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Any Amateur Writers here?

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Taysense
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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 15:00

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For the past few weeks, I've been seriously thinking about writing a fictional crime novella. It's not one of those whimsical thoughts, I've been thinking hard about it, see if I can get it published . Does anyone know any authors or publishers? and how hard is it to get published.

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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 15:10

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I have always toyed with the idea and have a few things chucking about.

Just never have the time. Mine wouldnt be crime though, would be more of a warrior/fantasy thing, but more Afrocentric that most other stuff I see.

never have the time though....

Last edited on Friday May 20th, 2005 15:11 by The Watcher

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Taysense
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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 15:19

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DM

Yeah time is a big issue, anything of good quality takes time. I'm haven't started yet, kind of doing independent brainstorming at this stage. I've been reading a lot of elmore leonard(white guy), I like his style, a mix of crime and comedy and emphasis on authentic and entertaining dialogue. Do you know any black authors that write about crime?

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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 15:22

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Jazztalking and I were talking about Walter Mosley's books about the character Easy Rawlings. Those are good black crime novels.

Also umm Chester Himes is the daddy of that genre.

Both Walter Mosley and Chester Himes books are set in the past many decades ago though.

If you want something more up to date then Victor Hedley does good stuff.

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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 19:44

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Taysense

I was going to make a few suggestions of places to go, but I see you live in Canada so they'd won't be of much use to you.

How hard is it to get published? - well that's a question! One answer is - it depends, say on what you want the end result to be; you may want to self-publish.

What you want to get in return should you publish, ought to be a question to ask; it'll help determine what and where you need to go next.

Especially if you're in Canada and if you've written a book/script, (I know this of the USA anyway), you HAVE to go through a Literary Agent. No-one would even think to look at your unsolicited work otherwise. If you are starting out, it is probably the best thing anyway, as they can negotiate in your favour for you.

Try joining informal creative writing groups, they are sometimes advertised in libraries here. Above all read and get writing!

I'll come back with more.

Hope that helps.

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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 20:05

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Taysense one golden rule is: always think about who you are writing for.

Its no use writing about Crime fiction then sending it to a literary agent/publisher who only deals with Caribbean Cooking Recipies!

Think also about the length of your writing too. Again its of no use writing a five hour epic script for a fifteen minute radio play!

Sounds obvious?

You'd be surprise at how many people don't heed to that!

Some publishers/agents want you to send a synopsis of what you wrote, time is of essence to them you see. Others, esp. agents, want to see the whole thing. You need to write to them to find out what they require, so that you don't make a faux pas and run the risk of having a tarnished reputation; a good rep. is also important in this feild by the way.

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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 20:13

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Im an amatuer writer. I have been writing since the age of seven...then stopped for a loong loong time, until I had to do it for uni which i was actually glad about because it ignited the passion once again!

I have a book that is nowhere near finished, but I plan to finish it-I already know the end sort of...it's fantasy horror...about tribes...every single person I have given it to read has enjoyed it-male and female, friend or stranger-so Im excited and nervous about getting it published when it is complete.

But what athaba said about a synopsis etc VERY VERY important thing to find out, if it's 2 long they wont even bother reading it.

Good luck T

p.s I find that with writing you should always be honest with yourself and true to your characters-sounds cliched but it is true. Dont try to shove something in there cause the publishers or whomever want it and it does not fit with the story or it does not sit well with you.

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Saida.M
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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 20:18

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Hey blackbeauty :shock:

- Glad you're back!

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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 20:29

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i love writing but at present do not have my passion. though i always keep notes. dotin and steve from the express always told me just write and pass that novel pass them and they will give me tips. i really should buckle down and do it. i did do a short story which just needed a little exopansion. i buy books on writing and these days just dont seem to have the time

but i will get published one day

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Posted: Friday May 20th, 2005 20:39

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athaba wrote: Hey blackbeauty :shock:

- Glad you're back!

Hey athaba! Thank you

Heard you on the radio a couple of weeks ago you sound nice and youthful

-didnt believe it was u at first.

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Taysense
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Posted: Saturday May 21st, 2005 17:04

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@DM

thanks, I'll get some walter mosley et all. Right now I plan to read a lot of books, If it's a good book it's very enjoyable. I already have the basic framework of the story, it might be cliched I'm just trying hard to make it as creative as possible.

@Athaba

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not looking at making money from it right now well at least not a big sum. It's gonna be long process, right now I'm more focused on actually getting it finished.. or started at this. I know a few english teachers that won't mind looking at it and giving me honest feedback. Reading is what I'm doing most when ever I have a chance.

