New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 00:04 22 Jul 2004
Just a question. Do any of you enjoy new Sci Fi books, Here to for not published? (but pending), the genre is a combination of Survival/Fantasy/& Sci Fi.
I am just curious and testing the waters, so to speak.
Any response is appreciated.
whitewolfzty.
Just a question. Do any of you enjoy new Sci Fi books, Here to for not published? (but pending), the genre is a combination of Survival/Fantasy/& Sci Fi.
I am just curious and testing the waters, so to speak.
Any response is appreciated.
whitewolfzty.
New to the Forum - by Arislyn on 10:20 22 Jul 2004
Welcome to the forums!
I know that quite a few people here a fairly into science fiction. I tend to lean more towards science fantasy (space opera) or pure fantasy, myself. In fact, I don't think I can remember the last time I read a pure science fiction book.
The last thing I read was House Harkonnen, one of the Dune prequels, but I tend to classify that as science fantasy. There's too much mysticism in the Dune universe for it to be a purely science fiction setting, in my opinion. It was really quite good. All of the Dune prequels were well done. The fear of reading prequels is always that you will be disappointed since you already know, ultimately, what happens. However, the author did a wonderful job of clarifying and explaining just exactly how the royal houses reached the point they were at in the original Dune, adding greater depth and understanding to the series than existed before.
Do you have any examples of the sorts of books that you like to read?
Welcome to the forums!
I know that quite a few people here a fairly into science fiction. I tend to lean more towards science fantasy (space opera) or pure fantasy, myself. In fact, I don't think I can remember the last time I read a pure science fiction book.
The last thing I read was House Harkonnen, one of the Dune prequels, but I tend to classify that as science fantasy. There's too much mysticism in the Dune universe for it to be a purely science fiction setting, in my opinion. It was really quite good. All of the Dune prequels were well done. The fear of reading prequels is always that you will be disappointed since you already know, ultimately, what happens. However, the author did a wonderful job of clarifying and explaining just exactly how the royal houses reached the point they were at in the original Dune, adding greater depth and understanding to the series than existed before.
Do you have any examples of the sorts of books that you like to read?
New to the Forum - by Brad on 10:34 22 Jul 2004
I tend to like the whole range from hard science fiction to fantasy. What I look for is a neat world, compelling characters and a half way decent plot. Stories that are about Great Ideas help.
I tend to like the whole range from hard science fiction to fantasy. What I look for is a neat world, compelling characters and a half way decent plot. Stories that are about Great Ideas help.
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 14:04 22 Jul 2004
Actually, the book I am referring to is my own titled "Dying to Believe".
The story takes place on our own planet and entails a man who is trapped in a mountain and battling nightmarish creatures trying to save himself and the world.
It is due to be published this year (no release date yet).
I realize this may not be the correct forum for this but it was worth a try.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Whitewolfzty
Actually, the book I am referring to is my own titled "Dying to Believe".
The story takes place on our own planet and entails a man who is trapped in a mountain and battling nightmarish creatures trying to save himself and the world.
It is due to be published this year (no release date yet).
I realize this may not be the correct forum for this but it was worth a try.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Whitewolfzty
New to the Forum - by Brad on 14:20 22 Jul 2004
Sure you are welcome to discuss it. It may be hard for the rest of us because we have not read it, but give it a try.
Sure you are welcome to discuss it.
It may be hard for the rest of us because we have not read it, but give it a try.New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 16:52 22 Jul 2004
Thanks Brad,
Depending on the space available I would like to include the first couple of pages for everyone to get a taste of it.
I suppose it depends on whether the host of this site will allow it.
How do I get in touch with them?
Ken
Thanks Brad,
Depending on the space available I would like to include the first couple of pages for everyone to get a taste of it.
I suppose it depends on whether the host of this site will allow it.
How do I get in touch with them?
Ken
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 17:20 22 Jul 2004
Brad,
I did not realize you were a super admin for the site. How droll of me. I was curious whether or not I could post a couple of pages on the message board for everyone to take a look at. I just need to get some feed back to see if it's worthwhile. I will check back periodically, to check your reply. The size of the piece is about 8Kb or 1600 words give or take a few.
Thanks,
whitewolfzty
Brad,
I did not realize you were a super admin for the site. How droll of me. I was curious whether or not I could post a couple of pages on the message board for everyone to take a look at. I just need to get some feed back to see if it's worthwhile. I will check back periodically, to check your reply. The size of the piece is about 8Kb or 1600 words give or take a few.
Thanks,
whitewolfzty
New to the Forum - by Brad on 17:30 22 Jul 2004
Sure go ahead and post it.
You might want to split that into a couple of posts, the character limit for each post is 76800.
Sure go ahead and post it.
You might want to split that into a couple of posts, the character limit for each post is 76800.
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 22:12 22 Jul 2004
OK Here it is: Chapter 1 page 1.
CHAPTER 1
Awakening
Consciousness came slowly, climbing through a searing haze of pain. I glared through the windshield of my car and all I could see was a tree. My head felt as if someone had used an aluminum baseball bat on me. With the, rather unsteady, back of my hand I rubbed across my forehead and gazed at the smear of blood across it. "Great," I grunted. The realization, of my situation, came, just as groggily. I had imbedded a, rather large, pine tree into the grill of my car. The, reptilian like, hissing of the radiator emphasized that point, rather poignantly.
