Crash Station
Member
How do you feel about mindscrew psychological thrillers? Decent chance I'll send you a PM at some point if you're into those.
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Writing-GAF: Writing, Publishing, Selling |OT|
- Thread starter AngmarsKing701
- Start date
How do you feel about mindscrew psychological thrillers? Decent chance I'll send you a PM at some point if you're into those.
Wafflecakes
Member
I have not read them a lot, but I am willing to give one a shot!
Conkersbadfurday
Member
I hit the hundred page mark and then spent the next like three days rewriting pages 94-100 because holy crap the story took a strange turn into "I can't handle this narratively or philosophically" territory. Got it back on track, but going is still as slow as ever.
Fuck me. If this is what writer's block is like, then I don't god damned like it!
Pretty soon I have to really change shit up though. Gonna give my character a few spells to protect him and then open up the castle a bit more. Should hopefully make writing easier. I figure I'll divide this into three parts, and I'm about to hit part two.
Fuck me. If this is what writer's block is like, then I don't god damned like it!
Pretty soon I have to really change shit up though. Gonna give my character a few spells to protect him and then open up the castle a bit more. Should hopefully make writing easier. I figure I'll divide this into three parts, and I'm about to hit part two.
Normally when I have writers block it's my brain telling me I've missed something. I write linear from start to finish, so if I think back on what I've written I can usually fix what's wrong and then the words come back. Not always, but most of the time.
I just finished writing the third book in my series. Letting it sit for a while then I will edit. I'm going to start working on a new series so that I'm still writing. Sticking with Sci-Fi romance, but I'll be working with new aliens and on Earth so that should shake things up a bit. Same universe though so the old aliens might make an appearance, we'll see what happens.
Conkersbadfurday
Member
Dunno what's going on. Been like this since I started, really. just painfully slow going, or so it feels like.
I've actually only been working on this for 30 days on the dot. So by that timeline, I'm making alright headway
Nappuccino
Member
Dunno what's going on. Been like this since I started, really. just painfully slow going, or so it feels like.
I've actually only been working on this for 30 days on the dot. So by that timeline, I'm making alright headway
Maybe try skipping forward in time to the next main event (or just before it?)?
If it is difficult or boring to write, it may not be worth your time or the readers.
Granted, I mainly write short fiction and I freely jump around these little snapshots of meaning, so I'm a bit used to this option.
Conkersbadfurday
Member
You've know idea how much I think about that >.<
Conkersbadfurday
Member
You are a good person and I now feel better :3
I think my first novel was a fucking fluke. It had no right to be so easy or fun to write. I'm overjoyed that my first experience at giant fiction was...well, nothing but joy, because if it hadn't been, I might not have tried again. I also might have given up.
Time to feel like a real writer, I guess.
Though I can make more excuses if I want to. I've never written a character like this, I've never written a story that's protagonist vs the self, I've never written a big horror story, I've never written a big story with any kind of forethought, etc. So yeah.
I just hope it isn't shit, honestly :[
Also, I think I post too much in this thread.
Nappuccino
Member
Much of the "is it shit?" question gets answered with time. Put it to paper and read it again later. I've read plenty of my stories that I didnt like in the moment that surprised me later. Not to mention that revision goes a long way. The last two pieces I've written were a struggle and I revised them over the course of months. Through all that, they are two of my favorite pieces (though one still needs a lot of work).
My advice about "difficult or boring" mostly applies when you are either forcing a segment to go on too long, or when a segment isn't essential in some way.
If you're doubting yourself, finding a second reader can be extremely helpful. Sometimes a confidence boost is the thing you actually need. Sometimes they'll point out the thing you're missing and that triggers the next burst of writing.
Honestly, just keep writing is the best advice. Even if you only get 300 words in a day. It is easier to salvage flawed writing that exists, to delete things that don't work, than to publish a nonexistent page lol.
My advice about "difficult or boring" mostly applies when you are either forcing a segment to go on too long, or when a segment isn't essential in some way.
If you're doubting yourself, finding a second reader can be extremely helpful. Sometimes a confidence boost is the thing you actually need. Sometimes they'll point out the thing you're missing and that triggers the next burst of writing.
Honestly, just keep writing is the best advice. Even if you only get 300 words in a day. It is easier to salvage flawed writing that exists, to delete things that don't work, than to publish a nonexistent page lol.
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Wow. Has anyone, uh, checked their Amazon KDP Reports page lately? Seems the new 'pay per page' system has just gone into effect.
Crash Station
Member
Yeah, new system ain't looking good. Already tweeted on my pen name that I'll likely be taking my books out of Kindle Unlimited soonish. Some people are estimating payouts of half a cent per page. Definitely doesn't make sense to keep shorts in there. It sucks too because for the last week and a half, I've been getting 2 borrows per day. Not much, but passive income is nice even if it is just pocket change.
Anyway, put my 6th short out yesterday, bringing the total amount of release to 11 with all the bundles.
