New Here

[insane-poet-46.livejournal.com]

Hi people,

I'm new here and pretty new to writing. I've been a computer professional most of my life, but the past few years I've developed an itch to write. Back around 2004 I had an episode of writing poetry (available on my journal) but then stopped - lost motivation.

Now I've been moved to write a Young Adult novel, and I've got a prologue and two chapters. Only one other person has read it so far, but she thinks it's good and that I should finish it and try to get it published. I'd kind of like to post excerpts here and see what others think - but I don't know if that would mess up chances for commercial publication.

But in any case, I'm glad I found this place and hopefully I will be able to learn from others here.

-Steve

Comments

Re: Need critique on a basic point - one of two parts

[insane-poet-46.livejournal.com]

I think I understand your point, but I find I must disagree.

First, let me clarify some basics about the circumstances of the work. This is a first novel and my first attempt to write fiction. I have a day job and a number of time-consuming personal relationships that I can't really get out of. Time to write has to be found in that context, which isn't easy.

The novel is projected to cover the viewpoint character's Freshman and Sophomore years of high school. In about two months of writing I have brought her forward to the end of lunch on her second day. If I complete the entire work prior to asking for critique we could easily be looking at a couple of years down the road in real time. So, what purpose would I have for being here now?

The next point is that there is editing and editing.

My character is a bass player (Her dad got her a second-hand Fender P-Bass for her middle school graduation). It could turn out that she simply doesn't work as a bassist. If I were to have to reinvent her as a lead guitarist or a keyboardist this would be fairly minor and not seriously discombobulate the overall plot. And that could happen, since I want her to do at least some songwriting, and that's difficult if you don't play at least some regular guitar or keys.

Other elements are a little different in their impact.

Kaitlyn's personality is shaped by many things - not the least of which is that she has a stable home and parents who are strict, but not a-holes. She respects them and they have her back. She attends church, and that is important to her, although it is not her center. She doesn't make a big deal of identifying as "Christian" and she doesn't even wear a WWJD bracelet. But her years attending Suunday School and het Youth Group have helped shape her - probably more than she even realizes. She's not naturally unkind, but she can be a real smartass - often at unpredictable moments. (Well, I can predict them - but that's why I'm the writer :)

Now suppose all *that* doesn't work.

Then we are not talking abour editing or rewrites. We are talking about a different book that tells a different story.
Every conversation changes. The outcome of all the encounters the character has will be different. The plot will go in other directions.

And if that's what will need to happen I want to find out sooner rather than later. I don't want to spend a year or two living with this individual, having her become more real to me than the people around me, and then find that the rest of the world finds her ridiculous, or worst of all, boring.

In my day job, I'm a computer professional, and a lot of my background is in programming. And I have always believed in defining the project correctly at the beginning, and getting feedback from the prospective end-users early and often. That saves a *huge* amount of grief, cost overruns, and wasted effort. I don't see how writing a novel should be that different.

(COntinued following)