New to the board, Hello all.

[KATS]

Wow, just found this site and it looks great. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of traffic on this board (writing board) though. Are most of you hobby writers or are you seriously attempting to get published? I’m somewhere in between. I am seriously attempting to get published, but I don’t anticipate having anything ready for a few years (unless I win the lottery or something and can write full time).

[Badger]

Hello and welcome! I understand completely about the lack of time to write on top of a full-time job and a family. Hopefully, I will one day see my name in print. The main thing is persistence, and that I have in abundance. Good luck to you and Happy Holidays!

The Badger

[cassandra]

KATS:
Amen to winning the lottery and getting out of the 9-5 grind to write fulltime!

[pooh]

Well, I've been trying to break into traditional publishing, but so far only one fellow has had the insight and good taste to publish my work. Ahem thanks Dag.

Typical response from agents: interesting story, but too long for a first-time writer.

It's enough to make one seriously cynical.

Not to mention disheartened.

[Pluvious]

I'm serious about getting published. Right now I'm doing research to broaden my knowledge base though. I think Fantasy writing needs more research done than most other writing subjects.

[wolfgang]

I am dead serious about making writing my career. Although there are other things I would like to do along with it like Law and Computer Programming, writing is the one I am most focused on.

[pooh]

Hm I read somewhere the following advice:

If anything can distract you from writing, let it. If nothing can, keep at it and you will succeed.

The only part I question is the last part.

[wynnyelle]

Basically I work nine to five and write on the side, and I sure don't get enough sleep. I have never tried to publish my work because I am honest with myself and know it isn't good enough yet. When it is, I will give it a try. For now I am working on my fourth project (have finished only three others in ten years, the rest weren't worth finishing). My problem has mainly been delusions about my work. I think I'm writing something amazing, but when I read it it puts me to sleep. When I edit it, it puts me to sleep even faster. For some reason, those marvelous metaphors that describe scenes with a great scythe of insight just don't come to me. Until I've figured out how other writers do it I'm consigned to amateur status (Any tips of course would be welcome!)

[wastra]

Welcome, Kats!
I've had a couple of short stories published min what now seems like the distant past. I stopped writing for everal years when the job got to be too time-consuming to write on the side, and I'm trying to get the feel back. I've noticed that the more often you write, the easier it is to write further, and the more creative that writing will be. I am currently working on a second novel (the first one was crap), and i might try to get it published eventually, but it is several years away.


Anyway, welcome to the board!

[KATS]

Thanks all. I too took time off from writing, mostly anyway. I spent a few years painting and drawing, another passion of mine. I guess, it’s just time for me to start writing again. At least my stories are fresh to me now.

[Umesha Chalanie]

Hey Kats...

I'm Umesha (duh) and I'm pretty new here as well. I love to write, but it's hard to get it done when you have school (homework, exams, essays) and a part-time job as well. I would love to get something published - I just need to finish a damn novel first - I've started on about four, but I get sick of writing it and start on another idea. I would love to write a lot more - but hey, that's life, right? I want more than anything to be an author/illustrator (except maybe touring Europe in a yellow van/taxi) but my parents are all 'do business, do law'. So I'm sure I've got a long road ahead. But I WILL do it! I will, I will, I will, I will... (And yes, I am trying to convince myself).

[This message has been edited by Umesha Chalanie (edited January 19, 2001).]

[Rob B]

If you truly feel that you want be a writer, somehow you will find time or time will be made for the writing.

It is not always easy to stay focused on the same story/idea.

[wolfgang]

FitzFlagg couldn't be more right. I'm constantly struggling to find time to write, and when I do have time, most of the time I'm too tired to.

I'll admit I have a problem with returning reviews with people because I don't have a lot of extra time on my hands. But this summer I plan to finish my novel, and work on short stories until then. The novel I'm working on is my first one, and my first try. ( Actually I'm rewriting it rightnow ) I've had to beat myself off with a stick to keep from starting a new one.

If it helps any, I find it useful just to write down any good ideas I have, then come back to them as short stories, or later, novels. In my opinion, ideas are a dime a dozen. Fleshing out that idea into a story is the hard part.

I'm not trying to be arrogant. Just keeping conversation alive.

Aaron

[Bardos]

Hello people!
Some advice at writing, from my experience. (First of all, English is not my native language, so forgive any mistakes I might make.)
Try to write each day. And not 1-2 paragraphs; try to write one chapter each day. For me a chapter is about 10 pages, maybe more, maybe less (sometimes, thought, it reaches even 20). Now, if you can't write one day -it happens of course- write the next; don't get disapointed that you don't have time. Make time.
Another thing is that your first stories aren't going to be decent writen. I'm not refering to the plot, or characters; I'm refering to the writing itself. As you practice, your writing will get better and better. But you must write -every day, or as often as you can.
Don't be embarased to write about something. Don't think "What would the others say, if they read it?" Just write what you want to write. Writing is first for yourself, then for the others. And try to enjoy what you write. Or no... not try -just write what you enjoy most.

Yours,
Bardos

[KATS]

Bardos, I’m going to have to disagree with you. Ten pages a day may be a bit much for some people. And setting an unrealistic goal can lead to frustration, which can ultimately lead to writing less and less. Also writing 10 pages a day is not very practical either. If all you had to do to write a story was actually write sentences, and paragraphs and pages then writing 10 pages a day would be fine. But there is a LOT more to writing a book or story then just writing. There is a time when writing 10 pages a day may be appropriate, but there are also times when working on the story doesn’t involving writing any pages at all. To be honest, I think writing from scratch encompasses 10% of my stories. The bulk of work I do on my stories is the revisions. Not to mention the research and work involved in creating the story (i.e. plot, worlds, characters, etc.). But then, that’s just me and may not apply to anyone else.