Beginning the Writer's Journey
Hi folks. In preparation for pending action this year, I am reposting my last entry, which I intend to update in the near future.
So you want to write and publish a fantasy or science fiction novel?
It's a huge undertaking that will be a labor of love, demand enormous quantities of coffee, strain your family life, and if you truly want to acheive your goals, should include as much information gathering and strategic planning as possible. I know. I am smack dab on the back end of the equation, and I hope to help others by sharing the perils, pitfalls and positives of my experience. Okay, I admit that Blogging may also help keep my sanity in check and manage the rollercoaster of highs and lows that are married to the writer's fate.
So, despite your tempting rush for me to address "help me publish" questions, I think it's vital to start at the beginning. Though I do promise that this Blog will cover the gamut in due time.
Inspiration:
Curiosity and a sense of wonder have been my companions from as far back as I can remember. Magic was afoot and monsters were under the bed. There had to be more to this world, this existence, than we as mere mortals could see. Combine this early foundation (my brothers will tell you mom dropped me as a baby a few times too many) with a keen interest in reading and writing, and the seeds sown long ago were bound to reach for sunlight.
How long did it take to feel the sun you ask? The short answer is unfortunately decades. However, there's much more to this response. Throughout school - middle, junior, high and college - I had my share of book reports, creative writing essays, literary critiques, etc. For whatever reason, it never really occurred to me to write my own fantasy novel. Had a gifted teacher or early mentor pushed me in that direction, perhaps I would have taken the lead. Then again, maybe I wasn't ready... growing up is so consuming. I certainly encourage all of the younger would-be authors to take the plunge. But along with the will to compose, there must be a vision. Don't worry that you lack worldly or other-worldy experience, your stories will evolve as you do.
When did I cross the threshold from reader to the dream of writer? Indeed, it was a dream. My unconscious life has always been fun. Monsters chasing me, me chasing them, battles, mysteries, magic, light and darkness waging the eternal war in my Id. I have vivid dreams, rational and irrational, and sharp recollection even after the morning fog of life descends. In the case of my fantasy series, The Soulstealer War (see Links on the right for the Website), it was a remarkable dream during an episode in my life when I was beseiged by the logic of legal theory and the inevitable outcome of a legal career - Law School.
My first four weeks of law school were harder than four years of college. I absorbed voluminous data on a daily basis and had the law's stiff formula of precedent and analysis drilled into my consciousness. I have since realized that there is room for creativity in law, but back then, something had to give. And so it did. My reading of fantasy and sci-fi books was voracious, and in protest of the regimented path before me, my nightly dreams found realms far beyond the old wanderings. Thus, was born my fantasy world and the core storyline. I made notes to help me commit the dream to memory, and between legal briefs of my judicial clerkship in Washington, I penned the first chapter. However, thereafter things sat idle. I was working 80 + hours a week at a law firm, enjoying my marriage, and living life fast. It was only after I left my law practice, and my mind truly opened to other possibilities, including pondering the meaning of existence (credit my restless soul, my spiritually minded wifey and the amazing homebirth of our first daughter), that I finally chose to dedicate the effort to my other world and its denizens.
The bulk of the writing occurred in the wee hours of the night, after work was pushed aside and the kids were tucked in bed. Here's where the coffee comes into play. I don't recommend it, if you can do without the caffeine, but it's part of my journey. Of course, during the daylight I also had my share of inspiration, notes, and brainstorming sessions. It's just that the mundane world - the one that feeds my family and pays our mortgage - had priority, and rightly so. I wistfully recall the days gone by when I had hours in the day to "idle," but let me be clear, I have no regrets. The wonder of parenthood is beyond my expectations. Still, one of the insights I can provide is to tell you to start writing before other priorities accumulate. My wife, as supportive as she can be, has not always understood the need of the moment - when you have found your way to the writer's zone and leaving equates to opportunity lost. There's also the vacations where I simply stayed home for a week and labored on Book I. Forget the Caribbean, kiss Club Med goodbye - okay, honey, we can take the kids to the park for an hour. I need a break anyway. Make no mistake, writing anything other than dribble is hard work. If you create a shell world that lacks richness and depth, your readers will never suspend reality long enough to turn the pages. I'll cover this aspect later.
Do you start writing your manuscript before you market the concept to agents and publishers?
