Vanity: Although I’m Not a Writer

Aug 18 | Just Me

[think4yrsf]

I’m writing a book. Looking for anyone with experience on the process that would willing to assist. I know my experiences are extremely noteworthy. So much so , that I have to share. DM me if you’d like to help. If successful, I would definitely be willing to give a portion to FR. Thanks in advance!

[Brian Griffin]

One of my English teachers said there was no good writing, only good rewriting.

[NEMDF]

I have always enjoyed editing and proofreading. Possibly I could help with that, such as word choices, punctuation, etc.

[Vermont Lt]

I was a professional sports photographer for about as long. Sounds like a fun gig.

I know it is a question that probably doesn’t need asking…but have you the copyright on your work from there. I know when I shot for a couple of my clients, they paid me for the publishing rights. I shot for the Basketball Hall of Fame and the NBA owned almost everything I shot for them. I can use them in my portfolio, but I cannot publish them anywhere else without THEIR permission.

Just get that stuff in writing.

[think4yrsf]

Thanks, it’s also my license plate

[Openurmind]

Well done... :)

[think4yrsf]

I started as a sports photographer and was employed by NBA photos in the 90s. I was working as the assistant to the team shooter for the Hornets. I went on to be a stringer for Reuters then relocated to Virginia

[The Louiswu]

Write it all down, don’t worry about making it pretty now that comes later but for now write it all down. I use OpenOffice to type it up. Then come the rewrites and edits.

Find someone with experience to edit for you, someone your trust to give you sound advice on your writing, how to Improve it, etc.

Try very hard to set and a keep a schedule, try to write every day and a consistent amount of words or pages, you’ll be surprised how fast being consistent adds up to some real work.

Write for yourself, write a story you want to read. Good luck and good writing.

[Allegra]

Ping

[Chode]

*

[Chode]

yup, the recorder is good for on the go, then just feed it back into the PC

[think4yrsf]

Thank you for this advice and this is where I’m currently heading. I’m about half way into this and a writer who I’ve worked with for years has shown interest in helping, the next step is where I’m unsure.

I can’t wait to share stories and the folks here would be amazed, I’ve been holding my tongue for years lol

[Jeff Chandler]

Purchase a lifetime copy of Scrivener ($59)

I can't emphasize enough how much hassle this program will save you. And you can try it out for free for 30 days. Here is how that “30 days” works:

If you don't have a licence, Scrivener will run in trial mode. The trial is exactly the same as the full version but will stop working after 30 days of use. (If you use it every day, it lasts 30 days; if you use it only two days a week, it lasts fifteen weeks.)

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/

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You can install Scrivener on multiple devices and have your work stay updated automatically:

1.) Sign up for a free Dropbox account and install the desktop app. Put everything related to your book in this. Install the app on every device you might use to work on your book.

2.) Be sure to save your Scrivener project files in your Dropbox app. Install Scrivener on every device and work from the existing project files, which should show up in Dropbox. (Hint: You need to close Scrivener on one device before opening it on another.)

https://www.dropbox.com/basic

[GreatRoad]

I’m looking forward to reading your creation!

[catnipman]

1. since you are apparently not an experienced fiction writer, be willing to rewrite your book at least two dozen times throughout the process before it becomes half way decent ...

2. also, be sure to repeatedly use grammerly.com ... it’s quite pedantic, so you’re probably not going to want to take ALL of it’s suggestions, but it will definitely find dozens (eventually, maybe even hundreds) of actual grammar, spelling, and word mis-usage mistakes ...

[Bookshelf]

So much depends on your personal history. Do you write at work? For a small newspaper? What are your proclivities? I produced four histories. Then as I progressed and attacked a new subject I realized I needed a co-author. (I was reinventing the wheel. So, I ask, are you sure you are on to something new?) I found one, and we worked together on nine books. After that I worked on my own. Since then, I have written twenty-one novels; two are published, and another three will be published over the next year. I have found that publishers, almost universally, (and I have dealt with the best), are bastards. If you produce a work, be prepared for the struggle to have it published! Finally, if you prepare an outline, don’t always stick to it. You, can start a book, later go to sleep and dream of an ending. Get up! Be the master and not the captive of your work.

[ifinnegan]

Just keep at it on a regular schedule.

You’ll get better over time.

[Jeff Chandler]

typing on train of thought

Some people can write by the seat of their pants, but most of us benefit from outlining.

[teeman8r]

amazon direct publishing is how I did my book... Working Title: independent Film ideas for the aspiring filmmaker... 19.95 on Amazon. Good luck. Remember to rewrite what you reread.

[BipolarBob]

I agree with Jeff. Outline big general chapter possibilities. Keep the recorder with you at all times, you never know when something clicks. Even something small may grow into more words. The best time to be creative is when wakening from sleep. Sometimes we dream (but don’t realize it) and that is when the juices may start flowing. You don’t have to take a creative writing course but you could skim the courses chapters to see what they offer and judge whether it would be of benefit.

[Jeff Chandler]

I find I am most creative when taking a shower. I think it’s the lack of distractions — particularly electronic distractions.

I recommend reading books in the genre you are writing until you find a writer you really like, then immerse yourself in his/her writing, and study how it’s done. Every creative person starts out emulating great artists before developing a unique style. Me? I love Elmore Leonard.