Through the fog of my unsettled psyche, I attempted to piece together the happenings of late. The huge warp in the steering wheel meant my head must have been the instrument of the reconfiguration of steel and plastic. Something flashed across my mind; I seemed to remember an animal in the road, a dog or maybe a wolf. However, there was something different, weird, about it. It was like no other canine creature I had ever seen in these woods, or anywhere else, before.
I had swerved to miss it, but, because of the road conditions, lost control of the car and all #### broke loose and settled around my head. "How do I get myself into this crap? " I mumbled, but my mind drifted back to the animal. The eyes of the creature haunted me; they were the deepest, darkest cobalt blue, nearly black, but with a glint in them that seemed sentient. "Now how the #### do you remember that?" I mumbled under my breath.
Leaning sideways in the seat I glanced at my forehead in the rearview, "...that's a real looker of a Goose egg, ain't it Ken?" I grumbled. Unbuckling the seat belt, I tried to open my door... jammed! It must have been from the impact, duh! The passenger side was jammed as well. I tried both back doors and, found them jammed tight as old dick's hatband. I jerked on the lever angrily and slammed my shoulder, hard, against the door. Succeeding, only, in banging my funny bone and feeling the agonizing, numbing, tingle running the length of my arm and down into my fingers.
Frustration took over immediately; "Oh great," I screamed, "I'm going to bleed to death, trapped in my car, on a, deserted, stretch of back mountain road and no one will ever know, or for that matter, care." The echo of my voice seemed to bring me back. It was unlikely I would bleed to death, not from a knuckleheaded knot on my forehead or, for that matter, be forgotten. Exasperation, frustration and pain seem to be excellent reasons to feel, extremely, sorry for one's self at this particular moment (yadda, yadda, yadda). No time to play poor pitiful me, I had other problems to deal with.
I knew none of the windows would roll down (simply, because the electric motors had been removed), so I lay back on the seat and placed my feet against the glass, took a deep breath and held it. Drawing back both feet, I kicked with all the force I could muster. The impact, with the bulletproof Plexiglas, nearly unhinged several vertebrae. "I knew that glass would get me in trouble someday," I moaned.
I rubbed my back with my left hand and breathed slowly trying to ease the spasm. Suddenly, a thought flashed through my brain, the escape, or more likely dump hatch. Someone had roughly cut it into the rear floorboard of the old limo. I had discovered it last summer, while drinking a few brews and doing some minor repairs to the muffler. Imagining, at that time, the former owner must have been some kind of drug smuggler if they needed a trap door. I thought back to when I bought the car; a gentleman, dressed in a black suit and tie and looking like an attorney, said he was an "agent" of the owner, and would not entertain any questions of the current or former owners of the vehicle. That was fine with me, all I wanted was the car. It seemed strange to me that this car needed to have an attorney attached to it. Since they were only asking twenty five hundred bucks, for it.
OK Here it is: Chapter 1 page 1.
CHAPTER 1
Awakening
Consciousness came slowly, climbing through a searing haze of pain. I glared through the windshield of my car and all I could see was a tree. My head felt as if someone had used an aluminum baseball bat on me. With the, rather unsteady, back of my hand I rubbed across my forehead and gazed at the smear of blood across it. "Great," I grunted. The realization, of my situation, came, just as groggily. I had imbedded a, rather large, pine tree into the grill of my car. The, reptilian like, hissing of the radiator emphasized that point, rather poignantly.
Through the fog of my unsettled psyche, I attempted to piece together the happenings of late. The huge warp in the steering wheel meant my head must have been the instrument of the reconfiguration of steel and plastic. Something flashed across my mind; I seemed to remember an animal in the road, a dog or maybe a wolf. However, there was something different, weird, about it. It was like no other canine creature I had ever seen in these woods, or anywhere else, before.
I had swerved to miss it, but, because of the road conditions, lost control of the car and all #### broke loose and settled around my head. "How do I get myself into this crap? " I mumbled, but my mind drifted back to the animal. The eyes of the creature haunted me; they were the deepest, darkest cobalt blue, nearly black, but with a glint in them that seemed sentient. "Now how the #### do you remember that?" I mumbled under my breath.
Leaning sideways in the seat I glanced at my forehead in the rearview, "...that's a real looker of a Goose egg, ain't it Ken?" I grumbled. Unbuckling the seat belt, I tried to open my door... jammed! It must have been from the impact, duh! The passenger side was jammed as well. I tried both back doors and, found them jammed tight as old dick's hatband. I jerked on the lever angrily and slammed my shoulder, hard, against the door. Succeeding, only, in banging my funny bone and feeling the agonizing, numbing, tingle running the length of my arm and down into my fingers.
Frustration took over immediately; "Oh great," I screamed, "I'm going to bleed to death, trapped in my car, on a, deserted, stretch of back mountain road and no one will ever know, or for that matter, care." The echo of my voice seemed to bring me back. It was unlikely I would bleed to death, not from a knuckleheaded knot on my forehead or, for that matter, be forgotten. Exasperation, frustration and pain seem to be excellent reasons to feel, extremely, sorry for one's self at this particular moment (yadda, yadda, yadda). No time to play poor pitiful me, I had other problems to deal with.
I knew none of the windows would roll down (simply, because the electric motors had been removed), so I lay back on the seat and placed my feet against the glass, took a deep breath and held it. Drawing back both feet, I kicked with all the force I could muster. The impact, with the bulletproof Plexiglas, nearly unhinged several vertebrae. "I knew that glass would get me in trouble someday," I moaned.
