Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers

Starting a new book...

I have a new book I'm working on. Thus far all I've done is write the highlights. The meat and potatoes. I have been revising my first book, so I haven't had mich time to work on the second book. Do you guys start from the beginning and work forward or like me run with the ideas then fill in the blanks...

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Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on May 20, 2011 at 6:58pm

That's the fun of it, who care if you make mistakes, correct them later, but while you're writing have fun...And note; the J and the F have raised lines on them to help you back to center. Most of the lettering on my key broard are fading away...Hey, is key board one word???

Permalink Reply by Anna L. Walls on May 20, 2011 at 8:59pm

Yep keyboard is one word, haha. Enjoy the journey.

Robert Allen said:

That's the fun of it, who care if you make mistakes, correct them later, but while you're writing have fun...And note; the J and the F have raised lines on them to help you back to center. Most of the lettering on my key broard are fading away...Hey, is key board one word???

Permalink Reply by Maryanne Widau on May 20, 2011 at 9:59pm

Well, the thing about the keyboard is that if I closed my eyes, what I would type would not look like words.

hr snwkkrg hrt brgore hr sae hrt translation He smelled her before he saw her. I need to brush up on my typing skilled so the typos look more like the words I was going for. I so thought I had 'smelled' right though.

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on May 21, 2011 at 7:17am

So hr, the r is close to e, not bad... it looks like everything is close so you're almost there and don't worry about the Caps when you're having fun. Edit later. Keep up the good work...

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on August 28, 2011 at 1:53pm

When I was writing my first book "My Blood Runs Blue" I just sat down and started to write. About 1/2 way through I wasn't sure how the ending would go. I spent a weekend while I was working, driving the roadways at work thinking about the ending. When I figured it out, I came home, sat down and wrote the last 5 chapters and then went back and made sure the rest of the story led you to the end.

On "Blue Blood For Life" I spent a whole lot of time talking to myself as I drove around on patrol. People thought I was singing to the radio - little did they know I was creating conversations and running details down in my mind. When I sat down to write it - it just wrote it straight through.

I'm working with an author right now on a collaboration, and his writing style is so very different. He has to plan it all out. This is all new to me - and I find it very interesting. I will be learning a lot about other writing styles from him.

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on August 31, 2011 at 6:49am

I don't plan anything out. However, I have read that writing a synopsis before the book can be helpful. Although I am revising my synopsis for my first book now and it's fun and dreadful. I sent out four or five MSS to publishers and agents this week with the first synopsis. It was all facts. I read somewhere to have feeling in the synopsis as well as facts. So I am rewriting it. I guess I'll see how it is if I get rejection letters, which is good if they read the material. Have fun Stacy and don't do what I have done in the past, write while driving. A friend of mine gave me a tape recorder in hopes I don't write while driving. I don't anymore, at lease not at high speeds.

Stacy Eaton said:

When I was writing my first book "My Blood Runs Blue" I just sat down and started to write. About 1/2 way through I wasn't sure how the ending would go. I spent a weekend while I was working, driving the roadways at work thinking about the ending. When I figured it out, I came home, sat down and wrote the last 5 chapters and then went back and made sure the rest of the story led you to the end.

On "Blue Blood For Life" I spent a whole lot of time talking to myself as I drove around on patrol. People thought I was singing to the radio - little did they know I was creating conversations and running details down in my mind. When I sat down to write it - it just wrote it straight through.

I'm working with an author right now on a collaboration, and his writing style is so very different. He has to plan it all out. This is all new to me - and I find it very interesting. I will be learning a lot about other writing styles from him.

Permalink Reply by Stacy Eaton on August 31, 2011 at 12:32pm

Robert - lol.. I'm so glad you don't write while driving at high speeds!! I actually have a netbook that I keep with me at work - for work purposes - but also to write notes in when I need to. I also carry a notebook with me to jot things down when I think of them. God knows as we get older - it is harder and harder to keep all those thoughts fresh in mind!

Robert L. Allen said:

I don't plan anything out. However, I have read that writing a synopsis before the book can be helpful. Although I am revising my synopsis for my first book now and it's fun and dreadful. I sent out four or five MSS to publishers and agents this week with the first synopsis. It was all facts. I read somewhere to have feeling in the synopsis as well as facts. So I am rewriting it. I guess I'll see how it is if I get rejection letters, which is good if they read the material. Have fun Stacy and don't do what I have done in the past, write while driving. A friend of mine gave me a tape recorder in hopes I don't write while driving. I don't anymore, at lease not at high speeds.

