Is anyone here working on their own novel/story (or have you in the past)? If so, how long has it taken you (so far) to develop a working first draft?

Is anyone here working on their own novel/story (or have you in the past)? If so, how long has it taken you (so far) to develop a working first draft?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

i started once, lost interest and turned it into a short story. took, id say about a solid week. ( really it took a lil more than 3 weeks workin only 2 or so hours a day) before i was ready to turn it in.
by

Related questions

You novelists here: what is the topic of your novel, and how far does it diverge from your life?

Description : You novelists here: what is the topic of your novel, and how far does it diverge from your life?

Last Answer : I always thought it would be interesting to have a fictional biography of a person working at a coffee shop, and it would show developments of the customers as they shared little moments every morning for a year. Fell free to take it. Just throwing out ideas.

I'm about to begin editing the rough draft of my first completed novel. Any advice?

Description : I'm about to begin editing the rough draft of my first completed novel. Any advice?

Last Answer : Make sure you capitalized the first letter of the first word in every sentence.

What kind of story should a 13-year-old write for a book/novel?

Description : What kind of story should a 13-year-old write for a book/novel?

Last Answer : I’d appreciate all types of opinions.. :DD Thanks a lot!! :DD

Has anyone here written a book? Story?

Description : Has anyone here written a book? Story?

Last Answer : answer:Yes. I wrote a crappy novel last November about an artist. I never did anything with it though; it's still sitting on my computer unedited. Then for my creative writing class last semester I ... think is actually pretty good. I might get a few copies printed up to give to family/friends.

My friend is working on her story and needs a bit of help -- there is one part that she is stuck at ..details inside?

Description : My friend is working on her story and needs a bit of help -- there is one part that she is stuck at ..details inside?

Last Answer : “Honey, I have to tell you something. Your father isn’t really your father.”

How many pages long in a Word Doc is the average fiction novel?

Description : How many pages long in a Word Doc is the average fiction novel?

Last Answer : answer:Well let's see. When I put the novel I just finished in size 12 Times New Roman, it reaches 95 pages. It's about 60,000 words, which is pretty average. A novel technically only has to be ... increase your number of pages by a lot. I would say my novel has a below-average amount of dialogue.

Can anyone lend me some tips on writing a book, specifically a novel?

Description : Can anyone lend me some tips on writing a book, specifically a novel?

Last Answer : No. You either have the drive and the love to do it or you don’t.

Anyone attempting/attempted National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Tips?

Description : Anyone attempting/attempted National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Tips?

Last Answer : answer:Just start. You need to do some planning: genre, plot, characters, atmosphere, voice, style. But it ain't teachable. Altho, BIRD BY BIRD - Annie LaMott - has good ideas about writing. You don't want to ... down now and type. (How about a young man who falls in love w. an older woman?) :-)

Extremely long law question: if Tom did something (not illegal) in the past that led to Alan commiting a crime at present, how is Tom legally responsible?

Description : Extremely long law question: if Tom did something (not illegal) in the past that led to Alan commiting a crime at present, how is Tom legally responsible?

Last Answer : answer:If I read that correctly, Tom would've broken the law by taking someone's kid and giving it away to another family - unless, somehow, he managed to do it legally. He also broke ... held responsible for Alan's crimes. Alan committed the crimes and is therefore the only one legally responsible.

Is it possible to put a complex faux history or cosmology or spiritual system into a novel, or series of sci fi / fantasy novels?

Description : Is it possible to put a complex faux history or cosmology or spiritual system into a novel, or series of sci fi / fantasy novels?

Last Answer : Asimov did it with his Foundation series. Heinlein did it in some of his longer novels. And of course JK Rowling did it in all of the Harry Potter books. It’s certainly possible to do, but you have to spend an enormous amount of time on consistency and detail, or it all falls apart.

What should I call my NaNoWriMo novel?

Description : What should I call my NaNoWriMo novel?

Last Answer : I don’t understand, really. They aren’t just different titles, they are different stories altogether. What do you want us to do? Choose a title for your story or pick which plot for the contest? Edit: the OP left the building. I’m not going to know.

Writer's dilemma: Is writing a collection of short stories as good as writing a novel?

Description : Writer's dilemma: Is writing a collection of short stories as good as writing a novel?

Last Answer : Personally I don’t enjoy books of short stories, I like thick books I can get invested in.

Is it OK if I present religion in darker tone in a novel?

Description : Is it OK if I present religion in darker tone in a novel?

Last Answer : answer:If you live in the US, you can do whatever you want in this context, and with the rise in the ability to self publish, you don't need anyone's approval. Your command of English, ... just FYI, being a theist dies not necessarily mean that one ascribes to the teachings of an organized religion.

Must a novel have chapters?

Description : Must a novel have chapters?

Last Answer : I think chapters serve as a way to give a sense of pacing and progression to the novel. Off the top of my head I can only recall reading one novel that wasn't divided into chapters. The Road, ... said, it could have used a more active editor, but its issues aren't because it lacks chapter divisions.

