Does anyone else here have a novel burning inside?

[KansDem]

Really! I'm serious...

For about a year now I've had this urge to write a novel. It's been burning inside me like acidic bile. I've sketched out a few chapters based on an evolving idea but I now think I'm ready to devote more time to this endeavor.

Sound familiar?

[MrScorpio]

1. I have a Sci-Fi trilogy burning inside of me

It's a grand epic

[jobycom]

2. I've got three inside, and one on paper that just doesn't completely work.

So it's sort of inside, or at least the part that would make it work is. Even so, it was very satisfying to write it and finish it, even if it's not publishable as it is.

I've started one of the others a few times. I was working on it heavily when Katrina hit, and since then I haven't been able to write anything at all. Weirdest thing.

[KansDem]

8. Wow!

Even so, it was very satisfying to write it and finish it, even if it's not publishable as it is.

I know what you mean when you say "satisfying to write." I find the same satisfaction. But I need to ask, do you plan to make it "publishable?"

Right now I'm sketching out scenes and plan on spending the next year or so tying these scenes together into a plot and subplots...

[jobycom]

14. "Plan," as in actively have a plan, or "plan" as in hope to one day do so?

I've worked on this thing off and on for so long that parts of it are outdated. For one thing, Katrina wiped away the location of the novel, which was reasonably unknown at the time, and I've been tied over whether to set in post-Katrina or keep it pre-Katrina. Also, some of the issues probably aren't as timely. So I've tied myself into useless knots every time I've tried to work on it.

So I plan to rewrite it, but that also keeps me from starting the others. And now every time I try to write anything, I get caught up in a couple of ideas that I want to write about but don't have a story for, and I can't force myself to write the stories I have that don't match what I want to write about. I think that's what's happening. I literally look like Billy Crystal in "Throw Momma From the Train," getting hung up on writing or rewriting the opening scene or two and never getting anywhere.

It's sucky. Meanwhile I have kids and a job and DU and I just let them suck away my indecision and my time, so I don't write anything. :)

Don't do like me!! Write!! :rofl:

[no name no slogan]

3. No. The only thing burning inside of me is explosive diarrhea

and not much longer for that, either.

[KansDem]

4. Well, don't run for public office then...

I, for one, will not stand behind you! Not for now, anyway...

edited to add: ;)

[nomorenomore08]

5. I wouldn't say it's "burning inside me," but I am writing one now.

I'm not planning on it being very long, probably just over 200 pages, although even that would make it the longest writing project I've successfully completed. But it is in line to be my third self-published book, assuming I can't find a "real" publisher for it, since I put out a little 120-page novella about six months ago, with a short story collection to follow later this year.

Yeah, not having a real job does have its advantages... :P

[KansDem]

9. Just curious...

...assuming I can't find a "real" publisher for it.

Did you try a "real" publisher before? I've come across quite by accident some titles that offer suggestions for "writing the 'perfect' book proposal." I thought I'd peruse them while undertaking my project. Thought they might give some insight into the marketing process...

[nomorenomore08]

38. For a book? No. I haven't gotten to that level of confidence yet.

The most I've done is submit short stories to literary publications, some of them online-only, and so far I'm batting about 0-for-20 (though I realize that's not uncommon).

Oh, what the hell, why I don't just give you the Amazon link for my already-published book - if only to prove it exists :P:

http://www.amazon.com/You-Know-Who-I-Am/dp/1440417091/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237505504&sr=1-1

(Yes, it's a novella about a serial killer that borrows its title from a Leonard Cohen song. And yes, I'm just weird/pretentious like that.)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. Not anymore. I already wrote mine.

*whew*

[geardaddy]

7. I've got screenplays inside of me.

But they're not burning.

[KansDem]

15. Just curious...

How do you compare/contrast writing novels with writing screenplays?

[geardaddy]

30. Screenplays are a lot shorter

around 120 pages and focus much more on dialog than novels or other prose.

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Several, and I have even started a few. But I am too darned lazy to finish them.

[KansDem]

26. Inspiration?

Perhaps a new inspiration will motivate you to finish them.

That's what happened to me. I never had a desire to really write a novel, but deeply personal incidents of the past few years has given me the inspiration.

We'll see what happens...

[GreenPartyVoter]

34. Mania is my inspiration, so I only write for a month or so every year.

[Deja Q]

50. We're in the same boat.

I just hope it's not the Titanic...
:(

[amitten]

11. Well, I have a burning inside but I wouldn't call it "novel". n/t

[omega minimo]

12. what's a "novel burning"?

do you have a usual burning?

:spray:

[KansDem]

24. ??

??
:(











:rofl:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

13. I wrote one, but I'm converting it into a screenplay.

[AlCzervik]

16. Awesome!

My niece and her friend are attempting a screen play based on----wait for it











My idea.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

17. Nice!

What's your idea? Or at least a general sense of it, if you don't want to give it away.

Right now, I'm balancing screenplays -- I have one that's basically done, this one that's based on my novel, another one I have a general idea for, and another one I thought of the other day.

[AlCzervik]

18. i'll pm you.

[KansDem]

23. I heard an author on the BBC a few weeks ago...

He was rewriting a best-seller as a screenplay for a movie production. I'm sorry, I forgot his name.

Anyway, he said something I found interesting: He said the screenplay is "easier" because he doesn't have to go into too much detail with describing scenes--just provide short instructions for the director. But he had to provide more interesting dialog for the actors.

