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Latina_wi
Regular Poster
Username: Latina_wi
Post Number: 270
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 01:51 pm: | 
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I don't know if I am posting this in the right area of the message board or if I am even allowed to post topics like this but I am going to be cheeky and give it a go!
I understand that there are quite a few writers on the board and I would very much like to get my own book/short story going. Not necessarily for material gain (though that and recognition would be nice lol) but for personal satisfaction.
When getting in contact with old friends and teachers from school they always ask me if I 'still write' as I used to dab my hand in short stories but I find it incredibly hard to get going nowadays.
I love writing and people's responses to what I write, I remember a teacher was moved to tears because of one of my short stories(I am assuming they were 'good' tears and not tears of pain!) and I would like to evoke that reaction in at least one more person before it is too late!
Any tips or help would be much appreciated! I am guessing you lot are the best people to ask.
(I posted this is Culture, Race and Economy but another posted said that it was better advised to post here). |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3891
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 02:16 pm: |
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You can repeat the comments I made over on the other board.
Just write.
If seems as though you are someone who likes to get feedback from audiences.
I would advise poetry or some other form you can read aloud--though poetry is not very commercial or even popular it does tighten up those writing muscles.
Do any and all kinds of writing. Do obits for people, letters for people, speeches for people.
As we said before, join a workshop or writing group or take a writing course online or in college. |
Bookgirl
Regular Poster
Username: Bookgirl
Post Number: 114
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2007 - 06:25 pm: |
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There is a writing group RealSistaWriters@yahoogroups that you may find very helpful. Here is the link to subscribe:
RealSistaWriters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Go for it!
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Msprissy
Regular Poster
Username: Msprissy
Post Number: 58
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 01:14 pm: |
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I agree with the suggestion that you join writing groups and listen. But by all means, write! Write anything, write the President, your local news about issues the more often, the better. It starts the wheels moving and will press your muse to come out.
I've been absent for good reason. My novel "The Seduction of Mr. Bradley" has kept me busy. It's listed on AALBC.com!!! Drop by.
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Schakspir
Veteran Poster
Username: Schakspir
Post Number: 929
Registered: 12-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 4 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 04:12 pm: |
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If you're writing either a short story or a long novel, just start with a particular image or dialog that sticks in your head or your belly, and follow it from there; don't worry about having holes in it, or if it reads right or not. When you put down the first draft it doesn't matter. In the beginning all that matters is just getting the story down on paper.....Later on, with the rewrites, you can shape the story more, give it depth--but I recommend putting the manuscript aside for a few months to work on another. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8015
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 25, 2007 - 01:30 am: |
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Good advice, Schakspir. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 405
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 08:48 am: |
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Schakspir,
That is PERFECT advice! It is tried and true and has been (and continues to be) the method employed by the the greatest most renown writers. It's commonly known as the BIC Method. I don't know who the three people are who gave you "1 star" ratings, but they're obviously not writers. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 406
Registered: 05-2006
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 09:29 am: |
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Congratulations, Msprissy, on your novel!
I looked it up just now. Question: Why did you price it below market?
A 204-page, 6x9 trade paperback novel could EASILY fetch $14.95 - $15.95.
RULE OF THUMB: NEVER price yourself out-the-market by going too low or too high. Most people go too high. You went too low. Curious as to why you would do that to yourself. You bust your ass writing and publishing your book; you deserve top dollar of what the market will bear.
If anyone's interested, here are the 2007-2010 pricing guidelines of what the market will bear for trade paperback NOVELS (6x9/5x8/5.5x8.5):
200-300 pages: $15.95 (6x9); $14.95 (5x8/5.5x8.5)
300-400 pages: $16.95 (6x9); $15.95 (5x8/5.5x8.5)
400-500 pages: $17.95 (6x9); $16.95 (5x8/5.5x8.5)
Trade paperback novels are priced $xx.95. Mass market paperback novels are priced $xx.99. Technical books, textbooks, reference books, and non-fiction are priced $xx.00. You'll find some publishers who go against pricing conventions, but they're either clueless about the publishing industry, OR they're using a marketing strategy for THAT particular book; otherwise they DO adhere to industry standard pricing conventions.
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