When Kelly’s finished, I bet she’d be happy if you offered to introduce her.

Re: Getting published, Rita’s way is not for everyone. I guess you’ve got to do what’s best for you.

Hi UP – As I said to Alex, we’ve all got to do what is right for us. I don’t think Rita’s way would prevent her from having future work published. From what I’ve heard, most publishers want more than one book out of an author. Apparently, on a new author they struggle to make enough to cover the advance, in most cases.

Hi Rita – They wouldn’t have accepted your book if it wasn’t good. You just found a way to get it in front of someone to look at.

But I don’t believe you just have one book in you. You’ve written some excellent stuff on your blog and I’m betting you’ll easily come up with more.

And I’m betting you do have more books in you

Hi Scott – that is absolutely brilliant. Short stories are meant to be one of the most difficult things to get published.

Hi Graham – that is a long time. I would forget what I’d written by then. That competition sounds interesting. I’ve seen the 24 hours short story ones before but not a novel in a weekend.

Hi Mare – I can imagine you writing a really good non-fiction book, judging by your blog articles. I agree – Rita’s move was really brave.

Hi Barbara – that would be brilliant if you would write an ebook. Like you, I must admit, I’ve got used to writing blog length stuff and it’s quite difficult to do anything else.

I’m sure it’s a great book or no matter what you did it wouldn’t have been picked up. And yes, lots of deals are done on the golf-course and lots of business is done starting with a lie or two. It’s not, however, business that I would ever get involved in. As I said, I’m super happy it worked for you – it’s just not a way I’d work. I prefer to start from a position of truth – as I said, it might never get me published, but it fits with who I am.

Cheers,
Alex

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I found just committing to regular writing was the challenge, but I had an outline. I loved the characters and the story, so I just kept going. Usually no more than 1500 words a day (often less) and often going 3 or 4 days without writing, but I kept coming back to it and four months later got the first draft done. It then took me a year and a half more to get it to a level that I’m super-duper proud of. (Like Kelly it took 3 drafts).

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Yes, I’m doing the traditional route. I couldn’t do it how Rita did. The type of agents and publishers I want to work with would be one of the people who walked away from Rita’s lunch (or not even taken the bait in the first place). I’m happy it worked for Rita, and maybe with my way I’ll have less chance of getting published but we all make our choices as to how to act and those actions make up who we are in the long run.

Good luck with the novel Cath – and I say stick to what works for you – if you’re passionate about the book and your writing is anywhere as good as it is here on the blog, then you will craft a fine novel. Just get the first draft written then worry about polishing it later.

Cheers,
Alex

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I don’t feel I have a novel in me, but maybe an ebook or two. Although I do like to write, I like the fact I can do it in short excerpts via a blog.

I admire those who work on novels. It’s a lot of hard work and long hours. Whether they get them published or not, it says a lot about their character and perseverance. Kudos to all of you.

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I think the key to finishing a novel is finidng the right process for you. I have about 5 half written novels because for years I didn’t use a process that helped me finish. I would start off all gung ho then get disillusioned and stop.. Now I see I was mixing up all the stages of writing – planning, creative writing and editing and that was bringing out the perfectionist within who was never happy with what I wrote.

I think it can be useful to listen to people’s advice about our story as long as they know what they are talking about and what they are saying resonates with us. I really do believe when we hear someone’s assessment of our story, our instincts will know if it’s valid, even if we don’t like what they are saying. We FEEL the truth. But often people may think they know how our story should go, but their thoughts would make it their story, not yours. Don’t change your plot for someone.

As for marketability, I think this can be valid for the genre or style, but your story must e your own otherwise what’s unique about it? Even so, I think if you feel like you have a story in you or you want to express yourself in this art form then I say forget marketing and tell your truth. Fill it with conflict and it can be good no matter what it’s about. Later, you can figure out what to do with it. You can always self publish.

Kelly.

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