You seem to know a lot, have you ever written anything?

@Blackbeuty

Thanks for the suggestions, I know what you mean about being honest with the characters but I'm trying to remove my self out of the story as possible but it's not easy. I think most of it will be based on my experiences but with a fictional edge, and the characters might emobody some of my traits but not fully, that way I can separate them from myself and it doesn't turn out to be a fantasy autobiography. It's not easy, and I know it won't happen over night and it's gonna take time but hopefully it will be worth it.

Good luck on that book.

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Posted: Saturday May 21st, 2005 17:18

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I got Bad Boy Brawly Brown from the local library yesterday, started reading it and I'm hooked.

ANyways I'm out for awhile.

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Saida.M
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Posted: Saturday May 21st, 2005 17:42

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Taysense wrote:

@Athaba

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not looking at making money from it right now well at least not a big sum. It's gonna be long process, right now I'm more focused on actually getting it finished.. or started at this. I know a few english teachers that won't mind looking at it and giving me honest feedback. Reading is what I'm doing most when ever I have a chance.

You seem to know a lot, have you ever written anything?

Not saying

But more info: Presentation is very important if you want your m/s to reach the top of an agents et al, pile, instead of thier *'slush' one. That means try making them 'user friendly'.

Imagine if you had to open enough of these all day, what would make your life easier?

Paying attention to page numbers, putting your name and title of the m/s at the head of each page, covering the cost of return post, all will have an effect on how your work will be viewed.

If you're not looking for big money in the first instance, why not try writing letters to local newspapers, then say moving on to the nationals. Then if you get confident enough, and once you have a 'feel' for the way the papers write their stuff, you could submit an article or two. Be very careful here though, as many have their *'house' writers so would not entertain reading any material submitted to them.

*slush = rubbish!

*house = in a nutshell - the paid staff

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Posted: Saturday May 21st, 2005 18:41

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@ Taysense

Bad Boy Brawly Brown is a brilliant book.

But its halfway through the series. I should have mentioned, the Easy stories move on in his life, he is always a bit older and stuff happens from one book to the next. Its progressive so the background stuff and character or event refrences might be confusing if its your first one.

That said, hope you have fun, its a good read.

You inspired me to start now LOL... got my notes going as well like LadyDay. Dont know when Ill have time but anyway.

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Posted: Saturday May 21st, 2005 23:28

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Last edited on Thursday March 2nd, 2006 18:38 by

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Posted: Saturday May 21st, 2005 23:36

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Taysense wrote:

@Blackbeuty

Thanks for the suggestions, I know what you mean about being honest with the characters but I'm trying to remove my self out of the story as possible but it's not easy. I think most of it will be based on my experiences but with a fictional edge, and the characters might emobody some of my traits but not fully, that way I can separate them from myself and it doesn't turn out to be a fantasy autobiography.

It's important that your characters form their own identity...but they will contain elements of ur own personality, ur own desires/dreams etc whether ur aware of it or not-it's natural. But that is the beauty of it because u can recognise urself within ur writing and yet at the same time it has nothing to do with u-if u get what i mean.

N e way sorry going off in my own world here

@ BlackMatta

I write for myself...It's kind of weird because the story that I love the most-the one i mentioned earlier in the thread-came about because i HAD to write something as part of my degree course. I had never written Fantasy Horror before but my writing style seems to take to it-so far.

I enjoy what I do, because I'm doing it for me first and foremost-even this book doesnt get published i wont mind because i will still have it to read.

Last edited on Saturday May 21st, 2005 23:41 by Kibibi

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Posted: Sunday May 22nd, 2005 09:33

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Taysense

Writing the book if of course the first and main battle, but then there is: (a) getting it published; and (b) getting people to buy it.

Having written and published my first book in the last year, I can say that when I embarked on the project I did not give as much thought to (a) and (b) as I should have. I just worked on getting the manuscript out the way and then looked to find a publisher.
I would certainly advise you read up on getting published and promoting your book. The standard route, the one I followed, of hawking your manuscript around to one publisher after another can be a real bind. A lot of publishers, especially the main ones don't really entertain un-established writers approaching them with their manuscripts. The only tend to deal with recognised agents. Let me warn you that you are likely to find the agents not only a costly option, with their 15% commission, but also reluctant to take you on. You see there are so many people out there writing stuff and trying to get it published that publishers and agents get inundated and as a result a lot go into switch off mode.

