Qualification for writing?

Hello AJ, I have two questions.
The first one is, if somebody had no prior writing "qualification", is it impossible for that person to ever be published? I have a science degree and have never taken a writing class but have spent my whole life writing. I've been honing my 'craft' by sharing my work with other writers on the net and listening to their suggestions and incorporating most of them. Do people have to have writing experience that can be seen on paper?

Writing Qualification.

Hello Diamond-Raven. Thank you for the questions.
Having a recognized qualification in creative writing certainly isn’t a prerequisite to becoming published; originality of ideas and enthusiasm are factors that are more important.
Having said that, publishers are a funny old lot. Sometimes they’ll only consider you if you have experience, yet how can you get experience without getting published? I solved it by writing for magazines for years. There are always ways to get noticed, the Internet is an excellent medium.
Having said that, an understanding of techniques is necessary in order to impart those ideas successfully. I generally advise new writers to purchase a textbook, or take a course on creative writing. It can save years of frustration wondering why your work isn’t acceptable. Writing is a craft that can be taught - that's the qualification you need. When the craft reaches publication standard, it becomes an art.

Bullying and homophobia
AJ, my second question is a bit more sensitive in nature. I have been wanting to write a book loosely based on my experiences in high school as an atypical student and now as a teacher. Specifically, I want to address issues of bullying and homophobia in schools. Both of these issues are such important issues these days (and to me on a very personal level), but I feel that few books accurately portray either of these topics. However, I know the story would definitely be stepping on some conservative toes. Is it better to simply not bother trying to publish books that discuss issues that so many people are still highly polarized on or would I have a chance?

The issue of content is irrelevant. If you find a subject important, chances are so will millions of others. The days of censorship are long gone thank goodness. Treading on toes is no bad idea; in fact the more controversial you are, the more likely you'll reach the readership you're after.

Connected to that, do you believe that writing books that question things in our society today actually achieve anything? Do you believe that books have the power to actually reach the people at whom the messages in the books are aimed? 

Raven, writing books that raise important issues, question moralities, or query society is surely the right of a free society. Questioning what we do is the only way to advance. The power of books is paramount, isn’t that what book burning was about in dictator-led communities – the sure knowledge that books can and do influence the way people think?

Never underestimate the power of the written word. Even in these days of alternative communications such as TV, radio and the Internet, books are still extremely important.

I hope this has gone a small way towards answering your questions, Diamond-Raven. Good luck with your work.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Contemporary romance novel.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of - Qualification for writing?

550 Alternative words for 'said'.

Sorry for the inconvenience but this was originally a small blogpost. It has been expanded into a major article to include 550 substitute or modifying words for 'said', and moved to 550 OTHER WORDS FOR SAID Please click on it and give it a look and let me know if it has been of help.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Best Seller.
• My other blog - Bedlam.
• Related posts - Dialogue.

End of the post - Alternative words for said

Question -how do you write a manuscript?

Tell Me a Story

Can you help me, AJ. I'm afraid I've a few questions. How do you write a manuscript? When can you put the information about the book in the transcript? When do you insert the little tribute to someone. Is it when you send your book in or what?

1. Hi! If your question is HOW to write a book, then my answer is you should try purchasing a text book on creative writing. This blog is too way limited to go into that. I can give a few hints and tips, but for a complete course, you must study a book.
2. If your question is on the subject of the correct way to PRESENT your work, then take a look at my post Submission Guidelines It's already been covered there. Most publishing houses will toss your manuscript onto the slush pile without even looking if it doesn't meet industry standards, so it pays to do it correctly.
3. As far as the book blurb is concerned, my publishers asked me to present a short synopsis just as the editing process was drawing to a close, which is a long time after it was accepted for publication.
4. I was also asked if I would like to present a dedication page at a similar time. So as you can see. You have no need to think about things like that until you have a contract in your hands.

• Next post

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An Author's Voice

• AJ, you mentioned in an earlier post about finding your own 'voice' as a writer. Just what do you mean by 'voice'?

Hi, Margaret, nice to hear from you. When I talk about an author's voice, I suppose I really mean style. After a while, the way you write will be recognizably 'yours', rather like a painter can be recognized by their painting style. Think about it, you'd never confuse a piece of work by Lowry with one by Constable.
In a similar way, people will know the book is yours by the flow of words, the way you structure your sentences, even by words used. We all tend to have favourite words that are used more often than another writer.
Sometimes, a writer might have more than one 'voice'. This happens when they produce work in a completely different genre - let's say a humour as opposed to a thriller. They automatically adopt a different style. I've done it myself with short stories; I've used a different voice. It wasn't something deliberate. It just happened because of the nature of the story.
When I write about 'finding YOUR voice' I mean settling into a style which you find comfortable. Try to make your work distinctive; don't EVER attempt to emulate another writer no matter how much you might admire them. Be yourself and your voice will start to show.

