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SRG
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 09:21 am: | 
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I am sure that you get these messages all the time, but it dosen't hurt to try. I am a 32 year old African-American male in Baltimore and I am looking to write a book. I have been collecting data for almost ten years. Now is the time to start. However, I'd love to have someone to give me some pointers. I am not lookin' to be a bother to anyone but just for some direction is what i need. I've been doing research as well, and I am scheduled to attend a writers workshop outside of DC next month. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:40 pm: |
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Hello,
Keep in mind that "writing is re-writing". Employ a free-style approach and just get all of your thoughts down on paper for your first draft. Then you can go back and structure and fine-tune your text. If your book is fiction, remember that dialogue is what gives your characters dimension, so make what they say, and how they say it authentic. Very often, once you animate your characters they'll take on a life of their own and will tell the story for you. Just a few tips. This is the mind-set I adopt when writing, and maybe you'll find it helpful. Good Luck!
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david rhodes
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 05:45 pm: |
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when you are paying for something - a service - you have the right to ask for what you want and what you need - try www.blackwriters.org -
it's not expensive
and you won't have to worry about being a 'bother' |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 10:16 am: |
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Start by doing an outline. Make it an outline of the different chapters. Slowly expand the sections to outlines.
Write/work on it some every day. Spend as much, or more time thinking about what you are going to write as writing it.
Do not be discouraged if you are dissatisfied by what you have written. Keep at it. By all means finish what you have started.
A workshop is fine if there are not many people in it (giving you a chance to get feedback on your work) and if you are truly working on something or trying to find your way with it. It can be disastrous if you have got something finished, because there is a tendency of some leaders and participants to tear something apart for the sake of tearing it apart. Almost as bad is the workshop where everything is praised, regardless of what it is. |
Anita
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 08:48 am: |
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I am writing, re-writing, and falling in love with my characters more and more each day. These two books, in addition to attending a novel writing class through a local Writers' Center, have been very helpful:
1."Creative Writer's Style Guide: Rules and Advice for Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction" Christopher T. Leland
2. "The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing:Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work" Jack Heffron
Also, I agree with Cynique: Characters take off on their own and tell you what to write.
Good Luck. I hope to see you in print. |
Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 01:24 pm: |
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Hello SRG,
I know I'm a little late with a reply. You've been receiving excellent advice. I'll throw in my two cents. Know the English language and all its rules in order to break a few of them. Don't limit yourself or your story. Lastly, READ! My uncle once told me, in order to be a good writer, you have to be a good reader!
Good Luck |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 01:01 pm: |
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I agree with Thumper about the importance of aspiring writers being avid readers. (I recently communicated with someone who was writing a book, although he claimed he hadn't actually read one in 6 years!) Also, as a post script to my previous advice on this subject: don't use two words when one will do! |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 05:15 pm: |
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SRG, also check out writer's organizations. Some of them offer peer critiques and things of this nature. And there are also writing groups that I would recommend for anyone writing or interested in writing, the websites of the ones I'd recommend are below.
Authors Supporting Authors Positively
http://www.asap-online.org
Black Writers Alliance
http://www.blackwriters.org
Prolific Writers
http://www.prolificwriters.org
These sites have resources and links that you may also find useful. Lastly please check out my website. I have an extensive collection of tools and resources for writer's in the Writer's Block section.
http://www.rawsistaz.com
Hope this helps a bit. |
yukio
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 06:13 pm: |
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Tee C. Royal,
Love ya website! |
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