I rubbed my back with my left hand and breathed slowly trying to ease the spasm. Suddenly, a thought flashed through my brain, the escape, or more likely dump hatch. Someone had roughly cut it into the rear floorboard of the old limo. I had discovered it last summer, while drinking a few brews and doing some minor repairs to the muffler. Imagining, at that time, the former owner must have been some kind of drug smuggler if they needed a trap door. I thought back to when I bought the car; a gentleman, dressed in a black suit and tie and looking like an attorney, said he was an "agent" of the owner, and would not entertain any questions of the current or former owners of the vehicle. That was fine with me, all I wanted was the car. It seemed strange to me that this car needed to have an attorney attached to it. Since they were only asking twenty five hundred bucks, for it.
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 22:13 22 Jul 2004
Chapter 1. Page 2.
Nevertheless, I paid for it, signed the papers, and received the title in the mail two weeks later. As far as I was concerned, the deal was legal, binding and complete.
Oh well! That was then and this is now, shrugging my shoulders and returning to work. The faded red (it looked like watered down blood), wear worn carpet; pealed back from the hatch, easily. I hooked my fingernails under the lip of the hatch and tried to pry it up. The fingernail on my right index pealed back from the cuticle and I screamed from agony and anger. "Jeez, that hurt" I yelled (around the injured finger stuck in my mouth). "Of all of the stupid things to do, I had to break a nail ". The sound of my own words reminded me of Janice, my ex, and I began to laugh, "That sounded just like her; 'I just broke a freshly manicured nail and ruined my new polish.' " I mimicked, and it caused me to laugh harder. I sat there laughing for, what seemed, a long time, as much from anguish as from humor.
Scared, hurt and unsure of being able to free myself from this coffin, made me feel forlorn, "This is ridiculous." In utter frustration, I raised my leg and kicked down, hard, on the hatch. It fell open, and, just, as quickly, so did my jaw. Obviously, in a traumatized stupor, I had forgotten that the hatch opened the other way. I shrugged and looked at the hole between my feet. Dirt and gravel, but the fresh air coming through that hole carried the scent of freedom.
The only way anyone could have used this hole for escape was if that person was either a very small man or, possibly, a woman. The hole was only eighteen inches square and jagged. Obviously, it was not intended for a person at all, much less one of my girth, but there were no other options, at least, none that I could see now. To get through that hole, I was going to have to shed some clothes, first.
The first thing, to come off, was my Mackinaw coat. I remembered when I got it. Dad had bought it for me when I turned 16 and when I put it on it swallowed me like a whale, he laughed and said " One of these days son, you'll grow into that coat and it will be one of your best friends"; I guess he knew then that I'd never let it go...
I drew away from the sentimental stroll and began thinking about the last weather report, what was it the DJ had said, oh yeah, the temperature would be dropping to below zero by early evening with snow beginning around dark. I looked at my watch; it was just after three now that meant I had two and a half or three hours before it started to get, really, bad. I chuckled "as if it ain't bad now". I knew, when it snowed in the mountains it snowed a lot and all at once. I crawled back over the front seat and dug through the glove box, I had a 9mm pistol and a couple of boxes of shells in there, along with my hunting knife. I wasn't sure I would need them but you never know about these things and I always tried to be prepared, yeah right!
I remembered my flashlight, under the seat, and fished it out of the debris that had collected there. I flipped the switch; the light almost blinded me. Isn't it funny how some people will do that, automatically? They turn on a flashlight while looking, wide eyed, at the lens and then berate themselves for it, afterwards. Then, they have to follow those little dots on the retina around for a while. The bright splashes of color I could still see before my eyes proved that the torch would last for a while longer. I laid it aside and dug for my first aid kit. I looked into the rear view mirror, once again, at the knot on my forehead; it was not as bad as I had first suspected but it was still painful. The blood had crusted above my eyes giving me the look of a crazed maniac, with the stub of a horn on his forehead. I giggled at the thought and tossed everything over the seat. I had started back over when I remembered the keys; I know, what a time to worry about some one trying to steal the car. Well, I wasn't worried about that. I remembered the rifle I had bought for my kid brother Joey, for Christmas, was in the trunk. I could not just leave it there for anyone to take, now could I? I rolled all of my booty up in my coat. A shiver ran down my spine, it was beginning to get cold now and I was starting to shiver more. "Well, no time like the present " I mumbled, and stuffed the coat through the hole following it through with my feet.
Chapter 1. Page 2.
Nevertheless, I paid for it, signed the papers, and received the title in the mail two weeks later. As far as I was concerned, the deal was legal, binding and complete.
Oh well! That was then and this is now, shrugging my shoulders and returning to work. The faded red (it looked like watered down blood), wear worn carpet; pealed back from the hatch, easily. I hooked my fingernails under the lip of the hatch and tried to pry it up. The fingernail on my right index pealed back from the cuticle and I screamed from agony and anger. "Jeez, that hurt" I yelled (around the injured finger stuck in my mouth). "Of all of the stupid things to do, I had to break a nail ". The sound of my own words reminded me of Janice, my ex, and I began to laugh, "That sounded just like her; 'I just broke a freshly manicured nail and ruined my new polish.' " I mimicked, and it caused me to laugh harder. I sat there laughing for, what seemed, a long time, as much from anguish as from humor.