Let's assume that your inspiration has struck, and that you have the framework for a fantasy or science fiction novel. Should you just begin writing or is there a secret shortcut waiting to be discovered? In some genres and with some topics, you can actually test the waters with your idea. You will have to identify those agents and editors who will accept such proposals, and then prepare a thrilling but concise Synopsis, draft a compelling Query Letter, and possibly go so far as to organize an Outline, but "concepts" alone do sell. Is there a greater likelihood of someone stealing your concept - perhaps. It's a lot harder (both in theory and practice) to copyright and legally protect a concept, as opposed to a full manuscript. But then again, if you are a geologist proposing a collaborative novel on the technical argument supporting alien induced extinction of the dinosaurs, odds are that few people can run with your baby. Returning to fantasy and science fiction, in my opinion the chances are slim on being able to sell a unique story or gimmick concept without the finished manuscript. So, while acknowledging that miracles can happen under certain circumstances, you should plan on having the next best seller in hand to ultimately present on demand to agents and editors. Don't jump to the topic of how to send in a submission, we are not there yet by a long shot.
So you want to write and publish a fantasy or science fiction novel?
It's a huge undertaking that will be a labor of love, demand enormous quantities of coffee, strain your family life, and if you truly want to acheive your goals, should include as much information gathering and strategic planning as possible. I know. I am smack dab on the back end of the equation, and I hope to help others by sharing the perils, pitfalls and positives of my experience. Okay, I admit that Blogging may also help keep my sanity in check and manage the rollercoaster of highs and lows that are married to the writer's fate.
So, despite your tempting rush for me to address "help me publish" questions, I think it's vital to start at the beginning. Though I do promise that this Blog will cover the gamut in due time.
Inspiration:
Curiosity and a sense of wonder have been my companions from as far back as I can remember. Magic was afoot and monsters were under the bed. There had to be more to this world, this existence, than we as mere mortals could see. Combine this early foundation (my brothers will tell you mom dropped me as a baby a few times too many) with a keen interest in reading and writing, and the seeds sown long ago were bound to reach for sunlight.
How long did it take to feel the sun you ask? The short answer is unfortunately decades. However, there's much more to this response. Throughout school - middle, junior, high and college - I had my share of book reports, creative writing essays, literary critiques, etc. For whatever reason, it never really occurred to me to write my own fantasy novel. Had a gifted teacher or early mentor pushed me in that direction, perhaps I would have taken the lead. Then again, maybe I wasn't ready... growing up is so consuming. I certainly encourage all of the younger would-be authors to take the plunge. But along with the will to compose, there must be a vision. Don't worry that you lack worldly or other-worldy experience, your stories will evolve as you do.
When did I cross the threshold from reader to the dream of writer? Indeed, it was a dream. My unconscious life has always been fun. Monsters chasing me, me chasing them, battles, mysteries, magic, light and darkness waging the eternal war in my Id. I have vivid dreams, rational and irrational, and sharp recollection even after the morning fog of life descends. In the case of my fantasy series, The Soulstealer War (see Links on the right for the Website), it was a remarkable dream during an episode in my life when I was beseiged by the logic of legal theory and the inevitable outcome of a legal career - Law School.
My first four weeks of law school were harder than four years of college. I absorbed voluminous data on a daily basis and had the law's stiff formula of precedent and analysis drilled into my consciousness. I have since realized that there is room for creativity in law, but back then, something had to give. And so it did. My reading of fantasy and sci-fi books was voracious, and in protest of the regimented path before me, my nightly dreams found realms far beyond the old wanderings. Thus, was born my fantasy world and the core storyline. I made notes to help me commit the dream to memory, and between legal briefs of my judicial clerkship in Washington, I penned the first chapter. However, thereafter things sat idle. I was working 80 + hours a week at a law firm, enjoying my marriage, and living life fast. It was only after I left my law practice, and my mind truly opened to other possibilities, including pondering the meaning of existence (credit my restless soul, my spiritually minded wifey and the amazing homebirth of our first daughter), that I finally chose to dedicate the effort to my other world and its denizens.
The bulk of the writing occurred in the wee hours of the night, after work was pushed aside and the kids were tucked in bed. Here's where the coffee comes into play. I don't recommend it, if you can do without the caffeine, but it's part of my journey. Of course, during the daylight I also had my share of inspiration, notes, and brainstorming sessions. It's just that the mundane world - the one that feeds my family and pays our mortgage - had priority, and rightly so. I wistfully recall the days gone by when I had hours in the day to "idle," but let me be clear, I have no regrets. The wonder of parenthood is beyond my expectations. Still, one of the insights I can provide is to tell you to start writing before other priorities accumulate. My wife, as supportive as she can be, has not always understood the need of the moment - when you have found your way to the writer's zone and leaving equates to opportunity lost. There's also the vacations where I simply stayed home for a week and labored on Book I. Forget the Caribbean, kiss Club Med goodbye - okay, honey, we can take the kids to the park for an hour. I need a break anyway. Make no mistake, writing anything other than dribble is hard work. If you create a shell world that lacks richness and depth, your readers will never suspend reality long enough to turn the pages. I'll cover this aspect later.