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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
20 Things You Should Know About How To Format A Book
Mastering Conflict In Your Story Characters

Question - Should I double space.

Hi Anthony, I'm writing my first book, and I wonder something, should I double space?
I want my book to be about three hundred pages, and if I don't double space, then it's about eighty five pages, its lots of detail crammed onto a page and I'm thinking that might not be right for the first book I have ever written. I think maybe if I keep it double spaced then it will make it easier to read for some people, but I'm not sure. What would your advice be?

• You should certainly always use double line space - (NOT double word space).
• You should type (print) on one side of the paper only.
• You should also leave at least 1" border on both sides, top and bottom.
• All paragraphs should be indented EXCEPT the first one on each chapter or after a scene break (ie line of stars).
• Your dialogue should also be on a new paragraph for each person - a thing new writers often forget - so you might find your page count beginning to expand a little by now.
• For full submission details see my other post Submission Guidleines
• Try http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ for details of reputable publishers, agents and submission details.

• Next post

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Writing Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets

All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know

Question - How to get published

Hi Anthony, I've been working on a book for about a year. I plan to write a sequel and to get them both published. How do I go about doing that? I want it as inexpensive as possible. How much do you usually get from the sale of your book?

Angie, this is a somewhat similar question to a recent one. Once your book has been polished as much as you can - once you've cut away all purple crap .... when you're sure everything has been corrected, then send a query letter to a publishing house.

Ask permission to submit your book. Give the genre, word count and a brief synopsis, then sit back and pray like there's no tomorrow.

If they like your work, they might ask you to send the first three chapters. Your work must be submitted to the industry standard, of double type space etc, (see my post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/04/conform-or-else.html for full explanation of their requirements).

There will be no cost to you to publish through 'normal' publishing routes. Editorial costs will be met by the publishing house (but your work will be expected to be at a reasonable level before being accepted)

If you're planning to self-publish (paper or ebook), you might be interested in an interview I gave with author, James Melzer, ( http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/05/interview-with-author-james-melzer.html ) who's going down the path of publishing with Lulu. He gives the breakdown costs and talks of his experience.

Royalties on sales vary with each publishing house and range from 7% to 12% of sale price. Royalties with self-published books are set by yourself and you'd need to check what other writers of the same genre are selling their books at.

Hope this helps a little.

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-r.html

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Right Write - 8 Cool Tips To Invoke Emotion
Story Brief - Balance, Proportion And Plot
20 Ways To Write A Story Better

What next?

Tell Me a Story

Hello Anthony, I have almost finished my first novel, what are the next steps I need to take to get published, become successful, and make lots of money?

Make lots of money? Wow, hang on there a moment, Joanne. Very few novelists make sufficient money to live on - most have to keep their day jobs to survive. However, you might be the exception, so take heart.

1. The first thing is to put your book in a drawer for a month or so. At the moment it’s all too fresh in your mind. Take a breather, write something completely different and recharge your mind.
2. Next, check it over it with a specialist eye, do your editing. Check spelling and grammar, chop, cut, and slash unwanted bits.
3. Remember that sometimes it's what you don't say that makes a novel great and has readers turning the pages.
4. Make sure there are no purple bits, cut out all adverbs and adjectives unless you're confident you can't do without them. Over-writing makes your work look unprofessional.
5. After all this refinement, once your work shines, send a letter of submission to an agent. Make it short, polite and to the point. Include genre, word count and a short synopsis (look to book blurb for an example) don’t plead, don't promise, just ask respectfully and you MIGHT get a reply.
   

Be prepared to suffer rejections though, all authors do. As for money.... according to the grapevine, out of 150,000 books published each year, 100,000 will not sell more than 100 copies. Money? Hardly! Sorry, but the majority of novelists don't get rich.

YOU might just be the exception though. I wish you luck.

Next post on Tell Me a Story.

Harness That Gift

Tell Me a Story - writing advice

Anthony, I've a problem. I have a story floating around in my head. I know the character's names and what I want in the story- but every time I try to write something- it just doesn't feel right, its weird. As I start to type, I seem to loose interest. In a weird way I want to write-but for some reason, I can't.

Thanks for the email, Kiba. There are a few things you can do that might help. First you need to be sure you really want to write. If you do then nothing should stop you. Don't let anything get in your way.

