Gary,
Definitely; self-publishing isn't just a quick-fix solution. It's hard work if I want it to go anywhere. Because I hear it quite often: Anyone can publish something, it's succeeding that makes the difference. I'm leaning more towards it for the control aspects, along with getting out there to be noticed. If I can sign on with a publishing company, I'd love to do that, but each one have their own rules and regulations that can later affect me. A woman in my writing circle had her first book published with a company, and they took a lot of control out of her hands; there are pros and cons with each path to take. That is why I'm doing as much research on the process as I can before I decide what I will do, that way I can feel more confident and sure of my decision and come out with less regrets no matter how it turns out. Even if it doesn't go as I would have liked, at least I had enough information to have chosen that path instead of jumping in blindly.
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mhend90
Over 90 days ago
United States
Forum
Active Ink Slinger
Thank you for that tip; it does sound like a great idea. And I am a control freak too, so this is really the path that seems more along my line of sanity (or keeping it, anyways!)
Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind; my girlfriend doubles as my editor right now, so I'll have to decline for the time being.
Mary Hendrix
Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind; my girlfriend doubles as my editor right now, so I'll have to decline for the time being.
Mary Hendrix
Active Ink Slinger
Thank you for that tip; it does sound like a great idea. And I am a control freak too, so this is really the path that seems more along my line of sanity (or keeping it, anyways!)
Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind; my girlfriend doubles as my editor right now, so I'll have to decline for the time being.
Mary Hendrix
Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind; my girlfriend doubles as my editor right now, so I'll have to decline for the time being.
Mary Hendrix
Active Ink Slinger
Thank you Vanessa! This information is definitely being saved in my advice files! Indie publishing seems to be what I'm leaning towards, as it gives me a chance to get out there first and show my colors. I've heard several people in my college writing circle have had success with indie publishing, as did my girlfriend.
Again, thank you!
M. Hendrix
Again, thank you!
M. Hendrix
Active Ink Slinger
Oh definitely, I'm aware of that; it's one of the reasons I'm having a hard time finding a publisher! I don't want to waste their time as well as my own if I don't fit into their publishing requirements, and very few that do take my 'style' of writing either aren't taking submissions or don't accept submissions from newer writers. Blech. Thank you so much for the advice!
Active Ink Slinger
Thank you Alan! I know there were some forum posts already about it (and thank you for linking those too!) but the information gets so mixed up in my head after spending a long time searching.
I'll definitely add it to my resource list; I'll be using them!
M. Hendrix
I'll definitely add it to my resource list; I'll be using them!
M. Hendrix
Active Ink Slinger
I have thought about self-publishing before, as I am not familiar with how a publishing company would work, or what they would require of me. That is the part that I can't seem to find any information about, sadly. My writing doesn't fit into a regular genre; I can jump from writing humour, to romance, to horror, to crime; literally whatever catches my fancy is what I'm writing about. I like to consider myself as a general fiction writer; willing to dabble in just about anything.
Active Ink Slinger
Hi! I'm a fairly 'green' writer when it comes to actually aiming to get published (though I've written small pieces here and there for years now) and frankly, I just can't find any good/reliable resources. I've been browsing the forum here (and that's helped a lot!), along with several dozen other places it seems, and I am having a hard time getting the facts.
So here's some questions, if anyone can help point me in the right direction!
1) Who are good publishers to aim for when I'm working independently (no agent or third-party working with me)?
2) What is the best way to present a manuscript? Should I have it all complete and ready to go first? Does it need to be fully finished before submitting?
3) Concerning poetry, what is the best way (and the best publishers) to go about submitting only a couple pieces of poetry?
4) If I decided I just wanted to self-publish a book, what are some good resources in that direction?
Thank you!
M. Hendrix
So here's some questions, if anyone can help point me in the right direction!
1) Who are good publishers to aim for when I'm working independently (no agent or third-party working with me)?
2) What is the best way to present a manuscript? Should I have it all complete and ready to go first? Does it need to be fully finished before submitting?
3) Concerning poetry, what is the best way (and the best publishers) to go about submitting only a couple pieces of poetry?
4) If I decided I just wanted to self-publish a book, what are some good resources in that direction?
Thank you!
M. Hendrix
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by VanessaFinaughty
I think it depends partially on the type of story you're writing. Personally, I think you should write the tense that you prefer reading, although there are times when other tenses do work better.
I agree with that. Writing what you are comfortable with is how you will produce your best work, but it can be just as fun to try something new. Experimenting in writing, expanding your boundaries of experience, going outside your comfort zone... It can help improve and develop your writing as you continue. Who knows, maybe you'll end up preferring one style over another one, and find your 'niche' (or know for certain areas you must avoid at all costs!).
But there's a time for writing, and a time for experimenting. Sometimes they happen to just overlap
Quote by VanessaFinaughty
The only thing with present tense is that it's not a natural way of speaking, so it's harder to get it right the whole way through.
It can be hard to keep the tense in the 'present' when writing it (which is what my lover helps me with, being the wonderful person she is!) but with practice it becomes easier. I've noticed several times now, since having been working on my latest multi-chapter 'experiment,' that I've begun having a hard time using third person tense in other forms of writing that require it! I always had the problem of using third-person in a first-person setting, and now the problem is reversed! It is hard at first to make the mental change, but like any skill the more it's used the easier it becomes to use it.
Active Ink Slinger
Hmm, I guess it really depends on personal preference. I use both, but it depends on how I want others to read it. Typically when I write from a limited first person viewpoint, I will use present tense, acting as if my character is experiencing things the same time the reader is. When writing in 3rd person (limited or omniscient) I fall into a past tense.
I've noticed that many writers will use past tense, as if 'retelling' a story that has already occurred. I don't think this is wrong, it really depends on the presentation of the story.
I've rather enjoyed using 1st person present tense, as I feel it invokes a more intense and personal experience. Play around and see what suits your needs with the story best; it's different for each one!
M. Hendrix
I've noticed that many writers will use past tense, as if 'retelling' a story that has already occurred. I don't think this is wrong, it really depends on the presentation of the story.
I've rather enjoyed using 1st person present tense, as I feel it invokes a more intense and personal experience. Play around and see what suits your needs with the story best; it's different for each one!
M. Hendrix