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Autumna1

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I'm contemplating writing a book - again. This is something I've been trying to get motivated to do for ages now but have been somewhat put off by the general consensus on writers' websites that it's almost impossible to get anything published unless you are either already a well known author, or have contacts in the right places.

I'm thinking of something along the lines of a Pullein-Thompson type horse-orientated story, but written for a more adult audience. As for publishing it, I'm intending to self-publish and do all the marketing etc myself so a publishing deal as such would not be an issue.

I've had a few bits and bobs published in magazines some years ago, but fiction writing is what I've always wanted to do.

I just wondered firstly, has anyone out there any experience of writing a book and having it published - how did you stay motivated to finish it, what problems did you encounter etc, and secondly, do you think people would be interested in reading the sort of thing I've outlined?

Thanks.

A.
 
What's "Lulu"?

There are several different methods of self-publishing from what I can gather. You can either source everything yourself from printers, illustrators, typesetters etc or you can use a company to do all that for you. You pay a fee which covers the actual production of the book and publication of it, together with an amazon listing, website, publicity and reprints as required. Price for this varies enormously and I think I'll research that in more depth once I've actually produced something to publish!

A.
 
Hi there,

I've written 3 full length novels ie between 110,000 + 120,000 words. Each time I'd finished one, I did a massive mailshot to agents in Writers Handbook ie ave of 90 agents that dealt with the genre. Covering letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters.

Each time, one agent (diff one each time) requested the rest of the novel, which is completely unheard of for a new writer!! But that's the furthest I've got. I've also accumulated a collection of +ve comments from agents - & these are busy people who would just send a standard rejection slip unless they really had something to say. Prob had 6 +ve letters from agents for my last novel.

Apparently if you EVER get to this stage even with 1 novel, you've got a 1 in 6 chance of eventually getting published. So it's now odds on...

I also entered & won 3 national short story comps last year.

The main probs are having the discipline to force yourself to write every day, & trying to stay +ve. I'm secretary of a writers group & tbh, they have a v draining effect on me. You come in, bursting with enthusiasm for something you've started & they all just sit there looking totally underwhelmed, which has killed off a lot of projects for me.

I abandoned novel no 4 & am trying to get started on novel no 5, without much success. I'm having a phase of thinking that everything I write is rubbish. The thing with novels is that often the starts ARE rubbish...but it doesn't matter. You just plough onwards & when you've settled into your stride you tweak the beginning.

Also I wonder if I want to dedicate a great chunk of my life to doing this. It takes me around 3 months to write a full length novel.

I would advise you to be cautious re self publishing as it's v hard to get bookshops etc to agree to take a few copies. I think there would def be an audience for your proposed novel, so if it's good enough, you should be able to get it published 'properly'!!

One agent told me that 95% of the stuff he receives is unreadable cr*p, so if you can produce something better, you're already way ahead of the competition.

Another tip - keep a book to hand by a truly awful author like Colin Forbes' 'Sinister Tide'. When you're feeling despondent, read a few pages of that & it will make you feel a lot more confident.

PM me if you want to be writing buddies?
 
Lulu is an online self-publishing facility. You can chose your binding, page size etc. and they will make up the book to order (just one book if necessary) when a customer orders it. I know one person who has gone down this route but he has now left my husband's firm so I am not sure how successful he has found it. I imagine that it is cheap though compared to other methods.
 
I'd advise you to look at the Writer's and Artists Yearbook (which should be in the library) for info on how to set out your manuscript. A lot of stuff doesn't even get read because the publishers won't look at something that's not single-sided-double-spaced and in the 'right' font.

<<wannabe screenwriter
 
Gosh Catembi

I cant believe how motivated and positive you are and how much you are getting done.
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I am trying to write and I think that you are right the motivation, self belief and discipline is one of the hardest things.

You seem very driven, is this the way that you have always been or have you disciplined yourself this way.

