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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: The Writers' Bleak
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Mine is that way also, though I have only been writing for a few months. My ambition is to publish a cheap e-book.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
...I think the reason that I'm finding this bit hard work is that I find dialogue easier to write than description...
I have the opposite prob - I am rubbish at dialogue: I just have the protagonist think as an infant or deliver monologues as a young adult. I have thirty chapters plotted out and I am editing and trying to complete the four earliest ones. The chapters are three-year increments in the life of the main character and I kill him off at age 90.
I am approaching 10000 words.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
How have people been going lately?
I've got a goal this week, and managed 4,400 words yesterday. That leaves me 3,600 to meet my objective by the end of the week. I'm so eexcited I can't wait to get going this morning and maybe nail it today.
It's episode 6 in a novella series - so this finishes the 72,000 word project, with just the last 1/3 to be edited. I've been game enough to setteh release date.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Lamb Chopped
Ship's kebab
# 5528
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Posted
I'm waiting on the last reader to respond (basically editors/helpful friends) and then it goes up as an e-book.
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Er, this is what I've been up to (book).
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!
Posts: 20059 | From: off in left field somewhere | Registered: Feb 2004
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
I'm waiting on the last reader to respond (basically editors/helpful friends) and then it goes up as an e-book.
![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Doc Tor
Deepest Red
# 9748
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Posted
I finished the edits for Arcanum (the fantasy brick) which were, DG, accepted. I now have a fairly punishing schedule of copy-edits to see to in early summer before it's published in November.
I almost immediately started writing the next Petrovitch (#5). It's got very dark, very quickly, which is interesting. 13k in, out of a projected 100-120k.
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Forward the New Republic
Posts: 9131 | From: Ultima Thule | Registered: Jul 2005
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
I feel guilty. I've left my heroine with a burgled flat, an unsolved murder and an impending mid life crisis. I'm really not much of a self-motivator. Back to the syllabi for summer writing courses I fear.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
I may look into a writing course also. When I write, I get about 500, sometimes 1000, words in a day. Up to 11,000 +, but should write this weekend if I have a day off.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Doc Tor
Deepest Red
# 9748
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Posted
I think anything approaching 1000 words a day is good going. When I did NaNo, and the 1667 words a day, I started hallucinating by week 2.
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Forward the New Republic
Posts: 9131 | From: Ultima Thule | Registered: Jul 2005
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
I am preparing for NaNoWriMo, but expect to have 40,000 words going in: traditionally I have the month of August off and expect to get to that point well before the end of October...
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
Done. Finished. 72,000 word compendium is out in the world.
Drawing breath before editing another project (it's a mess, so have been putting it off) then writing a 10,000 word short. Aiming to plot it out then write the first draft in a day.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Trudy Scrumptious
BBE Shieldmaiden
# 5647
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Posted
A 10,000 word first draft in a day is quite an impressive feat!
I'm doing about 1,000 words a day now working through the second half of my first draft. I haven't written anything new since shortly after NaNo; I've been doing a lot of research and reworking of what I already have but it's definitely time to get the rest of it written, so I have the whole summer holidays to revise.
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Books and things.
I lied. There are no things. Just books.
Posts: 7428 | From: Closer to Paris than I am to Vancouver | Registered: Mar 2004
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Trudy Scrumptious:
A 10,000 word first draft in a day is quite an impressive feat!
I'll let you know if I achieve it!
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Thanks, Keren Happuch, that looks interesting.
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Keren-Happuch:
Am I allowed a little plug on here? My latest translation has just gone live on Kindle - see sig.
Congrats!
Follow my sig for my 12 pieces for sale - adding 2 next week!
Back to writing my daily cricket parody blog, trying to find time for some longer work. Ideas are there, just not clear time to write until maybe another week.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Now I am doing a bit of writing, coming up on 12,000 words - only 38,000 to go. I am glad I have all 30 chapters of my novel plotted out - when I come to an impasse I can skip to another chapter.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Eigon
Shipmate
# 4917
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Posted
I remember a cartoon about Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy where Arthur Dent is wondering how you sign The Book, and Zaphod says "Just scratch your initials in it with a rock, primate."
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Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.
Posts: 3710 | From: Hay-on-Wye, town of books | Registered: Aug 2003
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Wrote 1000 words before my wife was fully awake this morning!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Evangeline
Shipmate
# 7002
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Posted
This book rant from The Vine might be of interest to indie authors, traditionally published and those aspiring in either direction.
From the little that I've seen of it. If you already have a "name" either cos you're famous for something or you've been published before and done ok, good money can be made from Indie publishing BUT if you're debuting then it can be really, really hard to get sales.
Anybody have thoughts or experiences?
Posts: 2871 | From: "A capsule of modernity afloat in a wild sea" | Registered: May 2004
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
That's pretty much it. But it's pretty hard to get any sales with your manuscript sitting in successive slush piles for six months at a time, too.
