17 replies to this topic

[The Black Sheep]

Ok, so over the last 12 years I've juggled my choices for a career. From computer tech, to game writer, to 3D artist, to (now) writing a cheesy sci-fi novel. It's my side project, but I have a problem. I have no readers. Anyone care to give my first 10 chapters a read?

A little background. I went to college for something I thought would be my absolute passion - game design. It's an extremely difficult field to get into, apparently. Every 'kid' that plays games usually has the idea that they'd someday like to make games... thus a lot of competition. I've settled into being a computer tech, but that part of me still desperately wants to create something. So I decided that instead of going into Game Design and failing my way up the ladder (at best), maybe I should just get my game-story out in a novel first. For the passed few months I've been trying to put that story into a novel called Beyond Bermuda. Maybe someday, if I could ever get the whole idea out, someone might take a little interest. If not, at least I could get the idea out =)

Any guinea pig volunteers that could give it a read? My husband is absolutely bored of it. haha.

I'd attach the .doc file, but it's over the 200kb limit.

Edited by The Black Sheep, 22 September 2010 - 02:20 AM.

[mellowgator]

black sheep,

i'd love to read your chapters. you should post here on the forum like coach did.


mellowgator

[rue2you]

Me too - I'm in!

[The Black Sheep]

Yay! Test readers. K, here's two attachments. The first is chapters 1-5, second is 6-10. 10 isn't quite finished... or hardly started, but anyhow, thank you!

bah, still too big combined... chapters 6-10

I'm a newb writer, so be harsh. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

Attached Files

•  Bermuda 1thru5.doc   163K   91 downloads
•  Bermuda 6thru10.doc   98.5K   59 downloads

Edited by The Black Sheep, 22 September 2010 - 03:02 AM.

[isobar]

The Black Sheep, on 22 September 2010 - 02:04 AM, said:

Ok, so over the last 12 years I've juggled my choices for a career. From computer tech, to game writer, to 3D artist, to (now) writing a cheesy sci-fi novel. It's my side project, but I have a problem. I have no readers. Anyone care to give my first 10 chapters a read?

A little background. I went to college for something I thought would be my absolute passion - game design. It's an extremely difficult field to get into, apparently. Every 'kid' that plays games usually has the idea that they'd someday like to make games... thus a lot of competition. I've settled into being a computer tech, but that part of me still desperately wants to create something. So I decided that instead of going into Game Design and failing my way up the ladder (at best), maybe I should just get my game-story out in a novel first. For the passed few months I've been trying to put that story into a novel called Beyond Bermuda. Maybe someday, if I could ever get the whole idea out, someone might take a little interest. If not, at least I could get the idea out =)

Any guinea pig volunteers that could give it a read? My husband is absolutely bored of it. haha.

I'd attach the .doc file, but it's over the 200kb limit.

                                                       I'll give it a read. Good luck with the book

[pistol_pete]

I'll give it a read Baa Baa.

I did a week long writing workshop two months after I came out of rehab. Gave me a lot of confidence to start writing. Now I just need the motivation, anyway that's another story.
We were told that it's a great thing to join a writers circle to share and critique each others work on a regular basis.
I live in a small town with a small population, so forming a writers circle is difficult. I was musing on this problem just the other day.

Maybe it's something we could do on the forum. Have somewhere to post your words and get some feedback.
I've only written one short story and I'm 3000 words into another one, so I don't have a great deal to submit, but I'm facing six weeks of immobilisation after shoulder surgery so I'll have not much else to do but write.

Your request for feedback gave me the idea, Black Sheep.
Anyone else think they could be part of a writers circle?

Just an idea anyway.

[rue2you]

Pete -
I enjoy writing but I don't have an interest in stories or novels. I like more of the inspirational stuff - more article length. Of course, mine is Christian oriented also so I don't know if that would be of much interest here. But, if any of that fits in somewhere, I would be interested in a writer's circle so I could learn more from others.

[The Black Sheep]

I'd love to be part of a writer's circle. I used to read more before my current job, and while I was in school, I read about a book a week just trying to jar up some ideas. I miss that.

Count me in.

And Rue, I think there are a lot more Christian readers here than we may think. Everyone has their own taste in reading, kind of like some people don't really like sci-fi or romance, but I'm completely open minded to read anything. As long as it's not like Steven King or Dean Koontz gory. Well, even then I'd read it, but I probably wouldn't like it. =)

[S&W Winger]

I'll happily read along! I write poetry, short stories, songs, etc;, and am working on a novel, which may turn into a screenplay, since I keep having visions of it as a film (maybe hallucinations and delusions of grandeur!)


Anyway, I'll read your work and encourage and kindly critique...just last week I started attending a womens writing group to help inspire and kick me in the butt and to get me going...it is very helpful to have the pressure of others' in order to pick up a pen or tap on the keyboard!

[Tetracyclone]

I'll be back later to join in. I put our house on the market 10-1, so pretty hectic.

[jenny407]

Just found this - a bit late, admittedly.

While I don't write myself now (I did as a teenager, no more time now, no more patience), I do LOVE talking about stories, articles, anything based on language. I was part of two literary circles with friends. But that's another story.

So is this idea of a talking-about-your-literature or anything like it still up? I'd love to read what people write - and no, I wouldn't criticize teacher-style. =)

[mcwriter]

Love this idea.