For example (this is just off the top of my head):

Novel--
Ian and Patricia turned into the darkened parking lot. Magnolia trees bordered the asphalt, their blossoms injecting a soft perfume into the air. Ian, parking next to an old Chevy, turned to Patricia and asked quietly, "Care to take a walk." Enticed by the offer, Patricia nodded, and the two exited the car and stepped out onto the grass. They spoke of youth and happiness yet realized as they walked the sandy beach.

Screenplay--
Time: night
Place: parking lot surrounded by magnolia trees
Ian and Patricia pull into the lot and park next to an old Chevy.

Ian (turns to Patricia): Care to take a walk?

Patricia: Yes, I would love to!

They both exit the car and begin walking on the beach.

Ian: Patricia, I want you to know I've thought about you since high school.

Patricia: Ian, that was 40 years ago!

Ian: Yes, I know. Forty years burning inside me. And yet, I was numb to the feeling.

Patricia: You never married?

Ian: No, never. I wonder if my thoughts of you unconsciously suppressed any desire for marriage. Marriage to someone else...

Patricia takes Ian's hand

Patricia: The pursuit of happiness is a lifelong journey.

Ian: (looks deep into Patricia's eyes) Yes, a lifelong journey...


But I sensed from the interview that both novel writing and screenwriting were different and had their own challenges.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

39. Yep, screenplays are stripped-down.

The rule is if it can't be expressed visually or through dialogue, don't put it in.

[old mark]

19. Well, I started a novel sereral times.

Never got past the first few pages.

I am a published poet, and really wanted to no longer work, but I believe I just don't have it.

I do wish you all good luck with yours, though - I hope to read them someday - I read several books a week and I'm running out of authors.


mark

[KansDem]

25. Thanks!

I do wish you all good luck with yours, though :hi:

[trof]

20. Not a novel. A string of autobiographical stories.

Many of them mostly true.
;-)

[Dr. Strange]

21. Oh yes. Several novels.

For example, there's my novel which takes place in a women's prison. It involves many shower scenes and some jello wrestling.

[AlCzervik]

22. isn't already available in movie form?

[Dr. Strange]

45. Yeah, but nobody does it justice.

[kimmerspixelated]

27. I've got several chapters written.

All my life, I've been writing stories, poetry or lyrics. Two years ago, most of the plot for a novel quickened and thickened, but I've been distracted by a great many things, so...it's no excuse, but it is real.

[KansDem]

28. Distractions...

I know what you mean. I find getting up at 4am tends to eliminate distractions for awhile, though.

[leftofthedial]

29. Oh shit!

I left it by the bed. The whole place probably went up by now!


Ohh. You mean inside me....

Nevermind.

[Xipe Totec]

31. ROFL!

:rofl:

[DFW]

32. Very! A friend of mine actually did it and got published by Ballantine!

His novel came out a little over ten years ago. It was called "The Truth Machine," and
it speculated about what would happen to the world if someone invented a foolproof lie
detector. Warner Brothers bought the film rights (haven't yet made the film), and he got
interviewed on Oprah. Even so, he kept his (admittedly rather successful) day job, and is
still doing that rather than writing more novels.

[KansDem]

33. Excellent story!

Thanks for sharing! :hi:

And Warner Bros. bought the film rights! Very exciting. I hope they make the movie...

[DFW]

46. They haven't yet.

They'd have to rewrite some of it anyway. It was written in 1996, and it mentioned the Gore Administration from 2001-2005. Science Fiction indeed! (Sadly!)

[BlueIris]

35. Please invest in the book, "Unstuck: A Supportive and Practical Guide to Working Through

Writer's Block." Jane Anne Staw, Ph.D. Great stuff.

[Missy Vixen]

36. Start writing

This is how you write a novel.

One page at a time.

Something like eighty-eight percent of the population wants to write a book; those that actually sit down and do it are much smaller than that 88%.

Just one page. Then write another page. If you write a page every day for a year, you'll have a book. One page typically takes anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour.

YOU CAN DO THIS!
Julie
romance author, writing her fifth book

[BreweryYardRat]

37. Yes, but I'm having trouble focusing on it.

Long story, don't care to go into details.

[leftyclimber]

40. I have half a novel moldering on my old iMac.

I need to chuck it out and start over. I never plotted it out, and it shows.

[Mike 03]

41. Yes, I have novels written...

Writing is easy, and I encourage you to do it.

Just be prepared for the fucking nightmare of getting published, or the possibility of having to go into your own pocket to get it published.

Or the possibility of having to butcher an 800 page manuscript so it is 350 pages to get it published.

Enjoy the writing. That is the easy part.

[Nikia]

42. Of course, but I haven't written for a while

I spend most of my time at work and the rest with my baby. I think Virginia Woolf was right: for women to be successful writers we need money and a room of one's own.

[DarkTirade]

43. I had a few when I was younger

but the first seems to have fizzled out for now.

[Lil Missy]

44. No. I'd be too tired to explain it.

[Bertha Venation]

47. Yes. A novel for young teens. Not a child's book, but not an adult's.

Although I believe in reading children's books as an adult. A lot can be learned.

[Ivan Sputnik]

48. Yeah. I have short stories burning inside

from time to time, not a novel. I write them, and some of them get published (in obscure publications). It's much easier to get short fiction published than a novel, though there's virtually no money in it, except in certain special markets. But if you've got a novel in you, do it. Self-publish it if you must. Get it out there.

[Midlodemocrat]

49. Started writing it about 3 months ago. Still a ways to go and it

probably won't ever get published other than a vanity printing. Which would be good enough for me.

[yellowdogintexas]

51. oh yeah. a plot outline

but no padding. It is way intimidating.