Let me take a moment to explain to you what I did.
For years and years and years I wanted to write a book. Either I didn't have the time or I didn't have the story or I didn't have the characters. However, what I found that I was really good at was having an excuse. So in that case, what was the end result? Nothing!
This story had been gnawing at my insides for a number of years. A good friend of mine happened to be a doctor. We did a lot of things together like attending sporting events and going out to dinner and golfing together. On several of these occasions I mentioned this story that I had floating around in my mind. In the days that followed I mentioned it more and more. Then one day he said something that turned on the light bulb in my brain. He said that he thought that my story would make a great movie!
My first reaction was that I was flattered. In some respects I agreed with him because of the storyline and characters that I had created in my head. However that comment caused a new set of problems. The first problem was how to write a screenplay for a movie. The only thing that I had accomplished up to that point in my life was that I done a lot of things and had gained a lot of experience. Sadly, writing a screenplay was not one of them.
The next step was to figure out how to accomplish that. The online information that is available in today's world helped me there. In a matter of a few clicks I found any number of screenplay clubs or sites on the internet. On an impulse I joined one of them. In the days that followed I found out that one of the accepted industry standards was a software program appropriately named Final Draft. Those people were contacted and before I knew I had an outstanding software program downloaded onto my computer.
The first part of the problem was solved. The second part of the problem was how to use the software. Using the trial and error method, I discovered many of the capabilities of the software. Then a thought dawned on me. That idea involved the basic essential of the entire process. I had to sit down and actually write my first sentence.
The ensuing period of time allowed for that and for the sake of time and space approximately ninety days later I completed the first draft of a screenplay that I thought was going to take Hollywood by storm. After contacting the screenplay club that I had joined I found that they had the experts available to critique the project. With a click here and a download there, I sent the screenplay off to see what the experts thought about my "blockbuster" screenplay.
A few days later my hopes were dashed. The critique was scathing. It was obvious that I didn't know what I was doing. So, it was back to the drawing board. Three more drafts ensued. In my mind each was becoming better than the prior one. Then on one evaluation my evaluator mentioned that I did have a good story and good characters. That was the positive feedback that I needed to continue.
The next six to eight months were spent with a consultant who showed me how to develop the characters and storyline of a screenplay better. Rewrite after rewrite followed. Finally after a total of ten rewrites I actually felt as if I had a screenplay that was worthy of being sent to the powerful people of the motion picture industry. My product was still lacking some of the main ingredients that are necessary for a film, but the basic essentials are there.
In some conversations that followed it was decided that the best way to get attention for the screenplay was to write the book. Initially I balked at that idea. However, after thinking about it for a couple of months I decided to go for it. A wonderful tool was at my disposal. That happened to be the recently completed screenplay that I had written.
With that document I sat down and wrote my first novel. When the book was completed I actually felt as if the story was better in prose than in the screenplay format. However, I think that is a common thread that people notice about books and movies. Most people say that the book is better. In my case it allowed for me to fill in the blanks that are open-ended in a screenplay.
When everything was said and done I found that the challenge and discipline needed to write a novel was tremendously rewarding. Writing a book has been one of the most fulfilling accomplishments that I have ever done. After approximately four years what had started as a dream in my mind actually got put on paper.
1. Novels take a long time to write.
On average, a novelist will spend a year on researching and writing their novel. Don't forget that this is full-time work too! Any novel is a major undertaking in writing terms and for a new writer it can be a monumental undertaking. So here are a few alternatives for you:
Fillers: Plenty of magazines accept short (100-200 word) fillers that can be slotted in to fill a blank space on the page and, considering their length, are very well-paid. Don't dismiss them as being 'not writing' - they are, believe me.
Feature Articles: These range from what you did on holiday to your favourite meal to how your dog means so much to you. Again, payment is generally good considering word length.
Short Stories: I've mentioned these so many times before but I make no apology for including them here. If you can crack the magazine short story market you may never feel the need to write a novel! It's a lucrative and respected market full of 'real writers' - some of whom have also never written a novel and probably never will!
2. Novels face tough competition to get published.
This is very true. The reason? Simple - every aspiring writer, it seems, wants to write a novel. Many see it as the way to fame and fortune. Others regard the novel as 'real' writing and anything is is just playing at it. However, here again are a couple of real alternatives:
Factual Books: If you have in-depth knowledge and experience of a subject, a factual book may well be your way into print. It could be a book on your time in the armed services. Maybe you have for years been a keen gardener and want to share your knowledge, or perhaps you would like to write your biography. Factual books are one field of writing that new writers seem to ignore - yet they are a much more likely route to publication than any but the very best first novel!
Ebooks: There's a lot of uncertainty amongst new writers concerning ebooks and yet it's one of the easiest ways of getting into print via the self-publishing route. There are many online magazines, fanzines, e-zines and so forth that are always on the look-out for new, fresh material. Just because your book isn't printed on paper doesn't mean to say it has no value (you're reading this article, aren't you?). In fact many writers have started their career by writing ebooks and then 'graduating' to the print-on-paper variety after they have established a 'track record'.
Short Stories: Yes, I know I've already mentioned these but the competition to get your short story published, whilst still intense, is nowhere near the pressure that exists within the new novelist encampments. True, you have to be good to get short stories published. Consider, though: A short story maybe will take a few days to write - not a year. If it doesn't get accepted - write another. Then another. Repeat until you get accepted (and you will if you're persistent and a half-decent writer).
The point with short stories is just that - they're short. It's the difference between strolling down to the local park and hiking around the world. An added bonus is that, with every short story you write, you get that little bit better. It's true, trust me. So any stories that don't make it can be shelved and looked at again later - maybe six months. I guarantee that you will want to edit and re-write them into better form!
3. Novels are technically difficult.
Although this is not strictly true, it is easy to get lost within the pages of your novel. Why? Well, a novel is not only quite long (the shortest is about 60,000 words), it also has many more characters and, normally, a far more involved plot than a short story or novelette (a long short story, if you know what I mean). Novels must be planned by new writers or their chances of completion are limited. So whilst novels aren't always technically difficult to write, they are much more complex than shorter works. Alternatives to the novel? As always I fall back on:
The Short Story. Though often seen as the springboard to novel writing, the short story is a writing form in its own right - not just a 'mini-novel'. Far from it and, although it's true that the disciplines learned by short story writing can be transferred (at least to some degree) to novel writing, the short story stands alone in its form and composition. Write a novel? Why, when you can do any of the above? And yet, were I to recommend one form for the new writer it would of course be the short story. Get into this particular market and you should never really look back as a writer!
Both Jim Ross & Steve Dempster are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jim Ross has sinced written about articles on various topics from Criminal Defense Law, Golf Guide and Writing. James Ross, a University of Missouri-Columbia graduate, went to a keyboard and let the words flow through his fingertips. Lifetime Loser is his first novel. Consumed by the writing bug, he is working on more books. Visit. Jim Ross's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Steve Dempster has sinced written about articles on various topics from Backpain, Family Travel and Recreation and Sports. Steve Dempster writes fiction and informative articles for the web. about how to kickstart your writing career. Steve Dempster's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.