Some writing questions

1. The only thing that is too violent is when you yourself feel that it's gone to far. Never let anyone tell you that you're writing is too violent. And don't feel the need to censor yourself for anyone. If you are truley writing for young adults, then most of them enjoy a good bloody battle scene.

2. As far as length goes. It really depends on your audience. If you're aiming for action junkies that lose interest quickly, then stick in the 200 pages range. However you should always go until you feel it is done. Even if that means an extra 100 pages.

3. Sorry I know nothing on this subject

4. Same as above

Hey Axver!
I like writing too, I don't get too serious though. I've thought about your questions and hope this incredibly long post helps:

1) I read alot of Stephen King, and he writes lots of gore and violence in his novels. It can get a bit rough at times, and it has gotten unreadable before. When I write, I always think, "What would my parents think if they read this?" And if I think it's too graphic for my parents to read and chastice me for it later on, I tone it down a bit. I think violence is good in writing, though, especially if you like things being real. If everyone's happy and loving all the time, that won't exactly convince me it could really happen. Just be careful you don't get too terribly detailed in the violent parts, but don't leave any out.

2) I like long books personally, I think you get to know the characters alot better (I'm currently reading a 1090 page book and I feel like the characters are part of my life). I usually buy books 350 - 500 pages long for a good read. Over 500 is long in my opinion, and under 350 or 400 is short in my opinion. Be sure you don't add lots of nothing scenes and randomness just to fill in space. Don't babble and ramble to add length. Some of the best books I've read are no more than two pages long (check out "Micro Fiction" by Jerome Stern). Just write till you feel like you've written enough.

3) I personally know nothing of boats at all, though I wish I did. I live in Tenessee, right smack in the middle of... land. I've visited the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans numerous times though, and am fascinated with boats. Do research on the web for boats, check out your local library for boats, and ask around your neighborhood for boating experts. Your bound to find something that helps.

4) I don't have enough confidence to get any of my works published, but I think it's great that you want to get your stuff out in the world. Here are two websites that may help:
http://publish.1stbooks.com/publish.asp?source=ppc_google_adwords_publishing_books
and
http://images.iuniverse.com/ad/default.asp?site=Google
Hope this helps you get your writing in public! About living in Australia... first of all I'm extremely jealous of you, my dream house (make that dream life) is in Australia. It's such a beautiful place, even though I'm too poor to spend 50 million dollars to go there so I've never been. Second of all, I don't know how that will affect your publishing. But don't leave Australia! I'll come down and visit you some day... hopefully... and then I'll read all your books you've published.

Hope my senseless babbling helps! I can't wait to read your works, and e-mail me at JoshCo88@comcast.net if you need anything else. I'd be more than happy to help a fellow writer!

God bless you in your writing!!

Axver said:

1. and also by the fact that my peers and myself find most stuff for people our age dreadfully boring.

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i think instead of lots of violence, you should also add more humour (or wit) in it to lighten up the atmosphere. Humour might be one way also to write deep characters that attract attention other than just fighting scene one after another.

3. I'm quite focused on realism, and one essential element of my plot is boats.

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then go research on boats. that's what writers do.
and sorry that i can't provide much infor for you.

4. Publishing tips. Anyone got any helpful advice? Does being in Australia make it harder or easier? Does being my age make it harder or easier?

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no idea though i live here... but i remember coming across a book on all the publishing outlets in Australia in Dymocks.
here's an australian site for australian writers: http://www.voyageronline.com.au/default.cfm?rid=79906878

you can post up stories for review but the messageboard can only be seen if you registered; and i think somebody was talking about publishing stuff but i can't find it, maybe you can make a new thread.

I believe www.cafepress.com allows you to publish your own books, only I didn't research it much as I was more interested in selling CDs...

Axver said:

Hey thanks folks, that's really great, truly. Definitely some stuff to think about and consider. I would go and make replies to each individual point, but 1. it's late and 2. most of it would just be basic stuff like "yeah, true" or "thank you" or whatever. So yes, I appreciate your posts.

On a side note, I think I've managed to work out the boating stuff working off my meagre knowledge ... hopefully I'll be able to find someone who knows something about boating so that I can make sure what I have planned is actually realistic.

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did you try going to the good old library and checking out some books on boating. it might help. the internet is not the only way to find things.