hands of our beta readers.  It's book 1 of a trilogy, and we have another trilogy waiting in the wings.  We hope to be published sometime soon, once the book is ready to be submitted.

We're also writing short stories.

I'm sure you have beta readers coming out of your ears, but if you ever feel you need another one...! ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Dread Pharaoh Roberts on January 11, 2009, 12:52:34 AM
We're definitely well-supplied...but we'll keep ya in mind!  We may need fresh eyes to look at the next version...once beta changes are made.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ping Bannon on January 15, 2009, 07:11:07 AM
Hi,
I've always wanted to write a novel, ever since I was reading comics and RPG-ing as a kid.
I'd written a few short stories in college (even won a prize for one) and loved that, too.

I finally wrote a novel because I had time every day (I commute by train to downtown chicago for a total of 2 hours a day) and found I completely loved it.
I had about - and when I say "about", I guess I mean "exactly" - seventeen "beta" readers who gave a lot of brutal feedback as well as compliments, but they all said essentially three things:

Since I had the money, I self-published it at booksurge (you can check out my book here : http://www.amazon.com/Out-Black-Lee-Doty/dp/1419696858) mostly to give the betas a nice bound copy as thanks.  I mean really, some of these nuts read it up to four times as I revised it, so I owed them.

Finally I'm listening to the betas and taking time out from writing my second novel to try to find an agent and get my first book published.

So, here's my problem: I've never had any interaction with the literary world. (I know the martial arts world, the gaming world, the comic book world, the software engineering world, and even the investment banking world, but I have NO IDEA what landmines or dens of hungry weasels await me on the literary landscape.

Do any of you have any advice on the agent-finding process?  I've got a query, I've got a synopsis, I've got a fairly polished manuscript... but what don't I know that will potentially kill me?  What should I know to attract a helpful, engaged agent?

BTW: My first novel is a thriller that starts out as a near-future crime drama but deepens into an urban fantasy, complete with a secret world of wizards and monsters.  Mine's set in chicago, too, but that's because I live here.  It's funny that I didn't pick up (and then voraciously devour) the dresden files until after probably my sixth revision.

Great minds think alike?  Well, that's how I flatter myself, anyway... butcher is probably the best author I've ever read... and I'm pretty widely read... 2 hour train commute, remember?  :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Dread Pharaoh Roberts on January 15, 2009, 12:04:50 PM
Best advice I've been given is: Don't talk to any agent who doesn't brag about the authors they represent.  If you can't find obvious lists of their clients...then they probably either haven't had much success, or they're gonna scam you.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on January 15, 2009, 03:36:03 PM
Ping:  Preditors and Editors and Writer Beware are two good sites to help you weed out the scam artists.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Dread Pharaoh Roberts on January 17, 2009, 04:54:56 PM
Yes!  Those were the two I was trying to remember.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Danny-boy on January 20, 2009, 08:10:43 PM
Ping:  Preditors and Editors and Writer Beware are two good sites to help you weed out the scam artists.

WOW! Those are great sites! Thanks! ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paranoid Wizard on January 25, 2009, 12:27:48 AM
I'm hoping that copy/pasting a brief synopsis doesn't go against the, thou shalt not post your work here, commandment. If it does, I am sincerely sorry, but it honestly isn't that long. Plus, I can't very well link it to my Livejournal, because the entries are protected. (I don't trust the average person on LJ, I do, however, trust the people on this form. We're good people.)

"The family and friends of Elizabeth Marshall are sent into a panic when they receive the news that she, along with hundreds of other people around the world, have been struck with an unknown ailment rendering her in a coma. However, unlike the other victims of this phenomena, Elizabeth does not remain catatonic. Certain aspects of her genetics allowed her to wake up, but also ensured that she would be swept away into a government covered up genocide of all things fantastical.

Set in a world where there are two superpowers: Asia and North America. There are no freedoms, and there are no ways around the word of the government. A small group of young people, however, imbued with abilities from the government itself, stand in the way of the government to right the wrongs of their past and realign their future."

My friends have complained that there are too many repeated words, and I agree. How it stands, though, it is the same amount of words as the synopsis on Storm Front. That happened by accident, and I like to too much to change the count, right now. Of course, I'll fine tune this at some point.

Also, this novel is finished, it is 31 chapters long, and just over 300 pages. I am currently revising it, and posting the results on my Livejournal. If you have a journal, and would like to read what I have posted, my account name is Lovey_fee. If you leave a comment, and tell me where you are from, I would be happy to allow you access to the posts. (Like I said, I trust the people on this site.)

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and good luck with all your endeavors, be they writing related, or otherwise.

(EDIT - This is also my second book, so it is devoid of the mistakes that first novels are rife with.)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on January 26, 2009, 03:55:27 PM
(EDIT - This is also my second book, so it is devoid of the mistakes that first novels are rife with.)

And your third won't have the mistakes in the 2nd, and on and on.  I read somewhere that the typical manuscript that reaches a true hand with interest is the 6th... so hang in there and keep writing!  Yes, I'm being snarky...sue me, seriously congrats!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paranoid Wizard on January 26, 2009, 04:57:27 PM
And your third won't have the mistakes in the 2nd, and on and on.  I read somewhere that the typical manuscript that reaches a true hand with interest is the 6th... so hang in there and keep writing!  Yes, I'm being snarky...sue me, seriously congrats!

Hey, if it only takes me six manuscripts to get someone's attention, I'll consider myself one lucky person. Thanks for the congrats, though.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: frankiebgoode on March 26, 2009, 06:25:05 AM
I'm Frankie. I'm 22. I'm a lurker around these parts with the occasional comment to my name and I decided I'd introduce myself.

I've been writing in some form or another for about as long as I can remember, but I never really considered writing as a career until about 6th or 7th grade. Teachers and all that encouragement, you know, it felt easy for school assignments and such. I didn't really realize it was actual work for quite some time, and by then it was too late for me to try for anything else. And I'm sure if I did, I'd just go insane.

I've been writing Harry Potter fanfiction since the summer of 1998 during the long wait between Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix. The majority of it is complete rubbish, but it's a way to hone my skills if nothing else. I got a poem published through Bemidji State University's New Voices program in 2005.

I'm about 90 pages into my first draft of a story I've had rolling through my head for two and a half years. I'm not exactly sure where it belongs as far as genres go. It's about a sixteen year old girl who begins to develop ESP, Precognition, Psychic Powers, what have you, after her parents are killed in an accident and she goes to live with her brother who's a cop. She begins having dreams about a serial killer and has to deal with the dreams, a dubious brother, overly encouraging friends, and the usual high school melodrama. It's set in Minneapolis and the nearby suburbs since I live in the area.

I have a few other concepts running around, mostly Mystery/Suspense or Fantasy that are still too obscure to really describe to myself let alone on here.

I suppose that's all I have to say.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on March 26, 2009, 02:22:57 PM
Welcome Frankie!  Looking forward to having you add your 2 cents to the conversations in AIP!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: frankiebgoode on March 27, 2009, 02:24:06 AM
Thanks Meg. I'll probably only comment when I have something interesting to say though.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Delvalen on April 09, 2009, 04:13:25 PM
Author in progress...That's definately how you could decribe me. I have ONE book done, the first in a duology, and am working on countless other writing projects, none of which I can settle on as my next undertaking....after my sequel of course.

As soon as I get my grammatical edit back from the english whiz father, I will be submitting the it for publishing. Which will, in all honesty, be a very big decider on my life. As I don't think I can handle working overnights any longer *from a health standpoint anyways*. All will happen as it will, I guess.

Good news? I've been read by an author friend of mine named Eldon Thompson, GREAT guy and a very good author who unfortunately isn't in the limelight as much as he should be. Anyways, he gave me OUTSTANDING reviews and a good pointer on how to tweak the ending so as not to end on such a low note.

So that's me. Luke Ganje. If I ever get published, I will track down all who have read this and browbeat you into buying a copy of my book. No idle threat. *throws on a mask of utter seriousness*. And as I am fast approaching 20, I can no longer claim "Teen phenom" so I'll be going for "Middle aged has-been who finally got published". Keep an eye out! One day I'll be taking the Bargain Priced shelves by storm!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 09, 2009, 04:54:47 PM
Welcome Luke.

So you're going to let one manuscript, even with great reviews, decide the fate of your life?  Ah, the optimism of youth!  You've gotta toughen up there kid.  :D

Colin Powell has 13 rules of life, #3 Avoid having your ego so close to your position that, when your position falls, your ego goes with it.   Not bad advice that...  :-)

As to letting one manuscript decide?  I'm 55 and just submitting my first serious attempt to agents. I've been writing since I was 12.  If the writing bug is in your genes, it will never, ever, go away.  You physically, mentally can't stop writing.  That's not called a talent, it's called an addiction!  The trick is to make sure you are ever increasing your craft skills. 

Have you visited Jim Butcher's blog yet for writers?  You'll love it!

We'll all be glad to be brow beated to buy your book as soon as it hits the shelves!  Welcome again, Develan!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Delvalen on April 10, 2009, 05:53:23 AM
 :D I meant merely the direction that my life would be taking! Believe me, writing is my dream so I'll be pursuing it at all costs. HOW I go about pursuing it is what this will decide. Thanks for the words of advice though! And I'll see to it that EVERYONE knows what happens with it, I plan on waging a campaign that the world has never witnessed!

You hear that ringing? That's me tapping titanium plated armor. I'm as tough as can be, so no worries there. :) And I have read Jim's blog on writing and find it fantastic. Another source of good help is a podcast called WRITING EXCUSES hosted by a favorite author of mine and two friends of his, it's HILARIOUS and helpful. :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Apocrypha on April 10, 2009, 05:56:09 AM
Hello folks,

I've been a writer since at least the 4th grade where I wrote stories about talking hot dogs.  Either way, I've had the bug in me quite a while and now that I'm finishing my undergraduate degree I decided that I should spend the summer on my craft.

Though I am a large fan of the Dresden books I don't write in a fantasy or crime story genre.  Primarily I write regular fiction and Science Fiction (though some don't realize that there is a difference between Science Fiction and Sci-Fi) and only dabbled with fantasy novels when I was younger.

I've had ideas for novels before but mainly left them as very detailed notes and reference materials.  Primarily I am currently working on short stories with intent  (or is that attempt) to try for getting published in some magazines.  Mainly I focus around using my science fiction work as social commentary and my fiction is based around parts of my life which are apparently interesting and have drawn a crowd among a local writing group.  Not sure what else to say but I was quite surprised that when I joined these forums that I found this section here to help those of us with the hope to write.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 10, 2009, 02:13:51 PM
Welcome Twiggen...

As to determination Develan--WRITE ON!  And yes, someone around this forum suggested that site and it was awesome.  Welcome again!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Wyld Fae on April 20, 2009, 08:18:37 PM
I am a wishful writer. I have many, many ideas and I just can't get them past the brick wall on my shoulder that stops the ideas from getting to my hand!!! UGH!!! I am however a GREAT editor and proofreader. I have been proofreading since I was 11-12, my Step-Mom was a writer. I guess I'm better at picking out mistakes than creating something wonderful....wow that was woebegone, sorry  8)

Any suggestions fellow authors in progress?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 20, 2009, 09:28:13 PM
Be kind to yourself--turn the editor off.  Remember a first draft, is just a first draft.

Some here have suggested (works) that when you sit down to write, edit the chapter you just finished the night before, then move on--always remembering the goal is the first draft not edit perfection.

Oh, and how can you edit the cr** out of an outline?  I'm sold on them now.  Get your ideas into a rough outline format.  If you can't write without editing, move onto your next outline.  When you're ancient looking for a hobby you can go back to this wonderful set of outlines.  (No I'm not ancient, but I feel that way sometimes!) 

You might want to set up a new thread to keep this to writer intros.  I saw your AWESOME dragon on the frapper map! I think that was yours?  The black/white/ink dragon? I so want you to do one for me if you made it???  :-)  Look around for a thread call gallery or something.  Lots of neat artwork that people have shared!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Wyld Fae on April 21, 2009, 01:05:52 PM
Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate the advice. Been trying to get past this issue aince I was a teen (approximately 1 million years ago). As soon as this semester is over I can work on my writing and other art projects. Outlining does help with college papers...(scratches chin) so maybe, just maybe those profs actually know something that I can use in the "real" world. Brilliant!!!

Alas..that Dragon is not one of mine. I thought it was a great idea for a tattoo though. My husband and daughter are the drawers in the family. My son and I like to write. I do work in polymer clay, papier mache, metal, wood, etc.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Phoenix_Kayden on April 24, 2009, 06:02:00 PM
Hello, hello!

I'm 21 years old and well I've been writing since pretty much the day I came out of my mother and only in the last year or so have I been focusing on trying to write a book (which I hopefully will get published). It's set in my own made up world where mages, vampires, and so forth exist. It's a non-technologically advanced society since most everything is done using their powers. The main character, Kayden, is kind of my alter-ego. She's pretty much an oxymoron because she works to protect the citizens in her world and yet she's part of a secret elite group of assassins.

That's pretty much my story, a lot has to do with defining what is "good", what is "evil", and knowing the difference in one's self as well as the complications and struggles about race.

I'm also a poet and I'm trying to get a compilation of the 150+ poems I've written in the last 10 years or so and get them all into one book. Which I will probably publish then sell to friends, family, and anyone who just wants something to read lol
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: som1luvsmi on April 25, 2009, 02:23:19 AM
Hi Everybody! ;D

Well, it seems that I've had a little bit of a late start compared to some of the people here. I'm 28 and writing has always come pretty easily to me when given a topic, but it's not until recently that I decided to open up my imagination to others.  I have four kids  (3,5,7,and 9) so, most of my writing is done at night and in the wee hours of the morning. The story I'm working on now is, I guess, kind of an urban fantasy where all sorts of supernaturals reside along the edges of the mortal realm. The MC is a girl who's lost her memory and sets out to find her past. Obviously there's more, I just tend to get too detailed if I keep going.  :) I've actually found Jim's LiveJournal blogs really, REALLY helpful.

I'm very excited to be in touch with other writers and look forward to talking to everybody!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: belial.1980 on April 26, 2009, 12:28:33 AM
Hey, som1luvsmi, I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I'm a few weeks shy of 29 and have been writing on and off for most of my life. I really got interested when I took a writing course in college.

I wrote a few times a week, but didn't really start to develop good writing habits till about two and a half years ago when I started making myself write every day, even if it's just a page about how crappy my day was, lol. I've tried to read a lot more, as well, and I think that's really helped drive my imagination.

My first "manuscript" (if you want to even call it that) was basically Paradise Lost, as told through the eyes of the fallen angel, Belial. I hacked away at that for about 2 years, and somehow managed to crank out a 350 page monstrosity that's so rough it's barely even readable in some places. I like the concept and would like to come back to it, but I definitely bit off more than I could chew with that one.

My current project's coming along much better. I started about a year ago, and worked on it off and on between writing and editing short stories. After reading Jim's blog on writing, I picked it back up in February and have been at it ever since. My initial problem was that I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, or who the antogonist was, and was trying to push too much character growth into too short of a time.

I wrote oodles of background information, and it came out much better than I'd anticipated or hoped for, and really helped set the flavor and tone of the narritive. Additionally I wrote some character bios, and without even trying to, managed to establish a lot of ties between characters, thereby giving them more motivation to do the things they do. So, at long last I've got everything pointed in the right direction. I'm about 220 pages in, and am starting to tromp through the deeper parts of "The Swampy Middle." I'm intimidated, but I know where I need to take the readers and I'll keep pushing till I get there.








Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 26, 2009, 08:05:00 PM
:) I've actually found Jim's LiveJournal blogs really, REALLY helpful.

I'm very excited to be in touch with other writers and look forward to talking to everybody!
So, at long last I've got everything pointed in the right direction. I'm about 220 pages in, and am starting to tromp through the deeper parts of "The Swampy Middle." I'm intimidated, but I know where I need to take the readers and I'll keep pushing till I get there.

Welcome to both of you.  Isn't it great that Jim's set a place for writers to share?  Delighted that you both have ingested Jim's writing craft postings.  Reading those excited me and drove me to level up on my own craft skills.  Keep us posted, okay?  Best wishes.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: thausgt on May 01, 2009, 04:02:18 AM
Perrin Rynning, here. 38 years old, dealing with the itch to write for most of that span. My stories tend to come directly from the role-playing game sourcebooks that I read for enjoyment. Considering that RPGs are designed to help folks create interesting characters, worlds, etc., I suppose it shouldn't be surprising. This creates its own challenges: properly attributing (or hiding) the sources.
Yes, I have a few "dark urban fantasy" stories kicking about, usually focusing on magic-wielding modern humans; not real big on vamps, and I prefer my werewolves to be shamanic defenders of nature and spirit (thank you, Werewolf: the Apocalypse).
The most common themes in my work are "overcoming flaws" and "redemption". One story in my current pipeline features a wizard who specializes in sensory magic to compensate for the fact that an earlier encounter left him with no eyes. Another is set in a culture where vengeance is considered an art and a virtue. And, of course, more than a few of my characters wear longcoats and make their living by solving other people's problems (cue "Peter Gunn Theme"...)
By and large, I get positive responses when my work gets reviewed, so maybe I actually have picked up a few tricks about what does and does not constitute good writing. I tend to get scenes, snippets of dialogue, and other fragments of good stories on a very regular basis. My "writer's idea file" holds scraps going back for at least a decade...
Now, if only I could actually finish something I write, then *choke* fame and *cough* fortune would be mine!  ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: daylightdreamer on May 16, 2009, 04:47:59 PM
Hey all!

I'm so glad I found this forum. I've been a Jim Butcher fan for a few years now, but just recently found his live journal and this forum. In any case...

Hey, I'm Erika and I'm a soon-to-graduate (graduating a semester early in December, hopefully) English Major with an Emphasis in Creative Writing (ooo, doesn't that sound fancy?). I've been interested in writing since I was in middle school when I had to do a lot of it for one of my English classes and I also stumbled into the realm of fan fiction. My teacher at the time told me I had a lot of potential, and writing soon became about all I ever wanted to do.

I've started (and shortly there after abandoned, after either getting lost in or scared of the GSM) several novels, but just lacked the commitment to continue with them. Plus, I'll admit, they really were terrible. I've discovered that writing high fantasy and writing in the third person are both difficult for me, so now I'm beginning anew after writing several short pieces of fiction and finding my voice in first person contemporary fantasy.

I'm currently working on a piece under the working title Stars Never Rise which I hope to complete this summer (lofty goal, but I'm a college student and other than work, I'll have plenty of time). I've got about four and a half chapters, but then I realized that I really haven't outlined this story properly, so in order to avoid getting lost in the GSM, I'm taking Jim's advice and doing some serious outlining at the moment. Then I'll get back to the fun part.  ;)

In any case, Stars Never Rise is a story written from the point of view of Roderick, a vampire who's been exiled from his home territory on a false charge and his struggle to get back at the jerk who landed him out in Suburbia and get back home as well. It's a sort of Urban/Suburban fantasy set in the Chicago/Milwaukee area (because that's where I live currently and they say write what you know) and I'm really excited about it.

If you're at all interested, I've got the first chapter posted and some other random, mostly writing related journaling on my live journal, which can be found here http://starsneverrise3.livejournal.com/

Feel free to go and add me as a friend and pester me to look over your stuff if you have a live journal for similar reasons. :) I  need more writer friends to keep me on task for this whole thing and I love reading what other people are working on and I'm always willing to give feedback. I've been doing it for my major in college for a couple years now, so I've been told I'm getting pretty good at it ;)

Look at me ramble...I'll stop now.  Thanks for reading if you made it this far.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 16, 2009, 04:56:04 PM
hey, hey...  "GSM" --not only a fan, but one that read Jim's writing blog posts.  Welcome.  Enjoy your title.  It's really neat.  See you around!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: daylightdreamer on May 16, 2009, 06:48:14 PM
Thanks.  ;D This seems like a great community, so I'm really happy to be here.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: thausgt on May 17, 2009, 04:52:33 AM
Hey all!

Welcome aboard!

Hey, I'm Erika and I'm a soon-to-graduate (graduating a semester early in December, hopefully) English Major with an Emphasis in Creative Writing (ooo, doesn't that sound fancy?). I've been interested in writing since I was in middle school when I had to do a lot of it for one of my English classes and I also stumbled into the realm of fan fiction. My teacher at the time told me I had a lot of potential, and writing soon became about all I ever wanted to do.

Congrats on going for your degree. With respect to your teacher's encouraging your talent (and the fanfiction) I'd say that you're in excellent company on this board!  ;D

I've started (and shortly there after abandoned, after either getting lost in or scared of the GSM) several novels, but just lacked the commitment to continue with them. Plus, I'll admit, they really were terrible. I've discovered that writing high fantasy and writing in the third person are both difficult for me, so now I'm beginning anew after writing several short pieces of fiction and finding my voice in first person contemporary fantasy.


Relax about the quality your first three big self-motivated writing projects. I'll freely admit that my own short stories were egregious wastes of ink and paper, though there's no other way to improve. Just keep reminding yourself that everyone writes like that at first; the "real" writers just keep going and try to do better in the next draft. As long as we all throw those crumpled pages into the recycling bin (instead of the trash), it all works out in the end.

In any case, Stars Never Rise is a story written from the point of view of Roderick, a vampire who's been exiled from his home territory on a false charge and his struggle to get back at the jerk who landed him out in Suburbia and get back home as well. It's a sort of Urban/Suburban fantasy set in the Chicago/Milwaukee area (because that's where I live currently and they say write what you know) and I'm really excited about it.


As long as he pays his tab at MacAnnaly's and doesn't cause the hardworking S.I. team any headaches, I say "Go for it!" :D

If you're at all interested, I've got the first chapter posted and some other random, mostly writing related journaling on my live journal, which can be found here http://starsneverrise3.livejournal.com/

Feel free to go and add me as a friend and pester me to look over your stuff if you have a live journal for similar reasons. :) I  need more writer friends to keep me on task for this whole thing and I love reading what other people are working on and I'm always willing to give feedback. I've been doing it for my major in college for a couple years now, so I've been told I'm getting pretty good at it ;)

Look at me ramble...I'll stop now.  Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

Always a pleasure to pass along a pint or three of encouragement to a fellow ink-slinger. Great writing on your site. Keep going, keep playing, keep writing!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: daylightdreamer on May 17, 2009, 05:55:48 AM
Thanks for the warm welcome and all the encouragement. ^_^ You guys are all awesome.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: J. D. Ford on May 19, 2009, 12:12:26 AM
Hey, all.

J. D.'s the name.  Writing's the addiction.  I call it an addiction because I have tried to walk away from it several times over the past twelve years and been sucked back in.  I used to hang out on Orson Scott Card's Writers Workshops years ago (as 'Inkwell').  I guess that's where I started really thinking about submissions, rejections, and publication in general.  Got a lot of that new writer awkwardness out of the way there (let's face it...they chewed me up and spit me out until I was just a piece of wordsmithing gristle). 

Submitted to the Writers of the Future contest around that time...year 2000, I think it was.  They lost the submission in the mailroom and sent me a nice letter two years later, asking what I wanted done with it.  I said to put it in the current quarter of the contest.  Now, please bear in mind that that story was complete drivel.  Complete.  Somehow it managed to make it to the quarterfinals (I think they call it Honorable Mention, now...not entirely sure about that).  I still don't know how.  Maybe a secret patron paid them off just to get it that far, though I doubt the existence of such a benefactor as I haven't seen his, her, or its hand in any of my subsequent endeavors.  I really haven't submitted any material since then.  Decided I wasn't going to try until I felt worthy of making even the most meager attempt.

Somehow, I burned myself out about three years ago.  Took eight months off from writing.  Came back and wrote, of all things, a 70,000 word short novel set in the Halo (video game) universe.  I mean...how stupid is that?  I knew it was stupid at the time, but I loved the characters and story so much that I was compelled to finish it.  I now consider it rehabilitation and practice, if nothing else...and I did manage to find my 'voice' (such as it is) whilst writing the bloody thing (which you can find through a link in my profile, if you have a lot of free time on your hands and enormous patience and/or literary charity).  I guess it's not a total loss. 

Spent another 20,000 words in that universe on a novelette before calling it quits.  Spec work is really a stumbling block to professional writing and publication. 

Just graduated from college with a B.A. in Media Communication, Emphasis in Film Studies (to satisfy my alter ego as a screenwriter/producer/cinematographer).  I've been more successful in that regard (http://www.vimeo.com/4482185) than my speculative fiction writing.  Then again, I have this potent aversion to submitting anything.  A strange condition I am desperately trying to exorcise this summer. 

Current status?  Active.  Like that volcano at the end of the film...uh...Volcano.  Not doing anything yet, but definitely brooding.  Oh yes.

Looking to submit to some e-zine markets this year.  Perhaps Baen's Universe, IGMS, et al.  Print isn't out of the question, either.  It's all a matter of how much material I can crank out and polish.

90% motivation, 10% perspiration, 11.48% inspiration, 400% caffeine, 2% glycerin, and voila...coherent garbage.  (Did I mention I'm terrible at math?)

C'est la vie.


~J. D.   
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 19, 2009, 02:02:31 AM
My name is ______, and I'm a writing alcholic...  :-)  Welcome.  How many strange, unique,and individual routes we take to meet that thing inside us that won't shut up. 

...Somehow, I burned myself out about three years ago.  Took eight months off from writing.  Came back and wrote, of all things, a 70,000 word short novel set in the Halo (video game) universe.  I mean...how stupid is that?  I knew it was stupid at the time, but I loved the characters and story so much that I was compelled to finish it.  I now consider it rehabilitation and practice, if nothing else...and I did manage to find my 'voice' (such as it is) whilst writing the bloody thing (which you can find through a link in my profile, if you have a lot of free time on your hands and enormous patience and/or literary charity).  I guess it's not a total loss. 

...C'est la vie.~J. D.

A total loss?  Never!  I applaud your tanacity!  Never, ever a total loss...  Always another step along the way to improving our writing craft.  Welcome JD
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Flashand on June 02, 2009, 02:23:01 AM
Greetings and salutations all, I am as one would guess an inspiring... I have currently five books based on a variety of themes. However and this is the audacious (love big words but i love spell check even more :P) part of the program and i hereby invoke my arrogance!

I have been reading the files and have started "EGADS" another one. This one however i am looking for not only approval of the "jerk" err writer that got me interested in the area but help from those that live in my local area.

So here goes Mr. Butcher may I introduce into "your world" a set of personas that may or may not run into some of your characters?

About myself, i am an avid martial artist, and know the rights and wrongs of power strength utilities of mind etc. Also i have a stong faith and have on more than one occasion Lived a palidins actions as that is what Micheal and the bearers of the swords are in my oppinion. I am not however an enforcer of the law, or the church. Just the idiot in the right place at the wrong time, and did what needed to be done. Why i was there no clue!

There you are and thank all of you for your time and i appreciate all of your input, and please note some of the posts are amusing.

And as i so love cliffhangers washington state is my locale.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 02, 2009, 02:30:09 AM
Welcome Flashand
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: desylverwyrm on June 06, 2009, 06:19:23 AM
Ok... I've been a "member" for a few months now, but haven't posted anything here. Blame it on Meg and the rest of the writers who have kept me entertained and busy on the DV site. I've written short stories since highschool, had a few poems chosen for publishing, but really had no turn out on any of them. In highschool, my forte was spin offs from X-Men...my most beloved of comics (sorry Jim...can't replace a true love...no matter how geeky it seems.) but that quickly turned off into Sci-Fic trumphs of laughable goo that my creative writing teacher liked to take home to entertain himself with when he had boring papers to grade. The shame...the horror...the...ok...laugh it up. He liked them....thought they were hallarious. Is there really such a thing as comedic sci-fi? ... Anyway... poetry what got published, but then...I could never commit fully to writing an actual full on storyline about anything ... not with my kids climbing in my hair all day. So, for now... I think I'll stick with trudging short controversial post-story lines with the wonderful talents of Meg and the rest of the DV crew...that satisfies my creative hunger for now... besides... it doesn't matter how good of a writer you are, if you don't interact with other writers and bounce ideas off them once in a while....you just get dreary, dead and dried up crusts of what used to be a great thing.... not that Jim will ever go through that.... Jim... my asperation... my mediation...and my....ok...enough butt kissing.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 06, 2009, 07:08:07 AM
*handing DVW some tissue to wipe of the brown stuff*  LOL
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Flashand on June 06, 2009, 02:43:18 PM
wow earned 200$ for an idiotic story that i wrote,  :-\ in the local newspaper. IT was/is kinda weird. Didnt think any one would be interested in my oppinion. And it made the front page of the thesecound section of the paper. I know it isnt a front pager but still i made a front page with the first submission.... i wounder if any one can make real money by writting  ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: CSDylan on June 06, 2009, 07:45:28 PM
Okay, so I'm Dylan an aspiring author from the Sunshine State (Florida, for those who don't know the nickname). I've been an aspiring author for awhile now, but only recently have I actually started really trying to put my ideas down. I'm currently working on several stories, but there is one that really stands out: The Grail Keeper Chronicles.
Originally conceived as a series about a PI specializing in paranormal phenomenon, it has since been nearly completely revamped into a series about a bartender named Kate Morgan who finds herself thrust into the position of being the Grail Keeper, and yes I do mean that Grail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Grail). The Grail Keeper is tasked with protecting, well, the Grail using Excalibur. As is rather obvious, the story is loosely based on arthurian legend with a little creative license thrown in.
I don't really have any samples that that show the style of the story with out giving away major plot points, so instead here's the pitch I came up with:

After years in the Marines, Kate thought that working at a bar would be relatively boring. But when a man stumbled into the Round Table covered in blood, that all changed. Now she's mystically bound to a werwolf, chased by all manner of nasty creatures of the night, being berated by arrogant know-it-all Elves, oh, and she's also suddenly the chosen wielder of Excalibur and protecter of the Holy Grail. So much for that boring normal life.

Sidenote: The series itself takes place in the Tampa Bay area (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Area). Partly because there are hardly any books that take place there, but mostly because I've lived her my whole life and have a solid grasp of the setting.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DrygonDM on June 10, 2009, 12:43:50 AM
Greetings. I normally don't really consider myself to be a writer.

