DIS writers - a place for us.

[Big Cuddly Bear]

A place for support and ideas for us DISers who write, whether for fun or profit.

 

[Disneefun]

Sure. Count me in. I'm a freelance writer by day, novelist by night. So far no novels published, but I'm working on that. I did just have a short story that won a contest, so that was exciting. It's the greatest thing to (finally) be making a full time living doing freelance projects. Anything on the fiction front would just be a bonus!

 

[shortbun]

Where is it? I'm writing ebooks and have a screenplay in the works.

 

[Desnik]

This is great! Thanks for starting this thread Big Cuddly Bear!

I am writing my first manuscript, it's a paranormal romance. Right now my plan is to self publish once it is done. I am now at around 45k words and it should end up at around 80k, maybe even 85k.

I would love if those who have been published or are in the process now can offer any advice, tips or post their favorite sites for those of us just starting out. That would be so helpful.

 

[Jennasis]

I'm in! Check out the super wonderful forums over on www.absolutewrite.com as well. Love the people there. It's great to have a little nook for us here on the DIS now. My first MS is complete at 75K and I am working on the sequel (aiming for 90K). Urban Fantasy. I've subbed 4 times and gotten 3 rejects and 2 "no-answers". So I'm retooling my approach and planning to sub when the series is done all together.

My betas have been very enthusiastic about what I've written so far, which feels nice. Lots of great crit from them has helped me shape the story.

 

[almburr]

Count me in. I love to write. Ive been writing short stories for years.

 

[JLTraveling]

I want to play too! I'm a freelance writer by day and working on a few narrative nonfiction projects at night. Trying to find an agent for my childhood memoir is making me crazy, so I've backed off for awhile until I think of a new approach.

I feel so blessed because my primary freelance niche is travel, so I travel the country in an RV and get paid for it! But my narrative nonfiction projects are where my heart truly is--wouldn't give up the travel for anything, but would love the freedom to not have to turn every single spot into a usable article, KWIM?

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm an off again, on again writer. I write books for children. I'd love to talk about writing with others.

The other day, I came across a piece I started last year around Halloween. I didn't finish it. I'm not sure that I will. I know I won't try to publish it because it just doesn't' fit well into any particular age group. So, I'll share. It is what it is.

When the air takes a chill and the leaves start to fall,
You know that it’s time for the monster dress ball.
Every monster and creature from the small to the tall,
Is cordially invited to the best ball of all.

A haunted hotel is the site of the affair,
A five scream location sure to scare with real flair.
Accommodations go quickly as all are aware,
For those hoping to stay at the function’s prime lair.

This year’s party was to be no exception,
The function was a sell out from the inception.
All expected dancing and musical selection,
Followed by a gruesome reception.

The Mummy called in early to book his room.
He wanted to make sure he got a room with a tomb.
Witch Hazel was concerned, as one might assume,
That her room would contain proper storage for her broom.

Those attending wanted to look their frightful best,
Each hoping to win the best dressed creature contest.
To this end they approached their appearance quest
With monstrous zeal and relentless zest.

The Wolfman decided to give a new stylist a try,
He was looking for an extra special wash and blow-dry.
The result was met with a terrible cry
When he realized she’d applied a purple hair dye.

There was also a glitch in the Invisible Man’s plan,
Three hours in the booth and no visible tan.
In desperation, he tried application from a can
But the result was floating streaks where the spray ran.

The Count fearing his look might not pass inspection.
Stepped up to the mirror but he had no reflection.
His ghoul friend assured him with the utmost affection,
The darkness of night would hide imperfection.

Frankenstein’s monster was greeted with an assortment of snickers
When he showed up at the ball in his very short knickers.

Some thought they spied Houdini among the confusion,
He could not attend, it was just an illusion.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

This is great! Thanks for starting this thread Big Cuddly Bear!

I am writing my first manuscript, it's a paranormal romance. Right now my plan is to self publish once it is done. I am now at around 45k words and it should end up at around 80k, maybe even 85k.

I would love if those who have been published or are in the process now can offer any advice, tips or post their favorite sites for those of us just starting out. That would be so helpful.

It was actually jennasis' idea.

 

[luvflorida]

I'm an off again, on again writer. I write books for children. I'd love to talk about writing with others.

