The Writer's Workroom

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

A resource for writers of all levels of experience. Have fun!

 

[carmi]

Saw your message and zoomed across the board.

Thanks for opening the club.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Thanks for your suggestion-I didn't even know this was here before.

 

[Blessed-one]

*pop in*

so, what should we talk about?

great idea by the way, Whitehorse.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

*pop in*

so, what should we talk about?

great idea by the way, Whitehorse.

It was Carmi's idea. Thanks, Carmi!

Good question: what do we discuss? We should probably find out what kind of writing everyone is interested in. I'm primarily nonfiction, but have been working on some fiction, too. So I'm open to either field: plot and character development issues, research tips, resources, discussion about contracts and fees, writing critiques, exercises...it's all good.

So what does everyone write?

 

[carmi]

Good question: what do we discuss? We should probably find out what kind of writing everyone is interested in. I'm primarily nonfiction, but have been working on some fiction, too. So I'm open to either field: plot and character development issues, research tips, resources, discussion about contracts and fees, writing critiques, exercises...it's all good.

So what does everyone write?

I'm working on an analogy - I think it might fit into non-fiction.

All suggested fields are helpful. I'm having trouble to putting things together - it's on my mind but I can't get it on paper. How to begin, that's a major problem for me (guess it's a development issue) - but I see the other fields just as important and talking about them would definitely benefit me.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

I know-organizing the material is the least fun part for me, too, because there are so many different ways you can treat the material. Figuring out which one to use is a pain in the hiney to say the least. Have you figured out the main storyline yet? If you have the ending, then it gets much easier because at least you know what you're shooting for. I wrote a book and finished it, but I wasn't happy with the ending. Something bothered me about it and it took three months to figure out why I didn't like it. Then I had to rewrite the whole last half of the book because the whole main premise was wrong and the last part wasn't salvagable.

 

[carmi]

Have you figured out the main storyline yet? If you have the ending, then it gets much easier because at least you know what you're shooting for.

Yes, the storyline is there and so is the ending. For me it's really just how to start. Sometimes I wish I could just plunge into the middle.

 

[Ann Doupont]

Well, this looks good to me. I just published my first book a few months ago, a Christian Inspirational called, "Surrendered."

I'm now over half finished with my second book, also an Inspirational, entitled, "Irons In The Fire."

Anyone else here published yet? If so, I'd like to hear about it. The publishing process was really hard.

Ann

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Yes, the storyline is there and so is the ending. For me it's really just how to start. Sometimes I wish I could just plunge into the middle.

What can I do to help?

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

The publishing process was really hard.

Ann

Yep-it usually is. What publisher did you go through?

 

[carmi]

What can I do to help?

I'm so glad you asked! I really appreciate it. I'll get back to you on that soon - brave yourself! I just have to first finish helping my landlady getting her tax report in shape.

So, you have a day or two to find an escape route

 

[carmi]

The publishing process was really hard.

First, congratulations. You got published.

And I do admire your and anybody's courage to submit your work to a publisher. The idea alone petrifies me.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

I'm so glad you asked! I really appreciate it. I'll get back to you on that soon - brave yourself! I just have to first finish helping my landlady getting her tax report in shape.

So, you have a day or two to find an escape route

It will be a pleasure. I know all too well the agony of the structuring process.

 

[Ann Doupont]

I used Pleasant Word. They're affiliated with WinePress in Enumclaw, Washington. I won't use them again, though. They were not nice people.

That's what made it so difficult. Additionally, their costs are too high.

Ann

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Ann, I'm really sorry that happened. Having your book published should be a time of excitement-especially when it is your first book. I pray the next one will go better for you.

 

[Ann Doupont]

Thanks, Whitehorse. Actually, after the book was finally published, it was very, very exciting. The process was what was so difficult, but once done, it was much better.

Thanks also for your prayers that the next one be better. I'm over half done with it, and have found a publisher that I'll possibly use.



Ann

 

[die2live]

I'm currently beginning to write my second draft of my first novel. What I'm having difficulty with is research. I do so much in one area, get so excited that I can finally actually start writing, then realize that I still have a whole other load of research to do for another part of my book. Where does it end? Plus, I don't want my book to be about the research I'm doing. I want it to be about the central Christian theme.

Since you were talking about publishing, I'll throw in my much-less-than-2-cents. I've never been published, but I've gotten some e-mails from some publishers when I had thought that I was almost ready to be published. If anyone's interested, I'll give those out. I've also hear self-publishing was a great way to go and there's a group that gives away a free guide to that. I can also put that website out if anyone wants to know it.

 

[Blessed-one]

uh, researching can be a pain, though it's fun to get to know all those facts, die2live.

what about e-books?

 

[Ann Doupont]

Hey die2live, I'm interested in seeing the info. you have on the publishers.

What I did was to self-publish, using POD (print on demand).

Ann