More on writing a first novel
"You must keep sending work out; you must never let a manuscript do nothing but eat its head off in a drawer. You send that work out again and again, while you're working on another one. If you have talent, you will receive some measure of success - but only if you persist." -Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)
What are some of the things a new writer must learn in order to write a publishable novel? Learning to write fiction can be a long and slow process, one that takes the butt kicking determination of a bulldog and the studious discipline of a Saint.
There are sooo many things that you must not only know, but master. Is there an easy road, a shortcut to achieving that level of expertise? In a word, NO! Are there ways of getting in as much practice as possible in as short a period of time without actually enrolling in writing classes, either on campus or on the internet? I think so.
First let me say that writing classes, particularly college or writing schools that you must attend in person, are, in my opinion, the best way to start if you can afford the time and expense. There's nothing like having a structured class, homework and 'specially a teacher to help along the way.
Needless to say, due to time constraints and finances, I had to try alternative methods. The one I have found most effective has been writing short stories. Attempting to write something that won't be finished for a year or so with no assurance that I won't have to trash the whole thing half way through was too too intimidating to me. A short story, on the other hand, only takes a week or two.
During that time I get to create a character or two (read as practice), develop a plot from beginning to end, (read as more practice), and when finished with my first draft, post it on my writing groups website (See below link for My Writing Friend if you are interested in joining) for valuable feedback. The whole process takes about 3 weeks to a month. At the end of that time I have a finished work, one that I can be proud of, one that I can, and do, send out to contests and to publishers. The fact that some of my works have been published has validated my belief that I'm not just wasting my time or fooling myself. That validation has given me the final push I've needed to write a novel.
Writing stories, and completing them is a short amount of time is a great way to learn most of the basics before committing to the long process of writing a novel. Notice I said most of the basics. It's still a long learning process but at least now I have enough experience behind me to start on this road with the knowledge that I can, and will finish it. This is definitely not the only way to achieve success as a writer, nor is it necessarily the best way. That's up to you to decide.
So what are you waiting for? Give it a try, see if writing short stories might be an effective path to becoming a published novelist.
Well, my website is finally online. Notice I didn't say it's finished. It still needs more work and I would appreciate any comments or suggestions that might help improve it as we go along. The web address is http://www.aelfbooks.com/ There are some freebies for new writers on the site, much more to come, as well as a lot of propaganda about me. HA! That's one of the things that newbie writers have to do, gain exposure. If you don't promote yourself and get your work out there any way possible, how can you expect publishers or agents to get interested in you and your work? Some of my short stories are also linked to the site for your reading enjoyment.
There are loads of excellent programs and how to's on the web. They are all good but finding the ones that work for you is a job. Each program, like each writer, is unique and the job is to find those books and software programs that interface with the way you, as an individual, think and learn. This will be the subject on my next article. Well, that's all for now. See ya later, 'gater. Aelf
· Online Writing Workshop: http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com
Copyright © 09/25/07
posted by Aelf at 6:37 AM 
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