When writing a novel, what is your advice when writing chapters of a dark nature?

Description : When writing a novel, what is your advice when writing chapters of a dark nature?

Last Answer : answer:If everyone was afraid of going too far , we wouldn't have James Elroy. You are describing a villain so it's necessary that you show your reader what is in his mind, especially when you want ... reasonable to him. That's just a general advice. I don't know exactly what you want to write.

What do you think of the opening paragraph to my novel?

Description : What do you think of the opening paragraph to my novel?

Last Answer : answer:A small, gray doorbell layed into the surrounding brick. This is either not a complete sentence, or the doorbell is an animate object. Either way, I'm confused. It was a curious and amusing ... door only amusing in the past tense, or is she currently amused by the door, from her perspective?

Writers: Would you submit your novel to a contest that will edit, illustrate, publish, market and sell your book for you if you win?

Description : Writers: Would you submit your novel to a contest that will edit, illustrate, publish, market and sell your book for you if you win?

Last Answer : What’s the downside? Sure I would do it.

What is the theoretical bare minimum amount of time required to write a novel?

Description : What is the theoretical bare minimum amount of time required to write a novel?

Last Answer : It depends on how fast you can type. At 140 wpm, you could write a novel in about 5 hours.

Can you help me choose a setting for my novel?

Description : Can you help me choose a setting for my novel?

Last Answer : answer:A youth hostel in Bulgaria? We all know how that story ends. An alien spacecraft with a single alien and five abductees? Random mediaeval oubliette? Six people left in Vatican City after the Rapture?

Would the following synopsis convince you to read the novel it describes?

Description : Would the following synopsis convince you to read the novel it describes?

Last Answer : I would need a lot more than a plot synopsis to persuade me to read something. Discussion of character, dialog, quality of writing, pace, wit, originality and readability are useful for a book review.

Can you suggest a modern novel with a moral delimma at its core?

Description : Can you suggest a modern novel with a moral delimma at its core?

Last Answer : I would say that The Help fits that category.

How many novel pages is one handwritten page?

Description : How many novel pages is one handwritten page?

Last Answer : answer:“Novel pages” is pretty vague. You might want to gauge your writing according to typed text – say, a handwritten page like you described is probably about two pages typed in Word, double-spaced using 12-point Times New Roman. (That’s just my guess.)

Anybody writing a novel using Kindle or other e-pub system?

Description : Anybody writing a novel using Kindle or other e-pub system?

Last Answer : I am trying to convert a friend's book to kindle that I designed for her for print. The book was designed using Adobe InDesign and Adobe offers a PDF white paper with instructions for ... free open-source conversion utility called calibre which is useful whether you are using Adobe products or not.

How does one write a novel while enraged?

Description : How does one write a novel while enraged?

Last Answer : answer:Refrain from using any sharp instrument like a pencil or pen and stick to using your computer. Actually, seriously, just write. Use that passion, use that authenticity of your experience and ... into constructive work and writing better than you may be able to channel it yourself right now.

What are your thoughts on Margaret Atwood? What is your favorite novel or poem by her?

Description : What are your thoughts on Margaret Atwood? What is your favorite novel or poem by her?

Last Answer : The Handmaid’s Tale is one of my favorites by her. I think you’d like it, @Jude .

Tips for writing a novel?

Description : Tips for writing a novel?

Last Answer : answer:A few months ago, I read Coraline by Neil Gaiman and the copy I happened to be reading included an interview. He noted that he would write 100 words of the story every day in order to get it ... on the verge of falling asleep. Keep track of all your ideas big and small, no matter how trivial.

What defines a young adult novel?

Description : What defines a young adult novel?

Last Answer : I've been wondering this myself. I'm reading I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett, which is a Tiffany Aching story, and those have usually been classified as young adult. This one starts ... a long, frequently referenced, detailed description of a large carving of a man with a humongous dong.

Tips for writing a novel?

Description : Tips for writing a novel?

Last Answer : answer:A few months ago, I read Coraline by Neil Gaiman and the copy I happened to be reading included an interview. He noted that he would write 100 words of the story every day in order to get it ... on the verge of falling asleep. Keep track of all your ideas big and small, no matter how trivial.

Novel Help?

Description : Novel Help?

Last Answer : For example: Name: Earth’s Army Objective: Rid the world of pollution by using violence. Description: A large group of citizens, soldiers and scientists dedicated to saving their planet by all means necessary. Enemies: Oil companies, whaling vessels, etc Friends: Greenpeace etc

What makes a good young-adult fiction novel?

Description : What makes a good young-adult fiction novel?

Last Answer : tragic loss, redemption, retold , well, in modern day vernacular. an intense original story told within that framework.

Have you ever written a novel?

Description : Have you ever written a novel?

Last Answer : If you could ever read some of my police reports, you would think that i write a novel with each incident. i am serious. each incident has to answer the questions of who, what, when, where and why? ... a book after 44 years. there is nothing i have not seen, smelled, felt or observed ...nothing.

Could you recommend a novel that will keep my nervous mind off my flight?