However, some of my counterpostings on the Dresdenverse - with DVW and Meg - count as compositions.
Technically.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JaydelSC on June 10, 2009, 01:37:35 PM
hello there,

My name is JD and I've recently completed an urban fantasy novel that I'm in the process of trying to get published. This morning I'm doing a couple of things: I'm trying to do a "last" revision of the manuscript (it's a bout 95k words right now), attempting to perfect my query letter and send it off to a couple of agents, and preparing to do a revision on a short story I've been working on for a little while. My aim is to get my feet in the water and see where it goes.

I'm really excited about this change in my life direction. I studied creative writing at the University of Illinois, with a focus on short fiction and poetry.  I struggled to publish as a poet for a few years out of college but after starving for about 4 years I tabled that and worked on a career in computer science. I played in a band, wrote the music and kept myself creative that way. Recently I've decided that I don't want to work in my current field anymore: I really want to pursue my lifelong dream of writing. And I've decided that I'm going to write what I like rather than pursuing the Great American Novel. So here I am!

Currently I spend between 4 and 6 hours a day working on my writing: not only the actual writing but gearing up for the business of getting published.

Finally, in closing, I have to admit that I have a lot of worry that I won't get published and none of this will pan out in a practical sense, but I'm really thrilled to be writing again, and making a serious effort to pursue my dream.

Thanks for reading, if you made it this far!
jd
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 10, 2009, 09:03:10 PM
Jaydel, Welcome!

How wonderful that you've let yourself come back to novel writing.  Publishing or not, it still meets something in the soul, doesn't it? Meg

Hi DM, welcome to you as well.  Meg
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MiM on June 11, 2009, 11:40:29 PM
I'm popping in here just to say hi. I've been a lurker for a long time... er.. nearly a year. I've been working on my vampire novel The Bringer of Aten for nearly seven years now. (Yes, very crappy title, but it is only the WIP title, heh)
Am currently gearing myself up to rewriting and reworking the very, very lame first draft. It's in the vein of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a little of Harry Dresden thrown in (unfortunately, no wizards in it as yet!) and will hopefully spawn at least two other books. I don't wanna give too much away, but if anyone would like to see some of it, I have a couple of the first pages of the rewrite somewhere on my computer :P
I've been writing since I was a teenager, and this novel, though it really shouldn't be, is my baby... mainly because I've lived so long with the characters, they've become very good friends of mine xD

Other than that... I'm 27, hail from the middle-of-nowhere Ireland and am looking forward to hanging out about here a bit more :P
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 12, 2009, 02:24:27 AM
Not sure when I became the unofficial welcome party---but welcome!  *imagine glitter flying, fireworks in the night sky* 

My favorite chick lit is from Ireland, Cecelia Ahern.  I'd love to read a Vamp based in Ireland.  Will we be so lucky?  My great-great-great grandmother immigrated from Ballyvaughn, in fact that's part of the name I use playing Guild Wars.  I've only come in to Shannon and headed towards the Cliffs of Mohr and than over to Ballyvaugh and then back down again.  My daughter though spent a summer at the Art School there, fell in love with the Barrens (sp), but luckily not with an Irish man who would want her to stay.  She returned in 2006 with her live in and they were married during their visit.  Saved me a ton of money.  They tromped all over those Barrens...  :-)

Anyway, welcome!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MiM on June 12, 2009, 02:38:39 AM
Do you mean the Burren? It's in County Clare, which is a million miles from where I live in the north of the Republic heh.

My novel is set in Ireland, a town called Dunn, in fact, which is a fictional town made up of a load of towns around where I live in real life. The whole novel revolves around what happens when vampires start killing people living in and around it (amongst a lot of more interesting stuff, of course)
Thanks for the unofficial welcome party!! ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 12, 2009, 04:12:37 AM
Anytime and it is the Burren!  My daughter would think me an idiot.  *tossing more glitter and confetti*
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: K.Love on June 19, 2009, 08:08:28 AM
K.Love here. (smacks own head. "obviously!")
My real name is Kati. I'm 20 years old and I've been writing fiction since... well, for as long as I can remember really. My teacher's have always encouraged me, but none more so than my HS senior English teacher Wes Reid. That man is as crazy and as insanely talented as they come. Not to mention he's a smart ass. Which is no wonder why he and I got along so well (I normally despised teachers.) He really pushed me when I needed to be pushed (went through some stuff and slacked off really badly) and I produced work that I really enjoyed. Mr. Reid seemed to enjoy my writing as well.

So enough jibber jabber.
Here's the 411:

Name: Kati (smacks head again. "Already stated that ya' moron!")
Published?: No. Never. I'm never had the drive to attempt to get published. That is, until last year.
In progress work: Currently 2. A novel (Urban Fantasy) and a book of poetry and short stories (some with a supernatural-esque feeling to them.)
Completed work: Nothing longer than... oh, say..... 500 words. (Ugh, yes I know, thats horrible. I've never thought my writing was good or even alright for that matter, so I usually just dropped it. But now I'm DETERMINED to finish it! I will finish it.... Damn it!)

Hmm... Seems I'm getting a little too excited. :takes deep breath:
Okay. I think I'm ok now.

I really love reading, and I really love to write. I try to write my novel, how I would want to READ a novel. I think about all of the series I enjoy and then think about how they describe things. And what specifically catches my attention. The words they use, How many times they use a phrase (and yes, poor Harry Dresden says "Hell's Bells" too often for my liking, but it still does not take away from Harry at all. I still find him throughly charming and quite funny) and how often the use their "Tag Lines" (Jim explains them on one of his LiveJournal Posts. The Feb 10th post I do believe. If your too involved to look for it Jim states: TAGS are words you hang upon your character when you describe them. When you're putting things together, for each character, pick a word or two or three to use in describing them. Then, every so often, hit on one of those words in reference to them, and avoid using them elsewhere when possible. By doing this, you'll be creating a psychological link between those words and that strong entry image of your character.

For example; Thomas Raith's tag words are pale, beautiful, dark hair, grey eyes. I use them when I introduce him for the first time in each book, and then whenever he shows up on stage again, I remind the reader of who he is by using one or more of those words.
)

I try to enjoy writing, as much as I would reading.

I've had an account with fictionpress.com for years (since I was 13 I think) and I've finally mopped shop so sadly I only have one short story up. But please do comment and let me know what you think.http://www.fictionpress.com/u/193912/  Its under My Stories at the bottom of the page. It's titled "The Mafia Dame" which is something I wrote for my Senior English Class in HS.

I'm just glad I'm not the only aspiring writer here.  ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 19, 2009, 02:41:15 PM
Hey K. Love, how cool!  And thanks for the reminder about character tags.  Putting that to use right away. 

From your free style writing, I suspect that dialog is your strong point.  Welcome!


PS.  don't purge too deeply of your younger writings.  You'd be amazed how your 'voice' in those and the situations will help you retain a youthful outlook when you're 50 trying to remember what it was like in high school!  LOL
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: RobJN on June 19, 2009, 03:26:17 PM
I don't know that I consider myself an author, as much as I do a writer. In my brain, authors write with publishing in mind -- I just write to write, and have been doing so ever since I can remember.

In school, I wrote mainly for my D&D campaign, adventures, adventure logs, bits and pieces of "history," that sort of stuff. I wrote a few other things in my later high school years, and my senior year English teacher strongly advised that I attend a summer writing workshop, which I did, and have not regretted.

When I reached college, I studied journalism and creative writing, and wrote what I think is my most powerful short story ever -- I finally screwed up the courage to post it online on AOL back in the day, and it was the most downloaded story in the Writers Club's file libraries. Ahh, the good ol' days.... Sadly, when my HD got reformatted some years ago, I lost the manuscript. :(

I recently got back into writing after a long dry spell, busy with living life, buying a house, losing a great job and having to find another. The stories have percolated in the ol' head for five or six years, and finally found a couple outlets. I don't know if I should hug my sister or not for her nagging me, once a month or so, to "post the next section!"

There are links to the two stories I've been picking away at down there in the sig.

And if anyone downloaded a story called "Darkest Road Yet Travelled" an age and a half ago from an AOL file library, please send me a copy!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 19, 2009, 04:25:37 PM
I finally screwed up the courage to post it online on AOL back in the day, and it was the most downloaded story in the Writers Club's file libraries. Ahh, the good ol' days.... Sadly, when my HD got reformatted some years ago, I lost the manuscript. :(
  Oh Wow and then Oh NOOOO!  My heart aches in empathetic pain!
I don't know if I should hug my sister or not for her nagging me, once a month or so, to "post the next section!"
  I can never get enough huggles, so consider her hugged from me as well.


Welcome and thank you for sharing!

And if anyone downloaded a story called "Darkest Road Yet Travelled" an age and a half ago from an AOL file library, please send me a copy!
  Well worth another mention, just in case someone with tech wiz knows how to drag one from the AOL files.  They must have them stored somewhere?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Starbeam on June 19, 2009, 04:56:36 PM
  Well worth another mention, just in case someone with tech wiz knows how to drag one from the AOL files.  They must have them stored somewhere?

It could be possible, but I think that a lot of that stuff probably went bye-bye when AOL started changing their board and websites.  I know my AOL page was deleted, or something, quite a while ago.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: RobJN on June 19, 2009, 06:16:46 PM
Many thanks for the welcome!

I don't hold out much hope for the data to be floating around on any of AOL's servers these days. With the closing down of the Community Leader program, the volunteers who maintained the file libraries, moderated message boards, and hosted chats went bye-bye. And the File Libraries were about as legacied as a system can get.

Still, with as diverse a crowd as seems to gather here, I figured there's no harm in checking to see if anybody'd even heard of it.

It's nice to have somewhere to "talk shop."
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Philliph on July 11, 2009, 09:16:30 AM
 :-[

My name is Philliph Province

I have been working on my book for four months now, i'm 15 years old, and i have 36 pages of material(10 font Arial Text, single spaced with one collective inch taken off of the sides to be a close fit for an actual book's size.) I don't exactly know the mechanics of writing yet, but i think i am developing a collaboration of other authors styles to make my own. If anyone here is a published author, please contact me because (I believe) I am in need of critiquing, as nobody that i know is knowledgable enough to give me the kind that I need. I only have 3 1/2 chapters completed, with the Prologue and Chapter 1 revised to hell. I'm just not very confident in my ability to write yet, and this is the first thing i have actually tried doing except for the necessities in English class.

But now, a little about my character. His name is Ranulf Iriquois Tesven and his father was a commander of the 3rd division of the Pantinimian Army. Ranulf, though, is a 15 year old(go figure) that is on his way to an adolescent training camp in Roth Duren to the west of his home town Reor Fliyon. If this had a timeframe in relativity to the history of the civilizations of humans, i would say just around the enlightenment period, when people were just begining to get an understanding of the world but were still waging war with eachother as if it were a hobby.

In this book, everyone can use the elements to their advantages. Everyone. The elements are: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, Energy, and Time.
Earth, energy, and time are unique.

-Earth. Those who posses this element can harness every ability(except for time, energy, and lightning) and use it to a small degree(only the masters). Their control over the ground and anything that directly comes from it is supreme.

-Energy. It is what flows throughout everyone. It's power is derived from lightning, but those who posess the ability of the control over lightning cannot use it. Energy users(the masters) can use lightning and do things the lightnig users cannot with it. The actual description of it and its uses are far too long for me to post here.

-Time. Can change the functionalty of your brain and body. Time is relative and is based on perception. Change the way you percieve it, and it seems to change itself. the users-which are very few in number, even by the standars of total population-can speed up, slow, and stop time.

The other elements are as you would expect them.

You can also use(these are not elements)
(learned)
Magic (spoken)
Magic (Hand and thought)
Alchemi
Alchemy
Sorcery
Necromancy
(innate, but not elements)
Light
Mind Breaking

and maybe more...i might have already overdone it.

But, if you want to read the prologue and the first chapter, and i sorely hope you do, message me on this accout giving me your email addess, and i will personally email it to you.

Thanks ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DrygonDM on July 11, 2009, 03:46:31 PM
Rob: Thou are I are quite alike:

I don't know that I consider myself an author, as much as I do a writer. In my brain, authors write with publishing in mind -- I just write to write, and have been doing so ever since I can remember.

In school, I wrote mainly for my D&D campaign, adventures, adventure logs, bits and pieces of "history," that sort of stuff. I wrote a few other things in my later high school years, and my senior year English teacher strongly advised that I attend a summer writing workshop, which I did, and have not regretted.

Most of my compositions are technically FanFic: D&D, C.J. Corella's Witchcraft, Star Wars, Star Trek.
Sure, I can create interesting Backgrounds for each Character, and even Histories for entire Kingdoms.
But - For the most part, I am best at responsive writing.
And for those that might be reading this, and be wondering what that is: Think about how a story is written. (Apologies to those that already know.)

One Character's view is represented as the tale unfolds: and other Character's observed behavior ,and stated opinions, can influence the Primary's actions/reactions. Mr Butcher's representation of Harry Dresden is a good example of this.

Now, take that and add the effect of every Character in the story is represented by a writing person.
Imagine that you get to see Murphy's view, along with Butter's View, along with Molly's view.
And even get a deeper view into Cowl's personality - or Old Nic's.

But, remember that while you (the Writer) can read these deep thoughts about these others, you can only respond to what your Character has actually
experienced. Which is far more challenging, to me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phillop: Greetings.

I have sent you a PM. Was not sure if I should try and post it here.
Respond at your convience.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on July 11, 2009, 06:44:12 PM
Hi and welcome.  It sounds like you've aleady got your mind around this.  I hope it's the first of many!

Some basics I've picked up.  Pretty stardard to use a footed font like NY. Times, font 12, double spaced.  Save your scenes or cha@ters w/ an edit # AND keep the old edits.  Never know when you will want something you cut for later in the manuscript. I use 01.05 for example, meaning chap 1, 5th edit.  Far from perfect as you end up cutting or inserting chapters which blows your sequence number. :-(

Try to outline.  Every teacher says that but it is true! It works. And write a one or two sentence premise right away.  Handy to have.

Best wishes on your writing. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Philliph on July 11, 2009, 11:35:33 PM
These are potentially very helpfull. hmm...i need to bookmark this page.

I have pretty much spent the past day on this site(mostly in the area of "Author Cratft")and i have already learned things that my teachers, seemingly purposely, describe in the most complex of ways...I think many english teachers need to be replaced with you guys. Are teachers trained specifically for the purpose of being overly complicated to understand...Now, to start walking away from my complaint box, I think the better of the authors that i have read from and can remember by name are these.

Those besides the over glorified authors like-im sorry for this- Christopher Paolini(good plot) and Stephanie Meyer(good romance). Both had good ideas but they were eaten up like cocaine from an addict.

Eoin Coelfer
Jim Butcher(thats why i'm on this site.)
Neal Shusterman
Anne Bishop(author of the black jewels trilogy. you'll have a mental orgasm at the end of the trilogy...)
Darren Shan. This is probably my 1st or 2nd favorite author of all time. The Darran shan series of books was mouth watering, but also the first series i completed, and that is what had gotten me into reading and potentially writing. He writes about Vampires. good stuff.

There are more but i cant think of the names.

And oddly enough, you may laugh, but the idea for my book came hitting me light a damn Freight train while watching the movie "Semi Pro" I'm not kidding. The scene that popped in my head will be a scene in the 5th chapter. and i just planned on working my way towards it and beyond. This seems a little bit ridiculous.

Do any of you have ideas for books that come at the most odd of times?

I think we all need some comedy and laughs in life. its like my second oxygen.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Starbeam on July 12, 2009, 05:43:07 AM
These are potentially very helpfull. hmm...i need to bookmark this page.

I have pretty much spent the past day on this site(mostly in the area of "Author Cratft")and i have already learned things that my teachers, seemingly purposely, describe in the most complex of ways...I think many english teachers need to be replaced with you guys. Are teachers trained specifically for the purpose of being overly complicated to understand...Now, to start walking away from my complaint box, I think the better of the authors that i have read from and can remember by name are these.

It's not so much that teachers are purposefully complex.  From what I remember, I would say it's more that they're trying to explain something that's not always very coherent(the English language and grammar) and try to do so in the best way they can.  But don't always do very well doing it.  And remember, the majority of them teach the same thing several times a day.  I didn't have a teacher who explain grammar and sentence diagrams well until my senior year of high school.  When it comes to writing, it can a lot of times come down to the saying "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach."  Not always true, but I've found that the better writing advice I've gotten was from reading author blogs moreso than from my college professors because the authors are being published.  My professors were more literary writers and had maybe one or two things published.  And if you haven't read it yet, read JB's blog.  That and Stephen King's On Writing are two of the best things I've read about writing.

Quote
Do any of you have ideas for books that come at the most odd of times?

Always.  And almost always when I'm completely unable to write anything down.  Like in the shower.  Or driving a long distance in the middle of the night.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on July 12, 2009, 06:03:26 PM
Always.  And almost always when I'm completely unable to write anything down.  Like in the shower.  Or driving a long distance in the middle of the night.

LOL, which author wrote that they kept a water proof pad in the shower--just for that reason!?!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: kjpowers on July 20, 2009, 10:32:22 PM
Well hello!

Kevin J. Powers here, budding author, storyteller, and student of history. I haven't had any fiction published yet, though I have had several Op/Eds published in newspapers and websites around the country. I'm often typing away at something as part of my job as a Legislative Consultant for the California State Assembly and my prior work in Public Interest advocacy.

I've always said that publishing fiction was  a personal "pipe dream" of mine; I knew writing was something that I wanted to do but had no idea how to get there. My work in politics can be very time-intensive, and I've often found myself doodling in my notes or mapping out elaborate stories when I perhaps I should be otherwise more attentive ;) I've decided that the best way for me to realize my dream is to just write, plot, and write some more.

For 8 years or so I've simmed in Star Trek PbEM RPGs, and I also took several creative writing classes while studying for my minor in English. I'm currently working on a short story about two California Department of Justice Special Agents, and ultimately I would love to write some thriller/mystery-type novels. I'm just chipping away at it all right now.

I love urban fantasy, mystery, and even a little high fantasy (though that can get a bit ponderous). I love collaborating with other writers and I think I'm a fairly good sounding board. If anyone is interested in having someone edit over your work and provide some good constructive criticism, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

I'm looking forward to working with you all in the future!

Best,

Kevin

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Philliph on July 28, 2009, 04:16:09 AM
I think we ran out of aspiring authors...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on July 31, 2009, 08:51:43 PM
What? out of aspiring authors?  Never!  They's lurking....
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DrygonDM on July 31, 2009, 09:30:14 PM
Well, I'm a-larking!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: GhostWolf69 on August 06, 2009, 10:44:58 AM
Here's one. :-)

I met my wife and the mother of my children at a writers class 15 years ago.
At that time I was convinced I'd be a published writer some day. I also thought I would dedicate my life to teaching teenagers about Religion and History i.e. become a high-school teacher.

None of that happened though. Time goes by and people change I guess.

I still write and have a small internet following on a couple of other forums. (fiction writers guild etc)

I just don't have the drvie any more, you know? I have to write but I realized I don't really have to be published. In fact I cringe every time I think about sending in one of my manuscripts.

Fear of rejection? Sure. But also fear of change. Having to change my life and priorities is not something I do without a certain amount of resistance. I'm a man of habit, and I like known facts. Like a monthly pay heck and a boss that tells me what needs to be done. I'm not sure I could handle living the life of an author.

So I write here on the web.

/wolf
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on August 06, 2009, 03:00:05 PM
Welcome! Welcome!  We're glad you found your way to our place.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Flintlock on August 06, 2009, 08:32:34 PM

Do any of you have ideas for books that come at the most odd of times?

I think we all need some comedy and laughs in life. its like my second oxygen.

oh dear lord, yes. i got one of those damn ideas watching tv and drinking Kool-aid (completely unrelated) and it's one of those ideas that put on a wrestler's leotard and puts your brain in a full nelson until you write it all down (which was probably 3 hours later)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kristine on August 06, 2009, 08:54:50 PM
oh dear lord, yes. i got one of those damn ideas watching tv and drinking Kool-aid (completely unrelated) and it's one of those ideas that put on a wrestler's leotard and puts your brain in a full nelson until you write it all down (which was probably 3 hours later)
and then you missed half your TV show or your Kool-aid has gone warm... :P
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DrygonDM on August 06, 2009, 09:30:13 PM
and then you missed half your TV show or your Kool-aid has gone warm... :P

That's what a DVR and Ice cubes is for ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Flintlock on August 06, 2009, 09:43:34 PM
and then you missed half your TV show or your Kool-aid has gone warm... :P
it was a DVD, actually.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DrygonDM on August 06, 2009, 10:17:30 PM
DVDs and Blu-Rays - and even Computer-compatable Disks - also come in handy.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: thausgt on August 13, 2009, 02:55:27 AM
oh dear lord, yes. i got one of those damn ideas watching tv and drinking Kool-aid (completely unrelated) and it's one of those ideas that put on a wrestler's leotard and puts your brain in a full nelson until you write it all down (which was probably 3 hours later)

Exactly! If you look around carefully enough, you might track down a copy of the original "Buckaroo Banzai" novel, in which the author (Earl Mac Raouch, as the spine of the book four feet from my chair tells me) points out that Dr. Banzai has gotten his most nifty ideas in the Bathroom, the Bedroom and on the Bus. (something about the prevalence of negatively-ionized air in those areas...) Therefore, notebooks and writing implements are always close to hand in all three of these critical areas. Of course, this was before the advent of cell phones with sound-recorder capacity, so you could just dictate into that (and try your luck with crappy sound quality).

Take a tip from Buckaroo, kids: keep paper and pen or a recorder handy whenever possible! The story idea you save could be the one that catapults you to wealth and fame! Or at least into the next higher tax bracket...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JGrace on August 14, 2009, 09:59:46 PM
Hello All!!

My name is Jim Grace and I an working on my first full-length novel, Descent Into Darkness.  (Technically I'm finishing the first draft of my first book while I work on my second.)   It's a modern-day Vampire/Zombie story loosely based on the Vampires Live iphone game.

I can see I've got a LOT of posts to catch up on here!  It's awesome to find such a creative bunch of folks!

Great to see you all here!

JG
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on August 15, 2009, 01:47:49 PM
welcome JG! 

(on the initial community board is a link to JB's writer craft notes, well worth a visit and sometimes hard to find.  So just a heads up when you see people commenting on them!)

We look forward to seeing you around.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JGrace on August 23, 2009, 01:54:49 AM
Oh I've been reading Jim's writing tips and they're great!  (It's really cool to see some of them I've already been practicing!)   ;D  I hope to be able to spend more time here to get inspiration!

Thanks for the welcome!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DrygonDM on August 23, 2009, 05:50:55 AM
Be thou welcome here, JGrace.

Don't forget to drop in MacAnally's and drop a hello line in Introductions - lots of people will be glad to see you.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Gruud on August 23, 2009, 03:46:51 PM
... on the initial community board is a link to JB's writer craft notes ...

Did he ever finish these, elsewhere perhaps?

I think they are great bits,and I would love to see his take on antagonist/protagonist, etc.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on August 24, 2009, 09:03:34 PM
Did he ever finish these, elsewhere perhaps?
  It think we prefer that he keep churning out Harry books as a top priority.
I think they are great bits,and I would love to see his take on antagonist/protagonist, etc.
  Recently mentioned in this thread somewhere is something called, writingexcuses.com. (web cast)  They have a great discussion on that if you've never found it before.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: SCARPA on September 04, 2009, 06:22:39 PM
My name is Tom Barczak. I am an Architect and currently finishing the latest draft of a fantasy novel I have been at for 7 years, give or take. I have definatly been learning the craft as I go and have had and have some great teachers. It has long been a dream to write a novel and I finally think I am beginning to get it, this writing thing. With any luck I expect to finish the draft by end of October, at which point I will start looking into how to sell it. It has definately been a journey.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 05, 2009, 01:25:26 PM
Welcome and we will all look forward as you post your progress.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JGrace on September 05, 2009, 04:31:27 PM
Congrats Tom!  It sounds like we're in the same boat!  (Well, your boat is fantasy-powered and mine in rowed by Vampires/Zombies).  I've got the rough draft complete and am working on the "final" draft that I'll be sending out to publishers.  I'm looking to be done by sometime in October as well.   Good luck to ya!

JG

 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Philliph on September 14, 2009, 07:41:02 PM
Hello guys. I haven't been on this website for about a month and i've been stubborn and not looking at Jim's blog about how to write. I have even bought the book called /On Writing/ by Stephen King. But, until i feel the time is right(i might just be arrogant at the moment) i will not read anything. I have also decided that a very efficient way to write chapters is to definitively outline them. Oh! and Meg_Evonne. i'm glad you never did anything with the idea for a book i sent you. i have extraploated on the idea and the happenings and it is definitely going to be a WTF why did you do that?!?!?!? rage type of book that are going to keep people on edge. The idea i'm talking about is the one that seems like The Matrix. Hehee. Also, i have decided to wait until i am done with my second book(plot is set in alternate world in the past.) to publish them. That is the book that i'm setting the big money on. A scene i have
(click to show/hide)
That scene is going to be epic. I'm trusting the people who read that spoiler to not rip me off, because i'm trying to do original things. its hard though. stupid being born after the whole Writing Books Of Fantasy craze went on in the last 100 years. grr.
I feel like i could ramble on for hours
Anyways, if anybody would like to talk to me i love to talk to people and i love friends even more. Lalalala...
Glad i'm only 16 though, i have a lot of time to be awesome and write books. Tralalalalaa...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 14, 2009, 08:32:41 PM
Philliph, see.  I told you so.  Keep all your off hand ideas!  You never know when they will decide to blossom into something interesting.  Best wishes to you.  The King, "On Writing" is on several websites with strong recs. I haven't read it yet, so let me know what you think when you do.  Later.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Philliph on September 14, 2009, 08:41:14 PM
Ahh, and i never realized this until a few months ago, but having aspiring writers as friends is very useful. You teach eachother A LOT. I, unkowingly, have been using techiniques that they never thought of. and likewise for them. Unfortunately though, they never slash and tear at my work when i need critiquing. Silly nice friends.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Wallace on September 15, 2009, 01:38:17 AM
Hello. I'm a struggling writer desperate to get noticed but not so motivated as to actually try and mail out cover letters. Please read my work and give me a job with your company based solely on two paragraphs yanked from a short story I wrote six years ago but think it will earn me brownie points because it's just. That. Good.

Psyche!

I've actually been writing for most of my life, but my C-Type personality (I think that's the quiet religious one who ends up going insane) makes me perpetually unhappy with what I write and too bloody scared to show it to anyone but my cat. Okay, I don't have a cat. But if he did, he would hate my unbelievable literary slop.

My main ambition right now is becoming a chef, and perhaps owning my own business. Between work and college, that doesn't leave me a lot of creative time, but why let the talent slowly die of isolation? And they talk about The Dresden Files on this forum, too, so maybe I'll get to see two geeks duke it out over whether the sparkly vampires of Twilight could beat the sparkly vampires of the White Court.

We both know the answer, and that's why I'm here, and not on the Twilight forum. *Nods*

It's good to meet other writers though. I guess this is where you are all hiding, instead of playing World of Warcraft. I'd shame you, but it would be ironic.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Raestlin on September 17, 2009, 04:53:39 PM
I have just recently started to make forays into writing and am currently a little stymied as to how I should proceed in my book. It is written from the perspective of a person who has witnessed the tale, but I'm having troulbe in figuring otu how much the other characters should notice him....if anyone has any advice I would much appreciate. If you would just shoot me an IM instead of posting on here because I don't want to accidentally post somethign on here that the Master was planning on using in a book......


oh, by the way, the book is called The Original Five.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Philliph on September 21, 2009, 01:58:49 AM
I've actually been writing for most of my life, but my C-Type personality (I think that's the quiet religious one who ends up going insane) makes me perpetually unhappy with what I write and too bloody scared to show it to anyone but my cat. Okay, I don't have a cat. But if he did, he would hate my unbelievable literary slop.

HAH! You sounded like Marvin from The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy series. Silly robot, he takes emotion too seriously.  ;)

I wonder what life would be like at the ocean floor...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Miss Witch on October 16, 2009, 03:41:57 AM
Hi!  My name is Murielle and I guess you could call me a writer in progress.  I write and I dream of seeing my name on the cover of a paperback.  I have had an active imagination since I can remember and started writing things down when I was thirteen.  My first story was about a unicorn.  Since then I have been writing on and off. I wanted to be a writer when I finished school but my grade nine teacher said that writing for a living wasn't easy and perhaps I should find something more stable to do as a job.  So I went to university and got so sick I landed myself in the hospital and the recepient of a double lung transplant.  While I was recovering I started writing again after years of not even touching a pen.  A little later on I decided to start taking my writing more seriously and just last month started taking a creative writing course to re-learn the structure of story.  When I move to a bigger city I plan on taking more courses and learn to write a novel and then maybe get the nerve to actually send something to get published. My biggest problem is fear. I'm scared that I'll never get anything published and therefore leads to my second biggest problem which is procrastination.  I always find something else to do that has to get done to avoid my fear of failure.  I read Jim's story and that boosted my spirits a little.  Even the most successful authors started out rough...I just have to work my ass off and use my stubborness for good instead of evil...hahaha.  Thankfully the muses have been kinder to me and I've kind of hammered out a character named Jax.  It's not much but it's a start!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 16, 2009, 04:29:28 PM
Welcome Miss Witch, I've the opposite problem.  I live in fear that someone would actually want to publish something that I've written.  I write to write, because there is no controlling that writer's mind.

Welcome to our corner of the dresden verse, where you are free to let the muse free.  We don't post manuscripts, but you can use the group consciousness to get your character out a corner if you need help.  Or concerned with how your writing is progressing etc.

And we'll hope to see you around her, giving us your thoughts as well.  Did you find Jim's writing blog?  Is that the book you meant or his actual novels?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Observer on October 19, 2009, 06:15:47 PM
Hi, I'm Harrison.