I finished the draft of my first book recently and am currently trying to edit. Never knew this part of the process was so tedious. Meanwhile, Book Two (might be a series) is coming into being. I'm having it read and my family is quite adamant that I can't just put it "out there" because they want me to get it published. It's driving me crazy.

So even though I can't post that one, I am still very interested in this thread and would like to write some things for it so I can get some input including critiques on some specific things like voice and style, actually.

I imagine we could post with attachments???

[jenny407]

Great, mcwriter. Yes, the attachments as in post # 4 seem to work fine. Looking forward to hearing / reading from you! And from others. What about Bev's creative works?

[Snakeye]

Hopefully once your manuscript is finished you will not go the self-publish-vanity press or print-on-demand route. There is a reason many writers cannot find a legit publisher to gamble on their work...It's not good enough..I would advise you go the hard route and submit your manuscript to established traditional publishers big or small. You will be rejected but try try again...If your work is good enough someone will foot the bill and make the effort to publish it..If ya want to be a writer ..be a real one.. not an imitation of one..A "Published Author" is one that is payed money up-front for his or her work..Also, if ya want to sale books learn the art of public speaking..If ya don't... ya won' make it..and pay a pro to edit your manuscript before you submit it to a publisher....Good luck

Edited by Snakeye, 18 October 2010 - 01:55 PM.

[mcwriter]

Snakeye, on 18 October 2010 - 01:42 PM, said:

Hopefully once your manuscript is finished you will not go the self-publish-vanity press or print-on-demand route. There is a reason many writers cannot find a legit publisher to gamble on their work...It's not good enough..I would advise you go the hard route and submit your manuscript to established traditional publishers big or small. You will be rejected but try try again...If your work is good enough someone will foot the bill and make the effort to publish it..If ya want to be a writer ..be a real one.. not an imitation of one..A "Published Author" is one that is payed money up-front for his or her work..Also, if ya want to sale books learn the art of public speaking..If ya don't... ya won' make it..and pay a pro to edit your manuscript before you submit it to a publisher....Good luck

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I would like to go the traditional route. I hear that Literary Agents also are a good means of getting you through to the editors who publish your type of book. There are many of the big publishers now who won't even read a manuscript unless they already know the author or a work that has been recommended to them by word of mouth and that is where a Literary Agent comes in.

So it is not only a process of zeroing in on publishers who publish your type of book, but also publishers who publish new authors, same with finding an agent who can also help with the editing process, etc., as they also specialize in certain genres.

Plus, different publishers require submissions in different formats. Some want full manuscripts, some want only the first five chapters, some want only query letters, etc. Some take submissions via email, others snail-mail.

Along with that research, I also have to come up with the PITCH, the catch or description of the story in just a few lines, and many of them also require a short BIO. Just the query letters alone are even in different formats for what they want you to include.

Not worried about the public speaking, pretty comfortable with that, luckily.

Anyway, you can see why I am leaning toward finding a Literary Agent. It is all pretty mind-boggling, but I have started Book Two, meanwhile, thinking along the lines of a Young-Adult series.

I have read that when editors consider a book they are also considering whether they want to also invest in future books from you. It is practical and good business to look beyond a One-Hit Wonder. So, can they expect to continue a relationship with an author who will continue to turn out something that will make money for them? Hmmmm. Something to think about, huh.

[Snakeye]

Literary agents cost money and are usually reserved for those who have already been published. Might be a good idea if a big publisher like Random House offered you a contract but that's doubtful to happen....If I were you I'd build up a body of work...I had a dozen articles published in nationaly syndicated true crime and wild west magazines, Oklahoma Today as well as newspaper articles in the Tulsa World, Daily Oklahoman, and Dallas Morning News before my first book was published..But, I was lucky to have found a mid-level sized publisher who was interested in the topics I was writing about and offered me a contract 12 yrs ago...After the first book was out there and made him money he just kept publishing the other five (about to be six if I get off my ass and finish it)...I spent ten hard years doing book conventions,book signings and presentations to Friends of the Library groups, historical societies as well as festivals, etc to build up my name recognition (regional)and was fortunate to have known several folks who had done documentaties with the History Channel and turned me on to that...I was also involved in a screenplay but not of my work....I do not nor ever had a literary agent. My wife acts in that capacity..Personally, I don't care to share my royalties with anyone....Just be hard-headed and thick-skinned while you re-submit your manuscript over and over. Start with small publishers and in the meantime write some short stories or poetry for publication for little publications. Who knows maybe you're the next Harper Lee...Good Luck...PS..Before anyone gets the wrong impression: I'm merely a moderatly succsesful writer/researcher of regional history, Not a household name by any stretch of the imagination...Hell, without spellcheck I'm lost...

Edited by Snakeye, 18 October 2010 - 03:53 PM.

[mcwriter]

Awesome advice.

Yes, it is a an exercise in perseverance. Well the Literary agent thing is just one of the things I have been reading about. I will get to looking for some ways to build up that body of work as you say.

[Snakeye]

mcwriter, on 18 October 2010 - 06:08 PM, said:

Awesome advice.

Yes, it is a an exercise in perseverance. Well the Literary agent thing is just one of the things I have been reading about. I will get to looking for some ways to build up that body of work as you say.

If ya want to read the best fiction on the market today check out Milton Burton...Very good friend of mine and what a master-craftsman with words...His work was rejected many times before being accepted..Now he can write his own ticket so to speak...The same with Brian Burroughs...

Edited by Snakeye, 18 October 2010 - 07:03 PM.