Goodreads Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors discussion

*clears throat, waves*

Hi, I'm Ellen and I write urban fantasy. Or at least I think that is what it would be classified under. I'm not to clear on where the mixed genre books I enjoy reading (and writing) are placed in the scheme of things.

I have dreamed of being a writer for years, but it was only recently that I decided enough was enough and if I really wanted to become a published author then I needed to stop keeping the stories in my head and start putting them on paper.

Of course, I’ve thought this before and never get very far. So I made a rule: I have to write at least two pages a day. While it doesn’t seem like much some days it is everything I can do to finish one page let alone two. Then there are the days were I don’t even notice when I’ve finished the two pages because I am so caught up in the story. My rule seems to be working for me right now—in less then a month I have written 120 pages on a story that I have had in my mind for years.

Of course, the characters aren’t following the script I had all planned for them—they have decided to make a break for it and have tossed me into an area that I am not all that familiar with.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself, but I seem to have gotten a little verbose in the introduction.

*blushes*

Ellen

Hi Ellen!

Congratulations on writing your first story! It takes courage to dream and even more courage to pursue that dream. For me, it was the fear of having my dreams dashed away that made me not write. Better to not have hope at all than to hope and dream and have it all burn away.

I got over it. Like you, I started writing and once I started I couldn't stop. It was addicting. I'd have friends review my work, and I am so thankful that they didn't try to be gentle with their criticism. Because of their ruthless editings, I discovered that I had a lot to learn. I thought about giving up, but I couldn't, thinking I didn't have what it takes.

But as I said, I was addicted. I then turned my efforts to studying and then to practicing. Some good books that helped me:

Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon
Revision and Self Editing by James Scott Bell

I heard that On Writing by Stephen King was good, but I haven't read it yet.

You can also get some more help on my blog: http://afantasyfiction.blogspot.com

I write about writing and book marketing and do book reviews. Currently I'm running a poetry contest.

In my opinion, characters that have a life of their own and don't listen to the author's agenda are a good thing. Sounds like you've got something right.

Good luck and welcome to the insanity of being a writer!

On Writing is an amazing book, and I certainly recommend it (I am reading it again - this time via audiobook and listening to Stephen King in his own words.

Ellen, keep up the great work, and consistency is certainly key!

I also posted a blog entry with a couple of writing strategies that you might find useful.

Good Luck, and let me know if I can help in any way.

Quinton Wall
quinton wall.com

The Seed of Hope

Thanks Quinton, I'll keep it in mind.

Ellen

Ellen, the one thing you missed is giving us some more information on your story. Do you have a website, are you building a following? These are all part of what it means to be a modern day author.

I would like to check out your work. You have put in the long hours, now make sure you shout it out from the rooftops.

Quinton
quintonwall.com
The Seed of Hope

Quinton wrote: "Ellen, the one thing you missed is giving us some more information on your story. Do you have a website, are you building a following? These are all part of what it means to be a modern day author...."

Right now, no I don't have a website and I don't even know how to think about starting one. I am so not a technical minded person.

And I am still writing the story--but be assured as soon as its finished I will be yelling at the top of my lungs.

Thanks.

Ellen

cant wait - good luck!

If you want some advice re setting up a website, check out Wordpress.

It is a great, fully featured platform, and the tool I use for my site quintonwall.com

Quinton
The Seed of Hope

Quinton wrote: "cant wait - good luck!

If you want some advice re setting up a website, check out Wordpress.

It is a great, fully featured platform, and the tool I use for my site quintonwall.com

Thanks Quinton. I'll look at it now.

Ellen
Quinton
[book..."

Good luck, Ellen. I've just finished a draft of Xaghra's Revenge, which is a magic realism fantasy. Much is urban but I wouldn't class it as that.

Quinton asked you if you are building a following. Interesting Q. I've a website at http://geoffnelder.com and it receives hundreds of hits a day as does my blog, (mainly after my first book was published) but I'm not sure I have a following as such. At least not the thousands of hungry readers the established writers have.

Oh I wish!
Geoff

Geoff said: "At least not the thousands of hungry readers the established writers have."

Ah, the dream! The wish that someday, someway this will be you. I am very familiar with that dream.

Anyway, thanks Geoff. And good luck with your story and revisions.

Ellen

Hundreds of hits is nothing to sneeze about. That means that out of the millions of people on the internet, hundreds are taking the time to read what you have to say which is great. What better way to approach an agent/publisher than to show them why your book is/will be successful :)

Quinton
quintonwall.com
The Seed of Hope

Welcome, Ellen!

Congratulations on your decision to do it! I don't write, even though my people speak to me on a regular basis. I tried, but every time I put pen to paper they run screaming in the other direction and I am left looking at a blank page. *Sigh* Oh well. That's all right though, because I found my niche when it comes to books (aside from reading them, that is). I edit and proof, both freelance and for a couple of companies. I have a knack for grammar, punctuation and so I help my authors polish their works (they're all my authors, whether I'm working with them freelance or not), and I am proud that I have a knack that I can use to be involved daily with great books.

Nice to meet you!

Lil

Thanks Lil!

I have to admit, people who can easily pull grammar labels out of their heads baffle me. I can write, and edit--but it is more of "what sounds good" editing then making sure things are grammatically correct.

I'm trying to be more aware, not just of grammar but of writing techniques in general. But trying to do that and write at the same time (or edit) is to ask for writers block.

I absolutely agree with you, get it down first then go back over it later. Writers block is a thing to be avoided at all costs!

Lil wrote: "I absolutely agree with you, get it down first then go back over it later. Writers block is a thing to be avoided at all costs!"

*laughs* If only it was easy to avoid. Then I would already have a completed manuscript--years ago.