Where to start? - Writers Forum

Breaker · 11-15-2005, 02:34 PM

A total writing newby here, with no published works, and no story to tell. Except one.

For the past few years (interupted by having kids, starting a business, enjoying myself) I've manged to find time to put pen to paper and very slowly unravel a plot I've had bouncing around my head for quite a while. Although I've rarely found the time to write in the last two years, the story has been shaping up rather nicely, and I've managed to map out the progress of the book in rough down to the last chapter.

Having recently passed the 40,000 (unedited) words mark, I'm starting to wonder about the potential for having it published, and how best to proceed. As I'm sure you can appreciate, getting an agent/publishing house to offer some positive feedback would certainly bolster my efforts and lead me to prioritise my writing over more trivial pursuits such as feeding and spending time with my children.

Which leads me to my two questions.

Firstly, is this a worthwhile road to take, or do agents/publishing houses expect a completed MS before one sends out queries?

And secondly, are there agents and publishing houses which specifically deal with, or are even very well known for, particular genres? My book is purely Science Fiction, and one can't help but look with some longing at the logo's attached to such literary entities as Iain M. Banks, Isaac Asimov, Richard Paul Russo and others.

If there are any other suggestions, or links to previously submitted threads which anyone feels might have particular relevance for me, I'd recieve them gratefully.

Cheers.

Shade53 · 11-15-2005, 06:46 PM

Most publishers and agents expect that a complete manuscript exists when you send your synopsis/query/sample. Just think - if one happened to say - yes, please send me the rest you would be up a creek. I would suggest a couple of things first - a good beta reader or crit group to iron out the edges, second - get ahold of the current "Writer's Market" and thumb through the agents and publishers. With Science Fiction especially, there seems to be hard lines drawn with who will publish or represent it. Your biggest advantage is to research your target well first.

Hope that helps - at least a little

~S

mammamaia · 11-16-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Firstly, is this a worthwhile road to take, or do agents/publishing houses expect a completed MS before one sends out queries?

as shade notes, you really do have to finish your novel, before attempting to sell it... only established writers with best-seller track records can sell an unfinished piece of work... so, you must not only complete your book, but make sure it's polished and ready to be seen, by having someone knowledgeable take a good look at it, before querying agents or publishers...

And secondly, are there agents and publishing houses which specifically deal with, or are even very well known for, particular genres? My book is purely Science Fiction, and one can't help but look with some longing at the logo's attached to such literary entities as Iain M. Banks, Isaac Asimov, Richard Paul Russo and others.

...there definitely are genre restrictions for querying/submitting material to agaents and publishers... it makes no sense to approach a paperback romance imprint or an agent who reps only children's books, with an x-rated sci-fi/fantasy action thriller, right?...

...so, after you finish your book and have it checked over by someone who's not related to you by blood or bed, do your homework and find agents and publishing houses that specialize in what it is you have to offer...

...as for any other advice, what you'll need most is patience and perseverance, since it can often take longer to hook an agent or publisher, than it does to write the novel!...

...best of luck with it all... love and hugs, maia

Breaker · 11-16-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

...as for any other advice, what you'll need most is patience and perseverance, since it can often take longer to hook an agent or publisher, than it does to write the novel!...

Patience I have. In spades. After all, I started writing the book in 2001, quickly pumped out 35,000 words, and then spent the next four years struggling to find enough time to polish off another 5,000. The story's there, waiting to be written, but everything else seems to have priority. Such is life.

Thanks for the words of wisdom anyway. Appreciated.

mammamaia · 11-17-2005, 08:46 AM

from what you're saying, i'm wondering if part of your problem may stem from not having your plot laid out first... if you're not working from an outline, that would explain your first creative spurt petering out and the subsequent struggle to sqeeze out the rest... why not take a break from the actual writing and go back to square one, setting down an outline that you can follow in writing the rest?

that way, no matter what little bits of time you can find for it, you'll know where you're headed and should thus find the writing flowing more easily...

amusinglackoftalent · 11-17-2005, 10:50 AM

Breaker,

Pick up this month's Writer's Digest. It has a fascinating article by a woman who writes young adult fiction. She didn't have 'time' for approaching the business of publishing in the usual manner. She has ten steps she followed or 'didn't follow', some of them absolutely not the 'accepted' way of going about things but the read is delightful and she is now a published author. (Oh, I would highly recommend you finish your book and have it professionally edited before you start your own 'ten steps to publishing' routine.) Good luck with your book.

Breaker · 11-17-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

from what you're saying, i'm wondering if part of your problem may stem from not having your plot laid out first... if you're not working from an outline, that would explain your first creative spurt petering out and the subsequent struggle to sqeeze out the rest...

To which I say

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breaker

...I've managed to map out the progress of the book in rough down to the last chapter.

Having read a few 'how to' guides on writing, I got the whole plot down in rough form very quickly. The story just flowed together from the initial concept very smoothly so I don't have a problem with that. My issue is simply with having the time to write the book. I've tried creating a new work ethic (involving getting up very early) which seems to be working, but I don't know how long I can keep getting up at 5am. We shall see.

mammamaia · 11-17-2005, 04:15 PM

sorry 'bout that!... i seem to have missed that bit... good luck with rearranging your schedule...