(Hi, Harrison)

I first picked up the Dresden Files...God knows how long ago, but I've been writing for what seems like forever. (Which, in fact, isn't very long, since I'm just a high school sophomore) At the time, I hammered each of my stories out on a pad of notebook paper and each seemed like an instant Pulitzer Prize winner, though I look at them now and am brought close to tears.
Now I write the modern way, on a laptop, and my productivity has gone up...I think. I'm notorious for writers block and it doesn't help to have the whole wide internet at my fingertips whenever I'm trying to write  :P I write mostly urban fantasy (I have Jim to thank for this obsession, I can't seem to focus on anything else anymore) and right now am working on a few different projects, my main one being called Werelight. It's a fantasy set in modern day America about a group of shape shifters, and so far I'm quite pleased with it.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 21, 2009, 06:37:01 PM
Hi Harrison! 

followed by echos of (Hi, Harrison's)   :-)  Welcome
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Miss Witch on October 26, 2009, 12:25:12 AM
But why would you  be afraid of getting something published if it's good Meg?  I write to write too but what I write is usually...ummmm...less than readable.  I have a hard time with continuity and most of my stories come in pockets if that makes sense.  Scenes that don't go anywhere.  Or sometimes I think, heeeey this is going pretty good, maybe some one would read it and give me a review and then I look what other people write and think...Dear God I suck!!  Hahaha.  I will definitly take up the offer of the help once I've developed something.  I did mean Jim's blog in my last post but there's this section about Jim where he's talking about how he kept writing and writing and when he thought he had something he had the determination to try and try again to get Harry published.  I think that is so cool to have that kind of determination and that kind of faith in your work not to give up.
Right now I'm building up a character.  I kind of think she's neat.  Her name is Jax (her full name is Lispeth Ryan.  She just sort of gave herself the nickname Jax when I was telling me about herself) and she, of course, is a witch.  So far all I know about her is what she looks like and her personality (which can come off as kind of...um...well rough).  I have no idea what she does for a living (this is where I could use the help) and her magick is still undetermined because well, I'm still learning how to write about and describe magick.  She may have witch flame and if she gets mad or scared the energy she uses can throw some through a wall (again, if anyone has suggestions on what she could be capable of magickally feel free to share!).  She has protective symbols tattooed on certain parts of her anatomy, as well as a cat tattoo that moves of its own accord.  Her familiar is a kitten named Oliver.  Aaaaaaand I should probably shutup now. 
Cheers
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Miss Witch on October 26, 2009, 12:30:55 AM
P.S.  That one entery where I was telling me about herself?  Should be when she was telling me about herself and like a lot of people I am writing Urban Fantasy (attempting to write).  When I started reading it I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread!!  I wanted to write it too so now it's more than just enjoyment reading but a mini lesson every time I read.  Yep, it's official.  I'm a dork.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 26, 2009, 03:11:41 AM
She sounds a little like Mercy by briggs, which I love.  As a lerning piece maybe you and her need to grow her powers together.  Drop her into a high charged situation and see how she moves under pressure. If she starts with no powers you can go from there.

Picking an occupation might take some time.  You need something where she's free to move around and still make money.

One suggestion, there is a checklist about mary sue or mary ann--check out the too common and to used up plots.  Don't worry about the negative connotation--all charcters have a bit of the author in them, just notice that the same character and plots are too common to use.

Also remember that you have to love your villains as much as your MC.  Devope their story as deeply as you do the MC.  Best wishes!  Meg 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 26, 2009, 03:14:14 AM
Darn blackberry.  Ignor spelling etc.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Miss Witch on October 26, 2009, 04:55:02 AM
Villian?  What is this villan you speak of?  Hehehe.  Well to be honest with you I don't even have a plot yet.  All I have is Jax and a possible b/f...maybe.  He's not being too forth coming at the moment and he's in the shadows but I know he's there somewhere.  So for the Mary anne...or sue...or whatever...can I look that up on google?  I read once some where that when you build a character that she/he has to be the opposite of you.  Which is pretty much what Jax is.  Well, I mean there are some similarities, like you mentioned but her personality is only something I only wish I could be.  *Sigh* Oh well, I guess I shall keep working on it.  She's not done yet so there must be plenty of surprises left.  ;) ;D 8)
Cheers 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 26, 2009, 03:03:48 PM
Search JB. Extreme opposite for MC seems over the top aversion to me.  Use MS for avoiding common plot set ups.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Miss Witch on October 26, 2009, 06:51:36 PM
What does MS mean?  Well, I'm pretty sure some author traits will come through.  It's not total aversion;).  But thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mightyutuvan on October 28, 2009, 06:14:40 PM
Greetings,
  I will claim the title of "author in Progress."  Unlike many of the people in this thread I did't start out writing stories at the tender age of 5 or even 15.  I am 35.  I have been in the military for 16 years.  I am married and have 3 children.  I still attend college online at night.  I have never been particularily artistic.  A six month bout with guitar fever left me with a great appreciation of the art and sharp knowledge of my limitations.  I read comic books and fantasy novels voraciously from my pre-teen years until this very day.  I used to get the 'Annual itch' to write.  I would scribble story ideas and short character bios until the affliction passed for that year. 

     There.  That paragraph loaded with passive verbs gives you a starting point on Mightyutuvan.  Now you know me.  Well, a little at least.  Then this year happened.

     My grandfather died.  It was slow and entirely too fast all at the same time.  Heart failure.  He was the kind of man, you wanted to be like but knew you never could.  When I did something I knew was wrong (or stupid) I knew that if Granddaddy knew I would be ashamed.  There is a lot to the story (everyone has one) but it is enough to say this.  I loved him.  I held his hand as he died.  He seemed to talk to angels.  He kind of bossed them around actually, telling them "come on' and "let's go!" over and over again until his final aggravated breath and then...he was still.  My family's collective heart broke.  I still get sudden bout of sadness at the grocery store or drinking Dr Pepper.

     Something else changed that week.  I looked at my life and realized that I spent a lot of time doing what I had to do or killing time until I had to do something else (drinking, video games, watching TV).  I suddenly, keenly felt the need to write and complete a novel.  It was something I wanted to do.  For some reason I need to do it.  It doesn't matter if is any good or not.

     So here i am.  I am inspired by Jim (I printed his blog and put it into a notebook) and Harry.  I've plotted the whole book and written two chapters.  I won't post anything about the story because (1) forum rules ask us not to and (2) I find my writing has a sort of energy.  If I talk about it instead of writing it seems to steal that energy.  I apologize for the huge intro but I have now exercised those nasty autobiographical gremlins.

P.S.  Check out "Writing Excuses" Podcast for weekly tips and inspiration by published authors.  I enjoy it.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 28, 2009, 07:04:53 PM
"writing excuses" is great.  I agree and welcome fellow writer.  May your angst be brief and your enjoyment long.  Make sure and keep us posted, okay?  I'm so sorry for your Grandfather's passing, but it sounds like he had a loving family around him, which a huge blessing right there.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mightyutuvan on October 28, 2009, 07:12:06 PM
He did indeed.  I apologize for bringing the angst.  Life really is good.  I am happy, just more...determined now.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 28, 2009, 10:18:21 PM
Hey, angst broke the writer's line for you. Ain't anything wrong w/angst in my book, unless you wallow in it...  Thank you for sharing. 

You know, I've written for ages, but didn't start to Write until Madeleine L'Engle died.  I moped for days and came out of it writing a storm, got serious, took classes, actually let someone read what I wrote, and three and a half years later.... I'm maybe getting there.  So never apologize for angst. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: belial.1980 on October 29, 2009, 01:30:20 AM
Welcome aboard mightyutuvan. I'm sorry to heart about your grandfather's passing. I wish you and your family the best.

Glad to hear you're writing! I see you're determined. That's definitely a good thing. For me writing had become more than a hobby (sometimes it's like an affliction) so I know where you're coming from.  This is a good place to meet and share ideas. I think you'll find a lot of encouragement and knowledge from the people that frequent these boards. So again, welcome!

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Miss Witch on October 30, 2009, 05:17:19 AM
I am sorry to hear about your granddad mightyutuvan.  Sometimes it takes something shocking to kind of put your life in review.  I think tragedy bores some of the best writing.  It sounds a little dark but I think it's true.  I find writing to to be cathartic and usually when I'm feeling mopey and depressed some of my best mirco pieces come out.  But if you have have any questions or need help this is the place to come to.  BTW thanks for the help meg!

Just curious as to what every one is working on now?

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: SCARPA on November 03, 2009, 06:47:30 PM
My name is Thomas Barczak, I am an Architect by profession. Huge fan of Jim Butcher's work.  I just finished up a draft of my novel, Veil of the Dragon. Been working on it for 6-7 years. Taking a month or so off to research, and regroup before I go back for a final edit, then solicitation of Publishers. So far, ive gotten good response from those who know about writing along with some pretty good input on how I can make it better. I enjoy what you have with this forum. Pretty excited in general to have gotten as far as I have. Thanks.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: jeno on November 07, 2009, 07:14:36 AM
To answer your question, miss witch -

Wikipedia article on Mary Sue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue)

A much more in-depth look at Mary Sues. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MarySue) <-- warning, this is a TVtropes link, warning, warning.

And here's the test meg_evonne was talking about earlier - The Mary Sue Litmus Test. (http://www.ponylandpress.com/ms-test.html) Take this test to find out if your character falls into the realm of Mary Sue. If she does, then you may have a bit of a problem.


also- MS would stand for Mary Sue, while MC stands for Main Character. Hopefully, these two things are not the same. XD
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Miss Witch on November 10, 2009, 01:23:30 AM
Thanks so much Jeno!  I appreciate it.  While I've been writing for a while it's my first time writing something that might actually lead to something else in the future.  In other words taking my writing some what more seriously than before.  I shall look up the links:D  Cheers
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: jeno on November 11, 2009, 06:28:02 AM
I wish you luck!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Philliph on November 17, 2009, 01:02:09 PM
Dear lord i need to become more frequent on this site. i'm gone for a month and BOOM! 10 more posts. I dont have much to say, except for i'm filling up my folders with ideas for future books, but school takes up so much time that all i can do is fantasize on my breaks. i may have something more fruitful to say in the future, but, Miss Witch, your idea sounds amazing and i LOVE to write about magic, sorcery, and all that cool stuff. throw a question out and i'll reply. hopefully with something useful.

Adios.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KarlTenBrew on November 21, 2009, 05:06:38 PM
Sorry to hear it mighty, but glad you're on the writer's track!  The energy you're talking about is a good thing, and I hope it carries you far.

On a personal note, I've updated status to 'working student' and have an entire book nearly up to 'first complete edited draft'.  It even has a complete prequel stewing.  At first I tried the 'pre-plot' method, but it just didn't work for me.  The story always ended up shucking my plans, because the plan was either too detailed or too broad.  What I ended up with was a bunch of disconnected, sequential but not time-specific scenes. 

So I worked with that.  I started focusing on the scene, not bothering to analyze what I was writing until it was down.  I also mixed in writing completely unrelated during the time: fan-fiction, writing exercises, essays.  This what a lot better than brain-storming a plot first, because as I was writing pieces fell together unconsciously.  Taking the sequences I was forming unintentionally, I worked scenes formerly with no relation into the thread of a cohesive story.  So now I've got a complete book and prequel [or I guess a dulogy if I do them both] with an undefined future for if things work out.

I've already have some pre-readers to help me out and am reseraching publishing.  So in the words of Dogbert, I WOULD wish you all luck..."but wouldn't that leave less luck for me?"  ;)  Hope all the rest of you are doing well in your aspirations!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mightyutuvan on December 08, 2009, 02:31:34 AM
So I mailed off my first short story to a magazine today, no doubt triggering my first rejection letter. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Jaeh on December 08, 2009, 05:55:54 PM
So hi, I'm Jaeh....er, so I'm a college student living in the Philippines hoping to publish a novel-in-progress if its... you know, publishable. If not, I'd live with it. If I get around to actually finding a place to publish it and get it around in this country, I would be really, really happy. And if gets published, I doubt almost anyone here would get to see it, lol.

It sounds really juvenile-ish, and would probably end up as a young adult book if it goes down that road (I still have to fix stuff, if that happens, haha), but the novel is about some author who got sucked into her own book. It sounds so... fanfictiony, but the "twist" with this one is she doesn't know hat's happen in her own book and.. stuff. So... yeah. I just hope it would work out. :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kali on December 08, 2009, 06:16:44 PM
So I mailed off my first short story to a magazine today, no doubt triggering my first rejection letter. 

Save it. :D  I have my four or five saved, including the personal one from Gordon Van Gelder that's tacked up above my desk.  Some rejection letters are the next best thing to an acceptance letter!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mightyutuvan on December 08, 2009, 06:37:25 PM
Save it. :D  I have my four or five saved, including the personal one from Gordon Van Gelder that's tacked up above my desk.  Some rejection letters are the next best thing to an acceptance letter!

Yep, that was the very name on the envelope.  Actually completing, editing, formatting and mailing off the short story felt like an accomplishment itself.  Dang I hope mine's personal!  ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 09, 2009, 07:39:30 PM
So I mailed off my first short story to a magazine today, no doubt triggering my first rejection letter. 
  Hey let us know and we'll throw you a celebration rejection party!  First's are important and fun!

Thanks on the links Jeno!  You's the best!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: jeno on December 10, 2009, 12:22:20 AM
My blushes. XD
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KarlTenBrew on December 10, 2009, 09:08:06 PM
I am now officially in the same boat as you Mighty!

Aka: awaiting my first rejection letter ;)  Best of luck to both of us, and here's to hoping they're personalized and non-crushing ::)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 11, 2009, 04:29:30 AM
cool ktb
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Polarbear2112 on December 14, 2009, 03:00:49 AM
i am 17 years old, and have bee writing since i was about 13.
i am working on 2 books and have got complete writes block on both!
one is about 50 pages long so far, and the other is only one chapter :-\ lol
when i can, ill post a link up to my 50 page(unfinished) book !
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 15, 2009, 12:06:08 AM
Welcome PB

And crank one more rejection up on my reject-o-meter.  :-)

Maybe I should go back to my Demon Porn...  nah, it's only one!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Polarbear2112 on December 15, 2009, 03:39:50 AM
haha thanks meg!

hopfully though it doesnt get on your reject-o-meter!!(if i ever finish the book  :-\ lol)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 16, 2009, 02:22:54 AM
haha thanks meg!

hopfully though it doesnt get on your reject-o-meter!!(if i ever finish the book  :-\ lol)

OH NO NO NO!  I got the rejection silly!  I wasn't pre-rejecting yours!  OMG--so sorry for the confusion.  If you track back on the thread you'll see we've been looking for a rejection party burn-a-thon!!  LOL
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Polarbear2112 on December 16, 2009, 02:41:25 AM
oo!!

lol sorry for the misread!

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mightyutuvan on December 16, 2009, 04:06:52 AM
Well, I received my first rejection letter today.  Oddly enough I feel...rejected.  sigh :-\
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 16, 2009, 04:32:18 AM
yes, but mine was quite rotten.  It was a paper letter two sentences long and not even signed.  it wasn't even from the agent that I sent it too.  So--I pulled the entire agency from my listing.  So there--we are even now.  Hey, it's all a mind game anyway.  What was yours like?

Nothing beats the poet who had her poem returned to her torn up in little tiny pieces!  Now that was an agent's assistant who was having a very bad, horrible etc day...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Polarbear2112 on December 16, 2009, 07:13:05 AM
yes, but mine was quite rotten.  It was a paper letter two sentences long and not even signed.  it wasn't even from the agent that I sent it too.  So--I pulled the entire agency from my listing.  So there--we are even now.  Hey, it's all a mind game anyway.  What was yours like?

Nothing beats the poet who had her poem returned to her torn up in little tiny pieces!  Now that was an agent's assistant who was having a very bad, horrible etc day...


....damn, thats harsh!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 16, 2009, 07:26:32 AM
you mean the poet bit?  yeah, but she did get published and actually compiled a couple books last I heard.  LOL 

There are always two sides to a story.  Just because a person is an a**, it doesn't mean it has anything to do with you at all.  I had a client who simply reamed and yelled at me out of the blue.  I felt terrible and completely lost because I really hadn't done anything wrong, you know?  For four months I carried that incident with me.  Turns out that at the four month mark I saw his obit in the paper.  He'd died of cancer leaving a family behind.  I just happened to be the person in front of him at a bad point in his life.  Now, I take such rude occurrences with the knowledge that this other person has something going on in his life that I might never understand or know about.  It isn't me.  Or usually it isn't me.  I can only know my half of the story.  If I keep my side clean and neat and polite, that's all I can do.   ::)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Polarbear2112 on December 16, 2009, 07:51:18 AM
.....wow.....speechless... :-X
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mightyutuvan on December 16, 2009, 12:47:06 PM
Well, I received my first rejection letter today.  Oddly enough I feel...rejected.  sigh :-\

The letter was from an assistant editor.  It was polite, short, and unsigned.  He said that my story wasn't what he was looking for right now but good luck.  I wish knew if I was writing crap or utter crap. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kali on December 16, 2009, 02:19:46 PM
Send it somewhere else.  F&SF is always a great first stop for a lot of reasons (pay rate and submission turn-around time chiefly), but they're not the only market.  My recommendation is to prepare for rejection.  Have an envelope ready to go to your next market, so if it comes back you can send it out the same day.  Otherwise, I find stories tend to sit on my desk, looking like the puppy that got left behind at the animal shelter.  Sending it right back out also helps me feel more businesslike about the process, and I tend to brood less over why it got rejected. 

After ten markets or so, I usually stop and put the story away, figuring it needs work or it's just not a story anyone but me wants to read.  I tell myself that after my first NYT best seller, I can collect them all into an anthology and mock the magazines who rejected them. ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: mightyutuvan on December 16, 2009, 06:13:17 PM
Thanks, Kali.  You are right of course, I was just wallowing in self-pity because, well, because it is just so damn easy and really opens up my sinuses.  I'll get back to work soon.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 16, 2009, 10:04:52 PM
Really?  It helps with the sinuses?  Cool...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: jadedragn on December 31, 2009, 12:01:13 AM
I have always loved books and while I don't necessarily want to become a full fledged author I want to create a story. I've always liked the idea of someday writing my own book because I love them so much. Great stories fill the world with creativity. Books provide me with something that I can't explain and I want to share that with the world I guess. The thing is that I really know nothing about how to go about writing a book I just have the inspiration that great authors like Jim Butcher and Diana Gabaldon (my two favorite authors) have given me by writing wonderful, detailed books. A friend of mine told me that a good way to do it would be by world building first. Can anyone give me some info and/or advice on how to start world building? I have an idea for a story but it is barely coming to the surface and I want to do this right. I'd appreciate any help that I can get.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 31, 2009, 04:07:30 AM
Check out JB's writers blog for starters on the home page.  That'll inspire you and keep you busy for a few years. LOL
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Persephone on January 08, 2010, 08:59:30 AM
So... I introduced myself way way back under an old screen name. But to avoid confusion, I'll just re-introduce myself here. My name's Liz, I love the Dresden Files, and reading, and I've been writing stories since I learned to write. My Mom probably has the stories I wrote in third grade about a dog tucked away somewhere.  ::)  :D
I'm a writer with many neurosis, and I have a tempermental muse that likes to torment me. I only hope that my wirters angst will ultimately make the writing I do accomplish all the more real for the suffering it took to get it on paper.
I used to write fanfic, but I don't anymore. When I was in middle school high school I wrote up fanfic for everything I was into, Star Trek NG, Anne McCaffereys Dragonriders, KA Applegates animorphs... But it wasn't until I actually sent my story idea off to one of the authors, and *obviously* got rejected, that I opted to stop writing fanfic. I think the main reason I went that route is because I only have so much passion and motivation to write with on a given day, I don't want to blow it all on something that will never be published to a wide audience.
And publication is what I want. It's what I dream of, aspire to, and plan to keep chasing until I succeed. It's not about 'fame'. I don't care if -I- never get noticed. But I want to share this world I have imagined with others, I want to know that this fantasy that I can see so clearly in my mind is shared with others, and that they like it enough to want to live there too.
Jim butcher is my hero, I think my ultimate dream is to someday be able to give a copy of MY published book for him to keep, just so I can tell him that he was the inspiration that kept me going. He's an awesome fantastic man.
As far as how close I am to maybe starting on the road to being discovered, well I have book one of my series 99% complete and book two is 75% complete. It was originally going to be one tale, but it got too long. I have the events outlined for another six books in the series at least. It's an epic, but I hope that will make it all the more desirable for a publisher. Oh, and I'm writing it with a partner who I both rely on completely, and want to strangle at any given moment. We're like Harry and Bob.
But enough about me, I'm just like all of you anyway.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KarlTenBrew on January 08, 2010, 03:51:10 PM
Jim butcher is my hero, I think my ultimate dream is to someday be able to give a copy of MY published book for him to keep, just so I can tell him that he was the inspiration that kept me going. He's an awesome fantastic mane.

While I agree that Jim is a great guy, I have to say that his mane is rather lackluster.  Especially compared to my own flowing, curly, shiny one that I shamelessly use to garner female attention ;)

Still waiting to get my rejection letter (or not!), but it should only be less than a week now.  The anticipation is torture!  But I'm still working on making the manuscript better for submission if it ever comes to that, and working on manuscripts for both other books in the series envisioned as well as random side projects.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kali on January 08, 2010, 03:57:29 PM
While I agree that Jim is a great guy, I have to say that his mane is rather lackluster.  Especially compared to my own flowing, curly, shiny one that I shamelessly use to garner female attention ;)

Still waiting to get my rejection letter (or not!), but it should only be less than a week now.  The anticipation is torture!  But I'm still working on making the manuscript better for submission if it ever comes to that, and working on manuscripts for both other books in the series envisioned as well as random side projects.

We have ample pictoral documentation of Jim's mane, and none of yours.

Piks plz.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KarlTenBrew on January 08, 2010, 04:18:40 PM
We have ample pictoral documentation of Jim's mane, and none of yours.

Piks plz.

Casually Dressed Up (http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b288/NemoUtopia/moi/?action=view&current=n11820138_32073418_9328.jpg)

plus

Free Flowing (in the best tux ever) (http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b288/NemoUtopia/?action=view&current=Picture002.jpg)

oh, and:

Eagle Scouts can have ponytails too (http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b288/NemoUtopia/?action=view&current=P1010032.jpg)

Obviously I'm not too concerned about my identity being known.  As I'm hoping to be a published author as well...yeah, doesn't matter :p
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on January 08, 2010, 09:04:46 PM
And piks are needed for???   LOL   Like your piks.   
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KarlTenBrew on January 08, 2010, 09:22:31 PM
And piks are needed for???   LOL   Like your piks.   

Apparantly I was required to back up my faux vanity remark, so I did.  Which ALSO reminds me: I'm now in touch with my aunt, who is actually in the business of writing, about making said manuscripts both better in the general sense and better in the marketable sense.  Another step forward to more rejection letters! ::)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Persephone on January 08, 2010, 09:40:02 PM
While I agree that Jim is a great guy, I have to say that his mane is rather lackluster.  Especially compared to my own flowing, curly, shiny one that I shamelessly use to garner female attention ;)

LOL. I had to fix my typo now, but at least it was a funny typo. My browser has taken issue with the Butcherboards so if I type anything half the length of the screen it won't let me see what I'm writing until after I post it.
And Jim does have good hair. He has confessed that he stores his creativity in his beard.
KTB I need someone who's in the business to hopefully tell me whats wrong before we start sending it to publication, but I'm not there yet so I'm just waiting until it's all finished before I really get anal about the revising.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kali on January 08, 2010, 11:44:25 PM
LOL. I had to fix my typo now, but at least it was a funny typo. My browser has taken issue with the Butcherboards so if I type anything half the length of the screen it won't let me see what I'm writing until after I post it.

That's a compatibility issue with Explorer 8.  To the right of the address bar is a little icon that looks like a piece of paper torn in half.  Click that, and it should fix the issue.  It will reload the window, though, and if you were in the middle of a post you'll lose everything.  Fair warning.

Also, I dunno...

Reddish hair > brown hair.  Long brown hair > reddish hair. 

On the other hand, Shannon can kick my ass, so I better not sigh too much over Jim's hair.  Ok, you win.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KarlTenBrew on January 09, 2010, 12:50:03 AM
My hair experiences have certainly supplied material for writing both humor and gender comparison...even the more unnerving stuff is funny now that I've got time and distance from it.

As to strategies beyond constantly taking advantage of willing alpha-readers and helpful assosciates I'm picking up a diversification of portfolio plan set out by others here.  By the end of the year I'm geared to having three seperate novel projects [in different genres] each being considered by multiple agents.  Talk about setting myself up for an ego bruising! :D

[edit]First rejection recieved!  Personalized and considerate, and the trouble appears to be the premise...)_)...(_(...*rushes to the drawing board and starts scribbling*
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Slapdaddy on January 19, 2010, 06:38:48 AM
Howdy all,
I'm Eddie. I just found this site so am a little late to the party, but I'll be polite and introduce myself real quick. Unlike most of the posts I've read here I haven't been writing my whole life. There has been a story banging around in my head for a long time and I finally decided to try to get it out on paper. It's Fantasy-ish and I am currently outlining/getting to know my characters. I finally figured out the beginning of my story but don't know the end yet. 
Anyhoo, JB is one of the two authors that finally inspired me to get my rear in gear and start working earnestly on it, and finding his writing tips journal was a minor epiphany for me, (it's amazing how easy something can seem to the person who has no idea how it actually works) and this forum is great. Knowing there are others attempting this makes me feel less crazy in trying to pursue what is quickly becoming an obsession. So, good to meet all of you (in an internet-y sort of way) and see you on the forums.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on January 19, 2010, 11:49:33 PM
Welcome Eddie!  Wow, for a beginning writer you are already doing all the right things.  Good luck getting to know your character and setting up your outline! 

As to JB's writing journal, I wonder how many of us were inspired to set down and get serious as a result.  I suspect that he would be the first to say, "Go for it!" 

Go for it, Eddie!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Slapdaddy on January 20, 2010, 02:11:02 AM
Thank you kindly, Meg. (I was hoping someone would say hi  ;D )
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sean 'Bjørn' Blackstone on January 26, 2010, 01:44:08 AM
haha i was kindly suggested to this particular board by Capn Hammer'  :D

well, ive been writing since i was very little, which wasnt that long ago haha but ive been serious about it for quite a few years now. ive been told i have talent, by just about anyone and everyone whos ever read my work. guess there must be something there lol
well ive tried to write many things within the past 3 years, and i only get so far. i always seem to self destruct the storyline after a few pages. i have trouble with keeping it going. so heres a little something, my ideas so far, and at the moment im naming characters and working out my storyline. http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,15352.0.html
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 03, 2010, 01:03:42 AM
Just poked my head in and realized no one had welcomed you Sean!  So welcome!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sean 'Bjørn' Blackstone on February 03, 2010, 01:06:45 AM
 :D haha thanks meg.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Panda - Chan on February 22, 2010, 01:21:22 AM
My name is Jasmine, but my Pen Name is Panda - Chan.
I write about all sorts of topics, but mainly dark fantasy. I rarely ever write science fiction, but I would be willing to give it a try.
Most of my stories involve action/violence, romance, and adventure and probably mystery. I make up new races and write about younger characters that are going through hardships and difficulties.
Also, do not get me mixed up with Stephanie Meyer, I hate Twilight and if I write about vampires there is going to be more blood sucking.
My goal is to find a publisher before I'm 16, so I'm trying very hard to finish a legible book and find a publisher.
If you'd like a few examples check here:
http://www.wildacademy.webs.com
http://pandawritings.webs.com
and my live journal is is Twistedpandao_o
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LoneWolf1590 on February 26, 2010, 11:02:21 AM
Hi my name's Matt i'm nineteen years old and a hopefully up-and-coming author. For the past couple years i've been writing this novel that i don't even have a name for yet lol. granted it's my first attempt at a novel i want to hit it home the first time, but i feel that it won't happen right away. I'm trying to create a medieval fantasy world. Jim's books, namely the Codex Alera, have inspired me greatly and I can't wait for april by the way Jim :). Anyway The book is very adult orientated and once it's done i'm going to have to go back through and rewrite some of the battle scenes so that they're not as gory as I have them out to be right now. really the reason i joined this forum is to get some brainstorming feedback because i'm stuck on a few key points that are keeping me from completing the novel. Granted it's short right now but I found i like to think about the beginning and the end of the book, how i want to start it and where i want it to be before it's done. And then I'll fill in everything else as I go. Sounds like a bad way of writing for me but it works i suppose. Any help would be appreciated :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 26, 2010, 03:49:31 PM
Welcome and whatever works.  I've heard that it isn't until the 6th novel that most authors hit a publishing contact--so enjoy the process and keep your brain humming.  There is always the novella of about 20,000 words as an option as well. 

Did you find JBs writer's blog?  If not, when you first click in, look to the right of the forum button and Jim's blog or something like that.  He's got a great 'swampy middle' section. 

And enjoy the site!

Meg
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kali on February 28, 2010, 09:45:44 PM
Y'know what cemented for me that I'll never be able to quit my day job, even if I sell a few books?  Tanya Huff still has to work a day job. How many books does she have out now?  I've read all of them, and loved most of them.  Scary.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on March 01, 2010, 12:08:04 AM
Hey Panda, Panda, Panda!  You going to Fayette?  (This is the Panda from KC area right?  I mean how many pandas can there be in here?)
Y'know what cemented for me that I'll never be able to quit my day job, even if I sell a few books?  Tanya Huff still has to work a day job. How many books does she have out now?  I've read all of them, and loved most of them.  Scary.
  which is why writing for your own pleasure is a vocation not a career for what-- 90% of novel writers? 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KarlTenBrew on March 01, 2010, 10:40:47 PM
  which is why writing for your own pleasure is a vocation not a career for what-- 90% of novel writers? 

Ayup.  And welcome welcome!  Good to see new budding vict*cough* aspiring dreamers ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on March 02, 2010, 01:12:02 AM
Ayup.  And welcome welcome!  Good to see new budding vict*cough* aspiring dreamers ;)
  LOL *handing Brew a brew!* 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Craz on March 02, 2010, 04:22:20 AM
I'm....back?

Yea, okay, it's me. If you don't know me, well, hey, not much to know. My name's Justen(waits for the 'Hi, Justen'), and I write a paranormal series called the American Arcane. The series has a few short stories under its belt, and is currently working on transitioning to a novel form. I'm working on it!

Links are in the signature. ;) Reads and reviews are always appreciated.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ink Slinger on March 02, 2010, 04:28:45 AM
Yay! Welcome back.

So I guess I should say I don't know that I ever hope to be published, but I do write.  So far I've not settled into any particular genre.  I've completed one Urban Fantasy short story, a collaborative novella about superhero teens and my big project on the horizon is about a race of magical beings who walk through/influence/direct dreams.