Scared, hurt and unsure of being able to free myself from this coffin, made me feel forlorn, "This is ridiculous." In utter frustration, I raised my leg and kicked down, hard, on the hatch. It fell open, and, just, as quickly, so did my jaw. Obviously, in a traumatized stupor, I had forgotten that the hatch opened the other way. I shrugged and looked at the hole between my feet. Dirt and gravel, but the fresh air coming through that hole carried the scent of freedom.
The only way anyone could have used this hole for escape was if that person was either a very small man or, possibly, a woman. The hole was only eighteen inches square and jagged. Obviously, it was not intended for a person at all, much less one of my girth, but there were no other options, at least, none that I could see now. To get through that hole, I was going to have to shed some clothes, first.
The first thing, to come off, was my Mackinaw coat. I remembered when I got it. Dad had bought it for me when I turned 16 and when I put it on it swallowed me like a whale, he laughed and said " One of these days son, you'll grow into that coat and it will be one of your best friends"; I guess he knew then that I'd never let it go...
I drew away from the sentimental stroll and began thinking about the last weather report, what was it the DJ had said, oh yeah, the temperature would be dropping to below zero by early evening with snow beginning around dark. I looked at my watch; it was just after three now that meant I had two and a half or three hours before it started to get, really, bad. I chuckled "as if it ain't bad now". I knew, when it snowed in the mountains it snowed a lot and all at once. I crawled back over the front seat and dug through the glove box, I had a 9mm pistol and a couple of boxes of shells in there, along with my hunting knife. I wasn't sure I would need them but you never know about these things and I always tried to be prepared, yeah right!
I remembered my flashlight, under the seat, and fished it out of the debris that had collected there. I flipped the switch; the light almost blinded me. Isn't it funny how some people will do that, automatically? They turn on a flashlight while looking, wide eyed, at the lens and then berate themselves for it, afterwards. Then, they have to follow those little dots on the retina around for a while. The bright splashes of color I could still see before my eyes proved that the torch would last for a while longer. I laid it aside and dug for my first aid kit. I looked into the rear view mirror, once again, at the knot on my forehead; it was not as bad as I had first suspected but it was still painful. The blood had crusted above my eyes giving me the look of a crazed maniac, with the stub of a horn on his forehead. I giggled at the thought and tossed everything over the seat. I had started back over when I remembered the keys; I know, what a time to worry about some one trying to steal the car. Well, I wasn't worried about that. I remembered the rifle I had bought for my kid brother Joey, for Christmas, was in the trunk. I could not just leave it there for anyone to take, now could I? I rolled all of my booty up in my coat. A shiver ran down my spine, it was beginning to get cold now and I was starting to shiver more. "Well, no time like the present " I mumbled, and stuffed the coat through the hole following it through with my feet.
New to the Forum - by maitaman on 11:50 23 Jul 2004
As one who has written more than 100 books, I'd like to say you have an easy-reading style, and will probably do well with the writing. This could turn into a very good story.
If you want a bit of criticism (believe me! If you're going to write, you have to get used to that!), you are making many of the mistakes I made at first.
You tend to add gratuitous descriptives. When you describe things, it's a mateer of "When it's sold, shut up! - or you'll unsell it." you do this less than I did.
Watch the run-ons. Count the number of conjunctions, particularly "and", in a paragraph, and get rid of most of them.
Commas; no one agrees where they should be placed, but they force a mental pause when anyone reads, thus breaking up the flow. It's better to use too few than too many.
Watch those infinitives! When in doubt, substitute a synonym. If you say "I'll try and go later" it sounds maybe alright, but a bit stiff. Substitute "attempt" - which is what "Try" means in this case - and you see why. "I'll attempt to go later" - so it becomes "I'll try to go later", and now sounds more natural.
You'll learn the details as you go. I think you will do very well as a writer. I wish you success. CD
As one who has written more than 100 books, I'd like to say you have an easy-reading style, and will probably do well with the writing. This could turn into a very good story.
If you want a bit of criticism (believe me! If you're going to write, you have to get used to that!), you are making many of the mistakes I made at first.
You tend to add gratuitous descriptives. When you describe things, it's a mateer of "When it's sold, shut up! - or you'll unsell it." you do this less than I did.
Watch the run-ons. Count the number of conjunctions, particularly "and", in a paragraph, and get rid of most of them.
Commas; no one agrees where they should be placed, but they force a mental pause when anyone reads, thus breaking up the flow. It's better to use too few than too many.
Watch those infinitives! When in doubt, substitute a synonym. If you say "I'll try and go later" it sounds maybe alright, but a bit stiff. Substitute "attempt" - which is what "Try" means in this case - and you see why. "I'll attempt to go later" - so it becomes "I'll try to go later", and now sounds more natural.
You'll learn the details as you go. I think you will do very well as a writer. I wish you success. CD
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 12:10 23 Jul 2004
CD,
That is why I wanted to post these pages. I need all of the help I can get.
What have you written?
Thanks,
Ken
CD,
That is why I wanted to post these pages. I need all of the help I can get.
What have you written?
Thanks,
Ken
New to the Forum - by Brad on 12:17 23 Jul 2004
I have to agree your writing style reads pretty easy.
