The CC authors, writers, and bookists thread.

[Profpointy]

For shooting round corners?

Like this one the Germans made in the War

 

[gbb]

Not being a writer and having no understanding of how the book publishing business work I never cease to be amazed at how so much dross becomes a best-seller.

As an example of my naivete; I have a very intelligent friend who thoroughly enjoys Jack Reacher novels. I could understand this if he was a young teenager.

His response to my question 'why do you read books like that?' was that they were simple, mindless fun that helped him to relax.

I had never thought of reading a book with that approach before.

Books (and films for that matter) are an utterly personal thing. One man's dross is another man's pleasure. I've tried books by very successful novelists...and utterly hated them. You have expectations, preferences, like specific styles, equally importantly HATE specific styles (I'm thinking the Andy McNabb stuff, hate it with a vengeance), you can't switch that off (well I can't anyway )
One man's treasure....

 

[Drago]

I've completely sussed the ending now. Well happy. Now I have to make it happen.

And I've settled on a pen name. Ladies and gentlemen, and Accy, I give you...

Randolph Shaw.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I've completely sussed the ending now. Well happy. Now I have to make it happen.

And I've settled on a pen name. Ladies and gentlemen, and Accy, I give you...

Randolph Shaw.

What was the thinking behind that if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Drago]

Well, it means Shaw can be in large gold embossed letters on the front cover, and Randolph across the top in smaller letters.

It was that or Howard Bell, but Randolph Shaw won because it's more distinctive.

Two syllable first name, single syllable surname. Snappy.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well, it means Shaw can be in large gold embossed letters on the front cover, and Randolph across the top in smaller letters.

It was that or Howard Bell, but Randolph Shaw won because it's more distinctive.

Two syllable first name, single syllable surname. Snappy.

At least you didn't go for Randy Shaw.

Although that is already monopolised according to a quick Google.

Best of luck with your aspirations. 👍

 

[DRM]

The Trawlerman is my main nasty man,

Understandable growing up in Grimsby!

 

[Drago]

23 pages in. I've been planning it in my mind for so long it's practically leaping from my fingers into the computer.

 

[tyred]

Two syllable first name, single syllable surname. Snappy.

Someone should have told Englebert Humperdinck.

 

[classic33]

23 pages in. I've been planning it in my mind for so long it's practically leaping from my fingers into the computer.

How many pages in 11 point text?

 

[Drago]

I think in the region of 400+.

 

[Reynard]

I wouldn't set a target. Not initially anyway. Just write until the story is finished, and see what it comes out at.

Word count is probably a better measure of overall length anyways. Somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 words is what would be considered a reasonable novel, and should be easily achievable with strong characters and a well thought out plot.

 

[Drago]

I'm not setting a target. With the plot I have and the scenes I've worked out that what I reckon it'll end up at.

 

[Reynard]

I'm not setting a target. With the plot I have and the scenes I've worked out that what I reckon it'll end up at.

That's before you've learned the hard way that as your characters develop, they will start talking to you and taking you in unexpected but serendipitous directions. DAMHIKT

 

[Profpointy]

Someone should have told Englebert Humperdinck.

He went for two in each name for his most famous work: Hansel & Gretel