Thanks for the input Starbeam. I'm not sure which route I'll take but I'm leaning more towards an agent myself. We will see what happens but like I said I'm not finished yet. so I won't make any definitive decisions until then.



Here's an interesting question though, to me anyway. Wouldn't it technically be possible to send your manuscript out to an agent, and if you hear nothing back and have no luck on that route, then go ahead an self publish?

You both give very good points. Lano it's funny you mention a stage set as an example, I have a BFA in Theatre lol, so I read that and was like "Oh I see!" haha! Thanks a lot guys. Looks like I have some rewrites to do! 

So I've heard both sides of the story. I'm planning a series, that could span a few books to a few hundred(not really). I'm not finished with the first draft yet, but in thoughts of randomness last night I came up with the final chapter of the book following the events of the final confrontation. Looking on message boards I've seen people say that some publishers will be more interested in you if you have a planned series, because then you're showing them you don't plan on being a one hit wonder or something...

on the other hand...

I recently read that publishers may reject you if they know you wrote the first book as part of the series, because of the chance that they sign you on, spend money on releasing your book to the public, then it tanks and doesn't sell at all.

Soooooo with that in mind I wanted to get some insight from you. Which would you say holds more true?

If it's true publishers don't prefer series from the start, then I pose this question. At the end of my book, I wrap things up, the bad guy is beaten, and hero saves the day, but I also leave a lot of questions open, a couple of them not even appearing until the last couple chapters. Would that be acceptible? Or would I be safest closing all doors on the first book?

How's it going everyone? It's been awhile since I posted anything fresh, and I thought I'd make this topic and ask how all your works are coming along? Mine is slow, but sure!
Right now I'd say my biggest hurdle is that I'm not a writer. This is my first go at a book, but my imagination runs wild with ideas, and I figure why not give it a try? The worst that can happen is...nothing! But it's tough for me to dedicate a certain time of day to writing at the moment, so I usually just write when ideas flow or I have a lot of down time. Anyway let me take you on a tour without divulging any details per JB's requests of sharing ideas:

1. My current story is a supernatural noir story very much like TDF, but I think I have a very unique approach and a lot of original ideas.  It will be set during modern day on the east coast and will deal with a lot of elements in the supernatural and with historical mythology. I can tell you that the main character doesn't know what he is. He begins showing signs of being a supernatural entity, and throughout the story he will find out what that is. This series, if successful, can go as long as the reader wants it to. I have enough ideas for quite a few books! I'm currently about 1/4 through my skeleton draft, which in my world means the story and side stories minus details of people and places.

2. This story is a blossoming idea between a friend and I. It's going to be a fantasy tale set in a fictional world. All I have right now is the plot of the book, the hero and the villian. I still need to create the world, characters, and landscapes. The story I thought up for this is amazing in my opinion, although I guess I'm biased. It will be either a trilogy or 5 books long, and will essentially deal with the aspects of growing up, learning courage and honor. I'm VERY excited about this one.

3. My final idea was actually one of my first, and that's a sci fi space story. I had about 61 pages of this written but essentially lost interest when I thought up my supernatural one. I think my second problem was reaching too high, thinking I could create a brand new universe. If I dedicated myself I probably could but ultimately I decided to put it on hold. My entire life I've loved the Star Trek series. Especially TNG. I enjoyed the new movie but I know a lot of people didn't like it. Anyway if I ever become a succesful author I plan on transorming my sci-fi story into a star trek story and submitting it to the powers that be. During the airing of the TNG series I lived and breathed ST, and it saddens me that it's not mainstream anymore. I would love a chance to help reignite it!


Anyway that's what I've been up to! I'm really excited for these ideas I have, and I wanted to thank all of you for your help on my many topics I've created here. Let me know how you're doing!

Outstanding thanks a bunch! 

Beef I'm right there with you! I like to think I have an expansive imagination. I have ideas for 3 different book series, and two of the series I have ideas for multiple sequels. The problem is when I go to sit down I just don't feel like typing. I'd rather hook some device up to my head through a USB port and have the computer translate the novel from my brain. It doesn't help that I have a one year old who just doesn't think writing a novel is worth daddys time.

It definately helps me to plan the book out. Have you checked out Jim Butchers blog? It has his own set up with how to create a story idea and get it started. I agree with Lano that once you have your overall plot, write a short paragraph about it. I think Jim said try to do it in one sentence, but if you can't project your plot in less than a paragraph then it's too polluted. It has to be simple enough that your mind doesn't find it impossible to write from start to finish.

If I'm not typing my story then I at least always keep my mind on it, and come up with new ideas and try to fill in chapter gaps.

You should also figure out how detailed you want your first draft to be. My friend is a sucker for details of the scene, place, and character, so he adds that all in right from the get go. I personally get bored with the details, so I choose to skip them so I can at least get my story on paper. Once I finish my first draft I will go back and insert details of buildings and scenes. I call my first draft my story skeleton. You could also choose to skip any subplots you have, and just punch out the main story first and foremost.

Lastly I would say don’t let yourself get stuck by writers block. If you are typing out a scene and get completely stuck with where to go or how to describe it, then just make a note of it, highlight it, and move on. I personally have trouble skipping entire chapters, but if I’m having an issue with naming something or describing something important I can move over it just fine.

Some of this may work for you, some may not. This is just steps I take when I’m trying to write. I wish you lots of luck!

PS – You could always find a friend who loves to write and just double team the story out. There are times I wouldn’t mind this option but the only friend I have who is a writing fan is working on his own projects at the moment.
 

Obviously as I write my story I'm not going to go handing it out to numerous people and say here read this i trust you not to steal it from me, but as I move along having a chosen few people to read over it and give me feedback really helps my motivation for writing more and also helps me to decide what needs changed. Sooo like the topic says;

How exactly do I copywrite my work so far that it can't be stolen and used by someone else? Is it even possible to copywrite an unfinished script? Or does it have to be finished? Is it even worth it? Let me know guys I appreciate it!

Congrats!