So far it sounds real interesting. And it think it brings up enough questions in my mind that I would continue to read for awhile to see if those get answered. Because those answers are essential to my suspending disbelief.
I have to agree your writing style reads pretty easy.
So far it sounds real interesting. And it think it brings up enough questions in my mind that I would continue to read for awhile to see if those get answered. Because those answers are essential to my suspending disbelief.
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 12:34 23 Jul 2004
Thanks Brad.
I would love to put more out here but it would take up a lot of space. The firts four chapters are build up. The real action doesn't begin until chapter 5. I had a response from Arislyn about the Serial Stories section. Is there more space available there?
I just want to be fair to others and not take all of your band width for one thing.
Let me know.
Thnx,
Ken
Thanks Brad.
I would love to put more out here but it would take up a lot of space. The firts four chapters are build up. The real action doesn't begin until chapter 5. I had a response from Arislyn about the Serial Stories section. Is there more space available there?
I just want to be fair to others and not take all of your band width for one thing.
Let me know.
Thnx,
Ken
New to the Forum - by Brad on 14:09 23 Jul 2004
Hi Ken,
You are welcome to put up as much as you want. If you want feedback then this thread is probably as good as any. If you just want to post the story you can do that in the serialized story part of the forums.
Or you can always post it here. You can lock it there so others can only read but not add on, or let them add on. Or you can do both.
The difference between the forum and the interactive story board is that after about 30 days the thread in the forum will no longer appear actively and only someone digging will be able to read it. For feedback like we are doing it is probably best to just keep going in this thread.
But feel free to use the Interactive story board if you want to.
| Quote (whitewolfzty @ July 23 2004,09:34) |
| Thanks Brad. I would love to put more out here but it would take up a lot of space. The firts four chapters are build up. The real action doesn't begin until chapter 5. I had a response from Arislyn about the Serial Stories section. Is there more space available there? I just want to be fair to others and not take all of your band width for one thing. Let me know. Thnx, Ken |
Hi Ken,
You are welcome to put up as much as you want. If you want feedback then this thread is probably as good as any. If you just want to post the story you can do that in the serialized story part of the forums.
Or you can always post it here. You can lock it there so others can only read but not add on, or let them add on. Or you can do both.
The difference between the forum and the interactive story board is that after about 30 days the thread in the forum will no longer appear actively and only someone digging will be able to read it. For feedback like we are doing it is probably best to just keep going in this thread.
But feel free to use the Interactive story board if you want to.
New to the Forum - by Arislyn on 14:30 23 Jul 2004
Ah! I had suggested the Serial Story Board just in case he ever wanted to make a continous story....plus, I wasn't positive if that board had a higher word limit. I seemed to recall back in the days when Haru and I were belting out posts like there was no tomorrow that it did have a higher limit. We posted some doozies!
Ah! I had suggested the Serial Story Board just in case he ever wanted to make a continous story....plus, I wasn't positive if that board had a higher word limit. I seemed to recall back in the days when Haru and I were belting out posts like there was no tomorrow that it did have a higher limit. We posted some doozies!
New to the Forum - by Arislyn on 14:38 23 Jul 2004
You've got a great start on the story and I'll definitely be interested in seeing how it goes. You've got me wondering what this creature may be that ran into the road...and as Brad said, questions are good. They are what entice me to keep reading.
I do agree with maitaman about the commas. Though the content is great, I found myself mentally stumbling in some areas because there were so many commas interrupting the flow of the narrative in my mind.
Keep going! Let's see where this tale carries us.
You've got a great start on the story and I'll definitely be interested in seeing how it goes. You've got me wondering what this creature may be that ran into the road...and as Brad said, questions are good. They are what entice me to keep reading.
I do agree with maitaman about the commas. Though the content is great, I found myself mentally stumbling in some areas because there were so many commas interrupting the flow of the narrative in my mind.
Keep going! Let's see where this tale carries us.
New to the Forum - by maitaman on 19:04 23 Jul 2004
I've got 78 books on Lulu at the moment, but have had things other places in the past. You have a great deal of talent, so I would recommend that you join Lulu. It costs nothing, and you can ask any questions you like about writing and publishing on their forums. You can even publish your own stuff free.
Boards like this one are invaluable to a beginning writer, because, unlike most "writers'" sites, you will get honesty here. If you had been on Lulu, you would have noted that I'm their bulldog. I believe a writer has to have skin a foot thick, because nobody ever wrote anything everybody liked. It's a heck of a lot better to have someone who will be honest with you and say, "That's about the worst piece of crap I ever read the first sentence of!" than someone who will say, "Oh, gee whiz! You're the next Hemmingway!" - then you publish it and the critics say "This has got to be the wrorst..."
That won't happen with you. You have talent, and us old farts should encourage you. Not a high percent of writers today have talent.
I will give you a piece of advice that has worked for me: write the basic story as fast as you can, while it's fresh. Ignore grammar and structure. Just get it on the comp.
When you've finished, wait a week, then go back and start with the English teacher routine. Cut the bad parts and add to the parts that need it. Be sure the characters stay in character for the entire work, and remember continuity and flow at this stage.
When that's done, wait another week, then go back through and read it again, tweaking the little things.
Then get a critique. NOT a family member or close friend.
Then publish it. I would recommend a site like Lulu, because first works are very seldom even read by traditional publishers. If you self-publish, you can get some recognition, and some big houses will take notice if there is a lot of positive review - though THAT IS VERY RARE, it does happen.