Having one self-pub title isn't really enough to base a marketing push on - keep writing and get three out there before really having a crack.
A few have made it big starting indie - if you work really hard and your stuff is really good - you've got a chance.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
I'm trying my first paid advertising today. My novel goes out on an email and facebook, and Ereader News Today track the click throughs and charge a % of sales they generated.
Price is reduced to make it a {special". but the good thing is that these are paid sales, not freebies, so it will go up in sales rankings etc.
It seems to be going well. I'll share results when it's over.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Pomona
Shipmate
# 17175
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Posted
My problem is that the stuff I write/want to write isn't suitable for self-publishing, because it's mostly screenplays. The thing I'm working on at the moment in particular is so music-driven that it would be impossible to translate it into a novel.
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Consider the work of God: Who is able to straighten what he has bent? [Ecclesiastes 7:13]
Posts: 5319 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2012
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Evangeline
Shipmate
# 7002
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Posted
Good luck, Interested in hearing how it goes Mr Curly.
Posts: 2871 | From: "A capsule of modernity afloat in a wild sea" | Registered: May 2004
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Evangeline:
Good luck, Interested in hearing how it goes Mr Curly.
Very happy with the results. 194 copies of The Queensberry Rule sold over 3 days. Price was dropped from $4.99 to 0.99c for the promotion. Income about $70, of which 25% will be payable to Ereader News Today for the promotion - although it will be interesting to see how many sales they "claim" from clicks from their email/facebook versus how many came from increased visibility.
The book got into Top 100 list for Thrillers over the weekend, and Top 10 in subgenre of Technothrillers. Sales are continuing in ones and twos, probably from this visibility.
Hopefully a good proportion of those who've bought will actually read it, and some of them review the book - as against free promotions which seem to result in many books being grabbed but not read.
Will be trying to book in another of my books for the same deal - although it's hard to get picked as many authors are using this service.
Oh, and this is a US site with a US reader list. No sales at amazon.co.uk. Suggestions for promo services with UK reader base welcome.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Evangeline
Shipmate
# 7002
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Posted
Good one Mr C!
The impression that I get is ebooks are quite price sensitive. A friend of mine has been trad-published but also has a few manuscripts that went through editing but then the publisher didn't buy them, she's put them up on amazon at 99c and they've hit top 10 for romance, considering that's the biggest selling genre that's pretty good.
I suspect that people are going to be more positive about reviewing a book that only cost 99c but might be more picky if it costs them a few dollars.
Posts: 2871 | From: "A capsule of modernity afloat in a wild sea" | Registered: May 2004
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
That's great!
I am about a third of the way through my first draft. I have about a third of mine done. I need to add more dialogue, likely having the protagonist actually speak with someone who talks back instead of just delivering monologues! I do, however, have all 30 of the chapters plotted out. I also need to add one or two more surrealistic episodes, ala Haruki Murakami. He is my favourite author and the first bit of surrealism I wrote went down well with a university-educated colleague at my second job though not so good with a old friend who is not well-read. I may show that episode to my wife because she has read some Murakami.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
My son has been shortlisted for The Kelpies Prize !!!
(There's a typo -he has been published "in" several anthologies, not "he has published several anthologies!!)
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Trudy Scrumptious
BBE Shieldmaiden
# 5647
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
I have finished my first draft!!
Congrats! I've just finished mine too; the rest of the summer is going to be dedicated to research and editing. And NEQ, that's great about your son being shortlisted -- his book looks interesting!
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Books and things.
I lied. There are no things. Just books.
Posts: 7428 | From: Closer to Paris than I am to Vancouver | Registered: Mar 2004
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Tukai
Shipmate
# 12960
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Posted
A note of encouragement for all you fiction writers. ( I myself write mainly textbooks and academic articles.)
SIL has had a checkered career and tells many good stories about his varied experiences. While between jobs and with freelance consultancy etc not working well, he drafted a novel or two based on his experineces. One of his mates, who had had some non-fiction published by a major publisher (Random House) recommended him to one of their editors, who agreed to have a look. Result : a contract with a 5-figure advance!
Which I suppose proves that one of the the hard steps is getting your foot in the door. Another of course is actually writing the stuff in a readable way! And yet another is hitting a theme that resonates with readers at the time: his first book is about "bankers as bastards").
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A government that panders to the worst instincts of its people degrades the whole country for years to come.
Posts: 594 | From: Oz | Registered: Sep 2007
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Evangeline:
Good luck, Interested in hearing how it goes Mr Curly.
Had another go with that book with Book Blast - not great results - more expensive, not enough sales to pay for cost of advertising.
Back with ENT with another of my book today. Will report back!
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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Eigon
Shipmate
# 4917
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Posted
I put my latest story up on Smashwords a few days ago - a teenage fantasy called Quarter Day.
I did try the "proper publishing" route, and didn't quite make it, (I got some lovely rejection letters!), but I feel that the stories are good enough to share, so this seems the best way of making them public. So far, I've put three short novels up there, and earned the grand total of £6.91!