Made $30 on sales for June and possibly around 50 or so from borrows. Sucks that I make more on the latter just as the new system goes into effect
K, may PM you later and/or in a few days.
Anyway, put my 6th short out yesterday, bringing the total amount of release to 11 with all the bundles.
Made $30 on sales for June and possibly around 50 or so from borrows. Sucks that I make more on the latter just as the new system goes into effect
K, may PM you later and/or in a few days.
toddhunter
Member
I can honestly say the changes have had no impact on me.
The email Amazon sent out yesterday said the global fund was $11m and that last month KU readers read 1.9b pages if they don't add more money to the fund, which they do often, it would mean we'd get $.0058 per page roughly. Kind of depressing.
The way the graph is we don't have anyway of knowing when people have stopped reading our books or how many people are reading, if they gave us more info that would be nice, but we're even more in the dark now.
Trying to stay positive, but also thinking of branching out. Kobo, Nook, Google Plus, and iBooks don't make as much reach as Kindle but who knows maybe my books will blow up over there. I've read people that have better success on other platforms, it's not the norm but it does happen. Plus, all my books wouldn't be in the Amazon basket.
Don't think I've ever posted here since it seems this is more about writing books (at least that's how it looks to me) but I have a question. How do you guys handle plot holes when the thing that created said hole is necessary to drive the plot forward?
Beyond that, talking with a friend yesterday made me realize that there's a metric ton of background details that I never even thought of or addressed and now I'm sort of in a panic over what I previously thought was my best draft so far >.>
Beyond that, talking with a friend yesterday made me realize that there's a metric ton of background details that I never even thought of or addressed and now I'm sort of in a panic over what I previously thought was my best draft so far >.>
Took a pause from both reading and writing for a few month, because i'm stupid. But my batteries are back on and it feels good to be back. Reading up on Murakami's work (Afterdark, After the Quake and now The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles), started another long form story and currently working on a short story.
Putting on headphones, music blasting and typing away is too good to be true (t least in the moment, he)
And continuing to write the long form stuff in my mother tongue and using the short stories for experimenting with my englisch "skills". Another great way to change it up day-to-day!
Putting on headphones, music blasting and typing away is too good to be true (t least in the moment, he)
And continuing to write the long form stuff in my mother tongue and using the short stories for experimenting with my englisch "skills". Another great way to change it up day-to-day!
toddhunter
Member
Write first, fix later. Chances are the plot hole will end up making perfect sense... Or may get drowned out be even stranger stuff.
Either way you will not know until the end and it'll be easy to make some shit up to get around it.
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Yeah, new system ain't looking good. Already tweeted on my pen name that I'll likely be taking my books out of Kindle Unlimited soonish. Some people are estimating payouts of half a cent per page. Definitely doesn't make sense to keep shorts in there. It sucks too because for the last week and a half, I've been getting 2 borrows per day. Not much, but passive income is nice even if it is just pocket change.
Anyway, put my 6th short out yesterday, bringing the total amount of release to 11 with all the bundles.
Made $30 on sales for June and possibly around 50 or so from borrows. Sucks that I make more on the latter just as the new system goes into effect
Same boat. I was having regular activity, but it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to keep it in there. We'll see. Still mulling over it.
I can honestly say the changes have had no impact on me.
NaNoWriMo, hooooooooooooo!
Ditto. I'm all in. \[-_-]/
FlowersisBritish
fleurs n'est pas britannique
You guys are crazy. Nano isn't for months. *Hides world notes under bed*
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Yep all in for Nano this year.
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Yay! They finally announced it today! My book's going to print AND I've been picked up again to write the sequel! I'm so happy with the new cover... ;_;
EDIT to Add: I'm counting on you again for the sequel, NaNoWriMo!
EDIT to Add: I'm counting on you again for the sequel, NaNoWriMo!
Damn, I'm legit happy for you!
AngmarsKing701
Member
Congrats! That's wonderful news!
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Thanks, man. I was over the moon when they said it had passed the point where they could justify a print version, but to be pre-set for a sequel was something I didn't expect or hope for. Really, really happy.
Cheers, yo. It's been a long process, but it's all starting to come together. Guess slacking off this NaNoWriMo isn't an option.
itshappening.gif
Whoo hoo!
Did I read this on inception? Not sure why I'm asking you, lol. But it feels kinda familiar. That's all.
toddhunter
Member
Congrats, looks awesome. Captured the look on her face perfectly.
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
I can't wait to hold it in my hands and drop it in the bath like I do with half my other books.On "inception"? Is that a site or thread or something? First time I've posted it except for my NaNoWriMo, hoooooo stuff above.
Thanks! Irene absolutely nailed it. That "fuck you/for fuck's sake" face of Cailen's is pure gold. You know you're quoted on the pre-order page too, T.
grats!
Omg i LOVE the art. Also congrats and I hope for HUGE success for you!