I think you have what it takes.
C. D. Moulton - http://www.lulu.com/maitaman
I've got 78 books on Lulu at the moment, but have had things other places in the past. You have a great deal of talent, so I would recommend that you join Lulu. It costs nothing, and you can ask any questions you like about writing and publishing on their forums. You can even publish your own stuff free.
Boards like this one are invaluable to a beginning writer, because, unlike most "writers'" sites, you will get honesty here. If you had been on Lulu, you would have noted that I'm their bulldog. I believe a writer has to have skin a foot thick, because nobody ever wrote anything everybody liked. It's a heck of a lot better to have someone who will be honest with you and say, "That's about the worst piece of crap I ever read the first sentence of!" than someone who will say, "Oh, gee whiz! You're the next Hemmingway!" - then you publish it and the critics say "This has got to be the wrorst..."
That won't happen with you. You have talent, and us old farts should encourage you. Not a high percent of writers today have talent.
I will give you a piece of advice that has worked for me: write the basic story as fast as you can, while it's fresh. Ignore grammar and structure. Just get it on the comp.
When you've finished, wait a week, then go back and start with the English teacher routine. Cut the bad parts and add to the parts that need it. Be sure the characters stay in character for the entire work, and remember continuity and flow at this stage.
When that's done, wait another week, then go back through and read it again, tweaking the little things.
Then get a critique. NOT a family member or close friend.
Then publish it. I would recommend a site like Lulu, because first works are very seldom even read by traditional publishers. If you self-publish, you can get some recognition, and some big houses will take notice if there is a lot of positive review - though THAT IS VERY RARE, it does happen.
I think you have what it takes.
C. D. Moulton - http://www.lulu.com/maitaman
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 19:14 23 Jul 2004
Thanks everyone,
What I will probably do is paste two pages every couple of days, that will give time for everyone to read them and assimilate the info and form an opinion. I don't want to give too much away, seeing that it is about to be published. But what I've seen so far is very helpful.
I guess I am wondering if there is a market for a story like this.
In any event I will put some more out and see how the waters stir.
Thanks,
Ken
Thanks everyone,
What I will probably do is paste two pages every couple of days, that will give time for everyone to read them and assimilate the info and form an opinion. I don't want to give too much away, seeing that it is about to be published. But what I've seen so far is very helpful.
I guess I am wondering if there is a market for a story like this.
In any event I will put some more out and see how the waters stir.
Thanks,
Ken
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 19:27 23 Jul 2004
C.D.,
I cannot thank you enough for your advice. It is that type of information that will help me get some where.
Don't worry about my skin thickness, I've been looking for work for over a year and I've been rejected so many times I feel like a dart board in an English Pub.
I have never had anything published until now and I am scared to death of it. I know I shouldn't be but it can't be helped.
Hearing valuable criticism from established authors is the best kind of advice one can hope to get.
As far as being an old timer, I am 55 years young and still feel like a kid when I am writing (I probably write that way too) but as long as there are people like you that care enough to put up with newbies like me we still have a decent world to live in.
Thanks again,
Ken
C.D.,
I cannot thank you enough for your advice. It is that type of information that will help me get some where.
Don't worry about my skin thickness, I've been looking for work for over a year and I've been rejected so many times I feel like a dart board in an English Pub.
I have never had anything published until now and I am scared to death of it. I know I shouldn't be but it can't be helped.
Hearing valuable criticism from established authors is the best kind of advice one can hope to get.
As far as being an old timer, I am 55 years young and still feel like a kid when I am writing (I probably write that way too) but as long as there are people like you that care enough to put up with newbies like me we still have a decent world to live in.
Thanks again,
Ken
New to the Forum - by Brad on 21:06 23 Jul 2004
Ken there is always a market for a good story. You post as much as you feel comfortable posting.
Like Arislyn said, you got me interested in what that beast in the road is.
Also, if you already have a publisher that's wonderful. If you don't then you should definitely look into Lulu.com.
Ken there is always a market for a good story. You post as much as you feel comfortable posting.
Like Arislyn said, you got me interested in what that beast in the road is.
Also, if you already have a publisher that's wonderful. If you don't then you should definitely look into Lulu.com.
New to the Forum - by maitaman on 22:28 23 Jul 2004
Ken - and anyone else who is looking for a publisher.
Before you make a decision about a publisher, go to Piers Anthony's website and check them out, and to SWFA. Some of them look really good in their ads and such, but are not anyone you want to be tangled up with.
http://www.hipiers.com/publishing.html
Piers has done a lot of research, and is very quick to make corrections plus or minus when you show him the evidence.
Ken - and anyone else who is looking for a publisher.
Before you make a decision about a publisher, go to Piers Anthony's website and check them out, and to SWFA. Some of them look really good in their ads and such, but are not anyone you want to be tangled up with.
http://www.hipiers.com/publishing.html
Piers has done a lot of research, and is very quick to make corrections plus or minus when you show him the evidence.
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 23:13 23 Jul 2004
Thanks C.D. I've been to Mr. Anthony's site and looked through many of the reports on publishers, including mine. I was not disappointed in what I read. It was not really news, but it is always good to see someone elses opinion.
I am a big fan of Mr. Anthony.
I am glad to know he knows this business so well.
