Plans....

[YourlilKatiebaby]

So when you start a novel or whatever, do you plan on it someday being published? or at least trying to get it published? Or is it just a side hobby type deal? When you started it, did you plan on trying to publish your finished work?

Does anyone go as far as to plan things out? I know me and my friends have this little thing that we do when we write. Just for the fun of it, we "Cast" our books into movies. We pick out actors that we would want to eb cast in our "Movies" its really fun. Does anyone else do that?

How about covers. I for one, never give my books to anyone without at least a title cover page. I prefer them to have a real cover. Usually just a black and white print out of something I threw together of photoshop. But that's definitely one of my favorite things to do.

 

[Tariel]

I don't plan to publish my book - I expect it and I am working on it. I don't know if I planned to publish from the start; it was so long ago that I don't remember (I have Paolini beat by the way, I started my novel when I was 13). These days, nearly everything I write I work on with the expectation that I will publish it.

As for covers and movies and things like that: I admit it, sometimes when I'm going to bed and I'm half-asleep I'll think about what the cover might look like or I'll think about how the story would have to change if it was ever made into a movie. I never mentally cast my books though, because 1. even if my book is made into a movie that's not my decision and 2. there aren't any actors that I can think of who would work particularly well in the roles. I only think about this when I'm very very bored though - generally I just try to work on keeping my characters from killing each other, or worse making new friends.

 

[sunstruckdream]

^I can't afford any new friends in my WIP. I swear, I may kill any who drop in on me. I know what you mean.

I'm still unpublished, but I work hard on my writing and I really do hope I'm able to publish someday. I know it's a competitive field, and I'm not confident enough to say I'm counting on it, but I'll be trying my gosh darn hardest and querying my little heart out, starting as soon as my current novel (my second attempt at one) is completely done. Dunno when that'll be - we'll see.

 

[Tariel]

^My main charcter not only made a friend, but her new friend decided to drag an entire world into the mix. I fear it's too late to undo any damage she's done; I'm also not sure I want to. However, nobody in my novel is allowed to aquire (randomly or otherwise) any new friends, relatives, or significant others.

 

[sunstruckdream]

How considerate of the friend. *Eye roll.* Still, sometimes those surprises are good things. I'm pretty safe atm, I think - my characters are in a secluded location, and the bulk of the problem is that they have little to no outside contact. Now I just hope they don't spite me for saying that by finding someone in a closet or something. Haha.

 

[Tariel]

You do sound pretty safe, but if your characters are anywhere near as resourceful as mine, all bets are off.

 

[sunstruckdream]

My characters - at least, this cast of them - tend to be resourceful more in the sense of finding wrenches to throw in my plot. Someone has a hidden motive or a secret, or they've lied to me about chronology of important past events...things like that. New characters don't waltz in TOO too often, but new problems seem to have their own waiting room.

 

[Tariel]

All characters should be required to provide us with a complete and accurate account of their lives before they can be considered for a part in a novel. There should also be some form of application process.

"I'm sorry, this story is full - perhaps you'd be interested in a short story? You can be the main character...yes I know that a minor part in a novel still gives you more page time than a major part in a short story, but that's all that I can....Fine. You can have the short story and a cameo in the novel, but no talking to the MC - she might like you." *shudders*

*Hello? Yes, I recieved your application...I'm sorry, you do not qualify for this part....Perhaps you didn't read our FAQ - there is a strict 3 traumatic events per childhood limit, and you have four traumatic events....I'm sorry, there seems to be a misunderstanding. The burning of your village and the murder of your family count as two seperate events....Yes, even if they happened at the same time....I'm very sorry. I will let you know if a 4+ TE postition opens up. Thank you for your patience."

Then again....

 

[sunstruckdream]

If only...

One of my characters is SO screwed up right now. I knew he had problems at the moment. What I didn't know was that his parents were dead, his uncle was a mercenary, and his whole existence was pretty much down the drain. At first he was just melancholy. Now he's indulging in life-risking behaviors because he couldn't care less. If we'd had an interview, you can bet he'd be in my office right now: "I need you at the end! What do you think you're doing? If you die, what do I do? I can't recast you now! Stay with me!!"

