i want to become a writter what would be the way to go about it ?

Question

I do alot of writting, ive started lots of stories, none of them are complete, everything is all over the place i need help in organising what ive done, and direction towards a good publisher. can anyone help.

Answer 1

While its never too early for an aspiring writer to start meeting book agents, you will need at least one presentable manuscript before you can begin to do business.
Standard manuscript format...
-Print the manuscript on white, 20 lb., 8 ½" x 11" copy paper.
-Apply standard computer margins of 1.25 inches on the left margin; 1.25 inches on the right margin; 1 inch from the top; 1 inch from the bottom.
-Double-space the text.
-Do not justify the copy.
-Print in black ink only.
-Number your pages.
-Use a standard font such as Courier or Times Roman.
-Only use a 12-point font, not smaller, not larger.
-Make sure the title and your name, address and telephone number are on the front of the manuscript.
-Include a version number on the manuscript for easy identification if you make lots of revisions within a draft. i.e. Draft 1, Version 1; Draft 1, Version 2, etc.
-Do not put a copyright notice on the manuscript. It annoys agents and publishers. If you feel you must copyright the manuscript, (as an unpublished manuscript), you still don't need to show the notice. You retain copyright without the notice.
-Never send your only copy of the manuscript. Print out a copy for yourself.
(from http://www.copshock.com/coach.html )
Find a publishers agent here...
http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do

Answer 2

Keep writing. The general consensus from the writers I know is that most people write closed (i.e. no one gets to see their work EVER) for about 8-10 years - I see it as an apprenticeship. After 8 years writing I got on to an MA in creative writing. This is great because we've met agents, publishers and authors - there's been lots of networking and advice as well as learning to understand your own work better. More agents are approaching MA students because they've already been filtered (if you're good enough to get on an MA, then you must be all right!). However this isn't the only route, but it's worked for me.
As for not completing stuff, that's perfectly normal as long as you keep writing. Eventually you will. Also, take it seriously, if you really want to do it, then give time to it - turn down nights out to write, because it makes a lot of difference to your writing.
Start submitting things (incentive to complete something) - try Writers' Forum magazine - you can submit short stories and they will give you a critique. It's really helpful to understand your strengths and weakenesses and get an unbiased view of your work. DO NOT TRUST YOUR MUM'S OPINION, she'll always say 'it's lovely darling'. Finally doing an evening class is a great start, you'll start getting to know other people and their writing and you can share ideas and problems (writing's a lonely business you know).

And yes, sort out your spelling and grammar, after all this is what you're meant to be the best at!

Answer 3

I'm in a similar predicament, my writing ability, (I believe) is almost there but I struggle with the structure and actually completing the book.

I've started a new book that I've got high hopes for so I've started a notebook where I jot down everything that pops into my head.
I try to write in it as often as possible to keep up interest.
I think its helping, although I haven't really written much of the actual text, Ive got a really good idea of where my book is going and all the backgrounds and histories of my characters. I really just chat to myself about how I could do this or I could do that but I find that one idea will really take off and I'll just keep writing about it. You then have a good record of how the book was going to be to compare with how it really turned out.

I also am considering a creative writing (adult) course which is around £60 where I should get some helpful advice and editing.

Once you've completed your work then your library should have an up to date publication of 'The Writers and Artists Yearbook' which has loads of contact details of publishers and editors and illustrators.

Check out Trudi Canarvans website (The Black Magician Trilogy) shes got a page which talks enthusiastically about her writing.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

First, learn basic writing skills. For example, "alot" is not a word - you'd want to use "a lot". Also, "can anyone help" is a question, and would need a question mark rather than a period.

After you have learned English grammar and spelling, write a story or two and actually complete them. By then, you'll know if you have the chops to actually be published.

Answer 5

Ignore everything you've read about writing. Just start. It's a long, lonely road with little reward most of the time. It can take years to get your first work published that's why only the committed make it. People love the idea of being a writer, but you have to work hard at it, sacrifice a lot; regular wages, mortgage. The list goes on. You don't choose to be a writer, it chooses you. Best of luck.

Answer 6

No one is going to read past the first page with so many spelling and grammar mistakes. Learn basic English at evening classes, you get a good discount if you are on benefits. There are also writing classes. The Writers and Artists yearbook list all the publishers you want, and give direction.

Answer 7

I just heard one answer to your question at a book signing this week. If you have found an author that you really like and write in the same style of try contacting their agent. You can do this even if you haven't finished a book yet. What happens from there might surprise you! Good luck!

And to all the jerks out there...they did come up with spell check and editors for a reason.

Answer 8

I agree with the others in regards to spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc. Also, someone mentioned an agent, and on that I say, it is extremely difficult to find one, especially for new authors. But, eventually, you'll get one. Be prepared for many rejections, but don't be discouraged by them. NEVER submit a manuscript to prospective agents without first having it proofread and edited. That is a huge mistake.

