How Would You Write a Fiction Novel?

Format for printing
Submitted by gracepub on March 13, 2006 - 5:52pm.

A recent survey states that 90% of the population plans to write a novel. Of that number, less than 1% will ever submit a novel to a publisher, and of those novels only 1% will be published.

This is an amazing statistic, as I know several publishers who never release their full quota of books a year because they do not receive good manuscripts.

Now, a good manuscript is one that gives the reader what they want, when they want it, and offers an entertaining, emotional, experience. Each genre, by nature, promises readers a different experience.

Category novels promise the reader a quick, escape from the real world.

Literary novels promise to challenge the reader.

Single titles promise to take the reader into another world and allow them to experience events, situations, and emotions they would not risk in their safe 'real' lives.

There is also a blueprint for good novels.

The characters must be introduced at a certain time so the reader can 'get on' with the story.

The tension should be a certain length, so the reader can allow their emotions to 'safely' run wild, knowing they will not become emotionally overwrought or frustrated before the author offers a breather.

Now - in the last few months I have met more and more writers who do not study the craft of writing, or any form of fiction writing, before taking a year to write a book that might not fit any publisher's guidelines.

Does this actually work?
Do you know any authors who have become published this way?

I really want to know....

Make more money from your web site than Google will pay. You can have pay per click adds, and when your site is successful, choose who will advertise on your site, and how much they will pay. As much as $100 a week.

High Quality, Low Cost Online Courses

Posted in Become a Writer · How to Get Published · Learn to Write | Freelance Writing, Work at Home, Get Paid to Write · delicious · digg · reddit · 420 reads »

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Does this actually work?

#53386 On March 26, 2006 5:03pm cgwriter said,

I am not sure what question specifically you are asking. Is your question - Does it work to take a year to write a book without studying the craft of writing?

If you like Bloggerparty, check out Writingup - try it here now!

login or register to post comments

How to Write a Novel

#53388 On March 26, 2006 5:19pm gracepub said,
gracepub's picture

I want to hear from people who use different methods, what works for them, and what doesn't.

login or register to post comments

One word at a time?

#58226 On May 26, 2006 11:25am artLifemodel said,

How to write a novel?

Gee I always thought you would just sit down and start writing until you were complete. Edit it a little bit and then get it published.

Perhaps not. I would think that if you want to get it published you would want to follow the publishers guidelines. Following these guidelines will help you get published and will get you readers.

Some people are natuaral story tellers and I am sure that there are those who could simply sit down and write a novel. I am equally certain that there are those who need to first learn the craft and only after that should sit down and write a story.

I am more familiar with musicians and I know that there even those with natural ability get further if they compliment this with formal training. Same is true for athletes. So I would suspect the same is true for writers.

login or register to post comments

It is not that easy

#58596 On June 13, 2006 12:30pm gracepub said,
gracepub's picture

It sounds so simple. Just follow these guidelines and voila, someone pays you $20 000 in royalties. The difference between music and writing a novel is rather dramatic. A musician can hear mistakes. A writer doesn't know there are mistakes until the book is finished.

Freelance writer, work at home mom, and magazine editor.

login or register to post comments

Perfect example!

#59391 On July 11, 2006 8:46am AegriSomniaPress said,

Terry Goodkind was one of those writers who just sat down and wrote a book. It became a huge seller and then a series! If you do a web search for Wizards First Rule you will get a ton of reviews and stuff. One thing to keep in mind about your statistics is that according to them 2,661,607 people will submit a novel to a publisher this year, and 26,616 will in turn be published that’s allot of books every single year.

It is important to note though that traditional publishing while still a big factor in publishing is no longer your only option. Look at sites like this for example you could if your not concerned with profit simply post chapter by chapter on a blog. The traditional method of publishing for a small self publisher is a going to be a tooth and nail battle. Much more radical off the wall concepts are what I think is going to win the self publishing battle, like the idea of ransom model publishing.

When you look into the mirror what will be looking back...
Relfections is currently a work in progress speeded along only by your support.
www.ASickMansDreams.com

login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.