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Dylan66,

I'm just driven, I'm afraid. I like to work out what I want to achieve...then get on with it!! When I'm writing, I do 2 pages a day which is around 128 lines, & I sit there til I've done it. If it takes me til midnight, then it takes me til midnight.

I'm v disciplined with most stuff - I practise my piano, am in the gym 6 days a week & until recently also played drums & did martial arts. Hoping to pick up again once I've got an income.

One of my little cogs has come loose lately tho & I'm spinning my wheels a bit. Not sure whether it's cos of Cat being pts/ me made redundant in the same week or cos the people at writers are just soooooo -ve. Need to shake it off.

We used to have a mini writers group at someone's house which was secret & only the competent & motivated people were invited. That was incredibly productive - unlike the full group, you didn't feel embarrassed reading out something experimental / rubbish / that you were stuck on to ask for advice. If you do that at group, you get a load of blank faces & want to go 'arrrghhhh'.

Often it's the ideas that need tweaking / other people's opinions as much as the writing. A diff viewpoint is often really helpful.

If anyone wants to help me / me to help them, please pm...
 
I had a book published last year and have sold 500 of my 600 run. I was embroiled with a dodgy publisher who was getting me to make downpayments, and then procrastinating about doing anything. It transpired he was going out of business and had cashflow issues. I pestered the publishers bigtime until I eventually got most of my money back. I then went direct to the printers with artwork I had done myself (I'm a graphic artist), and it all ran like clockwork.

Here is a printer I can thoroughly recommend:

http://www.biddles.co.uk/

I sell my book from my own website. I also had a long list of contacts, so sent out a mailshot when the books were delivered to me (don't underestimate the space a consignment of books takes up in your garage/house!). It is also listed on Amazon, and I get some orders direct from Neilson Bookdata, who register the ISBN.

I hope this helps a bit.
 
I write for a living and have been doing so for the last four years. Before that I worked 9-5 in office jobs and knew nobody in the industry - so believe me it can be done
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I do mostly TV but had a novel published in 2006 which sold quite well (it was a spin off from a TV show) and was even on the shelves in Tesco and Asda (pretty weird doing your weekly shop and seeing your book up on the shelves!).

The best advice I can give is to just keep writing and be determined. If you want it enough then you'll get there. It's incredibly hard work, can be stressful and is very competitive. It's also not about being the most talented - you do need some talent, a smidgen of luck and loads of self belief (though that comes and goes depending on what people say about your work!). Catching the zeitgeist is your best way to success (just ask JK Rowling) but if you have a good idea then just get writing and never give up.
 
One thing I might recommend for practice, particularly if you want to write fiction is joining an "on line" writing community. It sounds dumb but even something like fanfiction (there is some UNBELIEVABLY good fanfiction . . . and a lot of crap) can be great to get you at least into the habit of writing and give you immeditate feedback. And such communities tend to be very encouraging both in wanting updates and in, if you ask, giving comments. Not to mention that there is some frighteningly bad stuff out there, which always makes one feel a little less feeble in the darker moments . . .

Another option is to take a class, where you have an instructor to help you. It may not make for the most creative situation but it will at least make you write, which is the most important thing.

I found it was good discipline to try to finish almost everything, even if I wasn't enjoying it anymore. Sometimes things worked out, sometimes not, but it all went to self-discipline and perfecting the process.
 
Thank you once again. All very interesting and informative. It's particularly encouraging to hear that you can be a success even if you aren't in the know, so to speak. I currently work 55 hours per week in 2 jobs to pay for the livery bills and credit cards(!)

We are hoping to emigrate to Canada in the next couple of years and it is hoped that if our plans work out and OH is able to relocate with his current job, I won't have to work, or at least if I do it'll just be part time. I was hoping that I might be able to start writing in earnest then without having to worry about making an immediate living from it.

Just being nosy Gedenskis-girl but what's your book called? Most impressed that you've made it - gives everyone who's hoping to get there hope that it can be done.

Thanks again.

A.
 
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