I'm also a fangirl of Craz's Jake.  :D  Love him.  You should really check out the archives. 

And when I finally figure out how to organize my stuff and where it's going on the interwebs I'll share.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on March 02, 2010, 05:24:15 AM
And a huge welcome back Justen and a hello to his fangirl IS.  I'll drop by and do some catch up reading. 

And my daughter won several debates by quoting the great Dr. Seuss, super sig lady!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ink Slinger on March 02, 2010, 01:12:05 PM
Thanks.  I'm a fan of Dr. Seuss and I'm sure the sig will rotate through many of my favorite quotes of his. And congrats to your daughter.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on March 03, 2010, 04:06:03 AM
Hey all, out of seventy contest entries there were three winners and two honorable mentions....I was one of the honorable mentions.  :-)  Webook.com   give it a try.  Great place to learn.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ink Slinger on March 03, 2010, 12:49:09 PM
'grats Meg!!  *makes not for later in free time*
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: logarithm.and.blues on April 04, 2010, 04:53:34 AM
Ahoy. I'm Charles, and I've been 16 for the past 5 days. I'm working on a story that I started about 7 months ago for the Personal Project, a requirement of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at my high school. I haven't come up with a name for it yet 'cause that's not really important at this point. It's... what I'm pretty sure at this point might be a ripoff of The Dresden Files (which is BAD, and it's really irking me and slowing down progress). The only real difference between my story and The Dresden Files at this point is that the main character is 18 and goes to New York University. At this point, I only have 18 pages (mainly 'cause I've got so much work for the IBMYP). I'm also writing this from scratch without any tips from other writing sites (because I feel that trying to absorb and process all of that information would take a long time and distract me from actually writing the story).
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 04, 2010, 06:01:33 PM
Hi L&B. Best wishes on your writing.  Never fear reading and checking out writer's craft sites or you'll advance at a crawl space.  Over the course of writing a long work you will grow anyway. Don't fear it but enjoy the learning. As to being too Dresden like--you've recogized it so move on. Enjoy the challenging task of creating your own world.  Worldbuilding is hard but so rewarding.  If you get too tangled up then call it a learning fan piece and start imaging your next work. Nice to see you posting in author craft!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Panda - Chan on April 06, 2010, 01:52:18 AM
Hey Panda, Panda, Panda!  You going to Fayette?  (This is the Panda from KC area right?  I mean how many pandas can there be in here?)  which is why writing for your own pleasure is a vocation not a career for what-- 90% of novel writers? 

KC???????

I'm completely lost.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 06, 2010, 03:30:16 AM
Oops more than one panda I guess.  I met someone at a signing in jefferson city...  Was gpoing to book up for the fayette signing.  My bad.  Hope I didn't freak you out.  She loves pandas.  Apologies!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: drza on April 13, 2010, 04:27:28 AM
I feel incredibly accomplished just to be making this post.  I've tried to register to this site several times in recent years, and every time I did I would never get the activation e-mail no matter how many times I requested it.  And there's no 'contact us' link that I could find, so eventually I'd just give up.  But finally, with the third e-mail address that I've tried, I am now officially a member of this board and can respond to some of the threads I've lurked upon.  Woot!

Anyway, on topic, I decided one day to sit down and write out my ultimate series with everything that I like in it.  This was in 1996.  Since then I have brainstormed, written backstories, and gotten to know a whole cast of characters in a world that has changed everything from tone to genre in the last 14 years.  What began as pseudo sci fantasy (that, upon re-reading my earliest notes sounded suspiciously like Star Wars, which I had just read at the time...hmmm) has morphed to medieval high fantasy to non-medieval high fantasy to some combo of all of the above that includes...you guessed it, everything that I like.   The problem was (actually, 2 problems) that a) when I tried to actually start writing the book itself it was harder than pulling my own teeth and b) my life leaves me no time in which to write.

About this time last year, though, I got so frustrated with one of my favorite series to read that I did something that I never thought I'd do...I sat down and wrote out a fanfic scene to mollify myself.  I started thinking about the scene on the way to work, and by the time I actually got to work I could see it so clearly that I just sat down and wrote out what was bursting in my mind.  It took about 2 hours, and I know it needed polishing, but when I got done and read it my first thought was...you know, this isn't bad.  I even let two other people see it (didn't feel comfortable putting a story from someone else's world out there beyond just e-mailing it to a couple of folks), and their reaction was...you know, this isn't bad.  But more importantly, the realization that I actually could write scenes instead of just brainstorming jump started me on writing my own stuff.

Long story short, I've been on (intermittent) fire sense December, and I'm within spitting distance of finishing the first draft of my very first novel.  No idea if it's any good or not, but after almost 14 years of "someday I'm going to write something" I'm pretty jazzed to almost have my foot on the path.  The overarching story is a huge, high fantasy epic set in multiple locations over about 30 years that would take me lots and lots of words over lots and lots of volumes to write.  This particular novel started off as just a lark, an intermission between the early stuff and later stuff I had planned out.  But for the first time the story is just flowing out of me, so now it's taken on a life of its own.  It's got an urban fantasy feel, though it's based in a fantasy world.  The protagonist looks like an everyday Joe, a short kinda chubby guy with glasses.  Only he's got some were-beast/wizard/skin-shifter things going on to keep things interesting.  Oh, and he's been banished from his home land for reasons yet unspecified.  Oh, oh, and there are several groups of very powerful people that have been trying their best to kill him for a very long time.  Oh, oh, oh, and one of those groups has kidnapped his godson.  He'd do anything to protect him...the only problem is, the only options he can come up with are to either kill everyone which causes everyone that he loves to die as well, or to protect all of his loved ones so that the only one that needs die is him...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: belial.1980 on April 13, 2010, 05:28:27 AM
Your story sounds really interesting and I'm eager to find out how it progresses. I think you've come to the right place. This board is an excellent forum to get advice on writing and mingle with bright people who really know what they're talking about. (And guys like me who just toss their $.02 in the jar from time to time.) Welcome aboard!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 13, 2010, 05:42:41 PM
"About this time last year, though, I got so frustrated with one of my favorite series to read that I did something that I never thought I'd do." 

Jim commented that was why he wrote the Dresden Files.  LOL   Welcome and I'm sorry you had such trouble getting 'official' as it were.  Lurkers are always welcome, but if you want to be a member and are having difficulty, then it's time to let Fred Hicks,Prescellie, or Mickey Finn know. You might send one of them a post concerning where the system didn't work for you.   (See member's tab above.)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Tzarii on April 30, 2010, 05:52:40 PM
First of, thank you Jim Butcher for writing an awesome methodology for writing, it has already helped me out.  I wrote my first story in the 1st grade. My first chapter book was the hobbit and Sci Fi and Fantasy have been my favorite books all the time.  I discovered the Dresden Files in 2008 while I was in the army and it got me back into writing again.  The reason for this is in college I gave up writing for a while, mainly because I hated everything I write, and I am probably my worst critic.  No, actually my brother who uses all caps is a little worse than me.   Right now I am working on something a bit Roman a (wish I had fancy a) Clef, based on some research that I encountered in college. Kinda worried about it being in multiple formats (mainly switching between interviews and first person.) 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on April 30, 2010, 07:23:55 PM
... Kinda worried about it being in multiple formats (mainly switching between interviews and first person.) 
  could be cool though.  Best wishes on it.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Grinning Psychopath on June 01, 2010, 06:12:03 PM
Hello uh.

i... am The Grinning Psychopath.

and i am fourteen! i live with my dad, who is a truck driver. and i help him out regularly with his work.

 For the past couple of years, i have been attempting to write up a series. about  a young red haired, Irish woman, Karrin. and her; blond; dead; also Irish half brother, TC. who was born in the sixteen century, and was killed in the seventeenth, (though he still only looks about twenty five)

both are wizards who come from two powerful bloodlines, Condreus & Kreel. two of thirteen ancient bloodlines.


Karrin, is a woman, with a strong sense of morality, and to all outward appearance, is a hardassed, jaded, young woman. in truth she is really quite emotional, and really cares about people, and family, and her love life. She is a Guardian of the High council of wizards, against the necromancers, Strigoi  (A special particularly strong, hard to kill, fast spreading breed of Vampire) and the forces of the Netherworld. and she is stationed throughout most of the series, in San Fransisco. where TC, often aids her, by calling up the spirit of the Emperor.

TC, on the other hand, almost the opposite. he's extremely cynical, and is genuinely somewhat jaded, he's also quite the ladies man, and while he was alive he indulged in a great many different kinds of substances, and his view of what is right and wrong, is somewhat hazy. unless the crime is against a child, or his family.  and as far as he's concerned the Council, can go and hang itself, (This may be because the council. were the ones who killed him in the first place.)





TC helps, his sister. through a multitude of situations.

including demons, parallel universe's, evil versions of themselves from parallel universe's, undead, necromancers, Warlocks, Hellish deities, as well as heavenly ones.

TC is eventually brought back to life. due to a deal he makes, with Satan himself. so that he can save his sister, from a dangerous situation.

TC lives with his sister, for about five, or six books. but is eventually forced, to leave. due to some steadily growing emotions, towards his sister, that are... less than brotherly, and because of it his judgment is clouded, and he makes a few deals he shouldn't have, and tries to kill this holy warrior of god, who doesn't age.

and because of these decisions made by him, Karrin  decides he can't live with her anymore, so he moves to Canada, where he joins the police's special investigations unit, which contains several other wizards, and some warlocks as well.


and so new series there.

an insanely long one in fact. i'm thinking, Karrin's series, would go on, for about 22 books, or so. and TC's series, would go on, for about 30, plus an extra smaller series, about 8 books long.

Throughout most of TC's series he is a drug addict, and that gets him into trouble on multiple occasions, with both the police, and the High Council. what gets him into even more trouble with the council, is that he practices a forbidden form of magic, known as Arcane magic.


TC is kinda the point, you see. i've been trying, to get to him. i thought of him first, he was inspired, by several hours, of sleeplessness, a whole bunch of House episodes, and a good friend of mine, who passed away.



Ive been trying hard to write this series, but i've just been able to write up clips, and stuff of the story, character profiles, Race profiles, that sort of thing, and i got a pretty good idea how the series, about TC is gonna end. least the first one.

and my ability to write, mostly just seems to come out when i'm listening, to music i like. such as Cruxshadows, Within Temptation, Three Days Grace, Evanescence, and Deathstars.
 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 01, 2010, 07:33:42 PM
Wow. Those are some deep well thought out characters for being 14!  I'm impressed!  Sorry about your friend whbo died.  TC seems pretty heavy hitting as main character. What somewhat likeable traits will he have that the reader will identify with and also be empathetic with to keep reader hooked.  Tbey don't have to be likeable but they must intrigue and hold reader.are you caught up on TC so much you are avoiding the sister story?  She's theintriguing one for me. Just make sure she's not being rescued by TC and can do it on her own.  We've got a 250 word thing in here somewhere if you want to float a scene. Welcome!

yep, mis-typed on the crackberry....  I hate that thing...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Grinning Psychopath on June 01, 2010, 10:26:16 PM
Thanks! uh likeable traits of TC.

he's supposed to be charismatic, and quite in love with life. and his moral compass while it may not be up to Dresden's standards, isn't quite so far down that he can be called a bad guy. oh sure i fully intend for him to be, a liar, a thief, a traitor even. but he does care about family, and even whether or not he's going to die without people to mourn his passing, and whether or not he's ever gonna be truly happy, he doesn't think he deserves anyone to mourn his passing, and over the series, he's due to commence battle with his favorite Vice Oxycodone, which could be easily ended at any time, if only Karrin, or another woman who is quite a bit like Karrin, except she's blond. would risk a relationship with him.


and Karrin, well i like her too, but so far all i can concentrate on is TC, its one of the things holding me up.


she is strong, stronger than she even knows in fact, like i said she comes from a powerful bloodline, actually she comes from two powerful bloodlines, as does her brother. Condreus, and Kreel. Kreel is supposed to be among the most powerful, but also among the most corrupt. where as Condreus as well as being powerful, is also supposed to be among the wisest, and the name carries a lot of weight around in the supernatural world, Kreel does too of course, but not usually a good name.


she's so strong in fact, that TC actually erases some of her memories, in order to keep temptation, from the power she's inherited, from overcoming her, and turning her over.



so he won't need to go and save her all the time, in fact in the parallel universe thing, she actually has to come save him! same thing happens when the death of a girlfriend of his, causes him to lose control of his addiction to Oxycodone, and his favorite alcoholic beverage Tequila, she pushes him to go into rehab.


which works for a while, till some particularly bad stuff goes down. Causing him to decided that Synthetic Happiness, while it may be a poor substitute for true happiness, is better than no happiness at all.

oh damn, there i go again, ranting on about TC again, when i should be concentrating on Karrin. *Sigh*

Anyway, Karrin has stuff of her own to go through. such as whether or not to see how a relationship with TC would work out.

How to prevent the Necromancers and Strigoi from forging an Alliance, to destroy the High Council. how to purge the Virus that runs through the veins of the Strigoi. how to prevent a seriously baddass force from breaking through from the Netherworld, and into ours.


then of course there's her love life.

She does love TC, mostly in the normal way a sister does a brother, especially one who's looked after her, in the place of her father, and has taught her most of everything she knows.  but there is a part of her, that Reciprocates his feelings for her.


plus there's that Holy immortal guy i mentioned before, then there's going to be a few more men, One Warlock, one Vampire, and one hispanic Wizard who's the mirror image of TC, in that he's a byronic Hero in almost everyway with many many vices.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Grinning Psychopath on June 02, 2010, 02:52:59 AM
one description i guess of what TC, and Karrin are supposed to do is this.

Karrin is the one who is to save the world, and its people. from complete and utter destruction. and the more she does, the more it costs her parts of her social life, and other parts of her life.

TC is the one who saves the world and its people from corruption, and acts of self destruction. but the more he does, the more corrupt he tends to become.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: belial.1980 on June 02, 2010, 03:22:23 AM
Hey Psycho!

You've got a lot of interesting things going on with your story line. Sounds pretty awesome. Your ideas sound really well thought out. Keep writing! Write every day. Read books about writing. Read books, period. Keep at it and I have no doubt you'll write some really great stories. Good luck!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sihaya on June 07, 2010, 02:41:25 AM
Hi, I'm Sihaya.  I haven't written anything professionally since over fifteen years ago when I was a human interest reporter for the local rag.  Then this spring I went to a talk and signing for Changes, and my head cracked open like an egg.  I'm not writing alot right now - the curse of the SAHM.  I hope to change that over the course of the summer.  I'm frightened that I'll suck.  I'm exhilerated that I'm trying (I've gotten to 400 words per day!  Woot!).  I've got this faintly familiar tickle in my lobes.  Can you get an adrenaline rush from sitting in front of a word processor?  Heheheheheh.  Oh God, I'm such a fool.

Thanks to Mister Butcher for turning me into one of the many dribbling idiots who think that they might have a snowball's chance in hell of writing for money.  Jerk.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 07, 2010, 11:25:04 AM
Your goal is publication?  Write because you must like breathing and enjoy the ride. Welcome!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sihaya on June 07, 2010, 02:36:49 PM
Of course I write because I like it.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 07, 2010, 02:39:44 PM
So cool. Keep us posted. Maybe we need a #amwriting type thread to post wod count or page count or a place to pat each others shoulders for accomplishing goals?  Would that help? 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ink Slinger on June 07, 2010, 02:41:41 PM
Might be a cool thing. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sihaya on June 07, 2010, 08:55:43 PM
Sort of like a NaNo thread?  That would be fun.  I'm still outlining my big idea and doing alot of reading, so my progress bar won't go up for a while.  I just saw this thread as an opportunity to say "Howdy!" in the meantime.  So, uh, howdy.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kali on June 07, 2010, 09:19:40 PM
I'd go for that.  Hey, whatever happened to that 'how to write a synopsis' thread idea you had, meg?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 07, 2010, 09:47:55 PM
Sort of like a NaNo thread?  That would be fun.  I'm still outlining my big idea and doing alot of reading, so my progress bar won't go up for a while.  I just saw this thread as an opportunity to say "Howdy!" in the meantime.  So, uh, howdy.
I've never done NaNo, but you might check in with the #amwriting on twitter.  There are no goals other than personal, but when you feel that 'I'm a lonely writer in the middle of no where and no one understands me."  It's a nice little place to post your progress.  People stick tips in there too for example.

I'd go for that.  Hey, whatever happened to that 'how to write a synopsis' thread idea you had, meg?
Dropped into the drain, they say is my brain. Wait, counting syllables... I made a tiny poem!  I still think it was an excellent idea and will get something posted shortly.  Same with the word count.  We've had several writers mention that they hit a spot and stagnate.  Maybe it will help push them over the hump into smooth writing again.


edited because of my recurring grammar monstrosity of sticking in a da** blasted "  '  " where it doesn't belong.  How come you know it logically, but repeatedly your fingers don't get the message?  What is with that?  Someday my fingers will probably take over my body completely. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: jeno on June 07, 2010, 10:00:58 PM
I know of groups that use their chat rooms to hold Word Wars - at a set time every day (or whenever you feel like opening the room), authors write for a set blocks of time. 35 minutes, take a break, twenty minutes, take a break, forty minutes, etc.

And I notice the JB boards now have chat rooms with channels...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on June 07, 2010, 10:13:09 PM
I know of groups that use their chat rooms to hold Word Wars - at a set time every day (or whenever you feel like opening the room), authors write for a set blocks of time. 35 minutes, take a break, twenty minutes, take a break, forty minutes, etc.

And I notice the JB boards now have chat rooms with channels...
oh wow.  what a wonderful idea!  I'd be willing for a drop by occasionally as the schedule worked out.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Kali on June 07, 2010, 11:54:15 PM
Maybe we could hold something semi-regularly in a writer chat room.  Not even necessarily anything organized, but just a time when everyone knows other people will try to be around.  Otherwise, it's catch-as-catch-can, and people are apt to be the only one in there for as long as they can stand it.

Not that organized stuff would be bad, either.  Like targeted but open discussion.  Hm.  I think I'll start a new thread!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sihaya on June 08, 2010, 04:57:33 AM
Oh wow, these are all great ideas, from the threads with the periodic shoutouts to the chat channel challenges.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Grinning Psychopath on June 10, 2010, 06:13:10 AM
almost twenty three pages of my first book, about Karrin are complete!! i have been writing every day, not always about TC and Karrin. but mostly them. and stretching out my Writing muscles!! *Sighs happily* and I got a new Love interest for Karrin, while doing this!

an older, quite tall, Really quite Athletic Cop, Named Salvo! in his late Thirties! of whom i am thinking about having get turned into a Werewolfe!

got a nifty slightly humorous, explanation. for why everyone thinks, the world is gonna end in 2012 written in there as well! *Sighs happily*

PS does anyone know how long i should leave my 16 gigabyte MP3 player charging?


PPS twenty three pages may not seem like much, but till today, i only had about six pages done. SO Yay for me! i'm beating down that confounded Writer's BLOCK! with the mighty aid of Winterborn! Marylin My Bitterness! Perfect! Here Comes The Rain, & Defender! by Cruxshadows! there to cover my BACK!!


PPPS i'm somewhat stoned on caffeine right now.


PPPPS does anyone have any ideas, of what i should call Karrin's series? i'm just calling it Karrin's turn right now, cause the idea of her came after TC. oh and my ideas for the name of TC's series, would be these. The Virtue to Vice series, & The Virtue Vs Vice series. should i be telling you guys about this? i don't want anyone stealing my ideas here! i'm feeling kinda paranoid right now! anyway let me know which sounds Better The Virtue to Vice series, or the Virtue Vs Vice series.


oh god, i hope no one steals these i got so much planned out! so many tragedies, so much angst, so much starcrossed lovers! so much Byronic Hero characteristics planned out for TC, so many drug's for TC to repeatedly try out, get addicted to, detox from, and overdose on.
Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, LSD, Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxymorphone, Opium, Marijauna, cocaine!



 Oxycodone is gonna be his favorite drug of choice. because if need be he can think through it. he doesn't really like really powerful drugs, like Morphine and Heroin. which he can't think through. but if there is no such need, he can easily just lose himself in synthetic bliss. Oxycodone brings.



i really shouldn't be saying all this, should I? oh well. i need to bounce ideas off someone! and seeing as i am pretty much friendless, and the few friends i do have, don't know jack about writing! YOu guys are all i HAVE! my dad doesn't even really care, i think. course that could just be teenage hormones. but who knows, i certainly wouldn't. i mean, i am a teenager, only 14. with wild, fiery hormones, clouding every decision i make!



my heart's beating like a thousand miles per hour! i took in 200 mgs of Caffeine. just a 100 away from overdose. good lord!

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: prophet224 on June 11, 2010, 08:37:55 PM
Hey all!

My name is Matt.  I'm a software developer and long-time fan of sci-fi and fantasy.  I used to write quite a bit when I was much younger, but I've returned to it in the last year or so.  I have a ton of ideas, certainly, but I'm focused on one novel at this time.  Progress is slow thanks to life interfering, but the wife is very supportive, thank goodness!

This is intended to be the first book in a mid-future sci-fi series, sort of in the vein of Ringo or Weber.  I'm about 46k words in, with a goal of 100-110k.

I thought forum rules said no story ideas, but I see a lot here.  I almost went ahead and put mine, but let's do this instead:
http://www.novusimperia.net/LightReborn.html

Thanks and have a good one!
-Matt
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Grinning Psychopath on June 14, 2010, 01:49:42 AM
I'm still alive & Kicking guys! despite my near overdose on caffeine. and, i am in need of help. i'm still concentrating too much, on TC, and not enough on Karrin. any suggestions, for how i can focus a bit more on her? PS i still can't think of a name, for Karrin's series, some help there would be nice as well.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: prophet224 on June 14, 2010, 02:46:44 AM
Hey there Psycho!  I'll have to go back through the thread to catch up... may I suggest starting a new thread (with your previous info included) down below?  That will probably generate more help, too! :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Romantic Heretic on June 14, 2010, 03:37:20 PM
Oops. Wrong thread.   :(
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Lurline on July 14, 2010, 01:40:41 PM


Hi!

This forum seems to be a great place for authors; I'm glad I found it (of course I also love Jim's books!).

Right now I'm working on my first novel, though I have tons of ideas; it's tentatively called The Ozma Confessions. It's a retelling of the Oz books through the perspective of Princess Ozma. My main fear with this book is that I'll be perceived as ripping off Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West; my book is also a slightly darker political thriller, slash-romance-slash-adventure-slash-self-discovery story, set in the backdrop of Oz, but that is where any similarity ends.

I adhere much more closely to the original Buamian canon then McGuire, though I do make a few diversions and pick and choose which set of Oz rules I'm following.

The book is written through a limited third person voice.

I started on the novel during last NaNo and while I failed the challenge I'm still plucking away at it.

I'll probably drill you guys for some ideas on handling an interesting PoV problem near the books finale a bit later.

Anyway, hiya!  :D

Edit: I hope this isn't too specific on my Novel, from a legal standpoint... after all I didn't mention any of my original ideas; everything I discussed about my book is from the public domain source.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: belial.1980 on July 14, 2010, 03:18:16 PM
Hey Lurline!

Your WIP sounds very cool. Just keep at it and don't give up. This is definitely the place to come for good advice and tips on writing. Welcome!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Thrythlind on July 21, 2010, 08:57:57 PM
hmm, mentioned some of this in my intro, but here goes:

I'm currently a self-published author with four books out (not including my mammoth list of fan fiction stories) and another on the way with a few other ideas.

I'm trying to find an agent or publisher currently, so that I that have some help in publishing my works and don't feel like a louse for mentioning them pretty much everywhere online.

I have a level of popularity in some fanfiction circles, being regarded as having written some of the classics of Ranma fanfiction (boggles my mind, really).  I mostly did fanfiction as a way of getting practice in characterization and planning, experimenting with a particular concept specifically while everything else is set and in reading and reacting to reader comment and criticism.  Last month I had 13,000 hits across all 48 of my stories, from I think about 5,500 visitors. 

I just wish that popularity was easily translated to my original works.....

Anyway, my stories

Greenwater Novels: a serial story (going to go to part 3 and 4 when I finish this current novel) in a high fantasy setting.  The main character is a Ffolk(no, that's not a misspelling) "skinner" from a swamp on the edge of civilized land who leaves home after a scandal when his two closest friends were killed by a rogue animal and people start to suspect him of setting it up.  He volunteers as a scout for military and ends up in the "Greenwater" which is an inland sea roughly the size of Texas out of which grow trees the size of some mountains.  As he arrives, strange things start to happen.  An assassin tries to kill an old man in the company he travels with, a snake-woman holy warrior brings word of some sort of prophecy and madness-causing snakes swarm over several villages.

Greenwater Art: http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#Art-related-to-the-Greenwater-Novels
Links to the books: http://stores.lulu.com/thrythlind

Zodiacs: a gaming project actually, a campaign setting geared to no specific setting that provides information on the cultures, races and magic systems of a continent in the world setting.  Sort of a mish mash of Wu Xia, Samurai and Old West stories.  There's a short-story book that includes my idea of how the first adventure of the example campaign might go for the pre-written characters.

Zodiac Art: http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#Zodiacs

Bystander: Bystander is the series I most want to finish, and the one that is going to be most difficult to get completely out...if I could make a living on writing and write everyday 10+ hours a day, I could get two or three Bystander books done a year, maybe more, but as it stands, I've been developing the main character for more than fifteen years and I'm about 10k words away from finishing the first book.  I don't have the time I'd like to focus on this story. 

Anyway, Bystander is sort of an urban fantasy, on the superhero side of things, most "peaks" live pretty much normal lives and work as lawyers, waiters, construction workers and so forth like any other person.  The main character is Lucretia, no surname, an ex-con peak working as a librarian.  She has the dubious distinction of so far being the world's only(or at least first) "official" supervillain since she had the bad luck to get drunk and see if she was strong enough to break a bank vault one night and the Government wanted to make an example to show that they could handle peaks fine (there was a counter example of a heroic "wereshark" who worked for the navy as a rescue diver...though she's not mentioned first book). 

Lucretia is a quirky sort of character.  She's got the Superman suite, but she's a lousy fighter unable to put much of her strength to good use and her extra visual senses get in the way of her favorite past time: reading history books and spy novels (yes, despite having very real troubles reading, it is her favorite thing).  She's flirty, but is always wearing concealing dresses (granted, they tend to be very tight-fitting) and rarely if ever touches people.  She's a street rat with lots of skill as a lock pick and pick pocket and going unnoticed in crowds and she has a immense talent with reading and manipulating people, but hasn't honed it much yet so she makes mistakes.  She has much more power than she's aware of, but tends to succeed on her skills more than her powers.

The first book involves Lu interrupting a bank robbery (by sabotaging the bad guy's guns) and then several flashbacks showing her 3 years of parole leading up to that incident as the bank robbers turn out to be not your average criminals and decide for a bit of revenge.  That's going to be the catalyst for people deciding that she's not just another "bystander" (superhuman not involved with any of the underground espionage Factions and not trying to do anything on their own) and start having various organizations try to acquire her for research.  As the story progresses, I start getting into the "magical" background of the world setting (there are magicians and such, they just know what causes the superpowers to develop and work and are able to develop more versatile sets of abilities since they're consciously guiding the practice) and on to the eventual end game.

Here's the first chapter: http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#/d1g8iz0
And some art (including some old, old, old versions when Lu had a tail and cat's eyes instead of being what she is now): http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#Bystander-Art

my favorite picture of her isn't up yet, but some key favorites are here:
http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#/d143vaj
http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#/d143s41
http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#/d143rwy
http://thrythlind.deviantart.com/gallery/?56596#/d143r9h
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on August 05, 2010, 05:17:10 AM
My name is Breandán and I am... well, to be frank, I am somewhat of a reluctant writer. While not entirely sure whether I qualify as an aspiring author or not due to that reluctance, I am hoping to publish at least one of the novels I have been working on so that I can get my family and friends off of my back. Seriously, I have the equivalent of a torch-and-pitchfork-bearing mob pushing me to publish books that I wrote merely to get them out of my head. Has that ever happened to anyone else?

Anyway, I write sci-fi with a military/space opera angle to it, though I try not to fall short on character development in the process. I made the mistake of letting a friend read what I had written a while back and- with a maniacal gleam in his eye- he grabbed me by the collar and demanded more. Then he shared it with another friend, and my younger brother read it, then my wife, and on and on... pretty soon it snowballed until I had two dozen people demanding that I write more, and a short story has since exploded into a trilogy of novels. I often find myself writing and asking myself "How the HELL did I get into this mess?"  ;D

Despite the enthusiastic support from friends and family, however, I have yet to submit any of my work to the draconian crucible of literary review by other authors or editors, and while I hope for a positive reaction, I need candid opinions, for good or ill. To that end, this is the prologue and first few chapters of the first book (http://ciarraide.org/pics_n_such/Dark_Nova/The_Calling_of_Heroes_sample.pdf). It is very rough, so be forewarned that this is anything but polished work.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KCK_Sparks on August 17, 2010, 12:13:09 AM
Kansas City Author and Painter here.

My work is Thriller-paced Horror/Fantasy. I believe the story is strong and I must say, I have yet to find a better resource for the nuts-n-bolts of storycraft than Jim's own here.

Would be interested in knowing if anyone is aware of writing groups for people like us in the Kansas City metro area?

I look forward to getting to know you all better,

Jeff in Kansas City
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on August 17, 2010, 03:53:30 PM
Shoot, that would have been a good question to ask of the folks at the signing in Independence.  Hopefully someone will respond!  Welcome Jeff in Kansas City.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ren on August 26, 2010, 04:22:49 PM
Well this sounds like a good place to say hello and ask a question;

Hello! Like everyon else here I aspire to be a writer though I have nothing, not even a short story that has been completed enough to be a short story; no wait there is one I sent into a contest somehwere. Sadly I am easily distracted and have TOO many ideas to write myself but here are some highlights:

A science fiction series set in an alternate universe where startships are made of wood, swashbuckling is the norm and the lead character is a Zombie. It has inadvertantly become a vehicle for a large mportion of sci/fi, fantasy and internet memes (zombies, Pirates, Nonjas, Robots, psychics etc...). Its not very devloped but I have a rough outline.
And its not all about the memes, has intrigue, action, some romance and lots of dirty little secrets.

