QUESTION & ANSWER FORUM
Please post your writing related questions here and one of our members / or any readers with a useful suggestion can answer...ENJOY! NOTE THAT NEWEST COMMENTS ARE ON PAGE TWO.
Writers En Bloc
Sharing, Support, Suggestions for Success!
Writers En Bloc is Sponsored by:
Creative Marketing Solutions:Wherever YOU Are! www.marcastuta.com
WRITERSENBLOC.COM: QUESTION & ANSWER FORUM
Please post your writing related questions here and one of our members / or any readers with a useful suggestion can answer...ENJOY! NOTE THAT NEWEST COMMENTS ARE ON PAGE TWO.
Do you have any sites to recommend that will help to teach how to do a story outline? There is so much information around, i wanted to know if soemone has used a site that they can recommend, instead of my just playing rushian rouletes
Reply to this
Writers En Bloc (Dayner) wrote:
Hi there,
We have a section called Writers' Resources, which features only sites we have used and would recommend. Our other members are in the process of sending their recommended picks and I will post them as soon as I receive them.
In the meantime, please check out the sites we have up and see if you receive help. I will put up a specific recommendation based on your question as soon as I can.
Reply to this
I've always beeen a wide reader and I write every day in a journal...sometimes poems sometimes mini-fantasy pieces. I dream of writing short stories that I will eventually publish but am afraid I will not be any good at it. How do you know you are meant to write?
Any courses you suggest I try?
Reply to this
The fact that you are interested in the written word and care enough to ask questions is evidence that you have it in your blood. The more you write the better you become. In fiction, you are only limited by your imagination.
Reply to this
Very well designed site! I will revisit next year for the full monty
Reply to this
Thank you for the compliment! Looking forward to hearing from you next year. remember to pop a bottle at midnight wherever you are
Reply to this
I write a lot but have problems editing my work on the computer. Any tips on editing that can take the strain off my eyes?
Reply to this
When I used to be a newspaper writer, I was always told that the best way to edit is to print the work with a 1/3 page margin on top to make notes and to go through with a pencil or red pen.
I still find that that works for me especially when I have seen the document too many times on the screen.
Reply to this
I agree with Earl. This site looks pretty and like it will be interactive with a small group than the massive ones with hundreds of people. Good luck. I will visit again soon.
Reply to this
The fact that you are interested in the written word and care enough to ask questions is evidence that you have it in your blood. The more you write the better you become.
Reply to this
I want to know what would you advise someone who is interested in getting published what steps would I need to take?
Reply to this
My best advice in getting published is to ensure you have all your ducks lined up. You need to be happy with your finished product. You must know the audience you want to reach. You must be prepared to make your case to a publisher. Your presentation should always look professional and exhibit your confidence as a writer. If self-publishing, you need to find the right printer and have everything ready to print when you make your delivery. It can save you tons of money.
Reply to this
Should you have a plan when writing or is it okay to write as it flows, I mean in my case I may write a short story and not know the end until i reach it but is it better to at least plan out the plot and then write?
Reply to this
Hello Ryan,
Writing structures are as individual as writing styles. There are some persons who based on their advanced thought process can do great work without a written outline, plot or plan.
It is advisable, however, for one to start with at least an outline as to how the work will flow from beginning middle and end. My first novel I did by just attacking the blank page and writing. This was most enjoyable as even I did not know what the character was going to experience next. What I found, though, was that by the middle of the novel, I started encountering problems. As the story progressed, I had to go back to change material facts to make the rest of the book flow.
You can avoid such mistakes, by not only doing an outline but writing out the back-story of all your main characters, so that as you make decisions as to what they will do or how they will react to something, you will have a basis for those choices and the characters will come to life.
Reply to this
How do you keep up with the constant changes in vocabulary worldwide is there a site anyone of you may know off ?
Reply to this
This is a beautiful site I just love the colour, Its definately a great concept it looks like ancient paper you are all writing on. I love it
Reply to this
How important is it to have someone other than yourself proof read your work, or is it ok to do it yourself?
Reply to this
Michael,
I believe it is very useful to get a fresh pair of eyes and someone with a less biased perspective to read and edit your work. Even the most seasoned writers or editors will miss things if they are too familiar with the work being reviewed.