Do you start writing your manuscript before you market the concept to agents and publishers?
Let's assume that your inspiration has struck, and that you have the framework for a fantasy or science fiction novel. Should you just begin writing or is there a secret shortcut waiting to be discovered? In some genres and with some topics, you can actually test the waters with your idea. You will have to identify those agents and editors who will accept such proposals, and then prepare a thrilling but concise Synopsis, draft a compelling Query Letter, and possibly go so far as to organize an Outline, but "concepts" alone do sell. Is there a greater likelihood of someone stealing your concept - perhaps. It's a lot harder (both in theory and practice) to copyright and legally protect a concept, as opposed to a full manuscript. But then again, if you are a geologist proposing a collaborative novel on the technical argument supporting alien induced extinction of the dinosaurs, odds are that few people can run with your baby. Returning to fantasy and science fiction, in my opinion the chances are slim on being able to sell a unique story or gimmick concept without the finished manuscript. So, while acknowledging that miracles can happen under certain circumstances, you should plan on having the next best seller in hand to ultimately present on demand to agents and editors. Don't jump to the topic of how to send in a submission, we are not there yet by a long shot.
posted by W.L. Hoffman at 10:15 AM
3 Comments:
By way of the comment you left in my reading journal on LJ.
First off, I want to congratulate on your coming novel. I hope it's a smooth process (as smooth as possible), and you see much success.
Second, I want to comment on a few points you made in my entry, because I have no way of knowing if you'll ever return to the journal to see my response to your actual comment.
Most writers will say you should write every day. Writers like me feel guilty for not doing it, and tend to work better with large chucks of time instead of pecking away. However, the "page a day" theory can work as a backwards bit of psychology, because you know you'll write at least one page, but chances are, you'll write much more. The theory in the book (which I don't know if you've read) isn't saying it's the only way to write a novel; it's merely giving writers a springboard to create a schedule that works for them.
From what I gathered in your entry, you are very, very fortunate that you were able to sell the concept. I'm pretty sure most people in the publishing business would call you an exception to the rule, because very few new writers get those kinds of breaks, because who wants to take a chance on a great concept if the writer hasn't proved that he/she can pull it off? Getting ideas and executing them are two totally different things, and some people are better at one than the other.
Not that I'm belittling your success, by any means. Some writers can work directly from a concept and have the finished product match that concept. Other writers have to feel as they go, explore as they go, so marketing a concept won't do much good, because there's a good chance the finished product won't match the original concept.
There's different ways to approach everything in writing, like you mentioned. I've been to a variety of writing workshops and institutions that discuss a variety of methods, and because I'm a glutton for punishment, I seek out my own sources as well. I take a conservative side to publishing, simply because I'm very aware (like you seem to be yourself) of my writing habits and abilities. Other writers aren't so lucky.
Marketing is a very important tool, I agree. But knowing when to do so is also important, and the timetable is different for every writer.
Thanks for your comments, and the chance for discussion. Best of luck!!
Thanks for taking the time for discussion, and I will certainly return to your journal.
On your comment below, maybe you went too fast through my posting, but I do not view selling the "concept" as the route to take. My aim was to acknowledge that in some genre's (non-fiction, gimmick novels, etc.) and with some authors (Madonna, Oprah, Bill Clinton, etc.) you can actually sell a concept.
For the folks like us, who ply the fantasy and science fiction novel, it's unlikely that a "concept" can be sold. For the record, I spent years writing my novel... edit, edit, edit. And, yes, the completed product has found character twists, plot turns and cohesive knitting that could only have come from a dynamic process throughout, but not so far off as to constitute a stranger to my original dream.
On the daily writing... my schedule hardly ever permitted this approach. But when I was in the groove, it wasn't such a stretch... whether you count an hour at lunch, revisions at night, and story-dreaming on car rides.
On the agent, marketing and publishing... too much to be said in a comment here. I will include much more detail in future entries on my Blog. However, there is defintely a proper time to market for each writer. My experience is that much groundwork can be covered by implementing a strategy as you go and information gathering with the available resources.
Thank you again for sharing.
I posted another comment to the moderation queue when I saw my mistake, but you're right, I did read too fast. ;)
For myself, I'm just starting my novel, which is why I made the comments I did about marketing, agents, and publishing. I read what I can when I can, and file it away for later when I'm ready to use it: the plan is to finish the first draft by the end of the year, and while I'm working on the next version, start delving deeper into the business side of writing.
Writers do have to wear different hats: we've got the creative side, the critical side, and the business side. I've found, for myself, it's good to keep those sides in their own cages, and let the right ones out when I'm ready for them. :) Then again, that's my approach. :)
Thanks again for putting up with my rambling! :)
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