A near future Multi-generation Superhero story with a Unique (as far as I know) origin story for the super-heroic gifts and a fair mix of intrigues and politics and of course love. This story/setting has been in development of one form or another for close on fufteen years now and I think I've got it down to where I want it to be...but I haven't touched it in some time now.

A modern-day fairy-tale story (of the original brothers Grimm variety) of a group of high-school kids and some fo their teachers stumbling into the a secret haven for strange creatures and beings. All of the characters have a reason for being there and the story ranges across a multitude of mythologies and again more horror, intrigue and politics etc...It's one of my newest and more original ideas.

As an added bonus, for amusement sake, I have a short idea about what would happen if the Greek/Roman, Norse and other Old Gods were reborn in new bodies; the short scene I wrote had Thor and Ares sitting in a beach-bar run by Balor one-eye ogling girls in swimsuits...yes its intended to be humorous, if I ever get anything else written for it.

My best developed and most worked-on series is a pure fantasy series set in a world I've been working on for probably as long as the super-hero story and likewise has gone through MANY incarnations. It's also the only project I've been semi-actively working on of late. Like all of my stories it has elements of intrigue, politics, horror and strained romance. It also includes a moslty full though lost origin story and ancient long-buried and mostly forgotten evils.
And thus we come to my question...almost. In this series there are a number of races based on blendings of humans and other elements whether plant, animal or the elements themselves. Amongst them is a wolf-man species I call the "Canen" and have been fairly happy with their hunter-like nomadic mentality.

Then this year I started reading Jim's Codex Alera and discovered his wolf-man species, the "Canim"...or "Cane" for short. You see my problem? I don't want to have a race that is too similar to Jim's creation, but I don't want to lose them either. At one point they were a Bull-man/Minotaur species called the "Thaur" which I liked well enough, but were too close to Wow's Tauren so I changed it to avoid any possible lawsuits. I'm trying to be as original as possible in my ideas and concepts so I don't want to be coying someone elses ideas, even if I've been workin on my book for a very long time.
Any suggestions on how to handle this? Should I even be worried about it?

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on August 26, 2010, 06:50:06 PM
Personally, I like Thaur.  :-)  Welcome!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ren on August 27, 2010, 03:44:47 PM
Well I like the Thaur as well and they still technically exist in my World as the Thaur and Canen are subspecies of the same overall group of Beast-men. I think I'm going to swap the Thaur back to the more major role, and leave the Canen as a background race for the most part. Except for the Canen Investogator character, because a Hunting-dog detective just makes sense...literally sniff out the criminals!
But I really wanted to avoid the potential for for Cow-related jokes...8P
Granted they could amke a good traitor-race, make them COWardly...*ba-dum, ching*...see what I mean?
Or maybe just perceived as Cowardly because they are for the most part pascifists...except for the males, don't wear red near them...
sigh...good imagination and a love for bad jokes will not a good fantasy novel make...entertaining maybe...but not really the tone I'm tyring to set...
sorry for ranmbling...off I go
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: adamsoa on September 03, 2010, 10:20:00 PM
Hello All,

My name is Andy and I'm still trying to figure out how write that first novel.  I've written several short stories, mostly comedy about my exploits in life.  I occasionally do some things that others find funny. 
I've been an avid reader most of my life and there are few things I enjoy more than a good story.  I've always wanted to write and share some of my imagination with others.  The hardest part is the how.  How to set something up that will make sense to others and allow me to keep up a great flow for the story.
Now that I've decided that I'll figure out the how as I go, I'm working on my first novel.  I'll let you know how its working out as I go.

 
 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 04, 2010, 03:07:05 AM
adamsoa, welcome.  the best advice I've heard is write, write, write...  everything else will come as you explore the craft, read up on it.  we always point people to Jim's writing blog, which is an excellent place to begin.  enjoy!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Josh on September 13, 2010, 08:37:26 PM
Josh Vogt here, fantasy author who has recently signed on with Folio Literary Management. My agent and I are prepping an urban fantasy novel called Enter the Janitor to send it around to publishers in the coming month.

Great to be here!

JRVogt.com
The Fiction Writer's Virtual Toolbox - 150+ links to tools and resources for writers
Follow on Twitter @JRVogt
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 13, 2010, 10:31:04 PM
Josh Vogt here, fantasy author who has recently signed on with Folio Literary Management. My agent and I are prepping an urban fantasy novel called Enter the Janitor to send it around to publishers in the coming month.

Great to be here!

JRVogt.com
The Fiction Writer's Virtual Toolbox - 150+ links to tools and resources for writers
Follow on Twitter @JRVogt


Welcome, added you to my tweet, but I hope that you'll shortly be moved into the Published Author on board section!  What wonderful news and Folio is an excellent agency!  Well done! 

If you are willing to share your query that got the agent lined up, please do so!  Just create a new thread that says..."Query that Worked!" and give us the behind the scenes scoop?  How many agents did you query?  Did you write the dreaded synopsis?  Had you met the agent previously?  Did you have a referral or climb straight up the slush pile?  Just how many manuscripts did you write before this successful one?  And JUST how many revisions did you agonize through before being accepted--and then what about that 'revisions the agent requested' go? 

I'm sure you will have people lining up to ask you questions, if you are willing.  If you have a writer's blog where you've discussed this--all the better.

Forgive me.  Just call me the Parana sponge... That's what I call myself!  Thank you so much for posting!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Josh on September 14, 2010, 03:48:38 AM
Hi Meg! Thanks so much for the warm welcome. Yes, it'd be marvelous if I got to put a post in the Published Author board. Maybe, if all goes well, that'll be updated in the next few months. Who knows?

In the meantime, I will get over to the Query that Worked section and provide some more detailed info on how the whole agent things came about.

I do have a blog, which you can either access through www.JRVogt.com or JRVogt.blogspot.com. I'm also on Twitter most days, and would love to make some new connections and answer any questions folks have.

Lastly, my website also has a recently updated Fiction Writer's Virtual Toolbox, which, as you can see in my signature, includes 150+ links to writing craft and business resources I've collected over the years (a couple links to Jim's writing posts are included). I hope all that is some help to start.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: GreenInBlack on November 23, 2010, 01:13:02 AM
Evening, folks.

I'm an aspiring writer from Michigan, and I'm in the process of working on a series of books based in ever-notorious city of Detroit.

For my first book, it centers on the life and trials of the hunter (and high-talent wizard) William Ashton as he tries to help people who don't trust the Watchers, a UN-created policing organization, to protect them from the mortals (and para-naturals) that walk the darkened alleys of the world.  Hell, Will doesn't really care for them either, even though he used to be a Watcher himself.

Now a freelance hunter, Will ends up being kidnapped and given an offer he can't refuse.  If he can find and bring to justice an assassin hellbent on killing the vampire Queen, he'll be given enough money to have his comatose sister looked at by the best doctors in the world, to find out what put her in said coma (which he feels personally responsible for, since it happened while he was on a case as a Watcher and hence his leaving the Watchers).

However, there are a lot of different people that seem to be interested in making sure that Will doesn't accomplish this task, ranging from rogue wizards to repentant vampires and even a rock band interested in recruiting him to be their lead guitarist.  What's a wizard/hunter/guitarist to do?

Be the good guy, stop the bad guys.  It's a simple plan.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Terminalvelocityturkey on November 23, 2010, 02:40:15 AM
Names Brad, from Texas. I've been dabbling with writing for a long while now but yet to try getting published, but I think this is the one I'm going to give it a shot.

 Basic setup is magic, a re-imagined mash-up of Quetzcoatl, 2012, and a new dystopia. Just a few of the little ideas that I have weaving in and out of my plot line which, with the problems I have in mind for my protagonist, Alexander Walker, will hopefully stretch across a nice little set of books. :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on November 23, 2010, 07:12:14 PM
welcome to TVT and GNB!  You'll find this a great place to hang and we'll be happy to hear more about your work as they progress.   Sorry for the shortness of this, holidays are calling, and my own work is hitting a critical mass before shipping off.  *read intense angst* :-) 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: GreenInBlack on November 24, 2010, 07:17:56 PM
Thanks for the welcome!

I'm gonna have to go with a quick post, too... family and turkey and writing... not always a good combo, but whattya do, right?

Happy Turkey Day, all!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: reg varny on January 07, 2011, 11:26:24 AM
Chance would be a fine thing. Head full of ideas, but three jobs to pay for my daughter's education, plus martial art training, dog walking and mild ADHD get in the way. Very slowly working on a short story / spin off from Robert E Howard's Worms of the Earth, for my own interest and practice.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on January 07, 2011, 08:12:07 PM
Not sure if this counts, but I've made my crazy 2010 NaNoWriMo entry available for purchase through the CreateSpace site as well as through Amazon--principally so I could get extra copies for friends and family members, but hopefully a few of you guys will check it out and give me feedback as well:
https://www.createspace.com/3533376

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on January 08, 2011, 04:18:13 AM
A few sample pages Liz?  It, before I pop the card? Sound like something I'd really like.   Meg
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on January 08, 2011, 04:30:05 PM
A few sample pages Liz?  It, before I pop the card? Sound like something I'd really like.   Meg

Meg:  I'll try and get a preview up in the next day or so and link to it...still figuring the site out. ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on January 08, 2011, 10:45:56 PM
Here's alink to a sample scene from Chapter One:
https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1076031
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: RelicMaster on January 12, 2011, 06:38:43 AM
I am a writer in Kansas.

My first book is called "The Vampire's Chalice." It is about a sorcerer named Marvin Underwood who is living as a hermit in the Rockies. He rescues a boy from a falling boulder and later finds out that the boy, Tommy, is the grandson of Marvin's old army friend from seventy years ago. Tommy tells Marvin that his grandfather, Leon has been kidnapped because they thought he knew where Marvin lived. Tommy then tells Marvin that Leon told him where to find Marvin and tell him that the Relic Guardians were about to awaken. (The Relic Guardians are people that tried to use the powers of seven ancient relics only to be consumed by them.) Marvin realizes that it is very important to find the person who would become the Relic Master. The Relic Master is the only sorcerer who can control all of the relics of power.

Marvin then finds out that Leon made a map to show exactly where each RelicGuardian would appear when they appeared and in return for the map Marvin is forced to take Tommy with him. Only to later discover that Tommy may be a very important person after all.

I am planning on writing a whole seven to eight book series with Marvin, Tommy, and a few people from Marvin's past, traveling around the world looking for the Relic Guardians and getting the relics from them.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: SuperflyMD on January 15, 2011, 02:31:52 PM
Have you inished book one yet?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: RelicMaster on January 15, 2011, 04:56:50 PM
Yes actually I have finished book one and I am in the middle of Chapter 2 in book 2.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MrWiggles on February 05, 2011, 12:06:45 AM
I'm working on a comic!

A shonen high martial arts comic. It was originally planned to be a web comic, but my other author and arist sorta, poofed on me, so now I'm writing it, and going to be sending if off to various indy comic publishers.

For those who dont know what a shonen high mart arts comic, is, DBZ is probably the most prolific known example I can point to, and pull from.

The story is about Kyle, Zak and Rush primarily, and the affects of hero'ing has on them.
For Kyle, it defeats his own cynicism, and makes him take responsibility for not only his own action, and own to his potential.
For Rush, it embitters him towards everyone and makes him paranoid and spiteful toward the world.

They do this, while they fight off an alien invasion, a coup to take over the world, and a demon that nearly kills everyone.

It ends with one of the three main characters dying at the hands of another one.

-Overall, I'm outlining completely, before I start writing out the scripts.

Here is my overview outline,
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfb9vxvt_32f838g4f2

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 07, 2011, 05:28:18 PM
Hey Wiggles, lovely post, but I think you should pull the website to your outline. Just a little too much intellectual content there? Mickey is really cautious about this and I tend to always lean on whatever side he takes.  Better to be more cautious that feel like an a** later...

Best wishes on your writing. I love the image!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on February 07, 2011, 09:32:16 PM
Very cute illustration!  He looks kind of the way I always envision Nobby Nobbs of Discworld. :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 07, 2011, 10:19:18 PM
Very cute illustration!  He looks kind of the way I always envision Nobby Nobbs of Discworld. :)
So Liz, love your cover.

How does it feel to know that when a reader goes to Amazon.com to books and types in "Crooks beh" and your book autofills? That's gotta be a thrill. But no reviews yet? Well early days.  Everyone support a friend, buy it, and then fricking write up a review for her?!?!?

I am.

Hugs Liz.  I would have blatantly cut and pasted the wonderful first paragraph but not sure it was really, uhm, legal?  LOL. Meg
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MrWiggles on February 08, 2011, 02:30:49 AM
Hey Wiggles, lovely post, but I think you should pull the website to your outline. Just a little too much intellectual content there? Mickey is really cautious about this and I tend to always lean on whatever side he takes.  Better to be more cautious that feel like an a** later...

Best wishes on your writing. I love the image!

Not terribly no.
The Hero Saga outline, is 1839 words long, compared to 1889 overview outline linked above. The more detailed outlines, are page by page goals, and contain way more notes. Thats also where I am trying to leave issues an appropriate length in page number.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on February 08, 2011, 02:40:33 PM
Thanks for the very kind endorsement, Meg!  And yes, feel free to cut and paste the opening paragraph (or I can do it if the site won't allow you to.)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 08, 2011, 04:25:48 PM
Thanks for the very kind endorsement, Meg!  And yes, feel free to cut and paste the opening paragraph (or I can do it if the site won't allow you to.)
site won't let me...  Can you?  that would be cool. I ordered it yesterday from amazon.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on February 08, 2011, 09:15:19 PM
Here you go:
"Jessamy Cameron Finch was just shy of thirty years old; he had brown hair and sleepy blue eyes and the kind of features that women often called ‘sensitive’, much to his annoyance.  That he was currently sitting naked on a twelfth-story ledge in the middle of an ice storm in February was a different kind of annoyance, one which Jess was forced to admit had been his own fault..."
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 09, 2011, 05:12:22 PM
see, buy it and read it! I can't wait to get it!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Wordmaker on February 09, 2011, 10:48:39 PM
My name's Paul Anthony Shortt. I've recently finished my first full-length novel and I'm working on my second. Currently doing the grunt-work trying to find an agent right now, and submitting some short stories for a few open-call anthologies.

I write primarily urban fantasy. The one I've just finished is set in New York, about a man who starts remembering past lives and investigates a series of murders which have been happening over a period of 200 years.

My new one is about a young delinquent who is sentenced to carry out community service and winds up working for a modern-day knight in a world where magic is real and common knowledge.

I have a blog here (http://paulanthonyshortt.blogspot.com/) where I talk about things to do with my writing and lessons I've learned. I'm also on Facebook.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 09, 2011, 10:53:22 PM
welcome Wordmaker! I hope you won't lurk, but will be an avid poster in our little corner of the JB universe!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on February 10, 2011, 03:13:16 AM
Very cute illustration!  He looks kind of the way I always envision Nobby Nobbs of Discworld. :)

Er...remember that Nobby actually carries a note from the doctor saying he's human.
that young man is much too good looking for that.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Wordmaker on February 10, 2011, 01:05:04 PM
Thanks, I'll do my best!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on February 10, 2011, 02:20:35 PM
Er...remember that Nobby actually carries a note from the doctor saying he's human.
that young man is much too good looking for that.
Very true ;)
@ Wordmaker:  Those both sound like really interesting premises--good luck with them!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MrWiggles on February 10, 2011, 04:29:59 PM
Er...remember that Nobby actually carries a note from the doctor saying he's human.
that young man is much too good looking for that.
Kyle might need one later on. He sorta looses his hand and few other things. The hand gets eaten and the bones get sent back to him as a necklace.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 10, 2011, 06:06:45 PM
Kyle might need one later on. He sorta looses his hand and few other things. The hand gets eaten and the bones get sent back to him as a necklace.
  ooooh!  fun!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Nickeris86 on March 16, 2011, 01:54:46 AM
I'm not sure if this qualifies for this section but here goes.

I have my BA in creative writing from Humboldt State University and have two books in the works. One is a Scifi novel about humanities first contact in the near future focusing on the main character who is the apitamy of average but has to become a hero as the poo hits the space fan.

the second is a sword and sorcery type novel focusing on necromancy while challenging the usual archetypes.

i also have a a fashion blog called http://free-thinkers-fashion.blogspot.com/ (http://free-thinkers-fashion.blogspot.com/) which i am trying to do as a profession.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on March 16, 2011, 03:06:07 AM
welcome Nick!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on May 06, 2011, 12:18:55 PM
Well, last night I took a first step and sent my query letter off to Query Shark.  Looking forward to being ripped to shreds!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 06, 2011, 03:14:50 PM
Send me a copy to meg_evonne@yahoo.com, if you like. I feel like a semi-pro query reader these days.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on May 06, 2011, 06:38:22 PM
Thanks Meg, I'll be happy to. :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on May 07, 2011, 05:41:13 AM
Meg, would you mind if I did the same? The RPG has had me sidelined from finishing the editing and such of the novel, so it wouldn't be any time soon, but we're about to publish it which will free me up to finish by July.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 07, 2011, 02:35:55 PM
For reviewing your query or your manuscript? No problem with the query, but I've severely limited my manuscript reads unless I get equal pages back with equal detailed crit.

Feel free to send query or 30 pages of manuscript whenever however!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Ramenth on May 13, 2011, 08:01:28 PM
Hey everyone. Some how I managed to miss this forum in my life as a lurker on the boards, but, now that I've seen it...

I'm just finishing up my BA in creative writing from UCSC and have been hard at work on an Urban Fantasy/Legal Thriller hybrid that will hopefully get finished (in early draft form) by mid summer.


So... yeah. That's me. I have no life outside of that until the school year ends.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on May 14, 2011, 12:33:57 AM
Life, life?  What is this LIFE you speak of?? ::)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 14, 2011, 12:16:55 PM
Rameth: I'm just finishing up my BA in creative writing from UCSC and have been hard at work on an Urban Fantasy/Legal Thriller hybrid that will hopefully get finished...


Welcome and as a huge grisham and new lincoln lawyer fan, I can't wait for this series. As far as I know, it sounds like fresh exciting genre mix.

Oh, and get a life.  It will greatly improve your writing!!  Hugs.  We can't live on words alone.  Feed your craft with life, even at the end of school years.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Nicodemus Carpenter on May 15, 2011, 11:00:07 PM
Newbie here.  Came here because I'm starting to write again after a long break and I was checking out some of my favorite authors for writing advice.  Finding Jim's livejournal was almost enough to convince me that there is a loving God, and then I find there's even a writing community on the site itself. 

As for myself, I'm a twenty-six year old male who's dabbled with writing in the past but never really put in the required effort to complete a story to my satisfaction.  The series I'm working on now has been bubbling in my noggin for about 6 years in one form or another, and I finally feel like I have a solid enough grasp on the world, the backstory, and the destination to get to work on a first draft. I'll definitely come to seek help here when I start running into problems.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 15, 2011, 11:32:08 PM
Welcome, and come to share your own knowledge with us. Creativity doesn't need a degree; just brain cells that spark! A comment you share on an idea might spark the next great book, and likewise, someone may fire up your brain cells on a dark and hopeless night.  

We write not because we want to do so on a whim; we write because we must.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on May 16, 2011, 01:55:52 AM
Well, it's not a novel, but the RPG I wrote is now published, just hit the printers last night and should be shipping out in two weeks. So, I am officially published... sorta :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 16, 2011, 03:54:40 AM
Yippeee! And, yes, I think that counts in my book. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on May 16, 2011, 02:03:04 PM
there's some fourty pages of in-character setting and background that I wrote for it before one even hits the rules, so I got to go a little nuts, it was fun :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Romantic Heretic on May 17, 2011, 03:06:23 PM
Well, it's not a novel, but the RPG I wrote is now published, just hit the printers last night and should be shipping out in two weeks. So, I am officially published... sorta :D

Well done.

I designed one myself a couple of decades ago. It was never published though.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on May 17, 2011, 06:37:38 PM
Maybe it's time to trot it out, dust it off, tune it up, and see what can happen.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: WizardJay on May 19, 2011, 05:16:11 AM
Hi, my name's Andrew, but everyone calls me Jay. I'm mostly a science-fiction/fantasy writer, and haven't done much beyond some short stories and a lot of notes for fuller ideas. I'd love to be able to show some of that off, get some constructive criticism.

I've always liked telling stories. The first story I "wrote" was in second grade, and is what I now know is referred to as an "interquel:" in this case, filling in the story between the movies Peter Pan and Hook. On reflection, this was an auspicious omen for how my storytelling style would proceed…

Since then, I've tried and failed to work on numerous stories, covering everything from lost worlds to time travel and multi-universal epics. I've currently got a bunch of ideas bubbling in my head, including:
The Covenant Wars, a deconstructive fantasy epic.
Mad Ventures, what I call a "fusion punk fantasy" about a world torn apart by magic and mad science.
Sojourner, a science-fiction space opera.
LUNAcy/i will survive, a science fiction survival horror story.
And a whole bunch of other stuff, which does not bode well for my poor stories that will never get told.

It's a bit hard to nail down my style or my likes. I like fantasy settings where the magic has rules, but the protagonists (and villains!) can figure out how to turn those rules to their advantages. I like things to be explained or justified, and if there's one thing that bugs me it's someone saying "It's magic! I don't have to explain it!": if you're not going to explain it, at least justify why it can't be explained. I like protagonists who get ahead through thinking and planning, not through deus ex machina. And, well, the ability to let people be AWESOME. If I can justify someone resurrecting a dragon or dual-wielding a death ray and a magic wand or an army of cybernetic demons battling psychic knights in powered armor, then I'll do it.

As for how I'd like to improve, I'd like to at least write and complete something. I'd like to refine my style so it feels more natural and not so purple-prosey. I want to be able to write stuff that can make people laugh and cry. I'd like to write stuff that people like. And I'd like to write stuff that I like. That may be my biggest problem, that I'm my own worst critic who sometimes can't see what people like in what they've read. I suspect that my confidence issue is what needs to be conquered before I can improve much, but hey, admitting you've got a problem is the first step to fixing it, right?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on May 19, 2011, 08:46:27 PM
Maybe it's time to trot it out, dust it off, tune it up, and see what can happen.
ESPECIALLY these days, when RPGs have largely been homogenized into D20 system or similar variants by a handful of companies. I miss the 80s, with the ten-frillion independent game systems and companies. There's a market for that sort of de-centralized and diversified product field again

WizardJay- One thing I was forewarned about a long time ago is this: its perfectly fine to diversify your own writing genres and even styles, but make sure each book falls into an easily-defined millieux, even if it has elements of others. For example, the first Dark Nova novel has elements of military sci-fi, adventure, a bit of romance, etc., but I had to pick one for marketing aspects. Thus, it was reclassed as a military sci-fi novel due to the majority focus being on the conflicts involved. Sounds like you have a pretty wide variety of genres to work from, so you'll probably have classifications from "Science-Fantasy" to "Steampunk" from the sounds of it :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 20, 2011, 12:15:08 AM
WizardJay, try a novella. Make it 20,000 words. Put a 'finished' in your repetroir and see where that leads. Have trouble getting that wrapped up, then go with a short story. it is important to get from point A to point Z in order to test all the sections of a completed story.

I agree with Breandan if you are looking for something to market, but first completed works, which follows many rough drafts rarely go to market anyway. If you are writing to learn and your goal is complete something--then take what you want to do and finish it up.

Keep us posted and happy writing! 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: pjones31 on May 29, 2011, 09:21:58 AM
I have written one book in the fantasy genre, but to be honest it was a disaster lol It was not thought through, and it ended up being half-baked as far as subplots and character development. I tried to cram too much into one book, and it was around 400 pages long. So, long story short I have decided to re-do the whole thing lol I also write in the horror genre and am about 200 pages into a book there. Lastly, I'm writing another high fantasy novel that I just began but am extremely excited about and have been working on it nonstop. I have a ton of ideas, and I am putting forth a lot of effort. People have told me that I have a considerable amount of talent, but that I rush myself due to excitement. I guess I am just looking for opportunity to come knocking so I can actually get someone to read something of mine and say, "Wow. That was pretty good."
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 29, 2011, 12:19:31 PM
Wait. People say you rush due to excitement? And think it is a fault?  Most people never get their stories down into rough draft. I say ride the excitement. Get your 'crappy' or 'shitty' draft complete. Then comes the hard work of several revisions and then more revisions.  Also, I heard once that it's usually the fifth or sixth complete (after revisions) novel that finally is worthy of being published.

Before reworking your first novel,  maybe decide if its worthy of your time revisioning.  Nothing wrong with delving into that second work--unless you are avoiding those subsequent and difficult drafts. 

Happy writing and keep us posted.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on May 31, 2011, 10:45:54 PM
Well, I can't say for certain that it is a record-setter, but it would appear that I am now published (http://ciarraide.org/dark_nova/images/game_manual_size1.jpg) as a part of what has to be one of the top three thickest RPG game manuals in history (http://ciarraide.org/dark_nova/images/game_manual_size2.jpg)  ;D

....oops?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on May 31, 2011, 11:36:25 PM
Way to go!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Gadzuric on July 12, 2011, 07:26:37 AM
Knowledge and learning accumulated day by day, not to seek fun.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on July 13, 2011, 03:30:44 PM
ahh come on. If it wasn't some fun, you wouldn't do it, right?

Hang in there, Gadzuric. Stop in again so you can begin to remove that 'lurker' handle! LOL

Check out the game section. We've a couple fun ones that I like, "corrupt a wish" "answer with a book title" and so on. Also there is a thread where you can post what you've written word count wise or whatever pertaining to your work. Please do not post your actual work, but everything else is a go! It's nice to know that your passion of writing is shared by others and that you have a place to say, "Hi, I'm out here working away."
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: 1eyedjack on July 29, 2011, 04:19:19 PM
Hi, my name's Sean.  I'm rather new to the writing scene in terms of output that people actually see, but I've been writing for I guess over a decade.  I tend to drift towards either science fiction or fantasy and I try not to combine them.  I'm certain that writing is the way to go but it is difficult to hold onto that notion with a handful of bills so naturally I fall behind on my writing often.  

I've been writing a science-fiction story recently involving themes of madness, isolation, conspiracy, and a little bit of quantum physics.  I very nearly posted a story idea, but then I read the rules again.  I very nearly posted a sample, but then I READ THE RULES AGAIN.  I like stories about heroes who are intelligent, but not all knowing.  I like Batman but not Superman.  Maybe soon I'll dig up a blog if nothing else and post samples there.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on July 29, 2011, 06:01:25 PM
If someone wants to read your stuff Sean you can always do it in PMs or private messages that way it's not out openly on the forum to maybe mess up JBs stuff.
You just ask if anyone is interested and to PM you - then go from there.  I think that's okay.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: 1eyedjack on July 29, 2011, 07:39:17 PM
Snow,

It is difficult to ask for criticism while at the same time not sounding desperate for attention.  I know absolutely no one on the board so I'll try lurking and posting a bit to get to know folks before opening up with content.  If interest occurs then swell but I'm not going to shove my work down people's throats.  Thanks for the advice on PMs though, I appreciate it.  I'd also love to read anything that anyone has even if all I have to offer is a theatrical background and a talent for spelling in terms of criticism.  I can also display praise in a modestly acceptable vocabulary.  So, Snow, I guess I'm asking if I may read any work you've written or if nothing else a pointed finger at someone whose work you like on the board. 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on July 30, 2011, 12:50:41 AM
Snow,

It is difficult to ask for criticism while at the same time not sounding desperate for attention.  I know absolutely no one on the board so I'll try lurking and posting a bit to get to know folks before opening up with content.  If interest occurs then swell but I'm not going to shove my work down people's throats.  Thanks for the advice on PMs though, I appreciate it.  I'd also love to read anything that anyone has even if all I have to offer is a theatrical background and a talent for spelling in terms of criticism.  I can also display praise in a modestly acceptable vocabulary.  So, Snow, I guess I'm asking if I may read any work you've written or if nothing else a pointed finger at someone whose work you like on the board. 

Very true 1eyedjack.  But on this forum a lot of people are trying to write so we're pretty benevolent with beginners and others.  But it is a good idea to get to know people first.  Glad to be of help.  Hey a theatrical background is good and a talent for spelling is real good.  Some people, me included, sometimes forget about spell check - which doesn't help if you've spelled it right but it's the wrong word.
As for looking at my work.  I have some stuff I am working on but, like you, I'd like to get to know you better first if that's okay?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on July 30, 2011, 09:57:36 AM
1eyedjack and you have a theatre background? Dang and here I was hoping you were a quarter horse person. LOL. One eyed jack is an old and famous quarter horse....
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on July 30, 2011, 04:38:06 PM
I didn't know that ME.  I was really into horses as a kid but oddly enough thoroughbreds.
My background is actually the movie Industry.  Miniature maker, carpenter, dresser.
I've had a couple of script writing classes.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Aminar on August 22, 2011, 01:31:48 PM
My name is Aminar, if you find Aminar somewhere else it;s probably me.
As a kid I never thought about being a write, I'm too practical to bank on a pipe dream.  Then I got involved in this thing called DaishoCon, it's a little tiny anime con in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin.  My friend from elementary school bullied me into helping.  One of our guests was an author from the area that I'd never heard of.  He had 1 book that was supposedly pretty damn good, so I picked it up.  If you haven't heard of The Name of the Wind then get to a bookstore and find it. 
When I met Pat Rothfuss I became an instant fanboy, what he did with his book and his personality were both amazing.  Then he told me about The Dresden Files and I wound up reading those.
What Jim does with plot is amazing, the episodic books with the overarching plot is great.  Between Jim and Pat I learned that  wanted to be a writer.  It took me 3 years to find a concept I could stick with and thus the world of Vaicea was born.
What I wanted was to take everything great about High Fantasy(original world creation) and Urban Fantasy(modern setting, grittier feel, and the ability to travel like we do today; and mangle them until I came out with something cool.
All of the magical peoples in my world are based on other things, but by and large they aren't myth.  I've instead taken influences from the things that I truly love.  Video Games, music(and my synestesia), Dinosaurs, Elementalists, Alice in Wonderland, Comic books, how utterly terrifying ants are when you look at what they can do, and made what amounts to a modern day super hero's with roots in fantasy setting, except that the best part of Urban Fantasy is when it's covert.  It's more of a spygame played by the few people gifted with supernatural powers. 
One of my favorite decisions was to have the series plot be unified by the antagonist, but the POV characters shift every book, allowing me to have more diverse locations.  The POV characters will not always be good guys, nor is the antagonist entirely a bad guy(evil yes, bad no).  This idea was spawned by the question, why does everything big that we get to see happen in Chicago?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on August 22, 2011, 03:08:18 PM
Welcome Aminar!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Oldish poet on September 07, 2011, 03:29:44 PM
Hi, my names Jim. I don't write fantasy but I have written and published poetry over the last 4 or 5 years. Happy to share my triumphs and disappointments with anyone who might have an interest.

