Merci Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Guess what? I, A. D. Sunstone, am writing a novel~ my first, my very first!...which I fully intend to submit as a manuscript and get it published...hopefully. I'm already done with the prologue and first few chapters (I'll revise it thoroughly when I'm done). Because of that, I don't believe it belongs in the Creative Writing section - I read the rules of this section, and this kind of thing doesn't seem to be against the rules. Well, I might post the first few chapters, but nothing more. Right now, the character names are just prototypes, with a prototype title of 'A/O Kata'. I haven't worked out the full title yet, but it's most likely to be 'Photos ex Alpha'. Could be something else though. I'm not sure if this has been done before, but the story is set in a modern setting, focused upon mundane-versus-supernatural. I'm not sure yet which country it'll be set in, but I'm hoping to keep it ambiguous. A summary: The story is told from the point of view of teenage fanfic writer Isabella, who stumbles across some kind of fourth-dimensional-black-hole-god-entity-thing trapped in human form by the name of Alpha, having weakly crawled out of a fallen comet. Long story short, Alpha struggles from beginning to end to adapt to human rules and even concepts like imagination, Isabel asks help from her cousin - a private detective - who protects Alpha and finds out that a rogue sect of the Illuminates of Thanateros wants her for some reason. Together they must defend themselves and try to find out why Alpha is in human form - la di da~ ^again, that's just an overall summary. Nothing's set in stone yet, except for a few things. I'm also hoping to write a sequel in the future if possible. Am I posting too much information? Sorry if I am. I just wanted you guys to get the general idea, and wanted to see if I could improve upon anything. Also, it'd help if somebody helped categorize it into a genre since, well, I don't really know what kind of genre it fits in. Plus I'm only one guy, so I wouldn't know if anything is cheesy or has been done before. Don't hesitate to point it out. So...advice? Comments? My New Year resolution was dedicated to the creation of this book, so I'm hoping I can succeed in publishing it~ ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DARKPLANT RISING Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 How exactly do you intend it to be published? At least in Japan, most major publishing companies wouldn't accept stories written by normal people; you've got to win a contest they host. Of course, things may be different in the US, but anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Amazing Avian Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 How exactly do you intend it to be published? At least in Japan, most major publishing companies wouldn't accept stories written by normal people; you've got to win a contest they host. Of course, things may be different in the US, but anyways. Its incredibly easy to get your own reality tv show in the US, publishing a book is just as easy. No matter how terrible the material is, someone somewhere will publish it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DARKPLANT RISING Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Really? Oh well then, that's that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merci Posted February 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Well, it's true that it is easier in countries other than Japan, but it's still really hard. You have to be patient, and a ton of writers are usually rejected by a bunch of firms - they just have to keep looking for the right one. Sometimes it takes a year just find someone who's interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bury the year Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Two things to consider. Number one: don't say you're gonna get something published 'til it's done. If you can't figure out such essential details as where the story's set when you already have 3+ chapters written, you don't have your priorities in order and people are likely going to notice inconsistencies in your manuscript. I can't remember anything you've posted on YCM off the top of my head, but I'll trawl through the archives and see for myself. Number two: how are you going to get this thing published? What company are you gonna use? If you use a so-called "vanity publisher," they'd have little qualms about publishing it, but be prepared for limited exposure, little profit and a lot of executive meddling. Go through a big company? Remember, they have to turn a profit too, so if you aren't connected to an agent, an editor, and maybe a few insiders of the business, prepare to jump through a ton of hoops and face rejection. Start it alone? You're gonna need time and dedication. A lot of it. Like, years. I only say this because I "tried" getting a book published once when I was littler, and soon realized how much work it actually is. This isn't meant to dissuade you, and you seem to realize a lot of the obstacles, but you should really consider what your route is. Writing the book's only half the battle. (I suggest you read this, by the way.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merci Posted February 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 I mean, I do have all the priorities set, but I just feel uncomfortable setting it anywhere. I feel like if I did, I'd probably make some cultural mistake and that's not the kind of thing I like doing. If anything, I'll just have to invent a fictional town - or country if need be. I also understand that I probably shouldn't be cheering about me going to get this thing published rightaway, since nothing's certain in life, but I keep hearing the words 'never give up' over and over again, so I'm hopeful. Unfortunately, I doubt I'm able to start it alone. Self-publishing to me is...too difficult. Still, what you told me about big companies and 'vanity publishers' is interesting. I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanks for that, Rinne, and the article as well. I'm hoping this novel doesn't collapse on me. In any case, it's only my first. I have a ton of other ideas that I'm bursting to write, but I've learned from past experiences that trying to simultaneously multi-task multiple projects just makes everything complicated. All I want to achieve with this novel is to...establish a presence, you know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DARKPLANT RISING Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I'm hoping this novel doesn't collapse on me. The only advice I can give you is to, before going straight into writing the main story, writing a very descriptive framework for each character, setting, etc., as well as the whole plot of the piece. Including info you think you wouldn't actually introduce in the novel itself. Because, well, the more realistic the characters are, the better. At least, this method is working out very nicely for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spellcaster2000 Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Its incredibly easy to get your own reality tv show in the US, publishing a book is just as easy. No matter how terrible the material is, someone somewhere will publish it. Oh is that right? How many reality TV shows have you had? How many published books have you written? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeRainbowDash Posted April 11, 2013 Report Share Posted April 11, 2013 I really like the basic plot, and would really like to hear more about it. Just some stuff to think about- you don't know where it'll e set? I would just create your own town. Much easier. I write a lot, and it's my dream to get published and see my work in the Library of Congress. But I digress. Have you figured out what you want to do with Alpha? There's a lot you could do I.e. parallel dimension, aliens, a spirit or deity possessing the human. The possibilities are endless. Or how Isabella happened to stumble across it. Maybe a little deus ex machina. Seems a Little too convenient. But hey it's your story. If you can mak it work more power to you. Sorry about any typos, I'm using an iPod and autocorrect is rather finicky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Amazing Avian Posted April 11, 2013 Report Share Posted April 11, 2013 Oh is that right? How many reality TV shows have you had? How many published books have you written? None, but judging from Honey Boo Boo and Dance Moms, it can't be that hard to get one. You need a premise for the show and a producer who thinks its something people would want to watch and is willing to produce it (pro tip, make it a show about drunk morons at the beach for maximum views). After that, congratulations, you have a show and will probably be ridiculed on the internet. As for the book, you just have to find someone willing to publish it. Chuck Palahniuk found someone who was willing to publish Fight Club (which many publishers thought was terrible) and now that book has a movie with Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. The hard part is finding someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshpalStefan Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Okay, as a writer myself (or perhaps an amateur writer, since I write a lot but rarely get anything published), I think you might benefit from a few tips. Some of these might also be repeated things that people have already said in this thread, so be patient with each point: 1 - Make an overview of the whole thing before writing it. Start out by dividing the novel into several parts (not actually naming the parts in the book, but say on a piece of paper divide the story into, say, 6 parts which cover the most important events of the story. It doesn't have to be six parts, but often 5-6 parts describe the entirety of the book, such as part 1 - Main Character is born, Part 2 - Meets Life-changing person, etc.) and work from there. Once it's divided into parts, divide into specific chapters. Be wary to keep the chapters short if you want consistency, because one chapter should pin-point to one event - same rules applies to paragraphs, usually one is dedicated to one specific thought or action. Once it's in chapters, the main work of the overview is done. You may now nimble around and break it down even more, to the smallest particle, so to say. Even try to look for things that were not intentionally there, seek the symbolism, the irony, the metaphor in each chapter or paragraph or character thought / description. Often times the overview will help you expand the novel in ways you can't imagine, and unlike writing it in one sitting, so to say, you actually know that the chapters are compatible instead of one later chapter contradicting a previous one. 2 - What are you expecting to make with the novel? Is it intended to be a masterpiece, such as those of our most known writers in the literary canon (I of course mean of works from authors such as Shakespeare, Milton, Dante, Bronte, etc.) or is it meant to be an entertaining story such as Game of Thrones, or Lord of the Rings, or novels of the similar persuasion? An overview is much more needed for the entertaining plots, not as much for the literary canon type books. However, I must warn you, the literary canon type of works are indeed much more difficult to write. Also, those kinds of books also sell less than the entertaining plot ones, so I humbly suggest that if you're just beginning in the business and want to get published more quickly, go with the plot ones. Of course, even those can capture elements that the canon ones have, but the exact distinction of the two is that the plot ones may utilize elements such as symbolism, metaphor, and such, and they may use themes such as love, death, treachery, and so on, but they do not build themselves on them. Literary canon works, on the other hand, most often think of the theme and then base the plot around that theme. In short, want to get published more quickly, start with a novel based on a plot not a theme. On the other hand, want personal satisfaction and divine realization or a sort of stage such as nirvana, go with the theme based works. 