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Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.
Posts: 3710 | From: Hay-on-Wye, town of books | Registered: Aug 2003
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
I studied with a Writer's course but found the discipline incredibly difficult - there were strict guidelines at the end of each module and I had to fit my written assignments into those guidelines (they usually didn't fit very well). However, I then used the principles I learnt to write an article for the Ship magazine and to guide my son who wanted to write an article for a computer magazine, the payment for which well covered the cost of the writing course.
I discovered through the experience that I write much better when I can decide when, and how, I write. But it is useful to have some background knowledge (of how best to write, and also how publishers work) to underpin the creativity.
Recently I discovered writtenkitten.net which is a rather silly, but fun, way to encourage you to write and keep writing. It worked for me (but for how long I'm not sure!)
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Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
A real-life friend of mine, "E" on the Ship reminded me that I should not really start my novel before 1 November if I wish to be considered for NaNoWriMo. I have all of the chapters plotted, but none finished. I shall write 1100 words a day to finish by the end of the month......
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
My current project has drifted up to 70k words, but is pretty much finished.
Spent the day proofreading. Cross eyed!!
EBook out as soon as tidied up and cover done, then print in a month or so.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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la vie en rouge
Parisienne
# 10688
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Posted
My first draft has gone through one revision and been dispatched to various people for proofreading. Meanwhile I'm starting on something else.
In my new novel, one of the main characters is Mozart (yes, that Mozart). I am heading off to the library to do some research and I suspect I may be some time...
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Rent my holiday home in the South of France
Posts: 3696 | Registered: Nov 2005
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kaytee
Shipmate
# 3482
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Posted
Mozart? That sounds intriguing.
I'm reading a draft of my friend's novel at the moment, and will write up a critique for him when I've finished. I'm finding it a very valuable experience. I've identified some things he can improve, but at the same time I'm really enjoying the story. It gives me hope for my own novel. Perhaps soon I will be brave enough to let him return the favour...
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'Lying is a vital survival skill – and a terrible habit.' ~ The Doctor
Posts: 152 | From: Hertfordshire, UK | Registered: Oct 2002
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Mr Curly
Off to Curly Flat
# 5518
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Posted
Cricket themed ebook - on sale. Print version - waiting for proof copy to arrive next week.
Starting a new series of stories, about 10k words each. First one is out to beta readers (feedback great so far), second one humming along, already outlined ready to blitz it next week. Going to do three and then launch them singly but simultaneously. Unless I get impatient. Currently being held back as my sister's art class hasn't finished their digital design project for the covers.
mr curly
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My Blog - Writing, Film, Other Stuff
Posts: 2645 | From: Curly Flat | Registered: Feb 2004
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kaytee
Shipmate
# 3482
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Posted
Mr Curly, you are prolific!
I have finally got my 2012 Nano novel to a state where I can allow a few people to read it. I think there is still a lot I could do to improve it. It will be interesting to see if my readers agree with me over what needs work.
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'Lying is a vital survival skill – and a terrible habit.' ~ The Doctor
Posts: 152 | From: Hertfordshire, UK | Registered: Oct 2002
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la vie en rouge
Parisienne
# 10688
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Posted
Woohoo I have met the Right Person™
My new best friend is a person who just arrived in Paris who was previously a creative writing teacher at UCLA. Once I've typed up my revisions, she's going to read my manuscript for me and tell me if she thinks it's any good.
(somewhere between and ![[Help]](graemlins/help.gif) )
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Rent my holiday home in the South of France
Posts: 3696 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Josephine
Orthodox Belle
# 3899
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Posted
Eldest Son is currently living in the UK, doing research and writing. He has an article he wants to pitch to the Guardian, and he's aware that customs and expectations there may be different from what he's used to. Is there someone here who knows the ropes and would be willing to give him a hand? Thanks!
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I've written a book! Catherine's Pascha: A celebration of Easter in the Orthodox Church. It's a lovely book for children. Take a look!
Posts: 10273 | From: Pacific Northwest, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
This is what The Guardian itself has to say.
It's not meant to sound too encouraging. I used (a long time ago) to work on a national newspaper, and used occasionally be sent to explain to some hopeful who turned up in Reception asking to speak to the editor that there was a wee bitty more to writing for a newspaper than they thought...
That said, we did sometimes take unsolicited stuff if it hit the button.
Is he thinking of a Features piece? If so, future content tends to be mapped out and pieces commissioned a fair bit in advance. A topical hook is good, but if it's something happening next week, not so much.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Earwig
Pincered Beastie
# 12057
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Posted
Is he associated with a university? If so, the uni press office may have experience with placing features in the nationals.
Posts: 3120 | From: Yorkshire | Registered: Nov 2006
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Earwig
Pincered Beastie
# 12057
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Posted
Congratulations!
Posts: 3120 | From: Yorkshire | Registered: Nov 2006
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