 

[Tariel]

My roommate once suggested I set up a mental office and only let my characters come and talk with me at certain times (such as not during class) but it didn't seem to help much. I just got fictional people barging into my "office" at strange hours, ready to discuss changes I made. Apparently fictional people don't pay attention to posted office hours.

That is one screwed up character. I don't have anybody quite that messed up, but I'm afraid that now somebody is going to see that as a challenge. If in the next few days all my characters tell me that they had major childhood trauma, I blame you. (In a good way, of course )

 

[sunstruckdream]

Heh, but of course I have a penchant for characters with major problems, I think. I write balanced characters too - I believe in moderation, lol - but some of them have it pretty bad.

Most of my characters don't like me, and I probably deserve it. Painful pasts...surprise pregnancies (the character who suffered this one was 16, I might mention)...hangovers...addictions...abductions...outside attempts to kill them...conspiracy plots...general societal rejection...paranormal or fantastical 'guests' dropping by...
I guess I'm not a very nice author

I hope none of your characters turn on you now...

 

[Tariel]

My characters would probably kill me if they got the chance - they say that writers need to be careful not to be too nice to their characters, but I don't think we have that problem. Horribly messed-up people are just more fun.

My character has her daughter but mother and child get abducted by the villain shortly after the birth, and then the father gets killed trying to rescue them. Fun stuff, isn't it?

 

[white dove]

So when you start a novel or whatever, do you plan on it someday being published? or at least trying to get it published? Or is it just a side hobby type deal? When you started it, did you plan on trying to publish your finished work?

It depends. It depends on my work, as well as my mindset. Sometimes, I go in looking to get published. Yet, the majority of the time, I simply enjoy the writing and try not to get bogged down by looking too much into the future. I have a long-term definitive goal of getting published in 10 years, but that is rarely on the forefront of my mind while writing. (Are you kidding me? I would die. )


I have never written an entire screenplay, so I have not gone to the lengths that you have -- by far. I admire your enthousiasm though! Sometimes, I can see this or that working itself into a film and have about 2 decent connections within the "industry" to help me along, should I truly decide that's what I want and seek it out. But, I stick to fleshing out my work and making sure it's 100% before even thinking of stepping onto the platform.

 

[sunstruckdream]

My characters would probably kill me if they got the chance - they say that writers need to be careful not to be too nice to their characters, but I don't think we have that problem. Horribly messed-up people are just more fun.

My character has her daughter but mother and child get abducted by the villain shortly after the birth, and then the father gets killed trying to rescue them. Fun stuff, isn't it?

Sounds like my kind of story One of four characters make it alive to the end of my last novella. Two of them were totally innocent. They haven't haunted me yet, but given the chance I think they'd throw me off a cliff.

 

[Tariel]

Sounds like my kind of story One of four characters make it alive to the end of my last novella. Two of them were totally innocent. They haven't haunted me yet, but given the chance I think they'd throw me off a cliff.

Cliffs are fun - you know there's no better way to ensure people in a fantasy story lives than to throw them off a cliff.

 

[sunstruckdream]

Ooh, good point...and when they show up later and take down their opponent, their opponent will, by default, cry, "This cannot be!" before destruction.

 

[Mankin]

I would certainly like my novels to be published. However, my only option right now would be self publishing it(and I don't have the money for that.)

My first novel would probably not be published(it's a relatively cliche fantasy novel.) My current novel(which I really need to work on) might work out though.

 

[LadyNRA]

Most of my stuff is fanfiction so I have no aspirations for it other than to have it show up on a fannish site. My original novel is another matter. I wrote for the joy of it but wouldn't have minded it seeing print.

 

[Peace Eternal]

"This cannot be!"

lol. I had to write a cliched story for my English class, and that was what my villain said

Anyway, yes, I do want to publish my novel, and I think I've got a pretty good chance. I'm not finished with it, since I'm writing it kind of like a research paper. I gather info here, info there, and someday in the near future, I'm going to pull it all together. I've already started condensing characters and editing out unimportant scenes though. I have 72 characters at the moment So, yes, I'd like to, and plan on being published

 

[liesje]

I have 72 characters at the moment

Wow!!!!!! I have...5 at the moment (and so far only 2 of them have names). Then again, I've only just started.