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Writing novels

jimdeere
It?s always amazed me how people write novels. I know Doc, Whiteclouder and maybe some others here have written them. A degree in writing, I?m sure, is almost a requisite, though I?m sure some successful authors didn?t have formal training. There has to be a lot of work that goes into it. Research, editing, etc. writing about something you are familiar with would make it easier, I?m sure.
I?ve read a lot of John Sandford?s novels. He started out as a journalist, educated at the University of Iowa. He?s written a lot of books, mostly about law enforcement heros.
Like many endeavors, only the top few percent reach the level of success as Sandford has.
I bet there?s a lot more that goes into it than people think.
I was good in English and writing in school and probably could have gotten a degree at a small college, but being a successful author would have been about as likely as me becoming a professional athlete.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • bustedknee
    I write to entertain myself. Other people seem to enjoy my stories as well.
    I struggle with "polishing" my grammer.

    Just another of my many hobbies....


    My advice is, if you feel it, write it down. You can revise it at anytime- if you wish.
    Leave it for future generations.

    I know a lady that discovered her dead father's writings in his effects. The widow was not interested and the her siblings did not care; but this girl was enthralled.
    She was the youngest child and likely knew the least about her father.
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  • Rocky Raab
    Writing is both a skill and a talent. The basic talent is probably inborn, but the skill half is learned.

    I love to write. I no longer write for publication, but composing these little pieces on message boards is still writing. It can still be polished, clever, and insightful, and it can still take a goodly amount of effort to do it well.

    Novels, though, are a whole different bucket of bluegills. The need to create realistic characters, tight plots, and evocative descriptions is genuine work. Not many can do it consistently for several hundred pages, not to mention across several books.
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  • jimdeere
    Yes, I remember from school the different concepts of writing short stories versus novel length books. Two entirely different approaches.
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  • remingtonoaks
    Rocky Raab wrote:
    Writing is both a skill and a talent. The basic talent is probably inborn, but the skill half is learned.

    I love to write. I no longer write for publication, but composing these little pieces on message boards is still writing. It can still be polished, clever, and insightful, and it can still take a goodly amount of effort to do it well.

    Novels, though, are a whole different bucket of bluegills. The need to create realistic characters, tight plots, and evocative descriptions is genuine work. Not many can do it consistently for several hundred pages, not to mention across several books.

    I have no idea what it takes to write a book, but I can assure you that you know. I've read your books a few times, I do agree with you that you have to have talent to keep your audience interested from the first page to the last page, and to make the story flow seamlessly to where the reader feels he's actually there with you. That you have mastered...

    I just wish you would change your mind and write a couple of more books... they would be at the very top of my to read list
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  • Smitty500mag
    I think it's a gift. My youngest son was born with it and he didn't get it from me that's for sure. He can write an article on just about anything faster than I can read it. When he was in college he would sub for the English teacher sometimes and also tutor students in writing.

    It's really helped him in his career. He moved out to Seattle a few years ago and started off as a contract employee working for a large computer company just to get his foot in the door. Then less than a year later he was hired as a direct employee in accounting and now after 4 years he's the finical annalist working directly for the Vice President of accounting.
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  • NeoBlackdog
    "It was a dark and stormy night...."
    And that's where I always get stuck and give up!
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  • Rocky Raab
    That's where you should have stopped, lol!

    An opening line has to be like a good fishing lure: bright enough to attract attention, intriguing enough to make you want to bite - but with a hook that doesn't let you escape.
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  • dpmule
    Rocky Raab wrote:
    Writing is both a skill and a talent. The basic talent is probably inborn, but the skill half is learned.

    I love to write. I no longer write for publication, but composing these little pieces on message boards is still writing. It can still be polished, clever, and insightful, and it can still take a goodly amount of effort to do it well.

    Novels, though, are a whole different bucket of bluegills. The need to create realistic characters, tight plots, and evocative descriptions is genuine work. Not many can do it consistently for several hundred pages, not to mention across several books.

    I have no idea what it takes to write a book, but I can assure you that you know. I've read your books a few times, I do agree with you that you have to have talent to keep your audience interested from the first page to the last page, and to make the story flow seamlessly to where the reader feels he's actually there with you. That you have mastered...

    I just wish you would change your mind and write a couple of more books... they would be at the very top of my to read list

    +1

    Mule
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  • wpageabc
    Once upon a time...

    In the begining. You do need a good hook to get the readers attention. Or be lost in the stacks of the unread books and threads.

    Its harder today since there are so many mediums to capture the imaginations. Books are cool but falling away in popular culture.
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  • Cornflk1
    Agree that it's an inborn talent. Look at the late Tom Clancy. He had only written a couple of articles that gotten published in a magazine, then The Hunt For Red October !!!!
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  • Brookwood
    Paperback Writer
    The Beatles
    Paperback writer, paperback writer.
    Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
    It took me years to write, will you take a look?
    It's based on a novel by a man named Lear,
    And I need a job,
    So I want to be a paperback writer,
    Paperback writer.
    It's a dirty story of a dirty man,
    And his clinging wife doesn't understand.
    His son is working for the Daily Mail
    It's a steady job,
    But he wants to be a paperback writer,
    Paperback writer.
    Paperback writer, paperback writer.
    It's a thousand pages, give or take a few.
    I'll be writing more in a week or two.
    I could make it longer if you like the style.
    I can change it 'round,
    And I want to be a paperback writer,
    Paperback writer.
    If you really like it you can have the rights.
    It could make a million for you overnight.
    If you must return it you can send it here,
    But I need a break,
    And I want to be a paperback writer,
    Paperback writer.
    Paperback writer, paperback writer.
    Paperback writer, paperback writer.
    Paperback writer, paperback writer.
    Paperback writer, paperback writer.
    Paperback writer...
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