NaNoWriMo

[TheUdjat]

So, just curious - Is anybody engaging in the National November Writing Month? In case you haven't heard about it, it's a sort of challenge to write a short novel in one month (November, obviously). There's a certain specific length that I don't recall offhand, but it's on the shorter side.

I'm preoccupied with my pre-existing novel, unfortunately (which is in the middle of an extensive rewrite), so I'm out. But I thought I'd see if anybody else was doing it. This would be a good place to share ideas and get some feedback for such a thing.

That sounds neat and all, and I'd be interesting in doing it if I didn't have the writing capabilities of a 10 year old child. Well that and the fact that I don't have much time on my hands.

However, if other people are interested, I'd be more than happy to help throw around ideas and help anyway I can.m

[Toptomcat]

I can write if I put my mind to it, but a novel would kill me. Also put me down for someone to bounce ideas off of, though.

[TheZebraShakes™]

Sheesh, a novel for November!

We practically write novels here. I doubt any of us would have the time for that

I wish I could focus my mind enough to write a novel and make lots of money off of it, but it's doubtful.

[VemuKhaham]

You were working on your second novel now, weren't you? Care to tell us anything about it, or is that top secret? And how did things go with your first novel? I remember you looking for a publisher?

Oh, and I'm probably not into the contest, to make this post on-topic.

[TheUdjat]

The publisher/agent hunt did not meet with as much success as I would've hoped. However, getting exposed to 'the business' helped me understand what they're looking for, what preferred layout/editing they like to see, where to look, etc. It was a nice learning experience, but the end result was that the only responses I got for my novel were from untested agents wanting me to sign binding 6 month to 1 year agreements (I don't mind binding agreements necessarily, but I'd like to see some credentials first).

So, I got about a chapter or two into the new piece (and made a lot of false starts on some short stories and other stories), and that helped, too. I tried a lot of different writing styles and found the one that works for me. So then I looked at my first novel again and discovered a number of things that could've been done to make it smoother, better, and more marketable (without killing the feel of it).

So now I'm doing those things. It looks like that first novel will probably be expanded out into a trilogy (it was already just about there length-wise anyway), which will make me less stressed about pacing and cutting things that I want in it. It'll also mean I've completed three books instead of one, which is nice to brag about. But most importantly, I'll probably be able to get it published.

In short: It's still in developmental hell, and I've temporarily ceased new projects (which is why nothing's happened with Venusian Skies lately, for example), but I feel really good about this latest revision. The chapters I've re-done look fantastic (to me). The people that've read the novel really love it (granted they know me, so they're biased), and it's going surprisingly fast.

And that's the update. Nothing really new to report, but the novel (or trilogy) is still progressing steadily.

[VemuKhaham]

It sounds like you're on the right track, despite perhaps the fact that so far you've not had immediate success. Perhaps it's even too much to ask for immediate success. Good to hear that you haven't given up on this project and that you're getting better. If ever your books manage to find their way on the Dutch market, I'll be sure to buy them.

[TheUdjat]

vemukhaham said:

It sounds like you're on the right track, despite perhaps the fact that so far you've not had immediate success. Perhaps it's even too much to ask for immediate success. Good to hear that you haven't given up on this project and that you're getting better. If ever your books manage to find their way on the Dutch market, I'll be sure to buy them.

When I get published, I'll send you a complimentary copy if they don't sell 'em around you.

[VemuKhaham]

Cool!