TC
Jim
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 12, 2011, 11:49:40 PM
Hello Poet Jim!  put some music on, pour a drink. And make yourself at home! You might hook up with Blaze's posts. She's a kindred poet. I believe.  :-)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 21, 2011, 12:03:50 PM
Evenin' all.

Hi, I'm Marigold (call me Mari) and though I'm currently an animation student what I reeeaaallly want to be is a writer. :B

Been wanting to write for a living ever since I read the the Hobbit at... age Nine I think. >.> After that came Harry Potter, the Lord of the Rings, HG Wells, Dragonlance, Stephen King and eventually of course, The Dresden Files. <3

I simply inspired by the stories and the worlds and from then on I just wanted to tell stories and keep on telling them. It hasn't changed much over the years and despite the long shot I'm determined to get there. I really started considering writing seriously towards the end of high school. It was something that kept me sane during times of stress or worse, well that or reading.

I read all the time. I love reading though recently save for a few I've become annoyed by the fact that I'm not seeing the stories I want to see, whether it's because it'll be an interesting idea or because I want it to fill a niche or subvert a trend. That or I have a character of a concept bouncing around in my skull that demands to be let out. It's actually starting to get pretty loud in here.

I've written a number of short stories, one of which has one an award \o/, I've dabbled in fanfiction and I've become really interested in a number of certain ideas and themes I want to play with.

Right now I'm plotting my first novel which I plan to start working on for Nanowrimo. It's fairly big; big enough for a series and there's so much detail I need to sort out before November rolls in, but I have a damn good feeling about it. It feels solid and interesting and there's plenty of room to play. First person fantasty anyone?

I love playing with urban Fantasy, Sword and sorcery fantasy, steampunk and maybe a brief venture into science fiction.

Funnily enough, running around studying animation has really helped me consider story telling methods and such. It's been a great help.

Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 22, 2011, 02:14:37 AM
Welcome! Do you think that the mind working in animation mode helps your writing because it forces you to think in 3D? Interesting...  Good luck with the writing project.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 08:02:27 AM
Thanks!
Well when animating we can afford to waste time or space, and it's constantly getting beaten into us that everything must serve the story from framing to mis en scene to colour and sound. it it gets to be a habit. :B

All I know is my understanding of storytelling seems to be clearer.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 08:16:04 AM
Er, do you mean that you can't waste time and space, MT?

In script writing we're constantly told - show it don't say it.  And the more senses you bring to a scene the more vivid it is and the more it will stick with people.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 08:18:09 AM
Lol, pretty much.

Yes, exactly. It's the same thing really.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 08:24:39 AM
I was on a panel once about writing scripts.  I was the person who was working on and trying to sell a script.
(Still working on that.  Deep sigh)
The other people were professionals.  One of them was a producer on an upcoming RoboCop movie.  I don't remember which one.
I commented about the showing not saying but I also said that you can give indications of a characters nature with things like costume.  Say you have a character that's cold emotionally.  You put him in greys, blacks, blue greys, and blues.  If the people around him are in warm colors then unconsciously people will think he is cold.
The RoboCop guy looked at me and sorta murmured - I'd never thought of that.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 08:27:52 AM
lol, really?
We get that hammered into us constantly. It's one of the things we have to consider at every turn.

So well done!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 08:43:11 AM
Gosh thanks.
Well, I come from an art background so I tend to think about that kind of stuff.  Producer is busy trying to get the film off the ground and done on time and on budget.  And some producers are not particularly artistic in the sense that you and I are.  Trust me - I've heard a few horror tales.

While this is about writing it does illustrate the Production/upper echelon mind set.
It comes from a book called - A Martian wouldn't say that!  ROTFLMAO
These are honest to goodness memos that were sent to the writer's of various scripts.
Memo from Studio: We have a black person in the cast but what you have him saying in your script does not indicate that he's black.
Memo from writers and company: That's what we intended.
Memo from Studio: But how will the audience know he's black?

There are others equally as dumb.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 08:58:12 AM
No worries. :D
Mmm, it's a pity really since it does help.

What... What? WHAT? that the?.... Good God man! Really? ROFLMAO
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:01:02 AM
No worries. :D
Mmm, it's a pity really since it does help.

What... What? WHAT? that the?.... Good God man! Really? ROFLMAO

REALLY - I kid you not.
By the by, I'm a girl just to let you know.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:02:41 AM
... Bloody hell.

Oh I guessed. "Good god, man." Just comes from Dr McCoy from Star Trek. It's a thing I say.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:07:12 AM
Ah, no problem them.
"Dammit Jim - I'm a doctor not a plasterer!" ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:08:10 AM
Eeexactly!  Sorry. Huge Star Trek fan so I tend to quote McCoy a lot.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:09:59 AM
Again no problem. ;D
I'm a fan too.
Been a fan for years.  Heck used to work for David Gerrold.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:10:48 AM
Really? Cooooooool!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:15:46 AM
Really.  Boxing up Tribbles and copies of his books. ;D
Lots of Tribbles.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:16:39 AM
ENVY.
But cool
I love Tribbles. :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:19:19 AM
Me too but then I've always been fond of science fiction stories with a good sense of humor in them.
Reteif, Earthman's Burden, The Witches of Karres.
That's one reason I like the Dresden Files - JB has a great sense of humor.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:20:51 AM
Same here, really. It was one of the things that got me to buy Storm Front.

I'll look up those books though. Always up for more to read.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:29:31 AM
I think Keith Laumer did the Reteif series.  Though not funny his BOLO series also known as the Dynachrome Brigade is very good.  About giant tanks with AI.

Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson did - "Earthman's Burden" about the Hoka's aka The Demon Teddybears.
You'll laugh yourself silly.  They aren't really demons they're just very, very, very, very, very enthusiastic about things.  Think a whole planet of Cosplayers who get everybody involved in their reality.

James Schmitz did The Witches of Karres.  One of the few men (JB does it too) who could write good female characters.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:31:26 AM
Demon Teddy Bears? Oh lords... XD That sounds hilarious!

Oh yes! I love writers that can write good female characters! Definitely going onto the list!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:39:03 AM
Yeah the poor human who has to deal with the Hoka's finds, after 20 years since the first contact with humans that the Hokas have all taken to the Western way of life.  (The Captain of the Scout ship loved westerns and made the big mistake of showing his old movies to the Hokas.)
We're talking Cowboys, Gamblers, Dance hall girls (with four breasts no less).  Indians (Greenskins -they're reptilian in nature.)
As he comments - "he reflected on the horror of a squeaky drawl."  Hokas are only about 4 feet tall or so.
You've got the Lone Rider, the Loneliest Rider, the Really Lone Rider.  You get the idea.  ROTFLMAO
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:47:41 AM
OMG that is magnificent! XD
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 09:58:09 AM
It is.  The Hokas drag the poor human through ALL sorts of misadventures as they are introduced to other cultures.
A Space Patrol one, Sherlock Holmes, Opera, Pirates, the Foreign Legion.  Poor guy doesn't know what he's gonna be involved in from one day to the next.
These stories are all classics.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 09:59:57 AM
Awww, cool! Next time I'm in town, I'll see if I can find it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 10:04:49 AM
You're welcome.
I love turning people on to books I love.

I think we just scared Lavin Chien over in the Weird thread.
She's from Germany and we just introduced her to the People of Walmart site.
She thought it was a joke.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 10:05:41 AM
Oh oh I saw that! The poor thing!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 10:07:13 AM
She thought it was Candid Camera not Reality TV.
Heck, they scare me.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 10:08:08 AM
I don't blame her.

Or you really.

But seriously what are those people thinking?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 10:17:10 AM
 (I developed this theory about Science Fiction fans - it works for Walmart.)
I think some of them suffer from FBIey.  Fannish Body Image.
What they see in the mirror is NOT what they see in their heads.  There's a disconnect in there and what we see as - Oh My Goodness - they see as alright or good looking.  Sorta like someone DF cosplaying a 300 pound Molly.
Some probably don't care and some probably don't have much choice in what they can wear.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 10:19:05 AM
Hmm, Good theory. It makes sense having seen my fair share of Sci-Fi/Anime fans. >.>
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on September 22, 2011, 10:21:37 AM
Then you know of what I speak. ;D
Anyway MT it's been good talking to you but it's getting late and I'm gonna need toothpicks for my eyelids if I stay on much longer.
You take good care and have a great day.
((MT))
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: MarigoldsThorn on September 22, 2011, 10:22:39 AM
Indeed I do.
Good talking to you too, SnowLeopard. Sleep well!
^_^
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on October 31, 2011, 09:49:10 PM
Well, I took the first big step today and sent out queries, synopses, and sample chapters to four agents on my list.  In approx. 3 weeks, I'll hit four more, and so on.  I expect the rejection letters to start pouring in by Thanksgiving!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Relicmaster198 on November 14, 2011, 04:57:02 PM
I need some help. I can't figure out how to make a system of how magic works in my books. My characters wield wands but I only want to use those as a focus for directing their magic. Any help would be awesome thanks.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Aminar on November 15, 2011, 07:12:11 AM
I need some help. I can't figure out how to make a system of how magic works in my books. My characters wield wands but I only want to use those as a focus for directing their magic. Any help would be awesome thanks.

I'd need more info.  That said, I'm not sure how far we can take a discussion of a magic system without violating some of the board rules.  If the higher ups say its ok making a topic with more info would help.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on December 06, 2011, 02:24:12 PM
Queried four more agents yesterday.
Three rejections so far; two standard, one along the lines of "You've done everything right but it just isn't my cup of tea.  Good luck") which I found encouraging, for a certain value thereof. :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on December 07, 2011, 07:37:16 PM
those are the best kinds of rejection letters, though- shows your technique is good, it's just not a subject they're pushing at the moment.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Aminar on December 08, 2011, 05:02:24 AM
Hit 100K words today on page 266.  Which is exactly 2/3 of the planned page and word count.  WIN!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: USMCWolf on December 09, 2011, 02:23:17 AM
Hello my name is Pfc Clem(or Alex if you want to be normal) and my writing career is much like a broken jet.....it looks pretty but hasnt gone anywhere. I have only written papers and short stories so far nothing published! But that would be due to lack of trying or any trying whatsoever and also due to pure ignorance.....I have NO IDEA how to get started. I am a big fan of scifi/fantasy.  I read more books in a week than most in a month i read ALL the dresden files in about two weeks and was instantly in love. Sure i may have no life but hey they will surely go on discount some day. My big conundrum(lovely word that) is how do i get started? Please throw me a lifeline or just throw a club at my head so i will drown quietly! Any help is appreciated!!!!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on December 09, 2011, 06:29:41 PM
Hey USMCWolf - boy is that a mouthful or would that be typeful. ;D
Anyway, I'm afraid that the best way to get started is to just sit down, and as one author says - "get black on white."   Put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.
Have you a type of Science Fiction or Fantasy that you like?  (Well, beyond the Dresden Files. ;D)
Have you an idea for a story or an idea for a protagonist?  Sit down and just start noodling out
things about your plot or your character's history.
You could always set yourself a writing exercise.  Like - character A is stuck in a stranded mars crawler - how does he/she get out of that situation or does he/she.  Ask a friend for a writing exercise.
If getting started is really a big bugaboo for you - look for a writing group or a writing class near you.
Having someone to cheer you on or having to do an assignment might help get things rolling.
I hope that's of some help and good luck.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: jeno on December 10, 2011, 12:35:24 PM
http://www.marthawells.com/writingguide.htm

^That's a good resource for beginning writers who are thinking about breaking into publishing.

But as for writing...it's the Ass in Chair method that will get you a novel. Brainstorm until you come up with an idea you love, then park your rear in your chair and see where your idea takes you. There's a popular saying that your first mumbletythousand words will be crap, which is true, so just keep plugging away and eventually you'll get to the good stuff. (another rule of thumb - your first draft is NEVER good. revise, revise, revise.)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on December 21, 2011, 04:55:21 PM
Hi my name is CHarlotte an i just finished wrighting my first draft of my first fantercy novle out side of school projects.
I have been working on it for nearly two years and i have never done anything like this but. I'm alowing one of my friends to read it. She got me back in to reading fantercy but I'm kind of sceared as I am very new at this and not quite shore if its any good.
Maybe one day I'll have it compleatly finished and will try and get it published.
But I don't know.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 21, 2011, 07:21:39 PM
Just write cenwolfgirl. It's good for the soul. And let your mind fly on other stories too! Welcome to our humble writing space.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on December 21, 2011, 09:05:26 PM
Hey cenwolfgirl, you've already done more than a lot of would be writers.
You've got your first draft.  Some only talk about their story for years and never get pen to
paper.  So congratulations.  Keep up the good work.
Just to let you know - JR Tolkein worked on  The Hobbit for ten years and would have kept
working on it, except as I understand it, his editor or a friend came to lunch, and stole the
manuscript and took it off to be read/published.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on December 22, 2011, 10:03:47 AM
thanks knowing my frinds they may actualy do that but its not compleatly finnished yet after the holidays they are going to give me feed back so i can inprove it then if i work up the curage i might try to publidsh it but
well i am kind of shy so i don't know yet
but to day i am trying to finish the second chapter of another bookl with the same carictors i thinki have just got an idea how to get started Thanks!!!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JeredMayer on December 27, 2011, 03:06:31 AM
I just finished and published my first novel, Waypoint, on the Amazon Kindle. The description I have is as follows:


Salem, a young orphan searching for his destiny, is faced with tremendous obstacles and staggering tragedies as he sets out for the northern city of Tsebb.

Con man Donovan Swan and his stoic friend, the monk Cale Farari, move to bustling Sandaria in search of fortune and adventure. They soon find themselves thrust in the middle of a power struggle between a corrupt political council, a brutal constabulary and an organization of killers and spies.

Basker is a retired soldier who has taken up handyman jobs in an effort to escape his violent past. But when his sister is brutally murdered, he embarks on a furious journey in an effort to track down the one person who knows who's responsible.

The lives of these four characters are set on a collision course with each other full of high risks, betrayals, assassinations, psycopaths, revelry, pit fights, gun fights, riots, dangerous women, and daring escapes. In the end, the decisions they make have far- reaching ramifications. Find out all of the explosive details in WAYPOINT by K. Jered Mayer.

It's 186,000+ words at only $6. Well worth your money!


Anyway, you can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006PBBKIY/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1324855892&sr=8-1

Writing it was a blast most of the time and a nightmare some of the time. It started out as a very basic idea and a slim outline. I ended up crafting a story that almost didn't resemble the original plan at all: some events didn't happen, some happened differently, some characters fate to die lived (and a few of those have become crucial characters), some who were supposed to live died. And chronology and consistency were a whole other story.

In the end, though, I'm satisfied with the finished product and so far I've had nothing but positive reviews from those who've read it. I sold 45 copies on .PDF form before it was published and another 19 since it hit the Kindle four days ago. I'm currently working on the sequel which has a much tighter outline and allows me to explore different sides of some of the characters and further fleshing out some ancillary figures from the first novel.

At least read the free sample. If you like it, give it a shot. And if you like THAT, tell your friends.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sir Aeon on January 23, 2012, 10:38:40 PM
Hello all

I'm attempting to write a 20 chapter novel (each chapter around 2500 words) , Abjuration of Catacombs. Anyways the story is about a rag tag group of heros(yes I know this has been done many times) are trying to stop a necromancer from releasing six arch devils.

I have the first two chapters done. The story original was going to be first person veiw from the necromancer's veiw but I ended up as a third person with the heros. The necromancer I based off of cowl at first but it soon jumped off of the train tracks and he became something else. He is a creature from another plane of reality who wants to cause chaos in the world just for the fun of it and he does not have a concrete plan
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Aminar on January 29, 2012, 11:46:28 PM
Book 1 is DONE!  40 chapters, 127,200 words.  Super happy.  My bet is 100k after editing is done, which I'll start in June or July.  Till then I start book 2 tomorrow.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Breandan on January 31, 2012, 08:38:27 AM
I would like to state for the record that I write too bloody much. The first Dark Nova book which got published last year was just shy of 500 pages, and 251,600 words. The second book which I am working on now is rapidly nearing that... I'm doomed....
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 02, 2012, 04:11:24 PM
I would like to state for the record that I write too bloody much. The first Dark Nova book which got published last year was just shy of 500 pages, and 251,600 words. The second book which I am working on now is rapidly nearing that... I'm doomed....
  Well, epic is epic...  You might be doomed, but I'm sure it will be in several chapters of mental and physical agony as befits the genre!  LOL Best wishes on your sequel.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on February 02, 2012, 08:00:55 PM
I have found i love wighting more than reading
my second draft of the first book is being profred by my amazing frined who checks things like gamer and that my plot makes sens to other humans
my second book has about two chapters but i am working on it
my frined wants me to publish the first book but i am kinda nurves about letting her read it let aloune the rest of the wourld and don't have mutch nolige about how one would do such a thing
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on February 03, 2012, 11:40:16 PM
I have found i love wighting more than reading
my second draft of the first book is being profred by my amazing frined who checks things like gamer and that my plot makes sens to other humans
my second book has about two chapters but i am working on it
my frined wants me to publish the first book but i am kinda nurves about letting her read it let aloune the rest of the wourld and don't have mutch nolige about how one would do such a thing

I just completed my very first novel.  Tentatively Titled Admiral Who  Its between 116K-133K depending on the right cut off point since its intended to be the first book.

Got my brother doing the first pass for basic grammar and word repeats.  With every possible hint of facetiousness intended I should be called The Comma King instead of The Deposed King.  That said after the first pass I'm taking it straight on over to http://baenbar.com for a chapter by chapter review.

For other hopefuls looking for people you don't know to tell you if your manuscript is the bomb or something closely resembling dog feces.  Here's direct link to their slush pile http://bar.baen.com/categories.aspx?catid=48.  Remember this is a members only site sponsored by the Baen Books Publishing house.  Now despite it being called the Slush Pile, the Publishers don't actually look at it.  This is just a place for like minded individuals, aspiring authors, and voracious readers to comment and help point you in the direction each individual thinks best.  You can post as little or as much of your book as you want.  I've never heard of anyone having a problem with anything they posted being 'pirated' or 'stolen'.  And that's in the 9 or 10 years I've been there.

For hopefuls needed advice and encouragement I think on the Jim Butcher website nothing speaks more directly to that than the words of the man himself.  Here's the link:  http://jimbutcher.livejournal.com/4217.html

As for me.  Once its gone through my first volunteer editor.  (I've found maybe a third to 40% can't stand to read your work if its too poorly formated with bad grammer and punctuation)  I'll run it through the Bar and then if I think its good enough its off for a test run of the Amazon Kindle.  I'll let you guys know when its available in snippet form on either my blog http://aspiringauthor1.blogspot.com/ or the Baen site.  You can follow my progress on the self publishing front as well as the writing of my second novel, Admiral's Gambit on my blog.

Have a blast guys!!!  And remember to always follow the dream.


The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on February 04, 2012, 09:49:53 AM
Update while I'm waiting for the first editing pass.  I'm not sitting by idle.  Yesterday I wrote the first 1.8k of the second book in the series Admiral's Gambit.  Today the total word count is now up to 10K!

So here goes nothing.  Who knows how long I can maintain this furious pace but I aim to keep it up until I burn out or have to go get another job.


Have a blast guys and gals.


Remember to always follow the dream,


The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: trboturtle on February 05, 2012, 12:07:36 AM
As for me, I'm slowly expanding my writing fields to my own worlds, and I'm laying down the first foundations of my fist fantasy novel, and blogging about it. Just joined Bean's bar myself and I'm easing my way into the forumn.

Craig
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Darkshore on February 05, 2012, 12:41:55 AM
Hey there all. I'm a big noobie to the world of "professional writing". I've always been an avid reader and wrote for my own enjoyment, but I've only begun trying to get published this past year. I've written a handful of shorts and am working my way through my first novel. I have a blog series that I've just started up as a way to keep my writing going even when I'm too busy for longer pieces due to college and work. Here's my blog if any of you would like to take a look. http://dustinbishop.wordpress.com/ (http://dustinbishop.wordpress.com/) The blog series is kind of like Supernatural turned into a B-movie horror script. It's a bit different from my usual writing style. Minimal description, focus on dialogue and action. I'm trying to get more involved in the forum so I'd be glad to talk to anyone here about writing and perhaps even do some beta-reads when I get more free time, if anyone needs that sort of thing. Hope to get to know a lot of you.  8)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on February 05, 2012, 02:18:42 AM
Welcome Darkshore. I look forward to your thoughts here in Author Craft.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on February 05, 2012, 02:08:51 PM
Welcome Darkshore. I look forward to your thoughts here in Author Craft.
[/quote
In about a mounth my second draft will be proof read and i am going to check it but then i will need some people who know next to nothing to beta read it for me if your interested i would like to know but i will not put it on my blog so you will have to ask me directly for a coppy. ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Sh33p on February 09, 2012, 01:52:55 AM
Hi. My actual name's Ben and I'm a newbie to the whole world of professional publishing, less so to writing. I'm looking for a short story publisher right now, preferably something fantasy-related, but I've written across several genres and have stuff basically ready to go.

Any suggestions? :o
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Darkshore on February 09, 2012, 01:56:16 AM
I'd suggest going over to http://absolutewrite.com/ (http://absolutewrite.com/) and getting enough posts to put some work up for critique in the SYW section. But if you feel it is entirely up to snuff for publishing I'd suggest http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/page.php?p=submissions (http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/page.php?p=submissions). I sent my first short story there (before I feel I really knew what I was doing) and got a timely reply and even a personal rejection. That might not sound like much, but with all the countless form rejection letters floating around out there it feels like an accomplishment.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DragonEyes on February 18, 2012, 05:09:58 PM
Already been posting in Author Craft so it should be obvious, but as a background, I've written to complete novels and have to absolutely admit that they are drivel. I spent about 9 years now not writing more than the occasional short story to fill in my rollplayers in my stories with world building elements or minor plot points that tie things together. During that time, I unconsciously worked on my storytelling craft, building stories that addicting my roleplayers to my worlds and weaving complex plots that gave emmense satisfaction (at least to me) when the threads came together.

The hard part of that medium is that between when plot points are introduced and when they tie together, months or years may have passed and sometimes the roleplayers don't remember well enough the points there characters would easily put together. Now, I'm traveling, away from my family, and my daughters are avid readers interested in the genre's that I prefer. I'm writing a story so that I can tell them this story at a distance. There is no pressure to craft and publish the story in an ultimate dream of worldwide renown. I'm comfortable just being the local storyteller and using this medium like I would my vocal stories.

And, wouldn't you know it, this is the cleanest, most readible story I've ever written. I'm not sure if that's because of my years building believable and engaging characters, complex plots, interesting world settings, and straightforward rules for players to use or if its because I writing to an audience I know and care to make understand clearly what I'm saying. Either way, writing is fun again.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on February 20, 2012, 05:02:15 AM
Already been posting in Author Craft so it should be obvious, but as a background, I've written to complete novels and have to absolutely admit that they are drivel. I spent about 9 years now not writing more than the occasional short story to fill in my rollplayers in my stories with world building elements or minor plot points that tie things together. During that time, I unconsciously worked on my storytelling craft, building stories that addicting my roleplayers to my worlds and weaving complex plots that gave emmense satisfaction (at least to me) when the threads came together.

The hard part of that medium is that between when plot points are introduced and when they tie together, months or years may have passed and sometimes the roleplayers don't remember well enough the points there characters would easily put together. Now, I'm traveling, away from my family, and my daughters are avid readers interested in the genre's that I prefer. I'm writing a story so that I can tell them this story at a distance. There is no pressure to craft and publish the story in an ultimate dream of worldwide renown. I'm comfortable just being the local storyteller and using this medium like I would my vocal stories.

And, wouldn't you know it, this is the cleanest, most readible story I've ever written. I'm not sure if that's because of my years building believable and engaging characters, complex plots, interesting world settings, and straightforward rules for players to use or if its because I writing to an audience I know and care to make understand clearly what I'm saying. Either way, writing is fun again.


Way to go Dragon Eyes.  I hope your daughters really enjoy the story.



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on March 20, 2012, 08:43:24 PM
right so i have a second draft of the first full story in my own world and am having some one check it for spelling and gramer errors and to see if it is any good
i have also started a few munths ago the second book in this same univers
so far the feed back from the first one from my freind is that i should try and get it published but i want to make so changes to it first and make shore there is apserloty no spelling or grammer problems and get a few other vews on it
i am working slowly bbut shorly and making progress on both books

good luck with all your writting everyone

CWG
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Daghain on April 04, 2012, 04:35:10 AM
I've been "working on my novel" since I was fourteen (okay, granted, the "novel" has changed, merged, and evolved in the last 30  years) but I now feel that I am actually "working on my novel". I'm not giving out details, but I hope to actually get it done this year, and then figure out how to publish it. We'll see.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Taskill_Mckennan on April 05, 2012, 05:34:54 PM
I've been writing since i was maybe 5. I've had these ideas crawling around in my head like little bugs all the time.
I struggle with my writing though, because I cannot get a main character I truly like that doesn't feel like a massive Expy or Captain Ersatz.
Thankfully with TDF at least i've discovered what Writing style appeals to me (Before reading them, I'd always done 3rd person omniscient. I find 1st person to be a much more fluid writing style)
I've always had a strong love for Sci-Fi, Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, (Any)punk, and even Low fantasy, but I just cannot pin down my style or my genre and it's driving me Friggin' insane
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Madd on April 07, 2012, 12:49:33 AM
Update while I'm waiting for the first editing pass.  I'm not sitting by idle.  Yesterday I wrote the first 1.8k of the second book in the series Admiral's Gambit.  Today the total word count is now up to 10K!

So here goes nothing.  Who knows how long I can maintain this furious pace but I aim to keep it up until I burn out or have to go get another job.


Have a blast guys and gals.


Remember to always follow the dream,


The Deposed King

Ok, I must ask;  Where do you find the time?  1.8k words is amazing, I was happy the one time I knocked out 600 words one night!  :(

EDIT:  Ok, I sold myself a little short, I wrote 1k words that night, but on most days I sit down to work on things its more like 300.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on April 07, 2012, 01:47:26 AM
Madd you do the best that you can.
Everybody writes at different speeds and in different ways.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on April 07, 2012, 06:22:55 AM
Ok, I must ask;  Where do you find the time?  1.8k words is amazing, I was happy the one time I knocked out 600 words one night!  :(

EDIT:  Ok, I sold myself a little short, I wrote 1k words that night, but on most days I sit down to work on things its more like 300.

If I have the whole day free I can do between3,5-7.5k.  Depending if I'm on a roll or not.  Right now more free days than I will have next month.  But I figure if I have two free days its 10k I can pump out.  But its like.  I park myself in front of the keyboard and deny myself reading or surfing priviliages.  I have to go back and edit later but hey, that's they case with everyone.


The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: KevinEvans on April 07, 2012, 08:02:55 AM
For me I need to know where the story is going. If I have a list of "bullet points" as a guide I can knock out 2.5 to 8K in four hours. I use voice to text, so kicking back and telling the story works for me, it plays well to my start as a campfire story teller.

It should be noted that Voice to Text needs significant edits...

Regards,
Kevin
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on April 08, 2012, 01:10:21 PM
yeah it dose, but some times it has advanterges but it dosent like me if i keep swopping between here you tub, wikepidia and what i am writting
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: synthesis on April 23, 2012, 01:50:03 AM
I've been writing since I was a kid. 

Just a brief run-through, which now seems far more humorous and a bit surreal.  Bad college experience #1 with a committee.  I lost the fiction person on my committee when they went "slightly" mental and threatened to bring a gun to one of their classes.  That left me frantically looking for a new committee member months before graduating and getting fiction feedback from people who only wrote poetry and nonfiction.  I was young.  I quit writing fiction :P  Bad college experience #2 with another committee.  A pure nightmare that left me stuck spinning for about six years until I found a replacement completely outside my area--I'm a lit geek and a postmodernist; I ended up with someone in Restoration British lit on my committee (I call this period "fun with tenure requirements, and what happens when their aren't enough tenured professors in your area at the college you attend).  I quit writing academic stuff. 

I switched to writing nonfiction and returned to reading for fun and came out reinvigorated.  I've mainly published some poetry, some nonfiction, and some academic stuff here and there.  My husband finally convinced me to return to fiction, which was always my first love, this past spring.  I think the timing was finally right, and since February, I've been working on my first book.  I work full time, but try to complete somewhere between 2-4 chapters a week.  I'm hoping to have a draft finished by mid-May.  I also hope it doesn't completely suck, but right now, I'm just in it for the pure enjoyment I've found in writing fiction again :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on April 24, 2012, 04:29:40 AM
I'm an indie author now.  First book is up on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Admiral-Spineward-Sectors-Novel-ebook/dp/B007WQSY44/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335240995&sr=1-1

Cover worked out well I think.

Sequel is around 110k on the rough draft.  Who knows when I'll get it finished and out the door.



the Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Gruud on May 02, 2012, 09:32:03 PM
Well, I’ve been coming here for nearly  two years, after having found Jim’s writing instructions etc., but I made myself a goal of not posting in this thread until I had at least a full first draft in my hands.

And now, I’m happy to say, I crossed that threshold a few weeks ago, and now have what I consider to be a solid first draft of 168,000 words or approximately 523 pages**.

So, I now feel qualified to color myself as an author in progress.  ;D

Sure, it still needs plenty of work, but I’d even go so far as to say that it’s not a “rough” draft, but a proper first draft; a distinction I was in no way sure of achieving when I started.

So now, after a week or two off, and a fast read through, I’ve decided to take my first (quick) pass at the dreaded synopsis, so that it can evolve and improve along the way as the MS does.

Then it’s on to round two!!