Again my thanks,
Ken
Thanks C.D. I've been to Mr. Anthony's site and looked through many of the reports on publishers, including mine. I was not disappointed in what I read. It was not really news, but it is always good to see someone elses opinion.
I am a big fan of Mr. Anthony.
I am glad to know he knows this business so well.
Again my thanks,
Ken
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 15:29 25 Jul 2004
CD,
I have a question. Do you ever do reviews on new author's books?
I was just curious.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Ken
CD,
I have a question. Do you ever do reviews on new author's books?
I was just curious.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Ken
New to the Forum - by maitaman on 23:47 25 Jul 2004
Yo, Ken -
I've done some. It's a matter of having time. I'm finishing a project right now, and could work something in, if it's not too long. A standard book, yes. War and Peace, no.
CD
Yo, Ken -
I've done some. It's a matter of having time. I'm finishing a project right now, and could work something in, if it's not too long. A standard book, yes. War and Peace, no.
CD
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 08:30 26 Jul 2004
Hey CD,
It's a relatively short one. When I get the proofs I will check back in with you to see if you are still available.
Thanks,
Ken
Hey CD,
It's a relatively short one. When I get the proofs I will check back in with you to see if you are still available.
Thanks,
Ken
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 22:06 27 Jul 2004
Dying to Believe
Chapter 1 - continued:
It seemed like ages had passed before I finally made it through. Virtually, every inch of my torso was scratched. Otherwise, I was in, pretty, good shape. I scooted my way out from under the car; which, also, seemed to take an eternity. Finally, I reached up, grabbed the door handle and pulled myself up to a sitting position. I took a deep breath; At last; I was free!
Then, a realization struck me; I slapped my forehead, unthinkingly, and winced with pain, " idiot! " I shouted both from the pain of hitting my head and the fact that I'd left two sacks of groceries sitting on the front seat. I had stopped at a road side cafe/grocery about twenty miles down the road, near the bottom of the mountain, and bought a bunch of canned goods, and such, to take to the cabin with me. Sure enough there, they were on the seat. I had even crawled over them to get to the glove box," Way to go, dimwit," I admonished myself. I was still forty miles from the cabin, snow was about to start and there were no houses anywhere near here. As, a matter of fact, there was nothing between Canyon City Café/Grocery, where I had bought the groceries, and the peak of this mountain, except Jules' small cabin. That was the main reason I was coming out here, to be alone for a while. I just didn't realize I would be suffering from exposure, starvation, and head trauma to get my wish.
I needed those sacks, (a shiver ran up, then down, my spine, like needles), but, now, I needed my coat worse. I was freezing. I grabbed the bundle and hurried to the back of the car. I laid the mackinaw gently on top of the trunk. Another shiver ran down my spine, an avalanche this time culminating in the crack of my butt, quickening my efforts. I unrolled my cache of things and laid them aside. I pulled the coat over my sweatshirt and felt the warmth engulf me. I'd had this coat a long time and it never failed to comfort me.
"Well now" I mulled, "back to the problem at hand". Moving the weapons, and such, off the trunk lid, I reached into my pocket for the keys. I slipped the trunk key into the lock and turned it. The trunk lid popped up revealing a jumble of contents, not so much, caused by the wreck, although that had not helped it, but more from negligence. For a long time I had good intentions of cleaning all that crap out, I just never got around to it. On top of the pile of miscellaneous paraphernalia lay the bright and gaily wrapped (in some garish snowman with a hat paper), box that held the rifle. I'd spared no expense to buy this rifle for Joe, as much a peace offering as a Christmas gift and in my, warped, twisted way, felt a 30-06 bolt action rifle with a 5 shot magazine, and a 40x scope, seemed peaceful enough, to me. Any, self aware, survivalist would love such a gift. I reached down and, unceremoniously and without a thought of a Merry Christmas, ripped the paper away from the box.
Slowly, almost reverently, I pulled the rifle from the box. Feeling the familiar weight of the weapon and seeing the sheen of the fresh gun bluing on the barrel, was almost erotic. I lifted it up to my shoulder and sighted through the scope. The urge to click off a round or two was strong, but I restrained myself. I'd made a good choice, "even if I do say so myself", I mumbled. It was a nice piece of hardware. "I'm sure Joey won't mind, I'll just tell him I was breaking it in for him." I reached back into the trunk for the two boxes of shells to go with it. Now, armed to the teeth, I felt like a mountaineer of a couple hundred years ago. I, almost, felt invincible except for the fact that my growling stomach, reminded me I was hungry.
The thought of food brought me back to the two sacks, sitting, peacefully, on the front seat of my, now useless, car. I felt like such an idiot, the only thing to do was to crawl back in there and get them; but the idea didn't really set well. I was still trying to make up my mind when, in the distance, I heard the howl of a wolf. "It must be near the ridge of the mountain," I thought, abstractedly. I was not very worried; it was probably a pack member on a hunt and it would not likely bother me. The weight of the rifle gave me a great sense of security, there weren't many things that could stand up to the impact of a 30-06 shell and I was a pretty fair shot. I was not worried... But, I should have been.
Dying to Believe
Chapter 1 - continued:
It seemed like ages had passed before I finally made it through. Virtually, every inch of my torso was scratched. Otherwise, I was in, pretty, good shape. I scooted my way out from under the car; which, also, seemed to take an eternity. Finally, I reached up, grabbed the door handle and pulled myself up to a sitting position. I took a deep breath; At last; I was free!