That being said, there are many tools to assist writers in self editing such as spell check or grammar check etc. However, it is a good practice for writers to manually re-read their work to pick up those things that cannot be caught by non-human review.
Reply to this
I have a great question: what are some of the reasons for any of you that lead to you becoming a writer ?
Reply to this
Writers En Bloc (Michael) Wrote:
One of the greatest reasons for becoming a writer is the opportunity to tell a story. By using the written word, you become part of something unique -- something singular, something that will forever be part of recorded history.
Reply to this
Nice site. Do limmericks count as creative writing hehe
Reply to this
Hi Jimbo,
Limericks are a great comedic avenue for those who choose to express themselves in that way. Edward Lear was a witty limerick writer and he did very well with that art form. Although it has lost some of its wind due to the emergence of obscenity in the writing of this type of poem, it still has a place I find. To each his own?
Are you a limerick writer or were you just joking around?
Reply to this
I find that my stelling sucks now that i use spell check all the time. Can u b a good writer if u cannot spell well?
Reply to this
Hi Karen,
With the use of technology tools it is easy to lose some of our own skills and talents. However, things like spell check are very useful tools and can improve the quality of your edited work.
What may help is if you practice writing out your words like 'you' instead of 'u' for example as that will force you to remember how these words are spelt. Another good exercise may be to do a manual check of your work before you use spell check. Then as you run the spell check programme, take note of the words you missed and practice the spelling of those.
Hope this helps.
Reply to this
As a professional writer what would be your dream come true, I mean if you have already had your work published, what would you dream of having next...I know a bestseller is probably there but what else does a writer strive for?
Reply to this
For me, it is having other people identify with and learn something from a character that I created! Even as I have people read drafts of my novel. I am excited to hear them talk about the characters as if they actually exist
Reply to this
How do you become an En Bloc member or should I just subscribe to the blog? There are a lot of good questions here that I would have asked myself, I want to know when the answers are posted.
Reply to this
Hi Stan,
Subscribing to the blog is a good idea. You will then be alerted when we have new content/entries and if you subscribe to this entry, you will get an email when new comments are posted. I am happy you are enjoying the experience already.
We will be adding much more in the next couple of weeks and also adding a book store to promote members' books. So look out for that.
D
Reply to this
Are journalist writers ? I know it may sound dumb but what is the definition of a writer?
Reply to this
Journalists are, indeed, writers. In fact, we work under stressful deadlines and crank out material (to borrow a Star Trek phrase) at warp speed. The written word of a journalist can now be seen all over the world because of the Internet. My personal definition of a writer is simple "one who writes and enjoys it."
Reply to this
What are the necessary steps one must take once they have completed writing their book?
Reply to this
Hi Ari
Am I right to think that you are looking to be published? If so, the full answer to your question would fill a book! So I'm going to refer you to one. Many (in the UK market) regard it as the definitive guide to this subject. It's called 'From Pitch to Publication' by Carole Blake. It was published nine years ago and some things have changed (eg submission to agents replacing dealing with publishers direct, and the increasing use of submission by e-mail) but the basics are still valid. Whichever market you are in I'm sure there are similar books offering sound advice.
My one specific piece of advice is to make sure your submission package is as good as it can possibly be. This means drafting and re-drafting until you are 100% happy and then asking a critical friend to proof read every part of it - including your covering letter. You may be surprised to hear that agents admit to rejecting submissions without reading further simply because there is a typo in the letter or on the first page of the manuscript.
Reply to this
Congrats on your work; I see y'all setup pretty quick. I'll read the q&a as I glimpsed some of my questions already
Reply to this
Noticed that some bloggers use US English some UK. Any advice on which one to write your novels in? Does it depend on your market or do publishers prefer one over the other?
Reply to this
I am writing in the UK market and consequently have used UK English. My advice is to write for the market you are in. If your book is published there and the publisher sells the rights across the Atlantic, that's the time to worry about the changes that you'll have to make. A nice problem to have!
Reply to this
Roughly, how long does it take to publish a book after I finish all my editing?
Reply to this
Hi Ari
How long is a piece of string? The answer - as with your question - is, it depends. The strength of your proposition, the quality of your submission, your ability - there are so many variables. I can't really do more here than advise you to pick up some specialist reading the process that takes you from writing the first line of the first draft to seeing your work on the printed page.
Reply to this
What sort of challenges/restrictions do first time writers face?
