I wondered in a fleeting moment what actor Gale Gordon was like in real life, and ended up, six weeks later ,with a draft of a (bad) novel. It was never published but--I kid you not-- briefly considered as a project by Jack Lemmon's production company. After unsuccessful efforts to publish, I went back to my doctoral dissertation (which had stalled, hence watching The Lucy Show) with a new spring in my step and writing. 😂
"When I try to incorporate what I’m doing in my comic book writing into my fiction writing, it feels so...juvenile. That I should be writing serious fiction that touches upon the truths of life." Comics, serious fiction, escape movies, thought-provoking movies - all work best when they have beneath their premise some life truths. So don't limit yourself - comics are comics so keep them there. Serious fiction is serious fiction, so don't try to make it into a comic. But neither genre, nor any genre, will be truly successful unless it taps into some level of the truth of life. Serious fiction may explore that truth. A comic book may use it as the hidden premise, the premise behind the premise. Find the life truth you want to explore. The genre may then reveal itself. Talk about rambling.................
Rambling is good... it's how we discover things. Often things we already know, but have forgotten. And need to remember.
Rambling about "comics"... In the past while comics have evolved to become "graphic novels" and as such, often contain some Very Serious content. Might be useful to consider the lightness/levity they might have left behind at the last bus stop... yes. Levity doesn't have to be juvenile.
I've been watching "Rumpole of the Bailey" for the first time in decades... and find myself laughing over his timing with eruptions of poetry--among other moments. Much of the character's "life truth" (great phrase, Amy!) comes out in those moments!
Dear writing buddy. That's why I handwrite my drafts first. My first sentences gush with vapid emotion as I try to set the details of the day that I wanted to commit to the page before they disappear from conscious memory. I usually don't get anywhere close to my subject for 500 words. Hints are there but not "the heart of the story." Every discipline requires warm ups from butter to clay, from singing to stringed instruments. If I can't stay with it for 3-4 days I set it aside. Months? Years? It's the roux or the compost for a story I can tell.
Sort of off-topic, but I think you might have useful advice: I’ve written and published a (speculative political novel set in Canada) on Amazon which isn’t getting as much traction as I’d like--like none. On re-reading, I see sections where there is room for improvement. I note that various publishers indicate on their websites that they will not consider anything previously published on line. I have also read advice that one should print out the entirely of a draft of a novel, and then re-write it from the beginning. My question is how much of a re-write would be necessary before it would count as not previously published on-line? Turning info-dumps into show-not-tell could some work, but I would like to keep the characters and the plot.
Tough to say without seeing, and I honestly don't know exactly what an agent or publisher would say to this! (And they would have differing opinions.)
For now, take it down--asap--and re-write until you are thoroughly happy with it. That will take some time. I'm assuming you know how many people have purchased it. If you are going to go the route of finding an agent, I'd suggest you let them know, once they have serious interest in the project, what you've done with it.
I'm assuming that there's something of a difference between what it is now, and what it'll be once you've done another thorough re-write or "re-envisioning."
Thank you for the wonderfully prompt reply. No of purchasers: eight (8) What would happen to their copies? Would they vanish from their Kindles? I am now at work on a second opus, and I believe my skill is increasing, if only because of exercise. I had thought to wait until I finish #2 before re-visiting #1.
If you are wanting to try traditional publishing with this #1, then take it down now. Refund $$ if needed.
Then work on it whenever you are ready... now, or post #2. Sometimes letting time pass and working on another project is the best way to go in with clear sight!
Don't laugh, but I once got inspiration from The Lucy Show. 😂
I Love Lucy!! I'm not laughing at all... but curious to know how that worked? :)
I wondered in a fleeting moment what actor Gale Gordon was like in real life, and ended up, six weeks later ,with a draft of a (bad) novel. It was never published but--I kid you not-- briefly considered as a project by Jack Lemmon's production company. After unsuccessful efforts to publish, I went back to my doctoral dissertation (which had stalled, hence watching The Lucy Show) with a new spring in my step and writing. 😂
This is so good--thank you for sharing this!