Description : Could you recommend a novel that will keep my nervous mind off my flight?

Last Answer : I know this is a bit of a stretch, but when I was flying home from Guatemala with the worst stomach bug ever, I picked up a Nintendo DS in the airport-the game kept me enthralled. ... need distraction I find the interactivity really helps. Otherwise, Pulp by Bukowski. Total page turner. But short.

How do I start writing a novel?

Description : How do I start writing a novel?

Last Answer : I thought this post at Write to Done was really good, and it might offer some direction for you: http://writetodone.com/2009/07/07/the-art-vs-craft-gap-a-writers-paradox/

Researching a novel - q about a single key witness to murder?

Description : Researching a novel - q about a single key witness to murder?

Last Answer : Perp is pulled over and taken into custody for traffic violation / DUI. He is fingerprinted and his prints are run through AFIS (Automated Fingerprint ID System). His prints match those from the 7-year-old the murder scene / on murder weapon…

Can I sell an idea for a novel?

Description : Can I sell an idea for a novel?

Last Answer : No. Ideas are a dime a dozen; finished books are difficult.

What percent do bestselling authors commonly make on a novel?

Description : What percent do bestselling authors commonly make on a novel?

Last Answer : I still don’t think it’s 1% and you will not convince me otherwise.

What is the most you've ever written? A thesis? A novel? A letter?

Description : What is the most you've ever written? A thesis? A novel? A letter?

Last Answer : I wrote a novel I was fourteen and cranked out 340+ pages, but my hard drive fried. Lesson learned.

Can you recommend a really well-written novel by a contemporary author?

Description : Can you recommend a really well-written novel by a contemporary author?

Last Answer : I've just got into "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" by Marisha Pessl. It's well written and very engrossing. (Don't be thrown off by the name, it's an O.C. meets Nabokov (says NYT) murder mystery). I'd recommend it highly.

How do I find clients online who value writing skills, including the ability to develop a "vulcan mind meld" with clients, then ghostwrite blogs and other articles?

Description : How do I find clients online who value writing skills, including the ability to develop a "vulcan mind meld" with clients, then ghostwrite blogs and other articles?

Last Answer : Star Trek chatrooms?

I need to write a short story for an assignment and I need some crazy, creative ideas. Anyone have any?

Description : I need to write a short story for an assignment and I need some crazy, creative ideas. Anyone have any?

Last Answer : oh yes, but it could well be detrimental to your health

Anyone know why this particular search suggestion is here?

Description : Anyone know why this particular search suggestion is here?

Last Answer : answer:Seems gone now. I imagine the search suggestions are based on frequency of search, maybe controlled by some other demographic information (e.g. location based on your IP address)... so the rest of us may not see it.

Has anyone here ever written a Wikipedia page? Is it difficult?

Description : Has anyone here ever written a Wikipedia page? Is it difficult?

Last Answer : Yes, I wrote a fake page about myself. No, not hard at all. Yes, it was deleted an hour later.

this is the central message of a story, poem, novel, or play that many readers can apply to their own experiences, or to those of all people.?

Description : this is the central message of a story, poem, novel, or play that many readers can apply to their own experiences, or to those of all people.?

Last Answer : This is the central message of a story, poem, novel, or play that many readers can apply to their own experiences, or to those of all people.

How can I copyright my story when I haven't written it yet?

Description : How can I copyright my story when I haven't written it yet?

Last Answer : You have a copyright to your outline, as written. No one gets to own story ideas, though. What you do, is don't share story outlines with people you think are going to use your ideas ... them for stealing your story line (and for being crazy maniac story-outline bandits, which is ridiculous).

In /r/goforgold on Reddit, what kind of award should be awarded for a 500 word story?

Description : In /r/goforgold on Reddit, what kind of award should be awarded for a 500 word story?

Last Answer : Why don’t you check out the rule and/or observe how other users operate?

In what dimension is the reader of a story in relation to the story?

Description : In what dimension is the reader of a story in relation to the story?

Last Answer : Omniscient observer

Is the prologue of my story interesting enough?

Description : Is the prologue of my story interesting enough?

Last Answer : answer:Why is this a prologue and not simply Chapter 1? There's something potentially interesting here, but it's a little too coy and evasive-doesn't tell me enough of what's going on and who's ... on. Even just saying what industry would supply a little bit of a hook to hang my curiosity on.

Do you ever have serial dreams, or dreams that tell an on-going story, episode after episode?

Description : Do you ever have serial dreams, or dreams that tell an on-going story, episode after episode?

Last Answer : Yes, I often have what I call “Saga Dreams” which are highly detailed, quite logical, and seem to go on forever. I’ve even awakened from some of these dreams—or at least thought I awakened—then went back to sleep and picked up the dream where I off.

Is this a good way to begin a story?

Description : Is this a good way to begin a story?

Last Answer : For a harlequin novel perfect. You have a talent for description. Keep it up.

Who would like to write a story?

Description : Who would like to write a story?

Last Answer : The creature sat only feet away, but it could not see me. I was hidden to everyone.