Reply to this
In know the answer to this question will vary as it depends on each specific situation but generally what are some of the personal expenses incurred when publishing a book?
Reply to this
Hi Leona
This is another question where it's difficult to be specific. In my opinion, if you think your work is fit to be published and there is a market for it, you should aim for mainstream publication. If you follow this route, there should be no cost to you other than the cost of the producing and sending the submission packages to agents. If your book is taken on by a publisher it should meet all future costs involved with its production and marketing.
If your question relates to self-publishing, you will find costs vary depending on the services offered. In my experience, before committing to a particular deal you should talk to other writers who have books with the organisation you are thinking of using. Also, again from my experience, I think its important that any self-publication service you employ should have a distribution set up so your books are stocked in a distribution centre (not your home) and are available to order through bookshops and on Amazon and the like. Without this, you will have to personally pack and post any book you sell.
I hope this goes some way to answering your question.
Reply to this
How do I start a book, I have an idea for a story but I have no idea on how to start?
Reply to this
Hi Ryan
Sorry about the delay in getting a response to you. I'll base my answer on my experience - others my have different views. My advice to you is simple - start writing.
If you have an idea for a story you'll know where you think it opens - so start at that point and write the scene down. At this stage don't worry about anything else except getting your story down on the page. Spelling, punctuation, using the best words, all these can be perfected in your re-writing and editing stages.
You will feel a great sense of achievement if you simply write your story down from beginning to end. Many people who want to be writers don't ever get to that stage.
Next read your manuscript through and let the story ferment in your mind. You'll then be ready to re-structure it (you may find the beginning isn't where you thought it was, for instance), choose better ways of expressing what you had previously written, correcting faults in the plotline etc.
By the time you get to this stage you may feel you need to share your work with other writers who will be able to help with voice and style.
You can worry about all that follows later - for now focus solely on getting the story out of your head and onto the page.
Reply to this
What are the perks of being a writer ?
Reply to this
I think perks include seeing a world you imagine being shared or enjoyed by other people; to see your work in print is great and also to have forums like these when you find like-minded people who share a unique passion. Then if you get to make money from doing something you love so much - ah - that is the ultimate perk.
Reply to this
Publisher? What publisher?
I do not understand: you all belong to the web era: " You blog therefore you are".
Who needs Publisher in these times.
Write what you feel like writing, then post it.
Where? Well hey...you need a nurse or a writing suggestion?
Come on: a blog like this, your own blog, a website, youtube, facebook........come on , turn on your imagination and fly.
The real hurdle is:"how am I going to be visited or clicked" therefore I will be famous or "my books - ebooks are selling.
That is for me the only real dilemma to solve.
So you do not need a Publisher, you need n emarketing person, someone that knows how to swim in viral marketing, webads, webPR etc........
So the only thing to do is: "
JUST DO IT" meaning "......WRITE IT".
No excuses.
The rest will follow.
Reply to this
Publisher? What publisher?
I do not understand: you all belong to the web era: " You blog therefore you are".
Who needs Publisher in these times.
Write what you feel like writing, then post it.
Where? Well hey...you need a nurse or a writing suggestion?
Come on: a blog like this, your own blog, a website, youtube, facebook........come on , turn on your imagination and fly.
The real hurdle is:"how am I going to be visited or clicked" therefore I will be famous or "my books - ebooks are selling.
That is for me the only real dilemma to solve.
So you do not need a Publisher, you need n emarketing person, someone that knows how to swim in viral marketing, webads, webPR etc........
So the only thing to do is: "
JUST DO IT" meaning "......WRITE IT".
No excuses.
The rest will follow. I forgot.
I was serious about youtube or better check this one:
www.selltube.com
Yes, make your own personal video ad, sell your product: your book.
I know, some of you are already having a puzzled smirk on your face.
The market will judge and plus it is more dignified to sell the product of your love rather then......have you seen what else they sell????
Exactly my point.
So again: sing, dance, jump and promote your book. Nothing wrong with that.
Truman Capote or Hemingway would have done exactly this, actually they did it but using different media (NY jet set parties, gossips, the right circle of people.....). You can make your own Black and White grand ball on line!!!!!
Reply to this
You are right of course, Leonardo. Who needs a publisher? We have a world today where everybody has access. Quality doesn't matter. There is no editorial control. There are no rules, no standards. Anybody can do it. Get on a reality show. Shag a celebrity and sell the film on e-bay. Fame beckons anyone who can get an audience. The web offers so many short cuts. You forgot to mention PornTube.
