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Post by Vaughan on Sept 22, 2009 22:53:16 GMT
Alright, I know we have some professional authors on this site, so they're excluded from this. But we also have some writers who are just tinkering (or dreaming - whichever).
So the question is - What is stopping you from writing that novel?
We all seem to write short stories, and largely I think it's because they're easier to do. None of my four stories took longer than four hours to complete. It's fast, easy, and sweet. But actually I don't read many short stories, I much prefer the novel format.
And I have the plot for a novel in my head. But I've not started, and I'm no closer to starting than I was a month ago.
So what's stopping me?
More importantly, what's stopping you?
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Post by steppedonwolf on Sept 23, 2009 21:26:16 GMT
Ah, nice question. This is what Guy N Smith says about this in Writing Horror Fiction: "I have spoken with many people who are 'always going to write a book'. They have what seems to me to be quite a good idea to work on but they never ever get around to taking that decisive step. Why? Simply because they are frightened that they might discover that they cannot do it; they are afraid to come face to face with defeat'" Fear, lack of self confidence at the enormity of the task? Maybe. But it's also true that many people have made a start on the book but given up on it at some stage. That could be down to a lack of self-discipline "I'll do it tomorrow, etc." - or the lack of confidence and fear again. We all go through the "My God, I'm writing a pile of shite" phase every now and then and it's very easy for that self-doubting monster to get a permanent grip on us... The lack of any worthwhile marketplaces for the horror genre feeds that self doubt also - knowing that no matter how good your work may be, there's a very slim chance that you'll be published. That can add to the "oh, why f*cking bother?" mood. Then there's the over-work. We've all got full time jobs and family commitments and it's important to realise what your realistic output is going to be. If you demand too much of yourself you'll burn out and come to resent your work - as Guy says: "As you are probably restricted to part-time writing, do not overload your programme. Writing needs to be a pleasure, a hobby at this stage. The last thing you want is to become bored with it, so you need to make time for relaxation; your writing will benefit from it." I burned out seven years ago with the first draft of The Caretakers. It was getting on for 250,000 words and was taking over my life - and taking too much life out of me. Then (for many reasons) my life fell to pieces, I relocated and never got back to it. When I took up writing again last year it was a long time before I even considered approaching the novel again. I concentrated on short stories, mainly to see what my output would realistically be...but also fear of approaching The Beast again, fear that it would take over my life and consume me again. And fear that I would never finish it. But it's been easier this time. Maybe because it's a total rewrite - and therefore in many ways a different novel - or maybe because I've learned to pace myself a bit better, not be so hard on myself and know when to stop. But now I'm on the final chapter and have been enjoying the work rather than resenting it. It may never be published. But I'm not thinking that way yet. At least I know now it will be completed, and as good as I can possibly make it. "Write for yourself" they say, and it's true. The most important audience at the moment is YOU. If you're enjoying what you're producing there's a strong chance that other fans of the genre will as well... Sorry to ramble on. Hope this has been of some help to the debate.
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Post by Vaughan on Sept 23, 2009 21:49:34 GMT
Hm - did I really suggest short stories were "easier to do"? If I did then I apologize, my thoughts must have gotten mangled on the way to the fingers.
What i meant was - short stories are more easily managed. Meaning they're a smaller chunk, and take less time and effort. Not that they're easier to write as such. In fact, it's probably just as difficult, if not more so, to write a truly great short story, what with the smaller scope.
steppedonwolf - I can relate to that. I'm on the precipice of writing my first novel. It's all there in my head, but I'm not STARTING. I have no concern, or thoughts to be honest, of having it published. For that to happen we'd need a time machine - my ambition to is match the 70's pulp heroes, not to be in any way current or contemporary. It's just not something I'm interested in doing.
So sales aren't in my mind at all.
You know, I often WISH I'd started it already. Which is probably a good sign.
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Post by steppedonwolf on Sept 23, 2009 23:26:42 GMT
Hm - did I really suggest short stories were "easier to do"? If I did then I apologize, my thoughts must have gotten mangled on the way to the fingers. What i meant was - short stories are more easily managed. Meaning they're a smaller chunk, and take less time and effort. Not that they're easier to write as such. In fact, it's probably just as difficult, if not more so, to write a truly great short story, what with the smaller scope. steppedonwolf - I can relate to that. I'm on the precipice of writing my first novel. It's all there in my head, but I'm not STARTING. I have no concern, or thoughts to be honest, of having it published. For that to happen we'd need a time machine - my ambition to is match the 70's pulp heroes, not to be in any way current or contemporary. It's just not something I'm interested in doing. So sales aren't in my mind at all. You know, I often WISH I'd started it already. Which is probably a good sign. Interesting, lots of people say short stories are harder to write than novels - but I guess they're people who've written plenty of novels and shorts. Short stories are harder to get right, that's for sure - especially with dreaded Word Limits (shudders. We hates 'em, precious! We hates 'em!) But there can be no denying that writing a novel is more time consuming, more demanding - and more exhausting. Vaughan, matching the 70s pulp masters is an honourable goal. And you never know... it would be a great feeling to realise that you've written and finished a pulp classic just in time for a cry from a commissioning editor for pulp novels. You never know. Ten years ago people pissed themselves laughing at the thought of a series of novels featuring a teenage wizard....
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Post by Vaughan on Sept 24, 2009 0:26:51 GMT
I'm pretty certain that it's essential to be enjoying what you're doing. To stay focused on that. You can think of an audience, or a potential audience, but at the end it's coming out of YOU, and you can have to stay true to that in order for things to work.
Which might seem contradictory in the context of my saying I want to work like the 70's pulp masters - but that's more because honour them, I bow to their talent, their work. I find it exciting, and yes inspirational.
I don't read modern fiction. But I watch a lot of horror cinema of all ages. Contrary to popular belief, there are some great new movies being made. But the majority of it seems to have lost its soul. It's spiritless, mean, nihilistic, and ultimately pointless as either a moral, an analogy, or even as an adventure. There's something missing. I find that in 70's pulp. Maybe because it's simply there, or maybe because time has tarnished the shine a bit, and the sharp edges have been eroded. Whatever it is, it suits it - and I feel comfortable with it.
Hence, when I start to write my novel, that is a good place for me to start. I WANT to be there, I want to enjoy that moment, as I've enjoyed the moments of others.
Wow, what a strange post.
Anyway - the thing is, I'm DRAWN to pulp horror. So that's where I'll find my moment. Publishing, money, and blah blah blah..... well, it's really not in the picture. I'm not considering it. If I were it would change just about everything, and that would be plain sad.
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