Who is attempting to write an epic novel?

[godsboy1991]

I'm trying to write an epic novel, anybody else?

 

[Westvleteren]

Me. Sigh. It's sucking the marrow from my bones...

 

[Dean Anderson]

I am.

 

[Seonta]

I've always wanted to write a book, but Its so hard to stick to you're stories and after writing little tidbits here and there I've run out of ideas. And another thing, I've heard that unless you are a really, really good writer, it costs a lot to get your book published.

 

[Tariel]

define "epic novel"

 

[Pathfinder]

Something like the Icelandic Sagas, stories about great heros.

 

[Lessien]

I am. *sigh* So much work, but so much fun.....

 

[Westvleteren]

I've always wanted to write a book, but Its so hard to stick to you're stories and after writing little tidbits here and there I've run out of ideas. And another thing, I've heard that unless you are a really, really good writer, it costs a lot to get your book published.

Just because your post raised a pet peeve of mine -- it shouldn't cost you anything to get your book published. Your agent should work for a share of your profits, and a publisher should be paying you.

Good advice I got from one in the know: "The only place a writer should ever sign a check is on the back."

(Unless you're just dying for the hassle of self-publishing. Some people are good enough at the business and marketing end that they can be successful that way, but most writers hate that part of the biz.)

 

[godsboy1991]

define "epic novel"

Series like the lord of the rings.

 

[benedictine]

ME!


ACtually it's a series of books, but yeah.

 

[Slina]

Well, I wouldn't exactly call it epic, but I'm getting ready to start on a novel nevertheless. I can't really write right now (I'm temporarily down to one hand whice slows down typing, and can't last very long at the computer without my arm getting too sore), but I'll definitely be starting it soon.

 

[Tariel]

Honestly, I wouldn't call what I'm working on a novel (even though all my friends do), but it's on the epic side of things. It's at 34 pages right now, and the plot's barely getting started, so it might be novel-length by the time I'm done with it.

 

[icy_crusader]

I am just beggining to write it now. I've collected ideas for diffrent parts and storyline from just about every kind of influence I have in my life. After finish some doodles(writing doodles), I'm going to begin on a plot map and get the first chapter or prelude under way. And I was just looking for a suggestion, what would be the best way to begin a story? In the middle with the past revealed by flashbacks, or end and all flashback, or simply beginning to end?

 

[Slina]

Try to avoid too many flashbacks, but beyond that, it mostly depends on the story itself. Some are practically made for flashbacks, and some just can't live with them. One suggestion though is to try to start with some kind of action. Doesn't have to be anything epic, but you definitely need something that can grab the reader's attention.

 

[DailyBlessings]

I like to drop people in a little past the beginning so that they have something to figure out. Avoid flashbacks though, as they have a way of getting tiring. Exposition in general is a bad idea if overused- better to drop little hints here and there and let a reader figure things out. At least that's my philosophy; based I suppose on the kinds of books that I like to read.

You could call my current novel an epic, as it deals with certain legendary figures of our past. But I like to think that my characters are developed more reasonably and sympathetically than that genre is wont to do.

 

[Dante45]

I would like to be writing an epic novel, but I'm not sure how it will turn out. I'm going to have to heap it with extra things to fill, but none of it will be pointless. I am hoping to have at least a trilogy in my name before I graduate College (was gonna say highschool, but then again I'm nuts .)

 

[Wicked Willow]

I've been shaping and re-adjusting my own fantasy epic ever since I was 12, which means that I've been contemplating it for more than half of my life. Now, I merely need to find the time to write it all down...

What really bugs me, though, is the fact that people seem to read my thoughts and thus steal my ideas: When I was 15 (in 1994/5), I started to write a story about some highschool teens battling vampires - and ZAP!, Buffy the Vampire Slayer came along.
Then I wrote a rough draft of my fantasy tale, telling the story of a teenage girl whose hair changes colour according to her mood, whose lover gets killed in the course of a rebellion led by her own father. She freaks out, and her hair turns completely black while she becomes the inhumane and immensely powerful nemesis of the usurpers. And then, there was Willow's transformation at the end of Buffy Season 6...

Seems like Joss Whedon has access to my brain...

 

[DailyBlessings]

What really bugs me, though, is the fact that people seem to read my thoughts and thus steal my ideas:

I can relate- I had been writing my novel "Arturus" for two years when Gladiator unexpectedly came out in theaters. Commodus and Marcus Aurelius, two of my main characters, also figured prominently in that film, and the plotlines converge at a few points. Most notably, the opening battle sequence of my book and that film resembled each other so much (even though they described different wars) that I was compelled to change mine. And the movie was done so badly too! Insult to injury.

 

[Wicked Willow]

Yes! Gladiator was soooo disappointing! I still don't understand why it received so much praise. The plot was nearly nonexistant, and could be summed up with a single sentence from the trailer: "My name is Gladiator, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance."

The opening sequence and the battle against the Germanic tribe was the best part of the whole movie. It only got worse afterwards.

 

[icy_crusader]

I say who cares if someone comes up with the same thing as you? There's over a billion people in the world and you think no noe else will have yor idea or have a similar thought process? You just need to go with what you have and make it the best so that it stands out. A lot of Poe's writings weren't very original in themselves, if you look at what was around at his time, but he mastered his particular area and his pieces are now a part of literature while the rest is simply fireplace material. My story that I'm am writing is going to involve a man and his three influences, a priest or soothsayer who will represent his future, a military aide who will represent his present, and either an old king or childhood friend will represent his past and he will have to embrace all three by the end. This all during the Pelopensian wars or Roman-greco, I'm not sure. Sound familiar? But I dont care. There is also a novel with the same sort of setting and war as my book, but do I care? No, because it was weak, sort of. You just have to write what you want and feel and not worry about what others will think of it.

As far as Gladiator goes, I thought it was pretty good movie, and fun to watch, but no Oscar winner like it was. The oscars are so political it's sickening sometimes.