My personal ambition is much more mundane. I have a dream that one day I'll board a train, or sit down in an airport waiting area and somebody will be reading my book. And they will look as if they are engrossed in the world I have created. For this to happen, the book has to be the proper kind.
I don't want to compromise on the content or quality. (Both will be the best I can do - maybe not F Scott FitzGerald or Tolstoy but 100% of my capacity.)
For this fantasy to become real - call me old-fashioned - I need a publisher. (I've done self-publishing and could write a book on what's wrong with it.) Yes, I will attempt to exploit all the WWW has to offer once I have a book to market but until then I'll plod the old familiar road.
Thanks for stimulating the discussion.
Reply to this
I just need a martini in my left hand and a cigar in the other (right hand, you never know nowaday!) and we can poke each other until we do not distinguish the right from the left, Robert.
But, hey, Porntube?
You are very acquainted with the web or you are writing something you do not want to reveal, yet.
I am sure those people in the train will miss their stop.
I ma all tingling.
I have a question regarding "writing style": How do you communicate sarcasm?
Smiling logos (
But sarcasm? It relies so much on tone of voice and subtle face expressions......
Please I need a solution.
Robert!!!! I am serious about our conversation: infact I am working on our next location.
No literature retreat or sanctuary. No gimmicks.
Great food, great panorama, great company. That's it.
Ciao for now
Reply to this
Thank you so much for all your questions and the pointed answers by our members. Happy New Year and keep the discussion going!!
Reply to this
Hi Everyone. I am loving reading all of the comments and cannot wait for more. As a suggestion, should we have some links on here to illustrators? I am interested in writing children's books and illustrations are an important aspect of this. I will send some of the links I have to data bases for illustrators but am sure you all have loads more.
Reply to this
That is a great idea Kat; You can post it in the Q&A forum or send me an email and I will put it in the Writers Resources Section.
Reply to this
How exactly does a copyright work? And how does it protect your work from being plagiarised?
Reply to this
Rather than answer this directly, I'll refer you to the UK Intellectual Property Office which has great information on copyright. Follow this link: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy.htm
I don't think you need to be concerned about this being UK information as copyright is an internationally accepted concept.
The only thing I would add is that there is no need for you to use the © symbol on your work. As long as it's your original writing it is automatically covered as being your intellectual property. I have heard agents, editors and publishers say they react negatively when they they see the © symbol - they regard it as a sign that the writer is new to the business.
Reply to this
i DONT WANT TO WRITE A BOOK THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SELL. What are the main factors that cause books to sell really well?
Reply to this
Make sure you know the audience you want to reach and that the topic is relevant and interesting to them. This may sound simplistic but it's a necessary ingredient if you hope to stir up a recipe for success. The broader the topic, the better your chances.
Reply to this
Hi all,
Can I get some suggestions/ names of some reputable international publishing agencies?
Reply to this
Hi Giselle
Rather than answer this directly, I'll refer you to the UK Intellectual Property Office which has great information on copyright. Follow this link: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy.htm
I don't think you need to be concerned about this being UK information as copyright is an internationally accepted concept.
The only thing I would add is that there is no need for you to use the © symbol on your work. As long as it's your original writing it is automatically covered as being your intellectual property. I have heard agents, editors and publishers say they react negatively when they they see the © symbol - they regard it as a sign that the writer is new to the business.
Reply to this
Thank you Robert. I must say I am learning so much myself by reading your responses; they are always so well informed and give background links that are also educational. Thanks!
Reply to this
Robert,
Thank for the reply but I think you mixed me up with Ari I had asked about reputable publishing agencies???
Do you have any links to that please???
Reply to this
Sorry, Giselle, I messed up. As far as your query re publishing agencies is concerned, I'm unsure what you mean by 'publishing agencies'. If it's literary agents you are after you may like to have a look at this website: http://www.writersservices.com/agent/index.htm
It's the most comprehensive I've seen on the web.
It seems that agents have taken over from publishers as the first line of approach for aspiring published writers so I would research to find which agent is most suitable for your genre of writing, follow their submission guidelines, make your submission as professional (and error free) as possible, and send it off. Good luck!
Reply to this