Of course the question is which came first? the stalled dissertation? or the Lucy Show?
The stalled dissertation! All the research was done, but I was absolutely blocked on writing it. The Lucy Show was my. muse! 😂
Exactly. Your mind needed a break and went on an adventure.👍
I think there's a general lesson in this! I do hate the pressure on everyone to constantly produce creative work.
What an immensely helpful post. I appreciate both the questions and the responses. I struggle with this but had never articulated it.
It's always good to know the questions that are on minds here. If they're on one person's mind, my guess is that they're on others' too!
"When I try to incorporate what I’m doing in my comic book writing into my fiction writing, it feels so...juvenile. That I should be writing serious fiction that touches upon the truths of life." Comics, serious fiction, escape movies, thought-provoking movies - all work best when they have beneath their premise some life truths. So don't limit yourself - comics are comics so keep them there. Serious fiction is serious fiction, so don't try to make it into a comic. But neither genre, nor any genre, will be truly successful unless it taps into some level of the truth of life. Serious fiction may explore that truth. A comic book may use it as the hidden premise, the premise behind the premise. Find the life truth you want to explore. The genre may then reveal itself. Talk about rambling.................
Rambling is good... it's how we discover things. Often things we already know, but have forgotten. And need to remember.
Rambling about "comics"... In the past while comics have evolved to become "graphic novels" and as such, often contain some Very Serious content. Might be useful to consider the lightness/levity they might have left behind at the last bus stop... yes. Levity doesn't have to be juvenile.
I've been watching "Rumpole of the Bailey" for the first time in decades... and find myself laughing over his timing with eruptions of poetry--among other moments. Much of the character's "life truth" (great phrase, Amy!) comes out in those moments!
Dear writing buddy. That's why I handwrite my drafts first. My first sentences gush with vapid emotion as I try to set the details of the day that I wanted to commit to the page before they disappear from conscious memory. I usually don't get anywhere close to my subject for 500 words. Hints are there but not "the heart of the story." Every discipline requires warm ups from butter to clay, from singing to stringed instruments. If I can't stay with it for 3-4 days I set it aside. Months? Years? It's the roux or the compost for a story I can tell.
roux or compost... yes!
Sort of off-topic, but I think you might have useful advice: I’ve written and published a (speculative political novel set in Canada) on Amazon which isn’t getting as much traction as I’d like--like none. On re-reading, I see sections where there is room for improvement. I note that various publishers indicate on their websites that they will not consider anything previously published on line. I have also read advice that one should print out the entirely of a draft of a novel, and then re-write it from the beginning. My question is how much of a re-write would be necessary before it would count as not previously published on-line? Turning info-dumps into show-not-tell could some work, but I would like to keep the characters and the plot.
Tough to say without seeing, and I honestly don't know exactly what an agent or publisher would say to this! (And they would have differing opinions.)
For now, take it down--asap--and re-write until you are thoroughly happy with it. That will take some time. I'm assuming you know how many people have purchased it. If you are going to go the route of finding an agent, I'd suggest you let them know, once they have serious interest in the project, what you've done with it.
I'm assuming that there's something of a difference between what it is now, and what it'll be once you've done another thorough re-write or "re-envisioning."
Wishing you the best with this!
Thank you for the wonderfully prompt reply. No of purchasers: eight (8) What would happen to their copies? Would they vanish from their Kindles? I am now at work on a second opus, and I believe my skill is increasing, if only because of exercise. I had thought to wait until I finish #2 before re-visiting #1.
If you are wanting to try traditional publishing with this #1, then take it down now. Refund $$ if needed.
Then work on it whenever you are ready... now, or post #2. Sometimes letting time pass and working on another project is the best way to go in with clear sight!