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Author Craft / Re: Those of you who are published, how did you get started?
« on: September 05, 2012, 07:58:43 PM ».esoth dah ev'I
You're right. Must have had a dyslexic moment.
The Deposed King
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Author Craft / Re: Those of you who are published, how did you get started?
« on: September 05, 2012, 06:03:57 AM »Well the Baen publishing house has its own online forum where they have set aside an entire section for young hopefuls to post their stuff for review by other young hopefuls. The editing staff doesn't generally go there, but if you are looking for reviews....Isn't the current address bar.bean.com for the bar over at bean.
Can't imagine they'd set up a section of baenbar.com for you to post your stuff and then turn around and reject you for doing so.
Don't know about the other major publishers, since they tend to be dianasaurs.
The Deposed King
the Deposed King
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Author Craft / Re: Those of you who are published, how did you get started?
« on: September 05, 2012, 05:58:22 AM »I have some concerns about posting samples of a work I want to publish on a public forum.
What are the chances that a publisher might refuse to publish my work if they know parts of it were posted to an internet forum?
Depending on the site, there is usually some level of protection. Areas where you can publish work are often limited to members only. Some sites have protected areas, where only those you specify can access your work.
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Author Craft / Re: Those of you who are published, how did you get started?
« on: September 02, 2012, 06:56:18 AM »Well I started my own little free blog with google. Then transferred to a real website and had it SEO optimized and all that after it started taking off. But wasn't really getting any traffic anywhere until after my sales started shooting up.Your reviews have been good, which helps. And you have more than a few cross links between different sites, which also helps. Add in the social media links and you've got a good combination.
The Deposed King
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Author Craft / Re: Those of you who are published, how did you get started?
« on: September 02, 2012, 05:56:54 AM »Honestly, I'm not sure I'm the greatest example of what to do.Have you done a google search on 'Admiral Who' lately to see what comes up? And wonder why they're getting traffic?
I hired an artist and my cover isn't the greatest thing ever.
I worked on my blurb and the first chapter of my book for several hours a day for a couple days.
I put out the word on the three main book sites I frequent. FYI - my book is out!!!
Then uploaded it. My book started out with like 2-4 sales a day for 2 weeks then dropped down to 1 sale a day for the next two months.
I'd just about figured that was where my book was going to live when, with basically no explaination, it took off. Doubling every week for several and then 50% increases until it slowed down to the 50 sales a day mark.
I don't know that I have a whole heck of a lot to offer?
HAve to think about it.
The Deposed King
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Author Craft / Re: Those of you who are published, how did you get started?
« on: August 31, 2012, 08:49:45 PM »Did you just start writing, or did you take formal creative writing classes at a local college, did you have a mentor, or was it something else?All the instruction in the world can't replace some could constructive feedback. There are a number of forums out there where you can submit work samples and get feed back. I've found if you can find one or two people you can go back and forth with, it saves a lot of time.
I'm really curious about this. I'm an aspiring writer, but I find that my work is....not that great. And I don't really know how to improve, to be honest. I can be writing something and it might seem decent, then I go and read something by a real pro (like Jim Butcher) and it's kind of depressing to realize how poor my work really is. I want to improve, I just don't know how to do it.
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Author Craft / Re: Where to hide your Eldridge Abominations
« on: August 18, 2012, 03:49:08 AM »
I haven't been to Soul since the late sixties but when I was there they had large flood control canals like L.A.
At the time there were shanty towns of wood and cardboard all along it in some areas. Some of the lines feeding the canal where pretty big. Either would serve as a hiding place during the day. Of course it would depend on the time period of the story and prosperity of the area being used.
At the time there were shanty towns of wood and cardboard all along it in some areas. Some of the lines feeding the canal where pretty big. Either would serve as a hiding place during the day. Of course it would depend on the time period of the story and prosperity of the area being used.
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Author Craft / Re: Writing villains
« on: August 17, 2012, 01:14:09 AM »
There is a large range between due diligence and criminal negligence in decision making as well as motivation. There are those who have no problem doing others harm if they gain from it. And there are those who actually enjoy hurting others for a range of reasons. An author can choose from any of them and give any level of caring they please.
But an author has to decide who their audience is. Knowing what their audience expects and wants in their villains and heroes should be central in an author’s thinking, unless of course they’re writing just to have something to do. An author also has to decide, how much explanation and justification their audience can deal with before they’re bored silly.
But an author has to decide who their audience is. Knowing what their audience expects and wants in their villains and heroes should be central in an author’s thinking, unless of course they’re writing just to have something to do. An author also has to decide, how much explanation and justification their audience can deal with before they’re bored silly.