** I’m using the standard formatting that everyone has described: Times New Roman 12, double spaced, 1 inch margins, etc.; but  feel like my word to page count does not match what I see in the paperbacks that I own. Is the word to page count thing geared more toward a different published format, or do I still have something wrong? I’m trying to compare my “size” to other paperbacks of a similar genre, but feel my math isn’t working. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on May 03, 2012, 02:24:04 AM
Congratulations Gruud.  That's impressive.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on May 03, 2012, 06:09:28 AM
Yeah way to go.


The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on May 03, 2012, 03:20:57 PM
one of my freinds has started writting and she keeps asking me for help
i may poserbly be giving her advice bast on what i have read here as i have only been writting for a few years
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on May 03, 2012, 09:08:21 PM
one of my freinds has started writting and she keeps asking me for help
i may poserbly be giving her advice bast on what i have read here as i have only been writting for a few years

I have a few links in here somewhere or other in a couple of my threads.  From ilona andrews, jim butcher and baen.  Why don't you send those links to her along with any advice you're giving?

If she has anything and wants to have it reviewed, have her sign up for Baen's Bar and go to the Slush Pile.  They aren't as hyper as the JB website about sharing your original work.  Plus she can get her feet wet by dropping comments and helping others.  Get a feel for what kind of comments are floating around and then decide if she's ready to share whatever she's doing.

Just looking at some of the comments for others should giver  her a few ideas.  I wish we could do the same thing here.

have a blast.


The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on May 04, 2012, 03:23:47 PM
cool i will find that link tommorow and email it to her thank you  Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Naomi on May 15, 2012, 05:05:21 PM
Hello.  I am an author in progress, working on a novel.  I've loved reading since I learned the craft.  The first book I read by myself was "Put Me in the Zoo."  This taut tale of intrigue -- would the critter ever be accepted in the zoo? -- left me with a taste for mystery, excitement, and adventure in books.  And, a love of bright colors.

I enjoy words, and writing.  The first lesson in writing I recall came from my junior high school biology teacher, who informed me that my paper on photosynthesis was "verbose."  While I respected her knowledge of the inner workings of plant-life, I dismissed the idea of there being such a thing as writing too many words.  I continued to turn in 4 pages of writing for every 2 pages assigned in all my classes.  I skated through high school essay assignments with endless prattling, getting good grades for writing due more to volume, and word usage, rather than content.  Until college.

My college creative writing professor sang the praises of the first short story I turned in to him.  My word usage!  My colorful, and descriptive, prose!  My thrilling use of words with more than two syllables!  At the end of his praise, he asked me what the theme of my story was, as stories should have a point.  This was news to me.  Previously, I had either been spoon fed a theme, and wrote copious pages about it, or just wrote copious pages.  I began to learn about the craft of writing, although I struggled over the concept of a "theme."  Many years, and books and web sites on writing, later I began my novel -- there are three friends, and stuff happens to them.  Yeah...  I have expanded on that basic idea, and am forming, and populating, a world for my story.  I'm happy with the plot and characters I've developed.  I also have a vast amount of respect for every author who creates a new world, or new rules for the contemporary world.  My novel-in-progress even has a theme.  Probably.  I'm pretty sure it does.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LDWriter2 on May 29, 2012, 01:08:53 AM
Even though I have one story I listed on the other thread I feel like an author in progress since I seem to have forgotten how to write after that story. And not to mention working on various novels non of which are ready to send out. I am revising one and writing two others even though I have two waiting to be revised.


Actually years ago I sent two different ones out but only a couple of times.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JassTheGhost on June 29, 2012, 07:54:18 AM
So im not big on typing out things about my self so here is video about me.
                                        http://youtu.be/gSk5uxxbPpI
 But i am an aspiring author. The book i am writing is called Three65 because the book follows a young man for three hundred and sixty five days and 4 hours in the first person. The book is meant to be a dark comedy of a satirical nature dealing with love, suicide, meaningless and meaningful sex, and overall the awkwardness of becoming something different. the book revolves around a young man who has a lot of problems and it follows for him as a year as he grows as a person. I hope to hear from you guys and look forward to any helpful suggestion's or words of wisdom.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on June 29, 2012, 03:49:16 PM
welcome
good luck

(ps deposed king they helped her a lot thank you :) )

i am still working on my long project and school is curently taking up a lot of my time so am taking a brake

good luck every one ;D

CWG
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Naomi on July 05, 2012, 08:00:26 PM
Greetings.  I've been away from the board for a bit.  I missed you guys.  I've been writing diligently.  Everything was coming together with my novel.  Until I realized when my story begins there is no reason for the MC to be there, and yet, there she was.  What happens to her at that time, at that location, is the catalyst for the rest of what happens in the story.   :o

This made me want to fall to my knees, rip my clothes, and shout Macbeth quotations from my front porch at passing strangers.  Instead, I've spent the past few weeks thinking of a solution, and then re-working the rest of the story to fit with the necessary change.

Everything is all better, thanks to my love of writing, perseverance, and a few glasses bottles of merlot.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on July 05, 2012, 08:12:50 PM
hello i am new ish
wow um not shore how that is a bad thing
but good luck with fixing it
i did manige some writing tuseday but other then that my time is still no exsistant  :(
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Naomi on July 06, 2012, 11:49:31 AM
Hi CWG!  The situation is where a series of misfortunes begin for my main character.  The events are tied together, and pile one on top the other beginning at that time, and place.  Other danger is known to be in the area, danger my MC is aware of, yet I had my MC blithely ambling around even though her knowledge of the danger meant that she should be anywhere except there.  The question, "why was she there?" had no logical answer.  I put her there because I needed her to be there.  In order to validate her presence, I had to change some rules of my urban fantasy novel's world -- from my character's abilities, to the relationship between humans and non-humans.  I had to restructure many aspects of the entire story to be consistent with the new rules.  All of that was necessary because I forgot to really look at the beginning of my story, and make sure that the main character had a logical reason for being present.  My bottom is still sore from kicking myself.   ;)

I hope your schedule improves, allowing you more time to write.   :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on July 06, 2012, 06:26:35 PM
oops
normally my beginings are not the bits i have problems with
the endings another story
i have to restructore a lot of my book but don't have time and am half way though writing it
i foolishly decided that i could put the three sepiret books together as they all follow on from each other and now i have to do some tweaking also i think i have got a chr in two places at the same time
 ::)
oh well learning expirences
must look on the bright side
wont have time to do any of this for 4 weeks  :(
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Naomi on July 07, 2012, 04:03:01 PM
Combining three books into one sounds like an epic undertaking.  Good on you, CWG!

I haven't put a character in two places at once (not yet, anyway  -- give me time), but I have misplaced secondary and tertiary characters.  I'll put a character into a scene, and then forgot they are there.  The next time I write a scene where that character is integral, I have to go back through my writing to find where I last left them.   ::)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: cenwolfgirl on July 07, 2012, 04:29:03 PM
lol i have to do that a lot as well
my promeble is i am trying to play with time travle
it dsorta works kinda most of the time maybe  :-\
 ;D
yeah i am going to write them sepretly then put them to gether after words
part one is done part two half way done
give me another 2 years then i might have it finnished
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on July 16, 2012, 11:09:27 AM
Sold 66 books last week and my current amazon rank for Admiral Who?

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,530 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

    #63 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Space Opera
    #99 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Fiction > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction > Adventure



So I am feeling pumped right now.  Total sales for the month.... so far 122

way to go nato hahahahahah



the Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on July 28, 2012, 02:30:37 PM
I'm very pleased to announce that my novel Murder Ballad is now available as a trade paperback direct from CreateSpace and as a Kindle e-book:
"Manhattan in 1947 is a man's world, but hard-boiled redhead Allison Malloy can match the boys drink for drink and wisecrack for wisecrack. As secretary to a private eye, she knows typing and shorthand are only part of the job--and the job just might kill her. Rescuing her boss from the clutches of a dangerous femme fatale, helping him beat a murder rap, and saving his life don't pay extra, but that won't stop Malloy from trying..."
(http://th_Murder_Ballad_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg)
A hard copy is now available on Amazon as well.
I'm very proud of this book.  Writing it was one of the hardest, but most satisfying things I've done in a long time.  Please feel free to visit my website and follow the links to read an excerpt and purchase the book: http://elizabethkwadsworth.com/
And of course, reviews--good, bad, indifferent, but above all, honest--are welcome!  :)

edited to add description and (hopefully)  photo)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on July 28, 2012, 09:18:14 PM
I'm very pleased to announce that my novel Murder Ballad is now available as a trade paperback direct from CreateSpace and as a Kindle e-book:
"Manhattan in 1947 is a man's world, but hard-boiled redhead Allison Malloy can match the boys drink for drink and wisecrack for wisecrack. As secretary to a private eye, she knows typing and shorthand are only part of the job--and the job just might kill her. Rescuing her boss from the clutches of a dangerous femme fatale, helping him beat a murder rap, and saving his life don't pay extra, but that won't stop Malloy from trying..."
(http://th_Murder_Ballad_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg)
A hard copy is now available on Amazon as well.
I'm very proud of this book.  Writing it was one of the hardest, but most satisfying things I've done in a long time.  Please feel free to visit my website and follow the links to read an excerpt and purchase the book: http://elizabethkwadsworth.com/
And of course, reviews--good, bad, indifferent, but above all, honest--are welcome!  :)

edited to add description and (hopefully)  photo)

Way to go LizW65!

Murder mysteries that don't involve magic aren't really my bag, but I'm so happy for you. Keep up the good work and don't let anyone.  Not even yourself get you down!


Always Follow the Dream,

The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on July 29, 2012, 08:56:19 PM
Thanks for the support, Deposed King!
One question: how do you track sales on Amazon? I can't for the life of me figure that out.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on July 30, 2012, 02:13:22 AM
Thanks for the support, Deposed King!
One question: how do you track sales on Amazon? I can't for the life of me figure that out.

The short answer is this:  https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/reports

The long answer is just go in like you normally do.  At the top of the page are when you log into your book shelf where you published your book are: Bookshelf, Reports, Community, KDP Select,

Simply click your mouse on the Reports section and voila it takes you to the page you need.  Then just click on month to date sales and voila!  presto rearrango you are able to see your massive sales.  For me, I had a massive 1 sale my first day or something there abouts.


The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on July 30, 2012, 12:27:16 PM
Thanks! (Grand total of 2 here.) :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on August 02, 2012, 08:09:57 AM
Thanks! (Grand total of 2 here.) :)

I sold 50 today, the first day of the new month.  But it took me two and a half months before I got better than 1 book sale a day on average.  Don't get discouraged, just get started on the sequel or next project.


remember don't let anyone, not even yourself, get you down,

The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Eibhlin on August 02, 2012, 02:21:00 PM
I have been writing for easily 10 years, probably more.  I haven't gotten anything published yet--still working on that part.  But I do have a website with some short stories and a novel that my husband and I wrote together.  www.gorthus.com  I am considering e-publishing, but I need to have cover art which costs more than I can afford right now.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on September 04, 2012, 08:19:31 PM
Hi, we normally respond promptly, but summer can get a bit crazy. Welcome to our site and the author craft forum. I note that you are up to  89 posts--so I'm sure you've made yourself at home. Keep us posted on your progress!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: trboturtle on September 07, 2012, 01:31:21 AM
I have been writing for easily 10 years, probably more.  I haven't gotten anything published yet--still working on that part.  But I do have a website with some short stories and a novel that my husband and I wrote together.  www.gorthus.com  I am considering e-publishing, but I need to have cover art which costs more than I can afford right now.

You could always do the covers yourself....I would start here: http://www.thebookdesigner.com/ (http://www.thebookdesigner.com/).

Craig
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: FishStampede on October 07, 2012, 04:09:20 PM
My name is Robert. I used to write all the time in high school, but only now that I've gotten out of the military I've started writing again for real. I'm currently studying creative writing at UNCA, and would like to get my works published.

I mainly write fantasy, of the extremely high fantasy variety. My work started out actually as fanfiction, but it's evolved beyond that. In the class I'm currently taking we're supposed to try to get a short story published by the end of the semester. They're not expecting us to succeed, just to try. I just finished my short story, and so now I'm trying to edit and improve on what I have. If anyone is interested in doing a serious critique of it, let me know.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JJoelW on November 14, 2012, 06:19:20 AM
I've been trying to be a writer since I was 14 and I may be getting close. Ish. (Whatever that means.)

I'm currently writing an urban fantasy novel set in an alternative 1950s setting with airships and twice the neon. Aside from that, I write too many short stories and have, until recently, posted them on Facebook as throwaways, or practice. I say "until recently," because I now have a blog to put them.

I'm also working on two side-by-side serials to submit to Juke Pop Serials in hopes of building something like an audience.

Aside from these things, I am incredibly boring.  ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Torvaldr on December 10, 2012, 02:40:59 AM
I have had some poems published, and I have put out a cd of my Viking Home Companion stories. You can actually buy and download my stories like iTunes. But unless Mickey tells me it is okay I wont post the link here. Currently I am writing a book that not only has all those performance stories in it, it has information about the historical information I hide in the stories, and also includes the story behind the story. That book is mostly done, but I don't have it up anywhere that I can share. I have a fantasy novel in the works that deals with angels, and I have been working on a transposition of the Saga of Beowulf into skaldic verse. That last one is a self torture project that may never get done. But lately I have been getting more work done on the angels book. Most of my poetry is written in an ancient form of Viking poetry called drottkveat though I write it in English. Here is a link to a free sample of my very first story. http://skaldic.com/skaldic-sample.mp3
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mote on January 04, 2013, 09:21:20 AM
Hey- I'm Michael. Writer-hobbyist. No efforts made yet to get anything published, but who knows?

I don't know how long or biographical this is supposed to be, but... when I was a little kid, I was the little kid that all the other kids got annoyed at, because when we played He-Man/GI Joe/Go-Bots/Transformers, (sometimes all at the same time,) I insisted that it wasn't enough for the good guys to fight the bad guys- there had to be a reason. I would construct long, elaborate plots with ample twists and turns, and occasionally a few side-adventures. When I was 12 or so, I had a teacher that made us all write a 1 page story. I couldn't fit my little fantasy on one page, so I filled up the back, (which was still, I figured, technically one page,) with the letters getting tinier and tinier as I reached the end of the page and the conclusion. She liked it a lot, but I didn't think much of it until waaaay later, when someone recognized my name from the story and told me that same teacher was -still- using my story as an 'example,' years and years after I wrote it. Which was kind of flattering, but also a little weird. It was enough flattery, I guess, to make me write more, and in writing more, I realized that I actually enjoyed the process.

I've been writing ever since.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: angrypecos on January 18, 2013, 03:45:28 AM
Hi!
I have written several short stories (which I promptly lost, or as I say "I hid them for future creative inspiration") I enjoy writing, though it takes a long time to write or type ((not that I write or type slow but I have to get the right feeling from it) which means I write once and revise twenty or fifty times). I am still learning of course they say that you never stop learning. Hopefully I will have more time to write during the summer after I finish my senior year of high school.  :P Then college will start... ::)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: trboturtle on January 20, 2013, 02:12:41 AM
Hi!
I have written several short stories (which I promptly lost, or as I say "I hid them for future creative inspiration") I enjoy writing, though it takes a long time to write or type ((not that I write or type slow but I have to get the right feeling from it) which means I write once and revise twenty or fifty times). I am still learning of course they say that you never stop learning. Hopefully I will have more time to write during the summer after I finish my senior year of high school.  :P Then college will start... ::)

Welcome to the loony bin!  ;D

Grab a seat in any discussion and enjoy yourself!

Craig
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Denarian on February 06, 2013, 11:47:36 PM
Ni!

I like writing way more than I should. I've been at it since the age of ten, when I was churning out stories of alternate realities populated by anthropomorphic cats and dogs or the adventures of a starship captain and his dozens of animal friends. Before that I re-enacted Romeo and Juliet with stuffed animals. I was one weird kid.
Almost all of my work is fantasy/sci-fi although I have an insatiable taste for parody.
I have no idea what "thinking small" means. I'm working on a Star Wars parody, cleverly titled
STARE WARS. Episode I: The Phantom Plotline (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6685536/1/STARE_WARS_Episode_I) is a work in progress, but I plan to do all six films plus Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the Dark Empire comic books, plus a parody of A Christmas Carol featuring Darth Sidious instead of Ebenezer Scrooge. I'm also planning to write my own sarcastic editions of the Star Trek films, the Harry Potter books, and possibly The Avengers and its associated film catalogue.

When it comes to original work, I don't really have anything linkable unless you feel like scrolling through two-year-old posts on a webcomic forum. I've been slaving over a four-book sci-fi/fantasy/adventure series called the Three Suns on and off for six years; more recently I've begun work on The Order of the Spade, a pentalogy (titled after the five stages of grief) set in the 24th Century. You can read the outline here (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Tropers/TheDireFlamingohawkrobin). I'm also writing a novelization of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign I recently ran, in which the villains are the protagonists; a series of humorous fantasy novels set in a world of functional magic and cutthroat politics, and a complete rewrite of a crappy fantasy novella I wrote in high school, filled with gladiatorial combat and furries. My coworker and I are collaborating on scripts for an absurd animated series set at a convenience store where the manager is a literal bear, and that is just the beginning of the strangeness.

Have I ever completed one of these overambitious projects? Well, does Harry Dresden pose a hazard to manmade structures?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: dresdenrocks on February 08, 2013, 11:50:11 PM
Hi, I'm Vivian. 

Did everyone say hello?  If you did, then this feels like I'm in an AA meeting (Author Anonymous?).

Like everyone else, I've written stories for a long time.  And, yes, I've a few books completed over the years.  Most of them will make anyone howl (with laughter) or cringe (in pity or dismay).  But going back to them is useful because it reminds me that, yes, I've gotten better and that there's always an opportunity to improve.

I've just put up two books with Smashwords under the name V. Griffen.  It's only been a couple of days, but I'm giddy that I've already made a few sales.  Yes, I did the happy dance.  While I'm keeping my expectations realistic (low), it's also a heady feeling knowing my work is Out There.  It also makes me a little nauseous with anxiety, but I'm not going to talk to you about that.   :)

My books are in the Urban Fantasy genre.  There's magic, ghouls, pucks and chupacabra (that's singular and plural).  Spoiler:  no vampires.  Sorry.

Still, I enjoyed writing them and I'm enjoying writing the third in the series.  Got two other books in the planning stages, so I plan to be busy for a long time to come.  That is, if I can be forgiven for inflicting them on everyone.

Here are the links to the books, so any of you be so inclined.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/282162
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/283445
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: spywolf on February 09, 2013, 05:28:23 PM
I have written so short stories and novelers trying to write a full length noval at the moment.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on February 10, 2013, 11:25:27 AM
Hi, I'm Vivian. 

Did everyone say hello?  If you did, then this feels like I'm in an AA meeting (Author Anonymous?).

Like everyone else, I've written stories for a long time.  And, yes, I've a few books completed over the years.  Most of them will make anyone howl (with laughter) or cringe (in pity or dismay).  But going back to them is useful because it reminds me that, yes, I've gotten better and that there's always an opportunity to improve.

I've just put up two books with Smashwords under the name V. Griffen.  It's only been a couple of days, but I'm giddy that I've already made a few sales.  Yes, I did the happy dance.  While I'm keeping my expectations realistic (low), it's also a heady feeling knowing my work is Out There.  It also makes me a little nauseous with anxiety, but I'm not going to talk to you about that.   :)

My books are in the Urban Fantasy genre.  There's magic, ghouls, pucks and chupacabra (that's singular and plural).  Spoiler:  no vampires.  Sorry.

Still, I enjoyed writing them and I'm enjoying writing the third in the series.  Got two other books in the planning stages, so I plan to be busy for a long time to come.  That is, if I can be forgiven for inflicting them on everyone.

Here are the links to the books, so any of you be so inclined.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/282162
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/283445

Read the first 20% for free on Smashswords.  If I wasn't busy trying to finish my 3rd book this month, I'd have bought it.  Seemed like a fun read.



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: slrogers on April 05, 2013, 06:49:07 PM
I'm so new to all of this that it all blows my mind. I actually finished a book (first in a series) that I decided to publish myself.
(My amazon profile: http://www.amazon.com/S-L-Rogers/e/B00BZSWRMU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 )

I decided to publish myself because I realized that I would learn so much more about everything involved with writing by doing so. I didn't start out with a love of literature like many of you have, but rather perhaps more of a fear of it. In trying to overcome that fear and learn more I decided to write, and in writing fell so completely in love with all of this that I feel so completely overwhelmed.
(My blog on that subject: http://wordmindjourney.blogspot.com/2013/04/falling-in-love-with-literature.html )

In finding this great love not only for writing, but also for reading, I realized that there were people out there who already understand this passion. I want to know them, because I know that it will ultimately help me to become better at what I love doing. And in meeting and making friends with people who share this passion will make my life more rich and enjoyable.

So thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to getting to know you all better.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Demos Mirak on June 05, 2013, 03:11:12 PM
It seems that I need to tell something about myself here, well, here we go.

I have always liked stories, whether I told them to myself when I got bored, or if I read the books containing them. Although I started out as a slow reader, and people even thought that I might had to be transferred to a special school, I quickly picked up the pace during the Christmas vacation during third grade (the Dutch version of third grade anyway, which takes place at the age of 7-8, during which we learn to read, write and do basic sums). By the time I celebrated my 11th year of life, I had read almost all the books that interested me of the Childs section of the library, and I snuck into the adults section. The cause of that tour into the lower floors was mainly caused by the fact that the series of books I was reading at the moment started in the Childs section, but ended in the adults section (it was the Belgariad, if anyone wanted to know). Apparently they thought I was getting books for my parents, and kept thinking that for about a year, after which they told me and my parents that I wasn't allowed back there anymore. This caused me to go back to the Childs section and broaden my taste, previously confined to Sci-Fi and fantasy, with Detective, Thriller and Ghost stories. Four years later, when I turned 16, I was allowed back into the adults section, which was about the same time as when I switched from reading the translated versions of the books, to the native English versions of it, which I found more enjoyable, mainly because for unknown reasons, translators switch between different translations of the same group between books, which annoys me.

About the making of stories myself, the stories I started with, which were either Sci-Fi or Fantasy, always had the major flaw of the main characters becoming practically invincible and therefore, boring. This is because I always like the idea of absorbing power of your fallen enemies, surroundings, artifacts, etc., this by means of incorporating tech or modules in Sci-Fi stories, or just absorbing powers and energy through rituals or parasitic powers for Fantasy. I am now trying to limit that kind of power. I have tried writing stories, mainly your typical sword and magic fantasy, on and off for a couple of years now. I always got stuck on certain points, being able to envision events and conversations in the future, but not being able to figure out how to get there. This caused me to go do some other things for a time, and after a while I would come back and find the story to be too childish or just plain bad, and I started again with a different idea. And again. Again. And again again. Now I decided to write the background and the world first, before I try to power to the block that stops me.

As it is now, for my personal situation, I am waiting for the results of both my final exams for the high school (VWO+ (Technasium), for the Dutch readers of this forum) and the results of the admission test for Medical school at the Radboud University in Nijmegen. With a little bit of luck, I will get allowed and then I will move to Nijmegen, trying to make a living on my own.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Tami Seven on June 16, 2013, 05:52:43 PM
Hi, I hope you don't mind but I thought I'd share my story (my personal story) with everyone. When I was a kid I never even considered attempting to write fiction, god only knows why. I was always an avid reader, but just never had any ideas of my own.

My first year in college everyone, regardless of major, was required to take a course in creative writing. Considering how large the college was, you can imagine the English Department scrambled for people to teach these courses. My instructor was a low-level junior instructor fresh out of school himself.

He gave us our assignments and told us to write, so I did and he hated it. I barely passed the course, but not because I was a bad writer, but because I wrote the way I wanted to write, not the way he wanted me to write. It wasn't until many years later that I figured that out. For years I thought I couldn't write fiction, or anything for that matter. Until I took other classes that required writing reports and so on, and was told by those instructors that I was actually a very good writer.

I still didn't get serious about even considering writing until about ten years ago when I started doing text-based Story driven RPGs online. I met a would-be writer there and we started encouraging each other. Over the years I
have dabbled and toyed with ideas, written summaries and chapters but never finished, but he has already self-published several short stories and books.

I finally have a Fan-Fiction idea that I am comfortable enough with to follow through on. Even managed to write an outline that has a beginning and an end, as well as started writing it out.

If I manage to pull this off, I may try my hand at completely one of my original story ideas. Very late bloomer, but better late than never.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on June 17, 2013, 12:50:22 AM
The only way to become a writer is to write.  Fanfiction your own unique creation, either or both.  Just get out there and produce!

Best of luck with your endeavours and remember to not let anyone, even yourself, get you down.




The Deposed King


Hi, I hope you don't mind but I thought I'd share my story (my personal story) with everyone. When I was a kid I never even considered attempting to write fiction, god only knows why. I was always an avid reader, but just never had any ideas of my own.

My first year in college everyone, regardless of major, was required to take a course in creative writing. Considering how large the college was, you can imagine the English Department scrambled for people to teach these courses. My instructor was a low-level junior instructor fresh out of school himself.

He gave us our assignments and told us to write, so I did and he hated it. I barely passed the course, but not because I was a bad writer, but because I wrote the way I wanted to write, not the way he wanted me to write. It wasn't until many years later that I figured that out. For years I thought I couldn't write fiction, or anything for that matter. Until I took other classes that required writing reports and so on, and was told by those instructors that I was actually a very good writer.

I still didn't get serious about even considering writing until about ten years ago when I started doing text-based Story driven RPGs online. I met a would-be writer there and we started encouraging each other. Over the years I
have dabbled and toyed with ideas, written summaries and chapters but never finished, but he has already self-published several short stories and books.

I finally have a Fan-Fiction idea that I am comfortable enough with to follow through on. Even managed to write an outline that has a beginning and an end, as well as started writing it out.

If I manage to pull this off, I may try my hand at completely one of my original story ideas. Very late bloomer, but better late than never.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on June 17, 2013, 08:33:04 AM
I forget which writer said it but it's blunt and precisely on point.
"Get black on white!"
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: ninjawolf on July 23, 2013, 07:37:21 PM
Hello

I have written a few peses most kinder short
Working up to writing something longer at the moment
in a state of continues improvement ;)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Geekviking on August 01, 2013, 03:01:15 AM
greetings peoples of the interwebs, tis I, Nik, ruler of far away undigitized lands.

the best way to describe myself I guess (in the context of this particular forum) is an aspiring writer, with firm emphasis on aspiring. I love stories, I love plot lines, I love seeing how characters work their way through their troubles like some sadistic god. I love watching a story weave its way in front of me whether it be a book, a movie, video game, graphic novel. Sadly my attempts at weaving my own story threads have left much to be desired. a few half hearted attempts at fanfiction and one piece of original fiction that I crafted when i was in high school and only recently remembered that I had. its on fictionpress if anyone wishes to gaze upon it (just ask and I will provide a link) but I wont torture the unwilling.

I am here to mostly gain inspiration from my fellow writers as a will to work and the focus to see my work through is something that I sorely lack and maybe, just maybe I might learn something too. anything is possible.

toodles :D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on August 01, 2013, 04:47:32 AM
greetings peoples of the interwebs, tis I, Nik, ruler of far away undigitized lands.

the best way to describe myself I guess (in the context of this particular forum) is an aspiring writer, with firm emphasis on aspiring. I love stories, I love plot lines, I love seeing how characters work their way through their troubles like some sadistic god. I love watching a story weave its way in front of me whether it be a book, a movie, video game, graphic novel. Sadly my attempts at weaving my own story threads have left much to be desired. a few half hearted attempts at fanfiction and one piece of original fiction that I crafted when i was in high school and only recently remembered that I had. its on fictionpress if anyone wishes to gaze upon it (just ask and I will provide a link) but I wont torture the unwilling.

I am here to mostly gain inspiration from my fellow writers as a will to work and the focus to see my work through is something that I sorely lack and maybe, just maybe I might learn something too. anything is possible.

toodles :D

Greetings young Earth-mod.  This is your friendly neighborhood The Deposed King here to bestow tuppence upon the masses!  I hear your struggles with writing and I empathize.  I too was a struggling young writer who simply couldn't write.

I shall bestow upon you two of my favorite bits of fortune cookie wisdom.  In secundus you must be aware that it takes many authors 4-6 full length books before the they are worthy of publishing.  And In Primus the most important bit of wisdom I shall depart is also the most difficult and useless to thee.  For it is this: you must give yourself permission to write the stink bomb.  The words wafting off your pages will and must repulse you with every word you write.  Yet without cease or fail you religiously return to pound out more onto your word processor.  You must solemly vow to never go back, never edit, never delete!  These words until you reach the end of your manuscript (that way when you do go back to work on stuff before you're done, you are 'sneaking' around for a few words instead of giving yourself permission to look at how terrible the stuff is) .

Then an Geekviking a Jedi-writer will you be!




The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Anei on August 28, 2013, 10:24:39 PM
And In Primus the most important bit of wisdom I shall depart is also the most difficult and useless to thee.  For it is this: you must give yourself permission to write the stink bomb.  The words wafting off your pages will and must repulse you with every word you write.  Yet without cease or fail you religiously return to pound out more onto your word processor.  You must solemly vow to never go back, never edit, never delete!  These words until you reach the end of your manuscript (that way when you do go back to work on stuff before you're done, you are 'sneaking' around for a few words instead of giving yourself permission to look at how terrible the stuff is) .

I've heard this, in variation, from at least a dozen different writers and teachers, and still I can't seem to force myself to live by it. I have a hard time not getting bored with my own crap writing long enough to turn it into something useful.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paynesgrey on August 30, 2013, 11:36:41 PM
"An' you best take them as preachin' words!"--Finnienne Fenn Finnegan

That first pass is going to be drek.  You're just getting the story-- ideas of scenes, sketches of conversations down on paper.  I've come to accept it.  It's the second or third pass where you'll be able to look at those cludgey paragraphs or jumbled sentences, and distill from them the line that really snaps and sings.  Those redundant lines, the cludgey bouts of exposition serve a purpose.  They're raw materials, like ore or an over-saturated solution that the clarified idea emerges from.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on August 31, 2013, 04:58:47 AM
Writing is a lot like stacking lumber off the green-chain in a saw/planner mill.  Its hard work.  Its unlike stacking lumber as you have to keep your brain functional during the whole thing and can't let your brain space off while your body goes on automatic but the hard work principle is the same.