Stacy Eaton said:
When I was writing my first book "My Blood Runs Blue" I just sat down and started to write. About 1/2 way through I wasn't sure how the ending would go. I spent a weekend while I was working, driving the roadways at work thinking about the ending. When I figured it out, I came home, sat down and wrote the last 5 chapters and then went back and made sure the rest of the story led you to the end.

On "Blue Blood For Life" I spent a whole lot of time talking to myself as I drove around on patrol. People thought I was singing to the radio - little did they know I was creating conversations and running details down in my mind. When I sat down to write it - it just wrote it straight through.

I'm working with an author right now on a collaboration, and his writing style is so very different. He has to plan it all out. This is all new to me - and I find it very interesting. I will be learning a lot about other writing styles from him.

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 1, 2011 at 6:31am

I have to write just about everything down or I'll forget and then remember well after when I need too.

Stacy Eaton said:

Robert - lol.. I'm so glad you don't write while driving at high speeds!! I actually have a netbook that I keep with me at work - for work purposes - but also to write notes in when I need to. I also carry a notebook with me to jot things down when I think of them. God knows as we get older - it is harder and harder to keep all those thoughts fresh in mind!

Robert L. Allen said:
I don't plan anything out. However, I have read that writing a synopsis before the book can be helpful. Although I am revising my synopsis for my first book now and it's fun and dreadful. I sent out four or five MSS to publishers and agents this week with the first synopsis. It was all facts. I read somewhere to have feeling in the synopsis as well as facts. So I am rewriting it. I guess I'll see how it is if I get rejection letters, which is good if they read the material. Have fun Stacy and don't do what I have done in the past, write while driving. A friend of mine gave me a tape recorder in hopes I don't write while driving. I don't anymore, at lease not at high speeds.

Stacy Eaton said:
When I was writing my first book "My Blood Runs Blue" I just sat down and started to write. About 1/2 way through I wasn't sure how the ending would go. I spent a weekend while I was working, driving the roadways at work thinking about the ending. When I figured it out, I came home, sat down and wrote the last 5 chapters and then went back and made sure the rest of the story led you to the end.

On "Blue Blood For Life" I spent a whole lot of time talking to myself as I drove around on patrol. People thought I was singing to the radio - little did they know I was creating conversations and running details down in my mind. When I sat down to write it - it just wrote it straight through.

I'm working with an author right now on a collaboration, and his writing style is so very different. He has to plan it all out. This is all new to me - and I find it very interesting. I will be learning a lot about other writing styles from him.

Permalink Reply by Mary Snyder on September 4, 2011 at 1:45pm

Funny you should mention your method, because I also have a similar way of writing. I tried to write from beginning to end but have had most of my ideas come to mind in main pieces that would be well into the story. I have no problem for titling which comes pretty quickly for catchy titles. Scenes generally play out in my head where I can see the characters and the areas the events take place. Once I have those in place, I then add fill in material.

Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on September 5, 2011 at 6:29am

Hi Mary, my most resent book came to me in a dream, as I was waking up. I came out and wrote the first chapter, which as of yet has not changed from chapter one. I think I'm into chapter six or seven and still going strong. Although, I created a note page for things to come later. And also character discription. When writing quickly, one must stay on top of things...

Mary Snyder said:

Funny you should mention your method, because I also have a similar way of writing. I tried to write from beginning to end but have had most of my ideas come to mind in main pieces that would be well into the story. I have no problem for titling which comes pretty quickly for catchy titles. Scenes generally play out in my head where I can see the characters and the areas the events take place. Once I have those in place, I then add fill in material.

Permalink Reply by Cleveland W. Gibson on September 5, 2011 at 6:28pm

Start with the idea. Ask somebody you can trust. For words I ask a friend/writer/editor/publisher for thoughts. feedback. For tec stuff,legal, medical or government stuff there are other experts. Try for feedback before ou star. Try for feedback as you are starting. And at the end as well. Often it is worth knowing what people do not like, what slows them down, why they stop reading and if they'd feel inclined to read more. If it is dead in the first chapter that is an answer of sorts. Time for revision, revision and more revision before it goes to print.

Assuming all the essential work has been done then I write chapter 1 straight through to the last chapter using notes. I use a comment box for details and noes. Add to that all the time. Gather facts for the correct box to build in content. If jumping around writing odd pieces then thee is the danger of losing consistency. That's when names of the smae capital letter happen, and other things.

Best wishes and good luck

Permalink Reply by Garry Edward Lewis on September 9, 2011 at 9:03am

I've just started volume two of my Father Patrick series, entitled: Father Patrick In Black Magick Woman." As my new series continues. Hoping it will be popular with the young adult crowd. Of course it will be available on Kindle as well. Best of luck to all of you talented people on your books! I like writing in the evenings or late at night. I'm like a bat I sleep during the day and I'm up at night. LOL