There is of course the option of going with one of these book publishing services, this is akin to self-publishing, where you pay for the service of getting your book printed, promoted and distributed. There offer a range of service from basic printing and promoting to doing press releases, arranging book signings etc. It all depends how much you have to invest in your book. The good thing about this option is that you get a good return if the book takes off. The downside is that you have to be prepared to invest time and money in the promotional side of things.....crucial if your book is to stand a chance of selling. I am still going through the process myself and learning all the time about the do's and don'ts.

I don't want to write reams and reams here but I am more than happy to give what advice I can, based on my own experience to you or anyone who is interested on embarking on the road to becoming published. I think I was a bit niave in believing that it ended with 'getting your book out there in print'. But that is just the beginning...getting your book into the peoples consciousness and inspiring them to buy is a whole different ball game. First time authors have a real battle when it comes to making headway in this game, but with determination and hardwork......and some talent at writing of course

...it is not totally impossible.

I certainly wish you and any others here who go down the writing route, the best of success.
Who knows maybe one day I would be able to speak from the perspective of a successful author as opposed to a newly published one.

All the best

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Posted: Sunday May 22nd, 2005 23:05

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I've always wanted to write a book and was more passionate about it when I was younger. Maybe I will do a creative writing course someday to get the ball rolling again. I'd probably write a horror story or fantasy children's books. Some girl at my sixth form wrote a book while studying for her A Levels, I think her story was in the New Nation. I can't think when she found the time.

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Posted: Wednesday June 1st, 2005 21:06

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I'm halfway through a fairy tale, and I'm planning the next thing I'm gonna write, you should write your book, its fun, its your own little world, anything can happen, I have a big book of publishers addresses im gonna use when I've finished my fairy tale

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Posted: Wednesday June 1st, 2005 21:11

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Haha power metal fans and their fairy tales...

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Posted: Wednesday June 1st, 2005 21:24

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no-one really understands my fairy tale, lol, they all expect it to be a gothic one or something, I did try to write a perfect for children fairy tale, but big words crept in, so I just carried on, no swearing though, I'm keeping that up.

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Posted: Thursday June 2nd, 2005 00:05

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Taysense wrote: For the past few weeks, I've been seriously thinking about writing a fictional crime novella. It's not one of those whimsical thoughts, I've been thinking hard about it, see if I can get it published . Does anyone know any authors or publishers? and how hard is it to get published.

Looks as if you’re in Canada, I’m in Britain but perhaps this advice still applies:

Anyway, for your entire novelist needs rush out-if you haven’t already- and purchase the writers and artist year book. Perhaps you’ve heard words of praise about it, well, believe me it aint for nothing. Inside you’ll find advice about publishers, the correct way of approaching potential clients, agents, what’s in, what’s out, how to go it alone and basically all things invaluable to get published.

by

Onoskelis

Last edited on Thursday June 2nd, 2005 00:16 by Legions

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Posted: Thursday June 2nd, 2005 08:44

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ChildOfBodom wrote:
no-one really understands my fairy tale, lol, they all expect it to be a gothic one or something, I did try to write a perfect for children fairy tale, but big words crept in, so I just carried on, no swearing though, I'm keeping that up.

Haha, That's just about the same thing my friend does, writes stuff about slaying dragons and fighting for humanity.

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Posted: Thursday June 2nd, 2005 09:27

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Following on from what Legions said another invaluable book to purchase would be the 'Writer's Market Deluxe Edition'.

You may had heard of it as it has been publishing since 1921.

An advantage, perhaps more for you than us Brits., is that it has an American slant. It is similar to the 'Writer's and Artist Yearbook', only it's more in depth.

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Posted: Tuesday July 12th, 2005 00:54

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Big Ups drunk for introducing me to Walter, MOsley... He's a great writer, I like his style and the way he captures the black experience of that era, though a little reserved about the first person narrative. The man is a killer with suspense.

I went back to the beginning of the Easy Rawlings series with "Devil in a blue dress" and the two Paris Minton series and I got his "Working on the chain gang" book which is very enlightening and makes you think.

Thanx athaba and all for the advice, sorry for leaving abruptly. You know writing is a lot more difficult than I anticipated, but I know it's a gradual process and I'm not planing on churning novels of great quality anytime soon. I got tales brewing in my head, wether they have substance or not I don't know... I'm looking to entertain myself at first and I think I know what I like. Getting the subtleties and minor detail within the framework of the story and hooking the reader(myself) is something I need to practice. Right now, my mindset is on finishing a manuscript and publishing is a distant second.

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