We start writing because its fun and its something we look at and say hey!  I could do that too!  Or you've got this killer story circling around in your head that you just want to release.  However we finish a book because we're able to look at writing like a job and keep writing even when its so awful, terrible and worst of all boring that we want to quit and do something else.  When you still won't stop.  When you can look at it like a job in the nursing home, where you had fun for a while helping out gramas and grandpas get out to breakfast, lunch or dinner but now fun time's over and its time to change some diapers and still keep going.  Then and only then young padawan a Jedi/writer you will be.

The sad fact of things is that most people can't write a terrible 1st draft.  Note I didn't say write a good book or write a good draft.  Its worse than good or great or just okay. 

Most people can't even write a terrible piece of garbage they'd like to wipe their hind quarters with after using the toilet.  So when you've got a roll of already been used toilet paper that's already large enough to qualify for a novel, you know you've finally arrived.  After getting a full length anything I guaran-blasted-tee you that it'll be a lot easier to go back and edit the bajeebeeze out of it and turn your skunk flower into an awful purdy flower.  Sure its work to get help with your manuscript.  But if you've got a 1st draft in hand, its a lot easier to say, I'll help you with yours if you help me with mine!

Writing a book is like that first week in college.  The whole class room is full to bursting.  by by the end of the week you've had a big turn over as people bail on the class and new people, the ones who really want a shot at the class, fill the newly opened spots.

Be the guy who wants it more and its like anything, you can do it.  Writing doesn't take genius level intelligence.  It takes a basic level of intelligence, imagination and so long as you've got that basic level, all you need after that is the work ethic.

It sucks but that's the way.  Now lest you think I'm being unsympathetic, I spent about a decade funning around the slush pile over at Baen's Bar, reading free indie stuff and writing the occasional chapter when the urge was undeniable.  Over there I (a one language, english speaking only, guy) got complimented on how well I was doing with english being my second language.  A real ego deflating experience let me tell you.  I didn't get much writing done for the year after that.  But you know what.  When I finally got serious and said this is do or die.  I cranked out a novel in one month.  I a guy who'd never written more than about 15k in my longest novel cranked out a 120k book in the month of january.  Life was hell, I was about to have to leave my wife and kids and go back to the states and work for at least 6 months.  I finally wanted it bad enough and so I just did it.  Writing that book didn't save me.  I wasn't able to stay, I had to still go back and work.  In fact it took me about a year before I got enough fans to be able to earn enough selling my (by then two books) to be able to even dream of writing supporting me here with my wife and kids.  But you know what?  Right now I've got 5 novels and 2 novellas for sale on amazon and I'm 86k into my 6th novel (the 4th book this year alone!).  If you're writing full time 4-5 books a year as your 8 hour 9-5 job is doable.  Other guys (like I was last year) do one to two books a year and a full time job.

Like they sing on the Frog Prince cartoon, you've just got to dig a little deeper, and work a little harder.  To me writing is like running your first mile.  The first time it seems impossible.  The second time is hard as hell.  But if you keep after it before long its just a groaner when you start out, after the first belly aching complaints of the day, you settle down and pound out the distance.  Pretty soon you're at the point you can do more than one mile.  Whether or not you chose to do so.

Sadly I will say again that writing is work.  You start writing for fun, you stop because its hard/boring/terrible and that instant of 'hard/terrible/boring' is what separates the men from the boys.  It separates the athletes from everyone else.  The c-squad from the varsity.  When you reach that point and you push through it, not because its fun, because its the very opposite of fun, its hard work that you hate! that's the point that you've decided to become a writer.  However let me say, you start writing the fun scene, you want to stop but don't and slog through this hard work terrible stuff you're forced to write because you're going to hit your word target for the day, that after a couple thousand words of drek you'll find yourself back to writing something fun!  You just have to have that stick-to-it've-ness!

Go get'em tiger!



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: King Shisa on April 29, 2014, 10:32:34 PM
OK, so... this is me.

More than 10 years ago I wrote a novel-length horror manuscript. It sucked. I went back and did two rewrites before realizing the truism about polishing a turd, and moved on. I did a second novel, a paranormal mystery, and wasn't happy with it so I went and did a prequel to it (I loved the characters). I tried to hook an agent with it and came darn close (had a lot of exchanges with one who ultimately decided to pass because it "wasn't quite good enough" - words that have more or less become branded on my soul). Broken, I filed them all away and tried to forget about them for the last six years.

Late last year, upon urging from a friend, I gave the manuscript to him to review. I took his notes, did a quick edit, and gave it back for perusal. When I get it back I'm going to try to get it going again, hopefully with better results. In the meantime, I've dusted off an old idea and am about to embark on yet another round of tribulations. I don't know if my heart can take it, though, but a dream never chased is a dream never caught.

Thanks for hearing me out. I kinda DO feel like I've been to an AA meeting.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: deindeverse on April 29, 2014, 11:25:54 PM
I started writing a book 2&1/2 years ago.  I got 70,000 words in to it, and wrote a very emotional chapter.  So emotional, in fact, that I had to stop.  I doubted my ability, and my right, to write something so emotional about something I have no experience with.  Two months ago, I resumed, and finished the first draft with over 200,000 words.  I'm halfway through second draft edits and additions.

For the 2+ years I spent not writing, I constantly thought of ideas, and I now have rough sketches for two sequels.  But my intention is it write both sequels, each possibly exceeding 200,000 words each, before I even attempt to get published.  As I write, the story changes, and I want the tale to complete.  I don't want to change my mind about something, only for it to be too late to change.  So I work at editing volume one, knowing that it will be ages before I finish.

I'm not writing to publish.  I'm writing to get the story out of my head.  But its addictive.  Not only do I have the two sequels planned, but I've had rough ideas for three different prequel trilogies.  That's nine more books, although each nowhere near the length of the primary books.  And I've got a completely separate series in mind, which would span 5 stories.

I'm afraid that it will never end.  Or worse, I'll finish, only to be told it's not good enough.  I have no-one in my life that would be a beta reader for the story, so I have no concept of how others would feel about the work.  I have friends and family that could read it, but the subject matter isn't something they'd be interested in.  For all I know, I could write 600,000 words (mostly consisting of 'uh' and 'um') and finally send it off, only to be told that its not worthy. 

So I'll write it for me, and take solace in the fact that it's good enough for its intended audience.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on April 30, 2014, 11:55:00 AM
Personally I write in order to put it up on amazon and make money.  Some books/series do good, others are more than a little flat.  The important thing is to just keep going.

In fairness I would have put the first and the second book up regardless of whether I made any cash.  But I might have stopped on 3 or 4 if that was the case.  And just puttered around at one or two books a year and worked.  I do like to write and have all sorts of stories bouncing around in the head.  On the other hand I love to read and that's means that writing is really only about 1/30th as much fun as reading a book is.  I can read a book a day but best pace I can only write one book a month.

That's not to say that I am writing a book a month but there you go.




The Deposed King



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: ToniVA on May 31, 2014, 10:13:13 AM
For me it started with my sixth grade teacher when she gave us a writing assignment. Afterward she pulled me aside once she'd graded them and told me I might want to look into being a writer. Those words have stayed with me over the years and I ended up writing a novel. As with many writers it was garbage, but it certainly gave me the drive to pursue writing courses and keep at it with a different concept.

Right now I have a novel idea I'm still working on the specifics for, and should be able to begin work on it soon. Until I get more of the details hammered out, I've been posting my short stories to a blog; because otherwise they might never see the light of day.

I believe links were okay'd for here:

http://lotwordsmiths.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on June 01, 2014, 04:02:51 AM
I always thought it would be an impossible dream to become an author.  But the more I read and then played D&D both as a player and later a game master, the more I wished it were possible.

Then I found Baen's Bar and got to read free exerpts from actual authors and saw people, aspiring writers, putting up free stories in the slush pile.  I looked at it and said that isn't too hard, wrote my first couple chapters and promptly fell on my proverbial face.

A decade of doodling around, stopping and starting, later and lo and behold.  I sat down and decided it was do or die time.  I would either write the novel or give up the dream.  A month later out popped my first novel.

2 years later, after the first one was published, and I now have 10 books up for sale on amazon and living as a full time writer/author.

And all this from a guy who in his early days of writing was asked if english was his second language.

keep after it, ToniVA,



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: ToniVA on June 01, 2014, 09:34:31 PM

keep after it, ToniVA,

The Deposed King

Thank you!  ;D
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: JasonR77 on July 03, 2014, 12:59:55 AM
Hi all.

I've been writing in some form since I was a teenager.  My friend and I came up with some ideas and even though we went our separate ways, I stuck with some of them and began incorporating a few into plans for two different series.  I've completed three manuscripts for one such series, and tried self-publishing one of them.  Fortunately, that experience led me to give my manuscript to a friend, the very friend that got me into the Dresden Files, and through some harsh but justified criticism, I realized I needed to rethink everything.  So three of those manuscripts are flushed, and I've engaged a total rethink for those characters.  I'm now writing an urban fantasy series which takes place in Detroit (where I'm from) and features a former Detroit cop (which I'm not) being sucked into the world of the supernatural after taking on a case in which three men have been murdered by a creature that no normal means can identify.

I'm nearing the end of my first draft (much later than expected due to a hard drive crash), and plan to hand it over to my same friend for editing immediately after I'm done.  It is called Wings of Death and I hope to link it here soon, probably through Smashwords or something.  My only other surviving manuscript, The Liberators, is a sci-fi alternate universe number that probably needs some tweaking for technology since I wrote the original in 1998, but I have hope for it.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on July 03, 2014, 05:56:12 AM
Keep those original manuscripts and come back to them someday.  You'll be able to do a line item edit and revise and expand one day.  Even if you have to revamp most of the conversations.

Regardless, great work on your latest effort.  I hope it works out for you!




The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paynesgrey on July 06, 2014, 10:11:23 PM
Keep those original manuscripts and come back to them someday.  You'll be able to do a line item edit and revise and expand one day.  Even if you have to revamp most of the conversations.

Regardless, great work on your latest effort.  I hope it works out for you!




The Deposed King

What he said.  Never throw anything away.  Whether it's a story that doesn't work or just a scene that didn't fit, never throw anything away.  I've salvaged some good shorts and novellas from things that made for a narrative lump in the primary WiP.  Or you can find a way to salvage a broken story's key concept or characters and work them into something better later on.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: doseyclwn on July 21, 2014, 01:14:41 AM
Hey there,


    I'm an aspiring writer myself. I've been writing on and off, just little short stuff for about 25 years or so. I became a single father in 2006 and got laid off in. I'll be honest, my first thought was "Hey, if JK Rowling can do it...". I quickly found out why everyone didn't do it. I kept at it, completing my first Nanowrimo novel that year. Needless to say, it sucked so bad I almost beat myself up for having written it. But, I kept at it. I do Nano every year, and I've always won (except for last year when I had a stroke on thanksgiving). I've completed four novels now. Two of them are still sitting untouched and unread. One has been through about 8 drafts and is with a beta reader now. I'm going through the other one now, a dark Urban Fantasy. I really like this one. My protagonist is a guy who has no magic (that he knows about yet), but he has two really cool things about him; 1) He can't be affected by magic at all. Whether it's cast by Butters or God, it can't touch him, and nobody knows why (yet). And 2) He can use his third eye, but only when he has alcohol in his system. Problem is, he's an alcoholic. I have a seven book series planned for him, so we'll see how that goes.

     In any case, that's me so far...
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on July 21, 2014, 03:45:44 AM
Welcome! You've set yourself a wonderful journey! And as Chaucer tells the story the more on pilgrimage the better!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: BlackM00nKyuzo on September 17, 2014, 03:22:23 PM
Hello everyone, name's C.W. i'M 26 and I've writing since I could pick up a pencil, I've been working on this cyberpunk fantasy for many years now. I'm trying to finish up the first story and get it published in the near future, but working takes so much time from me, but it's my ultimatum goal to do this. I love to read for others who are trying to make it out just like myself. But I've also had other ideas for other stories I would like to work on in the future, but need to get through that first hurdle before I jump the gun. The cyberpunk story I'm working on is in a dark future filled with inspiring anti-heroes but villains that you can relate to and understand and reason with. Anyway it's great to meet with you all and chat. I wish you all luck and hard work on our endeavors to become great authors, thanks.

 
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: LizW65 on October 14, 2014, 12:05:07 AM
I've updated my website to include a couple of excerpts from Body For Hire:
http://elizabethkwadsworth.com/Read_Excerpt.html
Enjoy!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on October 28, 2014, 02:14:32 AM
I've updated my website to include a couple of excerpts from Body For Hire:
http://elizabethkwadsworth.com/Read_Excerpt.html
Enjoy!
. Nice Liz! Also enjoyed meandering around your webpage.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Farmerbob1 on December 14, 2014, 04:33:47 PM
**Wall of Text Warning**

Well, I suppose I'm an author in progress.

A little more than a year ago, I was wandering through the Space Battles forum and saw a discussion about Endbringers vs. Mab, and I was curious.  So I looked up this online blogfiction called "Worm" by a fellow named Wildbow.  A million or so words later (literally), after I got caught up with the story, I started watching it for the twice a week updates.  I started participating in the fanbase discussions in the comments.

Seeing what Wildbow was doing, serial fiction, a couple times a week, made me realize that it looked like an ideal way for ME to practice writing.  I could get feedback from people on a daily basis.  I could watch page stats and see what people seemed to like.  It had been around 25 years since my last English class though, so I knew I would be terribly rusty.  At the same time, I had been told by lots of people in the long distant past that I was pretty good at writing interesting short fiction.  So I wrote my first serial fiction.  A fanfiction based in Wildbow's world of Worm, but with my own original characters.  Even now, it's pretty terrible grammatically.  I stopped updating it and making fixes after I started doing my own original writing.  On days when I think that my writing just sucks though, I can look at this link and realize what around 700k words written have done for me.  https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9523770/1/Arc

So after I finished Arc, I started my own original science fiction, one chapter at a time in a blog, like Wildbow.  I had already blown off a bunch of rust from my writing skills with Arc, but had no clue how much more improvement I could expect from myself.  I wrote somewhere around 500,000 words in Symbiote, over four "books" in a few months time.  I learned so much.  I also learned that I had a whole lot more to learn.  A bunch of people started following me, offering me feedback and pointing out my grammar errors, I also got some commentary about the actual meat of the writing.  It was all tremendously valuable.  Wordpress allows you to look at old revisions of pages, and I can tell you that the first few pages of Symbiote, as originally written, were terrible, horrible, awful.  More terrible to me now than the first chapter of Arc felt when I started working on Symbiote, which can be found here.  https://farmerbob1.wordpress.com/about/

Eventually though, I felt like I needed to move to a new project.  I had isolated some of my own writing faults and wanted a new universe to write in to try to isolate and address those faults.  I also wanted to write superpowered fiction.  So I started writing another original work, Reject Hero.  Reject hero is only one book, but it's a fairly lengthy one, at somewhere around 200k+ words.  Again, it is a chapter-based web blog.  http://rejecthero.wordpress.com/about/

Again, I learned a lot.  When I read some of what I think to be the best-written chapters in Reject Hero, I know full well that I've bought books that were written by less talented writers.  Not that I'm claiming to be GOOD, mind you, but I'm claiming to be better than at least some people who have managed to get themselves published.

One of the great things about blog fiction is that you get immediate feedback, after you have a established base.  I cannot stress enough how much that made a difference to me.  I have thick skin though.  Some people won't be able to deal with it, especially for their own original fiction.  Having some random person offer random criticism  can hurt.  A couple people have done so with big enough pointy sticks to hurt me, and I'm the guy that writes a chapter, and then drops the first draft onto the internet for followers to read.  Literally.  I typically at least do a quick read-through, but what hits the blog for my readers first is a first draft.  I have discovered that it helps me be a little more careful about what and how I write. (I do continue to update and correct when problems are brought to my attention.  The first post is sometimes significantly different than the final version, after I've poked at it a few times.)

My biggest weakness, however, is that I am a 'gardener' style writer.  However I have started to think that this might only be the case because I've been too lazy to actually write a framework for a book, and then fill in the chapters with *shudder* a pre-arranged sequence of events.  So my next two projects are going to involve me trying out this whole "planning" thing before I write, rather than putting butt-in-chair and letting the characters do what they want.

I realize that this whole planning thing is work, so I'm going to start with a small project.  I am now writing a fanfic where I plan to combine characters from two of my favorite original fiction writers.  Jim Butcher, and Wildbow.  I will be introducing Knight of the Cross Butters and his companion Bob to the Thorburn Bogeyman Blake and his companion Evan.  The short story crossover is called Knights of Broken Swords, and it can be found here: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10888845/1/Knights-of-Broken-Swords  (When I realized that two of my favorite authors each has characters who wielded broken swords, I simply could not resist using the two of them together in a fanfic.)  Only chapter 1 has been written at this point, but there will probably be a couple chapters a week for a few weeks until I finish the story.

And then I will be starting my third original work, in something that I had someone call a 'stonepunk' world.  I'm going to be trying several new things beyond simple planning in advance.  First, there will be no super powers or hyper-technology.  Everyone will be normal humans.  Second, I'm going to attempt to write it as rational fiction, as described over at /r/rational at Reddit.  Thirdly, I'm going to try to write it as a YA or light novel genre book, which will challenge me to keep my word count down, while keeping my information density high, and the action has to happen regularly.

I've heard people say that the first million words are practice.  I'm nearly done practicing :)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 15, 2014, 12:35:08 PM
Welcome farmerbob1. You've going JB's writing blog about technique? Checkout podcasts at writing excuses.com too. Both are invaluable! I've a writer's blog at megevonne.logspot.com as well. Happy writing journey!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Farmerbob1 on December 15, 2014, 04:49:20 PM
Welcome farmerbob1. You've going JB's writing blog about technique? Checkout podcasts at writing excuses.com too. Both are invaluable! I've a writer's blog at megevonne.logspot.com as well. Happy writing journey!

You mean Jim's LiveJournal entries from years ago?  I've read through them and they are definitely very useful to me, at least I think they will be, when I actually start really planning something.  The first two chapters of my current crossover fanfic thing are pretty much entirely written already in my head.  I think I'm going to force myself to at least sketch out the story and chapter arcs tonight, before writing the second chapter.

Writing excuses?  Heh.  That's one thing I don't need.  I have to be careful to remember to sleep some days.  The only thing that sometimes interferes with my desire to write is my desire to play MMO games, which all get old again after only a couple days.  I used to be addicted to MMO's but it felt empty.  Now I know why, because I wasn't really creating anything there.  My addiction has shifted to writing.  Perhaps not a bad thing.  Well, definitely not a bad thing, but not always a good thing.

I love your fish app on your blog, though I must admit I was confused a bit before I realized that your blog was where you talked about writing in general, not where you did your writing.  Some of the articles had some mighty interesting titles, so I bookmarked you and will be returning to poke around more!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: meg_evonne on December 16, 2014, 01:42:31 PM
no. Writingexcuses.Com is a great place for basic and hard writing. I spent an entire year on villains as a result of the segments on writingexcuses.Com. you'll find it immensely helpful. Go to the old ones. Brandon Sanderson etc.

I've been advised so often here and other places to not post my work online. as a learning experience I think that's great same goes for fanfic. The answer to getting better is just keep writing over and over and over and reading other people's work over and over. after years of writing I've decided that there is no other rule other than the 10000 one. That's a lot of practice writing. Again best wishes. AND I love my fish app!  Did you check out my website? Just uploaded a 'break my heart' endorsement! MEvonneDobson.com to see it.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on December 17, 2014, 01:49:41 AM
Good to see you farmerbob1, I went over and read some of your hero with the Soul Well.  Good stuff.  I just don't know that I'd have your dedication though, writing a million words of fanfic?  Stuff I could never put up for sale???

Wow.

But I'd say your writing's fairly good, you aught to put it up for sale on amazon if you haven't done it yet.



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Farmerbob1 on December 17, 2014, 12:38:45 PM
A Million words of Fanfic?  Ohno!

Symbiote and Reject Hero are original works, around 700k between the two.

Arc and Knights of Broken Swords are fanfic.  Arc is less than 50k words.  Knights of Broken Swords will probably be less than 100k.

The next series project has a name though, that I came up with yesterday.  "Set in Stone"
I reserved a Wordpress address for it today, but am not going to begin working on it heavily until the current project is done.

Symbiote is consistently getting large number of hits every day (600+), even though it's been inactive for quite some time.  I plan on rewriting it with a more solid understanding of what will happen.  People like it now, but it's a bit chaotic, and I know there are places where things just don't make sense.

I've never taken a penny for any of my own writing so far.  I have considered it to be practice.  I think I'm to the point now where I could feel comfortable trying to sell E-Books.  If I can show that I can draw readers in an E-book, well, at that point I might consider a paper publisher.

One step at a time, even though I really have no clue where I'm walking.  I figure I'll get there sometime, wherever there is.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Willowhugger on July 10, 2015, 06:56:41 AM
Well my two books, "The Rules of Supervillainy" and "Esoterrorism" are out. So I must promote them like a whipped dog!

Then it's off to my next project, my HIGH FANTASY NOVEL!

Which, of course, will make me rich and famous.

 ;) ::) :P 8)
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on July 14, 2015, 04:56:21 AM
The Rules of supervillainy was good I thought but it seemed to expand beyond the original scope.  I mean I was really looking forward to kicking butt and taking names in the city as he made a bid for power and then the story went phenominal cosmic power in an itty bitty living space and all of a sudden even if he could take the city it was small beans and peanuts.

That said I liked the book.




The Deposed Kiing
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paynesgrey on August 02, 2015, 08:13:41 PM
*Crawls out from under his work in progress.*

Just sold a Shaifennen Roehe story to Abyss & Apex.  It'll appear some time next year.

*crawls back under work in progress.*
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Mickey Finn on August 03, 2015, 02:37:03 AM
What he didn't mention was that it got accepted MUCH MUCH quicker than they usually do. He must have wow'd the editors.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paynesgrey on August 04, 2015, 01:25:08 AM
Yeah, they usually take 2 to 6 months to decide on submissions.  This was same day.  Granted, I submitted first thing in the morning, on the first day of this quarter's submission week... but yeah, I reckon it's got to be good to be accepted by Abyss & Apex, and to make it past their entire editor posse in one day.  Whompety-BOOM, as Shaifennen would say.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Blaise Corvin on August 09, 2015, 12:45:07 PM
I'm finally writing a novel and sticking to it.  I don't regret doing so until this point though because I have a lot more life experiences to draw from now.  The attempts I made before were all horrible too and I was able to learn something from all of them.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Paynesgrey on August 15, 2015, 05:41:09 PM
Biggest thing to remember is always keep writing.  You'll learn from the process of just hammering words out, even if they suck.  (Granted, you have to go back and look them over with a critical eye, figure out what doesn't work and why, etc.)  But it's about exercising those neural thingees as much as it is anything else.  Set a daily minimum for yourself, even if it's just a couple hundred words.  (I go by weekly, myself, but I've been spending so much time editing and revising multiple stories I've had little chance to hammer out fresh, new words.  Gotta see to that.)  In any case, keep it up!
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: DeskOwl on October 10, 2016, 09:13:38 PM
Hi, I'm Mary, and it's been about five minutes since I last waffled on what to write.  ;)
I have basically three main stories:
The Nameless - One of the Fae who was born into magical slavery sells his name in order to buy his freedom. In doing so, he gets caught up in ancient prophecies, conspiricies, and eventually fights to free his people from their millennia old contract.
Strange Aeons - Basically Lovecraft as Urban Fantasy. The main character was kicked out of Miskatonic University years before and has settled in to a more normal life far away from all that craziness. She gets dragged back in again when good old Misk U loses a copy of the Necronomicon, believes it was taken to her new city, and asks her for help finding it.
The Nowhere Project - This is what I am about to start for NaNoWriMo. Imagine what would happen if a Star Gate/Star Trek type team went on an expedition to explore the Nevernever. The rest is still in the early stages of planning for NaNoWriMo.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: FalcoDude on June 03, 2017, 12:38:31 AM
Hey there! ;)

When I started picking this up (writing that is) as a hobby I somehow really got into it.
Now I'm still very much uncertain on how to go on about it, only thing I know is  I love writing! (No idea how writing feels about the matter, we shall see, she has yet to reply)

That's why it was like a giant weight got lifted off me when I found this forum, looks to be chock full of decent people!
I'm gonna try to stick around for a while , even though I don't usually do forums, the idea of authors (both wannabes and pros) talking about their works just seems so cool and appealing to me.Plus, maybe some skill will rub off eventually.

Anywho, enough with the sappy stuff. ::)

Thus far I'v only begun writing one "novel", just trying to get into the motions (trying to follow the words per week advice).
It's a fanfic, really.Technically.
Nothing I could potentially monetize (If for some miraculous reason it happened to be good,unlikely) or anything but ...I guess it's a pet project of sorts.
Set in the Dresden files universe (love you Jim!) but not in quite the same time, or timeline.

Tentatively named "Chi non muore".

Sect of Kemmlerites (bad spooks necromancers) opens shop in an Italian city, gathers all sorts of troubled adolescents into a sick little family of would be necromancers, doing some reeally sick stuff in the process.
Eventually the Council wipes them out.
A couple kids survive the purge, one of them is saved by a Warden and tries to walk the straight and narrow.
Some years down the line his past catches up with him : old and new faces crawl out from under their dark holes in search of the word of Kemmler.


Something along these lines.All set in Italy.
Am I allowed to post this? I think so? I mean, it's clearly a Dresden Fanfic and.... well, I'm sure somebody will let me now. :-X
Thanks Y'all!

P.S.:I hate your verification thing.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: kick-n-smile007 on October 28, 2017, 06:11:01 PM
Hiya! I'm an author in progress! ;D
A fan of the Dresden files and Jim Butcher books in general. Working my way through the Dresden files.
I am currently writing a book series about a young man, struggling to find his identity after waking with no memory of who he is. He receives a phone call from a friend who promises to explain everything. He finds out that he is part of a powerful world, and he takes naturally to the rigorous training, however he still feels that there is something that they aren’t telling him. He completes his missions diligently under the tutelage of his mentor, yearning for the return of his memories. After a brief training period his world is turned upside down yet again when his mentor is killed while searching for a powerful object known as the Olc Sca’th, and he is saddled with a partner that seems all too familiar.
I am currently editing my first novel, working on my second and have outlined my third. I started writing this novel series about two years ago and my goal is to publish by the end of next year. My next step include getting an editor and of course going with a publishing agency. Tips of the trade are welcome. So far I have created a lifestyle blog and wrote a little bit about my novels. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and twitter. www.tjbanski.com
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on November 01, 2017, 09:02:38 PM
Guys, if you're going to talk about your story - please do it in very general terms.
Er like - Space opera or Fantasy or the such.
Getting too specific can lead to things you don't want.
One, if JB reads this and has an idea similar(even remotely) to your idea then he
has to abandon it for legal reasons. Two, someone could steal your idea or the basis for
it. Three, for some people (not all) mentioning their story equates in some part of their mind
as writing and they delay in putting it on paper.
 These are just suggestions - take them as you will.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: King Shisa on November 13, 2017, 04:06:23 PM
Here's a question for all... why do I feel so shy about my writing?

Of everyone I know, a total of three know that I'm an amateur novelist with dreams of getting published. Granted, most of them aren't extremely literary, but still. Practically nobody knows this side of me and I find that I can't really share it (which makes finding beta readers difficult as hell). I don't know why I balk at telling people what I do. In one of his books Stephen King said that writing was almost masturbatory. Is that the stigma? Does anyone else feel the need to keep their writing side secret?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: wardenferry419 on November 13, 2017, 06:00:42 PM
Maybe, you want to see a finished product but worry about the attention it may receive.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Snowleopard on November 16, 2017, 04:54:46 AM
In part because your writing is a part of you and to put it out there means you're exposing
yourself to vagaries and whims of the people who read it.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: TheJrade on April 10, 2018, 10:53:47 PM
Longtime reader of JB but new to the forums, which seem to be less active than they used to be.

Writing a spinoff story based in the Dresdenverse about an Army lawyer than gets drawn into the politics of the supernatural world by being in the right place at the right time with the right insight. 

Circa Cold Days Maj. Javier Bishop saves the new Winter Lady from having her soul claimed by a demon.  This service keeps the power of the Mantle within the Winter Court, likely saving all Creation from the Outsiders in the process.  Brought before the Mothers so that they might repay the debt they owe him, he ends up as a power broker between supernatural entities.

Equal parts Wizard's Bane by Rick Cook and Grunts by Mary Gentle, with a generous helping of Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia.
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on April 14, 2018, 07:50:16 PM
Glad to have you!  It sounds like you've got a fun book idea, keep after it!

As for the site I think its three things that really killed it.  One you can't post chapters or exerpts your own work on this site.  Two they nuked touchy topics and after they did that I found less reasons to come and hang out.  Finally where have Jim Butcher been?  Its been what 3 years plus since we had a Harry Novel in the Dresdenverse?

He's taken too many fliers and this site has too many restrictions.  If we could share our work back and forth for peer help I'm sure we'd have had a lot more action!



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: King Shisa on June 27, 2018, 02:55:40 AM
Finally got my first book up on Amazon: "Swim Like Hell: A Visit to Superstition Bay". It was a long journey, with lots of false starts, but the step has finally been taken and I couldn't be more relieved. Now let's see where it goes. The second Superstition Bay manuscript should be up in a week or so.

Am I allowed to post links here, or is that a no-no?
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: The Deposed King on June 28, 2018, 05:01:44 PM
Way to go!  If you want to post a link do what I do and make a thread post of your own.  Super cool!



The Deposed King
Title: Re: Author In Progress
Post by: Pickles on June 11, 2019, 06:18:15 PM
Hello,

My name is April Elizabeth, I'm not sure if I've earned the title of author since I've started several pieces but haven't finished them. They only thing I think I've truly accomplished are the many notebooks I've filled in an attempt of building a new world within the confines of the present one we lived in a very long time ago. I'm also an artist and while I've thought of creating a graphic novel, since my writing is sub-par, I decided against it because I've always loved novels. So, if I ever do manage to write something to completion I want to turn it into an illustrative novel. Kind of like how the old Winnie the Pooh books were published/written, just a bit (a lot) more grown up with lots of magic, fighting, other fun stuff, and a lot more writing.

I hope this was okay to post here, I tried looking for an introductory forum, but I couldn't find it and this felt very relevant to my passions.