Is anyone writing a book at the minute, or already published?

Question

What sort of thought processes do you go through and what planning do you put into it to develop the story/characters etc?
Or are there people out there who just write and see where the story/characters lead?
Thanks.

Answer 1

I am in the process of writing a book about my life!!! I am 13 so I hope toget it done soon!!!

Answer 2

I am working on my next novel. I have 4 published (the 4th, Whale Song, to be released in 2007 by Kunati Inc. Book Publishers) I write mainly mystery or suspense thrillers. I am working on my next 3 novels simultaneously.

For me, it is often a topic (assisted suicide, psychic investigators, strange disappearances) that will spark a novel idea. Sometimes it is even a word or phrase (Divine Intervention). Ideas hit me in the weirdest of places: while driving, standing in line at the grocery store, watching people or even in the shower. :)

Once a story concept grips me, it is like a death grip and won't let go. That's when I add it to my list of future books. I will often make notes, but some plots are so strong I don't need to.

I always have a firm grasp of the beginning, many key elements of the middle and a solid ending in mind. The only part that has ever wavered is the middle. Sometimes my characters lead me places I never expected, but then we get back on track. Those detours have proven to be most interesting and necessary.

All of my novels have some kind of message. That's what I focus on. I spend hours a day writing or working on the craft of writing (I write full time now), and have always had a firm grasp of grammar, punctuation, spelling and writing basics. This is key. I've edited other authors' works and have been amazed at how many are lacking the necessary basic skills to 'be' a good writer.

I'm thinking either you are really curious or are considering getting into writing. If it's the latter, I recommend you make sure the basics are 'under your belt', so to speak. Take a few creative writing courses. Research and learn online. If writing fiction, learn how to write dialogue correctly, understand dialogue tags and beats, analyze other authors' works, pacing, flow, conflict analysis etc.

:) All the best,

Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song (Kunati Books), The River and Divine Intervention
http://www.kunati.com/catalog_whale_song.html (see the cool trailer) and http://www.cherylktardif.com

Answer 3

I am, and I base my characters on real life, so they're backrounds are already set up. It's a lot more fun that way cuz then it's kind of like writing your own future. I just let the story go, and I've finished one, and starting a second (and have the workings of a third in my head, but that's all in good time). If you need any help, or have any ideas for my, email me or something, cuz i like to help ppl.

Answer 4

My mother is an author and as I child I wouldn't see her for days. She does plot outlines first, detailed character outlines (IE Stuff before the plot, things that will never get in the book - just so SHE knows.) You have to be very meticulous to get the flow right - most do the same as her. Also - your publisher generally wants an overview before they release any advance payment. It takes her about a year per book - quicker for novellas.

Answer 5

I'm in the middle of two volumes of a four-volume series and several short stories. I seldom, if ever, plan out my characters, but once I use them, I keep notes on their connections to other characters and their characteristics.

I allow the story to flow from my fingertips and edit along the way. Many writers prefer to plan out their strategies of plot, characters, and everything inbetween, but I'm not one of them.

Often, my story leads me, and because it's fiction, anything is possible.

Answer 6

well io aqm in the middle of writing abook iys a true story about my and my 6 childrens life in domestic violence of 13 years its hard to write as it brings back memories but i am writing it to show ppl out there what eally gos on behinde closed doors i have somebody interested in my bool when it is finished weather it gets published i will never know

Answer 7

I'm in the process of writing a movie.

Answer 8

I wrote 18 pages to a book as an outline, and 2 years later, I'm at 243K words and 1174 pages later. (But I'm the latter to your second question.)

Answer 9

im writing one....but its not very good...im better at poems


voices in the mist, come out at you from nowwhere. they seem to want to catch u unawares.

walking on the sandy beach, i was lost in my thoughts. it was early sunday morning, i think it was 4.30 am when i left the house. life wasnt good for me, it was going nowhere and it didnt owe me a thing. i was a 49 year old woman with my life stretched behind me, i had no future, no tomorrows. i wasnt feeling sorry for myself, just confused, just totally confused. It seemed like a wave of acceptance had washed over me.
what was the next step in my life, where do i go from here. newly divorced with no ties, not even a dog to keep me company, no nothing.

i left the 'family' home in Cornwall, with a shabby old suitcase, my holdal and my handbag, coupled with that, my long dog toothed coat and a notebook. i had my life in that suitcase, if you could call it a life. some old photos, my passport, a few personal belongings and the rest made up with clothes. i looked at my crumpled train ticket in my hand. Mumbles £43.89 no return, dam right no return. i looked around me and then stared out at the sea, there were only my footprints on the sand. some of the larger stones had buried their heads in the gold array which made me trip now and again. the sea was so calm, idealyic blue. the sheer expanse of it made me think that it had all the answers, everything i needed to know. but it was silent and somehow sad. i couldnt trust it though, i couldnt trust anyone, not anymore.

i heard echoes in the distance, a pounding, i was so afraid i didnt know what was happening, was it in my head. the echoes seem to get louder and louder, i caught my breatg abd there it was, magnificent and magical, a white arab horse. no rider, it just came right up to me, looked me straight in the eye. and t..it spoke. deep and resounding and smoke coming from his warm tongue. "ive been waiting for u for a long time, i had almost given up hope. yes you have come here before but always accompanied. ive waited years, now we can speak alone."

i wanted to run, run and not look back but i coudnt, i stood rooted to the spot, like a child, dumbstruck. i stood there in awe but frightened out of my soul, my very being. "what do you want from me" i said. why have u been waitng...for what?"

All will be revealed but first we must talk about your life. we must come from the past to the future. what future i demanded. he didnt answer. he was calm, yet in control. thats a laugh; what future, i kept turning the words around in my head. as far as i could see i had not even got as much as a present never mind a future. i began to get tired and sat on a rock. it was quite relaxing watching the sea ebb on my feet, i wanted the sea to wash away my troubles like it did over my feet. the arab horse sat down beside me - it was only then that i realised the enormity of the situation. me sitting here with some kind of mystical creature, talking about life,my life.

the horse started to sit down - rather clumsily i thought. he seemed to know what i was thinking. im dying he said rather matter of factly. we need to go through your life as a reflection - all will be revealed. then when we have come though to your life to the present, i will crumble completely and die. this is my purpose in life, you will understand when i have actually persished. what is your name i said rather abruptly - i didnt mean to but i wanted to understand so much in what i thought was a little time. zane he whispered, it means courage in my world. and where is your world, half wanting to know and half scared stiff of the answer. its a world far away, a nicer place than this, a land where there is understanding, love and serenity. your world is cruel and cold. you have so much beauty surrounding u and your people choose to ignore it. i wouldnt say that i said defensively, i mean we take care of nature and the sick. yes, and u also butcher eachother, it is a land that can disgust the outsider, but i digress we need to begin the journey of my death for i cannot die without your reflection and u cannot live without my death. i didnt understand what he was talking about how could i, i mean to say i was in a incredulous situationin.