1. If you want to be serious, the first thing you should do is beg, buy, or borrow, a couple of books on creative writing. All writers need to get to grips with the basics of story telling. The idea of writing may seem like a fire burning into your soul, but unless that fire is fed with the oxygen of skill, those flames will fade and die.
2. A textbook on creative writing will show you the right way to tackle your story and help you to become fruitful. You'll appreciate the why and wherefore of what you're doing.
3. Artists in every genre - dancers, painters, musicians, all have to learn before they can harness their unrefined gift. They study for YEARS before they find success. They all display flair in the first place of course, but without direction that flair will flounder. Writers are just the same.
4. You should stop listening to lay people. You’ll probably find a lot of friends offering advice - telling you how good you are - telling you where you're going wrong..... forget it. Listen ONLY to skilled writers or editors. Friends and family can be too enthusiastic or too critical – they won’t look at it with a qualified eye – they’re too close to you.
5. If you're really serious you should join an online Writer’s Circle. They're free, friendly, and full of like minded people - some with years of experience to tap into and take advantage of.
6. You should try to find a local writer's group - mixing with other writers will work wonders for your morale, they’ll offer good advice and give a professional critique to your work. you'll soon start to feel like a real writer - what more could you want?
   

Hope this helps you on your way a little. Don't give up, don't get dispirited - just keep writing and one day it will happen.

Next post on Tell Me a Storyj

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Right Write - 8 Cool Tips To Invoke Emotion
Story Brief - Balance, Proportion And Plot
20 Ways To Write A Story Better

How Many Times to Edit?

Tell Me a Story - writing tip.

AJ, how many times professional writers edit? I was under the impression that professional authors would edit a piece upwards of 10 times before it appears in print.
My friend, however, who has read many interviews with writers, thinks that most professional authors revise only a couple of times before they are done and sometimes don't even do any. I'm confused.

Thanks for writing in, Alice. It's no use submitting a piece of work that you're not happy with. ALWAYS edit until you're satisfied. If you ain't happy, gal, the publisher sure as hell won't be ....

When I'm writing I check over the previous couple of pages before I start (and generally spot something to correct); but reading the previous days work puts me into the correct frame of mind - keeps me on track.
Once my precious work is complete, I edit numerous times. I really can't say how many, probably five or six complete checks. I ruthlessly chop away all excess baggage, every word has to count otherwise it's thrown out.
I check grammar, spelling, timelines, and such things as consistency of names and words (don't use mister at one point and Mr. at another). I make sure all loose ends are tied up, and that all changes have been smoothly incorporated.

As an aside, on the morning that Without Reproach was to be handed over to the publisher, I changed the whole of the first three pages - PANIC!!!
Leaving a story in a raw state.
Some writers brag on internet sites that they don't edit - they claim that editing robs the story of life. I've NEVER subscribed to the idea of a story being at it's best whilst it's RAW.
I shudder at the thought my work in it's raw state. In my opinion that's a lazy writer making excuses ... but when their stories are rejected they say it's because the publisher doesn't understand their ART. Rubbish!
Good editing is what moves a story from the realms of amateur scribblings into that of a professional piece of work.
Polishing your work is vital to make it acceptable to a reader. Hone, hone and hone again. Make your work gleam before offering it to the public - they'll tear it to pieces if you don't.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story

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Looking for a good read? Try:-

Short Moments - collection of 10 short stories

or

Past Sins - Contemporary fiction

Writing Tips - Explaining It Away

"AJ .... Help! I'm doing a radio interview. The presenter has sent me a list of questions and one of them wants me to discuss my story. How do you explain what's going on in your book. I find it difficult to tell people what my story is about. How do you go on?"

This was a question raised quite recently. I'm no expert on radio interviews. I hate being the centre of attention, but talking about your book is fairly essential even to an introvert like me. I have to admit it's difficult getting the idea of a whole book over in just a few words. I always feel I'm underselling my work, but it can be done, it MUST be done. It just needs a bit of thought.

Concentrate on things that interest YOU in the book, what excites you about it.

• Discuss the opening theme and how it affects the story.
• Explain about the attitude and moods of the central characters and maybe why they're like they are.
• Say what conflicts exist between the main protagonists and perhaps what those contrasts mean in terms of the storyline.
• Tell them of any questions raised. Are the questions resolved at the end or partway through?
• Explain how many main characters are in the story, and how the characters intertwine.
• Explain whether the conflict is:- man conflicting with man; man conflicting with nature; or man conflicting with himself (read woman for man).

With a little preparation it's surprising what you can come up with.
Keep on writing.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story

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