Then, a realization struck me; I slapped my forehead, unthinkingly, and winced with pain, " idiot! " I shouted both from the pain of hitting my head and the fact that I'd left two sacks of groceries sitting on the front seat. I had stopped at a road side cafe/grocery about twenty miles down the road, near the bottom of the mountain, and bought a bunch of canned goods, and such, to take to the cabin with me. Sure enough there, they were on the seat. I had even crawled over them to get to the glove box," Way to go, dimwit," I admonished myself. I was still forty miles from the cabin, snow was about to start and there were no houses anywhere near here. As, a matter of fact, there was nothing between Canyon City Café/Grocery, where I had bought the groceries, and the peak of this mountain, except Jules' small cabin. That was the main reason I was coming out here, to be alone for a while. I just didn't realize I would be suffering from exposure, starvation, and head trauma to get my wish.
I needed those sacks, (a shiver ran up, then down, my spine, like needles), but, now, I needed my coat worse. I was freezing. I grabbed the bundle and hurried to the back of the car. I laid the mackinaw gently on top of the trunk. Another shiver ran down my spine, an avalanche this time culminating in the crack of my butt, quickening my efforts. I unrolled my cache of things and laid them aside. I pulled the coat over my sweatshirt and felt the warmth engulf me. I'd had this coat a long time and it never failed to comfort me.
"Well now" I mulled, "back to the problem at hand". Moving the weapons, and such, off the trunk lid, I reached into my pocket for the keys. I slipped the trunk key into the lock and turned it. The trunk lid popped up revealing a jumble of contents, not so much, caused by the wreck, although that had not helped it, but more from negligence. For a long time I had good intentions of cleaning all that crap out, I just never got around to it. On top of the pile of miscellaneous paraphernalia lay the bright and gaily wrapped (in some garish snowman with a hat paper), box that held the rifle. I'd spared no expense to buy this rifle for Joe, as much a peace offering as a Christmas gift and in my, warped, twisted way, felt a 30-06 bolt action rifle with a 5 shot magazine, and a 40x scope, seemed peaceful enough, to me. Any, self aware, survivalist would love such a gift. I reached down and, unceremoniously and without a thought of a Merry Christmas, ripped the paper away from the box.
Slowly, almost reverently, I pulled the rifle from the box. Feeling the familiar weight of the weapon and seeing the sheen of the fresh gun bluing on the barrel, was almost erotic. I lifted it up to my shoulder and sighted through the scope. The urge to click off a round or two was strong, but I restrained myself. I'd made a good choice, "even if I do say so myself", I mumbled. It was a nice piece of hardware. "I'm sure Joey won't mind, I'll just tell him I was breaking it in for him." I reached back into the trunk for the two boxes of shells to go with it. Now, armed to the teeth, I felt like a mountaineer of a couple hundred years ago. I, almost, felt invincible except for the fact that my growling stomach, reminded me I was hungry.
The thought of food brought me back to the two sacks, sitting, peacefully, on the front seat of my, now useless, car. I felt like such an idiot, the only thing to do was to crawl back in there and get them; but the idea didn't really set well. I was still trying to make up my mind when, in the distance, I heard the howl of a wolf. "It must be near the ridge of the mountain," I thought, abstractedly. I was not very worried; it was probably a pack member on a hunt and it would not likely bother me. The weight of the rifle gave me a great sense of security, there weren't many things that could stand up to the impact of a 30-06 shell and I was a pretty fair shot. I was not worried... But, I should have been.
New to the Forum - by Brad on 20:14 28 Jul 2004
Good stuff Ken.
Good stuff Ken.
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 21:17 28 Jul 2004
Thanks Brad. Question is will it sell.
We can only hope.
I appreciate your indulgence for having allowed me to post a part of it here.
I will be back often.
KenC
Thanks Brad. Question is will it sell.
We can only hope.
I appreciate your indulgence for having allowed me to post a part of it here.
I will be back often.
KenC
New to the Forum - by maitaman on 09:33 29 Jul 2004
Ken -
I think you are onto something. You have the talent.
My one piece of advice is to get rid of 90% of those commas. They detract and make reading flow "lumpy" and uneven.
For instance: I am. not nearly, ready for a new approach to this, ever ongoing, problem.
Read it with the mental pauses commas induce.
I am not nearly ready for a new approach to this ever ongoing problem.
While the parenthetical insertions are "classical" proper grammatical constructions, note how much more smoothly the flow is without them. It is no longer considered improper grammar to leave them out - thank goodness!
I tend to go too far in the other direction, so have to constantly monitor myself.
Ken -
I think you are onto something. You have the talent.
My one piece of advice is to get rid of 90% of those commas. They detract and make reading flow "lumpy" and uneven.
For instance: I am. not nearly, ready for a new approach to this, ever ongoing, problem.
Read it with the mental pauses commas induce.
I am not nearly ready for a new approach to this ever ongoing problem.
While the parenthetical insertions are "classical" proper grammatical constructions, note how much more smoothly the flow is without them. It is no longer considered improper grammar to leave them out - thank goodness!
I tend to go too far in the other direction, so have to constantly monitor myself.
New to the Forum - by whitewolfzty on 09:48 29 Jul 2004
CD,
You are absolutely, right. Consider it done.
Thanks,
Ken
CD,
You are absolutely, right. Consider it done.
Thanks,
Ken