3 - To build on my previous point, good plot books should not be without encompassing universal techniques as well as themes. With each chapter you write, try to put elements such as symbolism, such as irony, such as metaphor, most importantly, even go with the sometimes difficult sometimes easy techniques such as Soliloque / Metonymy. As for themes, the characters can only be relatable through general themes such as love, hate, death, betrayal, sorrow, etc. Tap into the Philosophy and Psychology of the characters, create 3-dimensional character with the aid of these themes - for a good example of a successful book that utilizes these techniques, as well as for a good recommendation for a contemporary writer, check out Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Trust me on this one, reading one of these 300 page works will teach you about universal themes more than any of my words ever will. 4 - Finally, decide upon which technique you use best. Certain techniques are often difficult to attain at the beginning of a writer's career, but usually the success of an author is utilized by his / her trademarked use of a technique. And, each technique does build a writer's design as he / she progresses in life. On first, I will give you the most challenging technique to write but also the most rewarding in terms of a finished work: Irony. This is so difficult to use successfully because, unlike real life, you can't transfer your actual voice in the novel or put the line under quotations to showcase your ironic / sarcastic voice. You must showcase it in situations in the novel, or rather, the irony in a novel should lie in the fact that not even the author can recognize it. You can't really plan out irony; but then again, that's the beauty of it. If you write an event in which the irony is not even obvious to you, then you've done a good job. I know it's difficult to explain, but trust me on this one - familiarize yourself with these techniques for they will aid you well. That's all I could say regarding the writing of the novel; as for the premise, as someone here mentioned, you have a vast window of opportunities: aliens, space, a truth regarding the real world through another world's view. All these are interesting themes, and these are all themes of interest to the reader, but considering that the plot is what it is, this is, in a certain manner speaking, destined to be an entertaining plot which might use a broad, interesting theme, not the other way around. So, don't worry too much about the theme because it will most probably come by itself; nonetheless, don't forget the four things I said: Make an overview, consider the nature of the book, utilize the techniques, and see which technique comes easiest to write. On a final remark, apologies for such a long post, but I believe all that I provided will help you with the novel. Edit: Also, I think you might find this enjoyable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6unw01xLPh8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6unw01xLPh8 It's not what the thumbnail suggests, It's about a writer trying to get published. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merci Posted April 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 @Beginning: Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to get that from you of all people, but then again, maybe I've underestimated you in that regard. I honestly appreciate all the advice, and I always appreciate a long post. I like what you said about themes, and although I do use it unconsciously, I never really made the effort to define mine as something definite. But in all honesty, I doubt there's a writer in this world to set out to create a masterpiece and succeeded - most masterpieces happen by accident. I'm aiming more for an entertaining plot, a balance between "alien ideals" and "adventure/action". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshpalStefan Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Why does everyone keep calling me Beginning? :P In any case, I spent the last year analyzing literature and discussing writing with my AP English teacher (on my own accord of course), so I'm just transferring on the main discussions to you. As for the masterpiece happening by itself, often times it does occur by itself, sometimes even when it's based on a plot but the themes stand out (such books are something like The Count Of Monte Cristo), but at times it's all planned. In these cases I would like to pont out something like Milton's Paradise Lost, or perhaps a more favorite of mine, James Joyce's Ulysses, in which, paraphrasing his words of course, he attempted to create a sub-universe, so to say, and in one man's day create a microcosm of all human existence. You see, at times like that, the story is basically planned to become a masterpiece because in its own overview it's simply planned to be complex enough to become a masterpiece. Indeed, these are rare cases, but the more complex the piece is planned out (James Joyce, T. S. Eliot, most contemporary poets, etc.) the more of a masterpiece it is probably going to become. On a final note, as you yourself said, since the plot is what it is, it's meant to be an entertaining plot, but as Psychology has taught us (or taught me since I took it this year and it had a subject on creativity), creative geniuses have a couple of features in common, one of which caught my eye as most interesting: they break apart something simple in thousands of pieces so that they can pick at it piece by piece and find an unknown truth in it / to make it more interesting in the very core. This method was followed by both Leonardo Da Vinci and Albert Einstein, so you know that it must have some effect. So, do that with your writing and implement the themes in those small pieces. Hope this all helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aix Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Why does everyone keep calling me Beginning? :P Cuz you have the exact same avi as Beginning did (Beginning's current name is BailasGale or something) I also thought you were Beginning as well, when you first appeared on this site. I don't get what you mean by literary canon. What sets them apart from simply entertaining books? (I'm sorry, I don't read Shakespeare etc. outside of school) Oh shit, this is where I got an idea I had for a story. (I dunno, I just randomly thought of this story summary, one day, didn't recognize it from any book I read and thought it was original (as in from my own head), though I twisted it into something different) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshpalStefan Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Literary canon means mandatory books to read in school / english class. Such are authors like Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, and basically all classics. The thing that differentiates them, as I previously said, is that their whole plot relies on explaining a theme, not the other way around. For an example, Game of Thornes / Harry Potter / Lord of the Rings and all those currently popular books do indeed have themes embedded in the plot, such as love and betrayal, but the things that makes the literary canon works special is that the whole plot is thought of after a theme is decided. I think this is the best that I can explain it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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