Looking for tips for the modern writer - Writers Forum

Lightingbird · 08-26-2007, 03:14 PM

Hello...

I've completed one book many years ago and I've been out of the game. Are there any new tips or techniques I should implement with my current new works? I'm looking at completing a fiction trilogy about an american agent.

Once I get some work completed, I'll post up for opinions and help. Any tips ?

kkwriterchick · 08-26-2007, 03:49 PM

hi!
i'm a new writer so i don't have any tips, but i'd like to hear tips from other people also.

Johnnyelvis · 08-26-2007, 04:13 PM

Well, I'm working on a novel myself - but that's another thing entirely.

What you should do is write many, many short stories in the genre that your novel is in, and then sub them to as many e-zines as possible. Even if they don't accept them, some will say why they wouldn't accept it, and then you can take their pointers and keep working on the story.

Slowly, make your short stories longer and longer until they are a decent novella length. Find e-zines or print places that specialise in the longer story. Work yourself up until you can get the first and second draft of your novel under your belt. Then the third and fourth draft. Then send it off to agents and keep your fingers crossed. Expect many rejections from many places. But then who knows?

Good luck, and I hope my inane warblings have helped.

johnny

Lightingbird · 08-26-2007, 06:48 PM

Ok I have some generic questions.
1. How many pages/words should a novel be exactly?
Ok thats just one ha.

Selorian · 08-26-2007, 06:55 PM

A novel can be (roughly) anywhere from 70,000 words and up, with the average being 80-100k. Page number is irrelevant.

Binary_Viper · 08-27-2007, 02:16 PM

If you go to This Site , a lot of you questions will be answered. Anything from how many pages, chapter lengths, best how-to's and how to go about getting published.

She's one of my favorite authors, as well as well known. She's done what many authors couldn't - publish many books that are 1,000 + pages without difficulty. Check it out.

Hobbes · 08-27-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnyelvis

What you should do is write many, many short stories in the genre that your novel is in, and then sub them to as many e-zines as possible. Even if they don't accept them, some will say why they wouldn't accept it, and then you can take their pointers and keep working on the story.

Slowly, make your short stories longer and longer until they are a decent novella length. Find e-zines or print places that specialise in the longer story. Work yourself up until you can get the first and second draft of your novel under your belt. Then the third and fourth draft. Then send it off to agents and keep your fingers crossed. Expect many rejections from many places. But then who knows?

My thoughts exactly. Learn to write shorter stories before attempting longer ones. It's up to you, but that's what I'd do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobbes

Learn to write a good 2,000 word story. Then learn to write a good 5,000 word story. Try a 10,000 word story or two. Finally, go for novellas - 25,000 words, and eventually, full length novels. If you can tell a tight story in each of the smaller constrictions, your writing will be honed enough to make the most of a 50,000/80,000 word novel. But if you can't hold focus yet on a 5,000 word story (much less a 10,000 word one), it would be wise to spend more time refining your free throw before going for the three pointer, if you catch my drift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorrie

Since you're faily new, I'm going to guess that your skills aren't up to par(such as mine, so I'm not knocking you) In such case, I would just write short stories and hone my skills. Take it from me. I have a six hundred page manuscript that's needs to be completely rewritten. Everything I've learned, I can see now that its just a six hundred page notebook. Get your skills down first, then attempt something more signifigant.