The other day, I came across a piece I started last year around Halloween. I didn't finish it. I'm not sure that I will. I know I won't try to publish it because it just doesn't' fit well into any particular age group. So, I'll share. It is what it is.

When the air takes a chill and the leaves start to fall,
You know that it’s time for the monster dress ball.
Every monster and creature from the small to the tall,
Is cordially invited to the best ball of all.

A haunted hotel is the site of the affair,
A five scream location sure to scare with real flair.
Accommodations go quickly as all are aware,
For those hoping to stay at the function’s prime lair.

This year’s party was to be no exception,
The function was a sell out from the inception.
All expected dancing and musical selection,
Followed by a gruesome reception.

The Mummy called in early to book his room.
He wanted to make sure he got a room with a tomb.
Witch Hazel was concerned, as one might assume,
That her room would contain proper storage for her broom.

Those attending wanted to look their frightful best,
Each hoping to win the best dressed creature contest.
To this end they approached their appearance quest
With monstrous zeal and relentless zest.

The Wolfman decided to give a new stylist a try,
He was looking for an extra special wash and blow-dry.
The result was met with a terrible cry
When he realized she’d applied a purple hair dye.

There was also a glitch in the Invisible Man’s plan,
Three hours in the booth and no visible tan.
In desperation, he tried application from a can
But the result was floating streaks where the spray ran.

The Count fearing his look might not pass inspection.
Stepped up to the mirror but he had no reflection.
His ghoul friend assured him with the utmost affection,
The darkness of night would hide imperfection.

Frankenstein’s monster was greeted with an assortment of snickers
When he showed up at the ball in his very short knickers.

Some thought they spied Houdini among the confusion,
He could not attend, it was just an illusion.

I love it! Just curious why you think it doesn't fit any particular age group? It reminds me of some of the Halloween themed books that I used to read to my son when he was around 6 or 7 years old. I can picture your words paired with playful illustrations (something similar to Maurice Sendak's books). My son would have loved it! He would have enjoyed the humor and the fact that it's more funny than scary. I also think he would have loved it at a slightly older age, when he could have read it himself.

I was a first grade teacher for many years, and I know my first-graders would have enjoyed it if I had read that to them during storytime. I think you should finish it!

 

[Ceila]

I love it! Just curious why you think it doesn't fit any particular age group? It reminds me of some of the Halloween themed books that I used to read to my son when he was around 6 or 7 years old. I can picture your words paired with playful illustrations (something similar to Maurice Sendak's books). My son would have loved it! He would have enjoyed the humor and the fact that it's more funny than scary. I also think he would have loved it at a slightly older age, when he could have read it himself.

I was a first grade teacher for many years, and I know my first-graders would have enjoyed it if I had read that to them during storytime. I think you should finish it!

I agree completely! I was imagining the cute illustrations that could accompany this as I was reading it. I'm a school librarian and could easily see this going over well with elementary school kids.

 

[Jennasis]

Okay writers...who's doing some writing this weekend? DH is taking me to a matinee of X-Men: First Class, which should help rev up my writing mojo (my series is about superheroes), and then when we get home I've got my sights set on hitting the 60K mark this weekend. I just hit 53K yesterday.

I've been told (and I've noticed) that my style is fairly dialogue heavy, but when I am reading other works I find that that is the type of book I tend to enjoy most. When I hit a part in a novel where the prose turns purple, or there is a lot of navel gazing I tend to "fast forward" to where something is actually happening or characters are interacting. It's my short attention span.

For example, I was indulging a guilty pleasure and reading Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series #10 yesterday, and throughout ALL of her books I have found I could skip entire pages at a time where she is describing the same thing over and over in every book. Sookie waking up, making coffee, getting dressed, doing household chores, putting on makeup, running to the store. All these things that add word count but do nothing to move the story forward.

My father, OTOH LOVES long descriptions. Loves to really have the writer immerse him in every detail of the character's life and surroundings.

So yeah...my stuff tends to bit more dialogue and action heavy.

What kind of writer are you?

 

[Desnik]

I'm an off again, on again writer. I write books for children. I'd love to talk about writing with others.

The other day, I came across a piece I started last year around Halloween. I didn't finish it. I'm not sure that I will. I know I won't try to publish it because it just doesn't' fit well into any particular age group. So, I'll share. It is what it is.

When the air takes a chill and the leaves start to fall,
You know that it’s time for the monster dress ball.
Every monster and creature from the small to the tall,
Is cordially invited to the best ball of all.