Wafflecakes
Member
Congrats dude!
Do you have a purchase link? I always make a point of buying gaffers work.
NaNoWrimo.
FlowersisBritish
fleurs n'est pas britannique
Congrats! I'm super jelly of you and your success! But holy shit congrats!
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Just wanted to say thanks again to GAF for humoring my first poor attempt, and everyone's who's supported it. I've had so many buys from people here (my publisher was like, "What's this weird forum place we keep getting hits from?"), reviews, tweets, advice, and motivational pushes. It's meant a lot to me, and basically made it all happen, so cheers. Now I get to write more dumb adventures in alcohol and ghosts and that makes me very happy.
The power of your NaNoWriMo thread is mighty, Cyan. So very mighty.
\[-_-]/
Thanks! Feels like another milestone. If I can just make a strong showing for the print version and the sequel, maybe it will be possible to start doing this for a living.
Cheers! Not sure how successful I can consider it yet if I'm not able to help keep the magazine running another year (they're holding a Kickstarter right now), but the potential is there! And it all started in Gaf's NaNoWriMo thread, so anyone can do it. A little luck, a little GAF help (more like tons), and a lot of alcohol goes a long way. You're definitely joining this year, right?
The power of your NaNoWriMo thread is mighty, Cyan. So very mighty.
\[-_-]/
<3
Thanks! Feels like another milestone. If I can just make a strong showing for the print version and the sequel, maybe it will be possible to start doing this for a living.
Cheers! Not sure how successful I can consider it yet if I'm not able to help keep the magazine running another year (they're holding a Kickstarter right now), but the potential is there!
And it all started in Gaf's NaNoWriMo thread, so anyone can do it. A little luck, a little GAF help (more like tons), and a lot of alcohol goes a long way. You're definitely joining this year, right? Thanks, D! Irene continues to knock it out of the park and now Scotty's stuff is in there too.
I'm totally grabbing a physical copy. I want it on my desk O.O.
toddhunter
Member
Thanks! Irene absolutely nailed it. That "fuck you/for fuck's sake" face of Cailen's is pure gold. You know you're quoted on the pre-order page too, T.
I know your work is great... but god damn that quote was amazing.
Makes the whole thing worth while.
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Haha. Thanks, cuz. Did you notice the subway sign in the upper right-hand corner...?
<3 <3 <3 Thanks, D! It's going to look glorious on your desk. Glorious, I say! I need something seasonally appropriate for my desk too now...
Who can resist "exsanguination"?I just finished the final draft of my first book! It ended up a little over 100k words (it's in Brazilian Portuguese).
Holy crap, I almost cried when I was done, haha. I hadn't written the epilogue before today, I could feel my heart swelling when I settled on the final sentences and typed them. I didn't think I would feel like that, but it really was like saying goodbye to people that lived in my head for around three years.
Sooo much revising... I basically had to rewrite this thing 4 times (2 of those from scratch), but, minor corrections and alterations aside, this is it. I'll see how things develop from here before I talk about it anymore, but I'm currently getting it in the hands of people for feedback. I'm excited.
Holy crap, I almost cried when I was done, haha. I hadn't written the epilogue before today, I could feel my heart swelling when I settled on the final sentences and typed them. I didn't think I would feel like that, but it really was like saying goodbye to people that lived in my head for around three years.
Sooo much revising... I basically had to rewrite this thing 4 times (2 of those from scratch), but, minor corrections and alterations aside, this is it. I'll see how things develop from here before I talk about it anymore, but I'm currently getting it in the hands of people for feedback. I'm excited.
AngmarsKing701
Member
To echo H.Pro, thanks to GAF for being there for me. Most of my sales appear to be from GAFfers.
And that reminds me, for those who haven't picked it up, Ahvarra is just $1 for Kindle this week (celebrating my birthday).
Lots of new milestones in this thread lately. Congrats to you all. You're all inspirational to me.
And that reminds me, for those who haven't picked it up, Ahvarra is just $1 for Kindle this week (celebrating my birthday).
Lots of new milestones in this thread lately. Congrats to you all. You're all inspirational to me.
timetokill
Banned
YES!
Oh my god, I'm so happy for you H.Pro
You earned it, I'll be there day one for the sequel.
Don't forget my PM! You promised!
FlowersisBritish
fleurs n'est pas britannique
Cheers! Not sure how successful I can consider it yet if I'm not able to help keep the magazine running another year (they're holding a Kickstarter right now), but the potential is there!
I try to do Nanowrimo every year(haven't won yet though). I have an idea for it that I might do. It' s fantasy novel(and I don't usually do fantasy) but I have grown to really like the setting and I think it actually might be a really great book. My big problem is one of forward thinking. I kind of want to do a saga just to visit all the cool places I made, but I have no idea where it would even go. I might just go with an old roadtrip idea I've had in the back for awhile now and save my big fantasy epic for when I have a better idea of where it should go.