i am, and i have been writing them for a few years, but sometimes the finished products seem so far away! how long does it usually take to write a book? I've been writing mine since i was 11, and i'm15 now. Naturally during that time i've had to change a lot and i also have had to start from the beginning several times, but....well anyone know what i'm feeling?
2007-03-16 09:49:45 · 17 answers · asked by Air 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
someone said get a mentor, I’d love too, but i guess that is kinda my problem, I don’t really have any support. Whenever try i to get someone to read it or give me some advice I always get shot down…so yeah kinda discouraged.
2007-03-16 10:01:34 · update #1
I'm in the process of writing a book now too. I've been writing it since 4th grade and I'm in 6th now. I've had to start it over quite a few times. I know exactly how you feel.
I would suggest getting the Writers Market. It REALLY helps.
What I would do is find some people you really trust but might not now in person and email it to them, chapter by chapter. Have them tell you what they liked, what they didn't, mistakes they found, etc
After you get it back from everyone, go back and add more and edit. It really helps and they pick up on stuff you might not.
What you really need to do is start writing and decide that THIS is the time you're going to finish and send it to the publishers!
2007-03-16 11:05:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be a very long process. Patience is one of the virtues an author must have. At your age, it's hard to set out on a long haul project, because you're doing a lot of growing up and your personality changes so fast. (So that the stuff that mattered to you when you were 11 will tend to look pretty irrelevant to you now).
I'm 33 now and I'm finally getting through my first novel, which I've been working on for over 3 years as well. I predict I'll be done in another six months or so. In the meantime, I've read some poetry. I've published some poems in smaller publications and some pieces for the student newspaper at the university.
So you might want to stick to shorter stuff for now : Essays, short stories, poetry, etc... So that you can get through a piece while your focus is still in it. If you still really want to write a book, go for it, but it will be difficult, even at 15, because you're at a stage of life when you're doing so much growing up quickly.
But the important thing, in any case, is that you keep writing in your life. Eventually, you'll find out what it is you were meant to write. It can take a lot of time. Richard Adams didn't publish until he was in his 50s, and today, his Watership Down is considered a masterpiece.
2007-03-16 17:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, yes, yes!
I've been writing one book - which is being split into a series - for almost 10 years. I have a co-author who has worked with me on this project for 8-9 of those years. We're getting closer to a finished book, but it's taken loads of time to get everything just where we want it.
Another book I'm working on I've written on and off for about 12 years and then there is yet another that I started just a few months ago that I don't look to even remotely begin to finish anytime soon.
Writing takes as long as it takes. Only when you have deadlines to met for publication does time become an issue. For me it is in the getting started/jumping off point that takes the longest. Once that is set the rest seems to just flow. Right now it is just finding time to write - work and family naturally have to come first!
With my co-authored book we're in the beginning stages of hunting for an agent. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time!
Feel free to email me at any time if you've got a question or would like a second opinion!
2007-03-16 17:01:04 · answer #3 · answered by tngapch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I , like you am in the process of writing a book. I'm also around the same age and know exactly what you are feeling. It differs for how long it takes to write a book, and believe me, I know that's not what you want to hear, but it depends on you yourself. As for constantly getting shot down, have you ever been to theyoungwriterssociety.com? It's a site for kids where you can talk to other writers about writing, get someone to critique your work, ask questions about writing, or talk about things that have nothing to do with writing. I'm a member of that site, and let me tell you, it's rare to get someone on there that is negative towards others, and even if they are, it is even more rare that someone else wouldn't come on and tell them off. They're really motivating, try it out. Good luck!
2007-03-17 15:45:34 · answer #4 · answered by thewriterkid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never get discouraged when it comes to writing. I have been writing since I was about your age and I now have my first novel out in local stores and online. Always keep your dreams of being a writer alive.
When it comes to the book being written it all depends on your pace. Some write books in just a few months others can do it in a few years. Like I said it all depends on what your work status is.
Starting over in something your writting is always a natural thing, I've done that several times writing a book.
Good luck with your writing.
2007-03-16 17:30:10 · answer #5 · answered by WI Wedding Lady 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can take months or it can take years. Dont be surprised if you push one book aside for a while and pick up another. I probably have 4 or 5 books on hold, stored on disks. One from when my son was born 20 years ago! Who knows if the mood will ever strike me to finish it?
Why dont you try short stories first? There are tons of anthologies out there who are seeking stories to publish in anthologies. Sometimes they pay you, sometimes they just give you copies of the book. Its a good way to start getting published. Spend some time googling "anthologies accepting submissions". You can also find a lot in the short story version of Writers Market.
And just remember, nobody is ever happy with thier first draft. When you do finish that book, you will probably spend another year or so revising and tightgening it up.
Good luck! C.
2007-03-16 16:59:37 · answer #6 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might help to set a deadline. Submitting your work to a contest, for example, might help you move across the finish line.
Take a chapter a finish it to your best ability. It does not have to be perfect! In fact editors exist to "polish" the work prior to publication. Then do the next chapter.
Find a mentor. Is there anyone - a teacher, for example, who can edit and encourage you to move forward?
Don't start over and over again. Start, and move forward. You can jump around, but don't go back to the starting point until you reach the end. Allow your work to develop!
2007-03-16 16:58:57 · answer #7 · answered by luv books 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't give up! Keep on keeping on. Books can take a long time to write. Decide what to write about and stick to that.
Writing books is sort of an art, so don't get discourged.
If writing books doesn't work out for you, try something else.
I hope this helps!
2007-03-16 17:45:23 · answer #8 · answered by Quanisha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes im in the middle of manny progects and i do know what your feiling i wrot one short story that took me l ike a month or two and needs a new ending and alot of editing ive got like two or three short stories in the works and like five books and i think two series sadly none of those are published or finished for that matter well just wanted to say that and Good Luck on your story
2007-03-16 16:58:09 · answer #9 · answered by Matthew B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it does depend what you are writing about. Let it just come natural. Take your time. Everything will fall into place. I am in the works of writing a book myself. If you rush it then it wont be the way you want it to be. Your still young, trust me.
2007-03-16 16:59:02 · answer #10 · answered by Forbidden1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