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Author Craft / Re: Writing villains
« on: August 15, 2012, 04:12:12 AM »
If you're revolted by them, think how the reader will react, if you've communicated your feelings effectively in the work.
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Author Craft / Re: First 100. Thoughts?
« on: August 13, 2012, 11:48:47 AM »cool. thanks for the input! Solved the POV problem, set an age, and I'll keep the waterfalls--I use them later and, yes, the asteroids are part of the world building... Still, I might have made it worse? Fast edits; never a good idea.It’s definitely better but are you exploiting the scene for its full potential impact on the reader. The words ‘mom and dad’ still indicate a younger mental age or naiveté though it could be a cultural preposition that may be referenced later in the story. I think with a few minor changes it would have more impact and read slightly smoother.
Hows about:
My mom and dad lay dead on the challenge field. Their blood flowed in red rivulets across rocky ground, collected in tiny pools, and then broke free again in miniature waterfalls. Only seventeen years of intense training--my whole life--kept me rooted in place, emotion stripped from my face.
Fresh from their kill, the war lady and her knight consort wiped their stained swords as they came to me. A butcher shop smell filled my nose and left a rancid taste that twisted my tongue. Why, when the bloody ground smelled as sweet as offerings to the Asteroids?
Something like:
Quote
My parents lay dead on the field of challenge. The blood from their bodies held me transfixed, as it flowed in red rivulets across rocky ground. At first the tiny streams collected in pools, only to break free and cascade down steps like thick miniature waterfalls, almost frozen in time.
At seventeen I knew tradition but it took every ounce of discipline from years of intense training to keep me rooted in place and emotion stripped from my face. Fresh from their kill, I watched the war lady and her knight consort wipe their stained swords as they came towards me. A butcher shop smell filled my nose and left a rancid taste that tormented my tongue. Why then, did the bloody ground smell sweet, like offerings to the Asteroids?
By providing a greater sense it is what he is seeing and feeling. The reader sees it from his eyes, thus builds a closer emotional link.
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Author Craft / Re: First 100. Thoughts?
« on: August 12, 2012, 11:44:05 PM »
Using the terms mom and dad would suggest a child of younger age. There is a lot of imagery but none of the horror or emotion I'd expect from a child, especially in a first person narrative. Of course this could be a race like Vulcans or one based on military discipline, that would show little if no emotion. The mention of ground rather than floor would suggest a camp or arena. Possibly gladiatorial type combat or an attack by a rival pair. Possibly a feud between clans or something.
The style is a little wordy for my taste and as already suggested a change of some of the terminology might make it read a little better. But no one can really be certain with just one paragraph. With more context there might be a better understanding of this child's reaction.
The style is a little wordy for my taste and as already suggested a change of some of the terminology might make it read a little better. But no one can really be certain with just one paragraph. With more context there might be a better understanding of this child's reaction.
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Author Craft / Re: POV Advice
« on: August 07, 2012, 11:51:18 PM »
Whatever works. If you think it makes the scene more effective, then do it. The only time I find multiple POV distracting is when it's being constantly switched to the point you can't keep track of it. The goal is to create an interesting and entertaining experience for the reader. Anything that you do towards that end is fine.
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Author Craft / Re: What Details about the World are Important to Include.....
« on: August 01, 2012, 10:49:51 AM »The history of a world a couple of years from now where a single global currency is a yen and the history of one where it's a franc have to be significantly different, and if your other details don't fit with that history, then many readers will not be able to believe in your world and will throw your book away.In the case you’ve outlined, it would become central to the story, thus required. If it isn’t relevant to the story, unnecessary information can distract, sidetrack or slow the pace. That doesn’t mean you can’t layout a world. You just have to make it part of the story.
Everything is important. From getting the basic physics right on up.
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Author Craft / Re: What Details about the World are Important to Include.....
« on: July 31, 2012, 11:44:46 PM »
You only include those details that are important to telling the story, nothing else is important. Why would the details of currency be important? Who cares if it's called a franc, yen or dollar. What matters is the quality of characters and storyline. Don't try and share some wider vision you have about the concept, since all it will do is distract from the story.
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Author Craft / Re: Tools for Writers
« on: July 15, 2012, 09:22:01 AM »One item I did pickup, and actually use, is called ‘ginger’. It’s supposed to be proofreading/grammar software. It's not perfect by a long shot but it does call attention to potential problem areas. It doesn't handle profession or trade specific jargon well, but it catches stuff my brain would skip over. This one you might find worth trying and it's free.
It's free and you can get Ginger Here