A book that helped me much when I was starting out is called "On Writing" by Stephen King. You may want to invest in it. When writing a manuscript ALWAYS use "spell check" and, if your computer has it, also check for passive sentences. If you don't know what they are, this is another thing you should put on your list of things to learn. But I'll give you an example: instead of writing "I opened the door with Charlie," write "Charlie and I opened the door," or "When I opened the door, Charlie was with me." "I opened the door with Charlie" implies that you used Charlie as a tool to open the door; as a key, or a log to bang the door in....LOL. Best regards in your writing journey!


Blessed Be!
Coven of Witches
http://www.thecovenofwitches.com

Answer 9

It is common to have your exact problem when you are starting out. Finishing your first manuscript is a hurdle to get over that will put you closer to your goal. I suggest you join an online writer's group or start a blog about your writing. Both of these things help to keep me focused on my writing and accountable to others about my progress.
When you have two stories done join a critique group. It is hard to have your work judged by others but you need to do it. They can give you advice about grammer, structure and voice.
Writing a lot, like you do, and reading a lot of other people's work are two other important steps toward improving your own writing.
Working toward publication is a long journey but with commitment and hard work you will make it.
Best of luck to you on your writing.

Answer 10

First of all know your craft. Read a lot of book and see what sort of thing entertains you. That’s the most important part, write stuff that entertains you, not what you think will entertain everyone else, if you do that you'll always be second guessing yourself and end up writing rubbish.
Keep practising; everything gets better over time if you just keep at it. FYI, if you read a lot of one particular author you might find yourself copying their writing style. I found that out after getting into Stephen king.
Don't be afraid to re-write something, especially as soon as you've finished it. As soon as its done destroy the file and start over. Re-writing doesn’t mean you think you've got it wrong, but you think there might be another way of telling it.
As for organising, make notes. Lots and lots of notes. On everything, the places where your characters live, what they will do on their journey, who your characters are and some of the things they have been through in their life. Make sketches too. Even if you’re not good at drawing, no one is going to see it except you. By putting something down in a solid for you get to A) see more or less how it would really look and then see it would work or not and B) with all this stuff bouncing around in your head and your brain diverting so much energy to remembering it all there often isn’t space for anything new, so if you put it down you can take it out of your head and free some space for new ideas to come on in.
Try and finish everything you start. The hardest thing for any writer to do is start and stop a story. Starting it is hard because you don't quite know the characters and only have a basic idea of what they are going to go through and what will happen to them, and its equally difficult to finish it because you’ve gotten to know these characters and you want to continue their adventures because as the characters have developed in your mind it has become easier to write adventures for them, why do you think some authors choose to write book series. But you as the author have to choose when to end the book before the story becomes too drawn out and risks becoming boring. You’ll know when, you'll not want to end it but you'll know when you should bring your work to a conclusion. The first and last lines are the hardest.
It can be hard when you have several story ideas running through your mind. What you have to do is to try and focus yourself on just one story idea at a time, no matter what other story ideas come into your mind just make some notes and leave it, concentrate only on one idea at a time. It will make it easier to get to know your individual characters and think up good ideas and situations for them to go through. |
When approaching a publisher you need to be patient. Buying a copy of something like THE WRITERS HANDBOOK available at most bookstores and several sites online. I recommend PLAY.COM since they don't charge for P&P. they have lists of agents and publishers and what sort of work they usually accept, which will save you time and money searching for a publisher.
It is a good idea to try and get a literary agent, some publisher’s wont even look at a work that’s not backed by an agent. Its easier to get published with an agent, but that doesn't mean its impossible to get published without one so try both agents and publishers at the same time, one will always follow the other, the order doesn't matter much.
When approaching either an agent or a publisher you need a self-addressed envelope with enough postage to get it back to you, they don't pay for stamps apparently. You need to write a letter which explains the plot of your story and perhaps even a little about who you are, one page is good, two at the most. And finally you need to send sample chapters, not the whole manuscript it makes you look amateurish, over eager and makes it too easy for your work to be stolen by little miss nobody in the mail room who will then publish it under their name. The first four chapters of your book are all that should be sent. The publisher’s rule is that if you haven't got the readers full attention by chapter 3 you will never have it.
Finally since publishers and agents get sent thousands of book proposals every day they don't have time to read them all, often they will tell the people in the mail room to grab several bag fulls and put them straight onto the rejection pile. So don't be discouraged if you don't get a yes letter right away and don’t be afraid to send work to the same publisher several times. 99% of all book proposals get a rejection letter, so keep trying and one day you will be among the 1% that gets a yes. Keep trying, hone your craft, keep practising and above all never give up. At the end of the day, only you know if you’re good enough.