A haunted hotel is the site of the affair,
A five scream location sure to scare with real flair.
Accommodations go quickly as all are aware,
For those hoping to stay at the function’s prime lair.

This year’s party was to be no exception,
The function was a sell out from the inception.
All expected dancing and musical selection,
Followed by a gruesome reception.

The Mummy called in early to book his room.
He wanted to make sure he got a room with a tomb.
Witch Hazel was concerned, as one might assume,
That her room would contain proper storage for her broom.

Those attending wanted to look their frightful best,
Each hoping to win the best dressed creature contest.
To this end they approached their appearance quest
With monstrous zeal and relentless zest.

The Wolfman decided to give a new stylist a try,
He was looking for an extra special wash and blow-dry.
The result was met with a terrible cry
When he realized she’d applied a purple hair dye.

There was also a glitch in the Invisible Man’s plan,
Three hours in the booth and no visible tan.
In desperation, he tried application from a can
But the result was floating streaks where the spray ran.

The Count fearing his look might not pass inspection.
Stepped up to the mirror but he had no reflection.
His ghoul friend assured him with the utmost affection,
The darkness of night would hide imperfection.

Frankenstein’s monster was greeted with an assortment of snickers
When he showed up at the ball in his very short knickers.

Some thought they spied Houdini among the confusion,
He could not attend, it was just an illusion.

This is fantastic and you need to finish it!!!! My DS, who is 8 would absolutely love a story like this. I think it is great for ages 6-10 maybe even older because I really enjoyed it! Like the others have mentioned I could visualize the illustration and I think kids would really like this type of story.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I've written some short stories in the past -nothing published. I do a bit of nonfiction stuff now. Once in a while I dream of writing a memoir (mostly as a testament of my crazy life so my kids can have it years down the road), but the whole idea seems like the height of self-infatuation.

I think I have a great southern gothic novel stuck inside of me. Perhaps one day I could tease it out.

 

[Desnik]

Okay writers...who's doing some writing this weekend? DH is taking me to a matinee of X-Men: First Class, which should help rev up my writing mojo (my series is about superheroes), and then when we get home I've got my sights set on hitting the 60K mark this weekend. I just hit 53K yesterday.

I've been told (and I've noticed) that my style is fairly dialogue heavy, but when I am reading other works I find that that is the type of book I tend to enjoy most. When I hit a part in a novel where the prose turns purple, or there is a lot of navel gazing I tend to "fast forward" to where something is actually happening or characters are interacting. It's my short attention span.

For example, I was indulging a guilty pleasure and reading Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series #10 yesterday, and throughout ALL of her books I have found I could skip entire pages at a time where she is describing the same thing over and over in every book. Sookie waking up, making coffee, getting dressed, doing household chores, putting on makeup, running to the store. All these things that add word count but do nothing to move the story forward.

My father, OTOH LOVES long descriptions. Loves to really have the writer immerse him in every detail of the character's life and surroundings.

So yeah...my stuff tends to bit more dialogue and action heavy.

What kind of writer are you?

Lucky you I am dying to see X-Men but don't think I will be able to this weekend. Today we are going to a communion party, and tomorrow we plan on doing some much needed work on the yard. But, I will be writing as much as possible! I like that you have set a goal for yourself to accomplish this weekend. I think I should do that too!

I am writing paranormal romance and I never thought I could write a racy love scene. Boy was I wrong!! Turns out I can and they are pretty hot! So hot that I actually had to tone it down and delete a scene because I think it was making my book lean towards erotica! Anyway, my writing is dialogue heavy too. It wasn't what I set out to do but just happened that way. When reading, I often get annoyed at books that drag out the descriptions and repeat themselves or have the typical discriptive words that you find in every romance novel. That is why you will not find the word "writhing" in my stories. That word drives me crazy!

 

[SAHDad]

Add my name to the roll as well. I've been doing NaNoWriMo, but I haven't polished any of those up enough to submit. I have submitted short works for contests and the like, but not anything recently.

I'll confess that the vast majority of my "writing" is on various and sundry forums, although I do maintain a hobby blog (not connected to writing, however).

 

[Feralpeg]

Thank you for the input! I was afraid that kids might not get some of the references and that some of the vocabulary might be over the heads of a younger audience.

You've inspired me. I will try to finish it...preferably before Halloween!

 

[Jennasis]

Where do you guys get your inspiration from? I find that many of my ideas come to me on long car rides, in the shower and while mucking out the barn with my ipod on. Music is a really great (pardon the corny turn of phrase) muse. I'll hear a song and the tone will be just right for some scene I want to play out. Then it runs through my head like I'm watching a movie with the song as the soundtrack.

I never right characters based on people I know, though I usually have an image in my head of who would play each one if my book were a movie. Sometimes I'll see an actor/actress and think they'd fit right in with my little cast of characters and I might make a place for them in the story.

I wish I could outline better. I'm TERRIBLE at continuity! I'm always fudging dates, and places. I'm a bit disorganized with that. I think it's because I work "organically". The story evolves as I write. I know where I started and I know where it will end, but how my characters get from start to finish is totally an unknown and things just happen as I write them. But that often means plot holes that need filling and "oops, didn't you say that character A said that, not B?"

I think that's why I like editing best. Polish till it glows (and hurts!).

 

[Feralpeg]

Where do you guys get your inspiration from? I find that many of my ideas come to me on long car rides, in the shower and while mucking out the barn with my ipod on. Music is a really great (pardon the corny turn of phrase) muse. I'll hear a song and the tone will be just right for some scene I want to play out. Then it runs through my head like I'm watching a movie with the song as the soundtrack.

I never right characters based on people I know, though I usually have an image in my head of who would play each one if my book were a movie. Sometimes I'll see an actor/actress and think they'd fit right in with my little cast of characters and I might make a place for them in the story.

I wish I could outline better. I'm TERRIBLE at continuity! I'm always fudging dates, and places. I'm a bit disorganized with that. I think it's because I work "organically". The story evolves as I write. I know where I started and I know where it will end, but how my characters get from start to finish is totally an unknown and things just happen as I write them. But that often means plot holes that need filling and "oops, didn't you say that character A said that, not B?"

I think that's why I like editing best. Polish till it glows (and hurts!).

My inspirations come to me out of the blue. I have a small notebook where I write down my ideas. Because I like to write books for children, the ideas don't have to be large. For instance, I got an idea about a story of a sapling the other day while working in my yard. Go figure!

I do not plan my stories in advance. I have a general idea of where I want them to go, but I let them evolve on their own. I asked several published authors about this at my last writer's conference. It was a mixed bag. Some are adament that a detailed story arch be developed prior to beginning to write. Others do it the way we do.

I had an interesting discussion about this with Alex Flinn. She is the author of "Beastly" which will come out as a movie soon through Disney. She writes like I do. She has a general idea and lets the dialogue take her there.

In my novel, I write the dialogue first and, for the most part, fill in the description after the fact. I don't worry about using exactly the right words when I do my first draft. After the fact, I change words out to make things more interesting. Initially, I just want to get the idea down.

To me, writing is like watching a movie in my head. I just translate it to paper.

 

[Feralpeg]

Okay writers...who's doing some writing this weekend? DH is taking me to a matinee of X-Men: First Class, which should help rev up my writing mojo (my series is about superheroes), and then when we get home I've got my sights set on hitting the 60K mark this weekend. I just hit 53K yesterday.

I've been told (and I've noticed) that my style is fairly dialogue heavy, but when I am reading other works I find that that is the type of book I tend to enjoy most. When I hit a part in a novel where the prose turns purple, or there is a lot of navel gazing I tend to "fast forward" to where something is actually happening or characters are interacting. It's my short attention span.

For example, I was indulging a guilty pleasure and reading Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series #10 yesterday, and throughout ALL of her books I have found I could skip entire pages at a time where she is describing the same thing over and over in every book. Sookie waking up, making coffee, getting dressed, doing household chores, putting on makeup, running to the store. All these things that add word count but do nothing to move the story forward.

My father, OTOH LOVES long descriptions. Loves to really have the writer immerse him in every detail of the character's life and surroundings.

So yeah...my stuff tends to bit more dialogue and action heavy.

What kind of writer are you?

I am like you. I prefer dialogue and action. I do not care for books with pages of descriptive passages. For instance, I would rather die than try to get through a Mitchener novel. How anyone can devote pages to the description of a single flower is beyond me.

I want to get a feel for the setting, but I don't need every detail. Give me the essentials to set the mood and let me move on.